Body Weight Gain Of Goats Research Articles

The effects of supplementation of noni (Morinda citrifolia L.) fruit polysaccharides-rich extract on antioxidant status and immune function in cashmere goats.

This experiment was designed to examine the effects of a dietary supplementation of polysaccharides-rich noni (Morinda citrifolia L.) fruit extract (NFP) on the anti-oxidant enzyme activities, cytokines level, and expression of corresponding genes in blood of cashmere goats. Twelve castrated, 2-yr-old male cashmere goats (45.44 ± 3.30 kg of BW ± SD) were used in a 2 × 2 crossover design: the basal diet with or without (CON) supplementation of NFP at 4 g per kg DM (0.4%). Each period lasted for 29 d, including 1 wk for diet transition, 20 d for adaptation, and the last 2 d for sampling. The results showed that NFP supplementation increased (P < 0.05) the levels of nitric oxide, interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), and the activities of catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), thioredoxin reductase (TrxR), and total superoxide dismutase (T-SOD) in serum. The expressions of CAT, GPx4, TrxR, SOD1, IL-6, and TNF-α genes were upregulated (P < 0.05), whereas the levels of malondialdehyde (P = 0.015) and reactive oxygen species (P = 0.051) in serum were reduced. The body weight gain of goats was increased (P = 0.006) with a nonsignificant increase of feed intake with NFP supplementation. In conclusion, dietary NFP supplementation enhanced the antioxidant status and immune function in blood of cashmere goats.

Bauhinia purpurea L. leaves meal as goat feed

Legume tree forages are generally a source of better feed quality, as a supplement to increase the productivity of ruminant that fed low-quality feed, especially during the dry season. Butterfly leaves (Bauhinia purpurea L.) is a leguminous tree with potential as a fodder source in the dry season because its leaves contain more crude protein than white kabesak Acacia leucophoela Roxb. Legume trees may complement a grass-based diet by providing protein during the dry season. This research aimed to evaluate the effect of Bauhinia purpurea L. leaves meal in complete feed on daily dry matter intake, dry matter digestibility, and average daily body weight gain of goats. The experiment design was a completely randomized block design with 4-four treatments and 4-four groups, using 16 local male goats aged 1–1.5 years and weighed 12.5±0.8 kg. Treatments consisted of four complete feeds containing different levels of Bauhinia purpurea leaves meal (0%, 5%, 10%, and 15%, respectively) in concentrate. Feeds were set up to 9.90±0.5% CP and 69.76±0.5% TDN. Analysis of data utilizes an analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Duncan Multiple Range Test. The results showed that 5– 10% Bauhinia purpurea L. leaves meal in concentrate has no significant effect on daily dry matter intake but significantly decreased dry matter digestibility and increased average daily body weight gain. It can be concluded that Bauhinia purpurea L. leaves meal has the potential to be goat feed.

The Level of Dwarf Elephant Grass (Pennisetum Purpureum cv. mott) To Substitute Indigenous Forage for Goat Feed in Limestone Mountain

This research aimed to investigaton on the level of supplementation of dwarf elephant grass that was introduced ex-limestone mining open area as to substitute indigenous forage for goat feed in limestone mountain.The method used in vivo experimental research was conducted in a completely randomized design. Sixteen local male goats in a limestone mountain weighed 24.8 kg ± 1.66 were allotted to four treatments with different level of dwarf elephant grass to subtitute indigenous forage 0, 25. 50 and 75%each with four replicates. The measured parameters were feed intake and body weight gain. The research was conducted in a limestone mountain in Gombong, Central Java Indonesia.The result showed that substituting indigenous forage with dwarf elephant grass up to 75% produced non-significantly different (P>0.05) feed intake and body weight gain of goats. The research concluded that dwarf elephant grass can to subtitute indigenous forage for goat feed, however it is recommended to substitute indigenous forage with up to 25% dwarf elephant grass to obtain an optimal weight gain to goats in limestone mountain.

Effects of replacement of para-grass with oil palm compounds on body weight, food intake, nutrient digestibility, rumen functions and blood parameters in goats.

ObjectiveThe aim of the present study was to investigate the beneficial effects of dietary supplementation with oil palm frond (leaf) (OPF) with and without oil palm meal (OPM) on nutrient intake and digestibility, ruminal fermentation and growth performance in goats.MethodsSix female crossbred goats were fed for 28 days of 3 diet treatments; 100% para-grass (T1); 50% para-grass + 50% OPF (T2), and 30% para-grass + 50% OPF + 20% OPM (T3). Body weight, rectal temperature, respiratory rate, and urine volume, food intake, dry matter intake and water intake were measured daily. Nutrient digestibility was determined from five consecutive days of last week in each diet. Ruminal fluid, urine and blood were collected at the end for determination of rumen protozoa and volatile fatty acid contents, urinary allantoin excretion, blood cell count and chemistry profiles.ResultsGoats fed T2 and T3 showed higher dry matter and nutrients intakes while protein digestibility was suppressed compared with those for T1. Crude fat digestibility declined in T2 but maintained after adding the OPM (T3). High fat intake by giving OPF and OPM corresponded to a higher ruminal acetate/propionate ratio (C2/C3) and serum cholesterol level. An increased urinary allantoin/creatinine ratio was found in T2 and T3 compared with T1, implying an increased number of ruminal microbes.ConclusionIncreased dry matter intake in T2 and T3 suggested that oil palm by-products are partly useful as a replacement for para-grass in goats. Replacement with the by-products increased plasma cholesterol level, which suggested that these products are a useful energy source. Changes in rumen parameters suggested an increased microbial number and activity suitable for acetate production. However, the limited digestibility of protein implies that addition of high protein feeds may be recommended to increase body weight gain of goats.

Effects of steaming-up on the performance of grazing does and their kids in arid region

The present study was conducted to evaluate the effects of steaming-up on the performance of grazing does in arid region of Rajasthan. Twenty-four goats carrying last trimester of pregnancy were selected and divided randomly into untreated (T0) and treated (T1) groups having 12 goats in each. Animals of both the groups were let loosed for grazing in the morning and were offered concentrate feed in the evening. Goats of T1 group were fed additional concentrate feed @ 300g per animal per day. Average body weight gain of goats was significantly (P