Effects of calcium soaps of fatty acids on postpartum reproductive function in beef cows

Abstract

Twelve multiparous Simmental cows (584 kg) were used to determine the influence of calcium soaps of fatty acids (CSFA) incorporated in a range supplement on postpartum reproductive characteristics. Cows were assigned randomly to receive a control [C; containing grain sorghum (GS) and soybean meal (SBM)] or CSFA-based (containing Megalac [a source of CSFA], GS, and SBM) supplement. Supplements plus prairie hay were individually fed. Diets were isonitrogenous and met the NEm requirement for heavy-milking beef cows in early lactation. Supplement feeding and daily blood collection began at parturition. Calves were removed permanently from cows at 25 +/- 2 d postpartum. Duration of first postpartum estrous cycles was determined by both visual observations and changes in concentrations of progesterone in serum. Concentrations of LH in serum (15-min intervals for 6 h) were determined 12 h before and 48 and 96 h after calf removal. Concentrations of progesterone and estradiol-17 beta in serum were determined daily. Cows receiving CSFA had higher (P = .06) mean concentrations of LH than those receiving C (1.47 vs 1.12 +/- .13 ng/ml). Concentrations of estradiol-17 beta were lower (P less than .02) and serum progesterone were higher (P less than .02) between d 6 and 8 of the induced cycle in CSFA-fed cows. Plasma cholesterol was greater (P less than .01) in cows fed CSFA although plasma triglyceride concentrations were similar between treatments.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Effects of supplementation of calcium salts of polyunsaturated fatty acids on serum concentrations of progesterone and insulin of pregnant dairy cows

“…Duration of the supplementation period is another potential reason for the discrepancy between the results of the present study and others (Hightshoe et al, 1991;Hawkins et al, 1995). In the present study, a supplementation period of 14 d was used based on previous studies from our laboratory (Lopes et al, 2009(Lopes et al, , 2011.…”

“…Adding calcium soaps of FA to the diet increased serum concentrations of P 4 in bovine females (Hightshoe et al, 1991;Hawkins et al, 1995). Greater concentrations of P 4 before and after breeding are associated with enhanced fertility (Folman et al, 1973) and embryonic survival (Mann et al, 2006).…”

“…Hawkins et al (1995) fed calcium salts of FA to pregnant heifers starting 100 d before parturition through day 12 of the third estrus cycle. Hightshoe et al (1991) fed calcium salts of FA to multiparous beef cows from parturition throughout the second postpartum ovulation. Therefore, it is possible that longer periods of fat supplementation are required to potentially increase circulating concentrations of P 4 .…”

Effect of a supplement rich in linolenic acid added to the diet of post partum dairy cows on ovarian follicle growth, and milk and plasma fatty acid compositions

“…Improvements in pregnancy rate at 45 d post insemination [5], ovarian follicle growth [6] and steroidogenesis [7] have all been reported. It has been suggested that the mechanism involves enhanced ovarian activity through the following: improved energy status [8], increased availability of cholesterol for steroid synthesis [9] and increased circulating insulin concentrations [10].…”

Effect of different fat sources on in vitro degradation of nutrients and certain blood parameters in sheep

“…Astrup et al (1976) and Palmquist and Conrad (1978) also observed an increase in total lipid concentration following fat supplementation. Supplementation of the ration with fat increased both the triglyceride content (Marty and Block, 1990) and the cholesterol concentration (Sharma et al, 1978;Wrenn et al, 1978;Marty and Block, 1990;Hightshoe et al, 1991) of the blood plasma.…”