Post-prandial dynamics of macro elements in the blood and rumen liquor of buffalo calves under four feeding regimes

The present investigation was undertaken to study the distribution and post-prandial variation of macro elements in blood and rumen liquor under different dietary regimes in buffalo calves. In the present study, the distribution of sodium, potassium, calcium and magnesium was studied in whole blood and rumen fluid of 4 rumen fistulated buffalo calves maintained under 4 different feeding regimes viz. diet A (concentrate 1 kg, wheat bhoosa 2 kg, green fodder 8 kg), diet B (wheat bhoosa 2 kg, green fodder 16 kg), diet C (wheat bhoosa 2 kg, concentrate 2 kg) and diet D (wheat bhoosa 6 kg). Samples were collected at 0.0.5, 1, 2, 4, 6 and 8 hours post feeding. Samples were analyzed by atomic absorption spectrophotometer. The dietary differences had highly significant effect on rumen liquor and blood sodium, potassium, calcium and magnesium levels. The mean concentration of sodium (mEq/L), potassium (mEq/L), calcium (mg%) and magnesium (mg%) in whole blood and rumen liquor were 163.68, 4.64, 10.10 and 3.67 and 149.23, 40.48, 8.49 and 9.60 respectively during feeding of diet A, B, C and D. It is evident from the results that sodium, potassium calcium, and magnesium concentration in rumen liquor as well as in blood were highest on diet A.