Effect of dietary supplemented with medicinal herbs on nutrient digestibility and some blood metabolites of buffalo calves [electronic resource].

Includes references.

Two experiments wefe conducted to study the effects of medicinal plants on perfonnance of buffalo calves. Firstly was in vitro dry matter and organic matter disappearance of medicinal plants supplemented diets to find out the best levels of medicinal plants supplements that could be applied in vivo. Secondly, 20 suckling buffalo calves were divided into four experimental groups from GI up to 05 of five animals each. Animals of GI were fed according to the ordinary feeding regimen of the station fann. While those of 02 were fed a restricted amount of milk and ad libitum amount of the experimental starter. Each of the other groups from G3 to G5 received G2 diet in addition to a supplement of one of the medicinal herbs under investigation where G3 group received lemon grass (Cymbopogon citra/us; CC); G4 received (Eucalyptus globules Labill; EG); G5 received a chamomile supplement (Matricria chamomile; Ch) during the first three months of age. The results indicated that IVDMD and IVOMD of the tested diets were improved compared to the control diet, the best level of medicinal plants supplementation were 3% for CC, 2% for EG and 1% for Ch. Addition of medicinal herbs supplements improved calf viability and decreased incidence of diarrhea. In addition. the groups receiving medicinal herbs did not suffer from parasites and weaning shock. Calves of G4 showed higher (P<O.05) DM, OM and CF digestibility than that of G I. while CP digestibility coefficient for GJ was lower (P:$O.05) than that of the other groups during the first digestibility trail (at 3 month old), during the second digestibility trail (at 8 month of old) the calves groups G2, G3, G4 and G5 showed higher DM, OM, CP and NFE digestibility than GI, also groups supplemented by medicinal plants showed higher CF digestibility than GI. Concerning blood parameters during. Suckling period total plasma protein and albumin levels were higher (PSO.05) in G2, 03, G4 and G5 than those of GI. On the contrary, G1 showed higher (P<O.05) plasma globulin and urea than the other groups, while insignificant differences between experimental groups were observed in plasma glucose, urea creatinine, total lipids concentration, OPT and GOT activity. Insignificant differences were observed in plasma parameters during the post·weaning period.

Summary in Arabic.

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