Performance of lactating buffaloes administered bovine somatotropin hormone

Nili-Ravi buffaloes (14; 476.9±57.2 kg BW; 8.88±0.98 1 milk/d; 90±6.5 days in miik) randomly divided into two equal groups. Animals in both the groups were offered conventional TMR, while animals in 2nd group were injected bovine somatotropin (bST) hormone (250 mg/animal) at an interval of 14 days for 60 days. The milk production was increased by 7.0% in bST group over that of control group and the increase was statistically non-significant. However, the feed efficiency for milk production was improved (P< 0.05) in treated group. The milk composition, body weight gain and digestibility of nutrients were similar in both groups. It was concluded that there was no effect of administering bST hormone @ 250mg/animal on milk yield and its composition in buffaloes.