Abstract
The objective of this study was to determine the effect of dietary supplementation with β-hydroxy-β-methylbutyric acid (HMB) on live weight loss and selected blood parameters in goat kids after transportation to the slaughterhouse. The study was performed with goat kids that were weaned at 30 days of age and divided into two groups (GK): a control group and an experimental group whose diet was supplemented with HMB (at 50 mg kg−1 of BW) for 60 consecutive days. At the [...]
Highlights
The objective of this study was to determine the effect of dietary supplementation with β-hydroxy-β-methylbutyric acid (HMB) on live weight loss and selected blood parameters in goat kids after transportation to the slaughterhouse
The study was performed with goat kids that were weaned at 30 days of age and divided into two groups (GK): a control group and an experimental group whose diet was supplemented with HMB for 60 consecutive days
The experimental goat kids were characterized by lower weight loss and lower cortisol concentration after transportation, which could point to the efficacy of HMB in boosting immunity and alleviating transportation stress in goat kids
Summary
During pre-slaughter handling, animals are exposed to considerable stress related to fasting, loading onto vehicles, duration of transportation, transportation conditions, unloading in the slaughterhouse, conditions in the slaughterhouse, and waiting time before slaughter (Kannan et al, 2003; Kadim et al, 2006; Terlouw et al, 2008; Minka and Ayo, 2010b; Miranda-de la Lama et al, 2010; Akin et al, 2018).Numerous handling operations are performed within a short period and are a source of stress, which decreases immunity and disrupts homeostasis in animals (Kannan et al, 2003; Sowińska et al, 2006; Effect of dietary supplementation with β-hydroxy-β-methylbutyrate on stress parameters in goat kids 2Kadim et al, 2007; Minka et Ayo, 2007; De la Fuente et al, 2010, 2012; Adenkola and Ayo, 2010). Considerable research has been devoted to minimizing stress responses in various animal species through the use of pharmaceuticals, herbs, yeast, seaweeds, minerals, and vitamins (Ali and Al-Qarawi, 2002; Young et al, 2003; Galipalli et al, 2004; Kannan et al, 2007a,b; Minka and Ayo, 2007, 2013; Ali et al, 2006; Ferguson and Warner, 2008; Ambore et al, 2009; Sowińska et al, 2016, 2017). Leucine activates the signaling factor of rapamycin (mTOR) in mammals to promote protein synthesis in skeletal muscle and adipose tissue. It is the main regulator of mTOR-sensitive feed intake responses to high-protein diets. It is beneficial for animal nutrition (Li et al, 2011)
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
