Introduction:

red clover is a legume that has been used in bovine nutrition for its contribution of protein, is now known to naturally produce secondary metabolites that are like the estrogens of mammals, causing alterations in the reproductive capacity of animals.

Objective:

determine the effects of red clover consumption on blood profile in dairy cows on the farm Tunguavita of the UPTC.

Materials and Methods:

32 animals with similar characteristics were selected, they were randomly divided into four treatments: T1: 8 cows with red clover supplement according to their requirements, T2: 8 cows with extra red clover supplement 25%, T3: 8 cows with extra red clover supplement 50% and T4: no supplement, for 60 days. Before supplementation, at 30- and 60-days post-supplementation, variables such as estradiol (E2), progesterone (P4), luteinizing hormone (LH), triglycerides, triiodothyronine (T3), thyroxine (T4), insulin, stimulating hormone were measured the thyroid (TSH), glucose and blood urea nitrogen (BUN).

Results:

among the groups supplemented with Red Clover, no statistical differences were observed; but in relation to the control group it is evident that the values of estradiol, LH, BUN, TSH and progesterone were lower than (P <0.05); On the other hand, the levels of T3 and T4 showed a similar behavior throughout the experiment and an increase in the values of insulin and triglycerides was observed.

Conclusions:

the supplementation with red clover has a negative effect on the reproductive behavior of dairy cows, presenting lower values in the variables evaluated.

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