EFFECT OF LONG CHAIN FATTYACIDS ON THE PRODUCTION AND REPRODUCTIVE IMMUNITY OF HOLSTEIN DAIRY COWS

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Animal Reproduction Research Institute, ARC, Haram, Giza, Egypt.

2 Animal Production Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Ain Shams University, Shoubra Al-Khyma, Cairo, Egypt.

Abstract

Twenty two multiparous and primiparous Holstein cows were utilized in a completely randomized design to determine the effects of feeding diets containing  health, immunity, reproductive responses of heat stressed cows during the transition period. Dietary treatments were initiated 20-35 d prior to estimate calving date and continued till confirmed pregnancy postpartum. Diets were formulated to be isocaloric and isonitrogenous and started feeding the pre calving diets at July for the precalving cows and the post calving diets were fed tell conception. Dry matter intake (DMI)  was measured and recorded , the average 1 three months postpartum milk production were calculated. Total mixed ration (TMR) ration were collected monthly , and analyzed. Milk samples were collected for analysis and measuring beta hydroxy  buterate (BHB), lysozy me and nitric oxide concentration .The obtained results showed no difference in the average DMI between the two group sin pre calving stage (12.5for G1;12.4 for G2,Kg/h/d),while, it was higher in theG1(20.55) than in G2 (18.45) in the 1st three month post calving. Milk production was increased in G1(36.42±0.14kg)than in G2 (34.57±0.20kg) but they are not significantly different. Also there was no significant difference between the two groups in milk analysis for protein, fat, SNF, and   lactose at W2, W4 and at W7 postpartum. BHB concentration at W2 PP was significantly lower in G1 (25±9.45µg/mol.) than those in G2 (81.25±9.15µg/mol.) , lysozyme at w2, w4 and w7 PP was significantly decreased in G1(94.10±30.73,45.56±9.86,26.15±11.12µg/ml)  than those in G2 (246.34±6.11, 217.21±9.56, 192.68±11.048µg/ml) respectively. Nitric oxide concentration was significantly   decreased in G1 (47.38±18.21, 18.43±3.45, 14.27±2.72 µm/ml) than those in G2 (91.79±9.55, 64.73±7.40, 42.53±6.31µm/ml) at W2,W4 and W7, respectively. Uterine cytology (neutrophil concentration) at day40±3PP was higher in G2 than G1 but they were not significantly different. Days to1st estrus and days to1st insemination were significantly lower in group one (36.92±0.52, 75.0793±0.68) than those in G2 (86.18±0.64, 88.94±0.53) respectively. Days open and I.N. in G1 (172.89±3.13, 3.19±0.06) were lower than those in G2(195.42±2.78,4.07±0.07) but they were not significantly different. Conception rate(CR%) at1st, 2nd and 3rdinsemination was higher in G1 (10%,50%,20%) than those in G2(8.33%,25%,8.33%) and also repeat breeder (%) was much greater in G2(58.33%) than in G1 (30%). This study concluded that, using omega-3FA may enhance there productive performance of dairy cows during summer season because of its anti-inflammatory potency, leading to a higher chance of survival of the embryo when supplemented during the  per conceptual period by reducing the oxidative stress.

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