Effect of Oral Administration of Wheat Germ Oil on Some Blood Biochemicals, Hematology, Antioxidant and Immunity Status, and Growth Performance of Egyptian Buffaloes Calves

The objective of this study was to assess the effect of oral administration of wheat germ oil (WGO) on the performance of Egyptian buffalo calves using blood biochemicals concentrations as markers including total proteins and its fractions, lipid profile, kidney and liver functions, antioxidant and immunity status, hematological parameters and live body weight. Eighteen newborn buffalo calves (38.43±0.63 kg LBW) were received 1.5-2 kg of colostrum from their dams then artificially suckled milk twice daily at 10% of their BW over a period of 6 weeks consequently, then it decreased weekly by 1% of LBW up to weaning age at 105 d of age. At the third wk of age the experimental calves fed starter ad libitum, dried berseem clover and rice straw. Calves were divided into 3 groups (6 in each); it treated with 0.0, 0.3 or 0.6 ml WGO in G1, G2 and G3, respectively. The results showed that 0.6 ml WGO achieved significantly highest (P<0.05) BW of calves at weaning and average of body gain. Calve blood total proteins, albumin, globulin, glucose, TAC, immunoglobulins (G, M and A), the count of RBC and WBC, Hb concentration and PCV percentage increased (P<0.05), while total lipids, cholesterol, urea, creatinine, AST and ALT were decreased (P<0.05) in G2 and G3 than G1. Calves weaning weight, body gain as total, average and relative to control were increased (P<0.05) in G3 compared with both G2 and G1. Results concluded that 0.3 or 0.6 ml of WGO/kg of calves LBW is important for raising breeding male and female calves.