Responses to repeated cycles of water restriction in lactating Shami goats

Abstract

The experiment was conducted to assess the effects of an intermittent watering regime on physiological indicators of lactating Shami goats. Twelve does in late lactation were equally distributed to two treatments: control and watered once every four days. Several serum and milk variables were assessed at the beginning of the experiment and on four subsequent days. The does' body weight was assessed at the beginning and at the end of the experiment while milk production was recorded daily. The intermittently watered animals showed increased serum osmolarity, urea, protein and albumin concentrations, denoting dehydration. Milk production and body weight were not affected by the treatment. In addition, milk composition was similar between the control and the intermittently watered animals. It was concluded that the Shami goats could tolerate the intermittent watering regime during late lactation with minimal physiological disturbances. However, the long-term consequences of the treatment on production and health warrant further research.