Abstract
Sixteen adult male buffaloes (average body weight 443±14 kg) were equally distributed into four groups in an experiment to study the effect of supplementary protein sources on energy utilization efficiency in buffaloes fed a wheat straw-based diet. The animals in the control group were offered a basal diet composed of 700 g deoiled ground nut cake and ad libitum wheat straw. Animals of other groups were offered 1.8 kg of soyabean meal (SBM), linseed meal (LSM) or mustard cake (MC) along with the basal diet. Protein supplementation increased the digestibility of DM (p<0.01), OM (p<0.01) CP (p<0.01) and CF (p<0.05). Maximum CP digestibility was observed on SBM, followed by LSM and MC when compared to the control. Total DMI and DOMI was significantly (p<0.01) higher in protein supplemented groups with no differences between treatment groups. Digestible crude protein (DCP) intake and N balance were significantly (p<0.01) different between the groups; maximum response was obtained with SBM supplementation, followed by LSM and MC. Faecal energy was significantly (p<0.01) lower in SBM and LSM groups in comparison to other groups. Methane production (% DEI) was significantly (p<0.05) lower on the SBM treatment. Metabolizable energy (ME) intake increased significantly due to protein supplementation. Metabolizable energy intake (MEI) of animals in the MC group was less than LSM and SBM. Energy balance was increased significantly (p<0.01) due to protein supplementation and within supplement variation was also significant with maximum balance in SBM followed by LSM and MC groups. Protein supplementation significantly (p<0.05) increased the digestibility and metabolizability of energy from whole ration. Metabolizable energy (ME) content (Mcal/kg DM) of SBM, LSM and MC was 4.49, 3.56 and 2.56, respectively. It was concluded that protein supplementation of wheat straw increased intake, digestibility and metabolizability of energy and maximum response could be obtained when soybean meal was used as a supplement. (Asian-Aust. J. Anim. Sci. 2006. Vol 19, No. 5 : 638-644)
Highlights
Buffaloes occupy an important position (79 million, FAO, 1997) among domesticated ruminant livestock and contribute 28% of total bovine population
Maximum crude protein (CP) content was observed in soybean meal (SBM), followed by linseed meal (LSM) and mustard cake (MC)
Among the supplements SBM and LSM were similar in degradability characteristics, whereas MC was more degradable than SBM and LSM
Summary
Buffaloes occupy an important position (79 million, FAO, 1997) among domesticated ruminant livestock and contribute 28% of total bovine population. The efficiency with which energy is utilized is known to be low on forage diets (ARC, 1980), the efficiency can be modified by manipulating the balance between absorbed nutrients (McRae and Lobely, 1986; Ortigues et al, 1990). One such manipulation is to increase the supply of absorbed amino acids from oilmeals containing rumen undegradable protein (Rafiq et al, 2002). Contradiction already exists in the literature with respect to the effect of dietary protein content on efficiency of energy utilization (Ortigues et al, 1990)
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
