Meta-Analysis of Dietary Supplementation with Seaweed in Dairy Cows: Milk Yield and Composition, Nutrient Digestibility, Rumen Fermentation, and Enteric Methane Emissions
2024
José Felipe Orzuna-Orzuna | Alejandro Lara-Bueno | Germán David Mendoza-Martínez | Luis Alberto Miranda-Romero | Gabriela Vázquez Silva | María Eugenia de la Torre-Hernández | Nallely Sánchez-López | Pedro Abel Hernández-García
This study used a meta-analytic approach to evaluate the effects of dietary supplementation with seaweed on milk yield, milk composition, nutrient digestibility, ruminal fermentation, and enteric methane (CH<sub>4</sub>) emissions of dairy cows. Data used in statistical analyses were obtained from 23 peer-reviewed scientific articles. Effect size was assessed using weighted mean differences (WMD) between seaweed-supplemented and control treatments. Dietary supplementation with seaweed decreased (<i>p</i> < 0.05) dry matter intake, milk protein content, milk urea nitrogen, and somatic cell count. In contrast, milk fat content, milk lactose content, and milk iodine increased (<i>p</i> < 0.05) in response to dietary supplementation with seaweed. Dietary supplementation with seaweed did not affect (<i>p</i> > 0.05) nutrient digestibility, total volatile fatty acids, acetate, and propionate. Dietary supplementation with seaweeds increased (<i>p</i> < 0.05) ruminal pH and ruminal concentration of butyrate and valerate. In contrast, lower (<i>p</i> < 0.05) ruminal ammonia nitrogen concentration, acetate/propionate ratio, daily CH<sub>4</sub> emission, CH<sub>4</sub> yield, and CH<sub>4</sub> intensity were observed in response to dietary supplementation with seaweeds. In conclusion, dietary supplementation with seaweed modifies milk composition, improves ruminal fermentation, and decreases enteric methane emissions without negatively affecting milk yield or feed efficiency.
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