BetaTrace: A source for rumen bypass betaine

The transition from pregnancy to lactation is challenging for dairy cows. Nutritionists and farmers also face challenges because of the need to focus on nutrition and management strategies that prevent metabolic disorders, support optimal dry matter intake, and maximise milk yield.

Methyl donors are functional nutrients that regulate key metabolic and immunological pathways through one-carbon metabolism. These unique functions make the modulation of dietary methyl donors during stressful periods, such as the neonatal and peripartal periods, a viable option for improving the health and production of dairy cows.

The role of betaine

Betaine (trimethylglycine) performs 2 primary functions. First, it serves as an osmolyte, regulating cellular integrity and protecting cells from stress. Second, it provides methyl groups for the liver’s conversion of homocysteine to methionine via betaine-homocysteine methyltransferase (BHMT). 

Betaine-homocysteine methyltransferase is predominantly expressed in the liver, kidneys, and pancreas of ruminants, indicating a significant functional role for betaine as a methyl donor in these tissues. As BHMT is highly expressed in the liver, betaine exerts critical metabolic functions that are related to liver health, which have implications for the prevention of fatty liver disease.

By supporting the re-methylation of homocysteine to methionine, betaine may conserve methionine for methyl donation and enhance its incorporation into milk proteins in lactating cows. In transition cows, betaine can increase re-methylation, supporting L-carnitine and phosphatidylcholine availability, enhancing fat and energy metabolism (Figure 1). Moreover, betaine has anti-inflammatory properties due to its ability to upregulate the antioxidant defense system by improving impaired sulfur amino acid metabolism. 

Figure 1 – Metabolism of choline and its metabolites. 

Because of its benefits, betaine supplementation has been prevalent in animal nutrition, especially in monogastric animals. In ruminants, though, rumen degradation of unprotected betaine is a concern. Indeed, betaine is quickly degraded in the rumen with approximately 45%/h of betaine degraded in vivo and completely disappearing 4 to 6 h after feeding. As such, unprotected betaine cannot be absorbed efficiently.

Rumen-protected betaine

Rumen-protected betaine works by inhibiting – or bypassing – rumen degradation so that betaine can be absorbed in the small intestine. This increases methyl group supply and methionine availability via BHMT, supporting cows during the critical transition period and subsequent lactation. Dietary rumen-protected betaine supplementation in lactating dairy cows has been demonstrated to enhance lactation performance and fat metabolism.

Conventionally, encapsulation has been used to protect ingredients from rumen degradation, particularly for amino acids such as methionine and choline. These products often use a lipid coating – fatty acids and triglycerides – to shield the ingredient from rumen microbes and ensure absorption in the small intestine.

BetaTrace

The innovative feed additive BetaTrace is a complex of betaine anhydrous and trace minerals zinc, manganese, copper, and iron. It combines the properties of organically bound trace minerals with intestinally available betaine. Given the importance of methyl donors, and particularly betaine, to the health and production of dairy cows, BetaTrace was tested in vitro to determine if the betaine-trace mineral complex survives rumen passage. The gas test was used to measure residual betaine after incubation. This test is a standardised, in vitro method for analysing feed.

Briefly, rumen fluid was extracted from fistulated sheep and placed in incubation cannulae (n=3) containing buffer to a total volume of 25 ml. A small amount of standardised feed (TMR) was added to support the rumen bacteria. Test material (1 mg betaine from BetaTrace or betaine anhydrous to equal 0.04 mg/ml) was added, and tubes were incubated at 39°C in a rotating incubator. The dose was selected based on a calculation of a typical daily trace mineral simultaneously delivering 4 g of betaine/cow with an estimated rumen volume of 100 l. Samples were removed after 4 h and 8 h and assayed for betaine levels. Gas produced by rumen microbes was measured for control.

After 4 hours, betaine from BetaTrace remained at the initial level and over 50% of added betaine was still present after 8 hours. In contrast, betaine levels in the control were undetectable after 4 hours of incubation (Figure 2). Gas formation showed no irregularities and met established standards for all samples. 

Figure 2 – Betaine levels after 4 and hours. 

The betaine from BetaTrace degraded more slowly compared to betaine anhydrous. Since rumen fluid moves through the rumen much more quickly than feed (hours vs. days), the soluble BetaTrace complex is likely to evade rumen degradation. Consequently, BetaTrace shows promise as a source of bypass betaine and can be used as a methyl group donor in ruminants.

Evidence for rumen-protected betaine

A recent study examined the effects of rumen-protected betaine supplementation as a partial replacement for methionine on lactation performance and serum metabolites of dairy cows. Mid-lactation cows (n=36) were divided into 3 groups based on milk production and lactation stage. Groups were fed the same methionine deficient basal diet supplemented with either 20 g/day rumen-protected betaine RPB; 6 g pure betaine), 15 g/day rumen-protected methionine (RPM; 9 g pure methionine), or basal diet only (control) for 9 weeks. The RPB and RPM products had a bypass rate of 72% and 80% respectively. 

Figure 3 – Milk yield, milk fat, protein content and SCC in the control, RPM and RPB groups. 

No differences were noted in DMI among the 3 groups. Compared to the control, cows in the RPM and RPB groups had higher milk yields and greater milk fat and protein content. Somatic cell count (SCC) was reduced in the RPB group compared to the RPM and control groups (Figure 3). This study demonstrates that RPB supplementation enhances milk yield, fat, and protein synthesis, likely by increasing amino acid supply. It also spares methionine and improves lactation in cows on moderately methionine-deficient diets, reducing the amount of added methionine.

BetaTrace delivers betaine that resists rumen degradation to support BHMT-mediated re-methylation, preserving the methyl economy and sparing methionine for protein and phosphatidylcholine synthesis. This reinforces liver function and supports metabolic resilience and milk performance. Combining organic trace minerals with protected betaine, BetaTrace offers a practical, all-in-one solution for optimal cow performance.

References available upon request.

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