Effects of supplementation with protected polyunsaturated fatty acids on productive and hormonal parameters of embryo recipient heifers

• Main Authors: Juan Camilo Angel Cardona, Harold Ospina Patino, Mônica Marcela Ramirez Hernandez, Carolina Heller Pereira, Kendall Swanson
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Instituto de Zootecnia 2016-06-01
• Series: Boletim de Indústria Animal
• Subjects: embryo recipients; supplementation; protected polyunsaturated fatty acids; cholesterol; progesterone
• Online Access: http://revistas.bvs-vet.org.br/bia/article/view/31138
• ISSN: 0067-9615; 1981-4100

Supplementation with protected polyunsaturated fatty acids (PPUFA) has positive effects on cow reproduction. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of adding a source of PPUFA to energy supplements for embryo recipient heifers on productive performance and plasma concentrations of progesterone, cholesterol and insulin. For this purpose, 44 Angus x Hereford embryo recipient heifers (average body weight = 385 kg) raised on pasture were studied in a completely randomized design. The effects of PPUFA added to isocaloric energy supplements for 60 days on production parameters and serum concentrations of cholesterol, progesterone and insulin were evaluated. The treatments consisted of individual supplementation with: 1) control (no supplement); 2) corn (corn, 70%; soybean meal, 30%); 3) PPUFA supplement (Megalac-E®, 30%; soybean meal, 20%; commercial ration, 50%). The treatments did not affect (P>0.05) dry matter intake, pregnancy rates, or serum insulin concentration. However, PPUFA supplement increased (P<0.05) serum cholesterol and progesterone concentrations when compared to the other treatments. Despite the lack of a difference (P>0.05) in dry matter intake between treatments, PPUFA supplement increased (P<0.05) average daily gain compared to the control and corn treatments. The inclusion of PPUFA in energy supplements offered to heifers used in an embryo transfer program increased average daily gain and serum concentrations of cholesterol and progesterone, but did not affect pregnancy rates.