Effect of prolonged supplementation with raw whole soybean during prepartum on productive performance, oocyte and embryo quality, and immune function of dairy cows

Author(s)

Rodrigo Gardinal

• Document type: Doctoral Thesis
• Press: Pirassununga.
• Institution: Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia (FMVZ/SBD)
• Defense date: 2016-03-11

Examining board members

Francisco Palma Rennó; Jefferson Rodrigues Gandra; Alice Maria Melville Paiva Della Libera; Ed Hoffmann Madureira; Anselmo Domingos Ferreira Santos

• Advisor: Francisco Palma Rennó

Abstract

The objective was to evaluate the effect of prolonged supplementation with whole soybean grain (WSG) as a source of &#937;6 fatty acid on the productive performance, metabolic profile, oocyte and embryo quality, and immune function of dairy cows during the transition period and early lactation. Forty-four multiparous, pregnant Holstein cows, with calving predicted to 90 days after the beginning of the evaluation and supply of the experimental diets were selected. However, due to the occurrence of metabolic or infectious disorders (3 abortions, 3 displaced abomasums, 3 foot disorders, 4 dystocias), 13 animals were removed from the experiment. Cows were randomly assigned to one of four experimental groups, which differed in period of supply of whole soybean grains during the prepartum. The diet was based on 12% of WSG (%DM) and had approximately 5.1% of ether extract (EE). Diet supply was as follows: Group 0) control diet not containing WSG; Group 30) WSG supply starting 30 days before predicted calving date; Group 60) WSG supply starting 60 days before predicted calving; Group 90) WSG supply starting 90 days before predicted calving date. After calving, all cows received a single diet with 5.1% EE, based on inclusion of 12% WSG (%DM) until 90 days of lactation. Animals were fed ad libitum to ensure between 5 and 10% orts daily. Dry matter and nutrients intake were evaluated. Samples of feeds and orts were collected daily and stored at -20°C. Samples were composited weekly and analyzed for chemical and bromatological characteristics. Feces samples were collected on days -56, -21, 21, 56, 84 (related to the predicted calving), in order to measure the digestibility of dry matter and nutrients. Milk yield was measured daily and milk samples were collected weekly for evaluation of fat, protein and lactose percentages, and fatty acids profile. Blood samples were taken weekly for analysis of blood metabolites. To measure the activity of the immune system, blood samples were collected at weeks -8, -4, -2, -1 prepartum, at calving, and at weeks +1, +2, +4, +8 postpartum. On days 21, 42, 63 and 84 postpartum, follicular aspirations were performed, with subsequent in-vitro fertilization of the oocytes. All measured variables were analyzed using PROC MIXED of SAS 9.4 through polynomial regression, considering as fixed effects the dietary treatment, week and interaction treatment*week, and animal as random effect. The 5% level of significance was considered. A crescent linear effect was observed (P <0.05) for prepartum ether extract intake. There was no difference in dry matter and nutrients intake during the postpartum period. There were no differences in digestibility pre and postpartum. No difference in energy and nitrogen balance during pre and postpartum periods was observed. Milk production and composition did not differ among dietary treatments. When evaluating the milk fatty acids profile, a decreasing linear effect was noted (P<0.05) for the concentrations of C16:1 cis, C18:1 cis, total unsaturated C18, total monounsaturated fatty acids, total unsaturated fatty acids and total SFA:UFA ratio. There was an increasing linear effect (P<0.05) for the total of saturated fatty acids and a quadratic effect (P<0.05) for C18:2, CLAcis9-trans11, and total PUFA. It was observed increasing linear effect (P<0.05) for total cholesterol and LDL in the prepartum period, and decreasing linear effect (P<0.05) for GGT in the pre and postpartum. We observed a quadratic effect (P<0.05) for HDL in prepartum and for AST during the postpartum. Regarding the activity of the immune system, there was a crescent linear effect (P<0.05) for the percentage of active CD3+ in the postpartum period, for the percentage of monocytes producing reactive oxygen species (ROS) during postpartum period when stimulated by S. aureus and E. coli, and for granulocytes ROS immunofluorescence intensity during postpartum when stimulated by S. aureus. Quadratic effect was observed (P<0.05) for the percentage of granulocytes, mononuclear cells, active CD8+ in the postpartum period and the percentage of granulocytes that produced ROS when stimulated by E. coli. Prolonged supplementation with RWS in the prepartum improves the activity of the immune system, however it does not improve oocyte and embryo quality and does not adversely affect the production performance of dairy cows during the transition period and early lactation (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 12/02360-1 - Effect of prolonged dietary supplementation of unsaturated fatty acids on performance, oocyte and embryo quality, and immune function of dairy cows
• Grantee: Rodrigo Gardinal
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate