EFFECT OF SPROUTED CORN GRAINS ON LEUCAENA TREE PRUNING AND OLIVE TREE PRUNING DIETS FOR DESERT GOATS UNDER SINAI CONDITIONS.

Abstract

This study was conducted to evaluate alfalfa (Medicago sativa) [control], with two unsprouted leucaena (Leucaena leucocephala) (LTP) and olive tree pruning (Olea europaea) (OTP) and also to study the effect of new sprouts technique (planting) of white corn grains on (LTP) and (OTP) as media to produce green fodder in dry seasons. Twenty five desert male goats (21 months old) with average 23.42±0.91kg live body weight. The animals were randomly divided into five groups of 5 animals each to receive one of the following experimental roughages: T1: alfalfa hay (control), T2: unsprouted leucaena trees pruning (LTP), T3: unsprouted olive trees pruning (OTP), T4: sprouted pruning leucaena trees (SLTP) and T5: sprouted pruning olive trees (SOTP). Goats were used in feeding trial lasted for fourty five days. The metabolism trial was conducted after the feeding trial to get the most nutritious sprouts green fodder (SGF) with concentrate feed mixture (CFM). Results showed that dried leucaena trees pruning (T2) and olive trees pruning (T3) had lower contents of CP, ash, NFE, C.CHO, sodium and potassium, with higher contents of CF, NDF, ADF and hemicellulose compared with that of alfalfa hay (T1). On the other hand, CP, ash, EE, C.CHO, sodium and potassium contents were higher; while, OM, CF, NDF, ADF and hemicellulose content was lower in sprouted than unsprouted leucaena and olive trees pruning. Goats fed sprouted treatments (T4 and T5) clearly recorded higher (P≤0.05) digestibility coefficients of CP, CF, EE, NFE, NDF, ADL, hemicellulose and C.CHO than unsprouted treatments (T2 and T3). TDN g/kg B.W was higher in goats fed T4 and T1 followed by T5, T2 and the lowest T3. Highest DCP g/kg B.W and DCP% were recorded by T4 compared with other rations; while, lowest values of DCP g/kg B.W and DCP% were recorded by T3. Also, goats fed sprouted roughages had improved (P≤0.05) values of total water intake and decreased urinary water execration. Sprouted corn seeds improved Na and K balance (g/kg BW). Goats fed sprouted roughages had higher (P≤0.05) values of total volatile fatty acids (VFA), ruminal ammonia (NH3-N) concentration. Serum urea-N, creatinine, total proteins, albumin, globulin, and AST, cholesterol and potassium were significantly higher in goats fed T4 compared with other treatments reflecting good developed immunity.