Indian Journal of Animal Nutrition

The effect of dietary supplementation of cadmium (Cd) on growth and utilization of nutrients was studied in crossbred calves. Karan Fries male calves (108±11.2 days old of 62.6±7.5kg BW) were distributed in three groups viz. 4 calves in control group (Cd₀) and 5 calves each in Cd₁ and Cd₁₀ groups. The calves in Cd₁ and Cd₁₀ groups were offered control diet supplemented with 1 and 10 ppm cadmium as CdCl₂ for 180 days. Cadmium supplementation at different levels did not influence the feed intake, digestibility of nutrients, growth rate as well as feed conversion efficiency of the calves. Blood cadmium concentration was similar in all the three groups. Serum catalase level was higher in both the Cd supplemented groups. The activity of enzyme SGPT remained unchanged, but, SGOT activity was increased significantly at 10 ppm Cd supplementation level. Acetyl cholinesterase activity decreased at both the levels of Cd supplementation in calves. There was decrease in Hb and PCV, but TLC and DLC were not affected due to different levels of Cd administration in crossbred calves. It was evident that supplementation of Cd upto 10 ppm for 180 days in male crossbred calves had no adverse effect on their performance, but affected SGOT, catalase, acetyl cholinesterase, Hb and PCV levels.