Effect of strategic supplementations of antioxidant multiminerals and vitamins to transitional buffaloes on serum biochemistry, non-esterified fatty acid and calf health.

The aim of the study was to examine the effects of repeated administrations of antioxidant vitamins and multiminerals during the prepartum period on hemogram, serum biochemistry, non-esterified fatty acid (NEFA) profile of buffaloes and health and growth of their calves. Forty-five days prior to expected date of calving, a total 40 apparently healthy pregnant buffaloes were randomly divided into five groups: control (basal diet, BD), VES (BD+vitamin E and selenium), MM (BD+multiminerals), VC (BD+vitamin C) and Cr (BD+chromium picolinate) groups. The hemogram, serum biochemical profile and plasma NEFA were monitored from days −30 to day 28 of calving. Body weight, occurrences of scour, pneumonia and mortality of calves were monitored up to day 30 postpartum. Significantly lower NEFA concentration were noted on day −7 in VES and MM groups, day 1 and 7 in MM group and day 14 in VES, MM, VC and Cr groups as compared to the control group. The mean body weights of calves of VES and MM groups at day 30 of birth were significantly higher than control group. No significant association was observed between supplementations and the incidences of calf diarrhoea, pneumonia and mortality of calves until day 30 of birth. Among the supplementations, MM group showed better beneficial effects on metabolic profile and calf health performance. The study demonstrated the potential benefits of repeated antioxidant MM injection during the transition period to mitigate negative energy balance and enhance health and growth performance of calves in early lactation.