Effects of unsaturated fatty acid supplementation on oocyte and embryo quality in dairy cows in early lactation

• Grant number: 11/13342-1
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: September 01, 2011
• End date: August 31, 2012
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Animal Husbandry - Animal Nutrition and Feeding
• Principal Investigator: Francisco Palma Rennó
• Grantee: Caio Seiti Takiya
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia (FMVZ). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

The transition period is considered very important phase in the production cycle of dairy cows due to the occurrence of various changes in metabolism and animal physiology. These changes, mediated by hormonal and metabolic responses, are the result of modification of the predominant physiological state, alternating from one state pregnant and non-lactating to another non-pregnant and lactating, where changes in feeding and management, in this production phase, may result in marked changes in animal metabolism, modifying the productive and reproductive performance of these animals during the production cycle. Recent studies show that despite efforts at some research centers in conduction of projects in this area, these studies revealed the need to increase the number of projects conducted in the area because of the complexity of the theme and it implication, especially economic, in feeding and management of dairy cows during the transition period. This scenario emphasizes the need, difficulty and importance of research development to an understanding of the effects of feeding and management changes in animal metabolism, with consequent alteration of the reproductive and productive response. At level of Brazil, research in this area are scarce, part in function of the experimental difficulties related to the theme, part at the subject is relatively recent or even of the need of projects to be developed considering different areas of knowledge, showing marked multidisciplinary. The present study aims to evaluate the effects of supplementation of different sources of unsaturated fatty acids in the diets of dairy cows during the transition period and early lactation on oocyte and embryo quality. (AU)