• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.307-312
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• 2000

Fasting heat production (FHP) of growing buffalo calves (Bubalus bubalis) in the body weight range of 76 to 236 kg was determined using open circuit respiration chamber. The details of the chambers, calibration of gas analysers and operation of the systems are described. Animals were fasted for 96 hrs during which only water was provided. FHP was determined during next 24 hrs. The mean oxygen consumed, carbon dioxide and methane produced and urinary N excretion per 24 h was $17.03{\ell}$, $11.70{\ell}$, and $0.12{\ell}$ and 0.35 g respectively. The mean respiratory quotient ranged from 0.68 to 0.71, which indicated that post absorptive stage is reached after 96 hrs in growing buffalo calves previously fed ammoniated straw-based ration. Mean FHP of calves was $331.4kJ/kg\;W^{0.75}$. FHP of calves with range of mean body weights of 167 to 235 kg, although nonsignificant but, was almost 12% higher than of calves having mean body weight of 101 kg. Suitable exponent to body weight to describe FHP of buffalo calves was 0.87.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.177-182
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• 2009

This study was conducted to investigate the variation of growth characteristics and reproductive physiology in cloned Hanwoo male calves during growing stage. The hematological parameters, body weight, and plasma hormonal levels, birth to 12 months, were analyzed in the cloned calves (n=3). Differences among treatment means were determined by a student t-test. A probability of P<0.05 was considered statistically significant. The hematological parameters, such as white blood cell, red blood cell, and platelet, were not different in both normal and cloned calves. The difference of body weight, however, was significantly higher in the cloned calves, $5{\sim}6$ months (p<0.05) and $7{\sim}12$ months (p<0.01), than that of the comparators, respectively. The plasma IGF-1 level was statistically significant in the cloned calves, $5{\sim}10$ months, compared to that of the normal calves (p<0.05). However, the plasma testosterone level was not different in both normal and clone calves according to growing stage. Taken together, the cloned Hanwoo male calves are growing faster and maintaining a normal reproductive physiology.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.2 no.3
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• pp.269-270
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• 1989

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.361-368
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• 2012

Effect of vitamin C (VC) on biochemical, hematological and cortisol profile of growing Holstein calves during summer was investigated. Eighteen calves between 14 and 16 weeks of age were divided equally into two groups. One group received a diet supplemented with VC (20 g/d) for 60 days, while other non-supplemented diet fed group served as a control (CON). The temperature humidity index (THI) was recorded and computed during the experiment. From days 0 to 60, the THI exceeded 70. Blood samples were collected from the jugular vein of each calf at days 0, 15, 30, 45 and 60. Serum albumin and total protein decreased (p<0.05) in CON and VC calves with age. Serum glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase concentrations were not affected by treatments. Serum creatinine, albumin and glutamic-pyruvic transaminase concentrations were higher in calves in the VC group than the CON group. While red blood cells, hemoglobin and hematocrit were lower (p<0.05) in VC calves, mean corpuscular volume, mean corpuscular hemoglobin, red blood cell distribution width and mean platelet volume were higher (p<0.05) in these VC supplemented calves. Leukocyte parameters including white blood cells and full term for lymphocytes were not affected by the treatments. Also, serum cortisol was not affected by treatments. At day 15, 30 and 45, the total VC in plasma was higher (p<0.05) in calves fed with VC. In conclusion, serum cortisols were not affected by plasma VC concentration, while some blood parameters were positively influenced in calves fed with VC.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.175-179
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• 1996

Twelve indigenous(desi) growing male calves of 9-12 months of age($95.3{\pm}12.6kg$) were divided into 4 groups having 3 animals in each group. Each group of calves received 1 kg fresh concentrate mixtures where tea waste was supplemented as 0($T_0$), 50($T_1$), 100($T_2$) and 150($T_3$) g $d^{-1}$ with the replacement of equal amount of concentrate mixtures. In addition, each calf received ad libitum chopped rice straw and 2 kg green grass a day. Dry matter intake increased by offering higher levels of tea waste except in the treatment $T_3$. Daily gain(g $d^{-1}$) was comparatively higher in $T_2$ group(314.6g) compared to other treatments. Feed efficiency(kg DM $kg^{-1}$ gain) was also higher in $T_2$ group(9.9) where feed cost $kg^{-1}$ gain was also comparatively lower(Tk. 25.7) than the other treatments. Dry matter and CP digestibility increased with the increase in supplementation of tea wastes except in the treatment $T_3$.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.201-205
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• 1994

Thirty buffalo calves were randomly categorized into three groups on the basis of age, i.e. birth to 6 months; 6 to 12 months and 12-24 months. Blood samples were collected to monitor certain vital metabolites in relation to age and prediction of performance in growing buffalo calves. Amongst the various blood parameters estimated the serum glucose, cholesterol and gamma globulins have shown highly significant correlations with age and live weight-gain of the animal as well. However, the multiple regression analysis clearly indicated the influence of age and live body weight on blood metabolites in buffalo calves.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.497-501
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• 2005

An experiment was conducted on crossbred male calves to study the effect of arsenic (As) on immunity status and certain hematological parameters. Ten crossbred male calves of 3-4 months of age were distributed into two equal groups. Group I was kept as control, whereas, group II was supplemented daily with 50 ppm As (as $As_sO_3$) up to 90 days, in the diet. Calves of both groups were fed as per ICAR standards and their requirements were fulfilled by feeding concentrate mixture and green oats. All calves were kept under similar managemental conditions. Blood samples were collected at fortnightly intervals to estimate various haematological parameters and superoxide dismutase (SOD) enzyme activity. Serum Ig and serum glutamic pyruvate transaminase (SGPT) were also measured. Cell-mediated immune responses of the calves were monitored at 0, 45 and 90 of experimental feeding, through lymphocyte proliferation. No change in blood total leukocyte counts (TLC), differential leukocyte counts (DLC), packed cell volume (PCV), haemoglobin (Hb) and SGPT was observed with As supplementation. A decrease in SOD activity was noticed in group II calves. Stimulation index (SI) for lymphocyte proliferation decreased from 1.14 to 0.79 in group II calves during 90 days experimental feeding, whereas, there was no change in SI values in group I indicating significant decrease in immune response of As supplemented calves. Blood As concentration increased in group II calves with the decrease in immune response. Short term supplementation of As to growing calves suggested suppressive effects on cell-mediated immunity. However, long term experiments are required to demonstrate clearly the efects of this toxic metal in calves.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.42-50
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• 2017

Objective: Two trials were conducted in order to examine the effects of level of supplemental methionine on productive performance, dietary energetic, plasma amino acid concentration, and digestive function. Methods: Dietary treatments consisted of a steam-flaked corn-based diet containing urea as the only source of supplemental nitrogen supplemented with no supplemental amino acid (control), or control plus 1.01% lysine and 0.032%, 0.064%, 0.096%, or 0.128% methionine. In Trial 1, 150 Holstein steer calves ($127{\pm}4.9kg$) were utilized to evaluate the influence of treatments on growth-performance, dietary energetic, plasma amino acid concentration during the first 112 days of growing period. During the initial 56-d period calves received the 5 experimental diets. During the subsequent 56-d period all calves were fed the control diet. Results: During the initial 56-d period, methionine supplementation increased (linear effect, p<0.01) plasma methionine. In the presence of supplemental lysine, increases on level of methionine in diet did not affect average daily gain. However, increased gain efficiency (quadratic effect, p = 0.03) and estimated dietary net energy (NE; linear effect, p = 0.05). Estimated metabolizable methionine supply was closely associated ($R^2=0.95$) with efficiency NE utilization for maintenance and gain. During the subsequent 56-d period, when all calves received the control diet (no amino acid supplementation), plasma amino acid concentrations and growth performance was not different among groups. However, the effects of methionine supplementation during the initial 56-period carried over, so that following a 56-d withdrawal of supplementation, the overall 112-d effects on gain efficiency (quadratic effect, p = 0.05) dietary NE (linear effect, $p{\leq}0.05$) remained appreciable. In Trial 2, 5 cannulated Holstein steers were used to evaluate treatment effects on characteristics of digestion and amino acid supply to the small intestine. There were no treatment effects on flow of dietary and microbial N to the small intestine. Postruminal N digestion increased (p = 0.04) with increasing level of supplemental methionine. Methionine supplementation linearly increased (p<0.01) duodenal flow of methionine. Likewise, lysine supplementation increased an average of 4.6% (p = 0.04) duodenal flow of lysine. In steers that received non-supplemented diet, observed intestinal amino acid supply were in good agreement with expected. Conclusion: We conclude that addition of rumen-protected methionine and lysine to diets may enhance gain efficiency and dietary energetics of growing Holstein calves. Observed amino acid supply to the small intestine were in good agreement with expected, supportive of NRC (2000, Level 1).

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.8 no.5
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• pp.443-447
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• 1995

Fifteen Karan-Swiss male calves of 9-12 months of age were divided into three groups of five each in a randomised block design. Animals in group I were fed wheat straw ad lib. and concentrate mixture according to their requirements, while in group II and III the animals were fed with 1/3 of the required concentrate mixture replaced by UMM licks 'Ex' and 'F', respectively. The DMI (kg/day as well as per 100 kg b.wt.) were similar (p > 0.05) among different groups of animals, however, the digestibility of DM as well as OM enhanced from $52.85{\pm}1.48$ to $58.36{\pm}1.89$ and $55.33{\pm}1.48$ to $60.12{\pm}1.75$, respectively. Growth rates of the calves were $533.8{\pm}27.25$, $532.3{\pm}42.24$ and $538.4{\pm}18.68$ g/d in groups I, II and ill (p > 0.05), respectively. Body composition and N balances of the animals were not affected by supplementation of UMM licks, however, protein retention efficiency was higher in group III ($82.57{\pm}2.54$) though nonsignificant. Feed cost/day was reduced from Rs. 7.92 (group I) to Rs. 4.62 (group II) and Rs. 3.44 (group III). Hence, partial replacement of concentrates by UMM licks reduced the cost of feeding of growing calves by 41.7 to 56.6% without affecting the growth performance.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.15 no.11
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• pp.1568-1572
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• 2002

A 152 day trial was conducted to see the effect of feeding naturally fermented wheat straw (FWS) with either energy, protein or energy protein supplements on the growth of buffalo calves. Twenty four male buffalo calves (10-12 months old) divided in 6 equal groups were individually offered FWS as sole roughage along with either conventional concentrate mixture (conc), maize grains (M), solvent extracted mustard cake (DMC), M-DMC mixture (50:50), deoiled rice bran (DRB) or uromol bran mixture (UBM) in 70:30 ratio. The digestibility of nutrients, nitrogen retention and nutritive value was maximum in FWS:UBM followed by FWS:DMC and FWS:Conc groups. Almost, all the blood parameters were observed well within the normal range except that of blood urea (FWS:UBM) and creatinine (FWS:DMC and FWS:DRB). The dietary combination in which FWS was supplemented with only conventional protein supplement like DMC proved to be highly efficient as far as live weight gain was concerned. FWS supplemented with energy-protein combination i.e. MDMC could also be used as complete feed for growing calves in comparison to conventional feeding system.