Effect of Dietary Supplementation of Seaweed Formulations on Nutrient Utilization, Growth Performance, Serum Antioxidant Activity and Immunity in Crossbred Calves

Background: Seaweeds are rich in complex carbohydrates, proteins and low molecular weight nitrogenous compounds, lipids, organic minerals, vitamins pigments. The aim of the study was to evaluate effect seaweed formulations on nutrient utilization, growth performance, serum antioxidant activity cell mediated immune response crossbred calves. Methods: Eighteen male calves (130±7.56 kg body weight) were divided into 3 groups 6 each based complete randomized design. Concentrate mixture formulated with crushed maize, de-oiled soybean meal, wheat bran, mineral common salt for feeding control (T0) group, while treatment T1 T2 supplemented AF-KWP or AFRD-5 at rate 4% concentrate 1% calcium carbonate dicalcium phosphate replacing offered T0. Experiment conducted a period 240 days. Blood collected from calve 0, 100 200 days experiment. At end experimental metabolism trial asassed. Result: There no significant difference between regarding total dry matter intake, gain feed conversion ratio. However, (P less than 0.001) differences observed antioxidants status. Moreover, mean values skin thickness differed significantly among different 14.03, 15.54 16.62 T0, respectively. Hence might improve status without affecting utilization performance