Rumen Fermentative Properties of Pregnant West African Dwarf Does Fed Diets Containing Algae Biomass

Abstract

The study was conducted to investigate the effect of feeding algae biomass rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids at 0%, 1.5%, 3.0% and 4.5%, respectively, using Panicum maximum as basal feed, on rumen fermentative properties of pregnant West African Dwarf (WAD) does. A total of twenty (20) pregnant WAD does were grouped into four treatments containing five (5) animals per treatment and randomly allotted to the experimental diets. Rumen fluid were collected prior to mating and at the last trimester of pregnancy for determination of rumen fermentative properties. Data obtained were subjected to one way Analysis of Variance in a Completely Randomized Design. Inclusion of algae biomass up to 4.5% had no significant (p>0.05) effect on bacteria population in the rumen of the experimental does. The inclusion levels of algae biomass gave rise to the predominance of Eischeria coli (a gram negative bacterium) in the rumen of pregnant does fed the algae biomass diet. Results obtained showed a significant (p<0.05) decrease in the values obtained for ammonia nitrogen concentration in the rumen of the pregnant does when compared to the values recorded prior to mating. The total volatile fatty acid production and its molar proportion in the rumen fluid were not significantly (p>0.05) influenced by the inclusion of algae biomass.