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A note on the difference between blood urea of buffalo and cow calves

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  27 March 2009

Usha R. Mehra
Affiliation:
Division of Animal Nutrition, Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izatnagar, U.P., India
K. Nath
Affiliation:
Division of Animal Nutrition, Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izatnagar, U.P., India
S. K. Ranjhan
Affiliation:
Division of Animal Nutrition, Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izatnagar, U.P., India
Urmila Chetal
Affiliation:
Division of Animal Nutrition, Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izatnagar, U.P., India

Summary

Three buffalo calves and four Holstein x Hariana cross-bred calves of 4–6 months of age were fed for 21 weeks either on a normal protein ration according to National Research Council (1966) standard or 25% below or above it. The scheme of feeding was as follows:

Blood urea was determined every week from 6th to 21st week except in 10th, 14th and 15th week. When the animals attained the age of 15–17 months, their blood urea was again determined.

Blood urea of buffalo calves was found to be significantly higher than that of cow calves under similar conditions of feeding from 4 to 11 months of age. This difference disappeared at 15–17 months of age. Probable causes for this difference between species are discussed. Blood urea in both species tended to increase on high protein and decrease on low protein rations.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1976

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