Hostname: page-component-cd9895bd7-dzt6s Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-12-27T03:35:04.317Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

The effect of pre- and post-partum energy and protein supply on the blood metabolites and reproductive performance of single- and twin-suckling beef cows

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 September 2010

K. D. Sinclair ,
P. J. Broadbent  and
J. S. M. Hutchinson
K. D. Sinclair
Affiliation:
Scottish Agricultural College, Department of Agriculture, 581 King Street, Aberdeen AB9 1UD
P. J. Broadbent
Affiliation:
Scottish Agricultural College, Department of Agriculture, 581 King Street, Aberdeen AB9 1UD
J. S. M. Hutchinson
Affiliation:
University of Aberdeen, Department of Agriculture, 581 King Street, Aberdeen AB9 1UD
Get access

Abstract

Changes in certain blood metabolites, serum progesterone concentration and pregnancy rate, were monitored for single- and twin-suckling cows in two experiments. In experiment 1, cows were managed to achieve condition scores at calving of 2·1 (low) and 3·1 (moderate). Subsequently, these animals were placed on a fixed level of energy intake (80 MJ metabolizable energy (ME) per day) for 16 weeks. Post-partum diets contained differing amounts of digestible undegradable protein (DUP), but similar amounts of effective rumen degradable protein (ERDP). In experiment 2, all cows were fed to achieve a condition score at calving of around 2·75. These animals were subsequently placed on two levels of energy intake (80 MJ and 130 MJ ME per day) for 16 weeks. The diets providing these levels of energy intake also contained differing amounts of DUP. Pregnancies were established by embryo transfer following induced oestrus.

Cows in moderate body condition at calving subsequently had higher (P < 0·05) serum non-esterified fatty acid (NEFA) concentrations. Cows on 130 MJ ME per day had lower serum NEFA concentrations than cows on 80 MJ ME per day. Cows given higher DUP diets had higher (P <0 ·05) serum NEFA concentrations when in negative energy balance and lower serum NEFA concentrations when close to energy equilibrium than cows given lower DUP diets. Twin-suckling cows had higher (P < 0·05) serum NEFA concentrations than single-suckling cows, but only during the first 3 weeks post partum. Plasma glucose concentrations were below 3 mmol/lfor twin-suckling cows until week 7 post partum when they became similar to the values for single-suckling cows. Serum D-3-hydroxybutyrate concentrations mirrored those of plasma glucose. Serum urea-nitrogen concentrations were high for twin-suckling cows on 80 MJ ME per day and single-suckling cows on 130 MJ ME per day.

Neither body condition at calving nor post-partum energy intake significantly influenced the time taken for cows to overcome anovulation nor did they significantly influence the proportion of cows which eventually resumed normal oestrous cyclicity. DUP concentration in the post-partum diet had no overall effect on the various measures of fertility assessed but thin cows at calving subsequently placed on the high DUP diet took longer to ovulate (55 days; P < 0·05) and had the lowest pregnancy rate (0·30). The post-partum anovulatory period was longer (P < 0·01) by 27 days in experiment 1 and 12 days in experiment 2 for hvin-suckling cows compared with singlesuckling cows. A lower proportion (P < 0·001) of twin-suckling cows regained oestrous cyclicity and became pregnant in experiment 1. Fertility traits were improved when twin-suckling cows were in moderate body condition at calving and/or offered 130 MJ ME per day during the post-partum period.

Keywords

beef cowsfertilitymetabolitestwins
Type
Research Article
Information
Animal Production , Volume 59 , Issue 3 , December 1994 , pp. 391 - 400
Copyright
Copyright © British Society of Animal Science 1994

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Armstrong, J. D., Goodall, E. A., Gordon, F. J., Rice, D. A. and McCaughey, W. J. 1990. The effects of levels of concentrate offered and inclusion of maize gluten or fish meal in the concentrate on reproductive performance and blood parameters of dairy cows. Animal Production 50: 1–10.Google Scholar
Baird, G. D. 1982. Primary ketosis in the high-producing cow: clinical and subclinical disorders, treatment, prevention, and outlook. journal of Dairy Science 65: 1–10.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Bauman, D. E. and Currie, W. B. 1980. Partitioning of nutrients during pregnancy and lactation: a review of mechanisms involving homeostasis and homeorhesis. journal of Dairy Science 63: 1514–1529.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Bruckental, I., Drori, D., Kaim, M., Lehrer, H. and Folman, Y. 1989. Effects of source and level of protein on milk yield and reproductive performance of high-producing primiparous and multiparous dairy cows. Animal Production 48: 319–329.Google Scholar
Butler, W. R. and Smith, R. D. 1989. Interrelationships between energy balance and post-partum reproductive function in dairy cattle. Journal of Dairy Science 72: 767–783.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Diskin, M. G., Grealy, M. and Sreenan, J. M. 1992. Shortening the post-partum interval in suckler cows. Proceedings of the twelfth international congress on animal reproduction, vol. 4, pp. 2036–2038.Google Scholar
Downie, J. G. and Gelman, A. L. 1976. The relationship between changes in body weight, plasma glucose and fertility in beef cows. Veterinary Record 99: 210–212.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Edwards, J. S., Bartley, E. E. and Dayton, A. D. 1980. Effects of dietary protein concentration on lactating cows. journal of Dairy Science 63: 243–248.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Gauthier, D., Terqui, M. and Mauleon, P. 1983. Influence of nutrition on pre-partum plasma levels of progesterone and total oestrogens and post-partum plasma levels of luteinizing hormone and follicle stimulating hormone in suckler cows. Animal Production 37: 89–96.Google Scholar
Gregory, K. E., Echternkamp, S. E., Dickerson, G. E., Cundiff, L. V., Koch, R. M. and Van Vleck, L. D. 1990. Twinning in cattle. III. Effects of twinning on dystocia, reproductive traits, calf survival, calf growth and cow productivity. Journal of Animal Science 68: 3133–3144.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
McCutcheon, G. A., Caffrey, P. J., Kelleher, D. L. and Brophy, P. O. 1991. Twinning in a suckler herd. 1. Effects on performance of cows and their calves. Irish Journal of Agricultural Research 30: 1–9.Google Scholar
Oldham, J. D. 1984. Protein-energy interrelationships in dairy cows. Journal of Dairy Science 67: 1090–1114.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Ørskov, E. R., Reid, G. W. and McDonald, I. 1981. The effects of protein degradability and food intake on milk yield and composition in cows in early lactation. British Journal of Nutrition 45: 547–555.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Osoro, K. and Wright, I. A. 1992. The effect of body condition, live weight, breed, age, calf performance and calving date on reproductive performance of spring-calving beef cows. Journal of Animal Science 70: 1661–1666.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Rowlands, G. J. 1980. A review of variations in the concentrations of metabolites in the blood of beef and dairy cattle associated with physiology, nutrition and disease, with particular reference to the interpretation of metabolic profiles. World Review of Nutrition and Dietetics 35: 172–235.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Russel, A. J. F. and Wright, I. A. 1983. The use of blood metabolites in the determination of energy status in beef cows. Animal Production 37: 335–343.Google Scholar
Short, R. E., Bellows, R. A., Staigmiller, R. B., Berardinelli, J. G. and Custer, E. E. 1990. Physiological mechanisms controlling anestrus and infertility in post-partum beef cattle. Journal of Animal Science 68: 799–816.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Sinclair, K. D., Broadbent, P. J. and Hutchinson, J. S. M. 1994. The effect of pre- and post-partum energy and protein supply on the performance of single- and twin-suckling beef cows and their calves. Animal Production 59: 379–389.Google Scholar
Sonderegger, H. and Schurch, A. 1977. A study on the influence of the energy and protein supply on the fertility of dairy cows. Livestock Production Science 4: 327–333.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Treacher, R. J., Little, W., Collis, R. A. and Stark, A. J. 1976. The influence of dietary protein intake on milk production and blood composition of high-yielding dairy cows. Journal of Dairy Research 43: 357–369.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Whitelaw, F. G., Milne, J. S., Ørskov, E. R. and Smith, J. S. 1986. The nitrogen and energy metabolism of lactating cows given abomasal infusions of casein. British Journal of Nutrition 55: 537–556.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Williams, G. L. 1990. Suckling as a regulator of post-partum rebreeding in cattle: a review. Journal of Animal Science 68: 831–852.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Wright, I. A., Rhind, S. M., Russel, A. J. F., Whyte, T. K., McBean, A. J. and McMillen, S. R. 1987. Effects of body condition, food intake and temporary calf separation on the duration of the post-partum anoestrous period and associated LH, FSH and prolactin concentrations in beef cows. Animal Production 45: 395–402.Google Scholar
Wright, I. A., Rhind, S. M. and Whyte, T. K. 1992. A note on the effects of pattern of food intake and body condition on the duration of the post-partum anoestrous period and LH profiles in beef cows. Animal Production 54: 143–146.Google Scholar