Excretion pattern of purine derivatives and plasma TVFA in Bos indicus calves fed neonatal and preweaning diets

The excretion of purine derivatives (PD) and plasma total volatile fatty acids (TVFAs) in Deoni (Bos indicus) calves from birth to 3 months of age is reported. Twenty calves were divided into the control group; female (CGF), male (CGM), and corresponding treatment groups;TGF and TGM. All calves were fed mixed green fodder (MGF) from the second week of birth and concentrate mixture (CM) after 28 d of age. Apart from the control diet, calves of TG were drenched 30 mL/d flaxseed oil (FSO) till day 28, followed by supplementing a 50 g bolus of ground flaxseed and jaggery in 1:1 till day 90. The average MGF intake of neonates and preweaning calves were 285 and 385 g/d, respectively. Total DMI in TGF or TGM was more (P<0.001) in preweaning calves than CGF or CGM. The digestible energy (DE) was significant (P<0.01) in neonates, but DM, OM, DE, cellulose, and non-fibrous carbohydrates were significant in preweaning calves. Plasma TVFAsin calves was <2 mM/dL till 28 d, and gradually increased to 6 mM/dL at three month of age. Allantoin in total PD was 65%. Total PD excretion on days zero and 90 ranged from 7 to 13 mM/d, and the MBP flow to the duodenum was only 5 to 8 g/d. The efficiency of MBP production in calves was ≤ 1g/kg DOMI till day 75, and increased to 15 g/kg DOMI at three months. The study that documented the PD excretion pattern in calves, and MBP flow to the duodenum were not more than 8 g/d till three months, and MBP production efficiency improved after day 75. The drenching of FSO to neonates did not affect the MBP production, and supplementing bolus of flaxseed and jaggery during preweaning age improved the nutrient digestibility.