Effect of dietary supplementation of soybean oil on reproductive performance in repeat breeder cows

A study was undertaken to evaluate the effect of dietary supplementation of soybean oil on reproductive performance in repeat breeder cows. Total sixteen non-lactating crossbred (Bostaurus × Bosindicus; 330 to 375 kg body weight) repeat breeder cows were selected and divided into two equal groups. Cows from group T₀ (control) were fed as per NRC (2001) to meet their nutrient requirements for maintenance and reproduction without any feed supplement; while cows form group T₁ were fed as per regime of T₀with dietary supplementation of soybean oil @ 3% of DM intake for 20 days. After feeding, cows from both the groups were synchronized with ovsynch protocol and inseminated with frozen semen at FTAI. The preovulatory follicle size were measured with ultrasonography (USG) before second dose of GnRh of ovsynch protocol. The estrus attributes and blood metabolites were studied; whereas pregnancy was confirmed by ultrasonography on day 35 of FTAI. The percent induced estrus response was numerically higher in T₁ group. The cows from T₁ group responded significantly (P<0.05) earlier to induced estrus than T₀ group. The percent intense type intensity of estrus was numerically higher in T₁ group. The size of preovulatory follicle was significantly larger (P<0.05) in T₁ group. The first service conception rate was numerically higher in T₁ group. The mean total cholesterol concentration showed significant increase (P<0.05) on day 20 post soybean oil treatment; whereas, the total protein and creatinine were comparable among the cows. It is concluded that supplementation of soybean oil @ 3% of DM intake before breeding improved the reproductive efficacy and serum cholesterol concentration in repeat breeder cows.