Whole flaxseed, raw soybeans, and calcium salts of fatty acids supplementation for transition cows: follicle development and embryo quality

Author(s)

Gandra, Jefferson Rodrigues ^[1] ; Verdurico, Lenita Camargo ^[2] ; Mingoti, Rodolfo Daniel ^[3] ; Takiya, Caio Seiti ^[2] ; Gardinal, Rodrigo ^[2] ; Aniballe Vendramini, Thiago Henrique ^[2] ; Barletta, Rafael Villela ^[2] ; Visintin, Jose Antonio ^[3] ; Renno, Francisco Palma ^[2]

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Grande Dourados, Dept Anim Sci, Dourados - Brazil

^[2] Univ Sao Paulo, Dept Anim Nutr & Prod, Ave Duque de Caxias Norte 225, Campus USP, BR-13635900 Pirassununga, SP - Brazil

^[3] Univ Sao Paulo, Dept Anim Reprod, Sao Paulo - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: Italian Journal of Animal Science; v. 16, n. 4, p. 538-545, 2017.
• Web of Science Citations: 3

Abstract

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of diets rich in omega-3 and -6 fatty acids (FA) during the transition period and early lactation on size and number of follicles, oocyte and embryo quality, and blood metabolites of Holstein cows. Forty-two cows were assigned to the diets: control (CON, with no fat sources and dietary ether extract content of 28.8 and 24.8 g/kg during the pre-and post-partum periods, respectively); whole flaxseed (WF, diet rich in omega3 FA), 60 and 80 g/kg of WF during the pre and post-partum periods, respectively; whole raw soybeans (WS, diet rich in omega-6 FA), 120 and 160 g/kg of WS during the pre and post-partum periods; and calcium salts of unsaturated fatty acids (CSFA, diet rich in omega-6 FA), 24 and 32 g/kg of CSFA during the pre and post-partum periods. Diets were supplied from 35 d of the expected calving date until 84 days in milk (DIM). The ovaries of cows were examined from 14 to 84 DIM. Ovum pick-ups were performed on days 35 +/- 7 and 65 +/- 7 of lactation. Diets rich in omega-3 and -6 FA had greater follicle number than the CON. No differences were detected among diets rich in omega-3 and omega-6 FA on number and size of follicles and corpus luteum area. Cows had similar oocyte quality regardless of diet supplied. Although FA supplementation had no effect on embryo quality (number of cleaved and viable embryos), diets rich in omega6 FA had lower viable embryos compared with WF. Supplementation with diets rich in omega-3 and -6 FA resulted in greater blood cholesterol concentration in early lactation cows. Fat supplementation increased the number of small and total follicles of early lactating cows. However, diets rich in omega-3 or -6 FA had no effect on oocyte quality. Cows fed WS during the transition period had the least viable embryos, and consequently cows fed diets rich in omega-6 FA had lower viable embryos than those fed WF. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 11/07726-1 - Effects of insatured fatty acid supplementaton on production performance, oocity and embryo quality, and imune function in dairy cows during transition period and early lactation
• Grantee: Francisco Palma Rennó
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• 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