Abstract
Abstract The study objective was to evaluate the effect of single and/or extra doses of vitamin C (VC) on water-restricted (WR) Xhosa goats, by evaluating their intake, digestibility, nitrogen, and mineral balance during summer. Goats (42) were randomly divided into seven groups: GI (control, received ad libitum water daily), GII (WR-70% of ad lib.), GIII (WR-50% of ad lib.), GIV (WR-70% of ad lib. + VC [3 g/day orally]), GV (WR-50% of ad lib. + VC [3 g/day orally]), GVI (WR-70% of ad lib. + VC [3 g/day orally + 5 g extras every eighth day]), and GVII (WR-50% of ad lib. + VC [3 g/day orally + 5 g extras on every eighth day]). The experiment was a complete randomized design. Data obtained were analysed using the general linear model (PROC GLM) of SAS procedure. The depression in nutrients intake was lessened with VC supplementation. Water-restriction effect was not significant on nutrient intake/metabolic weight. Retained nitrogen increased with water-restriction levels but not influenced by VC. NH3–N significantly decreased as the level of water restriction increases, while the pH was similar across the WR groups. Supplementation of VC failed to significantly influence the depression in apparent digestibility and digestible nutrients induced by water restriction levels. The retained Ca, K, and Mg increased with levels of water restriction.
Highlights
The multiplicity role of livestock in supporting livelihood, especially to developing nations, ranges from household income generation, food security, and employment opportunities to many socioeconomic attribute (Moyo and Swanepoel 2010)
In a review on the adaptation of livestock to water scarcity, small ruminants seem to be more resilient to limited water intake compared to other livestock species (Akinmoladun et al 2019)
The animals were offered feed as total mixed ration based on 4% of their body weights in the ratio of 70:30 of Lucerne hay and concentrated (maize gluten, 55.43%; sunflower husk, 42.42%; limestone, 0.70%; monocalcium diphosphate (MCDP), 0.75%; salt, 0.5%; mineral mix, 0.2%) on dry matter (DM) basis, respectively
Summary
The multiplicity role of livestock in supporting livelihood, especially to developing nations, ranges from household income generation, food security, and employment opportunities to many socioeconomic attribute (Moyo and Swanepoel 2010) These immense attributes and contributions require that their productions be increasingly sustained to meet the need of the ever growing human population. A huge percentage of livestock population especially ruminants, widely distributed in water-limiting and dry zones of the world, are faced with the challenge of water scarcity and seasonal draught (Marino et al 2016). Drinking water is very important in the nutrition of livestock and suboptimal intake can critically impact on physiology and productivity This is because of its role in the maintenance of body heat balance, efficient digestion, absorption of food, and as the main solvents for both intra- and extracellular fluids (Alamer 2010). Desert adaptable breeds in arid regions have evolved survival mechanism in terms of efficient use of water and body reserves during the period of
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