RT Journal T1 CHANGES IN BLOOD METABOLITES OF EARLY WEANED NILI-RAVI BUFFALO (B UBALUS BUBALIS) CALVES A1 M. A. Rashid A1 T. N. Pasha A1 M. A. Jabbar A1 A. Ijaz JF Journal of Animal and Plant Sciences JO JAPS SN 1018-7081 VO 23 IS 4 SP 1067 OP 1071 YR 2013 FD 2013/08/01 DO DOI NA AB

Study was conducted to evaluate the effect of age and sampling time on blood metabolites of early weaned Nili-Ravi male buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) calves. Eight newly born, male buffalo calves were fed on colostrum for the first 3 days; thereafter, whole milk was fed at 10% of BW for 6 weeks and intakes were adjusted according to live BW on a weekly basis. At week 7 and 8 calves were fed at 5% and 2.5% of BW, respectively, and weaned off milk at the end of week 8. Calf starter was offered ad-libitum from week 2 through 12 and intakes were recorded on a daily basis. Jugular blood samples were collected 30 minutes before (-30) feeding, at the time of feeding (0), 30, 60 and 90 minutes post morning feeding (+30, +60 and +90). Sampling was conducted at week 4, 8 and 12 of age. Results revealed that blood glucose concentration decreased (P<0.01) with advancing age. Blood urea nitrogen (BUN) concentration increased (P<0.01) with advancing age and was higher at week 8 and 12 (P<0.05) compared with the concentration at 4 week of age. The concentration of plasma NEFA was highest at week 8 and lowest at week 12 (P<0.05). Changes in blood metabolites with advancing age in calves weaned earlier at 8 weeks of age indicate the association between rumen fermentation and blood metabolites that can be used as an indicator for rumen development.

K1 Buffalo calf, Milk feeding, Early weaning, Starter, Blood metabolites PB Pakistan Agricultural Scientists Forum LK https://thejaps.org.pk/AbstractView.aspx?mid=2013-JAPS-419