Effect of feeding Different levels of Conocarpus lancifolius Silage on body Dimensions and some blood Biochemical parameters of Holstein calves

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of feeding different levels of Conocarpus lancifolius silage on body dimensions and blood biochemical parameters of calves. In this study, 12 Holstein calves, 6-8 months old, with an average weight of 109.33 kg were used. Calves were randomly divided into three treatments. The first treatment is control, in which calves were fed a diet consisted of 50% concentrate nd 50% alfalfa hay. Calves in the second treatment were fed a diet consisted of 50% concentrate 25% alfalfa hay and 25% Conocarpus plant silage (CS). Calves in the third treatment were fed a diet consisted of 50% concentrate and 50% CS. The results showed that there were no significant differences in the body dimensions of calves including shoulder height, thigh height, chest circumference, and body length among treatments. There was a significant decrease (P≤0.05) in the concentration of serum cholesterol and urea nitrogen in the third treatment as compared with the other treatments. The results also showed a significant (P≤0.05) superiority in the concentration of serum glucose and triglycerides in the third treatment as compared with the other treatments. Conocarpus silage did not affect the concentrations of serum protein, albumin, globulin and liver enzymes.