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ThesisItem Open Access Evaluation of certain metabolic and haematological parameters in crossbred calves fed with rumen undegradable soyabean meal(Department of Physiology, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 2002) Yuvaraj, N; KAU; Ramnath, VProtecting ruminal feed proteins by formaldehyde treatment decreased their solubility and degradation in the rumen, eventually resulted in an increased availability of post-rumina I amino acids and this could be exploited for enhancing the growth rate of young ruminants as crossbred calves. Post natal growth in ruminants is chiefly in'fluenced by the metabolic hormones, whose secretions are, in turn, regulated by the circulating levels of critical amino acids. Hence, the objective of the present study was to determine and correlate the levels of certain metabolic hormones and other related haematological cum biochemical parameters in growing crossbred calves, fed with concentrate ration supplemented with untreated and formaldehyde treated soyabean meal. Twelve numbers of female crossbred calves of six months of age of the University Livestock Farm, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, were divided into two groups, viz., Group I and Group IT, with six calves in each group. One third of the quantity of concentrate ration to be given to each animal was replaced by raw soyabean meal (solvent extracted) in animals of Group I and 1 % formaldehyde treated soyabean meal in animals of Group Il, during the experimental period of 90 days (180 to 270 d of age). Drinking water and roughage were provided ad libitum. All the animals were maintained under standard managemental conditions. Fortnightly body weight of all the animals were recorded during the entire period of study. Blood samples were collected from all animals of both groups at the initial phase of experiment (180 d), thereafter on every 14 days as well as one month after the end of the experiment (300 d). The blood samples were analysed for blood glucose level (BGL) and haematological parameters like haemoglobin content, total erythrocyte count and total leucocyte count, volume of packed red blood corpuscles and erythrocytic indices using standard procedures. The serum was subjected for the estimation of biochemical parameters such as concentrations of total protein, albumin, globulin, total lipids, cholesterol, triglycerides, non-esterified fatty acids (NEF A), urea nitrogen, creatinine and bilirubin employing commercial kits. Hormonal traits like thyroxine (T 4), triiodothyronine (T 3) and insulin were also evaluated using radioimmuno assays. On analysing the proximate principles of various concentrates, it was found that both the groups received increased dietary protein intake and particularly animals of Group Il, through protected proteins. Animals of Group Il recorded a higher daily weight gain of 352.731 g/animal/day in comparison to 327.460 g/animal/day of animals of Group 1. The haematological parameters screened revealed a persistently increasing trend, with non-significant differences between groups. This upstream trend may be associated with an increased body weight gain of the animals and hence, with an increased requirement. Serum concentrations of total protein and albumin pursued an increasing trend in both groups with non- significant differences between them. This signified the elevated protein status of the animals with positive nitrogen balance. Moreover, there appears to be a direct correlation between albumin turn-over and body size (Kaneko et al., 1997). Serum globulin concentration revealed fluctuating yet an increasing trend in calves of both groups, suggesting an increased hepatic synthesis of a and ~ portions of globulins. A continuous upstream trend was evident in serum totallipids, cholesterol content and triglycerides concentration of calves of both the groups during the trial period, indicating an increased requirement of these constituents as membrane constituents and as energy reserve, for the build up of body size and weight. Increased insulin release stimulated by increased availability of post ruminal amino acids would have favoured an increased triglycerides synthesis. Decreasing trend in serum NEF A status of both the groups signified the reduced lipolysis for energy purpose with increased dietary protein intake. Blood glucose lev'el of calves of both groups revealed a pertinent increasing trend, elaborating the increased energy demands for the enhanced growth process. An increasing trend in serum urea nitrogen concentrations observed in calves of both the groups might be due to deamination and conversion into urea of excess protein in calves of both groups fed over and above the actual requirement. Serum levels of creatinine and bilirubin in both groups of animals showed a decreasing trend which may be attributed to the fine balance in their level by increased protein supplementation. Serum concentrations of hormones as T4, T3 and insulin exhibited an increasing trend in calves of both the groups. Increasing trend in insulin concentration demonstrated a positive relationship between amino acid absorption and insulin release and might have promoted protein anabolism resulting in an increased body size with positive nitrogen balance. The increased metabolic demand for oxygen associated with the increased body size might have resulted in an increased synthesis and release of thyroid hormones, with significant (pdifferences between groups. The fluctuating T4:T3 ratios in both the groups correspond~d to the episodic release of the hormones. Results of the present study substantiate that increased dietary proteins had brought about elevated protein anabolism and associated haematological, biochemical and hormonal changes in growing crossbred calves offered with concentrate ration supplemented with rumen protected soyabean meal and this was certainly having an advantage in the crossbred calves, over the calves provided with increased rumen degradable proteins. Since protein supplements . are generally the most expensive ingredients in ruminant rations, thus there is an interest in maximizing their utilization.ThesisItem Open Access Stress related physiological changes in cattle brought for slaughter(Department of Physiology, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 2002) Nigil Mathew; KAU; Ramnath, VThe study was conducted in adult female cattle with an average body weight of about 250 kg which were transported for slaughter to Meat Technology Unit (MTU), College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, to evaluate the effect of transport stress on certain physiological \ parameters. Group I animals comprised of 12 numbers, of which six animals each were transported from Livestock Research Station (LRS), Thiruvazhamkunnu and Cattle Breeding Farm (CBF), Thumburmuzhi and they were designated as the low density stocking group (LDS) given a floor space allowance of 1.88 m2/animal. Eight adult female cattle brought for slaughter by trucking at Corporation slaughter house, Thrissur which were given with a floor space allowance of 0.95 m2/animal formed the Group Il or high density stocking group (HDS) and eight adult female cattle brought for slaughter from University Livestock Farm, Mannuthy by walk formed the Group III category . . Body weight was recorded in LDS group cattle (group I) before and after the journey and it was observed that the percentage reduction in live weight was 2.18 per cent which was not that much appreciable due to the ideal transporting conditions provided for them. Blood samples were collected with and without anticoagulant (1) before transport, (2) immediately after the journey (zero hour post-transport) and (3) after a resting period of 18 h from LDS cattle. From HDS group, (2) immediately after the journey (zero hour post-transport) and (3) after a resting period of 18 h from LDS cattle. From HDS group, immediately after unloading (zero hour post- transport) and after 18 h of rest blood collections were done. Blood samples, were analysed for various haematological parameters as well as for mitogen induced Iymphocyte culture studies. The serum samples were also used for estimation of biochemical parameters as blood glucose level (BGL), concentration of cortisol, total serum protein, blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and activities of enzymes viz., creatine kinase (CK) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH). Comparison of the data collected at three intervals viz., before transport, zero hour and 18 h post-transport was done within the LDS group, whereas, the comparison within HDS group was done at zero and 18 h post-transport. Comparison of the effect of transport at zero hour and a post-transport resting period of 18 h was also done between LDS and HDS groups. It was observed that LDS group of cattle had a significant increase in volume of packed red blood cells (VPRC), haemoglobin (Hb) concentration and total leucocyte (WBC) count at zero hour. It was observed that most of the values returned to the pre-transport level after 18 h of rest. There was significant increase in biochemical parameters, like blood glucose level (BGL), concentration of cortisol, blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatine kinase (CK) activity immediately after transport and many of them returned to pre-transport level after 18 h post-transport suggesting that 18 h of resting period was sufficient before slaughter. In HDS cattle higher values were recorded for the haematological traits VIZ. VPRC, Hb concentration and total WBC count and for biochemical parameters like BGL, concentration of cortisol, BUN and CK activity when compared to LDS group. Most of the values did not decline to restore much, even after giving 18 h of rest indicating that these animals experienced severe stress during the journey. In the present study it was also found that the cortisol concentration influenced Iymphoblastogenic response to mitogen which was poor in the presence of autologus serum containing more than SO ng/rnl cortisol concentration as observed in both LDS (131.2 ±.18.33 ng/ml) and HDS (160.88 I ± 21.87 ng/ml) groups immediately after transport which indicated the immuno suppressive property of cortisol. Meat samples were collected from all the groups of cattle within an hour of slaughter and used for determination of pH and glycogen content at one hour and six hours post-slaughter. It was observed that meat samples of LDS and non-transported cattle showed a comparatively lower pH after six hours of slaughter which was inversely related to their glycogen content. It was also found that the meat samples of HDS cattle did not attain a significantly lower pH even at the end Of six hours post-slaughter owing to the reduced glycogen content when compared to LDS and non-transported groups of cattle which could result in dark cutting condition. It can be concluded that gentle handling, optimum transportation conditions and proper rest before slaughter in good lairage environment are required to minimize the stress in cattle brought for slaughter and to ensure production of good quality meat.