1Department of Livestock Production Management, ICAR-National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal, Haryana, India
2Department of Animal Physiology, ICAR-National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal, Haryana, India
*Corresponding author: S Tiwari; E-mail: sadhanatiwari9595@gmail.com
Online Published on 3 October, 2022.
The present study was undertaken with the objective to study the effect of transition period supplementation of Vitamin A, E and Zinc on composition of colostrums, transition milk and milk of cross bred cows. Thirty-five cross-bred advanced pregnant cows and divided into 5 groups of 7 each at 30 days prior to calving were selected from the NDRI experimental herd. The cows were supplemented individually with Vitamin A (T1) (100000 IU/animal/day), Zinc (T2) (60 ppm/animal/day), Vitamin E (T3) (2500 IU/animal/day) and combination (T4) of all to study cumulative effect of all micronutrients. One group without supplementation acted as control (T0). Colostrum (up to 4th day postpartum), transition milk (day 5 to day 7) and milk (day 8 to day 30) were collected and estimated for milk composition and SCC of the experimental crossbred cows. Total solid percentage in colostrums was significantly (p<0.05) higher in all supplemented groups compared to control. Significantly higher (p<0.05) colostrum fat percentage in T3 and T4 compared to T0, T1 and T2. Significantly higher (p<0.05) colostral protein percentage in T4 group from day 1 to day 4 compared to T0, T1, T2 and T3. Significantly higher transition milk and milk total solid percentage, fat percentage and protein percentage value (p<0.05) in T4 group when compared with T0, T1, T2 and T3 groups. It can be concluded that Vitamin A, Vitamin E and Zinc when supplemented to peripartum crossbred cows during the transition period improves the nutritional quality of colostrums and milk.
• Supplementation of micronutrients showed significant increase in colostrums total solid percentage, fat percentage and protein percentage.
• Supplementation of micronutrients showed significant increase in transition milk and milk total solid percentage, fat percentage and protein percentage.
• Vitamin A, vitamin E and zinc when supplemented to peripartum crossbred cows during the transition period improves the nutritional quality of colostrums and milk.
Colostrums, Crossbred cows, Transition period, Micronutrients, Milk