Vol. 8, Issue 4 (2019)

Author(s):
Ani S Das, Metilda Joseph, Shibu Simon, Muhammad Aslam MK, Manoj M and Jith John Mathew

Abstract:
Postpartum reproductive failure due to negative energy balance is a major problem among the high producing dairy cattle, incurring huge economic loss. The present investigation estimated the outcome of dietary provision of rumen protected fat on blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and non-esterified fatty acid (NEFA) levels in crossbred cows. The trial was conducted with four experimental groups of six cows each (GI - control; GII - 200 g protected fat; GIII - 200 g protected fat daily + Ovsynch protocol; GIV - Ovsynch protocol alone). The mean BUN levels (mg/dl) in the experimental groups were 34.78±1.076, 24.12±0.99, 24.63±1.56 and 29.13±0.97, respectively in GI, GII, GIII and GIV. The BUN levels were significantly lower in those animals supplemented with protected fat (GII and GIII) compared to others. The serum NEFA level (mmol/L) which is a measure of negative energy balance in the body was significantly lower in GII and GIII compared to other two groups. The mean NEFA values (ELISA) were 0.37 ± 0.02, 0.25 ± 0.01, 0.28 ± 0.01 and 0.40±0.01 in group GI, GII, GIII and GIV, respectively. The results proved that dietary supplementation of protected fat modulates the blood biochemical parameters favourably, promoting early resumption of ovarian activities in postpartum dairy cows.