Growth Performance and Immune-biochemical Status of Growing Murrah Buffalo Heifers Supplemented With Astaxanthin and Copper

Abstract

The present investigation was carried out to study the growth performance and immune-biochemical status of growing Murrah buffalo heifers supplemented with astaxanthin and copper. Twenty-eight Murrah buffalo heifers (8-15 months old) were selected from the herd maintained at Livestock Research Complex (LRC), SVPUA&T, Meerut (Uttar Pradesh) India, for period of 90 days. Experimental heifers 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 astaxanthin and copper supplementation. 2. Group 2nd was supplemented with astaxanthin @ 0.20 mg/kg body weight/day. 3. Group 3rd was supplemented with copper @ 10 mg/kg DM/heifer/day. 4. Group 4th was supplemented with combination of astaxanthin and copper @ 0.20 mg/kg body weight/day +10 mg/kg DM/calf/day for 90 days. Body weight (BW) and dry matter intake (DMI) was measured fortnightly intervals and ADG and FCR were calculated from the BW and DMI. Blood samples were collected fortnightly during study period and the plasma samples were analyzed for immune-biochemical parameters. The body weight and ADG were significantly higher (p<0.05) in T3 (astaxanthin and copper) as compared to control, whereas did not differ significantly with body weight of T1 and T2. The DMI was 2.92, 3.02, 3.06 and 3.15 kg day-1 in control, T1, T2 and T3, respectively and was found statistically higher (P<0.05) in T3 as compared to control and observed DMI did not vary between T1 and T2 whereas FCR was 8.19, 7.27, 7.31 and 6.19 in control, T1, T2 and T3, respectively and 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 astaxanthin and copper 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 but there was no significant difference observed between T1 and T2 whereas neutrophil was significantly lowered (p<0.05) in T3 (25.41) in comparison to control (28.77), T1 (26.53) and T2 (26.65) group. TIG and TAA were significantly higher (p<0.05) in T3 in comparison to other groups but did not differ statistically in T1 and T2. Glucose was significantly greater (p<0.05) in T3 (2.99) as compared to control (2.72), T1 (2.79) and T2 (2.83) but glucose level of control did not significantly differ with level of T1 also statistically increased (p<0.05) with respect to control group. NEFA, total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, ALT, AST and ALP were significantly declined (p<0.05) in astaxanthin and copper supplemented group (T3) with respect to other groups but there was no statistical difference observed between astaxanthin (T1) and copper (T2) supplemented group. Astaxanthin and copper supplementation were improved growth performance, immune status and liver function in growing Murrah buffalo heifers.