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 w ere 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: injecti on 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), non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA), glucose, total protein, triglycerides, total cholesterol and HDL-cholesterol concentrations (P>0.05). It was concluded that injection of ESe, B12Fe or their combina-tion during transition period had no effect on milk production and composition, BCS changes, and serum metabolites concentrations of Holstein dairy cows.