Influence of Varying Ruminally Degradable to Undegradable Protein Ratio on Nutrient Intake, Milk Yield, Nitrogen Balance, Conception Rate and Days Open in Early Lactating Nili-Ravi Buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis)

Abstract

Twenty four early lactating Nili-Ravi buffaloes, eight in each group, were used in a Randomized Complete Block Design to evaluate the influence of varying ruminally degradable protein (RDP) to ruminally undegradable protein (RUP) ratio on feed intake, digestibility, N balance, milk yield and its composition, conception rate and days open. Three experimental diets were formulated to contain RDP:RUP of 50:50, 66:34 and 82:18 and were denoted as HRUP, MRUP and LRUP, respectively. Dry matter (DM) intake was higher (p<0.05) in buffaloes fed HRUP diet than in those fed MRUP and LRUP diets. Dry matter digestibility was higher (p<0.05) in buffaloes fed LRUP diet than in those fed HRUP and MRUP diets. Linear increase was observed in DM digestibility with increasing RDP:RUP while Neutral detergent fiber digestibility remained unaltered in buffaloes fed HRUP and MRUP diets, however, it was higher than in those fed LRUP diet. Crude protein digestibility remained unaltered across all treatments. Milk and 4 percent fat corrected milk (4% FCM) yield was higher (p<0.05) in buffaloes fed HRUP diet than those fed MRUP and LRUP diets. Linear decrease in milk yield was observed with increased RDP:RUP. Milk protein and fat yields were higher (p<0.05) in animals fed HRUP diet than those fed MRUP and LRUP diets. Milk protein percent in animals fed HRUP diet was higher than in those fed LRUP diet, whereas it did not differ with those fed MRUP diet. Percent of fat, total solids, solid not fat and lactose remained unaltered across all diets. Nitrogen balance was higher in buffaloes fed HRUP diet than in those fed other diets. Increasing the RDP:RUP resulted in a linear decrease in N balance. The blood urea nitrogen and milk urea nitrogen were lower (p<0.05) in buffaloes fed HRUP diet than those fed MRUP and LRUP diets. The blood pH remained unaltered across all treatments. Days open did not differ significantly. Conception rate was higher in buffaloes fed HRUP diet than those fed MRUP and LRUP diets. The findings of the present study indicate that feeding high (50% of the total crude protein) ruminally undegradable protein diet not only increased nutrient intake and milk yield but also improved conception rate in early lactating buffaloes.

Effects of Chickpea in Substitution of Soybean Meal on Milk Production, Blood Profile and Reproductive Response of Primiparous Buffaloes in Early Lactation

“…Moreover, independently from blood urea levels, a lower ammonia diffusion in the buffalo uterus has been hypothesized compared to cattle, which would contribute to mitigating the detrimental effects of ammonia on embryonic development [46]. However, a negative correlation between blood urea and buffaloes' reproductive efficiency has been highlighted in other studies [23,75,76]. The lack of the effects observed herein could be also attributed to the interference of reproductive seasonality, since the increase in daylight hours tends to penalize fertility in female buffaloes, suppressing or masking any potential relationship with dietary treatments [23].…”

Effect of Varying Dietary Rumen Undegraded Protein on Nutrient Intake, Nutrient Digestibility and Production Performance in Early Lactating Crossbred Cows

“…Jonker et al (1998) reported positive correlation between MUN and urinary N excretion. The BUN and MUN were lower in buffaloes fed 50% RUP compared to those fed 34 and 18% RUP (Nisa et al, 2008). The high correlation existed between BUN and MUN concentrations (Broderick and Clayton, 1997) The degree of correlation between BUN and MUN was 0.84 (Roseler et al, 1993), 0.88 (Oltner andWiktorsson, 1983) and0.98 (Olmer et al, 1985).…”

“…This nutrient uncoupling is responsible for the reduced animal productivity and excessive nutrients losses. The protein is included in limiting nutrients in ruminants (Nisa et al, 2008). More than 50% of consumed protein in ruminants is degraded to peptides, AA and ammonia by ruminal microbial action.…”

Improvement of Murrah Buffalo Milk Production Fed Palm Oil Solid Waste Containing Ration

“…A high ME in cassava meal is due to its high starch content (Garcia & Dale, 1999). In addition to high energy content, coconut meal is also a good source of protein as 70% of its protein is by-pass protein (Deville et al, 1980) which will contribute to a high milk yield (Nisa et al, 2008). Compared to these 2 supplements, palm oil solid waste only contains 12 MJ/kg ME, but it contains much higher protein (12% vs 2.5%) than that cassava meal.…”