Effect of feeding γ-irradiated soybean on growth performance and blood metabolites in barbari kids

Abstract

Fifteen barbari male kids of about 3–4 months age and weighing around 10 kg were randomly assigned to three groups of five animals each. The animals were used to study the effect of feeding γ-ray irradiated soybean on their growth performance, feed conversion efficiency and blood metabolites. In group I, the animals were fed soybean without irradiation treatment, and in groups II and III, the animals were fed soybean irradiated at 10 and 20 kGy level, respectively. Soybean after coarsely grinding and supplementation with mineral mixture was fed to animals to meet their digestible crude protein (DCP) requirement. Animal were given ad lib berseem straw to fulfill their dry matter (DM) requirements. Data indicated that average dry matter intake (DMI) was 262.25 ± 19.21, 270.14 ± 19.23 and 273.33 ± 21.36 g/day in the three experimental groups, the difference being statistically non-significant. Similarly non-significant differences due to feeding were observed in crude protein intake (CPI) digestible crude protein intake (DCPI) and total digestible nutrient intake (TDNI). Average CPI and TDNI were 50.04 ± 3.14 and 167.63 ± 10.08 in group I; 50.04 ± 3.10 and 162.23 ± 10.31 in group II; 53.53 ± 3.09 and 169.83 ± 11.77 g/day in group III. Average daily body weight gain was estimated to be 33.11 ± 2.10, 35.56 ± 1.27 and 42.42 ± 2.70 g/day in the three respective groups indicating the significant ( P < 0.05) increase due to feeding of soybean irradiated at 20 kGy. DM required per kg b.wt. gain was 7.53 ± 0.40, 7.49 ± 0.19 and 6.32 ± 0.17 kg in groups I–III, respectively. The CP and TDN intake was 1.49 ± 0.09 and 4.92 ± 0.29 in group I; 1.41 ± 0.09 and 4.69 ± 0.15 in group II; 1.17 ± 0.04 and 3.96 ± 0.15 in group III for per kg gain in live weight, thus depicting significant increased efficiency of TDN utilization due to feeding of soybean irradiated at 20 kGy level. Blood metabolites, i.e. glucose, cholesterol and non-esterified fatty acid (NEFA) urea and ammonia nitrogen (NH 3-N)concentration was not affected significantly due to treatment.