Influence of Betaine Supplementation on Immune, Biochemical and Growth Performance of Murrah Buffalo Calves

Abstract

The aim of this study to investigate the influence of betaine supplementation on immune, biochemical and growth performance of Murrah buffalo calves. Twenty one Murrah Buffalo calves were selected from the herd maintained at Livestock Research Complex (LRC), SVPUAT, Meerut, Uttar Pradesh, India for period of 90 days. Experimental calves were blocked into three groups (n=7) on body weight and age basis. Control group was fed on basal diet without any betaine supplementation, whereas group 1 was supplemented with betaine @7 g/calf/day (T1) for 90 days and group 2 was supplemented with betaine @14 g/calf/day (T2) for 90 days. The body weight and feed consumption were recorded on fortnightly intervals and body weight gain and feed conversion ratio was calculated from body weight and feed consumption. Total leukocyte count (TLC), lymphocyte and Neutrophil were counted in whole blood, Total immunoglobulin, total antioxidant activity (TAA), glucose, non-esterified fatty acid (NEFA), total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, ALT, AST and ALP were analyzed in plasma. Body weight and body weight gain were significantly higher (P<0.05) in T2 than control and T1. Feed consumption was not significant among the groups. FCR was significantly lowered (P<0.05) in T2 as compared to control and T1. TLC was no significantly difference observed among the groups in both treatment group than control. Lymphocyte was significantly higher (p<0.05) in T2 as compare to control and the value was 60.08, 61.10 and 62.22 in control, T1 and T2, respectively. Neutrophil was not varied among the groups. Total immunoglobulin was significantly higher (p<0.05) in T2 (37.66) in comparison with control (29.91) and T1 (34.07) and TAA was also significantly higher (p<0.05) in T2 group than all other groups and the value was 835.88, 845.94 and 855.31 in control, T1 and T2, respectively. Plasma glucose level, NEFA, total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, ALT, AST and ALP activity were reported that no significant difference observed among the groups of Murrah buffalo calves. The study was concluded that betaine supplementation improved the growth performance and immunological status.