Effects of Berberine and Zinc Supplementation on Growth Performance of Murrah Buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) Calves
Rishabh Singh
*
Department of Animal Husbandry, College of Agriculture, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel University of Agriculture & Technology, Meerut-250110, Uttar Pradesh, India.
Dev Saran Sahu
Department of Animal Husbandry, College of Agriculture, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel University of Agriculture & Technology, Meerut-250110, Uttar Pradesh, India.
Nazim Ali
Department of Animal Husbandry, College of Agriculture, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel University of Agriculture & Technology, Meerut-250110, Uttar Pradesh, India.
Satya Prakash Yadav
Department of Animal Husbandry, College of Agriculture, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel University of Agriculture & Technology, Meerut-250110, Uttar Pradesh, India.
Yashesh Singh
Department of Animal Husbandry, College of Agriculture, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel University of Agriculture & Technology, Meerut-250110, Uttar Pradesh, India.
Sonu Singh
Department of Animal Husbandry, College of Agriculture, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel University of Agriculture & Technology, Meerut-250110, Uttar Pradesh, India.
Shalu Singh
Department of Animal Husbandry, College of Agriculture, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel University of Agriculture & Technology, Meerut-250110, Uttar Pradesh, India.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Aims: This study aimed to evaluate the effects of berberine and zinc supplementation on the growth performance of Murrah buffalo calves.
Study Design: A Completely randomized design was employed.
Place and Duration of Study: The trial was conducted at the Livestock Research Center, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel University of Agriculture and Technology, Meerut, Uttar Pradesh, India, from July to December 2024.
Methodology: Twenty-eight Murrah buffalo calves (average body weight 132±5.41 kg, aged 9-11 months) were randomly assigned to four groups (n=7 each). Control (basal diet only) T1 (basal diet+800 mg/kg dry matter berberine), T2 (basal diet+60 mg/kg dry matter zinc), T3 (basal diet+800 mg/kg dry matter berberine + 60 mg/kg dry matter zinc). All calves were fed a basal diet consisting of concentrate, green fodder and straw in a 50:30:20 ratio. Body weight, body weight gain, dry matter intake and feed conversion ratio were measured fortnightly.
Results: Final mean weight was significantly higher in the T3 group (P<0.05) compared to the control. Body weight gain was greater in T1 and T3 groups followed by T2 and control groups (P<0.05). Dry matter intake was statistically greater in experimental groups compared to control group (P<0.05). Feed conversion ratio was significantly lower in T1 and T3 groups than T2 and control (P<0.05).
Conclusion: Supplementation with berberine and zinc particularly in combination significantly enhances growth performance in Murrah buffalo calves by improving Body weight gain, Dry matter intake and Feed conversion ratio.
Keywords: Berberine, zinc, supplementation, growth performance, Murrah buffalo calves