Effects of rumen-protected polyunsaturated fatty acid supplementation on reproductive performance of Bos indicus beef cows

Excellent and very important research and discussions.

The article has reported the effect of rument protected poly unsaturated fatty acids. The PUFA seem to reduce the oxidative stress at cellular levels which may have resulted in improved reproductive efficiency and protesterone levels circulating in the blood. There is a need to explore the role of PUFA and other antioxidants in stress management occuring due to extreme hot weathers, undernutrition and other factors. PUFA available in the diet get exposed to the rumen enviroment where they are either degraded or or converted to saturated fatty acids. In addition, the saturated fatty acids circulated in the blood are acted upon by the desatruase enzyme in various tissues, including the mammary tissues in dairy buffaloes, which results in higher yields of PUFA in the milk of dairy buffaloes, as revealed in one of our recent studies. So, the PUFA on one hand support the body functions of animals in maintaining thier health, fertility and productivity and on the other, the healthy fatty acids in milk and meat prove benifitial for the human health.

The work done by the authors is exceptional and very appropriate to the trpoical conditions. This is a wonderful article and emphasizes the importance of an animal being in a positive energy balance pre and post insemination. Indeed it must be appreciated that any animal that is ovulating has a very high chance to conceive/hold service following insemination, regardless of its body condition. However, the biggest challenge lies in whether that animal can be in a position and in an energy balance that will enable it to minimize the chance of embryonic death. Research shows that where an animal is a negative energy balance, embryonic death will most likely occur before within the first 18 days. The above experiment has gone a long way to validate this assertion. This findings are crucial and important in ensuring that for cattle, ensuring a positive energy balance is crucial in enhancing pregnancy rates.

Boss Indicus has the highest population among cattle breeds in the world and generally considered as beef breed but in most of the countries its is used for both meat and milk. In third world it is the asset of poor farmer. To make these animals economical and profitable it is must that the focus should be given on its reproduction. One year one calf is a practical concept and is also helpful in poverty alleviation. The article with research has discussed successfully the possibility of achieving this goal and keeping these animals productive and profitable for the farmers. I highly appreciate this effort and hopeful that such research will be continued by these researchers.I rate this article as EXCELLENT