PARALYTIC DISORDERS ASSOCIATED WITH PHOSPHORUS DEFICIENCY IN BUFFALOES
G. Habib, G. Jabbar1, M. M. Siddiqui and Z. Shah2
Animal
Nutrition Department, NWFP Agricultural University,
Peshawar, 1Livestock
and Dairy Development Department, Buner 2Department of Soil Science,NWFP
Agricultural University,
Peshawar
Abstract
An investigation was carried out during
the month of May to August 2001 to diagnose hind limbs paralysis in buffaloes of Buner area of NWFP. Serum concentrations of calcium (Ca) and phosphorus (P) in
40 buffaloes (29 affected and 11 normal) from six different villages were
measured together with feed and soil samples analysed for different macro and
micro minerals. Serum P level was lower (P<0.001) in affected buffaloes and
averaged 3.05 mg/100 ml of serum against 6.73 mg/100 ml found in the normal
buffaloes. Serum Ca level was in normal range and did not differ between
affected and normal buffaloes (12.16 and 12.93 mg/100 ml, respectively). Range
grass hay, the main feed offered to the animals during dry season of high
disease incidence, was extremely low in P (0.10mg/100g) and sodium (0.03g/100g),
with adequate level of Ca (0.41 g/100 g). Concentrations of potassium (K) and
magnesium (Mg) in range grass hay were very high and averaged 5.0 and 0.34g/100
g, respectively. Copper (Cu), manganese (Mn) and iron (Fe) contents in the hay
were 28.50, 113.0 and 242.0 mg/g,
respectively and were in excess of the recommended dietary requirements for
cattle. However, zinc (Zn) concentration (42.33
mg/g)
in the hay was marginally adequate to meet the dietary requirement of dairy
cattle. The mineral profile of hay was in close agreement with that of soil in
the area. The results concluded that deficiency of P in hay, which might have
resulted due to low P in soil, described low serum P in buffaloes and might be
the major cause of the disease. The imbalance of other minerals in hay and soil
might have also reduced the bioavailability of P to plants and animals.
In vitro matter digestibility
(38.1%), crude protein (5.63% in DM), and metabolizable energy (1.32 Mcal/kg DM)
values of the hay offered to animals were below the standard requirements and
caused general emaciation of the buffaloes during dry seasons. Correction of the
hind limbs paralysis in buffaloes would require both P supplementation and
improvement in nutritive value of range grass hay. Feeding of molasses-urea
blocks fortified with deficient minerals is suggested as appropriate strategic
supplement for correcting the health disorder in buffaloes of the Buner area.