Effects of differential supplementation of fatty acids during the peripartum and breeding periods of Holstein cows: I. Uterine and metabolic responses, reproduction, and lactation

Abstract

The objectives were to evaluate the effects of differential timing of supplementation of different Ca salts (CS) of fatty acids (FA) on FA profiles of cotyledonary-caruncular tissues, metabolic status, uterine health, pregnancy, pregnancy losses after 2 artificial inseminations (AI), and milk yield. Holstein cows (n=1,380) were assigned randomly to be fed either CS of palm oil (PO) or safflower oil (SO) from 30 d prepartum until 30 d postpartum (dpp) and further randomized to receive either CS of PO or fish oil (FO) from 30 to 160 dpp. Supplementation of CS of FA was at 1.5% of dietary dry matter. Tissues (n=23) and blood (n=32) were collected from a subsample of cows. Blood was collected daily from parturition to 10 dpp and three times weekly thereafter until 30 dpp for analyses of PGF2α metabolite, nonesterified FA, β-hydroxybutyric acid, blood urea nitrogen, and glucose. Cows were evaluated once between 8 to 10 dpp for cervical discharge type. At 43 dpp, cows received 2 injections of PGF2α 14 d apart, followed 14 d later by injections of GnRH at 7 d before and 56 h after an injection of PGF2α with AI at 16 h after the second GnRH injection. All cows received intravaginally a controlled internal drug-releasing device, containing 1.38 g of progesterone, at 18 d after the first AI followed 7 d later by removal of the device and injection of GnRH. Nonpregnant cows at 32 d after AI were injected with PGF2α, followed 56 h later with a GnRH injection and second AI 16 h thereafter. Cows diagnosed pregnant after both AI were re-examined at 60 d of pregnancy to determine pregnancy losses. Milk weights were recorded monthly for all cows. Caruncular n-6:n-3 FA ratio was greater in cows fed SO. Plasma concentrations of metabolites and frequency of cervical discharge type did not differ between PO- and SO-fed cows. Plasma PGF2α metabolite was greater in SO-fed cows at 4 and 7 dpp. Pregnancy per AI at 32 and 60 d post first AI was not affected by diets, but pregnancy loss was less in FO-fed cows. At second AI, pregnancy was greater in FO-fed cows at 32 d and in SO-FO-fed cows at 60 d post AI. Pregnancy loss after second AI was not affected by diets. Overall pregnancy per AI was greater in cows fed SO followed by FO at 60 d of pregnancy and pregnancy loss was reduced in FO-fed cows. Monthly milk yield was greater (0.7 kg/d) in SO-fed cows. In conclusion, strategic feeding of CS of FA during transition and breeding periods can benefit fertility and milk production of lactating dairy cows.

Prepartum and postpartum nutritional management to optimize fertility in high-yielding dairy cows in confined TMR systems

“…A novel strategy to use polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) supplements to improve reproduction has been reported (Silvestre et al, 2011). Cows fed calcium salts of safflower oil from 30 days before to 30 days after calving, followed by calcium salts of fish oil to 160 days postpartum, had greater pregnancy rates and higher milk production.…”

Effects of flaxseed, raw soybeans and calcium salts of fatty acids on apparent total tract digestibility, energy balance and milk fatty acid profile of transition cows

“…Although unsaturated FA are known as modifiers of physiology and metabolism, for example, modulating immune function and reproduction in dairy cows (Silvestre et al, 2011a and2011b), they alter bacterial cell integrity (Maia et al, 2007) and impair ruminal fermentation. The matrix complex that surrounds the cotyledon(s) (which represents 90% of the weight and contains practically all the oil and protein) of oilseeds offers some protection to the access of ruminal microorganisms (Lock and Bauman, 2004), and can be added in lactating cow diets without decreasing NDF total tract digestion and impairing ruminal fermentation (Almeida et al, 2015).…”

Milk yield and reproductive performance of dairy heifers and cows supplemented with polyunsaturated fatty acids

“…In addition to these benefits, PUFAs, or their biohydrogenated metabolites, can be absorbed by the uterus and inhibit the production and release of prostaglandin F 2α in the endometrium at the beginning of pregnancy. This would prevent the regression of the corpus luteum in the ovary and allow the continuous production of progesterone, favoring embryo survival (Bilby et al, 2006;Silvestre et al, 2011). It is likely that the interaction between these mechanisms resulted in the improved tendency observed in the conception rate of supplemented heifers (Table 3).…”

“…Fat sources rich in n-3 fatty acids are inhibitors of cyclooxygenase in the endometrial tissue of dairy cows (Staples et al, 1998), and, therefore, endometrial secretion of PGF 2α may be suppressed, which can potentially prevent early embryonic death (Silvestre et al, 2011). Moreover, PUFAs supplied 21 days before parturition contribute to a faster recovery of the uterus and to improve cow fertility (Ambrose & Kastelic, 2003).…”