Status of Serum Mineral and Biochemical Parameters in Cross bred Cows fed Different Levels of Wet Distillers Grains with Solubles (WDGS)

Serum mineral status and biochemical parameters were studied in crossbred dairy cows fed different levels of WDGS for 120 days. 24 Jersy × Sahiwal crossbred dairy cows were divided into 4 groups and randomly allotted to one of the dietary treatment containing APBN green fodder and paddy straw a s roughage and concentrate mixture (T1, control) or WDGS @ 15 (T2), 25 (T3) and 35 % (T4) of DM requirement. These animals were fed according ICAR (2013) feeding standards. Feeding WDGS did not affect the serum concentrations of Ca, Mg, Na, K, Cl, Fe, Mn and Co among treatments, but lowered serum P (P<0.01) from 7.4 to 5.73 mg/dl, serum copper (P<0.05) from 75.19 to 64.80 μg/dl and zinc (P<0.05) from 83.09 to 64.84 μg/dl was observed with the increase in level of WDGS inclusion from 0 (T1) to 35% (T4). Mean BUN (mg/dl) was significantly (P<0.01) lower in T2 compared to other treatments. The serum glucose and total protein did not differ significantly among groups, but significantly (P<0.01) increased serum albumin content was seen in T3 (3.72 g/dl). Serum SGOT, ALP and GGT activity was not different significantly among treatments, while serum SGPT activity was significantly (P<0.01) lower in T4 (35% WDGS) group compared to other treatments.

• Inclusion of wet distillers grains with solubles (WDGS) in the diet of crossbred dairy cows significantly decreased the serum phosphorus, copper and zinc levels.

• WDGS significantly lowered the serum SGPT activity.