Effect of fat source differing in fatty acid profile on metabolic parameters, fertilization, and embryo quality in high-producing dairy cows

Abstract

The objectives were to evaluate the effects of source of fatty acids (FA) on embryo quality of dairy cows. A total of 154 Holstein cows were assigned randomly to 1 of 2 sources of FA supplemented at 2% of the dietary dry matter as calcium salts of either palm oil (PO) or linoleic and trans-octadecenoic acids (LTFA) from 25 d prepartum to 80 d in milk (DIM). Cows were presynchronized beginning at 30 +/- 3 DIM and then subjected to the Ovsynch protocol beginning on d 39 +/- 3 postpartum. Timed artificial insemination was performed 12 h after the final GnRH of the Ovsynch protocol with semen from a single sire of proven fertility. The uteri of cows were nonsurgically flushed at 5 d after artificial insemination for collection of embryos-oocytes. Ovaries were examined by ultrasonography throughout the synchronization protocol. Blood was sampled and plasma was analyzed for concentrations of metabolites and hormones. The body condition score and yields of milk and milk components were measured throughout the first 90 DIM. Treatment did not affect concentrations of nonesterified FA, beta-hydroxybutyrate, glucose, and progesterone in plasma. Body condition was similar between treatments. Milk production was similar between treatments, but concentrations of fat in milk and yields of fat and 3.5% fat-corrected milk decreased in cows fed LTFA, whereas concentration of true protein increased. Source of dietary FA did not influence ovulatory responses, diameter of the ovulatory follicle, and diameter of the corpus luteum during synchronization. Embryo-oocyte recovery relative to the number of corpora lutea did not differ between treatments. Fertilization tended to increase in cows fed LTFA compared with cows fed PO. Feeding LTFA improved the proportion of excellent-, good-, and fair-quality embryos, and embryos from cows fed LTFA had a greater number of blastomeres than embryos from cows fed PO. Feeding a more unsaturated source of FA improved fertilization and embryo development in lactating dairy cows, despite similar indicators of metabolic status.

Impact of contrasting fish oil concentrations in the diet on ovine embryo development <i>in vivo</i> and of corresponding diet-specific derivative sera during <i>in vitro</i> culture

“…Observations recorded for embryo quality at five (Cerri et al, , 2009) and seven (Thangavelu et al, 2007) days after insemination, and for embryo survival (Petit and Twagiramungu, 2006) and conception rate to first insemination (Juchem et al, , 2010 support the finding that, for the oocyte and early embryo, some fatty acids among the polyunsaturates, in particular linolenic, are superior to others.…”

Maternal nutrition affects the composition of follicular fluid and transcript content in gilt oocytes

“…Several articles have been published on the effect of nutrition on superovulation in pigs (Kojima et al, 1997) and cows (Boland et al, 2001;Fouladi-Nashta et al, 2007;Cerri et al, 2009). However, only a few studies, which have reported contradictory results, were focused on the evaluation of oocyte quality in relation to diet composition.…”

Função ovariana de novilhas Nelore alimentadas com dieta suplementada com gordura protegida ruminal

“…Há relatos de efeito dos ácidos graxos sobre: o número e o tamanho de folículos ovarianos (Lucy et al, 1991;Robinson et al, 2002;Bilby et al, 2006); o tamanho do corpo lúteo (CL) (Raes et al, 2004;Bilby et al, 2006); e a qualidade ovocitária (Kim et al, 2001;Zeron et al, 2002). Além disso, outros autores também observaram que dietas que continham ácidos graxos influenciaram a qualidade embrionária (Kojima et al, 1997;Childs et al, 2008a;Cerri et al, 2009) e a concentração circulante de prostaglandina e hormônios esteroides (Ryan et al, 1992;Petit et al, 2002;Childs et al, 2008b). Neste último caso, não estão bem definidas as causas da associação observada entre a suplementação com lipídeos e as maiores concentrações circulantes de hormônios esteroides.…”