Authors : A.H. Moussavi , M.D. Mesgaran , T. Vafa and A. Soleimani
Abstract: The study was designed to test the effects of pre- and postpartum feeding Fish Meal (FM) on milk yield and composition, dry matter intake and plasma concentrations of metabolites in early lactating cows. From 21 days before predicted calving time to 35 d in Milk (DIM), cows were fed diets containing none (control) or 3.5 and 1.95% fish meal during prepartum and postpartum periods. Diets were formulated to be isoenergetic and provide similar amounts of NEL and NFC using the Cornell Net Carbohydrate and Protein System. Milk yield (36.25, 38.73�3.67 kg d-1) and dry matter intake (18.72, 19.13�0.94 kg d-1) were similar among the diets. Dietary treatments had no significant effect on milk composition or body weight change. Body condition score was also similar between the diets. Dietary treatments had no significant effect on serum concentrations of glucose, cholesterol, triglycerides and serum urea nitrogen during the week preceding and weeks after calving. Serum cholesterol concentrations increased over the time (p<0.0001). Results from this experiment demonstrate that dietary supplementation with 3.5 and 1.95% fish meal during prepartum and postpartum periods had no effect on milk production and composition, dry matter intake and blood metabolites.
A.H. Moussavi , M.D. Mesgaran , T. Vafa and A. Soleimani , 2007. Effects of Pre and Postpartum Feeding Fish Meal on Milk Yield and Metabolic Responses in Early Lactating Dairy Cows. Journal of Animal and Veterinary Advances, 6: 1489-1494.