Effects of Nutrition During Gestation on Birth Weight and Viability of Calves, and Weight and Expulsion Time of Placenta in Dairy Cattle

Abstract

Calf mortality and retention of placenta are important reproductive problems in cattle. The neonatal calf mortality can be caused by a variety of factors. One of the neglected causes may be suboptimal nutrition during gestation. As for the retention of placenta, immaturity of placenta is a major cause. Since the fetus and placenta develop as a unit in the uterus, nutrition during gestation may influence fetal and placental development. The objectives of this study were to determine the maternal nutritional state during the last two trimesters of gestation and describe possible effects of nutrition on calf birth weight and viability; weight of the placenta; and time for expulsion of placenta in dairy cattle.