Effect of Supplementing Vitamin E, Selenium, Copper, Zinc, and Manganese during the Transition Period on Dairy Cow Reproductive Performance and Immune Function

SIMPLE SUMMARY: Global demand for dairy products keeps increasing. Yet, dairy cows are exposed to numerous stresses, such as metabolic stress and heat stress, particularly during the transition period, which is three weeks around calving. In the face of climate change, techniques to improve transition cattle both production and reproduction in high temperature and humidity environments are important, particularly in subtropical regions. The present work examined whether supplementation of selenium and vitamin E or zinc, copper, and manganese complex would help transition dairy cows to improve their health and achieve greater milk production by overcoming immune and metabolic stress. The supplementation of trace elements and vitamin E may enable transition cattle to better adapt to heat stress. The conclusions of this study can provide dairy farmers in Taiwan or other subtropical regions with a reference to adjust their management practice for transition dairy cows. ABSTRACT: The transition dairy cows are challenged by various stresses such as decreased dry matter intake, liver dysfunction, increased inflammation, and oxidative stress, particularly in subtropical regions. These might increase the requirement for vitamin E and trace elements. To examine whether supplementation of vitamin E, selenium or copper, zinc, and manganese complex would help transition dairy cows to achieve greater reproduction performance by overcoming the immune function and postpartum disorders in subtropical Taiwan. A total of 24 Holstein Friesian dairy cows were enrolled in this study and divided into three groups (n = 8 cows/group): treatment 1 supplemented with organic selenium and vitamin E (SeE), treatment 2 supplemented with organic copper, zinc, and manganese complex (CZM) and control (CON). The results showed SeE supplementation improved immune function, reproductive performance, and milk yield, but not negative energy balance status. Supplementation of CZM improved milk yield and energy regulation through antioxidative capacity and immune function, but had no influence on reproductive performance.