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Effect of prepartum somatotropin injection in late-pregnant Holstein heifers on metabolism, milk production and postpartum resumption of ovulation

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  28 November 2011

A. Schneider ,
E. Schwegler ,
P. Montagner ,
L. T. Hax ,
E. Schmitt ,
L. F. M. Pfeifer ,
F. A. B. Del Pino ,
I. Bianchi ,
G. R. Paludo  and
M. N. Corrêa
A. Schneider*
Affiliation:
Department of Veterinary Clinics, Veterinary College, Federal University of Pelotas, Campus Universitário, CEP 96010-900 Pelotas, RS, Brazil Núcleo de Pesquisa, Ensino e Extensão em Pecuária (NUPEEC), Veterinary College, Federal University of Pelotas, Campus Universitário, CEP 96010-900 Pelotas, RS, Brazil
E. Schwegler
Affiliation:
Department of Veterinary Clinics, Veterinary College, Federal University of Pelotas, Campus Universitário, CEP 96010-900 Pelotas, RS, Brazil Núcleo de Pesquisa, Ensino e Extensão em Pecuária (NUPEEC), Veterinary College, Federal University of Pelotas, Campus Universitário, CEP 96010-900 Pelotas, RS, Brazil
P. Montagner
Affiliation:
Department of Veterinary Clinics, Veterinary College, Federal University of Pelotas, Campus Universitário, CEP 96010-900 Pelotas, RS, Brazil Núcleo de Pesquisa, Ensino e Extensão em Pecuária (NUPEEC), Veterinary College, Federal University of Pelotas, Campus Universitário, CEP 96010-900 Pelotas, RS, Brazil
L. T. Hax
Affiliation:
Department of Veterinary Clinics, Veterinary College, Federal University of Pelotas, Campus Universitário, CEP 96010-900 Pelotas, RS, Brazil Núcleo de Pesquisa, Ensino e Extensão em Pecuária (NUPEEC), Veterinary College, Federal University of Pelotas, Campus Universitário, CEP 96010-900 Pelotas, RS, Brazil
E. Schmitt
Affiliation:
Department of Veterinary Clinics, Veterinary College, Federal University of Pelotas, Campus Universitário, CEP 96010-900 Pelotas, RS, Brazil Núcleo de Pesquisa, Ensino e Extensão em Pecuária (NUPEEC), Veterinary College, Federal University of Pelotas, Campus Universitário, CEP 96010-900 Pelotas, RS, Brazil
L. F. M. Pfeifer
Affiliation:
Núcleo de Pesquisa, Ensino e Extensão em Pecuária (NUPEEC), Veterinary College, Federal University of Pelotas, Campus Universitário, CEP 96010-900 Pelotas, RS, Brazil Animal Reproduction Laboratory, EMBRAPA CPAFRO, BR 364 – Km 5, 5, CEP 76815-800 Porto Velho, RO, Brazil
F. A. B. Del Pino
Affiliation:
Núcleo de Pesquisa, Ensino e Extensão em Pecuária (NUPEEC), Veterinary College, Federal University of Pelotas, Campus Universitário, CEP 96010-900 Pelotas, RS, Brazil Department of Biochemistry, Federal University of Pelotas, Campus Universitário, CEP 96010-900, Pelotas, RS, Brazil
I. Bianchi
Affiliation:
Núcleo de Pesquisa, Ensino e Extensão em Pecuária (NUPEEC), Veterinary College, Federal University of Pelotas, Campus Universitário, CEP 96010-900 Pelotas, RS, Brazil Department of Pathology, Veterinary College, Federal University of Pelotas, Campus Universitário, CEP 96010-900, Pelotas, RS, Brazil
G. R. Paludo
Affiliation:
Department of Pathology, Veterinary College, University of Brasília, Campus Universitário Darcy Ribeiro, Asa Norte, CEP 70910-970, Brasília, DF, Brazil
M. N. Corrêa
Affiliation:
Department of Veterinary Clinics, Veterinary College, Federal University of Pelotas, Campus Universitário, CEP 96010-900 Pelotas, RS, Brazil Núcleo de Pesquisa, Ensino e Extensão em Pecuária (NUPEEC), Veterinary College, Federal University of Pelotas, Campus Universitário, CEP 96010-900 Pelotas, RS, Brazil
*
†E-mail: augusto.schneider@live.com
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Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of prepartum somatotropin injection in late-pregnant Holstein heifers on metabolism, milk production and resumption of postpartum ovulation. For this study, 31 late-pregnant Holstein heifers were used. The heifers were assigned randomly into two treatments: (1) 500 mg sc injections of somatotropin (somatotropin treatment, n = 15) at −35 and −21 days, and, if pertinent, at −7 days from expected calving date and (2) no treatment (control group, n = 16). Blood samples were collected weekly from −5 to 7 weeks after calving. Heifers with progesterone concentrations in plasma above 1 ng/ml in two consecutive postpartum samples were considered as having resumed ovarian activity. A higher proportion (P = 0.04) of heifers treated with somatotropin resumed ovarian activity in the first 7 weeks post partum (73.3%; 11/15) compared with the control group (37.5%; 6/16). A higher number (P = 0.02) of heifers in the somatotropin treatment group also ovulated during the first postpartum follicular wave (53.3%; 8/15) compared with the control group (12.5%; 2/16), as indicated by the number of heifers ovulating in the first 3 weeks post partum. Pregnancy rate was not affected by treatments (P > 0.10) and averaged 40.0% (6/15) in somatotropin-treated and 25.0% (4/16) in control heifers when evaluated up to 150 days in milk. Somatotropin treatment increased the average daily milk production by 2.8 kg/cow per day (P < 0.0001) and reduced the somatic cell count (P = 0.009). Plasma IGF-I was higher (P < 0.05) for somatotropin-treated heifers in the prepartum period. Insulin and body condition score were higher (P < 0.05) and non-esterified fatty acids were lower (P < 0.05) for somatotropin-treated cows in the early postpartum period. In conclusion, somatotropin injection during the prepartum period in late-pregnant Holstein heifers was able to increase the proportion of heifers resuming ovarian activity early post partum, inspite of higher milk production.

Keywords

bSTdairy heifersIGF-Iovarian activityprimiparous
Type
Full Paper
Information
animal , Volume 6 , Issue 6 , June 2012 , pp. 935 - 940
Copyright
Copyright © The Animal Consortium 2011

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