Feeding for Reproduction

OABP—GuelphNovember 30, 2006Ewen Ferguson, Campbellford

Reproduction programs

Often a combination of factors that converge to cause “the perfect storm” in reproduction

Let’s look at some of these factors…

Reproduction Program

Focus has been on:GnRHPgSemen qualityAI techniqueVet

Also need to look at:Transition

ManagementIncidence of:

RP’sMilk FeverKetosisDA’sMastitis

Disease Pathways

Metabolic problems influence fertility

The more deficiencies we have in the transition period, the more infertility we’re going to have in the herd.

Nutrition influences fertility at all stages of the reproduction cycle, but transition is the most critical.

Melendez 2005

Metabolic problems influence fertility

“Nutritional imprint”

Effect of metabolic disorder…Influences cow health and reproduction

for several months

Jim Spain 2005

NEFA concentrations and PregnancyADSA 2005 National Meetings

Burkhart et al. Abstract W164

Probability of Pregnancy at 1st Service Vs. NEFA Concentration at 3 days

Postpartum

Burkhart et al. Abstract W164

Nutrition and reproduction…

is there a link?

Reproductive parameters—are they tied to

nutrition?

Delayed time to 1st ovulation:

Related to negative energy balance

No clear association with milk production

Reproductive parameters—are they tied to

nutrition?Anovular/Anestrus cows:20% prevalenceNo parity differenceKetotic cows in week 1: 1.5 x more A/AOther risk factors: DA, twins, dystociaLow milk >>anestrus than high milkLow BCS >>anestrus than high BCS

Walsh 2006

Reproductive parameters—are they tied to

nutrition?Conception rates:CR and Milk—relationship controversialHigh producing cows have lower CR

than heifersEffect of Milk Production and Fertility:

Amplified during heat stressDecreased fertilization rateDecreased percentage of viable embryos

Conception Rates in Lactating Dairy Cows vs. Virgin Dairy

Heifers

66%

60%65%

50%

70%

45%

35%

45%

55%

65%

75%

Con

cept

ion

Rat

e

1955 1975 1995

Virgin Heifers Lactating Cows

Milk

Reproductive parameters—are they tied to

nutrition?Duration of estrus

Cows >40 kg had shorter estrus6 hr v. 11 hrLess circulating estradiol?

Duration of estrus

Duration of estrus

Reproductive parameters—are they tied to

nutrition?Double ovulation:Linked to milk productionSegregate cows above/below

mean of 40 kg milkAbove mean: 20% double

ovulationBelow mean: 7%

Wiltbank

Milk production and fertility

High producers…Ovulate larger follicles, but…

Low circulating estradiolMore luteal tissue, but…

Reduced circulating progesterone

Milk production and fertility

Disconnect???More milk—more feed intake—

more liver blood flow—more steroid metabolism???

Wiltbank

Practical approach to nutrition and reproductionLiterature review:

Minerals (Hurley and Doane, 1989)Vitamin (Seymour, 2001)Energy (Butler, 2001)Protein (Butler, 2001)Lipid Fractions (Staples, 2004)

But…

Le Blanc’s (approach) solution to improve Repro via

Nutrition…Search for all the cow comfort and

management stuff that may limit intakeThen…look at proteinSearch for all the cow comfort…Then…look at energySearch for all the cow comfort…Then…lipid; minerals; vitamins (in no particular order)Then… Search for all the cow comfort…etc

Nutritional management

Is not balancing rations…Overview/understanding of

nutrition programCredibility? Trust recommendations?Vet? Nutritionist?

Listen to the cow…

Driver or mechanic?

Feeding for Reproduction

Assuming DMI is okay…Overview of:

Protein EnergyLipidMinerals Vitamins

Nutritional Influences on Reproduction

Protein…Close-up rations often okay ~14-15%

CPLactation rations:

More protein—more milk?!? Watch high RDP rations

Sources: Balage, wet haylage, supplementsHigh urea—poor reproduction?Balance RDP and CHO

Nutritional Influences on Reproduction

Protein…Lactation rations:

High Corn Silage based rations16-17% CP

Use MUN to guide you10-14 OK8 OK?>16 watch

Nutritional Influences on Reproduction

Protein…Urea Effect??

Impaired uterine environment?Embryo survival issue

Energy Cost?Effect on ovarian activity

Cows with health disorders—greater risk with high protein diets

Nutritional Influences on Reproduction

Energy…Important for transition CowsMaintain / gain weight during dry

periodCorn silage: benefit…but, limitConcentrate: .75% of BW

Nutritional Influences on Reproduction

Energy…Key is DMIConsider non nutritional factors

Bunk spaceOver Crowding Pen moves

Nutritional Influences on Reproduction

Energy…TCI index—Nordlund

Predictor of fresh cow health10ry predictor—bunk space prior to

calving20ry predictor—bunk space after calving30”

Nutritional Influences on Reproduction

Energy…Tools to measure…

BCS—cows <2.75 BCS @ 60 dim=1.5 > anestrus Walsh 2006

Early lactation BF>5.5%NEFA/BHB

Energy and Protein

Major nutrients of any programLots of information about requirementsDon’t focus on decimal points and miss…

DMI, DMI, DMI

Supplemental fat feeding

Post partum rationsShown to improve reproductive

performance

Supplemental fat feeding

How does it work?1. Fat feeding=more progesterone?

Tallow Calcium Salts/Prilled fatty acids Whole cottonseeds

Effect: Larger CL Larger dominant follicle Improved embryo survival

Supplemental fat feeding

2. Inhibits production / release of prostaglandin?

Omega-3 long chain PUFA Esp. Linolenic (C18:3) Flaxseed, linseed, fishmeal, pasture

Supplemental fat feeding

3. Meeting an essential fatty acid deficiency?

May be limiting in high producers Linoleic Roasted beans, Enertia, Megalac R Roasting increases delivery of EFA to

SI

Minerals

Most commercial mineral premixes will provide adequate level of micronutrients

But…Must be formulated for dry cowsCan’t be delivered free choiceSome need to be fortified

Minerals

Close up dry cowCalcium >.85%Phosphorus <.4%Magnesium >.4%Sulfur ~.3%Potassium <1.4%

Minerals

Lactation rationCalcium >1%Phosphorus ~.4%Magnesium >.3%Sulfur ~.2%Potassium >1.4%

Minerals

Phosphorus

Someone in extension did a great job 50 years ago…

No reproductive improvement over .37%

Minerals

CobaltImportant for ruminant synthesis of

B12

NRC .11 ppmEasy to meet

Heat Stress—My K strategy

Add NaCl @.15 lbsAdd KCl to bring Cl

to .5% (at least .4%)Add bicarb--8-10 oz,

don’t go over 2%Add K carbonate to

get to 1.5% K ~.33 lbs

DCAD ~35 to 40

Add Mag Ox—up to .4%

Keep K:Mag ratio ~4:1Calcium >1%Phosphorus ~.4%Add 2-3 oz yeastStart early—before

heat stress

Minerals

Selenium

Lots of research in past 30 yearsImproved immune functionReduced mastitisReduced SCCReduced RP’s

Minerals

SeleniumSources:

Inorganic (Na Selenite)Se YeastMaximum rate is .3 ppm

Minerals

Selenium Yeast:

Identical to AA methionine except S replaced by Selenium molecule

Se is part of molecule, not associated as a chelate

MineralsSelenium Yeast:

Which is better?Se Yeast has 20% higher whole blood Se,

but…Differences in blood may/may not relate to

different clinical responsesClinical trials on disease response is lacking

Calves from cows fed Se Yeast—higher SeSe Yeast colostrum has higher Se

Minerals

Selenium absorption:

Selenite and Se Yeast absorbed by different mechanisms

S (.2-.4%) reduced absorption of Na Selenite by 20%--(Se Yeast unaffected)

Se absorption 40% higher at .9% Ca (than at .5% or 1.3%)

Minerals

Selenium Yeast—does it pay?:

Consider if antagonists are presentConsider for transition groupCan go half and half.3 ppm x 12 kg DMI=3.6 mg/day

Bigger issue may be cows are limiting

VitaminsAn abundance of pasture and other green

feeds and plenty of well cured legume hay are believed to be sufficient safeguards against any possible shortage of Vitamins D and E.

No prepared vitamin mixtures need ever be purchased!

Feeding Dairy Cattle Mo AES Bulletin 281, Ragsdale, 1930

Vitamins

Vitamin ANRC 650 kg lactating cow needs

71,500 IUVitamin A improves embryo qualityMy rations

100-175 KIU daily (lactation)120-150 KIU (close up)

VitaminsVitamin E

NRC 650 kg lactating cow needs 500 IU1000 IU pre partum

3000 IU Vitamin E, 7 days prepartum reduced risk of RFM by 44% in primiparous (not multiparous) LeBlanc 2002

Vitamin E helps reduce SCC and clinical mastitis

Lack of studies showing improved reproduction

My rations: 1000 IU lactating; 1000-2000 close

Fatty Liver

Accumulation of Accumulation of

triglyceride (fat) triglyceride (fat)

in liverin liver

• Most common around calvingMost common around calving• ““Fat Cow Syndrome”Fat Cow Syndrome”

50 to 60% of cows develop fatty livers around calving

Bertics et al., 1992UW Madison

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

Liv

er t

rigl

ycer

ide,

%

-17 1 28

Day relative to calving

Up to 60% of transition cows have fat build up in

the liver • “In the first month after

calving, 5 to 10% of dairy cows have severe fatty liver and 30 to 40% have moderate fatty liver

G. Bobe, J. W. Young, and D. C. Beitz, 2004Iowa State U.

What happens during transition?

During transition…DMI drops

NEFA’s increaseIncreased fat accumulation in liver

15

20

25

30

35

DM

I, lb

/day

-20 -15 -10 -5 0 5 10

Day Relative to Calving

Bertics et al., 1992

NEFA

NEFA’s become elevated if DMI falls below 11 kg/day in the last week of gestation

Cows with high NEFA’s have:More ketosisMore DA’sMore RP’s

Rumensin CRC

Reduces SCK by 50%Reduces DA’s by 40%Reduces Clinical Ketosis by

40%Reduces RP’s by 24%

Reashure choline

Prevents or corrects deposition of fat in the liver

Choline prevents fatty liver

ReashureReashure®®

Other Goodies

Lots of choices—do your homework—seek advice.

Snake Oil Salespersons

One who weaves a tale of truths, half truths, lies and innuendo for the purpose of gaining trust, faith or monetary gain from normally very intelligent people.

Vitamins

Feeding trace minerals and vitamins in excess is unlikely to improve reproduction.

Santos 2005

Mycotoxin Inhibitors

Corn ear mold prevalent this yearMold does not mean mycotoxins, but…DON or vomitoxin—markerDecreased milkDecreased reproductionDepressed immune systemConsider testing/inhibitorsConcern @ .5—1 ppm