Effect of Supplementing Different Sources of Cobalt on Growth Performance, Nutrient Utilization and Blood Biochemical of Barbari Goat

Abstract

18 barbari goats of similar age group were taken from Livestock farm complex II (LFC II), SVPUAT. Selected animals were allocated randomly into 3 groups having 6 animals in each on body weight basis. Control group of animals were fed with basal diet without cobalt supplementation. Basal diet was a roughage-based diet comprised of wheat straw (particle size- 1.5 to 2.0 cm), chaffed green oats fodder and compounded concentrate mixture at a ratio of 20:30:50. Concentrate mixture was prepared by mixing barley grain, wheat grain, oat grain, wheat bran, gram chunni, mustard oil cake and mineral mixture in 20, 20, 10, 10, 10, 28 and 2 parts, respectively. Whereas, T2 and T3 groups of animals were fed with basal diet supplemented with organic Cobalt (Cobalt Glucoheptonate) @ 6 ppm and inorganic cobalt (Cobalt Chloride) @ 6 ppm of dry matter, respectively. Initially, average BW of Barbari goat were 10.95, 10.90 and 10.85 kg in control (T1), treatment 1 (T2) and treatment 2 (T3) groups, respectively. Final body weights of corresponding groups were 14.83, 16.25 and 15.25.kg, respectively. The average BW and metabolic body weight was found similar in all the experimental groups. The overall gain (kg) was found significantly higher in T2 and T3 groups than control. At first to sixth fortnight T2 group showed significant increase in daily body weight gain as compared to T1. The overall daily gain (g/d) was found significantly higher in T2 and T3 groups than control. Dry matter intake (kg/d) and DMI percentage (kg/100 kg BW) of all the fortnights were not significantly different (P>0.05) between groups. During digestion trial, total DM intake (kg/d) was found similar. TDN (g/kg W 0.75) intake similarly found similar in all the three groups. Total body weight and body weight gain was found similar in all the experimental groups during digestion trial. The DCP (Kg/day) and g/kg metabolic body weight was similar to all groups. Nutrient digestibility was also found similar within groups except ADF. ADF digestibility coefficient were found significantly different (P˂0.05) between control and treatment groups. T2 treatment group was found higher (P˂0.05) in ADF digestibility than T1 and T3 groups. In the present experiment, digestible nutrient intake was found similar in all the three groups. Overall Haemoglobin (g/dl) concentration was found significantly high (P<0.05) than T1 and T2 groups. No difference was observed among groups in blood, packed cell volume (%). Plasma glucose and total plasma protein were found similar in all the groups. Over all albumin concentration were found higher in T2 group than T1 and T3 groups. In T3 group, the Cholesterol concentration was found higher than T1 and T2 groups. Overall creatinine concentration was also found in normal physiological range. Overall, ALT activity is higher in T3 group than in control. But, ALT and AST activity were found in normal physiological range. Both the cobalt supplemented groups were significantly higher (P<0.01) in plasma Vitamin B12 concentration than control. Monthly and overall TIg values were found higher in both the cobalt supplemented groups compared to control indicating improved immune activity. In 1st, 2nd and 3rd months interval and overall value, T2 and T3 animals showed significant increase in SOD activity as compared to T1. In 1st, 2nd, 3rd months interval and average value T2 and T3 animals showed significant increase in catalase activity as compared to T1. Thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS) activity was found lower in treatment groups than in control. The FRAP activity in T3 group was found higher than T1 and T2. Average plasma cobalt concentration was found higher (P<0.01) in both the treatment groups than control. It was concluded that cobalt supplementation in organic and inorganic form improved growth performances, fibre digestibility and immune parameters without adversely affecting blood metabolites and liver function.