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The effects of calcium, phosphorus and zinc supplementation on reproductive performance of crossbred dairy cows in Tanzania

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Abstract

The effects of calcium (Ca), phosphorus (P) and zinc (Zn) supplementation on reproductive performance of grazing dairy cows was studied. Forty-eight cows in their first to third parity were allocated to eight groups of 6 animals each, based on stage of lactation and milk yield. Groups 1 (control), 2 (Ca), 3 (P) and 4 (Zn) received, respectively, no mineral supplement, 10 g Ca, 8 g P and 400 mg Zn. The rest of the groups received a combination of Ca/P, Ca/Zn, P/Zn or Ca/P/Zn. Animals were drenched daily. Ovarian activity was determined by progesterone concentrations in milk. Prepartum body condition score (BCS) measured using scale 1–5 was 2.5–3.5. Reproductive problems were observed in all groups except that supplemented with Ca. Cows supplemented with Ca, P, Ca/P, Ca/Zn and Ca/P/Zn had significantly (p < 0.05) shorter interval (30 days) from calving to resumption of oestrus as compared to control (69 days). Intervals from calving to conception and between calvings did not differ significantly between groups (p > 0.05), but were shorter in Ca-supplemented cows. Furthermore, cows in groups 2 and 3 needed an average of 2 services per conception against 3 for cows in other groups. Hence, supplementation with Ca, P and Zn of deficient dairy cows appears to improve reproductive performance.

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Abbreviations

BCS:

body condition score

Bo:

zero progesterone binding

HP:

high progesterone

LP:

low progesterone

MP:

medium progesterone

Pi:

inorganic phosphate

P4 :

progesterone

RH:

relative humidity

RIA:

radioimmunoassay

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Physiology, Biochemistry, Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Sokoine University of Agriculture, P.O. Box 3017, Morogoro, Tanzania

    E. C. J. H. Phiri & A. E. Pereka

  2. Department of Surgery, and Theriogenology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Sokoine University of Agriculture, Morogoro, Tanzania

    R. Nkya & M. N. Mgasa

  3. Department of Animal Health and Welfare, Danish Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Research Centre Foulum, Tjele, Denmark

    T. Larsen

Authors
  1. E. C. J. H. Phiri
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  2. R. Nkya
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  3. A. E. Pereka
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  4. M. N. Mgasa
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  5. T. Larsen
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Correspondence to E. C. J. H. Phiri.

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Phiri, E.C.J.H., Nkya, R., Pereka, A.E. et al. The effects of calcium, phosphorus and zinc supplementation on reproductive performance of crossbred dairy cows in Tanzania. Trop Anim Health Prod 39, 317–323 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11250-007-9016-2

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