Influence of Pre-Partum Plane of Nutrition on Nutrient Utilization and Performance in Murrah Buffaloes


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Authors

  • Dipak Dey
  • Harneet Kour ICAR-National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal
  • Parul Rana
  • Raman Malik
  • Hardik Naliyapara
  • Aman Goyal

https://doi.org/10.56093/ijan.v42i3.

Keywords:

Birth weight, Digestibility, P of nutrition, Prepartum buffaloes, Transition nutrition

Abstract

Maternal nutritional status pre-partum acts as a determining factor not only for the health status of the off-spring but also, for production yield of upcoming lactation phase, thereby feeding during this time period is of utmost importance. The present study investigated the effect of feeding a high plane of nutrition to prepartum Murrah buffaloes on the birth weight of calves and their performance, nutrient utilization, and blood metabolites. Forty pregnant Murrah (4 months before parturition) buffaloes were divided into four experimental groups based on parity, previous lactation yield and body weight as control (MP and ME levels as per ICAR, 2013 requirements), high metabolizable energy (HME, 30% more ME than ICAR 2013 requirements), high metabolizable protein (HMP, 40% more MP than ICAR 2013 requirements) and high metabolizable protein and metabolizable energy (HMEMP, ME level 30% more and 40% more MP than ICAR 2013) ration respectively, and a feeding trial was conducted till date of parturition. Each animal was provided with a diet consisting of concentrate mixture, green maize fodder, and wheat straw according to the experimental design. Dry matter intake, DMI (kg/100 kg BW) and metabolizable energy intake, MEI (Mcal/100 kg BW) were significantly (P<0.05) highest for HMEMP, followed by HMP, HME and control. Average daily body weight gain was higher (P<0.05) in HMEMP, followed by HME and HMP, with lowest for control group. It was observed that digestibility coefficients (%) of dry matter, organic matter, ether extract, neutral detergent fibre and acid detergent fibre were higher (P<0.05) in groups HMP, HME and HMEMP as compared to the control. It was concluded that feeding an additional 40% protein and 30% energy above ICAR, 2013 requirements during last four months of pregnancy resulted in higher body weight gain and better nutrient digestibility compared to individual diets having high levels of energy or protein.

Author Biography

  • Harneet Kour, ICAR-National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal

    M.V.Sc, GADVASU

    PhD, ICAR-NDRI, Karnal  

     

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Submitted

27-05-2025

Published

07-01-2026

Issue

Vol. 42 No. 3 (2025)

Section

Ruminant

License

Copyright remains with the society and author jointly. However, material can be used for research, teaching and to achieve goals of the society.

How to Cite

Dipak Dey, Kour, H., Parul Rana, Raman Malik, Hardik Naliyapara, & Aman Goyal. (2026). Influence of Pre-Partum Plane of Nutrition on Nutrient Utilization and Performance in Murrah Buffaloes. Indian Journal of Animal Nutrition, 42(3). https://doi.org/10.56093/ijan.v42i3.