Role of Minerals, Vitamins and Feed Additives in Reproductive Performance of Dairy Animals
Achieving and maintaining optimal reproductive performance is vital for the success and sustainability of dairy farming operations. The reproductive efficiency of dairy animals is influenced by various factors, including genetics, management practices, and nutrition. This article focuses on the critical role that minerals, vitamins, and feed additives play in enhancing reproductive performance in dairy animals.
Minerals Minerals play an important role in production and reproduction performance of dairy animals. Therefore mineral deficiencies and imbalances are often responsible for poor reproductive performance so balancing of minerals in adequate amount is important. So, exploration of mineral profile in soil, plant and animal for a particular region is desirable to develop suitable area specific mineral mixture to achieve optimum reproductive performance. Minerals are involved in body functioning starting from digestion to maintain homeostasis through balancing various function of body. Mineral supplementation in the ration should be balanced otherwise utilization of different mineral may hamper. Therefore mineral supplementation of appropriate quantity is more desirable to achieve optimum reproductive performance .
Phosphorus
Phosphorus supplementation in appropriate amount has beneficial effect, where as increasing phosphorus level above normal requirement has no effect on production and reproduction performance. In case of phosphorus deficiency, it is associated with decreased reproductive performance like delayed sexual maturity and low conception rate. In a study it has been found that fertility of heifer was improved even after receiving 70-80% of their phosphorus requirement (Cromwell, 1997).
Calcium
In high yielding animals milk fever is a common problem due to calcium deficiency and it is associated with reproductive problems. Studies depicted that cows encountered with treated for milk fever, were 4.2 times more likely to require assistance at calving, 2 times more likely to have retained placenta and 1.6 times more likely to be treated for metritis. Therefore, prevention of milk fever is an important to diet of in maximizes reproductive efficiency. The ratio of calcium to phosphorus in diet of milking cow diets should be kept between 1.5 to 2.5:1.
Selenium
Selenium deficiency normally occurs, when soil is deficient in selenium followed by feed grown on these soils. Selenium deficiency in dry cows has been reported to cause retained placenta. In a study when selenium deficient herd received supplementation of selenium (50 mg) and Vitamin E (680 IU) injections at 20 days prior to calving or were fed 1 mg of selenium per day, the incidences of retained placenta decreased (Hemingway, 2003)
Iodine
Iodine play an important role in reproductive performance through influence on thyroid gland. Iodine deficiencies may indirectly cause early embryonic death, abortion, stillbirths, prolonged gestation and an increase in the incidence of retained placenta as well as decreases in conception rate and ovarian activity. 15-20 mg of iodine supplementation every day is desirable to improve reproductive performance on the other side excessive iodine intakes have been associated with various health problems including abortion and decreased resistance to infection and disease.
Zinc
Zinc deficiency impact on spermatogenesis (the production of sperm) in the bull, delays sexual maturity and can cause foetal abnormalities.
Manganese
Manganese deficiency is rare in ruminants. Cows deficient in manganese are likely to have poor development of the follicles, delayed ovulation, more silent heats, and lower conception rates. These cows also tend to abort and give birth to weak calves.
Cobalt
Cobalt deficiency is associated with an increased incidence of silent heats, delayed onset of puberty, nonfunctional ovaries and abortion.
Copper
Copper is one of the essential trace metals which play an important role in animal reproduction through formation of complexes of copper (Cu2+) with gonadotropin- releasing hormone (GnRH) which is more effective in the release FSH and LH. Copper also play a significant role in maintaining normal fetus development in mammals.
Vitamins
In general the vitamin requirement of dairy cows are met by green fodder, rumen and tissue synthesis as well as feed supplementation. Most commercial concentrates contain vitamins supplements so, the probability of infertility due to a vitamin deficiency is less. When commercial concentrates are not fed, vitamin supplements should be provided. Proper vitamin and mineral balance must be provided in dry cow rations when feed intake is restricted and (or) low quality forage is fed to achieve optimum body condition for better reproductive performance in next lactation. To ensure adequate intake, vitamins and minerals should be fed in small amounts along with ration.
Vitamin A
In general chances of vitamin A deficiency in dairy animals are less as green fodder contains beta carotene which is precursor of vitamin A. 30,000-50,000 units of vitamin A supplementation is recommended for dairy cows. Hay and silage containing alfalfa is excellent sources of carotene, but it depends on the storage condition. In vitamin A deficient cattle delayed sexual maturity, abortion, birth of dead or weak calves, retained placenta and metritis are common problems. In a study in Germany revealed that dairy cows and heifers consuming diets deficient in betacarotene suffered from delayed uterine involution, delayed first estrus after calving, delayed ovulation, increased incidence of cystic ovaries, early embryonic death and abortion (Smith and Chase, 1980). Beta-carotene supplementation (300 mg/cow/day), is effective in restoration of reproductive function as compared Vitamin A supplementation Supplement vitamin A if it is less than 100 mg/100 ml in the blood of cows.
Vitamin D
Vitamin D deficiency in dairy animals is very rare as normal amount of natural light helps in maintaining their own vitamin D which is required for normal calcium and phosphorus metabolism. However, deficiencies are seldom encountered in commercial herds as most commercial concentrates contain supplemental vitamin D in sufficient amounts to meet the cow’s requirement of 10,000 IU per day.
Vitamin E
Scientific evidence is not documented regarding role of vitamin E alone on reproductive failure or improvement in dairy animals, but supplementation of selenium with vitamin E has profound role in improvement of reproductive performance. In one experiment, cows were fed low vitamin E rations for four generations, and they found no measurable effects on reproduction.
Supplementation of feed additive during transition period
a).Niacin supplementation is effective in case of high producing cows (mature cows producing over 35 kg and heifers over 25 kg milk per day), ketotic-prone cows and cows that lose excessive weight. To prevent ketosis and to maintain dry matter intake, 6 to 12 grams per day niacin supplementation until 10 to 12 weeks postpartum is effective.
b) Buffers are additives that maintain rumen pH between 6 to 6.3. Sodium bicarbonate and sodium sesquicarbonate are the most common commercial products fed @ 120 to 250 grams per cow per day. Magnesium oxide is not a buffer, but is an alkalinizer (raises pH). A combination of 2 to 3 part bicarb to one part magnesium oxide is recommended.
c) Supplementation of propylene glycol is converted in the liver to glucose which can prevent ketosis and fatty liver problem. Drenching 0.5 kg per day to cows with elevated blood ketones (based on milk or urine color tests) has been successfully used in the field. Propylene glycol .1 to .25 kg in a grain mix or TMR (Total Mixed Ration) can also used to prevent ketosis, It normally converted in liver to glucose to prevent ketosis and fatty liver syndrome
d) Yeast culture and yeast product is very effective probiotic helps in better fibre digestibility by stimulating favorable bacterial population, maintaining rumen pit and improves VFA production. Probiotic supplementation is cost effective and level at supplementation varies from 10 to 115gms per cow per day.
Feed Additives
- Probiotics:
- Role: Supports a healthy gut microbiota, aiding in nutrient absorption.
- Relevance to Reproduction: Probiotics may improve reproductive efficiency by enhancing nutrient utilization and immune function.
- Prebiotics:
- Role: Provides substrates for beneficial gut bacteria.
- Relevance to Reproduction: Prebiotics contribute to a healthy gut environment, potentially improving nutrient absorption and overall health.
- Omega-3 Fatty Acids:
- Role: Essential for cellular function, anti-inflammatory effects.
- Relevance to Reproduction: Omega-3 fatty acids may enhance reproductive performance by supporting ovarian function and reducing inflammation.
- Trace Minerals (Copper, Manganese):
- Role: Integral for enzyme function and overall metabolism.
- Relevance to Reproduction: Adequate levels of trace minerals are crucial for normal reproductive processes, and supplementation may improve fertility.
- Yeast Products:
- Role: Supports rumen function and nutrient utilization.
- Relevance to Reproduction: Yeast products may enhance overall metabolic health, potentially improving reproductive efficiency.
Conclusion
Minerals, vitamins, and feed additives play a multifaceted role in optimizing reproductive performance in dairy animals. Ensuring a well-balanced and nutritionally adequate diet is crucial for supporting fertility, minimizing postpartum disorders, and promoting overall herd health. As dairy farming continues to evolve, the integration of sound nutritional practices becomes increasingly vital for achieving sustainable reproductive success and maximizing the productivity of dairy herds.
Reproduction is important for dairy animals; therefore it should not be taken lightly, by giving emphasis on production performance only. The factors influence reproductive performance among them mineral play most crucial role. Therefore, area specific minerals mixture development by analyzing mineral level in soil, animal and plant is most pragmatic way to reduce the reproductive problems and improve productive performance which ultimately leads to economic benefit to the farmers. Time to time vitamin and feed additive supplementation is helpful in better reproductive and productive performance. During summer months mineral Blocks can be provided to the dairy animals to overcome any kind of mineral deficiency and for better reproductive performance.
Role of minerals, vitamins and feed additive supplementation of dairy animals
Minerals ——-Role in animals reproduction
Chromium —Play in the secretion of pregnancy specific proteins from the uterine endometrium which is helpful in preventing early embryonic mortality. It exerts a significant influence on follicular maturation and LH release.
Iron —–The reproductive performance of Iron deficient animals may be badly affected due to anaemia, reduced appetite and lower body condition. A deficient animal becomes repeat breeders and require increased number of inseminations per conception and occasionally may abort.
Molybdenum-— In case of molybdenum deficiency there is decrease libido as well as spermatogenesis and causes sterility in males and is responsible for delayed puberty, reduced conception rate and anoestrus in females.
Cobalt-—- Infertility is likely to arise as a secondary consequence of debilitating condition due to severe cobalt deprivation.
Cobalt—- deficiency is associated with delayed uterine involution, irregular estrous cycle and decreased conception rate.
Vitamins B12 ——In case of B12 deficiency appetite and feed intake decrease which further leads to delayed sexual maturity and atrophy of the ovaries and uterus in cows. Cobalt is essential for B12 synthesis.
Biotin —-Feeding of 200 mg/day biotin reduces service period from 169 to 108 day and reduces service per conception from 2.96 Vs 1.5.
Feed additives
Beta-Carotene —Restoration of reproductive function and improve reproductive performance.
Compiled & Shared by- This paper is a compilation of groupwork provided by the
Team, LITD (Livestock Institute of Training & Development)
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Reference-On Request.
