Effect of Sal ( Shorea robusta) seed meal tannins on serum enzymes, nutrient utilization and growth in growing calves

Abstract

Sixteen crossbred calves, of about 70 kg body weight, divided into four groups of four animals each, were fed concentrate mixtures containing 0, 30, 45 and 60% deoiled salseed meal (DSSM) for a period of 154 days. Wheat straw was fed ad lib as the principal roughage. The growth rate and dry matter (DM) digestibility were significantly ( P < 0·05) higher in the 0 and 30% DSSM groups than in the 45 and 60% DSSM groups. However, the intake of DM did not differ among the four groups. The crude protein (CP) digestibility and N balance were significantly ( P < 0·05) decreased in all the DSSM groups compared with the control group. The calcium and phosphorus balances were similar in all groups. Fractionation of nitrogenous constituents in urine showed that creatinine-N was significantly ( P < 0·05) higher in the 45 and 60% DSSM groups, and urea + NH 3− N in all the DSSM groups, than the control, but there were no differences in the values of creatine-N in the four groups. While the values of haemoglobin, serum inorganic phosphorus, serum alkaline phosphatase and serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (SGOT) did not differ ( P > 0·05) in the four groups, the serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase (SGPT) and serum acid phosphatase were decreased ( P < 0·05) in the 45 and 60% and 30, 45 and 60% DSSM groups compared with the control group. It is concluded that up to 30% DSSM can be incorporated into the concentrate mixture of young calves without adversely affecting growth rate. A determination of SGPT activity is considered useful in establishing the limit of DSSM/tannins in the ration of young calves. The possibility of tolerance of higher levels of DSSM/tannins in the ration by older calves or adult animals is discussed.