Effect of supplementing hydrolysable tannins extract on milk proteins and productive performance of early lactating Nili Ravi buffaloes

Abstract Supplementation of tannin extract with proper dosage can increase the protein precipitation, decreasing the ruminal protein losses, ensuring the availability of nutrient and their utilization in the body. Nine early lactating Nili Ravi buffaloes were selected and divided into 3 groups. Buffaloes were randomly assigned to 1of 3 treatments in a 3× 3 Latin square design. Treatments were 0, 15, and 30 g/d per animal supplemental levels of tannin extract. The period length of each treatment was 21 days. All the buffaloes were fed similar basal diet and tannin extract was mixed in concentrate. Dry matter intake and milk protein content increased linearly with increasing tannin supplementation. Nitrogen intake, apparent digestibility of nitrogen, and milk nitrogen efficiency were similar among treatments. Blood urea nitrogen and milk urea nitrogen decreased with tannin supplementation indicating reduced protein degradation. Manure scoring increased but feed efficiency decreased linearly with increasing level of tannin supplemental level. Overall, it is observed that tannin supplementation decreases blood and milk urea nitrogen and increases milk protein content and tends to increase dry matter intake.