Supplementation of fermented yeast culture augments the growth and reduces the age at puberty in male Murrah buffalo calves

Abstract

The present study aims to investigate the effects of supplementation of fermented yeast culture (FYC) on growth and age at attainment of puberty in male Murrah buffalo calves. Twelve buffalo calves of 10 months of age were categorized into supplemented (n = 6) and control (n = 6) groups. The experiment was conducted during10–14 months of age of the calves (growing period) and later form 18 months to till their attainment of puberty (peripubertal period). The supplemented group was offered with FYC 12 g/animal/day during growing period and 24 g/animal/day during peipubertal period. Dry matter intake (DMI), BW, feed conversion efficiency (FCE), and feed conversion ratio (FCR) were recorded at regular intervals. Blood samples were collected at weekly intervals, and hormone concentrations such as insulin–like growth factor–1 (IGF–1), haptoglobin (Hp), and testosterone were estimated. The plasma IGF–1 concentrations were significantly (P < 0.05) higher in the supplemented group during growing period as compared to the control. The overall mean ± SEM plasma testosterone concentration in supplemented group was significantly higher (P < 0.05) than the control group. Throughout the course of study, BW, average daily gain, and feed conversion efficiency were significantly (P < 0.05) higher in the supplemented group. The supplemented Murrah bulls attained puberty by 25 months of age, whereas the control animals attained puberty by 27 months of age. This study indicated that the supplementation of FYC augments the growth and reduces the age at puberty in male Murrah buffalo calves.