Effects of Supplementation of Branches and Leaves Trimmed from Tea Plant on Growth Performance, Rumen Fermentation and Meat Composition of Nanjiang Yellow Goats.

Ali Mujtaba Shah,Quanhui Peng,Lizhi Wang,Xiangfei Zhang,Bai Xue,Huawei Zou,Peiqiang Yu,Yimin Cai,Zhisheng Wang

doi:10.3390/ani9090590

Abstract

Simple SummaryThe effects of supplementation of branches and leaves trimmed from tea tree (BLTT) on growth performance, rumen fermentation characteristics and meat composition of fattening Nanjiang Yellow goats were studied. Supplementation of 4% BLTT increased final body weight of goats and also increased the activity of superoxide dismutase, while glutathione peroxidase and malondialdehyde followed the quadratic curve. Quadratic curves were also observed for villus height, crypt depth and the ratio of villus height to crypt depth in the jejunum. The quadratic effect was obtained for total essential amino acids, and individual amino acids threonine and leucine. Supplementation of 4% BLTT decreased the saturated fatty acid C16:0, and a quadratic effect was observed for polyunsaturated fatty acid C18:3 (n−3). From the present study, it is concluded that BLTT supplementation has a positive effect on body antioxidative status, gastrointestinal development, rumen fermentation characteristics and overall hence growth performance and meat composition in goats.Thirty-two 6-month-old, healthy Nanjiang Yellow goats (34.6 ± 4.16 kg) were randomly divided into four treatments to evaluate the supplementary effects of branches and leaves trimmed from tea tree (BLTT) on growth performance, rumen fermentation characteristics, and meat composition in fattening goats. The control goats were fed a basal diet. Treatments 1, 2 and 3 were fed 2%, 4% and 6% of BLTT respectively. After a 60 d feeding trial, blood samples were collected for the analysis of the antioxidant profile and goats were slaughtered to obtain the rumen fluid and carcass samples for determination of rumen fermentation characteristics and meat composition perameters. Increased final body weight was observed in goats fed 4% BLTT compared with control. The activity of superoxide dismutase was increased in the 4% BLTT-treated group, while glutathione peroxidase and malondialdehyde followed the quadratic curve. Quadratic curves were also observed for villus height, crypt depth and the ratio of villus height to crypt depth in the jejunum. The quadratic effect was obtained for total essential amino acids, and individual amino acids threonine and leucine. The saturated fatty acid C16:0 was decreased with 4% of BLTT supplementation, and a quadratic effect was observed for polyunsaturated fatty acid C18:3 (n−3). To sum up, our findings revealed that BLTT supplementation has a positive effect on body antioxidative status, gastrointestinal development, rumen fermentation characteristics and overall growth performance and meat quality in goats.

Highlights

Goats have been raised for fulfilling the meat requirement of human beings for more than10,000 years
Compared to pork or chicken, goat meat is richer in protein, vitamins and has less cholesterol content [2], with rapid economic development, goat meat consumption is increasing in China year by year
The branches and leaves trimmed from tea tree (BLTT) were obtained from the local area of Sichuan Agricultural University, the ingredients and chemical composition of total mixed ration (TMR) of four experimental diets and BLTT are presented in Table 1A,B, respectively

Summary

Introduction

Goats have been raised for fulfilling the meat requirement of human beings for more than10,000 years. People of pastoral nomadic systems domesticated the goats for dual purpose, i.e., for obtaining both milk and meat [1]. The domestication of goats flourished in tropical and sub-tropical areas, typically in marginal lands, because goats can intake roughage and less concentrate but with high feed-conversion efficiency. Compared to pork or chicken, goat meat is richer in protein, vitamins and has less cholesterol content [2], with rapid economic development, goat meat consumption is increasing in China year by year. In Southeast Asian and eastern countries, the consumption of green tea in bottles, packs and cans is vast and increasing. In China, tea trees are widely planted to increase the income of local people in mountainous areas where it is unsuitable for other crops

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Discussion

Conclusion