A Field Perspective on Supplementation of Specific Critical Minerals in Crossbred Cattle with Reproductive Disorders

A field experiment was conducted in two adopted villages of Chittoor district of Andhra Pradesh to study the effect of supplementation of deficient minerals in crossbred cattle with reproductive inefficiency. Crossbred cattle (40) with different reproductive problems were selected from two adopted villages. The Area Specific Mineral Mixture (ASMM) prepared by the department of Animal Nutrition, SVVU, Tirupati, having specific deficient minerals (Ca, P, Cu and Zn) was supplemented (40g) to selected animals for 90 days. Blood samples were collected from animals before and after supplementation of ASMM and analysed for different minerals (Ca, P, Cu and Zn) and hormones (estrogen and progesterone). Plasma Ca content of repeat breeding cows (8.03 Vs 9.45 mg %) and anoestrous heifers (7.68 Vs 8.86 mg %) indicated significant (P < 0.05) improvement. The plasma P (4.10 Vs 5.49 mg %) and Cu (0.52 Vs 0.88 ppm) content in anoestrous heifers significantly (P < 0.05) elevated. While Zn content (ppm) in plasma improved significantly (P < 0.05) in anoestrous cows, repeat breeder cows as well as anoestrous heifers. The plasma estrogen content of repeat breeding cows (12.68 Vs 16.42 pg/ml) and anoestrous heifers (13.38 Vs 17.19 pg/ml) as well as progesterone content of repeat breeding cows (1.68 Vs 2.31 ng/ml) and anoestrous heifers (0.88 Vs 1.73 ng/ml) elevated (P < 0.05) in crossbred animals. Among the animals under study, 61.5% of anoestrous cows, 62.5% of repeat breeder cows and 63.6% of anoestrous heifers responded to supplementation. It can be concluded that, supplementation of specific deficient minerals in the form of ASMM resulted in improved mineral status and hormonal profile of animals thereby improving the reproductive efficiency (62.5%) in crossbred cattle.