Zeolite as a factor in the improvement of some reproductive traits of dairy cows

Reproductive traits and health status in dairy cows are largely affected by diet quality. Natural zeolite has been successfully used in livestock production as a feed supplement for some types and categories of domestic animals. This experiment was conducted over a period of 15 months involving Domestic Spotted dairy cows. The test animals were assigned to three groups, each receiving different levels of supplemental zeolite. The control group comprised cows that received no zeolite supplement. Experimental groups I and II were fed rations supplemented with 4% and 2% zeolite, respectively. The reproductive traits studied included gestation length, length of service period, length of calving interval, calf body weight at birth and calf body weight at 90 days of age. The results obtained suggest that zeolite supplementation affects some reproductive traits, depending on the zeolite level present in livestock feed.