Journal of Fisheries & Livestock Production
Open Access

Abstract

The study was conducted to examine the interaction of plane of nutrition during the course of Theileria annulata infection in crossbred calves. Thirty crossbred calves were divided into six groups of five each. Three plane of nutrition i.e., standard energy and protein (plane I), low energy, low protein (plane II), high energy and high protein (plane III) were designed for allotment of two groups in each plane in a 2Ã?3 factorial CRD. Calves of one group under each plane were infected with one tick equivalent of sporozoite. Feed intake and N balance reduced (P<0.001) due to infection during clinical phase. The extent of reduction of feed intake was more in (P<0.001) low energy and low protein group. The overall ADG was lower (P<0.001) in low energy and low protein group. N-balance was reduced during clinical phase. During the clinical phase of infection, there was lower (P<0.001) PCV and Hb content in infected group but it became comparable with control during recovery phase. The serum glucose level was lower (P<0.001) during clinical phase in infected calves irrespective of plane. It was lowest (P<0.001) in low energy and low protein group. Serum triglyceride level was higher (P<0.001) in infected groups during clinical phase of infection. There was higher (P<0.001) serum total protein concentration (mg/dl) in infected calves during the clinical phase of infection. Multiplication of parasite in calves under different plane was similar. Respiration rate, heart rate and pulse rate were higher (P<0.001) in infected animals during the clinical phase. It was concluded that the digestibility of different proximate principles and nutritive value of diet were not affected by Theileria annulata infection but the intake of dry matter, protein and energy reduced during clinical phase of infection mainly due to refusal of wheat straw. The plane of nutrition did not interact with the course of Theileria annulata infection in crossbred calves.

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