Comparative evaluation of single super phosphate and di-calcium phosphate in cows and buffaloes: (I) effect on production and health, and (II) treatment of Phosphorus- associated clinical disorders

Abstract

The present study conducted in two phases attempted to evaluate fertilizer grade Single super phosphate (SSP) vis-à-vis Di-calcium phosphate (DCP) in terms of their effect on production and health in dairy cows and buffaloes. Phase I entailed comparative evaluation of SSP and DCP in buffaloes and cows for their effects on health and production. It was conducted for one complete lactation on buffaloes and sahiwal cows (n=150) to evaluate in comparative terms the effect of feeding SSP and DCP on health, production and reproduction. For this purpose, animals were randomly divided into two treatment (DCP and super juice prepared from SSP) and one control group. Responses to the two treatments were examined on the basis of milk yield, weight gain and reproductive performance. Benefit-cost analysis of P supplementation from SSP or DCP (calculated on monthly additional milk yield basis only) in cows indicated that phosphorus supplementation from SSP was far more cost beneficial (benefit-cost ratio = 19.2: 1) than phosphorus supplementation from DCP (benefit-cost ratio = 1.2:1). In the case of buffalo, SSP and DCP respectively had a benefit-cost ratio of 26:1 and 2.83:1. Benefit-cost analysis of P supplementation from SSP and DCP also indicated that the P supplementation from either SSP or DCP was more cost effective in buffalo than in cow. In SSP supplemented cows and buffaloes, serum P levels (5.84 ± 0.13 mg/dl) were higher than those of cows and buffaloes treated with DCP (5.18 ± 0.10 mg/dl). The values of liver enzymes specific in bovine species viz: sorbitol dehydrogenase (SDH), glutamyl transferase (GGT), and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) recorded in DCP and SSP treated animals were comparable to those in control group of animals indicating that both SSP and DCP did not exert any liver toxicity. Fecal excretion of P in the DCP (119.46±4.42) treated animals (cows and buffaloes) was significantly higher than in the control (77.00±1.88) and SSP (108.71±5.36) treated groups. Non-significant (P>0.05) differences in RBC, WBC, PCV and Hb values were recorded between treatments (control, SSP, DCP). Pregnancy rate in control, DCP and SSP treated groups, respectively was 42, 60, and 74% over the duration of the trial. Mean number of services per conception in control, DCP and SSP treated buffaloes was 2.1, 1.96, and 1.92, respectively. The corresponding mean number of services per conception for cows was 2.3, 2.1, and 2.1, respectively. Phase II of the study dealt with evaluation of comparative therapeutic efficacy of SSP and DCP in the treatment of such P associated disorders as parturient hemoglobinuria, osteomalacia-like disease, pica, anestrus and repeat breeding. DCP or SSP were used as adjunct therapeutic agents in the treatment of these P associated clinical disorders. The responses in terms of clearance of clinical signs and serum mineral profiles with SSP for these five diseases were broadly comparable to the responses obtained by treatment with DCP. In conclusion, integration of the findings of phase I and phase II of the present study would tempt one to tentatively conclude that super juice prepared from SSP can be used as a cheaper alternative to DCP in dairy production as well as to treat important P associated disorders of cows and buffaloes.