Effect of protein supplement level on the productive and reproductive parameters of replacement heifers managed in intensive grazing systems

Abstract

Evaluations of replacement heifers in intensively managed grazing systems in tropical conditions are warranted. Thus, we aimed to evaluate performance, muscle and mammary gland development, oocyte quality, and in vitro production of embryos of crossbred heifers grazing an intensively managed pasture and supplemented with high or low protein concentrates. Eighteen pubertal crossbred heifers (Holstein x Gyr) with an initial weight of 350 ± 8.0 kg were used in a 60-day trial. Two supplement types, 12% crude protein (CP) (S12CP) or 24% CP (S24CP), and a control treatment (mineral mixture, CON) were randomly distributed to the heifers. Throughout the experiment, four digestibility trials were performed over four consecutive days. Four ovarium pick-ups were performed to evaluate oocyte quality and in vitro embryo production. Lastly, ultrasounds of carcasses and mammary glands were performed. The intakes of dry matter (DM), digestible energy (DE), and CP were greater for supplemented (SUP) compared with CON heifers. The SUP heifers had a greater average daily gain (ADG) (645 versus 390 g/d) and rib eye area (58.78 versus 53.32 cm2) than the CON heifers. Oocyte recovery, quality, and follicle features were not affected by supplementation strategy. However, the cleavage rate (47.17% versus 30.31%) and blastocyst rate (27.91% versus 10.12%) were negatively affected by supplementation. The S12CP presented a blastocyst rate much lower than the S24CP (3.02% versus 17.23%). Carcass ultrasonography indicated a trend for greater rib eye area for S24CP and mammary ultrasonography indicated no effects of supplementation on mammary gland development. In summary, supplementation seems to be an appropriate strategy for satisfactory performance, with greater muscle deposition and no negative impacts on mammary gland development. However, in vitro embryo production was impaired when the animals received the supplementation with 12% CP.

Fig 1. Experimental design of the different experimental phases.

(A) Represents the division of the three moments of the experiment; (B) represents collections that started with the provision of experimental diets and the division of collection periods within the experimental period; (c) represents all procedures performed in each collection period (15 days).

Fig 2. Average daily gain of Holstein x Gyr crossbred heifers on a rotational grazing system Panicum maximum cv. Mombaça pasture.

* CON = not supplemented; S12CP: supplemented with concentrate containing 12% CP; S24CP: supplemented with concentrate containing 24% CP. *CON × SUP = effect of supplementation; S12CPB × S24CP = effect of supplement protein levels.

Fig 3

Blood urea (A) and glucose (B) concentration of Holstein x Gyr crossbred heifers on a rotational grazing system Panicum maximum cv. Mombaça pasture. * CON = not supplemented; S12CP: supplemented with concentrate containing 12% CP; S24CP: supplemented with concentrate containing 24% CP. *CON × SUP = effect of supplementation; S12CPB × S24CP = effect of supplement protein levels; PER = effect of period; TR×PER = interaction effect between supplementation and period.

Fig 4. Blastocyst rate of Holstein x Gyr crossbred heifers on a rotational grazing system Panicum maximum cv. Mombaça pasture.

* CON = not supplemented; S12CP: supplemented with concentrate containing 12% CP; S24CP: supplemented with concentrate containing 24% CP. *CON × SUP = effect of supplementation; S12CP × S24CP = effect of supplement protein levels; PER = effect of period; TR×PER = interaction effect between supplementation and period.

Fig 5

Relative abundance of A) BMP15 and B) GDF9 obtained by real-time PCR of oocytes of Holstein x Gyr crossbred heifers on a rotational grazing system Panicum maximum cv. Mombaça pasture. * CON = not supplemented; S12CP: supplemented with concentrate containing 12% CP; S24CP: supplemented with concentrate containing 24% CP. *CON × SUP = effect of supplementation; S12CP × S24CP = effect of supplement protein levels.