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Giurgiu O, Berean D, Ionescu A, Ciupe M, Cimpean C, Radu C, Bitica D, Bogdan S, Bogdan M. The effect of oral administration of zeolite on the energy metabolism and reproductive health of Romanian spotted breed in advanced gestation and post partum period. Vet Anim Sci 2024; 23:100333. [PMID: 38274773 PMCID: PMC10809078 DOI: 10.1016/j.vas.2023.100333] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2024] Open
Abstract
The dairy cow experiences the most significant impact from negative energy balance during this period, which adversely affects reproductive health. Consequently, most pathologies affect dairy cows during this time frame. Thus, with the primary objective of reducing the incidence of these pathologies on dairy farms, we questioned whether supplemental zeolite administration in cattle feed would affect metabolism and reproductive health. Therefore, we proposed introducing an antepartum and postpartum supplementation of 400 g of zeolite in the basal diet. The control group received only the basal diet without zeolite supplementation. Monitoring the results stemmed from the consideration that reproductive health can only be present based on an unaltered energy metabolism. Hence, we deemed it necessary to analyze several metabolic markers in light of the expected outcomes concerning reproductive health. Cows treated with zeolite exhibited a calving to first service interval 12.78 days earlier than those in the control group. Moreover, the average number of services per conception used for future gestation was 0.44 lower in the zeolite-treated group compared to the control group (p<0.05). Additionally, the treatment group showed a lower presence of pathogens in the uterus and displayed a more favorable average uterine score. Observations following the completion of the research point towards an improvement in the health of transition dairy cows, opening a new path for dairy farms in terms of preventing postpartum pathologies. Indeed, the benefits from this study primarily impact the animals rather than directly influencing milk production. Therefore, further research is necessary in this regard.
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Affiliation(s)
- O.V. Giurgiu
- Department of Reproduction, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Cluj-Napoca, Calea Manastur 3-5, Cluj-Napoca 400372, Romania
| | - D.I. Berean
- Department of Reproduction, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Cluj-Napoca, Calea Manastur 3-5, Cluj-Napoca 400372, Romania
| | - A. Ionescu
- Oncology Department The Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh Easter Bush Campus, Midlothian, Edinburgh, Scotland EH25 9RG, United Kingdom
| | - M.S. Ciupe
- Department of Reproduction, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Cluj-Napoca, Calea Manastur 3-5, Cluj-Napoca 400372, Romania
| | - C.R. Cimpean
- Department of Animal Breeding and Food Safety, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Cluj-Napoca, Calea Manastur 3-5, Cluj-Napoca 400372, Romania
| | - C.I. Radu
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Cluj-Napoca, Mănăștur Str. 3-5, Cluj-Napoca 400372, Romania
| | - D.G. Bitica
- Department of Reproduction, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Cluj-Napoca, Calea Manastur 3-5, Cluj-Napoca 400372, Romania
| | - S. Bogdan
- Department of Anesthetics and Surgical Propaedeutics, Veterinary orthopedics, Experimental University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Cluj-Napoca, Calea Manastur 3-5, Cluj-Napoca 400372, Romania
| | - M.L. Bogdan
- Department of Reproduction, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Cluj-Napoca, Calea Manastur 3-5, Cluj-Napoca 400372, Romania
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