Vol. 12, Special Issue 10 (2023)

Author(s):
Axay B Joshi, Sandhya S Chaudhary, Virendra K Singh, Tanvi D Manat, Bharat S Siddhapara and Prashant G Rathod

Abstract:
The present study was conducted to investigate changes in haematological parameters of postpartum Surti buffaloes fed with fresh sugarcane tops. Eighteen postpartum Surti buffaloes based on their body weight, body condition score and parity were selected and divided in three groups with 6 animals in each group viz. Control group (T₁ group) fed with basal diet (green Jowar/Oat, dry Jowar/Oat, Paddy straw, Concentrates and Lucerne), T₂ group fed with replacement of green Jowar/Oat with sugarcane tops in basal diet and T₃ group fed with replacement of green Jowar/Oat with sugarcane tops in basal diet + yeast (1gram Saccharomyces cerevisiae containing 10 x 10⁹ CFU per animal per day) from calving till 8 weeks postpartum. Blood samples were collected at 2^nd, 6^th and 10^th weeks postpartum and analyzed for hematological parameters. All the hematological parameters revealed non-significant changes between different treatment groups of Surti buffaloes except hemoglobin concentration that was significantly (p≤0.05) lower in T₂ group of buffaloes as compared to Control (T₁) whereas in T₃ group its concentration was intermediate. Total erythrocyte count (TEC) was highest in T3 group and lowest in T₂ group at postpartum weeks 2, 6 and 10. Total leukocyte count (TLC) was almost similar in all the groups at 2, 6 and 10 weeks postpartum without any significant differences between groups. Difference for differential leukocyte count between groups was non-significant at any stage of experimental period. Thus, it was concluded that replacement of green jowar/oat during its scarcity with fresh sugarcane tops lowers haemoglobin level in postpartum Surti buffaloes so it should be done with close and regular monitoring of haemoglobin level. However, such replacement does not adversely impact other haemogram and Leukogram parameters. Additionally, supplementation of probiotic yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae to fresh sugarcane tops can be beneficial.