Effect of High Plane of Nutrition and Mineral Supplementation on Blood Mineral Profile, Thyroid Hormones and Fertility Status of Anestrus Buffaloes

Twenty one non-pregnant buffalo heifers (3–4 yrs) showing anestrus were taken from the institute's herd and given high plane (120%) of nutrition (Kearl, 1982) and mineral mixture (3% including common salt) in their concentrate mixture. Blood samples from these animals were collected before the start of experiment (0 day), then at 30 and 60 days and the serum samples were analysed for calcium (Ca), phosphorus (P), zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), besides thyroid hormones viz. triiodothyronine (T₃) and Thyroxine (T₄). Calcium content of the samples showed little variation with the dietary treatment and ranged between 7.31 to 7.76 mg/dl. Phosphorus content improved significantly (P < 0.05) over the period and the levels were 4.65 ± 0.33, 5.35 ± 0.23 and 5.26 ± 0.17 mg/dl, at 0, 30 and 60 days, respectively. intervals. Zn content also improved significantly (P < 0.05) over the period and were 0.58 ± 0.08, 1.08 ±.02 and 1.34 ± 0.04 μg/ml respectively. Cu was not influenced with the dietary treatment and ranged between 0.69 to 0.74 ug/ml. Serum T₃ and T₄ levels in the samples were 1.09 ± 0.25, 1.90 ± 0.50, 2.09 ± 0.25 ng/ml and 24.70 ± 3.7, 20.27 ± 1.5, 19.92 ± 3.4 ng/ml at 0, 30 and 60 days, respectively. Eighteen out of 21 heifers came into heat and became pregnant within first 3 months of the start of this dietary treatment. It is thus inferred that high plane of nutrition with proper mineral supplementation can bring majority of the anestrous buffaloes into estrous.