Some Productive and Physiological Responses of Lactating Egyptian Buffaloes as Affected by Dietary Supplementation of Protected Fat

Six multiparous lactating Egyptian buffaloes in their second and fourth season of lactation after their peak of milk production were used in two complete balanced period’s changeover design experiment during January to March. Three experimental rations (T1, T2 and T3) were fed in amounts to meet 100, 110 and 115 % of their AFRC (1993) metabolizable energy (ME) requirements. The protected fat (calcium salts of palm oil fatty acids) was added daily and mixed with the concentrate mixture in T2 and T3. All concentrate mixtures were iso-nitrogenous. Sugarcane bagasse was offered ad libitum as a roughage source. Protected fat supplementation increased (P<0.05) milk yield, 7% FCM, milk fat yield and total dry matter intake. The rectal temperature decreased (P<0.05) at 8.00 am and 2.00 pm for buffaloes fed protected fat supplemented rations (T2 and T3) compared with those fed the control ration (T1). However, fat supplementation had no effect on respiration rate at 8.00 am however, decreased (P<0.05) at 2.00 pm for buffaloes fed T2 and T3 compared with those fed T1. Blood hemoglobin increased (P<0.05) for buffaloes fed on T2 and T3 when compared with those fed T1 ration. Protected fat supplementation led to an increase (P<0.05) in packed cell volume, red blood cell counts, white blood cell counts and corpuscular hemoglobin and corpuscular volume. However, the values of corpuscular hemoglobin concentration did not change due to fat supplementation. The concentrations of plasma glucose, total protein, albumin and globulin increased (P<0.05) for buffaloes fed T2 and T3 compared with those fed T1. Also, concentrations of plasma total lipids, cholesterol and triglycerides were higher (P<0.05) for buffaloes fed T2 and T3 than those fed T1. Also, the concentrations of triiodothyronine and thyroxin were higher (P<0.05) for buffaloes fed T2 and T3 than those fed T1. This study indicated that protected fat supplementation in lactating buffaloes can be improved some of their productive and physiological responses, indicating that the efficient metabolic activities of these animals were enhanced.