Influence of Concentrate in the Diet on the Metabolic, Biochemical, and Endocrine Profile of Buffalo Heifers

The objective of this study was to evaluate the profile of the main serum biochemical variables in buffalo heifers receiving diets with different concentrations of concentrate. Twenty buffalo heifers of the Murrah breed, aged six to eight months, were randomly assigned to four groups, with five replicates each, to be adapted to levels of 20%, 40%, 60%, and 80% of concentrate in the diet, composed of sugarcane (bulk) and concentrated feed based on wheat, corn, and soybean meal. The experimental diets were constituted in the proportion “bulk: concentrate”, based on dry matter, of “80:20” (Treatment 1), “60:40” (Treatment 2), “40:60” (Treatment 3), and “20:80” (Treatment 4). Biomarkers were evaluated for energy, protein, mineral, and endocrine profiles, as well as enzymatic activity. A positive linear effect was observed for Final Body Weight. In the energy profile, there was a positive linear effect for total cholesterol and HDL cholesterol and a quadratic effect for plasma glucose. In the protein profile, a quadratic effect was observed for the urea: creatinine ratio and a positive linear effect for total protein and albumin. For the enzymatic activity, only the variable gamma-glutamyltransferase presented a quadratic effect. In the mineral profile, a quadratic effect was observed for calcium levels and a positive linear effect for phosphorus levels and negative for chlorine levels. In the endocrine profile, no statistical differences were observed. Diet with until 80% of concentrate does not negatively influence biochemical parameters that represent the profile of energy, protein, mineral and thyroid hormones for growing buffalo heifers and favors the performance of the animals.