Changes in plasma non‐esterified fatty acids, glucose and α ‐amino nitrogen and their relationship with body weight and plasma growth hormone in growing buffaloes ( Bubalus bubalis)

Summary A study was undertaken to investigate the changes of plasma non‐esterified fatty acids (NEFA), glucose and α ‐amino nitrogen and their relationship with age, body weight (BW) and plasma growth hormone (GH) in growing buffaloes. For the purpose, six growing female Murrah buffalo calves of 6–8 months of age were selected on the basis of their BW and fed according to Kearl standard (Nutrient Requirements of Ruminants in Developing Countries, International Feedstuffs Institute, Utah State University, Utah, USA, 1982, p. 89) for growing buffaloes (target growth rate 500 g/day) to meet energy and protein requirement of the animals. Blood samples collected at fortnight intervals for 1 year were analysed for plasma NEFA, glucose, α ‐amino nitrogen and GH. The animals were also weighed at fortnight intervals. Plasma NEFA and glucose levels were found to decrease (p < 0.01) with age. Unlike plasma NEFA and glucose, plasma α ‐amino nitrogen level increased (p < 0.01) as the buffaloes become older. Plasma NEFA and glucose concentrations in growing buffaloes were found to be positively correlated with plasma GH ( r  = 0.379 and 0.420 respectively), but these were non‐significant (p > 0.01). However, plasma NEFA and glucose showed a good correlation (p < 0.01; r  = 0.780 and 0.652 respectively) with plasma GH per 100 kg live weight. Plasma α ‐amino nitrogen exhibited non‐significant (p > 0.01) negative correlation ( r  = −0.295) with plasma GH but a negative correlation (p < 0.01; r  = −0.641) with GH per 100 kg BW. So, plasma metabolites showed a definite pattern of change during growth and these have a significant (p < 0.01) correlation with plasma GH per 100 kg BW than GH.