Correction of Subnormal Fertility with Copper and Magnesium Supplementation

Abstract

Two hundred and four Holstein cows and heifers were randomly assigned to mineral supplement groups 30 d prior to expected calving. Supplement treatment groups were Cu, Mg, Cu plus Mg, and no mineral supplement. The total diet of supplemented groups averaged 15 mg/kg of Cu and .30% of Mg. Pastures consisted of bermudagrass, bahiagrass, and millet during the summer and oats and ryegrass mixture during the winter. Corn and sorghum silage were also fed. Blood samples were taken just prior to initiation of mineral supplementation and at wk 1, 2, 4, 6, and 8 postpartum. Hemoglobin and packed cell volume were determined and plasma was assayed for Cu and Mg. First service conception rates were 57% for the Cu plus Mg treatment and 27, 38, and 33% for treatments 1, 2, and 4, respectively. Ninety-two percent of the cows in the Cu plus Mg-group conceived by 210 d postpartum as opposed to an average of 75% for the other groups. Plasma Mg was different among cows grouped on a fertility basis and hemoglobin was correlated with days to conception. Plasma Mg was correlated with hemoglobin. Both were inversely related to postcalving infection and uterine involution. In summary, cows supplemented with both Cu and Mg showed improved fertility, whereas those supplemented with Cu or Mg alone did not.

Blood biochemical profile of Sudanese crossbred repeat breeder cows

“…One important role of copper is being a cofactor for enzymes like the amine oxidase, copper-dependent superoxide dismutase, cytochrome oxidase, and tyrosinase. Furthermore, copper plays a critical role in female fertility (Ingraham et al, 1987). It has been reported that copper makes complexes with gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) (Michaluk and Kochman, 2007).…”

“…Copper supplementation was used to correct the subnormal fertility of cows (Ingraham et al, 1987). One important role of copper is being a cofactor for enzymes like the amine oxidase, copper-dependent superoxide dismutase, cytochrome oxidase, and tyrosinase.…”

“…Moreover, the plasma urea was shown to be higher in RB than NC cows in previous studies (Kurykin et al, 2011;Sabasthin et al, 2012). Deficiencies of Mn, Cu, Fe and Zn have been associated with immune suppression, anemia, and poor fertility in dairy animals (Ingraham et al, 1987;Akhtar et al, 2014).…”

Blood Biochemical Components and Progesterone Hormone on Day of Estrus in Crossbred Cattle in Egypt

“…A deficiency of Mg was not expected, yet serum Mg was <0.745 mmol/L which has defined hypomagnesia in cattle (ARC 1980). Others have shown that supplemental Cu and Mg improved fertility in dairy cows even though plasma concentrations of Cu and Mg were similar among supplemented and unsupplemented groups (Ingraham et al 1987).…”

Produção de embriões e fisiologia ovariana em vacas nelore sob diferentes níveis nutricionais

“…Muitos estudos têm relacionado nutrição a problemas de fertilidade, especialmente em vacas leiteiras que apresentam severo balanço energético negativo (BEN), evidenciado pela queda de ECC no pós-parto (Moreira, Risco et al, 2000;López-Gatius, 2003). Além disso, também tem sido demonstrado o efeito negativo do excesso de energia (Wiltbank, Lopez et al, 2006;Santos, Cerri et al, 2008), os efeitos tóxicos do nitrogênio nas dietas (Butler, 1998;Dawuda, Scaramuzzi et al, 2002;Rhoads, Rhoads et al, 2006), assim como deficiências de vitaminas e minerais (Ingraham, Kappel et al, 1987;Aréchiga, Ortíz et al, 1994;Aréchiga, Vázquez-Flores et al, 1998).…”