AbstractFor this study, twenty-four healthy equines, were randomly divided in three equal groups viz, T0,T1 and T2, each having eight animals (four mules and four ponies). Group T0 served as control and received ration as per standard feeding practice followed on the farm. Group T1 and T2 were fed with same ration as used for group T0 supplemented with chromium tripicolinate @ 210 and 420 g/kg ration, respectively. The feed treatments had no significant effect on the average blood glucose and haemoglobin values of the animals from different groups. The average PCV values recorded for group T2 were significantly (P0,01) lower than that of groups T0 and T1. However, differences between groups T0 and T1 were statistically nonsignificant. The chromium supplement had no significant effect on average neutrophyls counts, average percent lymphocytes, eosinophils, monocytes and basophils counts and average total serum protein of equines from different groups. The average serum albumin values and average serum albumin: globulin ratios values of the animals from control group (T0)were significantly (Pd0,01) higher than that of other two groups. The average serum globulin values of the animals from the control group were significantly (P0,01) lower than that of other two groups supplemented with chromium. However, groups T1 and T2 did not differ significantly from each other. The average serum tryglyceride values of the animals from control group were significantly (P0,01) higher as compare to other two groups. Futrther values for group T1 were significantly (P0,01) higher when compared with group T2 . The chromium supplementation had no significant effect on average serum cholesterol values of the animals from various experimental groups. The average serum LDL values observed for T1 and T2 groups were significantly (P0,01) lower as compared to control group. The average serum HDL values for groups T1 and T2 were significantly (P0,01) higher as compared to T0 group. However, values for group T1 and T2 were comparable. Chromium supplementation had no effect on average serum VLDL values of the animals from different groups. Thus it is concluded from over all results of the present study that chromium tripicolinate can be supplemented to equines for better antisera production programme without affecting blood chemistry profile and animal well being.
Keywords: Blood glucose; Hemoglobin; Serum triglyceride; Cholesterol; LDL; HDL; VLDL.