STUDIES ON SUPPLEMENTATION OF THERMO TOLERANT PROBIOTIC ON THE PRODUCTION PERFORMANCE OF BUFFALOES
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Date
2009-05
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Sri Venkateswara Veterinary University, TIRUPATI – 517 502,A.P
Abstract
ABSTRACT:
Experiments were carried out on young graded Murrah buffalo bulls,
lactating graded Murrah buffaloes and graded Murrah buffalo bull calves to
study the effect of feeding diets supplemented with or without thermo tolerant
probiotic (Levucell SC 20) on voluntary feed intake, rumen fermentation
pattern, nutrient digestibility, milk production and composition and on growth
performance.
The voluntary DM intake expressed as kg/day or as kg/100 kg. b.wt. or
as g/kg w0.75 was marginally higher in buffalo bulls fed with probiotic
supplemented diet as compared with the control. The rumen fermentation
studies with fistulated young buffalo bulls revealed that all the nitrogen
fractions of rumen fluid, pH and TVFA increased marginally while NH3-N
concentration of rumen liquor increased significantly (P<0.05) in the buffalo
bull calves fed diet supplemented with probiotic as compared with the control.
All nitrogen fractions except residual nitrogen and TVFA peaked at 4 h post
feeding. Peak rumen pH values were recorded immediately after feeding (0 h)
while residual N values peaked at 2 h post feeding. The protozoal count
(P<0.05) and total bacterial count (P<0.01) increased significantly with
probiotic supplementation in the diet compared with the control. The protozoal
and total bacterial counts were also peaked at 4 h post feeding.
The DM intake (kg/day) was higher in the probiotic supplemented
group of buffalo bull calves in growth study as compared with the control. The
average digestibility coefficients (%) of DM, EE, and NDF (P<0.05), OM, CP,
CF, ADF and cellulose (P<0.01) increased significantly with probiotic
supplementation in the diet of buffalo bull calves as compared with the control
animals. However, the average digestibility coefficients (%) of NFE and hemicellulose
did not differ significantly between the two groups. All the buffalo bull
calves were in positive N, Ca and P balances. The DCP (P<0.01) and TDN
(P<0.05) intakes (kg) increased significantly with probiotic supplementation in
the diet as compared with the control. The ADG was significantly (P<0.05)
higher in the probiotic supplemented diet (549.91 g/d) as compared with the
control (462.13 g/d). Feed efficiency (kg feed/kg gain) and cost of feed per kg
gain were 9.94 vs. 9.52 and Rs. 33.10 vs. Rs. 32.01 in the control and
treatment groups, respectively.
The dry matter intake (kg/day) increased marginally in the probiotic
supplemented group of lactating buffaloes as compared with the control. The
average digestibility coefficients (%) of all nutrients were higher in lactating
buffaloes fed probiotic supplemented diet as compared with the control. The
DCP and TDN contents were higher in the probiotic supplemented group as
compared with the control. The average milk yield, butter fat yield, 6% FCM,
SNF per cent and total solids were higher in buffaloes fed diets supplemented
with thermo tolerant probiotic as compared with the control. However, the
differences between the two groups were not significant. The feed efficiency
was improved and cost of feed per kg 6% FCM yield was decreased
marginally (Rs 8.06 vs. Rs. 8.44) with probiotic supplementation in the diet of
lactating buffaloes as compared to the control.
It can be concluded from the present results that supplementation of
thermo tolerant probiotic (Levucell SC 20) in the diets of buffalo bull calves
increased the growth rate, improved feed efficiency and decreased feed cost/
kg gain as compared to the control. However, it was observed that the
recommended dose of probiotic (0.5 g /head/day) supplemented in the diet of
lactating buffaloes may be little to demonstrate significant positive response
on milk yield and milk composition.