Biochemical and hematological evaluation of Costus speciosus as a dietary supplement to Egyptian buffaloes

Sixty Egyptian buffalo heifers ageing about one year old, with an average weight of about 250 to 260 kg were allotted randomly according to their live body weight and age into three equal groups; Group I which received a basal ration; Group II which received a basal ration with fine ground Costus speciosus roots in a concentration of 2.5 kg/ton ration and Group III which received a basal ration with fine ground C. speciosus roots in a concentration of 5 kg/ton ration. Blood samples were collected from each group and divided into two blood samples, one for serum separation and the other for hematological study. Separated serum samples were subjected to the biochemical analysis of glucose, cholesterol, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), creatinine, urea, uric acid and electrophoretic pattern. The obtained data revealed a decrease in serum glucose and cholesterol levels which may be utilized in anabolic pathways during this period. While total protein, albumin, α1-globulin, β-globulin, hemoglobin, packed cell volume (PCV) and lymphocytes were significantly increased especially in Group III. In addition, the erythrocytes antioxidant status was significantly improved by C. speciosus supplementation. We could conclude that supplementation of C. speciosus powder to the Egyptian buffalo heifers improves the health status, total antioxidant capacity and hematology. So, we advise owners to add C. speciosus ground powder to the ration of heifers.