Milk yield and reproductive performance of dairy heifers and cows supplemented with polyunsaturated fatty acids

• Main Authors: Félix Gonzalez, Rodrigo Muiño, Víctor Pereira, Diego Martinez, Cristina Castillo, Joaquín Hernández, José Luis Benedito
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Embrapa Informação Tecnológica 2015-04-01
• Series: Pesquisa Agropecuária Brasileira
• Subjects: linhaça extruída; soja extruída; fertilidade; ácidos graxos de cadeia longa; composição do leite; PUFA.
• Online Access: http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0100-204X2015000400306&lng=en&tlng=en
• ISSN: 1678-3921

The objective of this work was to determine productive and fertility responses of Holstein-Friesian heifers and cows to supplementation with extruded linseed and soybean as sources of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs). Supplementation had a positive effect on profitability, with significant increases in milk yield in supplemented cows, but not in heifers. Treatments had no effect on milk fat content, but higher milk protein contents were observed with supplementation. A higher conception rate was found for supplemented heifers, but not for cows. Fat sources containing PUFAs are recommended for dairy cattle supplementation, since they improve fertility in heifers and milk yield in cows.