Follicular and luteal morphofunctionality of dairy cows supplemented with calcium salts of fatty acids in AIFT programs

Abstract We aimed to define the effect of strategic supplementation with calcium salts of fatty acids on the morphofunctionality of ovarian structures in crossbred dairy cows submitted to a hormonal protocol for artificial insemination at a fixed time (AIFT) A total of 20 lactating crossbred females (Bos taurus taurus x Bos taurus indicus) were randomly divided into two groups, the control group (CON), which received concentrate with no added fat in the diet, and the treatment group (TRAT), which received concentrate with salts of fatty acid calcium (Megalac-E, Church and Dwight Co. Inc., Trenton, NJ, marketed in Brazil by Elanco-Eli Lilly and Company, Indianapolis, IN, USA). The diets were provided for 30 days. The animals started consuming the supplement 20 days before the beginning of the follicular wave and ovulation synchronization protocol (Day-20). Follicular development was monitored by mode B ultrasound and power-doppler assessments every 12 hours between day D8 and the time of ovulation. By measuring the follicular diameter (DFOL), the area of the follicular wall (AFOL) and the vascularization area of the follicle wall (VFOL) were able to be determined. On days 7 and 16 after ovulation, US mode B and doppler were performed in order to analyze the corpus luteum diameter (DCL), area of the corpus luteum (ACL), and the vascularization area of the corpus luteum (VCL). In addition, blood samples were collected to measure the serum concentration of P4 using chemiluminescence methodology. There was no effect of supplementation on milk production results (p = 0.15), body weight (p = 0.57), ECC (p = 0.78), albumin (p = 0.83), and the lipid profile (CT [p = 0.36], HDL [p = 0.11], LDL [p = 0.55], VLDL [p = 0.15] and TRIG [p = 0.15]). The supplementation of SCAG, 30 days before IATF, under the conditions of this experiment had no significant influence on follicular and luteal morphofunctionality. However, suspension of supplementation caused a deficit in the luteal blood flow.