Copper Status and Requirement During the Dry Period and Early Lactation in Multiparous Holstein Cows

¹ Department of Animal Science, University of Kentucky, Lexington 40546

Eighteen multiparous Holstein cows were assigned randomly to three treatments at the beginning of the dry period (8 wk before expected parturition). Treatments were 1) the basal diet containing 5.5 ppm of Cu (control), 2) the basal diet supplemented with 10 ppm of Cu, and 3) the basal diet supplemented with 20 ppm of Cu. The objectives were to measure the changes of Cu and other trace mineral element concentrations in blood and liver from the onset of the dry period (approximately 8 wk prepartum) to 8 wk postpartum and to assess the requirement of Cu during this time. Liver Cu concentration in the control group declined continuously during the 8-wk dry period, and the nadir occurred at parturition. This decline was prevented by dietary Cu supplementation of 10 or 20 ppm. Liver Cu concentration in the control group started to increase slowly after the dramatic decline. Liver Zn concentration changed cubically as a function of week during the treatment period. Plasma Cu and Zn exhibited a quadratic pattern as a function of week. The plasma Cu concentration was lowest 5 wk prior to parturition.

Key Words: copper requirement • gestation • lactation

Submitted on July 29, 1992
Accepted on April 5, 1993