Effects of the inclusion of acai oil in diet of prepartum Holstein cows on milk production, somatic cell counts and future lactation

We measured the effects of acai oil in the diets of prepartum cows to evaluate health, milk production and quality. Sixteen Holstein cows were divided into two groups: SOY used as control, and ACAl, test group. Occurred inclusion of 4% soybean or acai oils was provided in the concentrate starting at 20 days prepartum [d -20 to d 0 (partumday)]. The ACAl diet increased (P=0.01) milk production (d 10 and 20) and reduced somatic cell count (d 20). In milk, no effects were detected (P >= 0.10) for concentration of fat, lactose or protein as well as in terms of serum concentration of calcium, albumin or triglycerides. AcAl diet tended to increase (P=0.09) serum concentrations of total protein, glutathione transferase (d 4), and total antioxidant capacity (d 4 and 10) and increased (Ps0.05) globulin, gamma-glutamyl transferase, superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase (d 4). Further, AcAl diet reduced the serum concentration of creatine kinase (P <= 0.05) (d 0, 4 and 10), reactive oxygen species (d 0 and 4) and lipoperoxidation (d 0) and tended to reduce aspartate transaminase activity (P=0.07; d 0 and 4). Acai oil in the diets in prepartum cows improved their health as well as milk production and quality.