Effect of rumen-protected choline supplementation on production performance and haemato-biochemical profile of Kankrej cows

Abstract

A study was conducted to examine the effect of supplementation of rumen-protected choline chloride (RPC) on production performance and haemato-biochemical parameters of Kankrej cows. Twenty Kankrej cows were randomly allocated to two treatment groups: control (CON: fed basal diet without supplement) and treatment (RPC: basal diet supplemented with50 g/d/cow of RPC) from 4-weeks pre-partum through 8-weekspost-partum. Results showed that average body weights and dry matter intake were not affected (P<0.05) by the supplementation of RPC. There was significant (P<0.05)improvement in yields of milk (11.10 vs. 12.45 kg/d), FCM (10.93vs. 12.49 kg/d) and ECM (12.07 vs. 13.76 kg/d) with RPC supplementation when compared with cows fed on the control diet. The milk fat, SNF, total solids, protein and lactose contents did not differ (P>0.05) between the treatment groups. Supplementation of RPC improved feed efficiency in terms of kg of 4% FCM/kg of DMI and kg of ECM/kg of DMI in lactating cows. The higher (P<0.05) serum glucose concentration (65.72vs.62.05 mg/dL) was observed in RPC than the CON. Supplementation of RPC reduced (P<0.05) concentration of serum triglycerides (27.27 vs.31.38 mg/dL) as compared to the CON group. Other estimated blood metabolites were not influenced(P>0.05) by the supplementation of RPC. In conclusion, supplementation of 50 g/d rumen-protected choline during peripartum period improved milk production, feed efficiency and blood glucose in Kankrej cows.