www.IndianJournals.com Members Copy, Not for Commercial Sale Downloaded From IP - 14.139.230.54 on dated 20-Sep-2017 289 * Corresponding author: aknagpal 55@gmail.com; 1 Agricultural By-products Utilization Research Department, Animal Production Research Institute, Giza, Egypt INTRODUCTION The inclusion of tree leaves in the rations of ruminants is a familiar practice in arid and semi-arid zones. Some secondary components (tannins, oxalates, saponins etc.) present in wide range of forage species hamper the utilization of carbohydrate, nitrogen and several minerals by rumen microflora and may also cause direct intoxication of animals (D’Mello, 2000). A decrease in performance of camels consuming diets rich in these anti-nutritional factors has been reported (Decandia et al., 2000). The negative and positive effects of tannins on ruminant nutrition and performance have been dealt with by many workers (Frutos et al., 2004; Makkar, 2003; Rai et al., 2007). Ruminants exposed to tannin-rich diets for a long time seem to develop different adaptation mechanisms to overcome deleterious effects of these secondary compounds. Several animal species (e.g. deer and camel) adapted to high tannin diets by producing unique salivary proline-rich proteins (PRPs). The PRPs have not been found in saliva of sheep, cattle and goats. Cattle fed oak leaves rich in tannins such as those in the hilly areas of Indian Journal of Animal Nutrition Influence of Feeding Khejri (Prosopis cineraria) Leaves and Moth Fodder (Phaseolus aconitfolius) Alone or in Combination on Feed Intake, Nutrient Digestibility and Blood Parameters in Camel A.K. Nagpal * and F.M. Abo-Donia 1 National Research Centre on Camel, Post Box 07, Jorbeer, Bikaner-334 001, Rajasthan, India ABSTRACT Twelve healthy Bikaneri dromedary camels (Av. age= 2-3 years; Av. BW= 369±7.2 kg) were randomally allotted to 3 groups of 4 animals each using completely randomized design. First group was fed dry chaffed moth (Phaseolus aconitifolius) fodder (MF) and the second group was fed dried khejri (Prosopis cineraria) leaves (KL) as sole feed ad lib. In the third group, both moth fodder and khejri leaves (MF+KL) were offered as free choice. Dry matter intake (kg/100 kg BW or kg/kg W 0.75 ) was similar in camels fed moth fodder and combination of moth fodder and khejri leaves and significantly (P<0.05) higher compared to those fed khejri leaves as sole feed. The digestibility of DM, OM and CP of khejri leaves (KL) was (P<0.05) lower compared to moth fodder and mixture of both (MF+KL) but digestibility of NDF and ADF was similar among the groups. Both serum glucose and urea values were lower (P<0.05) in group fed sole khejri leaves compared to those fed moth fodder or mixed feed (MF+KL). It was concluded that feeding of khejri leaves with moth chara was not beneficial due to its negative effects on nutrient intake, digestibility and serum biochemical parameters. Key words: Blood profile, Camel, Digestibility, Khejri leaves, Moth fodder, Nutrient intake Indian J. Anim. Nutr. 2017. 34 (3): 289-293 doi: 10.5958/2231-6744.2017.00047.0 India, Nepal and China during winter do not appear to produce salivary PRPs as a defence strategy against tannins (Makkar, 2003). The inverse relation between high tannin levels in forage trees and palatability, voluntary intake, digestibility and nitrogen retention has long been established in several herbivores (Robbins et. al., 1987). Reduced palatability, low evacuation rate of the digested material out of the rumen and toxicity are factors that were considered as an explanation for the negative effects of tannins on ruminants feed intake (Provenza, 1995). The present study was aimed to investigate the associative effect of mixing tannin-rich khejri (Prosopis cineraria) leaves as tanniferous plant with non-tannin moth fodder (Phaseolus acontifolius) as common diet of camel on voluntary feed intake, nutrient digestibility and blood profile. MATERIALS AND METHODS Twelve healthy Bikaneri camels (Av. BW= 369±7.2 kg) were allotted to 3 groups of 4 each in a randomized block design. First group was fed dry chaffed moth fodder (MF) and the second group was fed dry khejri leaves (KL) as sole feed ad lib. In the third group, Indian J. Anim. Nutr. 2017. 34 (3): 289-293