Muneendra Kumar

Background: Fibre is digested in the foregut of all ruminant animals by the microbes present. Digestibility of fibres of crop residues is low along with significant loss of feed energy as methane. Sulfate is reduced in the rumen by sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB) and stimulates microbial growth with an increase in rumen microbial protein supply to the host animal. Essential oils (EOs) are among the most important plant-derived products, frequently responsible for the health-promoting qualities of various species. Both essential oils from fennel and clove exhibited pronounced and varying degree of growth inhibition against fungal and bacterial pathogens. Microbial digestion in the rumen can be improved by using these feed additives. Therefore, in the current study a combination of herbal feed additive and sulfate test in in vivo trial for their effect on nutrient utilization and performance of calves. Methods: Twenty four growing cattle calves (12 male Haryana, 8 male Sahiwal, 4 female Sahiwal calves) were distributed into four groups with six animals each in a randomized block design. Control (C) group was not supplemented with any extra things other than the present in the basal diet, T1 group was supplemented with herbal feed additive (Fennel + CLO; @ 1.0% of DMI), T2 group was supplemented with sulfate @ 0.075% of DMI and group T3 were supplemented with diet containing herbal feed additive (Fennel + CLO; @ 1.0% of DMI) and sulfate @ 0.075% of DMI. The basal diet offered to experimental groups contains 40% concentrate and 60% wheat straw. Body weight and dry matter intake were recorded fortnightly. Result: Overall body weight, DMI (kg/day), TDN intake (g/kg W0.75) and DCP intake (g/kg W) were found to be similar in the treatment as well as control group. Nutrient digestibility and digestible nutrient intake were not impacted by supplementation of either herbal feed additive and/or sulfate supplementation. ADGs were similar in all groups. FCR was not significantly different between the control and treatment groups. It may be concluded that supplementation of herbal feed additive (Fennel + CLO; @ 1.0% of DMI) may be used as an alternate electron acceptor and rumen modifier in high roughage-based ration as it does not have any harmful effect on growth and nutrient utilization on cattle calves.

The use of nanotechnology to produce nano-sized minerals is a potential alternative to both organic and inorganic sources. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of dietary supplementation of nano copper (Cu) or nano zinc (Zn) alone or in combination on the growth performance and nutrients utilization in young calves. A total of twenty-four young cattle calves were randomly assigned into four groups (6 calves per group) on body weight and age basis for a period of 120 days. Experimental calves were either received a basal diet devoid of supplemental Cu (control) or were supplemented with 10 ppm nano Cu (_nanoCu₁₀), 32 ppm nano Zn (_nanoZn₃₂) or combination of nano Cu and nano Zn (_nanoCu₁₀+ _nanoZn₃₂). Experimental calves were monitored fortnightly for body weight change. Adigestion cum metabolism trial was conducted to determine the bioavailability of minerals. Dietary supplementation of either nano Cu or nano Zn alone or in combination did not exert any effect on growth performance, apparent nutrient digestibility. Eventhough, the nano Cu and nano Zn supplementation exerts a positive effect on its absorption in respective groups but there were no effect on the absorption of other studied minerals. Absorption and bioavailability of Cu is higher in_nano Cu₁₀ as well as in combination group (_nanoCu₁₀+ _nanoZn₃₂). However, Absorption and bio availability of Zn was higher in _nanoZn₃₂ and combination group (_nanoCu₁₀+ _nanoZn₃₂). In conclusion, dietary supplementation of nano Cu and Zn improve bioavailability of Cu and Zn without having any adverse effect on the nutrient digestibility and growth performance. Similarly, dietary supplementation of nano Cu and Zn did not exert any interaction with other minerals.

This study was conducted to determine the effect of dietary supplementation of nano copper (Cu) or nano zinc (Zn) alone or incombinationonthe haematologyand blood metabolites in youngcalves. A total of 24 young Hariana calves were randomly assigned into four groups (6 calves per group) on body weight and age basis for a period of 120 days. Experimental calves were either received a basal diet devoid of supplemental Cu (control) or were supplemented with 10 ppm nano Cu (_nanoCu₁₀), 32 ppm nano Zn (_nanoZn₃₂) or combination of nano Cu and nano Zn (_nanoCu₁₀+ _nanoZn₃₂). Blood was sampled at day 0, 30, 60, 90 and 120 post nano Cu and nano Zn supplementation for the determination of haematology attributes and blood metabolites. The mean plasma albumin concentrations were lower and plasma globulin concentrations was higher in_nano Cu₁₀+ _nanoZn₃₂ group across 120 days study. However, there were no effect of treatments on the haematological attributes and most of the studied blood metabolites. Although, the treatment had significant effect on the plasma levels of Cu and Zn but no effect on plasma levels of other minerals was observed. Plasma Cu concentrations were higher in _nanoCu₁₀ and_nano Cu₁₀ + _nanoZn₃₂ groups while plasma levels of Zn were higher in_nano Zn₃₂ and_nano Cu₁₀ + _nanoZn₃₂ groups.

This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of nano copper (nano Cu) and nano zinc (nano Zn) supplementation on the biomarkers of immunity and antioxidant and health status attributes in young dairy calves. Twenty-four young cattle calves were randomly assigned into four groups (6 calves per group) on a body weight and age basis for a period of 120 days. The feeding regimen was the same in all the groups except that these were supplemented with 0.0 mg nano Cu and nano Zn (control), 10 mg nano Cu (_nanoCu₁₀), 32 mg nano Zn (nanoZn₃₂), and a combination of nano Cu and nano Zn (_nanoCu₁₀ + _nanoZn₃₂) per kg dry matter (DM) basis in four respective groups. Supplementation of nano Cu along with nano Zn improves immune response which was evidenced from higher immunoglobulin G (IgG), immunoglobulin M (IgM), immunoglobulin A (IgA), total immunoglobulin (TIg), and Zn sulphate turbidity (ZST) units and lower plasma concentrations of tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and cortisol in the nanoCu10 + nanoZn32 group. There was no effect of treatment on the plasma concentrations of immunoglobulin E (IgE) and interferon-gamma (IFN-γ). Antioxidant status was also better in the nanoCu10 + nanoZn32 group as evidenced by lower concentrations of malondialdehyde (MDA) and higher activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), ceruloplasmin (Cp), and total antioxidant status (TAS). However, treatment did not exert any effect on catalase (CAT) activity. Although the nano Cu or nano Zn supplementation, either alone or in combination, did not exert any effect on growth performance or body condition score (BCS), the frequency of diarrhoea and incidence of diarrhoea were lower, while faecal consistency score (FCS) and attitude score were better in the _nanoCu₁₀ + _nanoZn₃₂ groups. In the control group, one calf was found affected with joint illness and two calves were found affected with navel illness. During the experimental period, none of the calves in all four groups were found to be affected by pneumonia. The findings of this study revealed that dietary supplementation of nano Cu in combination with nano Zn improved the health status of young dairy calves by improving immunity and antioxidant status.

The objective of this study was to determine the effect of nickel (Ni) on growth performance, nutrient utilization, urease activity, and endocrine variables in growing cattle. Growing Hariana heifers (18) were randomly assigned into three groups (n=6), i.e. groups either without Ni supplementation (Ni0.0; control) or supplemented with 1.5 mg of Ni/kg DM (Ni1.5), and 3.0 mg of Ni/kg DM (Ni3.0). The experiment lasted for 90 days. Heifers supplemented with Ni showed higher nutrient intake and average daily gain (ADG) than control group. The nutrient digestibility was not affected by treatment, while the Ni supplemented animals showed higher intake, excretion, and nitrogen balance. The urease activity was comparable and higher in the Ni1.5 and Ni3.0 groups than in the control group. There was no effect of treatment on the metabolism of calcium (Ca), phosphorus (P), zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), and chromium (Cr). However, iron (Fe) retention showed a negative association with Ni levels. Plasma cortisol concentration was lower while the insulin like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) and tetraiodothyronine (T4) were higher in the Ni3.0 group compared to the Ni0.0 group, with Ni1.5 being intermediate. The plasma concentrations of triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) were not affected by dietary treatment. Plasma Ni concentration showed a dose dependent increase whereas, plasma levels of other minerals were not affected by treatment. In conclusion, dietary Ni supplementation in growing Hariana heifers improves performance and nutrient utilization by modulating urease activity and endocrine growth biomarkers.

This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of nano copper (nano-Cu) and nano zinc (nano-Zn) supplementation on the biomarkers of immunityand antioxidant and health status attributes in young dairy calves. Twenty-four young cattle calves were randomly assigned into four groups (6 calves per group) on body weight and age basis for a period of 120 days. Feeding regimen was same in all the groups except that these were supplemented with 0.0 mg nano Cu and nano Zn (control), 10 mg nano Cu (_nanoCu₁₀), 32 mg nano Zn (_nanoZn₃₂) and combination of nano Cu and nano Zn (_nanoCu₁₀+_nanoZn₃₂) per kg dry matter (DM) basis in four respective groups. Supplementation of nano Cu along with nano Zn improves immune response which was evidenced from higher immunoglobulin G (IgG), immunoglobulin M (IgM), immunoglobulin A (IgA), total immunoglobulin (TIg) and Zn sulphate turbidity (ZST) units and lower plasma concentrations of tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and cortisol in_nanoCu₁₀+_nanoZn₃₂group. There were no effect of treatment on the plasma concentrations of immunoglobulin E (IgE) and interferon gamma (IFN-γ). Antioxidant status was also better in the_nanoCu₁₀+_nanoZn₃₂group as evidenced from lower concentrations of malondialdehyde (MDA) and higher activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), ceruloplasmin (Cp) and total antioxidant status (TAS). However, treatment did not exert any effect on catalase (CAT) activity. Although the nano Cu or nano Zn supplementation, either alone or in combination, did not exert any effect on growth performance or body condition score (BCS) but frequency of diarrhea and incidence of diarrhea was lower while faecal consistency score (FCS) and attitude score were better in the_nanoCu₁₀+_nanoZn₃₂groups. In control group, one calves found affected with joint ill and two calves were found affected with navel ill. During the experimental period, none of the calf in all four groups was found affected with pneumonia. The findings of this study revealed that, dietary supplementation of nano Cu in combination with nano Zn improved the health status of young dairy calves by improving immunity and antioxidant status.

The decrease in insulin sensitivity during the transition of preruminant calves into ruminant animals is the common denominator. Meanwhile, this adaptation predisposes dairy calves towards various health issues and metabolic disorders that occur in later life. Chromium (Cr) has been shown to potentiate insulin functioning and is thereby helpful in reducing the risk of these metabolic disorders. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of Cr supplementation on the insulin sensitivity and health status in Hariana calves during their transition period. A total of 24 preruminant Hariana calves were randomly allocated into four groups (6 calves per group) for a period of 90 days. Calves either received a basal diet devoid of supplemental Cr (control; Cr_0.0 group) or were supplemented with 0.05 mg (Cr_0.05 group), 0.10 mg (Cr_0.10 group), and 0.15 mg (Cr_0.15 group) of Cr per kg BW^0.75 as Cr-picolinate (Cr-Pic). To determine the effect of Cr supplementation on the insulin response, glucose-insulin-non-esterified fatty acids (NEFAs) kinetics was studied during the intravenous glucose tolerance test (IVGTT) and oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT). A rapid glucose disappearance (p < 0.05) with unaltered insulin kinetics during IVGTT and OLTT indicates greater insulin sensitivity in calves supplemented with 0.10 and 0.15 mg of Cr per kg BW^0.75. Improved insulin sensitivity in the Cr_0.10 and Cr_0.15 groups was further confirmed by higher (p < 0.05) values of the insulin sensitivity check index (QUICKI), revised quantitative insulin sensitivity check index (RQUICKI), and lower (p < 0.05) values of the homeostasis model assessment-insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) during IVGTT. Mean serum non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA_m), and insulin receptor substrate-1 (IRS-1) levels were the highest (p < 0.05) and cortisol concentrations were the lowest (p < 0.05) in the Cr_0.15 groups. Unlike IVGTT, there was no effect of treatment, period, and treatment × period interaction on mean serum glucose and insulin levels during OGTT. However, Cr-supplemented calves had a higher (p < 0.05) glucose clearance rate (_gCR). Serum IRS-1 concentrations during OGTT were also higher (p < 0.05) in the Cr_0.10 and Cr_0.15 groups than in the other groups. Serum Cr levels increased dose dependently and were the highest (p < 0.05) in calves fed a diet supplemented with 0.15 mg Cr per kg BW^0.75. There was no effect of treatment on average daily gain (ADG) and body condition score (BCS) while frequency and duration of diarrhea were lower and fecal score was better in Cr-supplemented calves. The current findings show that Cr supplementation improved glucose utilization and health status in calves during their transition period by improving insulin sensitivity.

The systemic concentrations of key blood metabolites associated with feed intake, growth, nutrient partitioning, and utilization are potential physiological markers of the dietary variation. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of green fodder replacement with corn silage on biomarkers of nutrient metabolism, antioxidant potential, and immune response in growing Hariana cattle. A total of 18 growing Hariana calves were randomly assigned into three groups (having 6 calves in each group) on body weight (130±3.0 kg) and age basis (14±1.5 months). Experimental heifers either received a basal diet devoid of corn silage (control) or were fed on TMR of which 50% (Silage_50%) and 100% (Silage_100%) green fodder (DM basis) were replaced with corn silage. In the present study, plasma total protein and albumin concentration showed higher (P0.05) effect of green fodder replacement with corn silage. The results of this study indicated that the replacement of green fodder with corn silage did not exert any adverse effect on the blood biomarkers of nutrient metabolism, antioxidant potential, and immune response therefore can be used as a substitute of green fodder in growing Hariana cattle.

The present study was designed to investigate the effect of different levels (0.25, 0.5, 0.75, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, 2.5 and 3.0 ppm) of inorganic chromium (Cr) as CrCl3•6H2O on in vitro microbial fermentation using ruminal fluid. The substrate sample used for the study consisted of a mixture of compounded concentrate, maize fodder and wheat straw in the ratio of 40:30:30, respectively. Three sets of in vitro trials in triplicate were conducted along with respective blanks to estimate the various rumen fermentation attributes such as in vitro dry matter degradability (IVDMD), in vitro organic matter degradability (IVOMD), individual volatile fatty acid (IVFA), total VFA (TVFA), partitioning factor (PF), methane (CH4) and short chain fatty acid (SCFA) to obtain the comprehensive picture of rumen fermentation pattern. Treatment with Cr did not exert any effect on IVDMD and PF values. The molar proportion of propionate at 24 h of incubation was lower (Pin vitro rumen fermentation attributes.