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Physiologic and Metabolic Responses of Phil-Murrah Buffaloes to Concentrate Supplementation and Thermal Protection
Thesis Abstract:
Twelve Phii-Murrah crossbreds (1-3 years old) were used in a 2x2 factorial experiment in randomized complete block design (RCBD) to evaluate their physiologic and metabolic responses. They were fed with concentrate (16% crude protein) at 1.0 or 0.5 percent of body weight (BW) with or without thermal protection.
The daily dry matter intake (DMI) and roughage intake (RI) of buffaloes were not significantly (P<0.05) affected by the interaction of both concentrate supplementation and thermal protection. The DMI and Rl of thermally protected buffaloes were higher than those exposed to the sun. The buffaloes fed with concentrate at 0.5 percent BW level had higher Rl than those fed at one percent BW level.
The interaction of concentrate supplementation and thermal protection did not influence (P<0.05) total body weight gain (TBG) and average daily gain (ADG). The TBG and ADG of buffaloes fed with concentrate at one percent BW level were higher than those fed at 0.5 percent BW level. The thermally protected buffaloes had higher TBG and ADG than those exposed to the sun. The pulse rate, respiration rate, and body temperature (PRT) of buffaloes measured at 8 a.m. and 3 p.m. were not significantly (P<0.05) affected by the interaction of concentrate supplementation and thermal protection. Likewise, no significant (P<0.05) factor interaction was observed on their increments except that of temperature.
No significant (P<0.05) differences in the PRT and respiration rate increment values were observed among buffaloes fed with concentrate at both 1.0 and 0.5 percent BW levels. The pulse rate increment of buffaloes fed with concentrate at 0.5 percent BW level without thermal protection (0.5% BWWTOP) had the highest increase in rectal temperature, followed by those fed with concentrate at one percent BW level without thermal protection (1% BWWTOP), those given concentrate at 0.5 percent BW with thermal protection (0.5% BWWTP), and those fed at one percent BW with thermal protection (1% BWWTP).
The morning values of respiration rate and rectal temperature of the thermally-protected buffaloes and those exposed to the sun were similar. The 8 a.m. and 3 p.m. pulse rates of the thermally-protected buffaloes were higher than those exposed to the sun. The afternoon values of respiration rate and rectal temperature, including increase in respiration and pulse rates, of the thermally-protected buffaloes were lower than those exposed to the sun.
There were significant (P<0.01) differences in packed cell volume (PCV), hemoglobin (Hb), and white blood cell (WBC) values among the four treatment combinations. The highest PCV value (5) was noted at one percent BWWTP, followed by one percent BWWTOP, 0.5 percent BWWTP, and 0.5 percent BWWTOP. Among the treatment combinations, 0.5 percent BWWTP had the highest WBC count, followed by one percent BWWTP, one percent BWWOTP, and 0.5 percent BWWTOP.
Red blood cell (RBC) counts were significantly (P<0.01) affected by the concentrate supplementation level and thermal protection. The RBC counts of buffaloes fed with concentrate at one percent BW level were higher than those fed at 0.5 percent BW level, whereas the thermally- protected buffaloes had higher RBC counts than those exposed to the sun.
There was no significant interaction of concentrate supplementation level and thermal protection on blood glucose (BG) and blood urea nitrogen (BUN). The BG and BUN of buffaloes fed with concentrate at one percent BW level were higher than those fed at 0.5 percent BW level. Thermally-protected buffaloes had higher BG and lower BUN values than those exposed to the sun.