Studies on growing murrah buffalo fed on diverse energy and protein ration and their effect on biochemical parameters

This study was undertaken to evaluate the hormonal profile of the Murrah buffalo when fed with varying levels of the energy and protein in the ration. Thirty growing male Murrah buffalo calves (202.5±6.75 kg BW) were randomly allocated into six groups based on their body weight (BW). Six total mixed rations (TMRs) with two energy levels and three protein levels were fed to the animals for duration of 150 days in a 2x3 factorial design. The energy levels were 10% higher and lower than the ICAR (2013) recommendation for 200kg BW bovines with expected average daily gain (ADG) of 600g. The protein levels were adequate to, 10% higher and 10% lower than the ICAR (2013) recommendations. Energy levels were 2.2 and 2.41 Mcal metabolizable energy (ME)/kg DM whereas protein levels were 12.3%, 13.6% and 15.0% of crude protein (CP). There was significant (P<0.05) increase in plasma urea concentration with increased CP and decreased ME in diet and also the increase was less apparent with the increased energy:protein ratio of diet. Total protein, urea and Insulin - like growth Factor 1 (IGF-1) levels were positively correlated to dietary energy and protein concentrations whereas, plasma growth hormone was negatively correlated. Plasma immunoglobulin status was unaltered by dietary energy and protein levels. Plasma biochemical parameters were within normal range in all the groups. It can be inferred that the ration with 10% lower or higher ME and CP than the requirement did not alter the biochemical and immune status of growing buffaloes.