Blood Chemistry of Feedlot Buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis) Fed a Whole Shelled Corn Diet without Roughage

This study evaluated the effects of feeding a whole shelled corn diet without roughage (WSC) on the metabolic profile of feedlot buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis) in the Amazon region. Twelve buffaloes were fed the WSC diet consisting of intact corn kernels plus a protein−mineral supplement, and 12 received a conventional diet (CON) composed of a commercial concentrate (ground corn and soybean meal) with 30% corn silage. The experiment lasted 64 days, with blood sampling on days 0, 7, 21, 35, 49, and 64. Biochemical analyses included total protein, albumin, urea, creatinine, cholesterol, triglycerides, β-hydroxybutyrate (BHB), nonesterified fatty acids (NEFAs), glucose, lactate, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, and the enzymes aspartate aminotransferase (AST), gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT), and creatine kinase (CK). Feeding WSC without roughage did not cause adverse health effects compared with the CON diet. Most biochemical parameters were unaffected (p > 0.05), while urea and glucose differed significantly over time (p < 0.001). Urea was higher in CON (17.7 ± 5.2 mg/dL) than WSC (11.4 ± 4.6 mg/dL). Across both groups, temporal changes reflected adaptation from pasture to feedlot feeding. To our knowledge, this is the first report of the metabolic profile of water buffalo fed a whole shelled corn diet completely without roughage. Further studies with larger sample sizes are warranted to determine the economically viability of this feeding strategy.