Effect of xylooligosaccharides supplementation on haemato-biochemical indices in crossbred calves

Abstract

This study was focused to find the effects of xylooligosaccharides (prebiotic) supplementation on the blood-biochemical attributes in calves. Three treatments were made, first group (T0) being control fed with basal diet, second group (T1) added with inulin and third group supplemented with prebiotic, XOS (T2) from sugarcane bagasse xylan along with basal diet. The standard protocol for calf rearing was followed and all nutrients were provided as per standard guidelines. The blood was collected during post supplementation phase at 72nd day to ascertain the effects of prebiotic supplementation in withdrawal phase. The results indicated that supplementation of XOS or inulin did not affect the serum glucose, total protein and its fractions like albumin, globulin levels and A:G ratio significantly (p>0.05) when compared to control. In addition, supplementation of XOS did not yield any changes in complete blood count in treatment groups. When compared the two prebiotics, it was observed that both had similar impact on the outcomes and it indicated that XOS at 1% of dry matter (DMI) intake could bring similar outcomes as of inulin at 2% DMI.