R. S. Dass

Effect of Zinc Supplementation from Different Sources on Growth, Nutrient Digestibility, Blood Metabolic Profile, and Immune Response of Male Guinea Pigs

Forty weaned male guinea pigs of 208.20±6.62 g mean body weight were divided into 4 groups of 10 animals in a randomized block design. All of the guinea pigs were fed a basal diet [25% ground maize hay, 30% ground maize grain, 22% ground chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.), 9.5% deoiled rice bran, 6% soybean meal, 6% fish meal, 1.45% mineral supplement (without Zn) and 0.05% ascorbic acid] and available green fodder. Group I served as the control (no Zn supplementation), whereas 20 ppm Zn was added in the diet in groups II, III, and IV either as zinc sulfate (ZnSO4), zinc amino acid complex (ZAAC), and ZnSO4+ ZAAC in equal parts, respectively. Experimental feeding lasted for 70 d, including a 3-d digestibility trial. Blood was collected through cardiac puncture from four animals in each group at d 0 and subsequently at the end of experimental feeding. After 40 d of experimental feeding, four animals from each group were injected with 0.4 mL of Brucella abortus cotton strain-19 vaccine to assess the humoral immune response of the animals. After 10 wk of study, four animals from each group were sacrificed to study the concentration of Zn, Cu, Co, Fe, and Mn in the liver, pancreas and spleen. Results revealed no significant difference in the feed intake, body weight gain, and digestibility of the nutrients, except for crude protein (CP) digestibility, which was significantly (p<0.05) lower in group IV. Although concentrations of serum glucose, Ca, and P and the albumin:globulin (A:G) ratio were similar in the different groups, the total protein, albumin, and serum alkaline phosphatase activity were higher in all of the Zn-supplemented groups on d 70. The serum Zn levels at the end of experimental feeding were significantly higher in groups II and III, whereas serum Mn levels were found to be significantly (p<0.05) higher in groups III and IV. The organ weights (as percentage of body weights) did not show any differences among the treatment groups. Although the Mn concentration was significantly (p<0.05) higher in the pancreas, the Cu concentration was significantly (p<0.05) reduced in the spleen in all of the Zn-supplemented groups. The humoral immune response (antibody titer values) on d 14 of vaccination was significantly (p<0.05) higher in all of the Zn-supplemented groups. It was concluded that the 20-ppm level of Zn in the diet might be adequate for growth and nutrient utilization in guinea pigs, but supplementation of 20-ppm zinc significantly improved the immune response and impact was more prominent with the ZAAC (organic source) compared to ZnSO4 (inorganic source).

Nutrient utilization and rumen fermentation pattern in crossbred cattle fed different planes of nutrition supplemented with urea molasses mineral block

In order to investigate the effect of the plane of nutrition on intake and nutrient utilization from urea molasses mineral blocks (UMMB) and rumen fermentation pattern, sixteen adult crossbred cattle were divided into four equal groups following a completely randomised design and fed individually for 60 days ad libitum with either wheat straw alone (Group I) or with wheat straw with UMMB (Group II) or with wheat straw and UMMB with 50% of energy requirements provided by crushed barley fortified with mineral mixture and common salt (Group III) or with wheat straw and UMMB with 100% of energy requirements provided by fortified crushed barley (Group IV). At the termination of the feeding trial, a metabolism trial of six days duration was also conducted. A fermentation study was carried out on four rumen fistulated adult cattle following a 4 × 4 latin square design. Results showed that intake (except for ether extract) and digestibility of all the nutrients increased significantly (P < 0.01) in the block-fed groups which was further enhanced by energy (barley) supplementation except for digestibility of neutral detergent fibre (NDF) and acid detergent fibre (ADF) which decreased owing to concentrate supplementation. Total digestible nutrients and digestible protein contents of UMMB were 56.6 and 42.5%, respectively. Significantly increased (P < 0.01) concentrations of total nitrogen and its fractions, except TCA-precipitable-N owing to block feeding were observed. However, it did not influence the TVFA concentration in rumen liquor of fistulated animals. Rumen pH, rumen fluid volume and digesta flow rate were also unaffected. This clearly indicated that supplementing 50% of energy requirements through concentrate on a straw based diet along with UMMB resulted in increased intake of UMMB and better utilization of dietary nutrients in adult crossbred cattle.

Effect of vitamin E supplementation on arsenic induced alteration in blood biochemical profile, oxidant/antioxidant status, serum cortisol level and retention of arsenic and selenium in goats

Arsenic (As) exerts oxidative stress with depletion of body selenium in monogastric animals. But in ruminants this fact is not yet verified. Vitamin E is an effective dietary antioxidant. Thus, in this experiment, the protective effect of vitamin E against arsenic toxicity induced by sodium arsenite (60mg As/kg diet) was investigated in goat kids. For this, 21 male kids were divided into three equal groups and fed either basal diet as such (control), or supplemented with 60mg As/kg diet and 60mg As/kg diet+250IU vitamin E/kg diet for 180 days. Vitamin E supplementation alleviated the toxic effects caused by arsenic on serum alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase and lipid peroxidation. It also prevented the depletion of reduced glutathione content and reduction in activity of catalase, superoxide dismutase and glutathione-s-transferase in erythrocytes resulted from arsenic intoxication. The elevated levels of arsenic and reduced levels of selenium in the serum and tissues in arsenic treated animals were attenuated by vitamin E supplementation, though not completely. However, serum cortisol level was not affected by arsenic. It was concluded that arsenic exerts cortisol independent stressor mechanism and supplementation of vitamin E at a level of 250IU/kg diet was partially effective in reducing tissue accumulation of arsenic in the body and protect the kids from oxidative stress induced by arsenic.

Nutrient utilization by Murrah buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis) from compressed complete feed blocks

Twelve Murrah male buffaloes of 3.5 years age, weighing 370.3 ± 8.41 kg were assigned to three diets in different physical forms with similar ingredient composition comprising of wheat straw, sugarcane molasses, crushed maize, deoiled peanut meal, mineral mixture, sea salt along with vitablend @ 690, 100, 100, 100, 6,4 and 0.2 g kg−1, respectively in a randomized block design. The animals on Diet 1 received wheat straw impregnated with molasses and concentrate mixture separately, while those on Diet 2 were fed the total feed as a complete mix. Diet 3 was offered after moulding complete mix into a compressed complete feed block (CCFB), prepared with the help of indigenously designed and fabricated feed block machine operable on compression technology. A metabolism trial of seven days duration was conducted after 60 days feeding trial in order to assess nutrient utilization and retention as well as plane of nutrition. The physical form of the diet had no significant influence on nutrient utilization as well as on the digestibility of various nutrients. But feeding of CCFB resulted in a significantly (P < 0.05) higher intake of DM and digestible DM and in turn in the intake of all other nutrients as compared to the feeding of diets in other two ways. Though, daily nitrogen retention was not affected, the feeding of CCFB diet resulted in higher (P < 0.05) retention of calcium and phosphorus. Thus, CCFB would be a balanced wholesome diet for ruminants. Because of a decrease in the bulk density, the handling, storage and transportation becomes easy and economical. Further, they can be a part of famine feed banks for drought prone regions of developing countries as evolved technology is easy to adapt.

Performance of Crossbred Heifers During Revival Period after Long Term Scarcity Feeding

Abstract Verma, A.K., Mehra, U.R., Dass, R.S., Varshney, V.P. and Kumar, H. 1995. Performance of crossbred heifers during revival period after long term scarcity feeding. J. Appl. Anim. Res., 8: 63–70. Growth performance of five crossbred heifers, which were earlier kept solely on urea molasses liquid diet (UMLD) for a period of 300 days was studied during revival period of six months, when these and the contemporary control group heifers were fed wheat straw and concentrate mixture as per their requirements (NRC, 1989). Nutrient intake (g/100 kg body weight) and body weight gain (476.6 g/d) in experimental group were higher (P<0.01) during the revival period than that of group I. However, nutrients digestibility and balances of N, Ca, and P did not vary significantly between the two groups. Similarly, the plasma concentration of T3 and T4 was alike in both the groups in all the periods. Their genitalia were normal and all the animals showed oestrous symptoms. It can be concluded that revival feeding impr...

Selenium and copper interaction at supra-nutritional level affecting blood parameters including immune response against P. multocida antigen in Murrah buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) calves

Minerals play important role in the diet of an animal. Bio-availability of minerals largely gets affected by absolute as well as the relative amount of each mineral present in the diet of an animal. Copper and selenium are two such an essential elements affect utilization of each other in the gastrointestinal tract. The present study elucidates the utilization of copper and selenium at supra-nutritional levels (higher than nutritional requirements). Male Murrah buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) calves (n = 10, 8-9 months, 111.7 ± 12.55 kg body weight) were divided equally into two groups and fed either a standard (Control) diet or the same diet supplemented with 0.3 ppm selenium (Se) and 10 ppm copper (Cu) (Treatment). Supplementation was made using liquid solutions of two inorganic mineral sources after mixing in the concentrate mixture and study lasts for a period of 80 days. Blood samples were collected just before starting supplementation (designated as 0 day of study) and at day 40 and 80 after starting supplementation. Blood samples were subjected to haematological parameters, plasma minerals and various oxidative stress-related parameters were determined with the cell-mediated and humoral immune response against antigen P. multocida (P52 strain). Supra-nutritional Se with Cu had higher blood monocytes (P < 0.05) and plasma selenium (P < 0.01) levels, while other hematological parameters and plasma minerals (except zinc, which was lower (P = 0.025) at day 80 in the treatment group) remained unaffected. Among markers for oxidative stress in blood, levels of lipid peroxidation were lesser (P < 0.01), at day 80 and overall mean values of the enzyme glutathione peroxidase and catalase were higher (P < 0.05) in the supra-nutritional group against control values. The overall mean activity of other oxidative stress markers including reduced glutathione, ceruloplasmin as well as the concentration of α tocopherol, retinol, and β carotene remained unaffected due to supra-nutritional Se and Cu. Although cell-mediated immune response remained comparable (P > 0.05) between groups, higher (P < 0.05) overall mean antibody titer values, as well as the values at day 80, was reported in supra-nutritional Se + Cu group. The study concluded that supra-nutritional Se with Cu in the ration of growing Murrah buffalo calves was helpful to reduce the oxidative stress and to enhance the humoral immune response. Simultaneously, higher plasma Se level and number of monocytes in blood highlighted the additional role of selenium and copper in a ration of growing buffalo calves as compared to its normal recommended dose.

Effect of Copper Methionine Supplementation on Haemato-Biochemical Profile, Hormones, Serum Copper Status and Immunity in Male Kids

Twenty male goat kids (non-descriptive) of 4–5 months age and 10.94±0.35 kg body weight were allocated into four equal groups in a randomized block design and maintained on a diet of concentrate mixture and wheat straw (60: 40). Treatment animals were fed the same diet as in control group (Con) but they were additionally supplemented with 7 ppm Cu as CuSO4 (Cu-Sulf), 7 ppm Cu as Cu-methionine (Cu-Met7) and 3.5 ppm Cu as Cu methionine (Cu-Met3.5) for 120 days. Blood samples were collected at 40 days intervals up to 120 days. Serum protein fractions, urea, creatinine and cholesterol concentrations were similar in all the groups but Hb level improved due to Cu supplementation. Activity of serum enzymes (alanine amino transferase, aspartate amino transferase, alkaline phospatase and super oxide dismutase) and hormones (T3, T4, testosterone and thyroid stimulating hormone) was also similar in all the groups but ceruloplasmin activity was higher (P<0.05) in Cu-Sulf and Cu-Met7 groups. The change in skin fold thickness and humoral immune response were higher (P<0.05) in Cu-Met7 kids as compared to control ones whereas there was no difference in other supplemented groups. Supplementation of Cu had no effect on serum minerals like Ca and P, however, Cu levels were higher (P<0.05) and Fe level lower (P<0.05) in Cu-Met7 group. Thus, supplementation of Cu improved haemoglobin, serum Cu, ceruloplasmin and immunity in the 7 ppm Cu-methionine supplemented goat kids.