Effect of Supplementation of Rumen Protected Methionine plus Lysine on Growth Performance, Nutrient Utilization and Blood Metabolites in Calves

Twelve female calves (6–12 months age; 94.95 kg body weight), were divided into two groups of six in each. Animals were offered a basal diet consisting of wheat straw, green fodder and concentrate mixture to meet their nutrient requirements in control group for a period of 90 days. Animals in treatment group were fed the basal diet plus 2 g RPM (net 0.78 g RPM deliverable) and 17 g RPL (net 3.7 g RPL deliverable) per calf per day. Feed intake was recorded daily whereas body weights were recorded fortnightly. In the middle of the experiment, a metabolic trial was conducted. Average daily gain and percent feed efficiency were higher (P<0.05) by 16.1% and 12.5% in treatment group over that of control group. There was no difference in average DM, CP and TDN intake. Also there was no effect on digestibility of nutrients except that of CP which was higher (P<0.05) in treatment group. N balance was similar in all the groups. Plasma triglycerides, VLDL, total protein, concentration increased (P<0.01) and BUN concentration decreased (P<0.05), whereas no difference was observed in blood glucose, albumin, globulin, NEFA concentration and A: G ratio in rumen protected methionine plus lysine supplemented groups. Supplementation of 2 g RPM plus 17 g RPL per day in the ration of growing crossbred calves improved (P<0.05) the average daily gain in calves.