Nutritional status and hemato-biochemical profile of anoestrus buffaloes of Malwa region of Madhya Pradesh

Abstract

In Malwa region of Madhya Pradesh reproductive failure (anoestrus) is a major problem in buffaloes under field conditions due to under feeding and non availability of balanced ration. To find out the nutritional causes behind anoestrus, thirty anoestrus buffaloes {10 heifers (average body wt. 262.80±22.51 Kg)+20 buffaloes (average body wt. 461±10.83 Kg, milk yield 7.62±0.48 litre/ h/d)} were selected randomly that have normal genitalia from ten villages of Indore district. Average daily feed intake of each animal was recorded and proximate principles, major elements like Calcium (Ca) and Phosphorus (P) and trace elements like iron (Fe), zinc (Zn), manganese (Mn), copper (Cu) and cobalt (Co) in available feedstuffs were determined to find out nutrient availability. Deficiency of various nutrients was calculated by comparing with the standard requirements of the animals. Blood samples were also collected from the animals and analyzed for different haematobiochemical constituents. The average values for different blood parameters in heifers and lactating buffaloes were hemoglobin (Hb) 10.32±0.19 and 11.15±0.32 g/dl; blood glucose, 50.62±1.80 and 59.29±1.05 mg/dl; plasma protein 5.06±0.19 and 6.33±0.18 g/dl, respectively. Major mineral profile in heifers and lactating buffaloes were Ca, 8.13±0.38 and 9.59±0.25 mg/dl; Inorganic-P (iP) 5.06±0.14 and 5.07±0.17 mg/dl; Total-P 24±2.21 and 17.50±1.42 mg/dl, respectively. Trace mineral levels in heifers and lactating buffaloes were Fe 22.05±0.58 and 17.68±0.84ppm; Zn 1.04±0.05 and 0.87±0.05 ppm; Cu 0.90±0.05 and 0.77±0.04 ppm; Mn 0.84±0.05 and 1.14±0.10 ppm; Co 1.92±0.41 and 1.13±0.09 ppm, respectively. Results indicated that values of Hb, blood glucose, total protein, Ca, iP, Zn were marginally low but Cu was deficient in heifers, while levels of iP, Cu and Zn were marginally low in lactating buffaloes. Fe levels were found high in both heifers and lactating buffaloes. It may be concluded that dietary deficiency reflected the hemato-biochemical profile of anoestrus buffaloes and a strategic supplementation is needed to these animals for exploitation of their genetic potential for optimum production and reproduction.