STUDIES ON MINERAL PICTURE IN BUFFALO AND CATTLE CALVES REARED ON MILK REPLACER IN AN EARLY WEANING SYSTEM

In an experimental study using milk replacer (Kalbi lactal, Fa. Schaumann W. Germany), 8 buffalo calves and 10 cattle calves were used. Both buffalo and cattle calves were divided into ex perimental and control groups. All calves were left to suckle their dams up to 10 days, then he experimental groups were changed to be fed on milk replacer up to the 4th week where the starter was added, up to the weaning time (13 weeks). The control groups were fed on whole milk from their mohers.
Changes in body weight and daily body gain were recorded in both experimental and control groups. In addition blood serum sodium, Potassium, mangnesium and inorgamic phosphorus levels were studied in both groups along the experimental period.
The study revealed that the daily body gain was from 311-633 g/d for buffalo calves and 553-655.2 g/d for cattle calves. However, the daily body gain of the control groups were 349-372 g/d and 244.2-398 g/d for buffalo and cattle calves respectively.
The biochemical analysis revealed significant decrease in blood serum sodium at 7 and 13 weeks in buffalo calves while no sig nificant variations were observed in cattle calves. Potassium achiev ed significant increase at 7 and 10 weeks in both cattle and buffalo calves. However magnesium recorded significant increase at 13 weeks in both cattle and buffalo calves. Inorganic phosphorus recorded a highly significant decrease at 13 weeks in cattle calves, while no significant variations were observed in buffalo calves during this period.