Relationships among plan of nutrition, weight gain, age at puberty and reproductive performance in Baladi heifers
Abstract: Eighteen pre-pubertal Baladi heifers were used to determine the effects of varying feed level during pre- and post-puberty period on subsequent growth and reproduction. Heifers were randomly allotted to receive 80, 100 or 120% of National Research Council (NRC) requirements for energy, protein and dry matter intake until conception. Heifers were fed their respective diets in groups. Heifers were observed for estrous behavior. The average monthly weight gains during the experimental period differed among groups and were 16.2, 20.88 and 22.5 kg for the heifers fed 80, 100 or 120% of the NRC requirements, respectively. Feeding heifers 80% of NRC requirements prolonged age at puberty and sexual maturity and caused lower second service conception rates. Average serum progesterone concentration as indicated by the area under progesterone curve over the second estrous cyde tended to be significantly low in the low-fed group. The present results indicate that energy and protein intake offered during pre- and post pubertal period have an effective role on growth and ovarian activity in Saladi heifers.
Keywords: Baladi heifers, weight gain, puberty, reproductive performance, plan of nutrition.
Publication year 2004
Pages 1091-1102
Availability location معهد بحوث الانتاج الحيوانى-شارع نادى الصيد - الدقى- الجيزة
Availability number
Organization Name
City المنصورة
serial title Journal Agricultural Science Mansoura University
ISSN 1110-0346
Author(s) from ARC
Agris Categories Animal feedingAnimal physiology - Reproduction
AGROVOC
TERMS		 Cows. Energy. Proteins. Reproductive performance. Sexual maturity. Weight gain.
Proposed Agrovoc plan of nutrition;Baladi heifers;serum progesterone;
Publication Type Journal
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