Changes in buffalo serum and hepatic lipid parameters in response to food restriction

Negative energy balance in cow occurs in transitional period, high-yielding dairy cows immediately after calving and feed restriction. In response to energy demand cow mobilizes fatty acids from adipose tissue causing an increase in the circulation of NEFA. Increased blood NEFA is associated with low glucose, high free fatty acids and ketone bodies as well as lipid and lipoprotein disturbances in the blood. Does buffalo follows the same as cow, is not yet cleared. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effects of starvation on some lipid parameters in serum and liver of buffalos in Ahwaz. Five two-year-old male buffalos with average body weight of 200 kg were fattened with a diet containing alpha, barely, wheat, and maze for 8 weeks and then they were fastened for 8 days. During fasting period the animals had free access to barely and water. After fasting period the buffalos were again fattened for 8 weeks. Blood samples were collected from the coccygeal vein during the first and second fattening period with 20 days intervals and every day in the fasting period. Plasma samples were obtained, stored, and analyzed for glucose, BHBA and NEFA using standard kits. The liver of each buffalo was sampled at the beginning and end of feed restriction period and sent to the laboratory for the measurement of the liver TG content. Analyses of variance were carried out to compare mean values in fed and fasted periods. The results of present study revealed that there were no significant differences in plasma NEFA, BHBA and liver TG concentration before and after feed restriction (p>0.05), but there was significant difference in plasma glucose (p<0.05). It appears that in the period of food depravation, buffalos are essentially able to cope with these hard conditions probably through control of lipolysis and gluconeogenesis at the aim of preventing metabolic disorders particularly fatty liver. The results of the present research reveal probably for the first time, this inheritance phenomenon with the emphasis of further research.