The Effect of Supplementation of Rumen-Protected Choline on Reproductive and Productive Performances of Dairy Cows

We aimed to evaluate the effects of organic herbal preparations containing rumen-protected choline (RPC) in dairy cow milk’s BHB and progesterone (P4) concentration changes, reproduction, and production performances. Cows were divided into the following two groups: The CHOL (<i>n</i> = 6...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Indrė Mečionytė, Giedrius Palubinskas, Lina Anskienė, Renata Japertienė, Renalda Juodžentytė, Vytuolis Žilaitis
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2022-07-01
Series:Animals
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/12/14/1807
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Summary:We aimed to evaluate the effects of organic herbal preparations containing rumen-protected choline (RPC) in dairy cow milk’s BHB and progesterone (P4) concentration changes, reproduction, and production performances. Cows were divided into the following two groups: The CHOL (<i>n</i> = 60) cow diet was supplemented with 10 g/day RPC from 20 days pre-calving to 20 days post-calving, and CONT (<i>n</i> = 60) were fed a conventional diet. BHB and P4 concentrations were measured at 5–64 DIM and 21–64 DIM, respectively, with DelPro 4.2. BHB was lower in the CHOL group at 5–64 DIM than CONT <i>p</i> > 0.05. The first post-calving P4 peak, <i>p</i> < 0.001, was determined earlier in the CHOL group, and the P4 profile during 21–64 DIM was similar, <i>p</i> > 0.05. The insemination rate was lower, and the interval between calvings was shorter. The first insemination time was earlier in the CHOL group, <i>p</i> < 0.05. Milk yield was higher in the CHOL group at 21–64 DIM, <i>p</i> > 0.05. The CHOL group had more fat in their milk at 31–60 DIM, <i>p</i> < 0.05. There were no significant differences in protein and SCC between the groups, <i>p</i> > 0.05. Based on our results, we concluded that the supplementation of RPC pre- and post-calving had statistically significant effects on the first peak of P4, and benefited the reproduction performances, milk yield, and milk fat during the early postpartum period.
ISSN:2076-2615