Mineral Supplementation in Diseased Buffalo Calves and Impact on Health, Behavior, and Clinical Blood Profiles
Mineral Supplementation in Diseased Buffalo Calves and Impact on Health, Behavior, and Clinical Blood Profiles
Walaa I. Mohameden1, Haidy G. Abdel-Rahman2, Ibrahim M. Hegab3*
ABSTRACT
Mineral supplementation to livestock enhances their health, immunity, and behavior. We aimed to investigate the influence of mineral supplementation on diseased buffalo calves on health, blood parameters, skin, and behavioral repertoire, and to record the association influencing animals before, during and after minerals supplementation. Twenty buffalo calves suffering from skin lesions were enrolled in this study and the diet was supplemented with mineral mixture for 60 days. Skin conditions and behavioral modifications were monitored alongside blood and plasma samples were harvested at days 0, 30, and 60 of the study for hematological and biochemical analysis. Results revealed an overall improvement in animal health, skin conditions, and liver and kidney functions. Significant (P < 0.05) increases in plasma proteins, zinc, and copper were recorded, while malondialdehyde, TNF-α, and MMP-9 significantly (P < 0.05) decreased. Furthermore, buffalo calves showed significant ( P < 0.05) increases in both ingestive and locomotor activities, while grooming and lateral recumbency significantly (P < 0.05) declined. Mineral supplementation had a favorable effect on animal skin, health conditions, and antioxidant activity, as well as it has a minimizing influences on TNF-alpha and MMP-9.
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