Influence of varying dietary cation anion difference on serum minerals, mineral balance and hypocalcemia in Nili Ravi buffaloes

The study was conducted to examine the influence of diets containing − 110, + 110, + 220 and + 330 mEq/kg dry matter (DM) of dietary cation anion difference (DCAD) on serum minerals, minerals balance (Na, K, Cl, S, Ca, Mg and P) and hypocalcemia in prepartum Nili Ravi buffaloes in a randomized complete block design during summer. Four DCAD diets were randomly allotted to four groups, five buffaloes in each group. A linear increase in nutrients intake was recorded with increasing the DCAD level. Buffaloes fed − 110 DCAD diet had higher nutrients digestibilities than those fed + 110, + 220 and + 330 DCAD. Blood pH and serum HCO3 also increased linearly with increasing DCAD level. Serum Cl was high in buffaloes fed the − 110 DCAD diet, while serum cation anion difference increased linearly with increasing the DCAD level. Serum Ca increased with decreasing the DCAD level while serum Mg, P and S remained unaffected. Urine pH increased with increasing DCAD level. A constant increase in urinary excretion of Ca, Mg, P and Cl was observed with decreasing the DCAD level. Buffaloes fed − 110 DCAD diet had increased Ca and Cl balance while Mg, P and S balance remained unaltered due to DCAD alteration. Not a single case of hypocalcemia was observed in buffaloes fed − 110 and + 110 DCAD diets. However, one buffalo from each group fed + 220 and + 330 DCAD diets had hypocalcemia. This study indicated that − 110 and + 110 DCAD diets not only increased calcium balance but also prevented hypocalcemia in Nili ravi buffaloes.