Influence of varying dietary Cation-Anion difference based diets on blood biochemical and immunological parameters in crossbred calves during summer Suman Madhu*, Kaur Harjit1, Preeti, Phondba B.T., Meena B.S., Khan Nazam Animal Nutrition Division, ICAR-National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal-132001, Haryana, India 1Former Principal Scientist *Corresponding author: E-mail: madhu.rana5@gmail.com; Present address: Assistant Professor, ILFC, DGCN, COVAS, Palampur-176061, Himachal Pradesh, India
Online published on 31 August, 2018. Abstract Eighteen female crossbred Karan Fries calves were divided into three groups of 6 animals each based on body weight and age to study the effect of positive dietary cation anion difference (DCAD) based diet on DM intake, blood biochemical parameters and immunity status during summer months. The calves in control group received basal diet while animals in groups S1 and S2 were offered +250 or +350 mEq/kg DM DCAD based diets, respectively. The temperature humidity index (THI) was calculated at 07: 30 AM and 02: 30 PM daily. The physiological variables (respiration rate, pulse and rectal temperature) were not affected by dietary treatments though variations were observed due to changes in THI. The overall DMI was higher (P<0.05) in group S2 (4. 93 kg/d) as compared to control (4.36 kg/d). Blood glucose level, FRAP value, SOD and catalase activity were similar in all the groups. Plasma total Ig (mg/mL), IgG (ng/mL) and IgM (ng/mL) levels increased (P<0.05) in group S2. Similar trend was observed for plasma T3 and T4 hormone levels. Plasma cortisol concentration was lower (P<0.05) in treatment groups as compared to control. It could be inferred that positive DCAD diet of +350 mEq/kg DM improved the nutrient intake and immunity status by ameliorating heat stress. Top Keywords Crossbred calves, DCAD, Endocrinological status, Feed intake, Immunity, Heat stress. Top |