Growth Performance, Antioxidant and Immunological Status of Buffalo Calves Supplemented With Copper Sulphate and Nano Copper

Abstract

The present study was performed to explore the effect of copper sulphate and nano copper supplementation on growth performance, antioxidant and immunological status of buffalo calves. For this study, 18 Murrah buffalo calves (6-10 months) selected from livestock research centre and divided into three groups, 6 in each (n=6). Group first was acted as control which fed normal basal diet. Group second and group third were supplemented with copper sulphate (CuSo4) @ 10 mg/kg DM and nano copper @ 10 mg/kg DM, respectively. Blood samples were collected at fortnightly intervals for 90 days. Body weight and feed consumption were recorded on the day of blood collection. Body weight gain and feed conversion ratio were calculated from body weight and feed consumption. Blood was utilized in the estimation of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), total leukocyte count, lymphocyte, total protein, albumin, globulin, total immunoglobulin. Overall value of body weight was 94.46±2.70, 95.69±2.59 and 96.70±2.58 kg in control, T1 and T2, respectively. Body weight was did not differed significantly among groups. Body weight gain was reported 4.51±0.24, 4.90±0.21 and 5.07±0.29 kg in control, T1 and T2 groups, respectively. Body weight gain was significantly higher (P<0.05) in treatments as compared to control group. Feed consumption was 35.57±1.01, 34.77±0.95 and 35.07±0.86 kg in respective control, T1 and T2 groups. There was no significant difference was observed in feed consumption of different groups. Feed conversion ratio was 8.00±0.0.41, 7.08±0.55 and 7.07±0.48 in control, T1 and T2, respectively. FCR was significantly (P<0.05) lower in T2 on every fortnight of experimental period from the value observed in T1 and control. SOD was significantly (P<0.05) lower in T2 on every fortnight of experimental period from the value observed in T1 and control. The catalase was significantly lower (P<0.05) in T2 as compared to all other groups of buffalo calves. TBARS was significantly lower (P<0.05) in T2 as compared to T1 and control groups of buffalo calves. Total leukocyte was significantly higher (P<0.05) in copper supplemented groups as compared to control group. The lymphocytes was significantly higher (P<0.05) in T2 as compared to all groups of buffalo calves. Total protein was significantly higher (P<0.05) in T2 as compared to all other groups of buffalo calves. The albumin was significantly higher (P<0.05) in treatment groups T1 and T2 fed in form of either copper sulphate or nano copper in comparison to control group. The globulin significantly higher (P<0.05) in T2 group in comparison to T1 and control at all fortnight during the experiment period. Total immunoglobulin was significantly higher (P<0.05) in T2 as compared to all other groups of buffalo calves. The study was concluded that copper supplementation either copper sulphate or nano copper form improved the body weight, body weight gain, feed consumption, feed conversion ratio, total leucocyte count, lymphocyte, total protein, albumin, globulin, immunoglobulin, and decreased SOD, catalase and TBARS to control group.