Effect of Pre-partum Rumen Protected Choline and Energy Supplementation on the Post-partum Milk Production and Metabolic Profile of Cross Bred Dairy Cows

Transition period is a critical period of dairy cow in terms of physiological stress. Rapid body fat mobilization, fatty infiltration of liver and impaired performance are characteristics of late pregnancy and early lactation. Choline acts as a lipotropic factor. The present study was planned to study the effect of high energy levels with or without rumen protected choline before calving on milk production and metabolic profile of crossbred cows. The 24 high milk yielding crossbred cows were selected based upon their parity, lactation milk yield. These cows were divided into four groups keeping 6 cows in each group Group 1 and group 2 were fed with ration containing high NEL (8.12 MJ/kg) and Group 3 and Group 4 were fed with ration containing low NEL (6.81 MJ/kg). Group 2 and Group 4 were supplemented with Rumen Protected Choline (RPC) at a concentration of 750mg per 100g (75 ppm) of concentrate in their ration. The feeding of the 4 groups was started 21 days before expected date of parturition of the cows and continued upto 10 days after calving. After 10 days of calving all the cows were given same lactation diet. RPC supplementation before calving increased the blood glucose and lowered plasma Triglycerides conc. thereby improving the metabolic health status during transition period. Feeding of RPC during transition period starting from -21 d to +10 d improved the average milk yield, peak milk yield and metabolic health status of the high yielding dairy cows in both low and high energy rations.