*Corresponding Author: Manmohan Singh Rajput,
Energy is the major nutrient needed for dairy cattle and its insufficient intake has a detrimental effect on their reproductive activity.
The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of biostimulation on behaviour and energy balance of Sahiwal cows during peri-estrus through 2 types of bull contact. For this, 24 postpartum cows were divided into 3 similar groups (T0, T1 and T2) of 8 cows each. In T0, cows were not exposed to bull; in T1 the cows were exposed to bull through a fence-line contact and in T2, the cows were in direct bull contact for 12 hours daily.
In first post-partum estrus, the feeding time was non-significant among 3 groups but in second estrus, mean time spent on feeding was significantly (p<0.05) lower in T0 than T1 and T2 groups. The mean rumination time on d-0 of first estrus was significantly (p<0.01) lower in T1 and T2 cows as compared to T0 cows. Mean rumination time on d-0 in second estrus was significantly (p<0.05) lower in T1 and T2 than in T0. Mean resting times in first estrus in T1 and T2 were significantly lower (p<0.05) than in T0. Mean resting time in d-0 of second estrus was significantly (p<0.05) lower in T1 and T2 than the T0. There was no significant difference in the mean dry matter intake and levels of BHBA and NEFA among 3 groups of cows. It was concluded that biostimulation of Sahiwal cows through direct or fence-line bull contact during peri-estrus period highly reduced their feeding, rumination and resting times without affecting their energy balance as compared to non-bull exposed cows.
Biostimulation, Behaviour, Sahiwal cows energy balance
