Haematology of Buffalo Male Calves as Influenced by Dietary Supplementation of Mixed Volatile Fatty Acids

Male Buffalo calves (18) were distributed in 3 groups. All buffalo calves were fed with whole milk, skim milk, calf starter and green fodder, however groups 2 and 3 were supplemented with a 24 ml mixture of butyric and propionic acid (1:1) and acetic, butyric and propionic acids (l:l:l)/calf/day. Blood samples from all calves were collected at fortnightly intervals up to 120 days from juguler vein 2 hrs post-feeding. Average concentrations of plasma insulin was significantly (P<0.05) higher in group 2 followed by group 3 and least in group 1. Concentration of plasma insulin increased significantly (P<0.05) and gradually in all the 3 groups at the fortnightly intervals up to 120 days. Mean plasma VFA concentration was significantly (P<0.05) higher in group 2 followed by group 3 and least in group 1, however there was nonsignificant difference between group 2 and 3 at 15 days and group 1 and 3 at 3ft days and thereafter VFA value increased significantly and gradually. The mean blood glucose concentration was significantly (P<0.05) lower in group 2, however there was non-significant difference between group 1 and 3 at 15 days of age. Concentration of blood glucose decreased significantly and gradually in all the 3 groups at fortnightly intervals up to 120 days.