Energy and protein in the reproduction of bovine females

Abstract

Several factors affect the reproductive performance of females, among them, those that stand out are: inadequate nutrition with deficits or high protein and energy consumption, the negative energy balance, influencing mainly the resumption of cyclicity in high-producing cows and body condition score as cows scoring above 7 or below 5 do not play a good role in reproduction. Nutrition has an important role recognized by directly affecting aspects of physiology and hence, the reproductive performance in female cattle. Among the reproductive rates, we observed fertility decline especially in dairy cows, due to negative energy balance (BEN), evidenced by the decrease in body condition score (BCS) postpartum. Insufficient energy intake is closely linked to low female bovine reproductive performance, delayed puberty age, and interval from first ovulation and estrus postpartum reduction in conception rates and pregnancy. Low levels of protein in animal diets can lead to a reduced amino acid in the circulation, with the reduced pulsatile secretion of LH and a consequential reduction in fertility. This paper aims to discuss the influence of protein and energy in the diet as a cause of an increase in the service period of females and consequently a decrease in reproductive efficiency.