Impact of bovine somatotropin and monensin on the productive performance of Egyptian dairy buffaloes

Abstract

Twenty lactating buffaloes divided into 4 groups (five each) were used to evaluate the singular and combined effect of bovine somatotropin and monensin on the productive performance of Egyptian dairy buffaloes. Treatments were (1) control, (2) injection of exogenous bovine somatotropin (bST), (3) concentrate feed mixture top dressed with 400 mg of monensin (M)/d/animal, (4) somatotropin (bST) and monensin in combination, during 14 day before expected calving and the first 120 day of lactation period. Diets and managements were the same for all animals during the experimental period. Dry matter intake was increased for animals which treated with rbST. Digestibility co-efficient of DM, OM, CF, EE and NFE were not affected by treatments, however, digestibility of CP was significantly higher in animals treated with rbST. Milk yield and 4% fat conected milk yield were significantly (p<0.01) higher in animals treated with rbST group than other groups. Milk fat, Total Solids (TS), Total Protein (TP) and ash contents were not significantly (p>0.05) changed by treatments, however, milk lactose content was significantly (p<0.01) increased by treatments. Plasma total protein and glucose concentrations were significantly (p<0.01) increased by rbST treatment, however, plasma albumin, globulin, A/G ratio, urea, GOT, GPT and cholesterol contents were not significantly affected by treatments. The results of the present study suggest that rbST is efficacious in increasing milk yield without effect on milk composition and without any adverse effects on lactating buffaloes. © 2008 Academic Journals Inc.