Fertimin Plus - A supplement for assured fertility in cows

Background:
Reproductive disorders have major impact on economy of milk production and livelihood of livestock farmers. Reproductive process is intimately connected to nutrition, energy status of the animal. Depending on their productive potentiality, growing animals require special attention to attain puberty. Advancing the age of puberty in heifers reduces investment and thus profitable. Heifer failing to conceive after attaining puberty with repeated inseminations is one of the primary hindrances for livestock holders. There was incidence of repeat breeding 37.69 %, followed by underdeveloped genitalia 36.15 % and anestrus 20 %, respectively (Source: survey study of ICAR sponsored farmer’s first project, Doddaballapura regions of Karnataka). Dietary deficiencies and imbalances of minerals can result in poor growth, reproduction failure. Disorders in dairy cows, like repeat breeding and anestrus plays major role in economic recession of dairy farmers. Dairy cows with repeat breeding and anestrus problems also need critical supplement to overcome these anomalies. ICAR-National Institute of Animal Nutrition and Physiology, Bengaluru is continuously involved in developing farmers’ friendly selective mineral mixture ameliorative strategies for different regions of the country. The aim of the scientists is to develop the strategies which demand minimum inputs for selective supplement with critical nutrients keeping in view of their essential function in reproductive mechanism and thereby improving the livestock production.:

Technology Description:
Based on the systematic field studies, the institute has developed a product Fertimin Plus. Fertimin plus supplement prepared with critical nutrients keeping in view of their essential function in reproductive mechanism. On validation in large numbers of animals (heifers and dairy cows) for long duration trial, the product ensured better uterine/reproductive tract environment for conception to occur at early age in heifers and regularizing the balance of metabolomics supported the steroidal hormone production. Supplementation of critical minerals added to the heifers (not conceived even after 4-5 inseminations though attained puberty) for a duration of 30 -90 days showed a tremendous gain in terms of estrus induction and conception in dairy heifers. Combined supplementation of deworming, vitamins, mineral mixture, proteins and energy substances advanced the age at conception in heifers and showed better results in postpartum anestrus and repeat breeding cows. The approach resulted in a positive gain in terms of clearance of worm loads, better nutrient absorption, thereby providing better uterine/reproductive tract environment for conception to occur at early age in heifers and dairy cows. In summary, 80.76 % anestrus cows, 79.59 % repeat breeding cows and 76.59 % underdeveloped genitalia heifers, responded to these treatments:
Overall, from the four trials 78.45 % animals (142/181) conceived in treated group contrary to 16.66 % animals (03/18) in control group within the 90 days of treatment period. Using the combination of vitamins, mineral mixture, proteins and energy substances and deworming protocol. Fertimin plus this could address the reproductive problems without administration of hormonal supplements. This technology has recently been published (Success story published in ICAR Newsletter and Indian farming). The product can be fed to any heifers of above 4 months age and post-partum dairy cows, which do not have any health or productivity implications while fed to growing, lactating, or breeding animals. The success margin also indicates that, there is improvement in the milk fat contents and milk quantity.