title: Effects of grain processing and bovine somatotropin on metabolism and ovarian activity of dairy cows during early lactation.
abstract: This study compared the effects of exogenous bovine somatotropin (bST) on the metabolism and ovarian activity of cows fed diets differing in ruminally degradable starch. Twenty-four multiparous and eight primiparous Holstein cows in early lactation were divided into four groups and fed diets containing 39% grain as steam-flaked sorghum or steam-rolled corn with or without bST for 90 d in a 2 x 2 factorial design. Flaked sorghum improved energy status of cows during early lactation, tending to increase plasma glucose and insulin. Administration of bST decreased plasma urea nitrogen and increased nonesterified fatty acids (NEFA). Plasma levels of beta-hydroxybutyrate (BHBA) and hepatic concentrations of triglycerides were not altered by treatments. Temporal changes in plasma glucose, urea nitrogen, NEFA, and BHBA were detected in a quadratic manner and insulin increased linearly with time, but treatments did not affect postpartum changes in these metabolites. There were greater decreases in body weight and net energy balance in cows on bST during the first 7 wk of treatment. Cows receiving bST took longer to reach the nadir of negative energy balance, and bST tended to delay the period to reach a positive energy balance. Follicular populations and incidence of cystic ovaries were not affected by treatments, but cows receiving bST had fewer double ovulations. Flaked sorghum increased plasma progesterone during the early luteal phase of the first two postpartum estrous cycles. Feeding more ruminally degradable starch improved the energy status and luteal activity of cows in early lactation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal Science, University of Arizona, Tucson 85721-0038, USA.
authors.forename: J E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Santos
authors.forename: J T
authors.initials: JT
authors.lastname: Huber
authors.forename: C B
authors.initials: CB
authors.lastname: Theurer
authors.forename: C B
authors.initials: CB
authors.lastname: Nussio
authors.forename: L G
authors.initials: LG
authors.lastname: Nussio
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tarazon
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Fish
mesh_terms: D020155:3-Hydroxybutyric Acid / Q000097:blood; D000818:Animals; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000378:metabolism; D001806:Blood Urea Nitrogen; D002417:Cattle / Q000502:physiology*; D003338:Corpus Luteum / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000502:physiology; D004040:Dietary Carbohydrates / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000378:metabolism; D002523:Edible Grain; D004734:Energy Metabolism; D005230:Fatty Acids, Nonesterified / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D005511:Food Handling; D013006:Growth Hormone / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007328:Insulin / Q000097:blood; D007774:Lactation / Q000502:physiology*; D008660:Metabolism; D010053:Ovary / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000502:physiology*; D012417:Rumen / Q000378:metabolism; D013213:Starch / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000378:metabolism; D014463:Ultrasonography
chemical_list: D001786:Blood Glucose; D004040:Dietary Carbohydrates; D005230:Fatty Acids, Nonesterified; D007328:Insulin; D013006:Growth Hormone; D013213:Starch; D020155:3-Hydroxybutyric Acid