The nutritional evaluation of probiotics feeding was carried out by conducting a feeding trial followed by digestion trial and balance studies to assess the effect on nutrient and energy utilization in captive Asian elephants. Besides this, faecal profile, blood profile, and body measurements were also recorded as an ancillary observation to ascertain the effect of feeding probiotics on elephants’ physical and physiological health.
The data on various parameters recorded during the present investigation has been statistically analyzed, and the observed results are presented and discussed under the following headings:
4.1 Chemical composition of feed offered
4.2 Nutrient utilization
4.3 Mineral utilization
4.4 Energy utilization
4.5 Faecal profile viz. pH, lactic acid, coliforms, and probiotic microbial count
4.6 Faecal steroid hormone profile viz. Cortisols and progesterones
4.7 Prevalence of GIT parasites
4.8 Blood profile
4.9 Body measurements and body condition score
4.1 Chemical composition of feed offered
The chemical composition, which is usually considered as basic criteria for the assessment of the quality of the feed, was determined for the fodder crop i.e., green pearl millet forage (Pennisetum spp.), used for feeding elephants during this experiment.
4.1.1 Analysis of proximate principles and other nutrients
The per cent-proximate composition estimated during this study was related to dry matter, crude protein, ether extract, crude fibre, nitrogen free extract, total ash and acid insoluble ash as shown in Table 4.1 and Figure 4.1.
The dry matter content in T1, T2 and T3 groups were found to be 17.19, 17.70 and 17.02 per cent, respectively. The crude protein content was found to be nearly similar in all the three groups. Ether extract were 1.60, 1.29 and 1.07 per cent in T1, T2 and T3 groups, respectively. Group T1 having lowest CF (36.67%) and NFE (43.59%) whereas highest CF (37.24%) and NFE (47.60%) were in T2 and T3 groups, respectively. Similarly, T3 group having lowest total ash (8.53%) and acid insoluble ash (4.53%) whereas highest total ash (12.30%) and acid insoluble ash (5.61%) were in T1 and T2 groups, respectively.
Table 4.1: Analysis of proximate principles and other nutrients of Pearl millet forage (per cent DM basis).
Group
DM
OM
CP
EE
CF
NFE
TC
TA
AIA
T1
17.19
87.70
5.84
1.60
36.67
43.59
80.26
12.30
5.33
T2
17.70
90.63
5.55
1.29
37.24
46.55
83.79
9.37
5.61
T3
17.02
91.47
5.84
1.07
36.96
47.60
84.56
8.53
4.53
DM- Dry matter; OM- Organic matter; CP- Crude protein; EE-Ether extract; CF- Crude fibre; NFE- Nitrogen free extract; TC- Total carbohydrate; TA- Total ash; AIA- Acid insoluble ash
Figure 4.1: Analysis of proximate principles and other nutrients of Pearl millet forage (per cent DM basis).