Inclusion of dried distiller's grains with solubles in beef cow diets and impact on reproduction and subsequent development of progeny
Abstract
The effect of feeding dried distiller's grains with solubles (DDGS) as a primary energy source to gestating and lactating beef cows on reproductive function of the cow and subsequent growth and reproductive function of their offspring was investigated. In the first study, DDGS-treated dams had a lengthened duration of gestation, increased birth weight of their offspring, and an increased incidence of dystocia when compared with the control. Total milk production did not differ due to treatment, but within the DDGS treatment, females had suppressed concentrations of milk fat and total milk solids. Nonetheless, offspring of DDGS-treated dams were heavier at weaning. In addition, DDGS-treated dams experienced increased ovarian follicular growth during the anestrous period, and tended to have a shorter postpartum anestrous period than control cows. Moreover, although plasma urea nitrogen concentrations were greater in DDGS-treated than control-treated cows, there was no negative impact on timed-artificial insemination (TAI) or overall breeding season pregnancy rates. Progeny of DDGS-treated dams tended to be heavier and had increased skeletal growth from weaning through breeding when compared with progeny of control-treated dams. During the prepubertal period, ovarian size, number of antral follicles, and follicular growth was not altered as a result of maternal treatment. Body weight at puberty was greater in progeny of DDGS-treated dams when compared with control. However, progeny of DDGS-treated dams had an increased proportion of pregnancies to artificial insemination. In the second experiment, mature, early-lactation, fall-calving beef cows were utilized. There was a tendency for fewer DDGS-treated cows to be cyclic at the beginning of the breeding season; however, a greater end-of-season pregnancy rate was observed for DDGS treated cows. Pre-weaning average daily gain and weaning weight was greater in progeny of DDGS treated cows. Collectively, these experiments illustrate that DDGS can be effectively utilized as a primary energy source in the diets of gestating and lactating beef cows without negatively impacting reproductive performance of the cow or their female progeny. Furthermore this feeding strategy may positively impact pre-weaning progeny growth through developmental programming.
Degree
Ph.D.
Advisors
Bridges, Purdue University.
Subject Area
Animal sciences
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