Productive performance and metabolic hormonal profile in cows supplemented with prilled fat

Five advanced pregnant crossbred Karan Fries cows (MPPA=3657) were fed pulled fat @75gm/day/animal from day -45 of parturition and @150gm/day/animal till day 70 postpartum (SG) whereas another 5 cows (MPPA=3696) were fed standard ration which served as Control (CON). The DMI and body weights were recorded at fortnightly intervals. Blood samples were collected at weekly intervals and the postpartum milk yield was recorded till day 70 of lactation. Feeding of prilled fat increased (P<0.01) milk yield without affecting DMI. Plasma GH (P<0.01) and leptin concentration were higher (P<0.05) in SG than CON, however ghrelin level was lower (P<0.01) in SG. Plasma cortisol, T-3, T-4 and insulin levels remained unaffected on prilled fat supplementation. Plasma NEFA level decreased (P<0.01) in SG than the CON cows. The body weight of the born calves was more (P<0.05) in SG in comparison to CON. The SG cows exhibited postpartum estrus earlier and the conception rate was higher than the CON. The results suggested that prepartum supplementation of prilled fat @75gm/day/cow in KF cows increased (P<0.01) the calf birth weight and reduced the cases of retention of fetal membrane and metritis. Postpartum supplementation of prilled fat @150gm/day/cow augmented productive performance of cows by restricting the mobilization of body reserves.