EFFECT OF COPPER ON THE REPRODUCTION OF DAIRY HEIFERS OF CUBA

Objective. The Objective. purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of copper on the reproductive behavior of dairy heifers. Materials and methods. The Materials and methods work was conducted in farms of Villa Clara province, in two stages and with 210 heifers. In the first one 120 heifers were divided in two groups of 60 animals each one. Group A, control and the group B was treated with 2 ml of CuSO4 (2.5%) subcutaneously. In the second one 90 heifers were studied divided in three groups of 30 animals each one, group A, control; group B was treated subcutaneously with 2 ml of CuSO4 (2.5%) and the group C, was treated with acupuncture using 0.1 ml of this product subcutaneously in the PaHuai point; in both stages the animals included in the group A were not treated and the animals included in group B and C received a repeated treatment every 60 days in two applications more. Results. The animals significantly increased the levels of copper in blood serum (p<0.05), as well as percentages of zeal and gestations presentation with the resulting economic benefit. Conclusion. The application of cuppertheraphy as much allopathical as the acupunctural increase cupperhemic and fertility of the treated bovine females.