Peripartum Injection of Vitamins (E and B12) and Trace Minerals (Selenium and Iron) in Holstein Dairy Cows: Effect on Milk Production and Composition, Body Condition Score and Serum Metabolites.

The aim of this study was to determine the effects of injection of vitamin E and selenium, vitamin B12 and iron or their combination during the transition period on milk production and composition, body condition score (BCS) changes and serum metabolites of dairy cows. A total of 40 Holstein dairy cows (659±57.9 kg of body weight (BW)) were divided into four groups based on parity, BW and BCS and randomly assigned to experimental treatments. Experimental treatments were T1: injection of NaCl % 0.9 as control treatment (C), T2: injection of 3000 IU of vitamin E and 30 mg of selenium (ESe), T3: injection of 700 μg of vitamin B12 and 254 mg of iron (B12Fe) and T4: injection of 3000 IU of vitamin E and 30 mg of selenium plus 700 μg of vitamin B12 and 254 mg of iron (ESe+B12Fe). Injection of ESe, B12Fe or ESe + B12Fe had no effect on BCS and its changes (P>0.05). Milk production, 4% fat-corrected milk (FCM), energy-corrected milk (ECM) and milk fat, protein and lactose content and yield did not influence by injection of ESe, B12Fe or ESe + B12Fe (P>0.05). Experimental treatments had no effect on serum β-hydroxybutyrate (BHB), nonesterified fatty acids (NEFA), glucose, total protein, triglycerides, total cholesterol and HDLcholesterol concentrations (P>0.05). It was concluded that injection of ESe, B12Fe or their combination during transition period had no effect on milk production and composition, BCS changes, and serum metabolites concentrations of Holstein dairy cows. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]