Effect of mineral supplementation on the performance of anestrous cows

An investigation was conducted in new alluvial zone of West Bengal, where supplementation of a mineral mixture to anestrous cows was done to observe the effect of some specific mineral elements on the blood mineral profile (Ca, P, Cu, Zn, Mn and Fe) and haemoglobin (Hb) as well as reproductive performance of the cows in comparison to normal cyclic cows. The mineral mixture was provided at the rate of 25 g/animal/day for a period of 60 days to 20 anestrous heifers, which were found deficient in above minerals except Fe. At the end of the experiment, a significant increment of blood concentrations of the mineral elements and Hb was found, all of which were above minimum critical levels (within normal range) as found in normal cyclic cows. 70% of these animals exhibited estrus during experimental period, indicating a significant role of mineral supplementation on reproductive performance and more particularly on inducing estrus in anestrus cows.