Effect of feeding biotin on milk production and hoof health in lactating dairy cows: a quantitative assessment

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#animal-nutritional-physiological-phenomena #animals #biotin #cattle #diet

Effect of feeding biotin on milk production and hoof health in lactating dairy cows: a quantitative assessment

Lean et al., 2011 | J Dairy Sci | Meta Analysis

Citation

Lean I J, Rabiee A R. Effect of feeding biotin on milk production and hoof health in lactating dairy cows: a quantitative assessment. J Dairy Sci. 2011-Mar;94(3):1465-76. doi:10.3168/jds.2010-3682

Abstract

Objectives of this study were to critically review randomized controlled trials, evaluate the effectiveness of supplementation with biotin on milk yield and composition and hoof health in lactating dairy cows, explore sources of heterogeneity among studies, and evaluate publication bias. Quantitative assessments can increase the statistical power with which we study the effect of treatments, such as biotin, on outcomes. A total of 9 papers, with 6 production and 3 hoof health studies, met the eligibility criteria for meta-analysis. Eight studies evaluated various hoof lesions in biotin-supplemented cows that did not meet the inclusion criteria. Eleven comparisons were made of milk production responses to biotin treatment. Data extracted included the number of cows in control and treatment groups, measures of variance of responses (standard error or standard deviation) and P-values. Other data obtained included the duration of treatment before and after calving, parity, breed of cow, type and dose of biotin, delivery method of supplementation, and types of diets. Biotin increased milk production by 1.29 kg per head per day (95% confidence interval=0.35 to 2.18 kg) with no evidence of heterogeneity (I(2)=0.0%). Treatment did not affect milk fat or protein percentages, and a trend to increase fat and protein yields was observed. Milk production and composition results were not influenced by duration of treatment before calving, parity, or diet type. Assessment of biotin supplementation on hoof health indicated that more studies had improved rather than negative or neutral outcomes. The effect of biotin treatment on milk production was relatively large and the effects on fat and protein yields, although not significant, were consistent in direction and magnitude with the milk response. The hoof health responses to biotin should encourage further studies to more effectively define the nature of these responses using consistent criteria for examination of hoof conditions and lameness.

Key Findings

The hoof health responses to biotin should encourage further studies to more effectively define the nature of these responses using consistent criteria for examination of hoof conditions and lameness.

Outcomes Measured

  • Requires manual extraction

Population

Field Value
Population See abstract
Sample Size See abstract
Age Range See abstract
Condition See abstract

MeSH Terms

  • Animal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena
  • Animals
  • Biotin
  • Cattle
  • Diet
  • Dietary Supplements
  • Female
  • Hoof and Claw
  • Lactation
  • Milk
  • Publication Bias
  • Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic

Evidence Classification

  • Level: Meta Analysis
  • Publication Types: Journal Article, Meta-Analysis, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Vertical: biotin

Provenance

Source extracted via PubMed E-utilities API on 2026-04-09