Effect of the use of an antioxidant mineral and vitamin solution on TAI (Timed Artificial Insemination) protocols in beef cows.

MEJIA, ME; MATTIOLI, GA; LICOFF, N; PESOA, JM; VILLA, JE; ISABEL MARIA LACAU

Cairns

Congreso; XXVIII World Buiatrics Congress; 2014

Objectives There is evidence that shows improvements in fertility were achieved by supplementing minerals and vitamins that work as antioxidants, whether by direct action or by improving response.       TAI protocols can cause additional oxidative damage, which is evident especially on proteins, and promotes embryo death (Celi et al. 2011; Celi et al. 2012). In this regard, embryo survival also depends on the antioxidant status of the mother, mainly at placenta level.               The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of injectable Cu, Zn, Mn, Se, Vit A and Vit E on heat expression and conception rate in bovines under Timed Artificial Insemination.        Method In 11 herds of 8 different farms in the Argentine Pampa, during three years, where Timed Artificial Insemination was routinely performed, animals were randomly divided into two groups. Animals on group C (control) (n=915) were normally synchronized (day 0 -insertion of intravaginal progesterone device + 2 mg i.m. estradiol benzoate; day 7/8- device removal + 0.5 mg i.m. estradiol cypionate + i.m. cloprostenol; day 9/10 AI from 48 hrs. of device removal onwards), animals on group T (treated) (n=861) were synchronized with the same protocol and received Adaptador Min-Vit (Biogénesis-Bagó ?Cu, Zn, Mn, Se, Vit A and Vit E?) at recommended dose on day 0 (5 ml of each solution s.c. in cows; 4 ml in heifers). In three of the farms, cows (744) were tail-painted at the time of device removal. At insemination this was read and recorded for the evaluation of heat expression rate. Rectal palpation was performed on days 35 to 40 to all the cows in the study to assess conception rate.        Results Animals on group C had a lower conception rate than cows in group T (C: 46.06% vs. T: 51.06%, P=0.035).               Heat expression rate was 67.93% for group C vs.  81.02% for group T (P =0.00008).        Conclusions The use of an antioxidant mineral and vitamin solution by s.c. injection (Adaptador Min-Vit, Biogénesis-Bagó) improved conception rate. The difference of 5.03% registered corresponded to an improvement of 10.92% in group T over group C. Heat expression was extremely improved, and this opens alternatives to selective use of semen or the application of GnRH to the non-cycling animals. The differences between herds and results are being discussed.