Nutritional parameters in the blood of dams during late gestation and immediately after calving, in the umbilical vein at calving, and in the blood of calves immediately following birth in Holstein heifers pregnant with either Holstein or beef breed fetuses.

Abstract

Dairy cattle management lacks consideration of fetal breed, the effect of which on fetal growth and nutrition are unclear. We investigated blood parameters in 12 late-pregnant Holstein heifers with similar (Holstein, n=5) or different (Japanese Black [n=4] or F1 cross [n=3]; Holstein×Japanese Black) fetus breeds and in their umbilical cords and calves. Samples were obtained from dams 1week before calving (-1week) and immediately after calving, from the umbilical vein at calving, and from calves immediately after birth. Dams with beef fetuses had higher serum glucose levels (-1week; p<.05) than those with Holstein fetuses. Plasma total amino acid, total essential amino acid, total nonessential amino acid, and other amino acid concentrations were lower in the umbilical veins of dams with calves of the beef breeds than in those of the Holstein breeds (p<.05). Furthermore, serum glucose and plasma amino acid levels were lower in the beef calves than in the Holstein calves (p<.05). Overall, nutrient supply from dams to beef fetuses was lower than that to Holstein fetuses. Our findings may facilitate feeding management of dairy cattle pregnant with beef breeds for appropriate fetal growth and nutrition.