Effect of transition diet fortification on lameness and blood metabolites in pre- and post- partum lame Karan Fries cows

Abstract

Peri-parturient period in high yielding cows always associated with a series of nutritional, biochemical, hormonal changes that leads to lameness in later lactation. Extra supplementation of vitamins and minerals responsible for hoof health is recommended in some dairy herds during this period. The present study was conducted by fortifying 10, 20 and 30 mg/d of biotin and 2 g/d of zinc sulphate during pre- and post-partum period (2 months before and 2 months after calving) of 40 high yielding lame crossbred KF cows, distributed into control and three treatment groups. The study revealed that, fortification of transition diet with biotin and Zn significantly reduced the lameness score and recovery time in supplemental groups compare to control group. In T-1, the lameness score was reduced by 1.3, T-2 reduction was maximum by 2, T-3 by 1.5, and in control 0.02 with their respective recovery period of hoof lesions were 38.9±1.1 (T-1) 19.12±1.8 (T-2), 25.3±1.4 (T-3) and 56.2±2.7 days. The overall glucose concentration was observed significantly higher in T-2 group as compared to control group, while overall NEFA and BHBA concentrations were significantly higher in control group as compared to other supplemental groups after 120 days of supplementation. Thus, it can be concluded from the study that, lameness in high yielding cows can be reduced by fortification of transition diet with biotin and zinc.