Metabolism prepartum and reproductive responses postpartum of Nellore cows supplemented in different periods of gestation

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of cow’s grazing supplementation during pregnancy on the concentration of metabolites in blood and its relation with uterine involution and postpartum fertility. Twenty-seven Nellore cows were divided into three groups (n=9 for each group) as follows: UNS, unsupplemented during gestation; MID, supplemented from the 30 to 180-day of gestation; LATE, supplemented from the 181 to 281-day of gestation. Blood samples to determine the concentrations of NEFA, BHBA (β-hydroxybutyrate) and the glucose was performed on days 30, 105, 180, 230 and 281 of gestation. Fixed-time artificial insemination (FTAI) was performed in all matrices at forty-five days postpartum. Lower NEFA and BHBA concentrations it was observed in the MID and LATE group at 180 and 281 days of gestation respectively for each treatment. A higher glucose concentration was observed at 180 and 281 days of gestation for MID and LATE treatment, respectively. There were no differences in uterine involution and percentage of gestation between treatments. Pre-partum supplementation improves energy balance without altering uterine involution and postpartum fertility.