Effects of calcium soaps of fatty acids on postpartum reproductive activity in beef cows and growth of calves.
Beef cows were used to determine the influence of calcium soaps of fatty acids (CSFA) incorporated in a range supplement on postpartum reproductive characteristics and growth of calves. Cows were assigned randomly to receive 0 (C, n = 68) or 125 g/d of CSFA (M, n = 66). Diets were isonitrogenous (23%) and were used during 105 d, beginning at 61 +/- 36 d (range) precalving. Two blood samples were collected monthly (7-d intervals). Weights of calves at 35, 50, and 90 d of age and weaning weight adjusted to 200 d of age were greater in M than in C (46.8 vs 43.8 kg, P < .05; 56.0 vs 50.6 kg, P< .01; 98.8 vs 91.8 kg, P < .01; and 186 vs 173 kg, P < .01, respectively). Body weights at 35 and 50 d postcalving were greater in M than in C cows (334 and 310 kg, P < .01; 329 and 300 kg, P < .01, respectively). A similar tendency was observed in body condition scores in the same postpartum periods (4.1 vs 3.4, P < .01 and 3.6 vs 2.5, P < .01 for M and C, respectively). Concentrations of total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, very-low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and triglycerides were greater (P < .01) in M than in C cows. Percentage of cycling (progesterone > 1 ng/mL) cows at 30 to 90 d postpartum was 38% in M and 22% in C (P < .02). Percentage of pregnant cows during the first half of the breeding season was greater (P < .02) in M (62.5%) than in C cows (35.5%). We concluded that CSFA incorporated in a range supplement during pre- and postpartum periods improved reproductive efficiency and growth of calves.
Espinoza
J L
JL
Facultad de Zootecnia, Universidad Autónoma de Chihuahua, México.
Ramirez-Godinez
J A
JA
Jimenez
J A
JA
Flores
A
A
D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology; D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000502:physiology; D001724:Birth Weight / Q000502:physiology; D002118:Calcium / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002417:Cattle / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL / Q000097:blood; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL / Q000097:blood; D015243:Cholesterol, VLDL / Q000097:blood; D005227:Fatty Acids / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D005527:Food, Fortified; D049590:Postpartum Period / Q000502:physiology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D018873:Pregnancy Rate; D011897:Random Allocation; D012098:Reproduction / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D012915:Soaps; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood
D008076:Cholesterol, HDL; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL; D015243:Cholesterol, VLDL; D005227:Fatty Acids; D012915:Soaps; D014280:Triglycerides; D002784:Cholesterol; D002118:Calcium