Rumen microbial community and nitrogen metabolism in goats fed blend of palm oil and canola oil

Abstract

This study assessed the influence of dietary blend of 20% palm oil and 80% canola oil on the population of rumen microbiota and nitrogen economy in goats. Twenty-four Boer bucks (4–5 months old; initial BW, 20.54 ± 0.474 kg) were randomly allotted to diets containing on a dry matter basis, 0, 4 or 8% oil blend, fed daily for 100 days and slaughtered. The rumen microbiota was examined by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using the 16S rRNA gene. The population of total protozoa and methanogens was lower (p < .05) while the population of Fibrobacter succinogenes was greater (p < .05) in goats fed oil blend compared with the control goats. The population of total bacteria was greater (p < .05) in goats fed 8% oil blend compared with those fed other diets. The population of Ruminococcus albus and Ruminococcus flavefaciens was greater (p < .05) in goats fed 4% oil blend compared with those fed other diets. Diet had no effect (p> 0.05) on microbial N yield, microbial protein synthesis, efficiency of microbial protein synthesis and the intake, retention and excretion of N. Dietary supplementation of blend of palm oil and canola oil altered rumen microbial profile but did not affect nitrogen metabolism in goats.