title: 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)
authors.affiliation: Dept. of Anim. Sci. and Ind., Kansas State University, Manhattan 66506.
authors.forename: R B
authors.initials: RB
authors.lastname: Hightshoe
authors.forename: R C
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Cochran
authors.forename: L R
authors.initials: LR
authors.lastname: Corah
authors.forename: G H
authors.initials: GH
authors.lastname: Kiracofe
authors.forename: D L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Harmon
authors.forename: R C
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Perry
mesh_terms: D000780:Anestrus / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D000821:Animal Feed; D000818:Animals; D002417:Cattle / Q000502:physiology*; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood; D004958:Estradiol / Q000097:blood; D005227:Fatty Acids / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000097:blood; D006080:Ovarian Follicle / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D010060:Ovulation / Q000187:drug effects; D049590:Postpartum Period / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D011374:Progesterone / Q000097:blood; D011897:Random Allocation; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D005227:Fatty Acids; D014280:Triglycerides; D011374:Progesterone; D004958:Estradiol; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone; D002784:Cholesterol