EFFECT OF RECOMBINANT BOVINE SOMATOTROPIN (rbST) AND OXYTOCIN ON HEALTH BIOMARKERS, REPRODUCTIVE PERFORMANCE AND MILK COMPOSITION OF NILI-RAVI BUFFALOES (Bubalus bubalis) DURING SPRING AND SUMMER SEASONS

摘要

Bovine somatotropin (rbST) and oxytocin are used to increase milk production and for milk letdown respectively in dairy animals. The study was conducted to determine the effects of rbST and oxytocin on various health biomarkers, reproductive performance and milk composition of buffaloes during spring and hot summer. A total of 100 buffaloes were divided into four groups, A (control), B (oxytocin), C (rbST) and D (rbST+ oxytocin), with (n=15) animals in each group during spring and (n=10) during summer. Animals of respective groups received rbST (Boostin-250) 35mg on alternate days and oxytocin 10 IU before each milking, starting on day 70 postpartum till the end of lactation. Blood sample was collected to determine TOS, TAC, ALT and AST. Milk sample were analyzed for fat, protein, lactose and SNF contents. Reproductive performance parameters were assessed by rectal palpation and from farm record. Results revealed that oxytocin decreased the activities of ALT, AST, TOS and milk yield, while TAC was increased than controls. Buffaloes administered with rbST showed lower values of ALT, TOS and higher TAC than control. Milk fat, protein and lactose contents decreased due to rbST, oxytocin or rbST+ oxytocin treatment. Milk yield increased after rbST treatment and decreased with oxytocin during spring.