Effects of prepartum supplementation levels on the performance and metabolic responses of Nellore cows in a grazing system

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5433/1679-0359.2024v45n3p971

Keywords:

Bos indicus, Metabolism, Peripartum period, Ruminant nutrition, Tropical forages.

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of prepartum supplementation levels on the productive and nutritional performance and metabolic responses of Nellore cows in a grazing system. Forty-four pregnant Nellore cows multiparous with an initial mean gestation time of 230 days, average initial body weight (BW) of 541 ± 19 kg, and body condition score (BCS) of 5.5 ± 1.7 were used and distributed in a completely randomized design, with four treatments and 11 cows per treatment. The treatments evaluated consisted of four supplementation levels in the prepartum period with a duration of 60 days, according to the following scheme: 0.0 (Control = CON); 0.5 (LOW); 1.0 (Medium = MED) and; 1.5 (High = HIG) kg per animal day-1 of supplement. The supplement was composed of wheat meal and urea, and formulated to contain 22% of crude protein (CP). A positive linear effect (P < 0.05) was observed on the intake of CP and CP:digested organic matter (DOM) ratio as supplementation levels were increased. In addition, a quadratic effect (P < 0.05) was detected on the intake of neutral detergent fiber corrected for ash and protein (apNDF), digested neutral detergent fiber, and DOM with increasing supplementation levels in the prepartum period, in which MED cows had higher intakes compared to CON, LOW, and HIG cows. Prepartum supplementation levels did not affect (P > 0.10) the average daily gain in the prepartum or postpartum periods and, BCS of the dams, and BW of calves at birth or 45 days of age. In the prepartum period, supplementation levels did not affect (P > 0.10) the blood concentrations of total proteins, albumin, globulins, glucose, cholesterol, triglycerides, non-esterified fatty acids, and beta-hydroxybutyrate in the experimental cows. In conclusion, the provision of 1.0 kg of supplement per animal per day during the last 60 days of pregnancy improves prepartum nutritional performance and postpartum milk production of grazing beef cows.

Author Biographies

Lara Vilhena Calderaro, Universidade Federal de Viçosa

Zootechnist, Department of Animal Science, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, UFV, Viçosa, MG, Brazil.

Deilen Sotelo Moreno, University of the Llanos

Prof. Dr., Department of Animal Production, Faculty of Agricultural and Animal Sciences and Natural Resources, University of the Llanos, UNILLANOS, Villavicencio, Meta, Colombia

Román Maza Ortega, University of Pamplona

Prof. Dr., Department of Animal Science, University of Pamplona, UP, Pamplona, Norte de Santander, Colombia.

Luciana Navajas Rennó, Universidade Federal de Viçosa

Profa. Dra., Department of Animal Science, UFV, Viçosa, MG, Brazil. 

Edenio Detmann, Universidade Federal de Viçosa

Prof. Dr., Department of Animal Science, UFV, Viçosa, MG, Brazil.

Mário Fonseca Paulino, Universidade Federal de Viçosa

Prof. Dr., Department of Animal Science, UFV, Viçosa, MG, Brazil.

References

Aeberhard, K., Bruckmaier, R. M., & Blum, J. W. (2001). Metabolic, enzymatic and endocrine status in high-yielding dairy cows - part 2. Journal of Veterinary Medicine Series A., 48(2), 111-127. doi: 10.1046/j.1439-0442.2001.00294.x DOI: https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1439-0442.2001.00294.x

Alexander, B. M., Hess, B. W., Hixon, D. L., Garrett, B. L., Rule, D. C., Mcfarland, M., Bottger, J. D., Moss, G. E., & Simms, D. D. (2002). Influence of prepartum fat supplementation on subsequent beef cow reproduction and calf performance. The Professional Animal Scientist, 18(4), 351-357. doi: 10.15232/S1080-7446(15)31545-X DOI: https://doi.org/10.15232/S1080-7446(15)31545-X

Almeida, D. M., Marcondes, M. I., Rennó, L. N., Martins, L. S., Marquez, D. E. C., Saldarriaga, F. V., Villadiego, F. A. C., Ortega, R. M., Moreno, D. S., Moura, F. H., Cunha, C. S., & Paulino, M. F. (2020). Effects of pre and postpartum supplementation on lactational and reproductive performance of grazing Nellore beef cows. Animal Production Science, 61(2), 1-107. doi: 10.1071/AN18251

Astessiano, A. L., Perez-Clariget, R., Quintans, G., Soca, P., Meikle, A., Crooker, B. A., & Carriquiry, M. (2014). Metabolic and endocrine profile and hepatic gene expression in periparturient, grazing primiparous beef cows with different body reserves. Livestock Science, 170(1), 63-71. doi: 10.1016/j.livsci.2014.10.008 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.livsci.2014.10.008

Bertoni, G., & Trevisi, E. (2013). Use of the liver activity index and other metabolic variables in the assessment of metabolic health in dairy herds. Veterinary Clinics of North America: Food Animal Practice, 29(2), 413-431. doi: 10.1016/j.cvfa.2013.04.004 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cvfa.2013.04.004

Chilliard, Y., Delavaud, C., & Bonnet, M. (2005). Leptin expression in ruminants: Nutritional and physiological regulations in relation with energy metabolism. Domestic Animal Endocrinol, 29(1), 3-22. doi: 10.1016/j.domaniend.2005.02.026 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.domaniend.2005.02.026

Contreras, G. A., & Sordillo, L. M. (2011). Lipid mobilization and inflammatory responses during the transition period of dairy cows. Comparative Immunology, Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, 34(3), 281-289. doi: 10.1016/j.cimid.2011.01.004 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cimid.2011.01.004

Contreras, P. A. (2000). Indicadores do metabolismo proteico utilizados nos perfis metabólicos de rebanhos. In F. D. F. González, J. O. Barcellos, H. Ospina, & L. A. O. Ribeiro, Perfil metabólico em ruminantes: seu uso em nutrição e doenças nutricionais (pp. 23-30). Porto Alegre.

Detmann, E., Gionbelli, M. P., Paulino, M. F., Valadares, S. C., Fº., & Rennó, L. N. (2016). Considerations on research methods applied to ruminants under grazing. Nutritime, 13(3), 4711-4731. https://nutritime.com.br/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Artigo-381.pdf

Detmann, E., Paulino, M. F., Valadares, S. C., Fº., & Huhtanen, P. (2014). Nutritional aspects applied to grazing cattle in the tropics: a review based on Brazilian results. Semina: Ciências Agrárias, 35(4), 2829-2854. doi: 10.5433/1679-0359.2014v35n4Suplp2829 DOI: https://doi.org/10.5433/1679-0359.2014v35n4Suplp2829

Detmann, E., Souza, M. A., Valadares, S. C., Fº., Queiroz, A. C., Berchielli, T. T., Saliba, E. O. S., Cabral, L. S., Pina, D. S., Ladeira, M. M., & Azevedo, J. A. G. (2012). Métodos para análise de alimentos. Suprema. Recovered from https://www.editoraufv.com.br/produto/metodospara-analise-dealimentos/1109316

Ferreira, M. F. L., Rennó, L. N., Rodrigues, I. I., Detmann, E., Paulino, M. F., Valadares, S. C. Fº., Martins, H. C., Moreira, S. S., de Lana, D. S. (2021). Effects of Parity Order on Performance, Metabolic, and Hormonal Parameters of Grazing Beef Cows During Pre-calving and Lactation Periods. BMC Veterinary Research, 17(1), 1-15. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12917-021-03019-0

Gionbelli, M. P., Duarte, M. S., Valadares, S. C., Fº., Detmann, E., Chizzotti, M. L., Rodrigues, F. C., Zanetti, D., Gionbelli, T. R. S., & Machado, M. G. (2015). Achieving body weight adjustments for feeding status and pregnant or non-pregnant condition in beef cows. PLOS ONE, 10(3), e0112111. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0112111 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0112111

González, F. H. D. (1997). O perfil metabólico no estudo de doenças da produção em vacas leiteiras. Arquivos da Faculdade de Veterinária, 25(2), 13-33. https://www.ufrgs.br/lacvet/site/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/gonzalez_perfilvacas_rev.pdf

Hess, B. W., Lake, S. L., Scholljegerdes, E. J., Weston, T. R., Nayigihugu, V., Molle, J. D. C., & Moss, G. E. (2005). Nutritional controls of beef cow reproduction. Journal of Animal Science, 83(13), E90-E106. doi: 10.2527/2005.8313_supplE90x DOI: https://doi.org/10.2527/2005.8313_supplE90x

Lazzarini, I., Detmann, E., Sampaio, C. B., Paulino, M. F., Valadares, S. C., Fº., Souza, M. A., & Oliveira, F. A. (2009). Intake and digestibility in cattle fed low-quality tropical forage and supplemented with nitrogenous compounds. Revista Brasileira de Zootecnia, 38(10), 2021-2030. doi: 10.1590/S1516-35982009001000024 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1590/S1516-35982009001000024

Madureira, E. D., Maturana, M., Fº., Lemes, K. M., Silva, J. C. B., & Santini, T. (2014). Análise crítica de fatores que interferem na fertilidade de vacas zebuínas. Proceeding of the Symposium of Beef Cattle Production, Viçosa, MG, Brazil, 9.

Marques, R. S., Cooke, R. F., Rodrigues, M. C., Moriel, P., & Bohnert, D. W. (2016). Impacts of cow body condition score during gestation on weaning performance of the offspring. Livestock Science, 191(1), 174-178. doi: 10.1016/j.livsci.2016.08.007 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.livsci.2016.08.007

Martin, A. D., Lystad, M. L., Reksen, O., Ropstad, E., Waldmann, A., Nafstad, O., & Karlberg, K. (2010). Assessment of progesterone profiles and postpartum onset of luteal activity in spring calving Hereford beef suckler cattle. Acta Veterinaria Scandinavica, 52(42), 1-8. doi: 10.1186/1751-0147-52-42 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/1751-0147-52-42

Moreno, D. S., Ortega, R. M., Paulino, M. F., Rennó, L. N., & Detmann, E. (2023). Pre and postpartum supplementation strategies on performance and metabolic status of grazing beef cows. Pesquisa Agropecuária Brasileira, 58(1), e03102. doi: 10.1590/S1678-3921.pab2023.v58.03102 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1590/s1678-3921.pab2023.v58.03102

Moura, F. H., Costa, T. C., Trece, A. S., Melo, L. P., Manso, M. R., Paulino, M. F., Rennó, L. N., Fonseca, M. A., Detmann, E., Gionbelli, M. P., & Duarte, M. S. (2020). Effects of energy-protein supplementation frequency on performance of primiparous grazing beef cows during pre and postpartum. Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences, 33(9), 1430-1443. doi: 10.5713/ajas.19.0784 DOI: https://doi.org/10.5713/ajas.19.0784

Mulliniks, J. T., Kemp, M. E., Endecott, R. L., Cox, S. H., Roberts, A. J., Waterman, R. C., Geary, T. W., Scholljegerdes, E. J., & Petersen, M. K. (2013). Does b-hydroxybutyrate concentration influence conception date in young postpartum range beef cows?. Journal of Animal Science, 91(6), 2902-2909. doi: 10.2527/jas.2012-6029 DOI: https://doi.org/10.2527/jas.2012-6029

National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (2016). Nutrient requirements of beef cattle: eighth revised edition. The National Academies Press.

National Research Council (1996). Nutrient requirements of beef cattle (7nd rev. ed.). National Academy Press.

National Research Council (2001). Nutrient requirements of dairy cattle. National Academy Press.

Paulino, M. F., Detmann, E., & Valadares, S. C., Fº. (2008). Bovinocultura funcional nos trópicos. Anais VI Simpósio de Producão de Gado de Corte, Viçosa, MG, Brasil.

Poppi, D. P., & McLennan, S. R. (1995). Protein and energy utilization by ruminants at pasture. Journal of Animal Science, 73(1), 278-290. doi: 10.2527/1995.731278x DOI: https://doi.org/10.2527/1995.731278x

Puppione, D. (1978). Implications of unique features of blood lipid transport in the lactating cow. Journal of Dairy Science, 61(5), 651-659. doi: 10.3168/jds.S0022-0302(78)94424-7.23 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.S0022-0302(78)94424-7

Radunz, A. E., Fluharty, F. L., Day, M. L., Zerby, H. N., & Loerch, S. C. (2010). Prepartum dietary energy source fed to beef cows: I. Effects on pre- and postpartum cow performance. Journal of Animal Science, 88(8), 2717-2728. doi: 10.2527/jas.2009-2744 DOI: https://doi.org/10.2527/jas.2009-2744

Radunz, A. E., Fluharty, F. L., Zerby, H. N., & Loerch, S. C. (2011). Winter-feeding systems for gestating sheep I. Effects on pre- and postpartum ewe performance and lamb progeny preweaning performance. Journal of Animal Science, 89(2), 467-477. doi: 10.2527/jas.2010-3035 DOI: https://doi.org/10.2527/jas.2010-3035

Russel, J. B. (2002). Rumen microbiology and its role in ruminant nutrition. Cornell University Press.

Sampaio, C. B., Detmann, E., Paulino, M. F., Mario, F., Paulino, M. F., Valadares, S. C., Fº., Souza, M. A., Lazzarini, I., Paulino, P. V. R., & Queiroz, A. C. (2010). Intake and digestibility in cattle fed low-quality tropical forage and supplemented with nitrogenous compounds. Tropical Animal Health and Production, 42(7), 1471-1479. doi: 10.1007/s11250-010-9581-7 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11250-010-9581-7

Saut, J. P. E. (2008). Influência do puerpério e da retenção de anexos fetais no proteinograma de fêmeas bovinas da raça holandesa, criadas no estado de São Paulo. Tese de doutorado, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brasil.

Silva, A. G. da, Paulino, M. F., Detmann, E., Fernandes, H. J., Amorim, L. D. S., Ortega, R. E. M., Carvalho, V. V., Lima, J. A., Moura, F. H., Monteiro, M. B., & Bitencourt, J. A. (2017). Energetic-protein supplementation in the last 60 days of gestation improves performance of beef cows grazing tropical pastures. Journal of Animal Science and Biotechnology, 8(78), 2-9. doi: 10.1186/s40104-017-0209-x DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s40104-017-0209-x

Smith, B. P. (2006). Medicina interna de grandes animais (3a ed.). Manole.

Sotelo, D. M., Paulino, M. F., Rennó, L. N., Detmann, E., Ortega, R. M., Marquez, D. C., Martins, L. S., Almeida, D. M., Lima, J. A. C., & Moura, F. H. (2018). Performance and metabolic status of grazing beef heifers receiving increasing protein supplementation pre- and postpartum. Animal Production Science, 59(7), 1244-1252. doi: 10.1071/AN17485 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1071/AN17485

Summers, A. F., Blair, A. D., & Funston, R. N. (2015). Impact of supplemental protein source offered to primiparous heifers during gestation on II. Progeny performance and carcass characteristics. Journal of Animal Science, 93(4), 1871-1880. doi: 10.2527/jas.2014-8297 DOI: https://doi.org/10.2527/jas.2014-8297

Valadares, S. C., Fº., Silva, L. F. C., Gionbelli, M. P., Rotta, P. P., Marcondes, M. I., Chizzotti, M. L., & Prados, L. F. (2016). Nutrient requirements of zebu and crossbred cattle (3nd ed.). UFV.

Van Soest, P. J. (1994). Nutritional ecology of the ruminant (2nd ed.). Cornell University Press. DOI: https://doi.org/10.7591/9781501732355

Wettemann, R. P., Lents, C. A., Ciccioli, N. H., White, F. J., & Rubio, I. (2003). Nutritional and suckling-mediated anovulation in beef cows. Journal of Animal Science, 81(14), E48-E59. doi: 10.2527/2003.8114_suppl_2E48x.

Downloads

Published

2024-06-13

How to Cite

Calderaro, L. V., Moreno, D. S., Ortega, R. M., Rennó, L. N., Detmann, E., & Paulino, M. F. (2024). Effects of prepartum supplementation levels on the performance and metabolic responses of Nellore cows in a grazing system. Semina: Ciências Agrárias, 45(3), 971–990. https://doi.org/10.5433/1679-0359.2024v45n3p971

Issue

Section

Articles

Most read articles by the same author(s)

1 2 3 > >> 

Similar Articles

You may also start an advanced similarity search for this article.