Effects of supplementation of inorganic sulfur on some biochemical parameters in Angora goat’s diet containing high nitrate levels

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of supplementation of sulfur to a diet containing sodium nitrate at a level that would cause chronic nitrate poisoning on some rumen and biochemical parameters in Angora goats. A total of 18 male Angora goats were used. The animals in the control group were fed the basal diet, while the animals were fed experimental concentrate containing 1500 mg/kg sodium nitrate in the nitrate group (N) and experimental concentrate containing 1500 mg/kg sodium nitrate plus 1.8% sodium sulfate in the nitrate-sulfur group (NS) throughout the study, which lasted for 6 months. While there were no differences among groups in live weights, nitrate supplementation to the diet increased the rumen nitrate content and the blood methemoglobin (MetHb) levels and decreased plasma vitamin A and carotene in the N and NS group. The supplementation of sulfur to a diet containing high sodium nitrate alleviated the negative effects of nitrate on the blood MetHb and plasma carotene significantly (P < 0.05). The results of this study suggest that Angora goats can tolerate diets containing the high sodium nitrate levels used in the present study, except for the results in regard to blood MetHb and plasma vitamin A and carotene.