THE INFLUENCE OF ASPERGILLUS ORYZAE FERMENTATION PRODUCT EITHER ALONE OR WITH MALATE SALT SUPPLEMENTATION TO DAIRY BUFFALO COWS ON SOME BLOOD TRAITS AND REPRODUCTIVE PERFORMANCE DURING TRANSITION PERIOD

The study was performed to evaluate the influence of dietary supplementation of Aspergillus oryzae (AO) extract (Amaferm®) alone or combined with malate salt on blood constituents and reproductive parameters in fifteen multiparous buffalo's cows during the last two months of pregnancy and up to three months postpartum. Animals were used with an average live body weight of 446.53 ± 29.23 kg and 2-5 parities selected randomly and divided into three similar experimental groups according to their body weight and parity(5animalseach).The randomized design in experimental groups was as follows: 1-The control group received the basal ration without any supplementation, 2- The 1st treated group (AO) fed on control ration supplemented with 15g/h/d of Amaferm®. The 2nd treated group (AO+MS) was fed on
control ration supplemented with combination 15g/h/d of Amaferm®/h/d plus10g/h/d malate salt. The basal ration was composed of concentrate feed mixture, berseem and rice straw. Results indicated that treated buffalo cows achieved a significantly higher in calf birth weight and calves weaning weight as well as faster average of daily gain in calves and treated dams body weights at 3months post-calving than those of the control group. Moreover, addition of AO+MS and AO improved plasma total protein and albumin during late pregnancy (LP) as compared to control animals while no significant difference was observed during post pregnancy (PP) period. On the other hand blood glucose level, blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and T4 levels were higher (P< 0.05) in treated groups during PP period, with no significant difference during LP period. In addition, higher levels with no significant differences in blood globulin concentrations, A/G ratio, blood creatinine concentration and level of plasma T3 within two stages. AO and AO+MS treated rations tented to lower (P<0.05) cholesterol
level during LP without significant differences in PP period however Estradiol 17 β concentrations in blood were greater significantly (P< 0.05) in animals fed on treated rations through the two stages than that of control. AO+MS buffalo treated dam recorded shorter periods from parturition until the first detected estrus and insemination, as well as days open,
conception rates and the lowest number of service per conception followed by AO and the control groups respectively. It can be concluded that combination of AO and MS supplementation for ration of buffalo cows improved calf birth weight and performance as well as dams parameter in some of reproductive performance traits.