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The effect of β-carotene on the fertility of dairy heifers receiving maize silage

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 September 2010

M. J. Ducker ,
N. H. Yarrow ,
Glenys A. Bloomfield  and
J. D. Edwards-Webb
M. J. Ducker
Affiliation:
National Institute for Research in Dairying, Shinfield, Reading RG2 9AT
N. H. Yarrow
Affiliation:
National Institute for Research in Dairying, Shinfield, Reading RG2 9AT
Glenys A. Bloomfield
Affiliation:
National Institute for Research in Dairying, Shinfield, Reading RG2 9AT
J. D. Edwards-Webb
Affiliation:
National Institute for Research in Dairying, Shinfield, Reading RG2 9AT
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Abstract

One hundred and sixty Friesian heifers were divided into four groups on the basis of live weight and age. All four groups received a production ration of 15 kg maize silage, 0·5 kg straw and either 1·5 or 0·5 kg concentrates according to their mean live weight. This ration supplied only 38 mg (3-carotene per animal per day.

Two groups of heifers received a daily supplement of 300 mg β-carotene per head. The other two groups acted as controls and received a daily supplement of 60 000 i.u. vitamin A (18 mg retinol). All heifers received an adequate supply of vitamin A.

Supplementation with 300 mg β-carotene per day significantly increased mean plasma concentrations from 3·52 mg/1 at housing to 5·58 mg/1 at first insemination (P < 0·001). Mean plasma concentrations in the control heifers declined from 3·31 mg/1 at housing to 2·42 mg/1 at first insemination and to 2·13 mg/1 50 days later. Of the 40 smaller controls half had concentrations below 1·00 mg/1 50 days after first insemination.

Supplementation with β-carotene did not affect reproductive performance or growth rate in heifers receiving a ration based upon maize silage.

Type
Research Article
Information
Animal Production , Volume 39 , Issue 1 , August 1984 , pp. 9 - 16
Copyright
Copyright © British Society of Animal Science 1984

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References

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