INFLUENCE OF DIFFERENT FEEDING DURING THE DRY PERIOD ON SOME BLOOD PARAMETERS AND REPRODUCTIVE-PERFORMANCE OF DAIRY-CATTLE

This study was carried out in Holstein cows. Nine cows were fed with w heat straw and the others with hay from the 40(th) day of prepartum to the 21(st) day of postpartum. Blood samples were collected from the V . jugularis four times (3 weeks and one week before and 2 and 5 weeks after calving). Blood levels of GOT, GLDH, urea, Na, K, Ca, P, Mg, Cu, Zn, beta-carotene, vitamin A and E were determined. Ovarial cysts and disorders of reproductive performance were examined by rectal palpati on every 10 days for 2 months. According to the results of blood analy sis, urea, P, Zn, beta-carotene and vitamin E levels of the cows fed w ith hay were found statistically higher than those fed with wheat stra w (p < 0.05). The postpartum blood GOT, urea, beta-carotene and vitami ne E levels were higher than prepartum levels in both groups (p < 0.05 ). The mean Cu values in the group fed with wheat straw, however, were statistically higher than in the group fed with dry hay (p < 0.05). I n addition, the cows fed with hay and their calves seemed to be health ier than those in the other group.