Studies on Serum Micro-mineral, Hormone and Vitamin Profile and Its Effect on Production and Therapeutic Management of Buffaloes in Haryana State of India

A survey was conducted in certain parts of Haryana to record the prevalence of micro mineral deficiency in buffaloes. The prevalence of soil Cu, Co, Zn and Fe deficiency was 55.26%, 6.9%, 59.12% and 7.89% respectively. While that of fodder Cu, Co, Zn and Fe was 60.64%, 6.7%, 61.22% and 11.37% respectively. The overall prevalence of serum Cu, Co, Zn and Fe deficiency in Haryana was 59.2%, 19.1%, 59.2% and 19.9% respectively. The correlation co-efficient of Cu, Co, Zn and Fe in soil, fodder and serum was significant in most of the cases the values were above 0.8. Blood examination revealed significant decrease in haemoglobin and TEC level. However, no variation in level of TLC were observed in mineral deficient buffaloes. In micro mineral deficiency, thyroid hormone (T3 and T4) levels were decreased in buffaloes. Marginally lower concentration of vitamin A and E were observed in mineral deficient buffaloes in Haryana. The highest deficiency of micro minerals was 61.76% in copper at Ambala followed by 65.86% in zinc at Rhotak. For therapeutic studies a mineral mixture was prepared according to defiency obtained and fed to three groups of animals. Observation was recorded on 0, 15, 30, 45 and 60 days. Group A consist of normal healthy animals and group B mineral deficient animal untreated and group C mineral deficient animal, treated with prepared mineral mixture. 25 gram of mineral mixture was fed daily along with normal ration. There was increase in body weight, milk yield, haemoglobin concentration and total erythrocyte level in group C animals when compared to group B animals. The milk yield in group C animals increased to 6.970±0.41 after 60th day of supplement in comparison to 0 day where it was 5.910±0.37, similarly the body wt. of group C animals increased from 129.42±01.13 (at 0 day) to 159.31±03.61 at 60th day of treatment. (Asian-Aust. J. Anim. Sci. 2003. Vol 16, No. 4 : 519-528)