Effects of protein supplementation on metabolism and performance of grazing Nellore cows under different parity orders
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.5433/1679-0359.2026v47n1p307Keywords:
Calves, IGF-1, NEFA, Tropical pastures, Zebu.Abstract
The objective was to evaluate the interaction between the response to supplementation of multiparous and primiparous beef cows on pasture on performance and blood metabolism. Forty Nellore cows were used. The experimental design was completely randomized, in a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement, where two parity orders were evaluated: primiparous (P1) and multiparous (P2), and two postpartum supplementation strategies, as follows: unsupplemented (N), and supplemented (S). Overall, supplementation trend increased weight gain of cows (P < 0.09), regardless of parity order, but did not alter body condition score (BCS) (P > 0.20). In addition, supplementation increased calf weight at 42 days of age (P < 0.01), and milk protein and lactose concentrations (P < 0.03) On the other hand, multiparous cows had higher milk production (P < 0.01), and their calves had higher average dairy gain (ADG) (P < 0.04). There was interaction between postpartum day and parity order (P < 0.03), in which multiparous cows had higher non-sterified fatty acid (NEFA) in blood at calving. There was an interaction between calving order and supplementation on blood albumin (P < 0.05), with lower values for non-supplemented primiparous cows. In addition, supplementation increased insulin like growth factor (IGF-1) in the animal’s blood (P < 0.01). Postpartum supplementation improves the productive performance of cows. In addition, multiparous cows have greater body mobilization at calving and non-supplemented primiparous cows have the worst blood protein status.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Camila Andressa Silva de Oliveira, Gabriel Santos Souza David, Michele Cíntia Silva, Juarez Junior da Silva Paiva, Kamilla Gonçalves Faria, Biana Morais Horta, Marcelo da Silva Rodrigues, Luciana da Cunha Arruda, Luciana Navajas Rennó, Mário Fonseca Paulino
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