Journal of Animal Science, Vol 76, Issue 3 864-870, Copyright © 1998 by American Society of Animal Science

JOURNAL ARTICLE

Fat supplementation influences postpartum reproductive performance in Brahman cows

C. A. De Fries, D. A. Neuendorff and R. D. Randel
Texas Agricultural Experiment Station, Overton 75684, USA.

Multiparous Brahman cows (n = 40) in excellent body condition (6.5+/-.1) were randomly assigned to receive either 5.2 (rice bran) or 3.7% (control) dietary fat after calving. The experimental diets were formulated to be isocaloric and isonitrogenous. The experimental diets were fed twice daily from d 1 after calving through the first normal estrous cycle. Cows were weighed, scored for body condition, and bled at weekly intervals from d 1 through 50 after calving. Weekly bleedings continued until the first detectable estrus. Blood samples were collected daily throughout the first normal estrous cycle. All cows were exposed to a fertile bull at the estrus following the first normal estrous cycle and for a 60-d breeding season. Ovarian follicular populations were recorded weekly by transrectal ultrasonography from d 15 to 50 after calving. Calf weights were recorded at 14-d intervals from d 1 to 43 after birth and at weaning (205 d). Cows receiving rice bran gained more body condition (P < .05) than cows receiving the control supplement. The numbers of small (< 4.0 mm, P < .05), medium (4.0 to 7.9 mm, P < .05) and total follicles (P < .05) were greater in the rice bran than in the control group from 15 to 29 d after calving, and large follicles ( > or = 8.0 mm) increased in number (P < .05) and the largest follicle increased in size (P < .001) over time regardless of the level of dietary fat. Fat supplementation increased the numbers of medium (P < .01), large (P < .05), and total (P < .01) follicles and size of the largest follicle (P < .05) during the 3 wk before the first normal estrous cycle. The intervals from parturition to reproductively important end points were similar (P > .10) between dietary treatments as well as the percentage of cows showing normal or abnormal estrous cyclic activity. Treatment did not affect (P > .10) daily serum progesterone (P4) concentrations. However, there was a tendency (P = .09) for more rice bran-supplemented cows to be pregnant (94.1 vs 71.4%) after being exposed to a fertile bull for 60 d. Calf weight gain tended to be higher (P = .08) in calves nursing rice bran-supplemented dams. In conclusion, using rice bran, with high concentrations of oleic and linoleic acids, as a fat supplement for postpartum cows enhanced ovarian follicular growth before normal estrous cycles resumed and increased body condition scores and pregnancy rates without altering postpartum interval or serum P4 concentrations.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				J. P. Banta, D. L. Lalman, C. R. Krehbiel, and R. P. Wettemann Whole soybean supplementation and cow age class: Effects on intake, digestion, performance, and reproduction of beef cows J Anim Sci, August 1, 2008; 86(8): 1868 - 1878. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				B. W. Hess, G. E. Moss, and D. C. Rule A decade of developments in the area of fat supplementation research with beef cattle and sheep J Anim Sci, April 1, 2008; 86(14_suppl): E188 - E204. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				S. L. Lake, E. J. Scholljegerdes, R. L. Atkinson, V. Nayigihugu, S. I. Paisley, D. C. Rule, G. E. Moss, T. J. Robinson, and B. W. Hess Body condition score at parturition and postpartum supplemental fat effects on cow and calf performance J Anim Sci, December 1, 2005; 83(12): 2908 - 2917. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				J. L. Martin, R. J. Rasby, D. R. Brink, R. U. Lindquist, D. H. Keisler, and S. D. Kachman Effects of supplementation of whole corn germ on reproductive performance, calf performance, and leptin concentration in primiparous and mature beef cows J Anim Sci, November 1, 2005; 83(11): 2663 - 2670. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				B. W. Hess, S. L. Lake, E. J. Scholljegerdes, T. R. Weston, V. Nayigihugu, J. D. C. Molle, and G. E. Moss Nutritional controls of beef cow reproduction J Anim Sci, June 1, 2005; 83(13_suppl): E90 - 106. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				H. B. Encinias, G. P. Lardy, A. M. Encinias, and M. L. Bauer High linoleic acid safflower seed supplementation for gestating ewes: Effects on ewe performance, lamb survival, and brown fat stores J Anim Sci, December 1, 2004; 82(12): 3654 - 3661. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				R. N. Funston Fat supplementation and reproduction in beef females J Anim Sci, January 1, 2004; 82(13_suppl): E154 - 161. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				C. M. Howlett, E. S. Vanzant, L. H. Anderson, W. R. Burris, B. G. Fieser, and R. F. Bapst Effect of supplemental nutrient source on heifer growth and reproductive performance, and on utilization of corn silage-based diets by beef steers J Anim Sci, September 1, 2003; 81(9): 2367 - 2378. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				J. D. Bottger, B. W. Hess, B. M. Alexander, D. L. Hixon, L. F. Woodard, R. N. Funston, D. M. Hallford, and G. E. Moss Effects of supplementation with high linoleic or oleic cracked safflower seeds on postpartum reproduction and calf performance of primiparous beef heifers J Anim Sci, August 1, 2002; 80(8): 2023 - 2030. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]