Effects of Organic and Inorganic Forms of Supplemental Copper, Zinc, Iron and Manganese at Different Dose Levels on Growth Performance and Plasma Minerals in Crossbred Male Calves Mondal S.*, Samanta C.C., Bairagi B., Biswas P. Department of Animal Nutrition, West Bengal University of Animal and Fishery Sciences, Kolkata-700 037, India. *Reprint request: Dr. S. Mondal, E-mail: souvik823@yahoo.co.in
Abstract The present experiment was carried out to assess the effect of organic and inorganic forms of trace minerals at different supplementary levels on the growth performance of crossbred male calves. Twenty cross-bred male calves (6–9 months), were randomly distributed into 5 groups viz. C (Control), T1, T2, T3, T4 consisting of four calves each. Inorganic trace minerals (Cu, Zn, Fe and Mn) were fed at 200% of the NRC requirements in T1 group and proteinate trace minerals (Cu, Zn, Fe and Mn) were supplemented at 100%, 50% and 25% of the NRC (2001) requirements in T2, T3 and T4 respectively. In Control (C) group the said trace mineral requirements were met through addition of inorganic salt of those elements. Effect of proteinate and inorganic trace minerals supplementation was assessed by body weight gain, average daily gain, plasma major (Ca, P and Mg) and trace (Cu, Zn, Mn and Fe) mineral profiles. Result revealed that supplementation of proteinate trace minerals at NRC dose level to male calves improved body weight gain and average daily gain as compared to the calves supplemented inorganic minerals at NRC (2001) dose level. Supplementation of proteinate trace mineral at NRC dose level to male calves did not alter plasma major mineral (Ca, P and Mg) profile but increased plasma Cu, Zn, Mn and Fe after 90 days of feeding trial. It was concluded that supplementation of proteinate trace elements (Cu, Zn, Fe and Mn) at NRC requirement in crossbred male calves may improve the body weight gain than that of inorganic trace minerals. Top Keywords Calves, Growth, Inorganic, Trace mineral, Proteinate, Plasma. Top |