Lead Concentration in Feeds and Fodders and it'S Effect on Growth, Nutrient Utilization and Certain Blood Parameters in Crossbred Calves

Random samples of commonly fed feeds, fodders, dry roughages and water from the fields adjacent to highway and of non polluted areas of Karnal including NDRI, Karnal farm and polluted industrial areas of Karnal, Panipat and Yamunanagar were collected and analysed for their lead (Pb) content. Concentrates like CSC, GNC, maize grain, mustard cake and wheat bran were found to contain (DM basis) 16.7±1.4 to 18.6±1.66, 6.6±1.3 to 8.9±0.8, 7.4±2.0 to 9.1±0.9,17.6±1.6 to 19.5±1.9 and 15.3±1.9 to 18.9±1.6 ppm Pb respectively. Barseem, oat, green maize, jowar, wheat straw and paddy straw contained (DM basis) 10.0±0.8 to 12.6±0.8, 7.9±0,9 to 8.5±0.8,0.6±0.5 to 12.3±1.4,3.6±0.4 to 4.6±0.6,6.6±0.3 to 7.0±0.8 and 9.9±0.7 to 11.7±0.5 ppm Pb, respectively, whereas water contained 0.1 to 0.17 ppm Pb. In another experiment 18 male growing crossbred calves were randomly divided into three groups and fed basal ration (T₁) comprising of concentrate mixture and green maize, basal ration + 50 ppm lead as lead acetate (T₂) and basal ration + 100 ppm lead as lead acetate (T₃). Fortnightly blood samples were analysed for Hb PCV and Pb. Serum was analysed for SGPT SCOT alkaline phosphatase, acid phosphatase and urea content A metabolic trial of 6 days duration was also conducted to study the effect of Pb supplementation on nutrient digestibility and mineral balances after 6 fortnights of growth study. Supplementation of Pb (50 and 100 ppm) apparently did not show adverse effect on ADG, DMI, FCE, N and mineral (Ca,and P) balances including nutrient digestibility (DM, CP, ADF, NDF) except EE which was sow in T₂ and T₃ groups, however, dietary supplementation of Pb (50 and 100 ppm) increased the concentration of SCOT, alkaline phosphatase and urea in serum (P<0.01) whereas, the concentration of Hb, PCV SGPT and acid phosphatase remained similar in all thi three groups. The Pb supplemented calves had higher (P< 0.01) levels of Pb in the blood. The above study indicated that calves could tolerate 100 ppm Pb in the diet.