Assessment of nutritional status of lactating buffaloes using MUN as a tool

The study was taken up to access the nutritional status of lactating buffaloes on the basis of milk urea nitrogen (MUN). Lactating buffaloes (79) were grouped according to parity (1^st-5^th lactation). Within the parity, the animals were divided on the basis of production status, high, medium and low producers. Under each category, the animals were sub-divided, according to stage of lactations i.e. early, mid and late lactation. The data was analyzed by 5x3x3 factorial design. The secretion of MUN varied between 12.6 (5^th) to 15.2 mg/dl (3^rd lactation). The excretion of urinary nitrogen (UN) was higher (P<0.05) in animals in 3^rd lactation as compared to animals in 1^st or 5^th lactation. The milk of low producing animals had higher (P<0.05) concentration of almost all the constituents, except for milk fat and total solids (P>0.05). The secretion of MUN was higher (P<0.05) in high yielders as compared to medium and low yielders. The daily secretion of creatinine in milk increased (P<0.05) with the increase in production status. The secretion of PD in milk (on per unit basis) was higher (P<0.05) in low producing animals, but daily secretion of PD followed reverse trend, The high producing animals excrete more UN as compared to low producing animals. The secretion of MUN in milk was not affected by stage of lactation. The secretion of PD and that of creatinine in milk decreased whereas excretion of UN increased (P<0.05) with the advancement of stage of lactation. It was observed that 65% of the animals were well fed, 25% were over fed and only 10% were under fed. The study conclusively revealed that MUN and PD could be used as indicators for accessing the nutritional status (with respect to macro nutrients) of lactating buffaloes.