An experiment was conducted to study the effect of molasses based multi-nutrient herbal supplements (MMS) containing ground fenugreek seed and de-oiled mahua seed cake at two different ratios (1:1; MMS-I and 1:3; MMS-II) on growth performance, nutrient utilization and immune response of male buffalo calves. Fifteen male Murrah buffalo calves (10 to 15 months of age and mean body wt. 234–236 kg) were randomly distributed into 3 groups of 5 each. All animals were supplied with conventional concentrate mixture, green forages (3–4 kg DM/d) and wheat straw ad lib. to meet out nutrient requirement. Animals in control group were not fed supplement but animals in group T1 and T2 were fed MMS-I and MMS-II, respectively @ 200 g/100 kg metabolic body weight (kg W0.75). The intake and digestibility of DM, OM, EE, NDF, ADF, hemicelluloses, cellulose and purine derivatives in urine were comparable among 3 groups. Digestibility of crude protein (CP) was higher in supplemented groups (T1 and T2) than control. Total dry matter intake, body weight gain, average daily gain (ADG) and feed conversion ratio (FCR) during 270 days were comparable among 3 groups. Both cellular and humoral immune response improved in T1 and T2 groups. The results revealed that molasses based multi-nutrient herbal supplement containing fenugreek and DMSC improved the growth performance, nutrient utilization and immune responses.

Effect of molasses based multinutrients herbal supplements (MMS) containing ground fenugreek seed and deoiled mahua seed cake at two different ratios (1:1; MMS-I or 1:3; MMS-II) on hematobiochemicals, serum lipid, antioxidants and hormonal profile in male buffalo calves was assessed for 9 months. Fifteen male Murrah buffalo calves (10 to 15 months of age and mean body wt. 234–236 kg) were randomly distributed into 3 groups (5 each) according to Randomized Block Design (RBD). All animals were fed individually with conventional concentrate mixture, available green fodder (3–4 kg DM/d) and wheat straw ad lib. to meet out nutrients requirement. While animals in control group (C) were fed no supplement but animal’s diet in group T1 and T2 supplemented with MMS-I and MMS-II, respectively at 44 g/100 kg body weight or 200 g /100 kg metabolic body weight (kgW0.75). The values of Hb, PCV, RBC, WBC, platelets count, serum total protein, uric acid, creatinine, urea level, total cholesterol, triglyceride, high density lipoprotein (HDL) and T3 hormone level were comparable among 3 groups. Serum glucose, globulin, antioxidants and testosterone levels were significantly increased but serum albumin, A/G ratio, low density lipoprotein (LDL) and cortisol levels were significantly decreased among supplemented groups as compared to control group and hormone T4 was significantly higher in T1 group. The results showed that supplementation of MMS-I and MMS- II in the diet of buffalo calves improved serum glucose, globulin, antioxidants, T4 and testosterone levels but lower albumin, A/G ratio, LDL and cortisol.

Molasses based multinutrients herbal supplements (MMS) containing ground fenugreek seed and de-oiled mahua seed cake at two different ratios (1:1; MMS I or 1:3; MMS II) was evaluated under in vitro as well as in vivo conditions. For in vitro evaluation, concentrate mixture and wheat straw in 50: 50 ratio (on DM basis) was taken as substrate for the experiment. MMS I and MMS II were added at 2, 3 and 4% of the substrate, respectively. The total gas production (ml/g DM), partitioning factor (PF) and microbial biomass production (MBP) were found comparable in all the groups but significantly improved the IVDMD and IVOMD in supplemented groups. Under in vivo feeding trial, serum enzymes and minerals profile in buffalo calves were assessed during 9 months of experimental period. Fifteen male Murrah buffalo calves (10 to 15 months of age and mean body wt. 234.0±12.5 kg) were randomly distributed into 3 groups (5 in each group) according to randomized block design. All animals were fed with conventional concentrate mixture, available chopped green fodder (3-4 kg DM/d) and wheat straw ad lib to meet out nutrients requirement. While control group (C) were not fed supplements but groups T1 and T2 supplemented with MMS I and MMS II, respectively at 44 g/100 kg body weight or 200 g/100 kg metabolic body weight (kgW0.75). Serum AST, ALT activities and serum concentration of Ca, P, Fe, Mn, Cu and Co were comparable among 3 groups but serum concentration of Zn was significantly higher among supplemented groups. Thus, results show that supplementation of MMS improved IVDMD, IVOMD and serum Zn level resulting in to better health conditions of buffalo calves.