Influence of altering dietary cation anion difference on milk yield and its composition by early lactating Nili Ravi buffaloes in summer

Influence of − 11, + 11, + 22 and + 33 mEq/100 g dry matter (DM) of dietary cation anion difference (DCAD) on dry matter intake (DMI), serum concentration of minerals and milk yield and its composition by early lactating Nili Ravi buffaloes was examined in a randomized complete block design during summer. Four iso-energetic and iso-nitrogenous DCAD diets were randomly allotted to four groups, five buffaloes in each group. A linear increase in DMI and water intakes was recorded with increasing the DCAD concentration. Greater nitrogen balance was noticed in buffaloes fed diets containing + 22 and + 33 mEq/100 g DM DCAD than those fed − 11 and + 11 mEq/100 g DM DCAD concentrations. Blood pH and HCO₃ concentration increased linearly with increasing DCAD concentrations. Serum chloride concentration was greater with − 11 mEq/100 g DM DCAD concentration, while serum cation anion difference increased linearly with increasing the DCAD concentration. Serum calcium concentration increased significantly with decreasing the DCAD concentration while serum magnesium and phosphorus concentrations remained unaffected. Buffaloes fed − 11 DCAD had higher calcium and chloride balance than those fed + 11, + 22 and + 33 DCAD. Phosphorus, sodium and potassium balance increased in buffaloes fed high (+ 22 and + 33) DCAD. Urine pH was increased significantly with increasing DCAD concentration. Milk yield and milk fat percentage increased linearly with DCAD concentration, whereas milk protein and lactose content were not affected. Increasing DCAD from − 11 to + 33 mEq/100 g DM increased DMI, water intake, milk yield and milk fat content in early lactating buffaloes during summer.     

Influence of varying dietary cation anion difference on serum minerals, mineral balance and hypocalcemia in Nili Ravi buffaloes

The study was conducted to examine the influence of diets containing − 110, + 110, + 220 and + 330 mEq/kg dry matter (DM) of dietary cation anion difference (DCAD) on serum minerals, minerals balance (Na, K, Cl, S, Ca, Mg and P) and hypocalcemia in prepartum Nili Ravi buffaloes in a randomized complete block design during summer. Four DCAD diets were randomly allotted to four groups, five buffaloes in each group. A linear increase in nutrients intake was recorded with increasing the DCAD level. Buffaloes fed − 110 DCAD diet had higher nutrients digestibilities than those fed + 110, + 220 and + 330 DCAD. Blood pH and serum HCO₃ also increased linearly with increasing DCAD level. Serum Cl was high in buffaloes fed the − 110 DCAD diet, while serum cation anion difference increased linearly with increasing the DCAD level. Serum Ca increased with decreasing the DCAD level while serum Mg, P and S remained unaffected. Urine pH increased with increasing DCAD level. A constant increase in urinary excretion of Ca, Mg, P and Cl was observed with decreasing the DCAD level. Buffaloes fed − 110 DCAD diet had increased Ca and Cl balance while Mg, P and S balance remained unaltered due to DCAD alteration. Not a single case of hypocalcemia was observed in buffaloes fed − 110 and + 110 DCAD diets. However, one buffalo from each group fed + 220 and + 330 DCAD diets had hypocalcemia. This study indicated that − 110 and + 110 DCAD diets not only increased calcium balance but also prevented hypocalcemia in Nili ravi buffaloes.     

Nutrient intake, acid base status and growth performance of growing male buffalo calves fed varying level of dietary cation anion difference

Influence of + 110, + 220 and + 330 mEq/kg of dry matter (DM) dietary cation anion difference (DCAD) on growth performance of growing male buffalo calves was examined in a randomized complete block design. Three DCAD diets were randomly allotted to three groups, ten calves in each group. A linear increase in nutrient intake was recorded with increased DCAD level. However, digestibilities of nutrients remained unaltered across all diets. Calves fed + 330 DCAD diet had higher nitrogen balance than those fed + 110 DCAD diet. Blood pH and serum HCO₃ increased with increased DCAD level. Serum chloride was high in calves fed + 110 DCAD diet, while serum (Na + K) − (Cl + S) increased linearly with increased DCAD level. Serum calcium increased with decreased DCAD level while serum magnesium and phosphorus remained unaffected. Ca balance remained unaltered by calves fed varying level of DCAD. Urine pH increased with increased DCAD level. Calves fed + 220 and + 330 DCAD diets gained more weight than those fed + 110 DCAD diet. In conclusion, increased DCAD level not only increased dry matter intake but also weight gain in growing buffalo calves.