Effect of Zinc or/and Manganese Methionine Supplements on Performance of Lactating Buffaloes .

Abstract

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of adding chelated zinc methionine or / and manganese methionine on the digestibility coefficients, nutritive value, some ruminal and blood parameters, milk yield and composition of lactating buffaloes.. Sixteen lactating buffaloes at the last three months of pregnancy were divided into four similar groups . Animals were fed according to Ghoneim (1964) Feeding standard. The lactating buffaloes were fed on the following rations: The control group was fed concentrate feed mixture, berseem hay (Trifolium alexandrinum) and rice straw without minerals supplementation. .The 1 st tested group was fed the control ration + 40mg zinc methionine /kg DMI). The 2 nd tested group was fed control ration + 40mg manganese methionine /kg DMI). The 3 rd group was fed the control ration + 40mg zinc methionine + 40mg manganese methionine /kg DMI). All groups were fed from about three months before the expected calving date up to 105 days of lactation . Results indicated that the addition of both chelated zinc and manganese methionine improved DM, OM, CP, CF, EE and NFE digestibilities and feeding values ( TDN and DCP) . Also , chelated zinc , manganese and zinc plus manganese supplements tended to reduce ammonia -N ,but increase TVFA's , improved feed conversion and increase milk yield. Moreover, chelated zinc methionine and manganese methionine supplementation increase serum total protein, albumin and globulin, but reduced the concentration of urea in blood serum. From the obtained results. It could be concluded that Zn-Met plus Mn-Met supplementation could be economically and successfully used for lactating buffaloes to improve digestibility's, feeding values, feed efficiency, milk production and economical efficiency .