PARENTERAL SUPPLEMENTATION OF COPPER IN GESTATION COWS: EFFECT ON POSTPARTUM AND CALVES

Objective. To evaluate the effect of copper in gestation cows on reproductive behavior postpartum and health of calf. Materials and methods. 80 cows were studied divided in two groups of 40 animals each one. The group A was treated with 2 ml of CuSO4 (2.5%) subcutaneously. The treatment began to 8 months of gestation, and repeated to 30 and 90 days postpartum. The group B was used as control. Hemochemical profile, interval calving first service (ICFS), interval calving conception (ICC), interval calving-calving (ICV), natality index (NI), insemination index (II) and the efficiency in the detection of female in estro (EDFE) were analyzed to cows and hemochemical parameters to calves. Data were processed through a statistical package Statgraphics plus 5.0, applying (ANOVA) to differences among means hemochemicals and reproductive data and IN and EDHE to comparison of proportions. Correlation and simple regression were used to demonstrate the relation of copper with other studied parameters. Results. Subcutaneous administration of copper increased the levels of this element in blood, iron and hemoglobin (p <0.001); as well as the decrease of ICFS, ICC, ICC, NI, EDFE, and II (p <0.05). Cupperhemic (p <0.001), hemoglobin (p <0.01) and total proteins (p <0.05) were increased in calves. Conclusions. The applied treatment increased hemochemical and reproductive indicators in treated animals.