Plasma Trace Minerals Profile and Fertility without and with Estrus Synchronization Therapy at Day 90 Postpartum in Suckled Kankrej Cows

Abstract

The study was aimed at assessing the plasma trace minerals profile at 10 days interval up to 90 days postpartum, followed by estrus induction and fertility response together with mineral profiling till day 40 post-FTAI in anestrus/subestrus suckled Kankrej cows (n=36) of an organized farm using five different treatment protocols and a normal cyclic control group (6 cows in each group). The mean plasma levels of zinc, iron, copper, cobalt, and manganese did not vary significantly until 90 days postpartum in most groups, except Ovsynch and Ovsynch + CIDR and Cosynch. The estrus induction response with Ovsynch, CIDR, Ovsynch + CIDR, Cosynch, and PGF2andalpha; treatment protocols initiated at day 90-92 postpartum was 66.66, 83.33, 50.00, 66.66, and 66.66 %, and the conception rates at induced estrus in anestrus/subestrus cows were 16.66, 33.33, 16.66, 50.00 and 50.00 %, respectively. In the standard cyclic control group, the conception rate at the first cycle was 33.33 %. The above treatment protocols influenced none of the minerals studied. The values of trace minerals varied insignificantly for entire post-treatment periods even within and between conceived and non-conceived groups, with a few exceptions. There was no association between plasma trace minerals profile and estrus response or fertility after treatment. It was concluded that CIDR, Cosynch, and PGF2andalpha; protocols were better than others for estrus induction and conception rate in anestrus/subestrus zebu cows. Although they did not influence the plasma trace minerals (Zn, Fe, Cu, Co, and Mn) profile, perhaps due to well-nourished animals on the organized farm, it helped to infer that the selected animals were maintained under the optimum nutritional regime.