Effect of Restricted Feed Intake on Mineral Concentration in Blood and Colostrum of Periparturient Cows Calving During Autumn and Winter

Abstract

Eight periparturient Holstein cows calving during autumn and winter were fed to meet maintenance or maintenance plus last 2 months of gestation level of TDN for 12 weeks before parturition. Body weight of cows fed at maintenance level was lower than that of cows fed at maintenance plus gestation level. Feed intake at 1 week prepartum decreased 4% of offered feed in cows fed at maintenance plus gestation level, but cows fed at maintenance level consumed all the feed. The restricted feed intake decreased blood hematocrit and hemoglobin as well as rectal temperatures of periparturient cows. The rectal temperatures of cows fed at maintenance level were lower than those of cows fed at maintenance plus gestation level from 10 to 4 d prepartum. The restricted feed intake decreased plasma Fe, Zn and serum alkaline phosphatase of periparturient cows. Colostral Ca, P, Mg, Fe and Zn of cows at parturition were not affected by the restricted feed intake.