Effect of Bovine Somatotropin on Metabolism of Lactating Dairy Cows: Energy and Nitrogen Utilization as Determined by Respiration Calorimetry

Effects of exogenous bovine somatotropin (bST) on energy and nitrogen utilization by high producing dairy cows were examined. Nine cows received bST (51.5 IU/d) or exipient (control) in a single reversal design involving 14-d treatment periods. Energy and nitrogen balances were measured in open-circuit respiration chambers. Yield of 4% solids-corrected milk was increased by 22% with bST treatment. Dry matter intake and the apparent digestibilities of dry matter, energy and nitrogen were not altered by treatment. The only significant component of nitrogen utilization that was altered by bST treatment was an increase in milk nitrogen secretion. Cows were in negative tissue nitrogen balance during the control period (-21 g/d) and tended to become more negative during the bST treatment period (-34 g/d). Heat energy loss and milk energy secretion were increased with bST treatment. Tissue energy balance was -1.1 Mcal/d during the control treatment period and the use of energy reserves with bST treatment decreased tissue energy balance to -9.8 Mcal/d. Changes in heat production with bST treatment were equal to those predicted from the changes in milk and body tissue. Overall, the results demonstrated that bST treatment increased yield of milk and milk components even when cows were in negative nitrogen and energy balance. Effects of bST were predominantly associated with nutrient partitioning, and observed heat loss (associated with maintenance and partial efficiencies of milk synthesis and tissue utilization) did not differ from predicted heat loss.