Effect of dietary supplementation of palm kernel cake on ovarian and hepatic function in buffalo (Bubalus bubalis)

Abstract To determine the optimal inclusion amount of palm kernel cake (PKC) in a buffalo diet, in the present study there was evaluation of the ovarian activity, metabolism and hepatic function of females that were treated to synchronize the time of ovulation. Twenty-four estrous-cyclic and non-lactating Murrah buffalo with a mean age of 5.7 years were supplemented with 0%, 0.25%, 0.5% and 1% of their body weight (BW) with PKC. Animals were subjected to the Ovsynch protocol (beginning of protocol = D0). The ovaries were examined and the blood was collected on D10 (follicular phase) and D17 (luteal phase). Follicular and luteal development and serum progesterone concentrations were not affected by diet (P > 0.05). Serum concentrations of cholesterol were greater in animals supplemented with PKC in amounts at 0.5% of BW or less with PKC, regardless of the phase of the estrous cycles when evaluations occurred (P   0.05) during the follicular and luteal phases. Triglyceride concentrations increased linearly (P = 0.03) as percentage of PKC inclusion diets increased during the follicular phase, but were similar in the luteal phase (60.0 mg/dL; P = 0.51). Amount of PKC supplementation did not affect the concentrations of alanine aminotransferase, but there was a greater amount of aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and gamma glutamyl transferase (GGT) during both phases of the estrous cycle (P