EFFECT OF FEEDING DIFFERENT CRUDE PROTEIN DIETS ON REPRODUCTIVE PERFORMANCE OF HOLSTEIN DAIRY COW

Assiut University web-site: www.aun.edu.eg

EFFECT OF FEEDING DIFFERENT CRUDE PROTEIN DIETS ON REPRODUCTIVE PERFORMANCE OF HOLSTEIN DAIRY COW

FADEL, M.S.¹; EL-GARHI, M.S.²; GHATTAS, T.A.³ and A.M. MANSOUR⁴

^1,2,3 Animal Reproduction Research Institute, ARC

⁴ Animal Production Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Ain Shams University

Received: 28 Augusts 2017       Accepted: 31 October 2017

INTRODUCTION

All of the newer dynamic models for balancing rations for cows no longer use the older more ill-defined parameter of crude protein (CP). Rather, they try to balance for what the cow truly needs, which  is  metabolizable protein (MP). Feeding

Corresponding author: Dr. GHATTAS, T.A.

E-mail address: tahaghattas@yahoo.com

Present address: Animal Reproduction Research Institute, ARC

diets with lowered protein content reduces nitrogen input, improves nitrogen utilization efficiency and reduces nitrogen losses from manure (Sinclair, 2012). Reducing dietary protein also benefits the producer by reducing feed cost and improving overall farm profitability Lee et al. (2011). Dry matter intake (DMI) was decreased when feeding the metabolizable protein (MP) deficient diets, milk production also decreased Lee et al. (2012). Protein can increase milk yield by providing more amino acids, by increasing available energy and by altering efficiency of utilization of absorbed nutrients Yasothai (2014). There are two sources of MP available for the cow; first is the true protein in the diet that escapes degradation in the rumen; this is called rumen undegradable protein RUP and the second source is the bacterial protein produced by the rumen microbes. Rumen undegradable protein seems to receive the most attention by many nutritionists; the average amino acid composition of microbial protein is similar to the composition of milk (Tamminga, 2006). Typically, protein-rich feed stuffs have much greater dissimilarities in amino acid profiles for their RUP when compared to milk protein. The balancing diets for amino acids are reasonably beneficial and more accurate and make the need for a high level of CP is not necessary Block (2006). Protein requirements are calculated according to animal body weight, milk production and physiological state. However, due to individual animal variation, accurate prediction of animal protein requirements is difficult. Therefore, in order to maintain high milk production, most of the high-producing cows are fed protein at greater level than recommended, thus resulting in elevated urea concentrations (Ferguson et al., 1993).

Feeding excess rumen degradable protein RDP has a negative effect on fertility delaying the first ovulation or oestrus, reducing the conception rate of first insemination, increasing the days open and lowering the overall conception rate (Tamminga, 2006). There are several proposed mechanisms for this effect including an exacerbated negative energy balance NEB for cows fed diets high in rumen degradable protein RDP in comparison to diets high in RUP (Westwood et al., 2000) and proven deleterious effects of both ammonia and urea on both oocyte and embryo development (Rhoads et al., 2006). Zanton et al. (2014) stated that, feeding rumen-protected methionine increased milk protein percent, milk fat percent and milk yield. Nikkhah et al. (2013) found that, cows receiving supplemental methionine experienced an increase in dry matter intake, milk yield, and fat and protein percent; there was also improvement in several aspects of reproductive function, including a reduction in days to estrus and conception.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of feeding different crudeprotein diets with adjusting the requirements of amino acids and RUP on reproductive performance of Holstein dairy cows in the Egyptian farm circumstances.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Two hundred and four Holstein dairy cows from Al-yoser dairy farm in Ismailia with average DMI (180 d) were utilized in a completely randomized research design to study the effects of feeding different crude protein diets with different RUP and adjusting the essential amino acid of MP on milk production and reproductive responses to a scheme of estrus synchronization, conception rate and determine the feed cost. Cows were divided into three groups, the 1st group: 103 cows fed diet containing 20% CP with 36.87% RUP, the 2nd group: 63 cows fed diet containing 18.4% CP with 41.3% RUP, while the 3rd group: 38 cows fed diet containing 17.5% CP with 45.71% RUP. The three groups were fed isocaloric diets in the same farm, season (winter), and have the same management and Dietary treatments were initiated 35 d prior to the beginning of the estrus synchronization scheme. The experimental diets were formulated to meet all the nutritional requirements according to (NRC 2001). Cows were fed diets for ad libitum consumption and given ad libitum access to water. Cows were milked three times a day and milk per cow was recorded. All cows were high producing ones and were more than 60 days postpartum and exposed to ovisynch. Estrus synchronization scheme (Gonadotrophin, Prostaglandin, Gonadotrophin protocol “GPG”), all cows were free from any reproductive disorders before artificial insemination and only cows showed estrus with ovulation were inseminated. Cows suffered from lameness and mastitis was registered. The cows had a response to estrus synchronization were artificially inseminated, cows showed estrus after AI and before ultrasound scanning were calculated and others were diagnosed for pregnancy and reproductive problems at day 27 post insemination. The pregnant cows confirmed for pregnancy at day 40 post insemination using ultrasound scanning and the number of cows showed early embryonic death was recorded.

Table 1: Feed composition and proximate analysis of the experimented diets.

According to the official methods of A.O.A.C. (2012).

1= (Vit. A 10000000 IU, Vit D3 2500000 IU, Vit. E 35000 mg, Biotin 1000 mg, Zinc 100000 mg, Mn 80000 mg, Cu 30000 mg, I 800 mg, Co 400 mg, Se 300 mg, Caco3 to 3 kg). 2=Sorbic acid 0.05%, Citric acid 0.75%, Calcium propionate 10.5%, Copper sulphate 5%, Inactivated yeast (Saccharomyces Cerevisiae) 2%, Sapiolite 41.7%, Bentonite 40%.

Experimental measurements and laboratory analysis:

BW and feed consumption

Nutrients requirements were calculated on body weight basis and milk yield according to (NRC, 2001). Amounts of ration fed and feed refusals were recorded daily for each group and the average daily DM intake and cost for each ration of each group was calculated.

Analysis of dietary nutrients content:

Dry samples from the three rations were ground with a Wiley mill (2-mm screen). Feed samples were analyzed for ether extract and Crude protein according to A.O.A.C. (2012). NDF and ADF were determined according to Goering and Van Soest (1991).

Milk production and collection:

Individual milk yield was recorded daily two weeks after the feeding trial had begun till its end. Milk samples were collected from each group every (15 days) and analyzed for MUN, fat, protein, solids-not-fat using Milko-Scan FT 6000).

Blood collection:

Blood samples were taken from randomly selected 10 dairy cows from each group through jugular vein puncture 12 day post insemination.

Samples were collected in a clean centrifuge tube and were allowed to clot, then centrifuged at 3000 rpm for 10 minutes for serum separation. The clear non-hemolized supernatant serum was harvested and frozen at -20 c^o for progesterone analysis using the method of ELIZA According to Tietz (1995).

Statistical Analyses:

The various data were subjected to ANOVA procedure for a randomized complete design,Analysis of variance by Duncan’s test according to Snedecor and Cochran, (1982). Least significant difference was applied to the data to test for differences between treatments using a computer program ‘SPSS‘, Significance was declared at (P > 0.05). Qi square was performed to the reproductive parameters of the studied groups.

RESULTS

The obtained results showed a non-significant difference in the average DMI per head per day in the three studied groups (25.65 ± 0.92), (24.45 ± 0.60) and (24.62 ± 0.49) for group (1), (2) and (3) respectively, as seen in table (2).

Table 2: Average feed consumption (DMI) / head/day expressed by Kg (mean ± SE).

The results showed a significant increase (P < 0.05) in the average milk production (35.34 ± 1.27 kg/head/ day) in group (3) compared to group (1) (31.63 ± 0.57) as seen in table (3).

Table 3: Average milk production / head / day expressed by Litre (mean ± SE).

a,b  Means in the same row with different superscripts differ, (P < 0.05).

Analysis of milk for the three studied groups showed a significant increase (P < 0.05) in fat % in group (3), (3.94 ± 0.04) compared with group (2), and significant decrease (P < 0.05) in the average of Milk urea nitrogen MUN concentrations in the group (3), (13.09 ± 1.15) compared to group (1), (16.64 ± 0.79) as seen in table (4).

Table 4: Analysis of milk samples for studied groups (mean ± SE).

a,b  Means in the same row with different superscripts differ, (P < 0.05).

Highly significant increase (P < 0.01) in conception rate in groups (2) and (3) compared to group (1), the percentage of lameness and mastitis showed non significant differences between groups, as seen in table (5).

Table 5: Reproductive parameters in the studied groups.

a,b  Means in the same row with different superscripts differ, (P < 0.01).

The results showed non significant differences in the studied reproductive findings (cyst, follicles, corpus lutium and dead foeti) between group (1), (2) and (3). As seen in table (6).

Table 6: Reproductive findings in the studied groups (non-pregnant cows scanned with ultrasound).

a,b  Means in the same row with different superscripts differ, P < 0.05.

The obtained results also showed significant increase (P < 0.05) in progesterone hormone levels in group 3 (2.06 ± 0.25) compared to group 1 (0.74 ± 0.11) ng/ml, (table 7).

Table 7: The average serum progesterone concentration in the studied groups (mean ± SE).

a,b  Means in the same row with different superscripts differ, P < 0.05.

DISCUSSION

The results showed non-significant difference in the average of DMI per head per day in the three studied groups (25.65 ± 0.92), (24.45 ± 0.60) and (24.62 ± 0.49)  for  groups (1), (2) and (3) respectively, as seen in table (2) these results coincide with that reported by Nadeau et al. (2007) who concluded that rations with 16 to 17% CP were adequate for dairy cows when diets were balanced including rumen degradable (RDP) and undegradable (RUP) proteins. Also, Van Amburgh et al. (2007) and Higgs (2009) found that reduced crude protein CP rations can be fed in commercial dairy herds and support high milk production.

The results showed a significant increase (P < 0.05) in the average milk production (35.34 ± 1.27 kg/head/day) for group (3) compared to group (1) (31.63 ± 0.57), these results agreed with Robinson (2010), this increase in milk production can be explained as the over-feeding of rumen degradable protein RDP in group (1) to the point that rumen ammonia concentrations markedly exceed bacterial requirements and MUN become high. Not only does it result in wastage of RDP, but there is also good evidence that it decreases flows of microbial protein to the small intestine (Boucher et al., 2007). This can have significant implications on both farm profitability and nutrient management practices. So the significant increase in the average milk production in group (3) may be due to the higher level of RUP % and adequate percentage between essential AA lysine to methionine in group (3) compared to group (1). In addition, Dairy cattle do not have a CP requirement but do need absorbable amino acids to meet requirements to support lactation, pregnancy, maintenance and growth. A more biologically correct way to balance rations is using the MP approach. This is outlined in more detail by Varga (2007). The increase in milk yield level in group (3) may be a response to lysine/ methionine ratio adjustment Robinson (2010). The positive effects of feeding cows adequate amount of important essential amino acids like methionine in low protein diet with a high level of RUP is more beneficial than feeding a high total CP diet Nikkhah et al. (2013).

Analysis of milk for the three studied groups showed a significant increase (P < 0.05)  in fat % in group (3), (3.94± 0.04) compared with group (2), and significant decrease (P < 0.05) in the average of Milk urea nitrogen MUN concentrations in the group (3), (13.09± 1.15) compared to group (1), (16.64 ± 0.79) as seen in table (4). These results agreed with Broderick and Clayton, (1997) and Sawa et al. (2011), who found that, excessive feeding of protein can lead to increased MUN concentrations. Also, Lee et al. (2012) who recorded significant improvements in milk yield relative to amino acid supplementation. Tables (5)& (6) showed highly significant increase (P<0.01) in conception rate in group (2) and group (3) compared to group (1), and these results were not affected by number of cows showed lameness or mastitis in each group although, non significant differences were showed in other reproductive findings (cyst, follicles, corpus lutium and dead foeti) between groups (1), (2) and (3), these results were in agreement with Lean et al. (2012) and Albaaj et al. (2017) whom reported that, Dietary protein levels are a risk factor for poor reproductive performance and found that, Conception is particularly impaired in cases of high blood or milk urea (Butler, 2001). Lean et al. (2012) reported an overall 9% reduction in conception in cows fed diets containing higher or more degradable CP within a dietary CP range of 111 to 230g/kg. Aboozar et al. (2012) reported improvements in a range of reproductive traits in cows fed high levels of rumen undegradable protein.

The obtained results also showed significant increase (P < 0.05) in progesterone hormone levels in group 3 (2.06 ± 0.25) compared to group 1 (0.74 ± 0.11) ng/ml (table 7). These results agreed with those reported by (Carroll et al., 1988; Barton et al., 1996 and Jorritsma et al., 2003) who recorded that, Excess dietary CP may inhibit fertility in some cases by lower plasma progesterone concentrations. Sinclair et al. (2000) found cows that fed high protein diets generate high rumen ammonia and resulted in elevated ammonia levels in follicular fluid result in Oocytes with lower cleavage rates compared to heifers feddiets generating low ammonia. The decline in fertility may be attributed to the combined effects of a uterine environment that is dependent on progesterone, but has been rendered suboptimal for embryo development by antecedent effects of negative energy balance and can be further compromised by the effects of urea or ammonia resulting from intake of high dietary protein (Butler, 2005) and Staples et al. (1998) whom recorded that the Elevated concentrations of urea in blood or milk have been associated with reduced reproductive performance of lactating dairy cows. Also, decreased progesterone concentration has been suggested as a cause of decreased fertility and early embryonic losses in dairy cows Senatore et al. (1996).

CONCLUSION

Reducing the CP level to 17.5 with adjusting the requirement of amino acids, energy and RUP increase the efficiency of using dietary protein, increase milk productivity, fertility and profitability in Holstein dairy farms and decrease the hazards of environmental polution.

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