Effects of Peripartum Supplementation of β-Carotene on  Postpartum Fertility in Lactating Kankrej Cows

Authors

  • Raj V Desai Department of Veterinary Gynaecology and Obstetrics, College of Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry, Kamdhenu University, Sardarkrushinagar-385506, India
  • Haresh C Nakhashi Department of Veterinary Gynaecology and Obstetrics, College of Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry, Kamdhenu University, Sardarkrushinagar-385506, India
  • Shrikant S Patil Department of Animal Nutrition, College of Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry, Kamdhenu University, Sardarkrushinagar-385506, India
  • shweta P khatri Department of Veterinary Gynaecology and Obstetrics, College of Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry, Kamdhenu University, Sardarkrushinagar-385506, India
  • Sachin Saini Department of Veterinary Gynaecology and Obstetrics, College of Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry, Kamdhenu University, Sardarkrushinagar-385506, India
  • Babulal N Suthar Department of Veterinary Gynaecology and Obstetrics, College of Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry, Kamdhenu University, Sardarkrushinagar-385506, India

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.48165/ijvsbt.20.1.04

Keywords:

Beta-carotene, Kankrej cattle, Postpartum fertility, Ultrasonography, Uterine involution

Abstract

A study was undertaken to assess the effect of β-carotene supplementation on fertility in lactating Kankrej cows. Advanced pregnant  cows (n=18) were randomly assigned into three groups. Experimental animals in Group I were fed on basal diet, while in Group-II and  III were supplemented with 500 and 1000 mg of β-carotene/animal/day, respectively, for a period of 42 days, 21 days each before and  after calving. All the cows were subjected to per-rectal and ultrasonographic observations at the 7th, 15th, 21st and 30th day postpartum.  The gross uterine involution occurred at 28.50±1.50, 25.50±2.01 and 24±1.89 days in Group I, II and III, respectively. The diameter of the  cervix was found to differ non-significantly between the groups on the 7th, 15th and 30th day in Group III from Group I and II. There was  a highly significant reduction in the mean diameter of the gravid and non-gravid horn on the 7th day in Group II and III as compared to  Group I, and also on the 21st and 15th day, respectively, within Group I and II. First service conception rate and overall conception rate  were observed to be higher in Group III followed by Group II and I. It was concluded that β-carotene supplementation peripartum @  1000 mg/animal/day for a period of 42 days accelerates uterine involution and improves postpartum fertility in dairy animals. 

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References

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Published

2023-12-22

How to Cite

Desai, R.V., Nakhashi, H.C., Patil, S.S., khatri, shweta P., Saini, S., & Suthar, B.N. (2023). Effects of Peripartum Supplementation of β-Carotene on  Postpartum Fertility in Lactating Kankrej Cows. Indian Journal of Veterinary Sciences and Biotechnology, 20(1), 18–21. https://doi.org/10.48165/ijvsbt.20.1.04