ABSTRACT
Background: Application of different sources of fatty acids and their effect on ovarian performance is a current issue in animal science and research centers
Objectives: The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of different fatty acids in close-up period on population and size of follicles and measuring blood parameters related to the energy state of the body after calving of lactating dairy cows
Methods: In this study 15 Holstein cows were selected by expected date of parturition [around 30 days before calving] and assigned them randomly within treatments diets. The diets were formulated to be isonitrogenous. Cows were fed 1] control [carbohydrate source], 2] Rumen-protected fat [RF] [saturated fatty acids] and 3] Roasted Soybean [RS] [unsaturated fatty acids]. Blood sample was collected at 7 day intervals in -21, -14, -7, 1, 7, 14, 21 periods of calving. Also dry matter intake and body condition score cows were recorded. Ovarian activity was monitored by daily transrectal ultrasound scanning from 30 to 40 and 61 to 70 DIM
Results: Average plasma glucose and cholesterol concentration were significantly different among treatment groups. Numerically, follicular classes were higher in cows, fed with fat diet compared with control group
Conclusions: According to the results of this experiment, it seems that application of polyunsaturated fatty acids, to improve the energy and ultimately the function of the ovaries, has more advantage than saturated fatty acids
ABSTRACT
Previous research has shown that Cr is needed for growth and protein synthesis. This study was carried out to determine the effects of supplementing chromium-methionine [Cr-Met] on performance, hematologic characteristics and meat quality parameters in kids. Thirty-two male kids [average initial BW of 22 +/- 2 kg, 4mo] were used in a completely randomized design with four treatments: 1. control [without Cr], 2. 500, 3. 1000 and 4. 1500 ug Cr/kg of Cr-Met diet. The animals were kept in separate pens for 100 days. Kids were weighed at 21 day intervals and blood samples drawn on 75 day of the experiment were analyzed for hematologic characteristics. Kids were slaughtered at the end of the trial, and meat quality parameters [Warner-Bratzlershear force, color, chemical composition, water retention and pH] of longissimus dorsi muscle [LDM] were studied. The average of dry matter intake and daily gain weight were not affected by chromium supplementation [p>0.05] but, feed conversion ratio [FCR] improved in 1500 ug Cr/kg group. Chromium supplementation increased total white blood cell count [p<0.05] although, the other hematologic parameters were not affected by Cr-Met [p>0.05]. Addition of different levels of [Cr-Met] failed to significantly effect on lightness [L[asterisk]], pH, moisture [%], intramuscular fat [%], cooking loss and drip loss percentage [p>0.05]. Chromium supplementation increased redness [a[asterisk]], yellowness [b[asterisk]], chroma, hue angle and crude protein content[%] of LDM [p<0.05]. Supplemental Cr decreases Warner-Bratzlershear force of LDM [p<0.1]. These results indicate that Cr-Met diet improved performance, meat quality and increased white blood cells in Mahabadi goat kids