Why adding rumen protected choline chloride in daily ration of ruminants?

During the perinatal period (within three weeks postpartum), dairy cows are in a state of negative energy balance, with fat tissue breaking down and a large amount of non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA) flowing into the liver. Moderate lipolysis and a moderate release of NEFA are beneficial for cows to successfully cope with negative energy balance, but excessive lipolysis leads to high concentrations of NEFA flowing into the liver beyond the ability of liver cells to oxidize fatty acids for energy and integrate esterified fatty acids into very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL), resulting in the accumulation of triglycerides in the liver, which further develops into fatty liver. Finally,it poses a serious challenge to the health of dairy cows and affects the productivity.

Studies have shown that triglycerides can be transported out of the liver in the form of VLDL and utilized by the body. The choline chloride, an important component of VLDL, promotes the synthesis of VLDL and also acts as a methyl donor for carnitine, accelerating the ß-oxidation of fatty acids in the liver and reducing liver fat deposition.

Due to the extensive degradation of choline chloride in the daily ration by rumen microbiota, the ability to synthesize VLDL in the liver is inherently low. Therefore, it is necessary and beneficial to add rumen protected choline chloride in the daily ration for perinatal dairy cows.