Beef

Effects of Injectable Trace Mineral Supplementation on Embryo Development and Quality in Superovulated Dairy Heifers—First Year Progress Report

Authors: , , , ,

Abstract

Injectable supplementation of trace minerals is often used to combat the malabsorption of microminerals due to antagonists in feed and water. Previous research has shown that Multimin90, a commercial supplement containing copper, zinc, manganese, and selenium, has been shown to have a positive impact on reproductive efficiency and pregnancy rates in beef cattle. The objective of this study was to determine the effects of supplementation of MultiMin90 on embryo quality in superovulated heifers. This report includes the preliminary results of the first year of an ongoing study. Though there was no difference in overall embryo quality, supplementation of MultiMin90 tended to reduce the proportion of nonfertilized embryos per flush and resulted in one more embryo per flush when compared to a saline-treated control.

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How to Cite: Boas, K. , Gunn, P. J. , Hansen, S. L. , Dohlman, T. M. & Jahnke, M. (2017) “Effects of Injectable Trace Mineral Supplementation on Embryo Development and Quality in Superovulated Dairy Heifers—First Year Progress Report”, Iowa State University Animal Industry Report. 14(1). doi: https://doi.org/10.31274/ans_air-180814-423