Effect of increasing energy levels of diet and heat synchronization on steroid hormones and reproductive indices in Holstein heifers

Subject Areas : Veterinary Clinical Pathology

akbar pirestani ¹ , amirabbas emamimeybodi ² , gholamreza ghalamkari ³ , shahin eghbalsaeediaboueshaghi ⁴

1 - دانشگاه آزاد اسلامی، واحد خوراسگان (اصفهان)، استادیار گروه علوم دامی، دانشکده کشاورزی، اصفهان، ایران.
2 - دانشگاه آزاد اسلامی، واحد خوراسگان (اصفهان)، دانش‌آموخته گروه علوم دامی، دانشکده کشاورزی، اصفهان، ایران.
3 - دانشگاه آزاد اسلامی، واحد خوراسگان (اصفهان)، استادیار گروه علوم دامی، دانشکده کشاورزی، اصفهان، ایران.
4 - دانشگاه آزاد اسلامی، واحد خوراسگان (اصفهان)، استادیار گروه علوم دامی، دانشکده کشاورزی، اصفهان، ایران.

Received: 2013-01-21 Accepted : 2013-11-10 Published : 2013-08-23

Keywords: energy, Diet, Reproduction indices, Steroid Hormone, heifers,

Abstract :

The aim of the present study was to determine the effects of increasing energy levels of diet and heat synchronization on steroid hormones and fertility in Holstein heifers. Eighty heifers with average bodyweight of 330±20 kg were randomly allocated in equal numbers into four groups including control (A), high energy diet (B) (10% higher than NRC recommendation), heat synchronization (C) (CIDR-Ovsynch) and high energy diet + heat synchronization (D). Heifers in groups B and D were fed initially one year and 30-day pre-synchronization periods, and they were inseminated after observation of heat. Blood samples were collected after first heat signs (groups A & B) and at the beginning of synchronization in each phase of estrus cycle for the determination of plasma progesterone, estrogen and BHBA concentrations. Also, reproduction indices such as service per conception rate and intervals between first heat and AI leading to pregnancy were evaluated. The results showed that estrogen level was significantly increased (p<0/05) in estrous phase in groups C and D compared to the other groups. Progesterone level was significantly high (p<0/05) in diestrous phase in groups B, C and D compared to group A. Level of BHBA was higher in proestrous phase and it was lowest in group D in comparison to the other groups. Also, lowest service per conception rate and intervals between first heat and AI leading to pregnancy was seen in group D, although no statistical significance was observed. It was concluded that high energy diet along with heat synchronization has beneficial effects on reproduction performance, increasing steroid hormones concentration and decreasing BHBA concentration in Holstein heifers.

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