To evaluate the effects of fat supplementation during the early postpartum (PP) period on productive and reproductive variables and on the metabolism, 33 primiparous cows with Autumn calvings were fed daily with 6 kg of three different concentrates: control, addition of 0.7 kg of whole sunflower seeds, and 1.7 kg of soybean seeds during the first 50 days postpartum (PP). Diets were designed to be isocaloric and isoproteic. Body condition score (BCS) was evaluated, milk production and composition were analyzed and blood samples taken weekly from calving to characterize the metabolic profiles. Supplementation had no effect on consumption, milk production or composition, metabolic profiles, or reproductive parameters. Absence of undesirable effects on consumption or milk production and composition at these levels of supplementation suggests that sunflower or soybean seeds could be used as an energy source for feeding grazing dairy cows during early lactation.

Inclusion of fish oil (FO) in the diet of dairy cows could improve the energy status and milk yield and reduce the interval from calving to first postpartum ovulation, but the effects may differ depending on the specific period of supplementation. To test these hypotheses, 28 pregnant Holstein heifers were randomly assigned to four treatments in a 2 × 2 factorial design: prepartum oral drench of FO (0 or 140 g/cow.day) for 21 days before calving, and/or postpartum oral drench of FO (0 or 190 g/cow.day) for 21 days after calving. Prepartum, heifers grazed in native pastures with supplements of wheat silage and wheat bran, while postpartum, cows grazed on improved pastures with addition of concentrates and corn silage. No interaction between prepartum and postpartum FO was detected for any variable analysed. Prepartum and postpartum total DM intake, milk yield, protein yield and percentage were not different among treatments. Milk fat percentage (3.83 versus 3.34 ± 0.10%) and yield (0.88 versus 0.73 ± 0.04 kg/day) decreased with postpartum FO but were not affected by prepartum FO. Prepartum and postpartum body condition score and plasma concentration of non-esterified fatty acids and cholesterol were not different among treatments, but urea concentration was higher in cows drenched with FO during prepartum (5.91 versus 4.64 ± 0.35 mM). Proportion of cows that ovulated the dominant follicle of the first postpartum wave and days to first postpartum ovulation, as determined by ovarian ultrasonography, were not affected by drenching with FO, but size of the dominant follicle in the first wave was decreased when FO was drenched only during the pre- or postpartum period compared with drenching in both periods. Dietary supplementation with FO during the postpartum period affected milk fat synthesis but more research is needed to establish its effects on resumption of ovarian activity in grazing dairy cows.

To compare two oestrus synchronisation protocols in beef heifers presynchronised with two prostaglandin F2α (PG) treatments, 36 h after the second PG treatment one group (hCG-OB group; n = 112) received 250 IU of hCG and 0.5 mg of oestradiol benzoate (OB) followed by fixed time artificial insemination (FTAI) 30 h later. Additional oestrus detection (OD) and artificial insemination (AI) was done in this group for 3 days after FTAI; heifers rebred during this period were considered open to the FTAI. The Control group (n = 112) received only OD and AI for 6 days after the second PG treatment. Follicular size was measured at the time of AI in a subsample of heifers (59 in the hCG-OB group and 34 in the Control group). Results were evaluated separately either considering heifers pregnant at FTAI or those pregnant at FTAI + 3-day OD + AI. The FTAI conception rate was 45.5 vs 76.5% for the Control group (P < 0.0001) and pregnancy rates were 45.5 and 67.0% (P = 0.0014); FTAI + OD + AI conception rates were 63.4 and 76.2% (P = 0.0404) and pregnancy rates 63.4 and 62.8% (P = 0.5719) (hCG-OB and Control groups, respectively). There was a significant correlation (r = 0.713, P < 0.01) between follicle size at FTAI and pregnancy in the hCG-OB group, but not in the Control group (r = 0.3465, P > 0.1). In conclusion, acceptable synchronised conception rate and pregnancy rate were obtained by using this protocol, and the results were improved by complementing it with OD + AI for 3 days after FTAI.

The growth hormone (GH)—insulin-like growth factor (IGF) system is expressed in bovine uterus during the estrous cycle and early pregnancy and is acknowledged to play an important role in regulating the development of the embryo and uterus. The leptin receptor (LEPR) is also expressed in the bovine uterus although it is not known whether its expression varies during the estrous cycle. In this study, the expression of the IGF-I and -II, the type 1 IGF receptor (IGF-1R), GH receptor (GHR) and LEPR transcripts was determined on endometrial transcervical biopsies collected on days 0 (estrus), 5, 12 and 19 of the cow estrous cycle (n=8). The expression of mRNA was determined by RT real time PCR using ribosomal protein L19 as a housekeeping gene. It has been demonstrated for the first time that LEPR mRNA is expressed in the bovine uterus throughout the estrous cycle and that it presents a cycle-dependent variation, with higher levels observed during the luteal phase. The expression of IGF-I mRNA was greatest at estrus and day 5 (100%), and decreased on days 12 and 19 to 47% and 35% of the initial values. IGF-II mRNA increased on day 12 and decreased sharply thereafter (to one-third of day 12 values). Interestingly, IGF-1R showed the same pattern as IGF-II: increased 50% on day 12 compared to values at estrus and presented a sharp decrease on day 19. The expression of GHR transcript was greatest at estrus and on day 5 and progressively decreased thereafter. These results show that the GH–IGF system components are distinctively regulated during the estrous cycle suggesting that modulation of the IGF system may influence uterine activity during this period. The increase in the uterine sensitivity to IGFs during the late luteal phase – as demonstrated by the increased IGF-1R expression – concomitant with the increased IGF-II mRNA expression may reinforce the role of IGF-II during early pregnancy. Moreover, leptin is also likely to play roles during early embryo development.

The effect of cracked corn grain supplementation (3.5 kg/day) during 3 weeks before the expected calving date on milk production and composition, body condition score (BCS), metabolic and hormonal profiles and length of postpartum anoestrus was evaluated in multiparous Holstein dairy cows under grazing conditions (Energy supplemented group, n = 10; Control group, n = 10). Body condition score was weekly recorded during the peripartum period, from days) 21 to +35 (parturition = day 0). Non-esterified fatty acids, beta-hydroxybutyrate, cholesterol, urea, insulin, insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I), leptin, thyroxine (T-4) and 3,3',5-triiodothyroinine (T-3) were weekly determined in plasma from days) 21 to + 35. The reinitiation of ovarian cyclicity was twice weekly determined by ovarian ultrasonography and confirmed by plasma progesterone concentrations. Cows fed energy concentrate prepartum had higher BCS during the prepartum and postpartum and produced more milk. Nonesterified fatty acids plasma concentrations were significantly higher in the energy group, while cholesterol was higher in the control group. Treated cows had higher levels of plasma insulin, IGF-I and leptin pre-calving. IGF-I, leptin and T-4 were diminished during the early postpartum period in both groups. Insulin levels were also diminished in the control group, but levels remained high in the energy-supplemented group. Treated cows ovulated sooner after parturition than controls. We conclude that Energetic supplementation prepartum in cows under grazing conditions increased milk production and reduced the reinitiation of ovarian activity, consistent with a better EB (BCS), higher prepartum levels of IGF-I, leptin and insulin, and higher insulin levels during early postpartum.

The effect of cracked corn grain supplementation (3.5 kg/day) during 3 weeks before the expected calving date on milk production and composition, body condition score (BCS), metabolic and hormonal profiles and length of postpartum anoestrus was evaluated in multiparous Holstein dairy cows under grazing conditions (Energy supplemented group, n = 10; Control group, n = 10). Body condition score was weekly recorded during the peripartum period, from days -21 to +35 (parturition = day 0). Non-esterified fatty acids, beta-hydroxybutyrate, cholesterol, urea, insulin, insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I), leptin, thyroxine (T(4)) and 3,3''5-triiodothyroinine (T(3)) were weekly determined in plasma from days -21 to +35. The reinitiation of ovarian cyclicity was twice weekly determined by ovarian ultrasonography and confirmed by plasma progesterone concentrations. Cows fed energy concentrate prepartum had higher BCS during the prepartum and postpartum and produced more milk. Non-esterified fatty acids plasma concentrations were significantly higher in the energy group, while cholesterol was higher in the control group. Treated cows had higher levels of plasma insulin, IGF-I and leptin pre-calving. IGF-I, leptin and T(4) were diminished during the early postpartum period in both groups. Insulin levels were also diminished in the control group, but levels remained high in the energy-supplemented group. Treated cows ovulated sooner after parturition than controls. We conclude that Energetic supplementation prepartum in cows under grazing conditions increased milk production and reduced the reinitiation of ovarian activity, consistent with a better EB (BCS), higher prepartum levels of IGF-I, leptin and insulin, and higher insulin levels during early postpartum.

Intake of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) could modify follicular dynamics and reduce the length of the interval from calving to first ovulation (ICOV) in dairy cows, associated with changes in metabolites (i.e. cholesterol) or hormones (i.e. IGF-I). To test this hypothesis, 48 cows were stratified in two groups (primiparous or multiparous) and within each group were randomly assigned to three treatments to begin at calving: 0 kg (SS0), 0.7 kg (SS0.7) and 1.4 kg (SS1.4) of whole sunflower seeds (WSS) per cow per day. The experimental period lasted for 60 days after calving and the diets, which consisted of direct grazing of improved pastures, whole-plant wheat silage and concentrates, were designed to be isocaloric and isoproteic (1.6 Mcal NEL/kg DM, 16.7% Cl?). Ovaries were examined by ultrasound three times per week from day 8 postpartum (PP) until first PP ovulation. Body condition score (BCS) was determined and blood samples were collected weekly from calving to characterize the metabolic profiles. In treatments SS0.7 and SS 1.4, 7/8 and 6/8 primiparous cows ovulated the first follicular wave PP, compared with only 1/8 primiparous cow in treatment SS0, while there were no treatment differences in multiparous cows. The ICOV was 44, 21 and 19 days for the primiparous, and 22, 21 and 25 days for the multiparous cows, in treatments SS0, SS0.7 and SSIA, respectively. Treatments had no effect on BCS, plasma IGF-I and metabolic profiles except that NEFA and urea were increased by WSS supplementation. Intake of PUFA (WSS up to 1.4 kg/day or 6.7% of the diet) during early lactation reduced the ICOV in primiparous grazing dairy cows in early lactation but not in multiparous cows, and while the precise mechanism for these results is unclear, it was not related to changes in the plasma concentrations of IGF-I or cholesterol. (C) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Se estudio el efecto de la administracion de sales anionicas y de la suplementacion energetica durante el preparto tardio sobre parametros productivos y reproductivos y perfiles metabolicos en vacas Holstein multiparas en condiciones pastoriles. Se utilizaron 36 vacas distribuidas en 3 grupos con diferentes tratamientos durante las tres ultimas semanas previas al parto: campo natural (Control); suplementado con: 3,5 kg/vaca/dia de maiz partido (Energia); suplementado y sales anionicas (Energia+Sales). Los animales pastoreaban en campo natural mejorado con heno de pastura ad libitum. Luego del parto todos los animales recibieron la misma dieta, consistente en praderas de gramineas y leguminosas, 12 kg/vaca/dia de ensilaje de maiz y 4 kg/vaca/dia de un concentrado comercial. La condicion corporal aumento en los grupos E y E+S durante el preparto y posparto, consistente con un incremento en el consumo posparto. La produccion de leche corregida por grasa al 4% fue mayor en el grupo suplementado con energia, 10 que fue consistente con niveles mas altos de acidos grasos no esterificados (NEFA) posparto indicando una mayor movilizacion grasa. Los niveles de betahidroxibutirato (BHB) aumentaron en el posparto para todos los grupos, sin diferencias entre tratamientos. El colesterol registro un importante aumento posparto en todos los grupos y los niveles fueron mayores en el grupo C. La adicion de sales anionicas no resulto en diferencias en los perfiles minerales ni metabolicos entre grupos. El grupo E+S tuvo un periodo de anestro mas largo qu el grupo Energia, posiblemente por una caida en el consumo. La ventaja de la administracion de sales anionicas en condiciones pastoriles, al no rflejarse en cambios en los niveles circulantes minerales, resulta poco clara.