Effect of Silymarin and nano-zinc oxide on growth, antioxidants and haemato-biochemical status of Murrah buffalo calves

Abstract

The present investigation was carried out to study the Effect of Silymarin and nano-zinc oxide on growth, antioxidants and haemato-biochemical status of Murrah Buffalo calves. Twenty-eight Murrah buffalo calves (9-12 months old) were selected from the herd maintained at Livestock Research Complex (LRC), SVPUA&T, Meerut (Uttar Pradesh) India, for period of 120 days. Experimental calves were divided into four groups (n=7) on body weight and age basis. 1. Group 1st was acted as a control and fed on basal diet without any silymarin and nano-zinc oxide supplementation. 2. Group 2nd was supplemented with silymarin @ 600mg/kg DM/calves/day 3. Group 3rd was supplemented with nano-zinc oxide @ 50mg/kg DM/calves/day 4. Group 4th was supplemented with combination of silymarin and nano-zinc oxide supplementation @ 600 mg/kg DM/calves/day+50 mg/kg DM/calves/day for 120 days. Body weight (BW) and feed consumption (FC) was measured fortnightly intervals and BWG, FCR and FCE were calculated from the BW and FC. Blood samples were collected monthly during study period and the plasma samples were analyzed for immune-biochemical parameters. Body weight on different fortnights of the study period also was not showed a significant difference among the groups. The body weight gain was significantly higher (P<0.05) in treatment as compared to control whereas FCR and FCE was reported significantly lowered (P<0.05) in T3 as compared to control, T1 and T2 but there was no significant difference observed between FCR of T1 and T2. Total leukocyte count (TLC) was observed significantly higher (P<0.05) in silymarin and nano-zinc oxide supplemented group (T3) than control but did not differ with other treatment groups. Lymphocyte was significantly higher (P<0.05) in T3 with respect to control, T1 and T2. TIG, HDL-cholesterol, total protein, globulin, T3, SOD, and catalase were significantly higher (P<0.05) in T3 in comparison to control, T1 and T2 groups. However, TBA, ALP, PUN and triglyceride level significantly (P<0.05) lowered in treatment group as compared to control group. Whereas, cortisol, ALT, AST level was significantly (P<0.05) declined in T3 group against as control, T1 and T2 groups. However, hemoglobin, PCV, neutrophil, glucose, NEFA, cholesterol, albumin and creatinine were did not showed significant difference among the groups. Overall from the present study combination of silymarin and nano-zinc oxide supplementation were improved growth performance, immune status and liver function in growing Murrah buffalo calves.