Indian Journal of Animal Nutrition
Year : 1985, Volume : 2, Issue : 1
First page : ( 11) Last page : ( 14)
Print ISSN : 0970-3209. Online ISSN : 2231-6744.

Effect of Dietary Nitrate on Carotene Utilization in Buffalo Calves*

Bajpai L.D.**, Arora S.P.

Division of Dairy Cattle Nutrition & Physiology, National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal (Haryana)-132001, India

^**Department of Animal Nutrition and Food Technology, College of Vety. Science and Animal Husbandry, Jabalpur (MP)-462001

* A part of Ph.D. thesis of the senior author submiited to Punjab University.

Online published on 21 January, 2012.

Abstract

Fifteen male Mnrrah buffalo calves were fed ration deficient in vitamin A and carotene for a period of 28 days. Vitamin A level decreased to 9.74±0.89 µg/It 0 ml of serum and liver values of the three representatives were 3.97±0.15 µg/g liver tissue. After depletion, the calves were distributed into two groups and during repletion period both the groups were given the same ration as during the depletion period except that they received p" carotene in oil mixed in the concentrate mixture of group 1. The concentrate mixture of the experimental group 2 contained 3 percent KNO² also. Blood samples drawn on days 6, 12, 18, 24 and 30 of the depletion period were analysed for met-haemoglobin, vitamin A and carotene. Vitamin A and carotene in liver were also estimated at the end of the experiment. Inclusion of KNO₃ did not produce any visible symptoms of toxicity. Percent met-haemo-globln to total haemoglobin remained more or less constant at different intervals except on days 6 and 12 when it increased significantly in calves of group 2. Individual susceptibility to nitrate feeding was also evident as the symptoms were not produced in all the animals. Though e-carotene supplementation raised the levels of vitamin A in serum and liver of both the groups yet the increase was only significant in animals of group 1 (P<0.01).

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