Effect of feeding rumen-protected nutrients on growth, hemato-biochemical and reproductive performance of indigenous cattle heifers

The study was designed to evaluate the effect of Bypass Protein (BP) and Bypass Fat (BF) either alone or in combination (BPF) on growth, haemato-biochemicals, energy markers and reproduction performance of indigenous heifers. A total of 40 non-cyclic cattle heifers were selected and were divided into four groups each having ten animals. The Control group was fed basal diet, T1 (BP): Basal diet (Concentrate mixture-II), in which mustard oil cake (MOC) in concentrate mixture was replaced with commercially available bypass protein (37% CP with 70% RUP of CP), T2 (BF): Basal diet (Concentrate mixture-III), with 2.5% bypass fat, T3 (BPF): Basal diet (Concentrate mixture-IV), in which MOC was replaced with bypass protein+2.5% of bypass fat. The diets in all the groups were kept nearly isonitrogenous and iso caloric. The experimental period was 60 days. Fortnightly body weight and daily DMI was recorded. Blood was collected at monthly interval. Cyclicity was observed by ultrasonographic examination and estrous was detected using teaser bull. Mean body weights of all the experimental animals at fortnightly intervals did not differ significantly (P>0.05) among the groups. However, fortnightly body weight gain and average daily weight gain was significantly (P<0.05) higher in supplemented groups than control. The highest gain was observed in BPF (T3) group followed by BP (T1) and BF (T2) groups. Among the haemato-biochemical parameters, the plasma urea nitrogen was significantly (P<0.05) lower in T1 (BP) and T3 (BPF) groups as compared to control and T2 (BF). Plasma concentration of NEFA, insulin and BHBA showed no difference among treatment and control groups. Out of 10 heifers in each group, 7 in control group, 8 in T1 (BP), 9 in T2 (BF) and 9 in T3 (BPF) group showed estrus signs. On insemination, the percentage of animals conceived were higher in the treatment groups than control and among the treatment groups conception rate was highest in T3 (BPF) group followed by T1 (BP) and T2 (BF). Hence, it can be concluded that feeding of rumen protected bypass protein and fat in combination showed improvement in growth and reproductive performance than when fed alone.