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Abstract Fifty new-born buffalo calves, immediately after calving, were assigned into two experiments (25 animals each). Each experiment was assigned randomly to five similar groups (5 animals each) according to their birth weight and birth date. All animals of these experiments were fed according to the feeding regime of the farm system where all of the new-born buffalo calves nursed their dams naturally and allowed to consume adlibitum amount of dam milk daily till 45 day old then gradually decrease the amount of suckled milk till weaning (90 days old or 100 kg weight which nearest). These calves, also, fed from the second week of age on ad-libitum of a calf starter (~17% CP) during the suckling period till weaning. Experiment 1: The objective of the first experiment was to study the effect of some feed additives, mainly vitamins A and E and selected micro elements (zinc and selenium), as synthetic sources, on the immunity response, feed efficiency and growth performance of buffalo calves during the suckling period. Animals of each group of this experiment were fed according to the feeding regime of the farm system in addition to one of the experimental feed additives whereas, calves of the first group (control group, G1) were fed on the basal ration according to the feeding regime of the farm system while each calf of the other groups was fed daily on the same ration in addition (for G2) to 20 gm Calfostonic (CFT); (for G3) to 1.5 gm Selenosource AF (SS) + 2.5 gm Mintrex Zn (MZ); (for G4) to 0.030 gm Lutavit A 1000 (LA) + 2.5 gm Lutavit E 50 (LE) or (for G5) to 1.5 gm Selenosource AF (SS) + 2.5 gm Mintrex Zn (MZ)) + (0.030 gm Lutavit A 1000 (LA) + 2.5 gm Lutavit E 50 (LE). The results showed that the highest value (P≤0.05) of DMI was recorded for G3. The higher values (P≥0.05) of DM, OM, CF, CP and EE digestibility coefficients were recorded for G3 compared to the other groups (G1, G2, G4 and G5). Also, G4 had higher (P≥0.05) NFE digestibility coefficient followed by G2, G3, G5 and G1. Non significant differences (P≥0.05) were observed in plasma total protein, urea, glucose, GOT, GPT and neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR). On the contrary, addition of experimental feed additives had a significant effect (P≤0.05) on albumin, globulin, creatinine, total lipids, cholesterol, triglyceride and immunoglobulin. Concerning growth performance and feed efficiency, the group which received Selenosource AF and Mintrex Zn (G3) showed the highest value of average daily gain (P≤0.05) compared to the other groups while G5 had a better values (P≤0.05) of DM, TDN and DCP conversion. Experiment 2: The objective of the second experiment was to study the effect of some natural medical herbs (mainly Origanum vulgare ;oregano and Matricria chamomile ;chamomile) and the best treatment of the first experiment on the immunity response, feed efficiency and growth performance of buffalo calves during the suckling period. Animals of each group of this experiment were fed according to the feeding regime of the farm system in addition to one of the experimental feed additives whereas, calves of the first group (control group, T1) were fed on the basal ration according to the feeding regime of the farm system while each calf of the other groups was fed daily on the same ration in addition (for T2) to 1.5 gm Selenosource AF (SS) + 2.5 gm Mintrex Zn (MZ); (for T3) to 10 gm Origanum vulgare (oregano; OG); (for T4) to 10 gm Matricria chamomile (chamomile; Ch) or (for T5) to 10 gm Origanum vulgare (oregano; OG) + 10 gm Matricria chamomile (chamomile; Ch). The results showed that the highest value (P≤0.05) of DMI was recorded for T5. The higher values (P≥0.05) of all digestibility coefficients (DM, OM, CF, CP, NFE and EE) were recorded for T5 compared to the other groups (T1, T2, T3 and T4). Non significant differences (P≥0.05) were observed in albumin, urea, total lipid, glucose and neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR). On the contrary, addition of the experimental feed additives had a significant effect (P≤0.05) on total protein, globulin, creatinine, cholesterol, triglyceride, GOT, GPT and immunoglobulin. Group received Origanum vulgare and Matricria chamomile (T5) showed the highest value of average daily gain (P≤0.05) compared to the other groups, also T5 had a better value (P≤0.05) of dry matter conversion while a better value (P≥0.05) of TDN conversion was recorded for T3, furthermore the better value (P≤0.05) of DCP conversion was recorded for T4. These results indicate that using micro elements (selenium and zinc) as a synthetic feed additives increased growth performance and feed conversion. In addition the tested micro elements led to the increase of plasma immunoglobulin level which had a role in enhancing immune system. In addition using medicinal herbs (oregano and chamomile) as natural feed additives had better results when used as synthetic and/or natural feed additives together in calves ration. Keywords: immune response, buffalo calves, calfostonic, Selenosource AF, Mintrex Zn, Lutavit A 1000, Lutavit E 50, oregano, chamomile, feed intake, digestibility coefficient, blood plasma parameters, growth performance and feed conversion. |