Effects of timing and duration of supplementation of LIVFIT VET® (growth stimulant) as substitute for fish meal on the growth performance, haematology and clinical enzymes concentration of growing pigs

Abstract

The present study is an evaluation of the purported growth promoting principles of LIVFIT VET^® (Liver Formular), a commercial growth enhancer of Indian origin (DABUR AYURVET INDIA LIMITED) which is actually complex mixture of herbal extracts. The control diet (T1) had no LIVFIT VET^® stimulant in it. LIVFIT VET^® was fed continuously in the second treatment (T2) ration to the grower pigs for eight weeks. Treatment 3 (T3) had normal rations post weaning for four weeks and the stimulant from 11 weeks post weaning (late phase) till 15 weeks of age. The fourth ration (T4) had LIVFIT VET^® added as a starter booster to the grower ration (1st Phase) for four weeks (week 7-11) and normal unsupplemented ration thereafter. Mean weekly and total feed intakes were highest in the pigs given the LIVFIT VET^® as starter diet and also in the second phase of feeding (treatments T3 and T4. The lowest feed intake (P<0.05) was recorded for animals fed LIVFIT VET^® supplement continuously through the duration of the trial (Treatment T1). LIVFIT VET^® application also enhanced feed conversion but at varying extents. Alkaline phosphatase (ALP), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) concentrations were highest in pigs on the control (P<0.05) than those on other diets. Triglycerides and cholesterol levels were highest in the 2^nd phase LIVFIT VET^® supplementation (T3) and lowest (P<0.05) in animals fed the control and the continuously supplemented (T2) rations. Treatment effects on other serum metabolites, creatinine, total protein, albumin and globulin concentrations were not significant (P>0.01). Although variations in haematological parameters, RBC, WBC, Hg, PCV, MCH, MCHC, MCV, Neutrophils and Lymphocytes were within normal ranges for pigs, the values were not influenced by dietary treatments. The bulk of the data suggested that LIVFIT VET^® be fed to pigs as a starter or booster for four weeks only and normal rations thereafter till slaughter weight is attained.

Keywords: LIVFIT VET^®, growth, stimulant, performance, haematology, enzymes, organ weights

Tropical Veterinarian Vol. 22(2) 2004: 78-84