EFFECT OF SILICON SUPPLEMENTATION ON THE MINERAL METABOLISM AND GROWTH PERFORMANCE IN CALVES
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Date
2023
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ICAR-NDRI, KARNAL
Abstract
The present study was carried out to see the effect of silicon supplementation on
the mineral metabolism and growth performance in calves. The study was
conducted in two phases. In the phase first, determined the silicon (Si) content of
various feeds and fodders and analyzed their bioaccessibility (%) and also
estimated the solubility (%) of 4 different Si containing salts at different pH.
Results showed that dry as well as green fodders contained more silicon than
concentrate feedstuffs, however, the highest percentage of bioaccessibility was
seen in grains and grain by-products followed by unconventional feedstuffs and
forages. The mean solubility was significantly higher for orthosilicic acid and the
lower values were observed for sodium zeolite A while metasilicate and tetraethyl
orthosilicate are intermediate. In 2nd phase two animal trials (pre ruminant and
ruminant) were conducted in Karan Fries calves. In 1st animal trial, 24 calves (5-7
day) were selected on the basis of their BW and divided into 4 groups (T1, T2, T3
and T4) and fed as per ICAR (2013) feeding standards except that these were
additionally supplemented with 0, 50, 100 and 150 ppm (as orthosilicic acid) in
four respective groups for 90 days. Results revealed that growth performance,
DMI were significantly increased in T2, T3 and T4 groups, whereas DMI (% BW),
nutrient utilization, digestibility coefficient, N and minerals balance (P, Mg, Zn,Cu,
Mn and Fe), haemato-biochemical parameters, immune response and antioxidant
profiles were not altered due to Si supplementation. Silicon increased the balance
as well as plasma levels of Si, Ca and B, concentration of plasma growth
hormone, vitamin D3, bone alkaline phosphatase and osteocalcin in T3 and T4
groups, but the levels of calcitonin, PTH and hydroxyproline were remain similar
among all the groups. Thus, the inclusion of 100 and 150 ppm of Si was effective
in improving the growth performance, mineral balance (Ca and B), growth
hormone, vitamin D3 and bone health status in pre ruminant calves. In trial
second, 24 calves (3.5 months) were randomly distributed in 4 groups (T1, T2, T3
and T4) and fed basal diet as per ICAR (2013) feeding standards. Silicon was
additionally supplemented with 50, 100 and 150 ppm in T2, T3 and T4 groups for
120 days. Results revealed that BW, DMI, nutrient utilization, digestibility
coefficient, N and minerals balance (P, Mg, Zn,Cu, Mn and Fe), haematobiochemical
parameters, immunity, antioxidant status and hormonal profile were
not influenced due to Si supplementation. However, Si increased the balance and
plasma Si, Ca and B concentration, plasma levels of bone biomarkers (BALP and
osteocalcin) in T3 and T4 groups, but hydroxyproline levels was not altered
among all the groups. The results indicated that supplementation of Si at 100 and
150 ppm had increase the mineral balance (Ca and B) and bone biomarkers in
ruminant calves. However, supplementation of 150 ppm had no additional benefit,
therefore 100 ppm is the optimum level of Si supplementation, particularly in both
pre-ruminant and ruminant calves.