title: Effects of calcium soaps of fatty acids on postpartum reproductive activity in beef cows and growth of calves.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Facultad de Zootecnia, Universidad Autónoma de Chihuahua, México.
authors.forename: J L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Espinoza
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Ramirez-Godinez
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Jimenez
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Flores
mesh_terms: 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
chemical_list: D008076:Cholesterol, HDL; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL; D015243:Cholesterol, VLDL; D005227:Fatty Acids; D012915:Soaps; D014280:Triglycerides; D002784:Cholesterol; D002118:Calcium