Effects of urea molasses straw on growth performance and hemato-biochemical parameters in Sahiwal steers

At relatively low concentrations in the diet, molasses is extensively used as a vital energy supplement to improve growth, meat quality, and general health condition. However, there is little information on feeding molasses to steers: that's why the study sought to determine the effects of urea molasses supplementation on growth performance and hemato-biochemical parameters. Twenty Sahiwal steers between 1.5 and 2 years old were divided into two groups (n=10); steers of group A received untreated straw (Control), while steers of group B received urea molasses straw (UMS). The body weight of the steers was measured at every 15 days intervals, and after 90 days of the experimental period blood samples were collected and serum was prepared for hemato-biochemical analysis. The result revealed that body weight of the UMS-treated steers increased significantly from day 15 to day 90 of the experiment compared to the untreated control. UMS induced a significant increase in hematological parameters such as TEC (p<0.01), Hb (p<0.01), and PCV (p<0.05), whereas there were no alterations in TLC and DLC values. Further, UMS treated group showed no significant changes in biochemical parameters such as AST, ALT, and lipid profile (TC, TG, HDL, LDL) while urea and creatinine levels increased significantly (p<0.05). Therefore, it could be suggested that UMS had beneficial effects on growth performance and hemato-biochemical parameters in Sahiwal steers.