Nutritional studies on some different sources of iodine on productive performance, ruminal fermentation and blood constituents of Buffalo. 1 – Effect of two different iodine levels on productive and reproductive performance of buffalo cows

This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of feeding buffalo cows on ration supplemented with two levels from iodine (I) during late pregnancy (three months before parturition) and postpartum period (six months after parturition) on nutrients digestibility, some blood constituent, birth weight of their offspring, Concentrations of immunoglobulin in colostrums, milk (yield and composition) and reproductive parameters. Eighteen buffalo cows (2-4 lactations) in late pregnancy period were selected to carry out the experimental work. The animals were divided into three similar groups (6 female buffaloes in each). Concentrate feed mixture (CFM), berseem hay (BH) and rice straw (RS) were given to animals as a control ration (I0) without supplementation, while the other groups I1 and I2 received the control ration with iodine at levels of 0.3 and 0.5 mg I per kg DM intake /h/d, respectively. Results indicated that supplementation ration of buffalo cows with different levels of I had improved the digestibility of all nutrients, TDN, DCP at pre and post partum, feed efficiency, increased milk yield, 7% fat correct milk yield and its composition. Birth and weaning weight of calves in treated groups were higher than that control group. Immunoglobulin concentration in colostrums indicated higher values with animals feed supplemented rations than those fed the control. Moreover, addition of I improved RBC, WBC, Hb, PCV, plasma total protein, globulin, glucose, T3 and T4. Supplemented rations of buffalo cows with 0. 5 mg I/ h/ d tend to significantly (P< 0.05) higher in actual milk yield, 7% FCM yield, fat %, protein %, lactose %, SNF % and TS %, while supplemented with 0. 3 mg I/ h/ d appeared to the same higher trend with no significantly differences. Moreover, better feed efficiency was observed with animals fed supplemented rations. The periods required for fetal membrane expulsion was significantly reduced in I2 group when compared to I1 or control groups. Moreover, only control group showed a case of abortion and still birth, while treated dams delivered 100% healthy calves. Buffaloes of group I2 had the least (P < 0.05) calving interval due to the shorter intervals for uterine involution, onset of the 1 postpartum heat and days open. Iodine supplementation showed significant differences among groups in studied parameters such as NSPC and CI. Mean period elapsed from calving until placenta drop significantly decreased I2 than the control group. Generally, it concluded that I supplementation for ration of buffalo cows improved immunity, nutrients digestibility, calves birth weight and increased milk (yield and composition) and showed better feed efficiency as well as higher some traits of reproductive performance. [Kh. I. I. Zeedan, O. M. El-Malky, Kh. M. M. Mousa, A. A. El.Giziry and K. E.I. Etman. Nutritional studies on some different sources of iodine on productive performance, ruminal fermentation and blood constituents of Buffalo. 1 – Effect of two different iodine levels on productive and reproductive performance of buffalo cows. Journal of American Science 2010;6(11):515-530]. (ISSN: 1545-1003).