Effect of Area-Specific Micronutrient Supplementation on Reproductive and Productive Performance of Buffaloes during the Periparturient Period

Abstract

Present study aimed to evaluate the effect of area-specific micronutrient supplementation on the reproductive and productive performance of sixteen advanced pregnant buffaloes during the peri-parturient period. The research was conducted for 60 days following parturition, in villages around the College of Veterinary Science & A.H, Mhow. The buffaloes, all of the non descript and similar body weight, were randomly assigned to two equal groups (n = 8) for the study: Group I,(unsupplemented group / control), which continued on the existing ration, and Group II (supplemented group / treatment), which received the existing ration supplemented with 40 g of area-specific micronutrient supplement (ASMS) contains Ca 19.91g, P 15.58 g, Zn 1.199 g, Cu 0.245 g, Vitamin E 0.399 g, Vitamin A 350000 IU, Vitamin D3 70000 IU per animal per day. Both groups were maintained on the farmers' standard feeding practices for the entire 120-days experimental period. The study included fortnightly assessments of body weight, body condition score, dry matter intake (DMI), milk yield, milk composition, udder health (modified California mastitis test), and somatic cell count (SCC). Additionally, the body weight of the calves was recorded after parturition. India is the world’s leading milk producer, contributing about 23% of global milk production, with buffaloes contributing nearly 45% of the country’s total milk output. However, low productivity is associated with poor genetic potential, imbalanced nutrition and micronutrient deficiencies, which adversely affect immunity, milk yield and reproductive efficiency (Bach, 2019). Declining micronutrient availability in soils and fodder further limits animal performance (Sharma et al., 2009), particularly during the peri-parturient period, when nutrient requirements increase and dry matter intake decreases. In the Malwa region of Madhya Pradesh, poor-quality crop residues and traditional feeding practices may aggravate these nutritional deficiencies, contributing to reproductive and metabolic disorders. Therefore, the present study evaluated the effect of area-specific micronutrient supplementation (ASMS) on the productive, reproductive and health performance of buffaloes during the peri-parturient period (Singh et al., 2007; Harsh et al., 2024). The results showed no significant differences in body weight or DMI between the groups. However, the supplemented group had a 9.3% higher milk yield, though milk composition remained unaffected. Udder health was significantly better in the supplemented group, with no cases of mastitis compared to 7.5% in the unsupplemented group. Moreover, the supplemented group had significantly lower SCC and superior reproductive health, with no reproductive disorders observed. Calves born to the supplemented group had higher birth weight and demonstrated better growth by 60 days. In conclusion, area-specific micronutrient supplementation improved udder health, reproductive performance, and calf growth in buffaloes, indicating potential benefits for overall herd management. Keywords: Buffaloes, Area-specific micronutrient, Udder health and Reproductive performance The study was conducted on 16 healthy non-descript pregnant buffaloes from villages around the College of Veterinary Science & A.H., Mhow, randomly divided into two groups (n=8): G₁, unsupplemented and G₂, supplemented with 40 g/day area-specific micronutrient supplement (ASMS) along with the basal diet. The trial lasted 120 days following a 2-week adaptation period. Body weight, BCS, feed intake and milk yield were recorded, while milk was analyzed for fat, protein, SNF, lactose, total solids, pH and SCC, along with MCMT for udder health. Reproductive disorders and neonatal calf health were monitored through birth weight and selected blood biochemical parameters. Data were analyzed using t-test and Duncan’s Multiple Range Test in SPSS 20.0. Area-specific micronutrient supplementation (ASMS) resulted in numerical improvements in DMI and body weight, although differences were non-significant (P>0.05). Milk yield increased by 9.3% (9.75 vs. 8.92 kg/day) without significant changes in fat, SNF, protein, lactose or total solids. Udder health improved significantly, with lower milk pH (6.61 vs. 6.68), reduced SCC (1.81 vs. 2.01 × 10⁵), and no mastitis cases in the supplemented group compared with 7.5% in controls. Reproductive performance also improved, with no uterine prolapse or retained placenta in supplemented buffaloes compared with 12.5% and 37.5%, respectively, in controls. Calf birth weight was numerically higher (46.66 vs. 42.74 kg), while blood glucose, total protein, albumin, globulin and haemoglobin remained non-significantly different. Overall, ASMS supplementation showed beneficial effects on milk production, udder health and reproductive performance without significantly affecting body weight, feed intake, milk composition or calf biochemical parameters. Bach A. 2019. Effects of nutrition and genetics on fertility indairy cows. Reproduction, Fertility and Development 31: 40–54. Sharma J, Kumar A, Tiwari D P and Mondal B C. 2009. Effect of dietary supplementation of calcium, copper and manganese on production performance of dairy cattle in Pithoragarh district of Uttarakhand. Indian Journal of Animal Sciences 79: 686–91. Harsh, Patil A K, Jain RK, Kurechiya N and Keshri A. 2024. Area-specific micronutrient supplementation augments udder health and milk production in peri-parturient Gir cows: A field-oriented study. Animal Nutrition and Feed Technology 24: 359–371.