Effect of beta-carotene serum concentration on the reproductive performance in dairy cows.

摘要

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of beta -carotene serum concentrations on the reproductive performance of dairy cows. Blood samples were collected from 201 cows at 3-4 weeks antepartum, 1-2 weeks postpartum and at the time of insemination. Concentrations of beta -carotene in blood serum were determined via HPLC. The incidence of retained placental fetal membranes, endometritis, ovarian cysts as well as the beginning of the oestrous cycle and various measures of fertility such as first service conception rate, pregnancy index, interval from calving to first insemination, interval from calving to conception, interval from first insemination to conception and expected calving interval were recorded and analysed. The beta -carotene serum concentrations were not related to the incidence of retained placental fetal membranes, endometritis and ovarian cysts or the onset of cyclicity postpartum. Cows with lower beta -carotene concentrations seemed to have a reduced reproductive performance than cows with higher beta -carotene concentrations. The results suggested that only a minor relationship between the beta -carotene serum concentration and fertility in dairy cows existed..