EFFECT OF PROTEIN SUPPLEMENTS OF VARYING RUMINAL DEGRADABILITY ON NUTRIENTS INTAKE, DIGESTIBILITY, NITROGEN BALANCE AND BODY CONDITION SCORE IN EARLY LACTATING NILIRAVI BUFFALOES

Published: November 19, 2011

By: M.A. Jabbar, I.B. Marghazani*, T.N. Pasha and M. Abdullah

Summary

Study on effect of varying protein supplements of varying ruminal degradability on nutrients intake, digestibility, nitrogen balance and body condition score was conducted in early lactating Nili-Ravi buffaloes. Twenty four multi-parous early lactating (22± 10 days) Nili-Ravi buffaloes were selected and randomly divided into four groups (six animals in each group) and fed diets A, B, C and D containing 30, 40, 50 and 60 % rumen undegradable protein (RUP), respectively in a completely randomized design. Results showed that DM, CP, NDF and ADF intakes were similar (P>0.05) on all diets while, nutrients digestibility was similar on all diets except NDF which was highest (P<0.01) on diet C. Nitrogen intake and nitrogen output (g/d or % of intake) was similar on all diets. Of the N output fractions, fecal N excretion as g/d or percent of intake was similar (P>0.05). Urinary N excretion as g/d was same, however N excretion as percent of intake was highest (P<0.01) on diet A and lowest on diet C. Milk N output as g/d (P<0.001) or % of intake (P<0.05) was maximum on diet C. Nitrogen utilization as g/d or percent of intake was similar on all diets. Change in body condition score of the early lactating Nili-Ravi buffaloes was also unaffected (P>0.05) by the diets. Keywords: Protein, degradability, nutrients, intake, nitrogen, digestibility, body condition score

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