Effect of fish meal supplementation on production and biochemical alterations in dairy buffaloes during early postpartum period

ObjectiveTo assess the effects of supplementary feeding of fish meal on body condition score, milk production and associated blood biochemical alterations if any, in dairy buffaloes during early postpartum period.MethodsTen pluriparous buffaloes belonging to organized dairy farm were supplemented with 250 g fish meal (FM) daily from day of calving for 90 days postpartum and 5 buffaloes were kept as unsupplemented control. Heparinized venous blood samples were collected from each buffalo on day 0 and 15 days interval thereafter till 75 days postpartum. Body condition score and milk yield was recorded at fortnightly and weekly intervals respectively. Blood samples were analyzed for glucose, total protein, cholesterol, BUN and triglycerides.ResultsThe fish meal supplementation did not affect the body condition score (2.90 ± 0.08 vs. 2.92 ± 0.10 and 2.31 ± 0.04 vs. 2.25 ± 0.09, at start and end of fish meal supplementation in supplemented and control buffaloes respectively) or the average milk production (3.30 ± 0.16 kg vs. 3.5 ± 0.17 kg in supplemented and control buffaloes respectively) significantly. The blood glucose and cholesterol concentrations increased during postpartum period (till 75 days postpartum) in both the groups and in a similar manner. Plasma blood urea nitrogen concentrations were significantly reduced in both groups in postpartum period (P<0.05). Plasma triglycerides varied non-significantly during postpartum.ConclusionsThe fish meal supplementation does not affect the observed biochemical parameters. From the study, it can be concluded that fish meal supplementation (250 g daily) do not alter either biochemical profiles or milk production and body condition of the buffaloes.