Abstract
The purpose of the current study was to explore the supplementing effects of Moringa oleifera leaf powder (MOLP) on plasma and milk biochemical indices and productive/reproductive performance of goats. A total of 30 healthy pregnant goats were randomly distributed (n = 10) into three experimental groups: control (M0) group (basal diet without MOLP), M2% group (basal diet + 2% MOLP), and M3.5% group (basal diet + 3.5% MOLP). The experiment started 2 months before parturition and continued till the first month of lactation. The plasma flavonoids were significantly increased in the M3.5% group during the entire experiment, whereas the total phenolic contents were enhanced only during the lactation period depending on the supplementation percentage. The amount of vitamin C increased significantly in M2% and M3.5% groups as compared to the M0 group. Supplementation of MOLP improved the plasma total antioxidant capacity by declining malondialdehyde concentration and total oxidant status values. The activities of superoxide dismutase and peroxidase enzymes were modified in M2% and M3.5% supplemented groups throughout the experiment, while the catalase activity was significantly influenced only during the lactation stage. The protein and lycopene contents in plasma were significantly improved in the M3.5% group, whereas the total sugars and carotenoid level was increased in both M2% and M3.5% groups. Dietary supplementation with 3.5% MOLP more effectively enhanced protease and amylase activities as compared to 2% supplementation. MOLP also improved the biochemical indices and antioxidant status of colostrum and milk. The milk yield, weight gain of the kids, and reproductive performance were high in M2% and M3.5% groups in comparison to the M0 group. These findings disclose that supplementing the diet with 3.5% MOLP improves antioxidant status, milk yield, and reproductive performance in goats.
Highlights
Reproductive performance is a key factor in goat production and is directly related to maternal nutrition
The values of plasma Total phenolic contents (TPC) of the M3.5% and M2% groups were non-significant in the pregnancy stage, while they became significant during the early lactation period of the experiment (p < 0.05)
The Moringa oleifera leaf powder (MOLP) supplementation to pregnant goats resulted in an increase in their plasma Total flavonoids (TF) and TPCs that control the immense production of OH and nitric oxide (NO) radicals via Haber-Weiss and Fenton reactions to minimize the detrimental effects of oxidative stress during pregnancy and lactation [42]
Summary
Reproductive performance is a key factor in goat production and is directly related to maternal nutrition. Maternal malnutrition is common in small ruminants in most parts of the world due to scarcity and high cost of feed stuffs. The farmers, in these regions, mostly depend on conventional grazing and crop residues to meet the requirements of their animals. The natural grazing pastures and crop residues have fluctuating nutritional status, and their feeding alone is not sufficient to satisfy the energy needs of pregnant and lactating animals [4]. The energy deficit feed makes the pregnant animals more prone to oxidative stress with enormous production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) that results in a disturbance of the balance between oxidant and antioxidant defense systems of the body [5]. The newborn kids may suffer from a variety of diseases that will negatively influence their survival and growth rate [7]
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