Issue |
Reprod. Nutr. Dev.
Volume 46, Number 1, January-February 2006
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Page(s) | 19 - 29 | |
DOI | https://doi.org/10.1051/rnd:2005058 | |
Published online | 27 January 2006 |
DOI: 10.1051/rnd:2005058
Effect of a supplement rich in linolenic acid added to the diet of post partum dairy cows on ovarian follicle growth, and milk and plasma fatty acid compositions
Andrew A. Pontera, Anne-Emmanuelle Parsya, Marion Saadéb, Jean-Paul Mialota, Christine Ficheuxa, Christine Duvaux-Ponterc and Bénédicte Grimardaa UMR INRA-ENVA 1198, Biologie du Développement et Reproduction, 7 avenue du Général-de-Gaulle, 94704 Maisons-Alfort, France
b Ferme Expérimentale, Institut National Agronomique Paris-Grignon, 78850 Thivernal-Grignon, France
c UMR INRA-INA P-G, Physiologie de la Nutrition et Alimentation, 16 rue Claude Bernard, 75231 Paris Cedex 05, France
(Received 20 December 2004; accepted 11 June 2005; published online 27 January 2006)
Abstract - The objective of this study was to determine the effect of a linseed supplement on follicle growth, progesterone concentrations and milk and plasma fatty acids in dairy cows post partum. Sixteen Holstein cows were given a basal total mixed diet plus one of two supplements: control (C; extruded soybeans; n = 8) or linseed (L; extruded linseeds; n = 8). One month after calving oestrous cycles were synchronised (PRID®). Follicle growth and milk progesterone concentrations were measured every 2 d over the induced oestrous cycle. Milk production characteristics were unaffected by treatment. The L cows lost significantly more BCS than the C cows (P < 0.01). Plasma insulin, glucose and urea were unaffected by the treatment. Plasma NEFA tended to be affected by the treatment (L > C, P = 0.08). The proportions of 18:3n-3 in milk and plasma were increased by L compared to C (P < 0.001 and P < 0.01, respectively). There was an effect of dietary supplement on the numbers of small follicles (L < C, P < 0.05). Milk progesterone was unaffected by treatment. In conclusion, the increased supply of 18:3n-3 to the cows had only a modest effect on follicle populations and corpus luteum activity was unchanged.
Key words: linolenic acid / milk and plasma fatty acids / follicle growth / dairy cows
Corresponding author: Andrew A. Ponter ponter@vet-alfort.fr
© INRA, EDP Sciences 2006