Efficacy Evaluation of an Organic Trace Mineral (OTM) Powder Formulation on the Reproductive Performance of Heifers

Nutritional management during gestation is essential for optimizing the efficiency andprofitability of livestock production systems. Changes in maternal nutritional status may lead to such adaptations which can permanently alter the parameters of growth, physiology, and metabolism of offspring. Supplementation of essential trace minerals to pregnant cows, which are inadequate in diet to suffice the health requirement of these animals may enhance progeny performance and their health. This study investigated the impacts of supplementing Organic Trace Mineral (OTM) powder formulation on the reproductive health of heifers. The feeding experiment was performed in the Arvind Dairy Farm, Haryana, India with two groups of 6 pregnant heifer cows each (control: T0 and experimental: T1) between January and September 2022. Both groups were fed rations adjusted with regard to body weight of animals. Group T1 fed OTM at 10 gm/animal/day for 28-days and group T0 was provided access to standard basal diet only. Experimental model investigated reproductive health of heifers for the physical and clinical parameters of estrus exhibition, duration of estrus and conception rate in comparison to controls. Significant improvement observed in the physical and clinical parameters of estrus exhibition in treatment group (T1) compared to control group (T0), higher conception rate in T1 (84%) in comparison to T0 (66%); and improvement in estrus duration in T1 (27 ± 1.53 h) as compared to the T0 (31.5 ± 2.81 h), indicating supplementation of OTM to pregnant heifers has significant influence in improving reproductive health in heifers.