author(s)
Jyotsana Madan, Vikramjeet Singh, Sonia Sindhu and Ravi Kumar

abstract
The present study attempts to assess the relationship of residual feed intake (RFI) with rumen fermentation and blood biochemical profile in growing buffalo calves. Twelve healthy buffalo calves of 7 to 9 month of age were selected and fed with green fodder and concentrate mixture as per ICAR 2013 feeding standards. Weighed amount of feed and fodder was offered and residue was also weighed next day, early in morning. Dry matter (DM) of feed and fodder offered and residue left was estimated on daily basis to assess DM intake. After completion of feeding trial of 90 days, RFI value for individual animals was calculated and divided into two groups (RFI +ve and RFI –ve). Experimental animals were weighed before starting the actual experiment and thereafter at fortnightly intervals. Using the data of fortnightly body weights ADG was calculated. Blood samples were collected thrice, once at the beginning, in the middle and at the end of trial, from all the animals for estimation of blood biochemical parameters in blood plasma. The results obtained regarding RFI values for high and low RFI groups were 0.235±0.04and -0.235±0.06, respectively. The results revealed that IGF-1 was negatively but non-significant correlated with RFI. Plasma albumin concentration was significantly positively correlated (r = 0.56) with RFI (P<0.01). RFI was positively correlated with Aspartate aminotransferase (r =0.44) while negatively correlated (r = 0.35) with Alanine aminotransferase.