2020 Volume 11 Issue 5 Pages 190-197
A feed supplement containing amino acids and fatty acids was fed to Japanese Black cattle before calving, and its effects on blood profiles of the dams and their newborn calves were investigated. The study included 24 cows and their calves in three farms. Cows were divided into two groups: 11 cows that were fed a standard gestation diet（Group 1）and 13 cows that were fed 50 g/day of a fatty acid supplement fortified with amino acids（BestBalance U）in addition to the standard gestation diet for 60 days before calving and on the day of calving（Group 2）. Blood samples were collected from these cows at 10 and 40 days before the estimated calving date and after calving for biochemical analysis. Blood samples were also collected from calves at 24 and 48 hours and 1 week after birth, and their heart girth was measured at 24 hours after birth. Plasma total protein, total cholesterol, non-esterified fatty acids and the estrone sulfate concentration of Group 2 cows were significantly higher than those of Group 1 cows at 10 and 40 days before the estimated calving date and after calving. The plasma albumin of Group 2 calves was significantly higher than that of Group 1 calves at 24 and 48 hours and 1 week after birth. The mean heart girth of Group 2 calves was significantly greater than that of Group 1 calves at 24 hours after birth. These results suggest that supplementation of amino acids and fatty acids before calving is beneficial for the development of calves.
