Hemato-biochemical profile and milk production of crossbred Girolando cows supplemented with product dehydrated cashew

Resumo

This paper aims to evaluate the influence of different levels of supplemental product-dehydrated cashew in the feed for crossbred Girolando cows on milk production and hemato-biochemical profile. The experiments were conducted using eight cows that were randomly distributed in a Latin square design (4×4), in which treatments consisted of four supplementation levels with product-dehydrated cashew (PDC) in animal diets, namely: 0% PDC (control diet), 1.0 kg of DCP, 1.5 kg of PDC and 2.0 kg of PDC in total dry matter . The milk and animals were weighed and the body condition of the animals were evaluated within seven days of milk collection during each experimental period. To determine the serum biochemistry and blood count of cows, three blood samples were taken in each period, at 7, 14 and 21 days before the daily supply of supplementation with samples collected from 5 ml of blood by puncturing the jugular vein. Supplementation with 2 kg of PDC reduced milk production and the levels of glucose and total plasma protein compared to the control group, due to the higher level of tannin in this group. Supplementation with PDC raised the total count of the erythrocytes, reduced the mean corpuscular volume (MCV) and non-changed number of leukocytes. Increased levels of phenolic compounds in the diet inhibited the absorption of dietary proteins, which decreased milk production.