Influence of weaning management at 30, 75 and 180 days of age on non‐esterified fatty acids and reproductive performance in beef cows

• Published in: Journal of animal physiology and animal nutrition 2023-03, Vol.107 (2), p.407-417
• Main Authors: Alforma, Antónia Mendes Paizano, Pereira, Gabriel Ribas, Rocha, Marcela Kuczynski, Teixeira, Odilene de Souza, Oliveira, Maria Carolina Muniz, Lima, Júlia Abud, Cumbe, Télis Adolfo, Barcellos, Júlio Otávio Jardim
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Age factors; Animals; Beef; Beef cattle; Body Weight; bovine; Calves; Cattle; Cattle Diseases; Esterification; Fatty acids; Fatty Acids, Nonesterified; Female; metabolites; non‐esterified fatty acids; Overweight - veterinary; Parturition; Physical growth; Postpartum; Postpartum Period; Pregnancy; pregnancy rates; Progesterone; Reproduction; Weaning
• ISSN: 0931-2439; 1439-0396
• DOI: 10.1111/jpn.13736

This study aimed to investigate the effect of age at weaning of calves on non‐esterified fatty acids (NEFA) and reproductive parameters of beef cows. Animals (n = 65) were randomly assigned to three treatments after calving: hyper‐early weaning (W30) at 32 ± 0.89 days, early weaning (W75) at 77 ± 0.95 days, and conventional weaning (W180) at 183 ± 0.82 days. Body weight (BW) and body condition score (BCS) were evaluated at parturition (AP) and at 30, 45, 64, 81, 100 and 115 days postpartum (dPP). Blood samples were collected to analyze NEFA levels and progesterone (P4) at 30, 45, 64 and 81 dPP. Higher BW and BCS were observed from 64 to 115 dPP in W30 cows than W180 ones (p