Sources of fatty acid ω3 and ω6 in dairy cows diets during the transition period and early lactation

Author(s)

Jefferson Rodrigues Gandra

• Document type: Doctoral Thesis
• Press: Pirassununga.
• Institution: Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia (FMVZ/SBD)
• Defense date: 2012-12-14

Examining board members

Francisco Palma Rennó; Anselmo Domingos Ferreira Santos; Arlindo Saran Netto; Luis Felipe Prada e Silva; José Antonio Visintin

• Advisor: Francisco Palma Rennó

Abstract

The objective was to evaluate the influence of ω3 and ω6 fatty acid supplementation, on productive performance, metabolic profile, oocyte and embryo quality, immune system function in dairy cows during the transition period and early lactation. Were selected forty-two Holstein cows, and multiparous pregnant with calving provided for 35 days after the beginning of the evaluation and supply of experimental diets. The cows were housed in stable type \"free-stall\", provided with individual stalls. The animals were randomly assigned to one of four experimental treatments provided from 35 before the expected date of calving up to 84 days postpartum: control (n = 11) (C) diet without added fat; flaxseed whole (n = 10) (FW): inclusion of 60 to 80 g / kg DM (source of omega 3); whole raw soybean raw (n = 11) (WS) including 120-160 g / kg MS (source of omega 6), calcium salts of insatured fatty acids (n = 11) (CS): inclusion 24-32 g / kg DM (source of omega 6). The experimental diets had the same concentration of unsaturated fatty acids, but the fatty acid profile of the sources was different. The animals were fed according to the dry matter intake the day before, so as to be maintained orts a percentage of the diet every day, between 5 and 10%. Samples of feeds and orts were collected daily and stored at -20 º C. Weekly samples were collected daily mixed and a sample was taken corresponding to a period of a week in order to measure the intake of dry matter and nutrients. Feces samples were collected on days -28, -14, 21, 42 and 84 days in relation at calving, in order to measure the digestibility of dry matter and nutrients. Milk yield was measured daily and the composition of fat, protein and lactose samples were collected weekly and analyzed fresh. For the fatty acid profile of milk samples were collected weekly and were grouped for analysis of the week 1-3, 4-6, 7-9, 10-12, totaling 4 points of analysis. The measurement of body weight and body condition score were measured weekly. Blood samples were collected on days -21, -14, -7, calving (+24 hours), 7, 14, 21, 42 and 84 days in relation at calving in order to measure the concentration of plasma metabolites and immune function. The scanning of ovarian structures by ultrasonography was performed from 14th to 72nd day of lactation in order to analyze the dynamics of follicular animals. Follicular aspirations were performed on day 35 ± 7 and 65 ± 7, in order to assess the quantity and quality oocyte and embryo by fertilization \"in vitro\". It was observed higher DMI for the diet FW in relation to CS and WS diets pre-partum. Postpartum was not observed differences in DMI. It was observed higher intake of fat to the FW, WS and CS in the pre and postpartum compared to C diet. There was no difference in dry matter digestibility in pre-and postpartum. It was obtain the highest digestibility of fat to the diet FW in relation to WS and CS diets postpartum. There was no difference in the balance of energy in prepartum. Postpartum was observed better energy balance for diets FW, WS and CS in relation to the C diet. No differences were observed for nitrogen balance in the pre-and postpartum between diets evaluated. It was observed a higher content and yield of milk fat for diet WS in relation to FW and CS, but no difference was observed for milk yield. In the fatty acid profile of milk was obtained higher concentration of C18: 1 trans and CLA cis-9 trans-11 for diet CS in relation the others and higher concentration of C18: 2 for diet WS and CS in relation FW and and C18: 3 for FW diet in relation diets WS and CS. There was no difference in body condition score and body weight in pre-and postpartum. Higher value was observed of glucose in the pre and postpartum diet for FW in relation to CS and WS. It was observed higher concentrations of total cholesterol to the diets FW, WS and CS in relation to Cl diet in postpartum. There was no difference in concentrations of nonesterified fatty acids and β-hydroxybutyrate in pre and postpartum. It was observed a shorter total number of follicles and follicles class1 to the C diet compared with diets FW, WS and CS. It was observed a higher number of viable oocytes in aspiration of 65 ± 7 days compared to the 35 ± 7 days of lactation. Obtained the highest number and percentage of viable embryos for FW diet compared to diets CS and WS. There was a higher percentage of leukocytes and monocytes positive for phagocytosis for diets FW, WS and CS compared to the C diet, in pre and postpartum, for neutrophils in pre and postpartum and postpartum monocytes was observed higher percentage of positive cells for FW diet compared to diets CS and WS. It was observed increased expression of cell adhesion CD4 +, CD8 +, CD25 + and CD62L for diets FW, WS and CS in relation to the C diet. For CD14 + was observed increased expression for diets WS and CS in relation to diet FW. The fatty acid supplementation ω3 and ω6 improved energy balance, and did not influence the performance, improved oocyte and embryo quality and immune function of dairy cows in the transition period and early lactation (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 09/10180-0 - Effect of supplementation of unsaturated fatty acids on the performance, oocyte and embryo quality in dairy cows during the transition period and early lactation
• Grantee: Jefferson Rodrigues Gandra
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate