19 Fertility Dairy cow – Fertility Fertility and beta-carotene Animal fertility is a key factor in livestock farming. Beta-carotene plays a crucial role in this regard. Among other things, it influences ovulation and oestrus, and helps protect against infection. If an animal suffers from a beta-carotene deficiency, the following symptoms or conditions may occur: • False oestrus • Delayed follicular maturation/ovulation • Cysts • Embryonic death • Early miscarriages • Susceptibility to infection Risk factors for ß-carotene deficiency • High proportion of silage maize • Old grass silage (brown in colour) • High proportion of straw in the ration for dry cows • Low feed intake • High milk yield Fresh grass is rich in beta-carotene. In contrast, maize silage, straw and cereals contain little beta-carotene. Beta-carotene levels are also low in poor-quality grass silage and hay. Furthermore, due to the length of time silage is stored, beta-carotene may become scarce in dairy cattle rations in the spring. Beta-carotene content of feed (dry matter) Pasture grass Carrots Grass silage Maize silage hay Beta-carotene Is important for… …sperm, egg cell, ovary …immunesystem …corpus luteumformation …colostrum
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