Effect of Molasses Based Multi-nutrient Supplement Containing Chromium on Nutrient Utilization, Milk Yield, Microbial Protein Flow and Antioxidant Status of Lactating Murrah Buffaloes

The present experiment was conducted to study the effect of supplement of molasses based multi-nutrients containing chromium picolinate on nutrient utilization, milk yield, microbial protein flow and antioxidant status of lactating Murrah buffaloes. Twenty one lactating buffaloes were equally divided into three groups (n=7) on the basis of body weight (560±10.0 kg) and milk yield. Basal diet consisting of wheat straw, maize green and concentrate mixture was fed to all the groups. In addition of basal diet, the animals of group T₂ were fed 250 g molasses based multi-nutrients supplement (MMS-1) and the animals in group T₃ fed with 250 g MMS plus 5 mg Chromium Picolinate (MMS-2). The digestibility of the nutrients remained similar (P>0.05) among all the groups. Dietary MMS supplementation tended to improve milk yield by 18 and 16% in groups T₂ and T₃, respectively. The activities of superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione peroxidase were significantly (P<0.05) higher in both the supplemented groups, however, the mean value of glutathione reductase was similar in all three groups. It was observed that MMS supplementation did not have any significant effect on urinary excretion of allantoin, uric acid, purine derivative, creatinine and PDC index (mmol/l). From the results it can be concluded that supplementation of molasses based multi-nutrients (250 g/buffalo/day) improved milk yield by 18 (T₂) and 16 (T₃)percent and had better antioxidant status with comparable intake and digestibility of nutrients in lactating Murrah buffaloes.