Fats & Reproduction

Lipids are metabolic regulators of reproduction in dairy cattle. As pregnancy losses are substantial in dairy cattle, it is necessary to implement strategies to counter this issue. Among them, nutritiona ones, and particularly fatty acids, are day by day proven to be more effective. Early stages of conceptus development constitutes a window of action, as this period requires substantial coordination of lipid metabolism by conceptus cells (changes in concentration or composition of fatty acids in the histotroph could alter conceptus development). Optimized feed intake postpartum and the adequate quantity and proportion of fatty acids are then potential strategies to improve pregnancy survival and consequently reproductive efficiency in dairy cows.