A Group of IPB Researchers: The Effect of Different Levels of Protein Feeds on Embryo development in Cattle
Simmental and Limousin beef cattle are superior types of beef cattle that are popular for farmers in Indonesia. They are considered very high-quality beef cattle because of their high rate of weight gain per day. Simmental and limousin breeds are grouped into Bos taurus (or Bos taurus taurus) are the typical cattle of Europe, north-eastern Asia, and parts of Africa. They are raised for meat production (as distinguished from dairy cattle, used for milk production). High protein feeding is expected to increase the number and quality of embryos produced in these cows. The impact of nutrition on reproduction of livestock is of vital importance and is directly related to body condition of the animals, which reflects directly on reproductive performance, both female and male animals. Livestock with nutritional deficiency will experience a decrease in reproductive efficiency and reproductive disorders in both female and male cattle. Lack of protein in the diet can cause reproductive disorders in livestock such as weak lust, embryonic death, and premature birth.
A group of researchers of Bogor Agricultural University, namely D. Hardiyanto and C. Sumantri of the Department of Animal Production and Technology (IPTP) of the Faculty of Animal Husbandry (FAPET); together with D. Zamanti of Cipelang Bogor Livestock Research Center, the Ministry of Agriculture, conducted a study to evaluate the effect of feed with different protein levels given to simmental and limousine cows on the quality of embryos produced
This research was carried out in January – March 2016 at Cipelang Livestock Embryo Research Center, Bogor. Feeding of donor and recipient cows is divided into two, namely concentrate and forage. Concentrate is given during the day, while forage is given in the morning and in the afternoon. The provision of concentrate was 1% and forage 10% of body weight. The concentrate used has different protein content 15% -20%. On the 12th and 13th days this researcher performed Artificial Insemination (IB) by injecting twice a day in the morning and afternoon.
The results of embryo acquisition in the simmental and limousine cows age of 3-6 years to 15% -20% protein content showed no effect on the quality of embryos produced. This research explains that the administration of different protein content is expected to be clearly visible on the average eligible embryo transfer (ELT) or fertility of two cells, the best male and female cells by feeding with different protein levels.
Protein in the feed will have a direct effect on the protein levels in the blood, because the protein in the feed will be digested and converted into a protein circulating in the blood. "Fertilization is the process by which the nucleus of a sperm (a male reproductive cell) fuses (combines) with the nucleus of an egg (a female reproductive cell; also called an ovum). The successful sperm cell must enter the uterus and swim up the fallopian tube to meet the egg cell. In all organisms the essence of fertilization is, in fact, the fusion of the hereditary material of two different sex cells, or gametes, each of which carries half the number of chromosomes typical of the species. The fusion of female gamete (ovum) and male gamete (spermatozoon) during fertilization is sexual reproduction. The optimum acquisition level of viable transferable embryo was fed on 17% protein feed," said C. Sumantri.
He added, in animals over 7 years of age or older, pregnancy rates following the first insemination will also be lower. Fetal growth and development is primarily dependent upon the nutritional, hormonal and metabolic environment provided by the mother. If the feed on low quality feed then the acquisition of embryo may decrease. Gestation length (GL), the period from effective fertilization until calving, is a reproductive trait that significantly affects cattle breeding and production. The cow's age is the key environmental factor influencing gestation length. For optimal production, pregnancy testing to determine when cows will calve, facilitating sorting them into early- and late-calving groups is really important. The highest rates of cleavage and blastocysts occur respectively in young cattle (less than 7 years), old cows (7-8 years) and older cattle.
This research also explains that the productivity of embryo produced by cows is influenced by several environmental factors. Developments in breeding, nutrition and animal health will continue to contribute to increasing potential production and further efficiency and genetic gains. Livestock production is likely to be increasingly affected by carbon constraints and environmental and animal welfare legislation.
"Feeding with different protein levels in this study had no effect on embryonic production in the simmental and limousine cattle. An important factor in the production of viable embryo transfer quality is not influenced by different cattle, "he said. (Wied)
