Assessment of Chromium Content of Feedstuffs,Their Estimated Requirement, and Effects of Dietary Chromium Supplementation on Nutrient Utilization, Growth Performance, and Mineral Balance In Summer-Exposed Buffalo Calves (Buhalus bubalis)

摘要

This study was conducted to determine the chromium content of different feedstuff's, their estimated requirement, and effect of dietary Cr supplementation on nutrient intake, nutrient utilization, growth performance, and mineral balance in buffalo calves during summer season. Levels of Cr was higher in cultivated fodder, moderate in cakes and cereal grains, while straw, grasses, and non-conventional feeds were poor in Cr content. To test the effect of Cr supplementation in buffalo calves, 0, 0.5, 1.0, and 1.5 ppm of inorganic Cr were fed to 24 buffalo calves. Buffalo calves were randomly assigned to four treatments (n=6) and raised for 120 days. A metabolic trial for a period of 7 days was conducted after 3 months of dietary treatments. Blood samples were collected at fortnight interval for plasma mineral estimation. The results suggested that dietary Cr supplementation in summer did not have any affects (P>0.05) on feed consumption, growth performance, nitrogen balance, and physiological variables. However, dietary Cr supplementation had significant effect (P<0.05) on balance and plasma Cr (ppb) levels without affecting (P>0.05) balance and plasma levels of other trace minerals.