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- Title
Evaluation of reproduction and blood metabolites in heifers fed dried distillers grains plus solubles or soybean hulls during late gestation.
- Authors
Engel, C. L.; Patterson, H. H.; Perry, B. L.; Perry, G. A.
- Abstract
Dried distillers grains plus solubles (DDGS) contain both undegradable intake protein and fat, which have both been shown to increase reproduction when supplemented to primiparous heifers. The mechanisms leading to enhanced reproduction when fat or UIP are supplemented have not been fully defined. The objective of this experiment was to evaluate DDGS or soybean hulls (SBH) during the last trimester of gestation on reproductive efficiency. Ninety-five cross bred heifers were stratified by expected calving date, body weight, BCS, and randomly assigned to DDGS or SBH (n = 6 pens per treatment). Diets were developed to meet the nutrient requirements at d 240 of gestation and were limit fed during the last trimester of gestation until parturition. Blood samples were collected prior to calving and once per week following calving for 4 weeks. There was no effect of treatment on BCS at calving (P = 0.29; 5.9 ± 0.07). Treatment had no effect on circulating concentrations of GH (P = 0.51) or IGF-1 (P = 0.18). However, time influenced both GH (P < 0.01) and IGF-1 (P < 0.01). Circulating concentrations of GH were elevated at calving (14.4 ± 1.5 ng/mL) and decreased by 4 d after calving (9.0 ± 1.6 ng/mL). Circulating concentrations of IGF-1 rose for the first 2 d following calving (57.1 ± 5.2 ng/mL) and then decreased through d 6 (30.5 ± 5.6 ng/mL). At the start of the breeding season there was no difference between DDGS and SBH in the percent of heifers that had initiated estrous cycles (P = 0.75; 74% and 70%; respectively). There was a tendency (P = 0.11) for more DDGS treated animals to become pregnant during a 64 d natural service breeding season compared to SBH treated animals (92% vs 80%; respectively). However, there was no difference in the distribution of pregnancies (P = 0.30) between treatments. In summary, DDGS and SBH fed during the last trimester of pregnancy to heifers had similar effects on GH and IGF-1, but DDGS tended to improve pregnancy rates during a defined breeding season.
- Subjects
PREGNANCY in animals; DISTILLERS feeds; PREGNANCY; HEIFERS; REPRODUCTION; SOYBEAN
- Publication
Journal of Animal Science, 2006, Vol 84, p351
- ISSN
0021-8812
- Publication type
Article