<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><p>The aim of this review is to summarize the current state of knowledge of reproductive performance of high-yielding dairy cows fed a diet supplemented with <italic>n-3</italic> fatty acids (FA s), and to recommend a feeding schedule that can increase the success rate in reproduction. Dietary supplementation with fat, especially FA, has become an accepted strategy for supporting the fertility of high-yielding dairy cows. The two main categories of FA s, unsaturated fatty acids (UFA s) and saturated fatty acids (SFA s), exert distinct effects on reproductive functions, with UFA having a conclusively beneficial impact. Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) are of particular importance on account of their biological properties. Standard feedstuffs (such as soybean) are rich in <italic>n-6</italic> FA s, whereas few feedstuffs contain <italic>n-3</italic> FA s. Neither the <italic>n-3</italic> nor <italic>n-6</italic> PUFA s are synthetized by the animal. Several field experiments have indicated that the recommended schedule of <italic>n-3</italic> supplementation should last 160–170 days, from the eighth week before calving to 100 or 120 days postpartum. Supplementation of the diet thus covers the period from the late preantral stage of the follicle, the entire development of the antrum, oocyte ovulation, and fertilization, as well as the development of the preattachment embryo and its implantation. The following effects are among the important beneficial results of supplementation with <italic>n-3</italic> FA s: a higher number of antral follicles suitable for ovum pick-up (OPU), larger dominant follicles and corresponding CL, better quality oocytes and embryos, and higher implantation rates resulting from improved uterine environment (e.g., reduced synthesis of luteolytic PGF2α). We conclude that dietary supplementation for high-yielding dairy cows with <italic>n-3</italic> FA s supports ovarian functions and helps the embryo to survive in the adverse environment of the reproductive tract of the postpartum cow.</p></abstract>

The aim of this review is to summarize the current state of knowledge of reproductive performance of high-yielding dairy cows fed a diet supplemented with n-3 fatty acids (FA s), and to recommend a feeding schedule that can increase the success rate in reproduction. Dietary supplementation with fat, especially FA, has become an accepted strategy for supporting the fertility of high-yielding dairy cows. The two main categories of FA s, unsaturated fatty acids (UFA s) and saturated fatty acids (SFA s), exert distinct effects on reproductive functions, with UFA having a conclusively beneficial impact. Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) are of particular importance on account of their biological properties. Standard feedstuffs (such as soybean) are rich in n-6 FA s, whereas few feedstuffs contain n-3 FA s. Neither the n-3 nor n-6 PUFA s are synthetized by the animal. Several field experiments have indicated that the recommended schedule of n-3 supplementation should last 160–170 days, from the eighth week before calving to 100 or 120 days postpartum. Supplementation of the diet thus covers the period from the late preantral stage of the follicle, the entire development of the antrum, oocyte ovulation, and fertilization, as well as the development of the preattachment embryo and its implantation. The following effects are among the important beneficial results of supplementation with n-3 FA s: a higher number of antral follicles suitable for ovum pick-up (OPU), larger dominant follicles and corresponding CL, better quality oocytes and embryos, and higher implantation rates resulting from improved uterine environment (e.g., reduced synthesis of luteolytic PGF2α). We conclude that dietary supplementation for high-yielding dairy cows with n-3 FA s supports ovarian functions and helps the embryo to survive in the adverse environment of the reproductive tract of the postpartum cow.

Reproductive Performance of Dairy Cows Fed a Diet Supplemented with <italic>n-3</italic> Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids – A Review

Department of Preclinical Sciences and Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science

Department of Genetics and Animal Breeding, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science

Department of Animal Nutrition, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science

Department of Animal Reproduction, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science

Annals of Animal Science

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Reproductive Performance of Dairy Cows Fed a Diet Supplemented with  Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids – A Review

The aim of this review is to summarize the current state of knowledge of reproductive performance of high-yielding dairy cows fed a diet supplemented with n-3...

Reproductive Performance of Dairy Cows Fed a Diet Supplemented with n-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids – A Review

Publié en ligne: 07 nov. 2020

Pages: 1169 - 1183

Reçu: 20 déc. 2019

Accepté: 23 mars 2020

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/aoas-2020-0040

Mots clés
PUFA s, fertility, oocyte, embryo, quality, cattle

© 2020 Kacper Libera et al., published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Reproductive Performance of Dairy Cows Fed a Diet Supplemented with n-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids – A Review

Publié en ligne: 07 nov. 2020

Pages: 1169 - 1183

Reçu: 20 déc. 2019

Accepté: 23 mars 2020

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/aoas-2020-0040

Mots clésPUFA s, fertility, oocyte, embryo, quality, cattle

© 2020 Kacper Libera et al., published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Mots clés
PUFA s, fertility, oocyte, embryo, quality, cattle