Proceedings

Daily TVFA values in summer, rainy and winter seasons were: 89.57, 95.19, 76.06 meq/l; pH values were: 6.32 and 6.32. TVFA concentration was at peak and pH at low at 8 hours after feeding in the three seasons. Buffering capacity of rumen fluid was optimum between pH 4.6 to 5.6. No significant difference in the cellulolytic activity of rumen microbes was observed between seasons. Bacterial and protozoal concentrations differed significantly between seasons. The mean concentrations of bacteria (10 9) and protozoa (10 4) were: 53.70, 33.39, 39.82, 30.48, 35.91, 28.80 per ml strained rumen liquor (SRL) in summer, rainy and winter seasons. Transaminase activity in rumen liquor differed significantly between seasons and sampling intervals. Total-N mg/100 ml were 211.72, 179.85 and 171.19; Ammonia-N 14.84, 13.85 and 12.98; Soluble-N 66.36, 62.09 and 70.19; NPN 30.46, 31.40 and 24.74; Bacterial-N 42.71, 37.70 and 30.72 in summer, rainy season and winter. Concentrations of serum-N declined during winter (mg/100 ml): 1.50, 1.36 and 1.19 in summer, rainy and winter seasons. Daily mean NPN was 29.68, 25.52 and 23.38; Urea-N 15.16, 15.82 and 15.37 mg/100 ml blood in summer, rainy and winter seasons. Blood NPN was different for seasons and sampling intervals S.G.O.T. activity was similar in different seasons whereas S.G.P.T. activity differed significantly