Dairy Cattle Nutrition Division, National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal-132 001, India
*Present Address: Deptt. of Animal Nutrition College of Vett. Sci. & A.H., Anjora, Durg - 491 001
Online published on 29 December, 2011.
Twelve 7–9 m old crossbred calves were randomly divided into two equal groups and fed straw based semi-synthetic diets complete with regards to other nutrient constituents but different in their P contents (3.41 and 1.28 g P/kg diet) for a period of 17 wks. A metabolic trial of 7 d collection was conducted after 12 wks. Low P diet significantly reduced DM intake and cumulative body weight gain in calves after 6 wks. Despite similar Ca intake faecal losses of Ca were significantly higher (P<0.05) and balance of Ca significantly lower (P<0.05) on P deficient diet. P intake was markedly lower (P<0.01) in P deficient group but no difference were observed with regards to faecal or urinary P losses among two groups. P balance, blood P and plasma inorganic P concentration were greatly reduced (P<0.01) in P deficient calves whereas plasma urea concentration tended to rise. There was no change in Hb and PCV. Pica was noticed in 4 out of 6 P deficient calves while haemoglobinuria and stiffened gait in one calf.
