Energy-mineral supplementation during the gestation-lactation transition period in Holstein cows

Abstract

In order to determine the effect of energy-mineral supplementation during the gestation-lactation transition period on the metabolic profile and reproductive indicators of Holstein cows,a total of 32 animals, between the third and fourth lactation, and body condition ≥ 3.5 were selected. The experiment was performed in Carchi province, Ecuador, during the rainy season. Two groups of 16 animals each were randomly formed. The same foods were supplied to all, and those in the treated group were supplemented with corn, in an amount of 1.0 kg DM, 30 days before parturition, and 2.0 kg DM at the beginning of lactation until 60 days postpartum, plus parenteral supplementation of 20 mL of kyrofosfan.The hematochemical parameters and reproductive indicators were determined, which were compared by t- Student test for independent samples. The
contributions of Cu and Zn did not cover the requirements in both study groups. The metabolizable energy was deficient in the animals that were not supplemented with corn. In the cows from the treated group, the concentrations in blood serum of P, Cu, Zn and cholesterol, and the body condition were higher (P <0.05) at 30 and 60 days postpartum. Total proteins increased (P <0.05) at 60 days postpartum, while betehydroxybutyrate decreased (P <0.01) at 30 days postpartum.The supplementation decreased (P <0.05) the parturition-first service interval, the services per gestation (P <0.001) and the parturition-conception and parturition-parturition intervals. It is concluded that energy-mineral supplementation improves the metabolic profile and reproductive indicators.
Key words: energy, protein, deficit, metabolic profile, reproductive indicators