Effect of critical micronutrient supplementation during peri-parturient period on production and reproduction status of buffaloes
Abstract
Peri-parturient period is the critical phase in the life of dairy animals affecting future
productive and reproductive performance. Present study was undertaken to evaluate the effect of
critical micronutrient supplementation during peri-parturient period on production and reproduction
status of buffaloes. Study was performed on twenty-two healthy Murrah buffaloes after dividing into
two equal groups i.e. control and treatment respectively. Buffaloes in advanced stage of gestation
were selected i. e. from 56 days prior to expected date of parturition. Buffaloes of both the groups
were maintained on farm’s standard feeding practices as per their requirement. Additional
micronutrient supplementation was carried out once in a week in buffaloes of treatment group having
Zn, Cu, Co, Cr, Se, vitamin E, vitamin A, and niacin. Blood samples were collected pre-partum at day
-56th, -28th, at day of parturition and thereafter at day 28th and 56th after parturition and subjected to
plasma separation and estimation of blood biochemical profile and micronutrient status. Milk samples
were collected weekly during initial 10 weeks of lactation. Ultrasonography was performed thrice
during the study, i.e. on day 25-35, 55-65 and 85-95. Supplementation of critical micronutrient
improved production performance of Murrah buffaloes in terms of total milk (18%) and fat corrected
milk (P<0.05) production in addition to improvement in fat and protein percentage (P<0.05) of milk.
Critical micronutrient supplementation did not affect blood biochemical and micronutrient profile
significantly, due to uncompromised level of nutrients and health in buffaloes of control group, except
for an improvement (P<0.05) in plasma inorganic phosphorus level in treatment group at day of
parturition. Reproductive performance remained unaffected due to supplementation of weekly critical
micronutrients in the ration of peri-parturient Murrah buffaloes.
Description
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