Effect of saline water on rumen fermentation and serum profile in Murrah male calves

Twenty growing male Murrah calves, with average body weight (kg) 220±5, were randomly assigned to five treatments of water containing total dissolved solids (TDS; ppm) viz CON=500; T₁=2,000; T₂=4,000; T₃=6,000 and T₄=8,000 at National Dairy Research Institute(NDRI), Karnal India. Animals were arranged in a randomized block design with 120-day experimental period. Feed and water intake were measured daily, rumen fermentation parameters and blood profile were evaluated at monthly interval. Water intake was apparently higher in T₁ (17.46 l/day) and T₂ (16.77 l/day) as compared to CON (control; 14.07 l/day) but did not differ significantly. However, water intake was lower (P<0.05) in T₃ (10.40 l/day) and T₄ (8.18 l/day) as compared to group T₁, T₂ and T ₃CON. Except ammonia nitrogen which was decreased with increasing TDS of water, all other rumen liquor parameters were found similar. In blood parameters, there was significant decrease (P<0.05) in plasma glucose, total protein, and albumin while there was significant increase (P<0.05), in AST and ALT with increasing TDS of water. Blood Urea Nitrogen, creatinine, uric acid were not affected. On the basis of above results it was inferred that water intake was decreased at higher TDS (above 4000 ppm).