Metabolic and haematological studies on the effect of boron as an antidote to fluoride in buffalo calves
Abstract
Ameliorative effect of boron (B) on high fluoride intake was investigated in twelve male Murrah buffalo calves of 6-8 month of age divided into three experimental groups. They were conventional concentrate mixture and roughage of identical in chemical composition. Fluorine (F) and boron (B) constituted the treatment variables. Group I was given basal diet and concentrate mixture. Group II was fed basal diet, concentrate mixture and F (as NaF) @ 60 ppm of DM. Group III was fed basal diet, concentrate mixture, F (as NaF) @ 60 ppm of DM and B (as sodium tetraborate) @ 140 ppm of DM.
Dry matter intake was recorded daily. Blood samples were collected on day 0 (initial), 30, 60 and 90 for estimation of TEC, Hb, PCV, serum alkaline phosphatase activity, serum Ca, P, Fe, Zn, and Cu contents. After 90 days of experimental feeding a
metabolism trial of 7 days duration was conducted to study the treatment effect on nutrient utilization, proximate nutrients of feeds, balance and retention of N, Ca, P, Fe, Zn, Cu and F. Urine was analysed for urinary F level and urinary alkaline phosphatase activity.
Dietary F caused a significant (P<0.05) depressing effect on blood Hb, PCV, serum Ca and serum Zn on day 90 in group II which marginally improved with B supplements in group III. Total erythrocyte counts, serum Fe, serum Cu, digestibility coefficients of DM, CP, CF, EE and NFE and nutritive value of feed remained unaffected on F and B treatment. Digestibility coefficients of F, F balance and F retention increased significantly (P<0.05) but all these showed significant decline with B supplementation. Balance and retentions of N, Ca, P, Fe, Zn and Cu showed no treatment effect. Serum ALP activity, urinary ALP activity, serum P and urinary F level increased significantly (P<0.05) upon F feeding but showed significant reduction (P≤0.05) when B was fed in group III, suggesting that boron antagonized the effect of fluoride in the animals.