Diet Of Goats Research Articles

Effects of Galactomannan Oligosaccharides on Growth Performance, Mycotoxin Detoxification, Serum Biochemistry, and Hematology of Goats Fed Mycotoxins-Contaminated Diets.

This study was conducted to investigate the protective effects of mycotoxin adsorbent galactomannan oligosaccharides (GMOS) on growth performance, fermentation parameters, mycotoxins residues, serum biochemistry and oxidative stress parameters of the goats. The in vitro test indicated that 0.05% GMOS outperformed yeast cell wall (YCW) and montmorillonite (MMT) in aflatoxins absorption. Then 20 3-month-old Xiangdong black goats (15.0 ± 1.9 kg) were randomly divided into two dietary treatments for the animal test. The control group (CON group) was fed a multi-mycotoxins contaminated diet, whereas the experimental group (GMOS group) received multi-mycotoxins contaminated diet plus 0.05% GMOS. The trail lasted for 60 days, with 12 days of adaptation period and 48 days of formal experiment period. There were no treatment effects (P > 0.10) on growth performance, serum antioxidant capacity and activities of serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP). The concentrations of zearalenone in the rumen were lower (P < 0.05) in the GMOS group. GMOS significantly reduced (P < 0.05) propionate concentration in the cecum, resulting in a rise (P < 0.01) in acetate/propionate ratio in GMOS as compared to CON. Goats of GMOS exhibited considerably greater (P < 0.05) levels of creatine kinase but lower (P = 0.02) levels of creatinine than CON. Compared with CON, GMOS supplementation significantly increased (P < 0.05) platelet count (PLT), platelet volume distribution width (PDW), and platelet hematocrit (PCT), while decreased (P < 0.05) albumin content (ALB). The 0.05% GMOS protected goats in ruminal fermentation parameters, mycotoxins residues and serum biochemistry. Moreover, GMOS had no adverse effect on goat health. To our knowledge, this is the first report of GMOS in small ruminants. These findings suggested the feasibility of dietary GMOS as a health-maintaining addictive in goat diets.

Dry Matter Intake and Digestibility of Napier and Treated Rice Straw Diet in Goats

Plant by-products such as rice straw can be utilized to optimize ruminant feed resources and productivity. This study aimed to determine the intake and digestibility of the basal diet (Napier grass) and treated rice straw diet in goats. A total of 16 heads of male and female Philippine native goats were used in the study. Experimental animals were arranged in randomized complete block design with four treatments and four blocks – weight and sex were used as bases for blocking. The treatments were the following: Treatment 1 (T1): 60% Napier grass + 40% untreated rice straw (control); T2: 60% Napier grass + 40% urea-treated rice straw; T3: 60% Napier grass + 40% fish amino acid (FAA)-treated rice straw; and T4: 60% Napier grass + 40% fermented plant juice (FPJ)-treated rice straw. The gathered data were dry matter intake (DMI), DMI as percent body weight (% BW), total and percent dry matter digestibility (% DMD), rumen pH and weight gain. All data were analyzed using the analysis of variance for RCBD. Comparisons of treatment means were determined using the least significance difference test. The results showed that DMI and DMI as % BW were significantly (p &lt; 0.05) affected by the treatments. Furthermore, total DMD and % DMD were significant (p &lt; 0.05). FPJ treatment gave the highest DMI for rice straw. Moreover, goats fed with rice straw treated with urea, FPJ and FAA efficiently digested the diet compared with the control treatment.

Effect of Supplementing Dairy Goat Diets With Rapeseed Oil or Sunflower Oil on Performance, Milk Composition, Milk Fatty Acid Profile, and in vitro Fermentation Kinetics.

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of supplementing dairy goat diets with rapeseed oil and sunflower oil on performance, milk composition, milk fatty acid profile, and in vitro fermentation kinetics. Nine Danish Landrace goats with 42 ± 5 days in milk were allocated to three treatment groups for 42 days. Animals received a basal diet, formulated with 85:15 forage:concentrate ratio, and the basal diet was supplemented with either rapeseed oil or sunflower oil at 4% of dry matter. Goat milk was sampled on days 14, 21, and 42. Milk composition was similar between treatments. From day 14 to day 42, milk yield increased (1.03 vs. 1.34 kg/d), while milk fat (2.72 vs. 1.82 g/d) and total solids (11.2 vs. 9.14 %) were reduced. Compared to control and rapeseed oil, sunflower decreased (P < 0.05) C4:0 (1.56, and 1.67 vs. 1.36 g/100 g) and both oils decreased (P < 0.05) C18:3n3 (0.60 vs. 0.20 and 0.10 g/100g). Rapeseed oil increased (P < 0.05) C18:2 cis9, trans11 compared to control and sunflower oil (0.37 vs. 0.13 and 0.19 g/100 g). Untargeted milk foodomics revealed slightly elevated (P < 0.05) gluconic acid and decreased hippuric acid (P < 0.05) in the milk of oil-fed goats compared to control. In vitro dry matter degradation (63.2 ± 0.02 %) was not affected by dietary treatments, while individual volatile fatty acid proportions, total volatile fatty acids (35.7 ± 2.44 mmol/l), CO2 (18.6 ± 1.15 mol), and CH4 (11.6 ± 1.16 mol) were not affected by dietary treatments. Sunflower oil and rapeseed oil decreased (P < 0.05) total gas production at 24 and 48 h compared with control. Overall, the use of sunflower oil or rapeseed oil at 4% DM inclusion did not compromise animal performance and milk composition.

Changes in Rumen Bacterial Community Induced by the Dietary Physically Effective Neutral Detergent Fiber Levels in Goat Diets.

Physically effective neutral detergent fiber (peNDF) is a concept that accounts for the particle length of NDF in a feed, sustaining the normal chewing behavior and rumen fermentation of ruminants. This study aimed to elucidate the effects of dietary peNDF on growth performance and bacterial communities in the rumen of goats through a high-throughput sequencing technique. A total of 30 male Lezhi black goats were randomly assigned to five groups, corresponding to five diets with identical compositions and nutrient levels but with varying forage lengths (the peNDF1.18 contents of the diets were 33.0, 29.9, 28.1, 26.5, and 24.8%, respectively). The whole trial lasted for 44 days. As results show, feed intake and average daily gain were highest when peNDF1.18 content was 26.5%, in which the papilla length of the dorsal sac in rumen was the highest. Chao1 and ACE indexes were similar among the treatments, while Shannon and Simpson indexes of the peNDF1.18 = 28.1% group were the highest (p < 0.05). As the level of dietary peNDF1.18 decreased, the dominant phylum transitioned from Bacteroidetes to Firmicutes. The top three dominant genera of rumen bacteria were Prevotella 1, Ruminococcaceae NK4A214 group, and Christensenellaceae R-7 group. They all showed a quadratic correlation with dietary peNDF1.18 level (p < 0.05). The relative abundance of Ruminococcaceae UCG-011 was positively correlated, while that of Prevotella 1 was negatively correlated, with amino acid metabolism and energy metabolism (p < 0.01). In conclusion, dietary peNDF level influenced goat growth performance, rumen development, and rumen bacterial community structures, and a peNDF1.18 level between 26.5 and 28.1% was considered optimal for goat diet.

Hybrid Broussonetia papyrifera Fermented Feed Can Play a Role Through Flavonoid Extracts to Increase Milk Production and Milk Fatty Acid Synthesis in Dairy Goats.

In order to explore the effect of hybrid Broussonetia papyrifera fermented feed on milk production and milk quality of dairy goats, and to compare with alfalfa hay, three dairy goat diets were designed based on the principle of equal energy and equal protein. The goats in the control group were fed a basic TMR diet (CG group), and the other two groups were supplemented with 10% alfalfa hay (AH group) and 10% hybrid B. papyrifera fermented feed (BP group). The results showed that the dry matter intake and milk production of BP group increased significantly. The total amount of amino acids and the content of each amino acid in the milk of AH group and BP group were lower than those of CG group. The content of saturated fatty acids in the milk of BP group decreased while the content of unsaturated fatty acids increased. The contents of prolactin, estrogen and progesterone in BP goat serum were generally higher than those of AH goat and CG goat. Subsequently, this study separated and cultured mammary epithelial cells from breast tissue, and added flavone extracted from the leaves of hybrid B. papyrifera and alfalfa to their culture medium for comparison, which is one of their important bioactive components. The results showed that low-dose alfalfa flavone (AH) and hybrid B. papyrifera flavone (BP) can increase cell viability. They also can increase the accumulation of intracellular triglyceride and the formation of lipid droplets. Both AH flavone and BP flavone significantly up-regulated the expression of genes related to milk fat synthesis, including genes related to fatty acid de novo synthesis (ACACA, FASN, and SCD1), long-chain fatty acid activation and transport related genes (ACSL1), and genes related to transcription regulation (SREBP1). The three genes related to triglyceride synthesis (DGAT1, DGAT2, and GPAM) were all significantly increased by BP flavone. Both AH flavone and BP flavone significantly increased the protein expression of progesterone receptor and estrogen receptor in mammary epithelial cells but had no effect on prolactin receptor.

Monitoring diet with automated microhistology

AbstractMicroscopic analysis of indigestible fragments (microhistology) has long been used to monitor diets of wildlife, but the method is slow and difficult to replicate. We automated microhistology analysis by training a computer vision network to quantify the percent slide cover of identified fragments. We compared automated and manual analyses for 3 reference mixes with known proportions of plants and for samples of feces collected during the fall of 2016 and 2017 from white‐tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) and goats (Capra aegagrus) with access to the same plants in the wild at the Sonora Research Station, Edward's Plateau, Texas. Consistent size and shape of fragments for grass (Bothriochloa ischaemum) and conifer (Juniperus ashei) were associated with absolute errors of 6 to 16% for both methods. Irregular fragments of leaves and acorns of oak (Quercus virginiana) were underestimated by both methods. Small star‐shaped trichomes of a forb (Croton fruticulosus) were underestimated by computer analysis but overestimated by manual analysis. Fecal fragments from deer were more diverse in plant species and more variable in thickness and shape than those of goats. Computer analysis estimated conifer content of the goat diet within 4% of the manual estimate whereas those estimates for deer were up to 35% greater than the manual estimate. Automated analysis of digital images can increase the rigor of microhistology by expanding the size of sample sets and facilitating the routine use of calibrated references to assess errors in estimates of diet.

English

A study was conducted to investigate the optimum inclusion level of Cochlospermum planchonii in diets of West African Dwarf (WAD) goats. Twenty five (25) WAD bucks aged 6 to 8 months and assigned to five treatments (T1- T5) of five goats each were used. Goats in T1 were given normal diet and served as the control, while those in T2, T3, T4 and T5 were respectively given diets with inclusion levels of 5, 10, 20 and 40% C. planchonii. Feed intake, body weight (BWT) and body condition score (BCS) were evaluated weekly from day 0 (D0) to D84, while rumen pH, rumen ammonia, urinary and faecal nitrogen were assessed on D84. The total forage intake across the treatments was comparable (p&gt; 0.05), but the total concentrate intake by T5 (12.1 &plusmn; 0.8 kg) was significantly (p &lt; 0.05) lower than the rest of the treatments. Supplementation of C. planchonii was associated with enhanced weight gain among the supplemented groups. The rumen pH of T4 and T5 were 6.2 &plusmn; 0.04 and 6.1 &plusmn; 0.1 respectively and these were significantly (p &lt; 0.05) higher than those of T1 (5.8 &plusmn; 0.1), T2 (5.7 &plusmn; 0.1) and T3 (5.6 &plusmn; 0.1), 6 h post feeding. At 12 h post feeding, the pH of T5 was significantly (p &lt; 0.05) higher than the rest of the treatments, while at 18 h post feeding, there was no significant difference in the rumen pH of all the treatments. The mean total volatile fatty acid produced by T1 (59 &plusmn; 8.9) was significantly (p&lt; 0.05) higher than that of T5 (37. 8 &plusmn; 6.3). It was therefore, concluded that supplementation of C. planchonii in diets of West African Dwarf goats up to 20% could exert beneficial effects on their productivity. Key words: Cochlospermum planchonii, feed intake, dietary inclusion, rumen fermentation, performance, West African Dwarf bucks.

Inclusion of Cocoa Bean Shell in the Diet of Dairy Goats: Effects on Milk Production Performance and Milk Fatty Acid Profile

The use of agro-industrial by-products in animal nutrition is a promising strategy to reduce the food-feed competition, the diet cost at farm level and the environmental impact of animal-derived food production. In this study, the suitability of cocoa bean shell (CBS), a by-product of the cocoa industry, as a feed ingredient in the diet of dairy goats was evaluated, with a focus on the related implications on feed intake, milk yield, milk main constituents, and fatty acid (FA) profile of milk fat. Twenty-two Camosciata delle Alpi goats were divided into two balanced groups. All the goats were fed mixed hay ad libitum. The control group (CTRL; n = 11) also received 1.20 kg/head × day of a commercial concentrate, while in the experimental group (CBS; n = 11) 200 g of the CTRL concentrate were replaced by the same amount of pelleted CBS. The total dry matter intake of the goats was reduced by the dietary inclusion of CBS (P ≤ 0.01). The milk yield, as well as the milk fat, protein, and casein contents and yields were unaffected by the treatment. Milk from the CBS-fed goats showed decreased urea content when compared to the CTRL group (P ≤ 0.001). Milk from the CBS group of goats also showed increased concentrations of total branched-chain FA (both iso and anteiso forms; P ≤ 0.001) and total monounsaturated FA (P ≤ 0.05), as well as a decreased ∑ n6/∑ n3 FA ratio (P ≤ 0.05). De novo saturated FA, total polyunsaturated FA, total conjugated linoleic acids, and the majority of ruminal biohydrogenation intermediates remained unaffected by the dietary treatment. These results suggest that CBS can be strategically used as an alternative non-conventional raw material in diets intended for lactating goats, with no detrimental effects on their milk production performance. The use of CBS in goat nutrition may be hindered by the presence of theobromine, a toxic alkaloid. Special attention is needed by nutritionists to avoid exceeding the theobromine limits imposed by the current legislation. Detheobromination treatments are also suggested in literature to prevent toxic phenomena.

Performance, Rumen Microbial Community and Immune Status of Goat Kids Fed Leucaena leucocephala Post-weaning as Affected by Prenatal and Early Life Nutritional Interventions.

Leucaena leucocephala represents a local protein source in tropical ruminant diets. However, its full exploitation is impaired by mimosine, unless it is degraded by the rumen microbial community. Recently, the ruminal bacterial communities of newborns were persistently modified through prenatal or postnatal dietary interventions. Such early-life interventions might enhance adaptation of ruminants to Leucaena leucocephala, which was investigated using a 2 × 2 factorial design trial that tested both supplementation of L. leucocephala in the late pregnancy diet of goat does, and supplementation of live yeast to their newborns. The composition of ruminal bacteria, immune status, as well as organic matter digestibility (OMD) and performance of kids were studied during and after the intervention. Ten pregnant goats were divided into two groups: the D+ and D– groups, which either received or did not receive 30 g of L. leucocephala forage meal during the last 7 ± 0.5 weeks of gestation. Twins from each goat were divided into the K+ and K– group (supplemented with or without 0.2 g/d of live yeast from day 3 until weaning at 8 weeks). Rumen samples were collected from 4-, 8-, 14-, and 20-weeks old kids to assess the bacterial community, while immune parameters (white blood cells, immunoglobulin M and G, and chitotriosidase activity) were measured in blood and saliva sampled at 4-, 8-, and 20-weeks. We found a stimulatory effect of the prenatal exposure on the post-weaning dry matter intake of the L. leucocephala supplemented diet, resulting in a higher daily gain and final body weight at 20 weeks in the D+ vs. D– group (406 vs. 370 g DM/d, 85.4 vs. 78.6 g/d, and 15.2 vs. 13.8 kg, respectively). Moreover, Ruminococcus represented a greater proportion of the rumen bacterial community of the D+ vs. D– kids (5.1 vs. 1.6%). Differences in the immune status were relatively small and not thought to be a driving factor of differences in animal performance. Furthermore, postnatal supplementation of live yeast favored maturation of the rumen bacterial community (i.e., greater abundance of Bacteroidetes, in particular Prevotella, and reduced abundance of Firmicutes) and protozoa colonization. Concomitantly, OMD was enhanced post-weaning, suggesting effects of the early-life intervention persisted and could have affected animal performance.

Flaxseed added to the diet of Alpine goats affects the nutrients intake and blood parameters.

The flaxseed is a nutraceutical food used as a source of α-linolenic acid, which can bring benefits to the health of mammals. This study was carried out to examine the effect of flaxseed inclusion in the diets on the intake of nutrients, body weight, and blood parameters of Alpine goats. Twenty-one adult females with an initial average weight of 41.06 ± 1.84kg were used in a completely randomized design, with four experimental treatments (0, 5, 10, and 15% of flaxseed in the total diet) and five replications per treatment. The intake of the dry matter presented a decreasing linear effect (P < 0.001), with a reduction of 53.5% between the control diet (0% of flaxseed) and 15% of flaxseed, but no effect was observed on weight gain (P > 0.05). Inclusion of flaxseed from 0 to 15% linearly decreased the intakes of organic matter, crude protein, non-fibrous carbohydrates, and neutral detergent fiber, but increased the ether extract intake (P < 0.001). Regarding plasma concentration traits, increasing the flaxseed levels from 0 to 15% had linear positive effect on LDL, VLDL, and triglycerides (P < 0.05), but no effect on cholesterol, HDL, glucose, creatinine, and urea (P > 0.05). The inclusion of flaxseed in the diet for 80days changes the nutrients intake and blood parameters but shows no impact on body weight. However, further studies are required to determine the impact of flaxseed on the goat's health in the long term since there has been an increase in the concentration of triglycerides, LDL, and VLDL.

Jackfruit leaves can totally replace traditional grass in the diet of lactating dairy goats

ABSTRACT This study aimed to evaluate the effect of replacing jackfruit leaves (JF) for Para grass (PG) on intake, digestibility, nitrogen balance, ruminal fermentation, milk yield and composition in lactating goats. Four crossbred Saanen lactating goats in mid-lactation and milking 1676 ± 112 g/day were used in a 4 × 4 Latin square design. A basal diet consisted of concentrate and PG (C:F 40:60). Treatments were dietary replacement of JL for PG at ratios of 0, 50, 75 and 100% corresponding to JL0, JL50, JL75 and JL100 diets, respectively. Feeding JL increased linearly (P < 0.01) DM intake, but decreased linearly (P < 0.05) nutrient digestibility. A linear increase in fecal N (P < 0.01) and N retention (P = 0.04), but a linear decrease in urinary N (P = 0.03) was detected when increased the JL in the diets. Total VFA concentration increased quadratically (P = 0.04), and the highest value was observed in JL75 compared with JL0 (85.9 vs. 72.8 mM). Milk production increased linearly (P = 0.03), but no change was observed in milk composition and blood urea nitrogen (BUN). Overall, combined data suggest that the substitution of JL for PG in lactating goat diets is effective in the improvement of nutrient intake, N retention, ruminal VFA concentration and milk yield without affecting milk composition and BUN.

Inclusion of Barley Fodder in Alfalfa/Grass-Based Diets on Milk Production in Goats and Milking Sheep

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of Barley Sprout Fodder (BSF) on milk production and milk composition of Saanen goats and Friesian ewes. Twenty Saanen does (1-year-old) and twenty East Friesian ewes (1 to 5 years old), were selected for this experiment, where each species was divided into four treatment groups. Goat treatments consisted of 0 (CRTL), 758 (BSF1), 1498 (BSF2) and 2270 (BSF3) g wet BSF/d added to an alfalfa/grass hay mix provided in random order. Sheep treatments were similar, but 0, 454, 908, and 1362 g wet BSF/d. The dry matter content of the fodder was 10.7%. A grain mix was fed to the goats (798 DM g/d) and sheep (400 DM g/d) during morning and evening milking. Treatment periods were fifteen days. Feed consumed was measured and milk yield and samples were collected on days 13 and 14. Milk samples were analyzed for milk fat, protein, and lactose. The cheese was made from day 14 milk and milk and cheese were analyzed for fatty acid composition. Total DM intake was between 2.7 and 2.9 kg/d for does and was different (P<0.05) between BSF treatments, 2.6 to 3.0 kg/d for ewes. Milk yield was not affected by BSF treatment. Goat milk yield averaged 2681 g/d across the treatments, while sheep was 1021 g/d. Milk fat content increased numerically from 77 to 82 g/d for goats and 50 to 58 g/d for sheep. BSF did not affect goat milk protein g/d, but sheep milk protein increased from 46 to 53 g/d. Goat milk lactose was not changed with BSF inclusion, while sheep milk lactose increased from 47 to 54 g/d. Total solids were not different from BSF in the diet for goats but was for sheep increasing from 143 to 164 g/d. There were no differences in cheese fatty acid composition for either species. The CRTL diet cost $0.82/day for goats and $0.72/d for sheep, while the high level of BSF inclusion cost $1.06/d for goats and $0.91/d for sheep. Based on the parameters of this study, the inclusion of BSF had relatively no effect on goat milk parameters but did improve milk solids in sheep milk, with no increase in milk yield.

Novel Linkages Between Bacterial Composition of Hindgut and Host Metabolic Responses to SARA Induced by High-Paddy Diet in Young Goats.

At present, feeding a high-corn diet to goats is used to provide enough protein and energy supply to meet their higher dietary requirements. In fact, because corn grain is commonly scarce in the traditional rice cropping region of southern Asia, paddy is thereby used as an alternative feed applied in goat diets. However, the effects of the high paddy proportion on the microbiota and metabolites of the intestine are unclear. Here, we investigate the effects of high paddy proportion on bacterial community, potential function, and metabolic reaction in the cecum of goats. Sixteen Liuyang black goats were divided into two groups fed either a normal-paddy (NP) diet (55% concentrate) or a high-paddy (HP) diet (90% concentrate) for 5 weeks. Total short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) concentration was higher in the hindgut chyme of the HP-fed goats than in that of the NP-fed goats (p = 0.001). The acetic proportion was significantly decreased and the propionic proportion was increased in the HP group (p < 0.05). The HP diet decreased the value of pH, lactic acid concentration, and lactate dehydrogenase activity but increased the activity of alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, and amylase, together with lipopolysaccharide concentration in the hindgut chyme of goats (p < 0.05). The abundance rates of the Eubacterium_coprostanoligenes_group was increased (p = 0.050), whereas the abundance of Prevotellaceae_UCG_004, dgA-11_gut_group, Christensenellaceae_R-7_group, Ruminococcaceae_UCG-010, and Desulfovibrio were significantly decreased with the HP diet (p < 0.05). These results suggested that the HP diet altered the microbiota and metabolites, which negatively modified intestinal epithelial health in goats.

Effect of selenium and vitamin E supplementation on the metabolic status of dairy goats and respective goat kids in the peripartum period.

This study aimed to examine the effects of selenium (Se) and vitamin E (vitE) supplementation on blood cell counts and blood metabolite concentrations in goats and their kids. Fifteen Saanen goats (average age 6years of age; average initial body weight of 70 ± 10kg) and 21 ½ Saanen × ½ Pardo Alpine crossbred goat kids (average body weight of 3.70 ± 0.64kg) were used. Animals were distributed in a completely randomized design with five replicates per diet for mother goats and seven for goat kids and randomly assigned into three groups in the following diets: CON, control basal diet; Se, inclusion of 3.2mg of Se/kg DM; SevitE, inclusion of 3.2mg Se/kg DM and 1145IU/day vitE/kg DM. Effects of time were observed on red blood cells, hemoglobin, hematocrit, mean corpuscular volume, and mean corpuscular hemoglobin in goats and goat kids. Effects of time were observed on differential counts of leucocytes, lymphocytes, and monocytes in goat kids. Interaction was observed for high-density lipoprotein and total protein in goats and for triglycerides, beta-hydroxybutyrate (BHBA), and gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT) in goat kids. Effects of time were observed on low-density lipoprotein, triglycerides, glucose, lactate, BHBA, non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA), creatinine, aspartate-aminotransferase, and GGT in goats and all blood metabolites in goat kids. Selenium, vitE, or association in the evaluated levels are not sufficient to change blood cell counts when supplied in diets for goats or goat kids. However, the effect of time or interaction between time and diets change the blood metabolite concentrations in the animals.

The impact of double-distilled glycerin supplementation on the quality of goat milk and cheese

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of replacing corn by double-distilled glycerin, a co-product of the biodiesel industry, on goat curd cheese in terms of physical-chemical, microbiological and sensory aspects. Twelve multiparas Saanen goats weighing 47.07 ± 2.41 kg and at 90 ± 5 days of lactation. The experimental design was completely randomized with two treatments (0 and 15% inclusion of glycerin). The physicochemical parameters analyzed were: fat (%), non-fat solids (%), protein (%), lactose (%), salts (%), relative density at 15/15 °C (gmL-1), index cryoscopic (°C), electrical conductivity (mScm-1), pH and acidity. The milk from each treatment was used to make the rennet cheese. The fat had a significant effect (P < 0.05) with inclusion of glycerin in the diet. The physicochemical characteristics of the cheese were influenced (P < 0.05) by feeding up to 15% of glycerin. Regarding sensory attributes, only firmness was influenced (P < 0.05) by the inclusion of glycerin in the diet of dairy goats. Bidistilled glycerin, when inserted in the diet of dairy goats at a level of 15%, causes a reduction in the lipid content of milk and cheese, consequently affecting the cheese yield, and the parameter of firmness in the sensory of the evaluated cheeses.

Carcass characteristics and meat quality of goats fed increasing levels of crude glycerin.

Crude glycerin is a byproduct of the biodiesel industry and has been widely used in ruminant diets as a source of energy, usually in place of corn, primarily during periods of drought in tropical regions. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of including levels of the crude glycerin of low purity (0, 6, 12 and 18%) replacing corn in the diets of goats on the carcass characteristics, tissue composition, meat cuts yield and physicochemical parameters of meat. Forty males castrated without defined racial pattern goats an initial average weight of 19.70 ± 2.30 kg were slaughtered after 86 days. Diets content 0 and 6% crude glycerin promoted similar responses to the analyzed variables, except for pH and breast weight. No differences were observed to total digestible nutrients, slaughter body weight, commercial cut yield leg tissue composition and physicochemical parameters of meat. Crude glycerin can be included up to 12% without losses on carcass weight and meat cuts, leg composition, and meat quality. The inclusion of crude glycerin containing 63.06% glycerol and 45.57% lipids could be effective in partial replacement of corn in diets for confined goats in tropical areas.

Effect of Dietary Incorporation of Moringa oleifera Leaves on Haemato-biochemical Parameters of Marwari Goat Kids

Moringa oleifera is considered as a miracle tree due to the presence of abundant nutrients, high protein biological value, and good feeding effects. As a new protein feedstuff, Moringa oleifera has great potential in alleviating the feeding crisis in animal feeding system. To explore the beneficial properties and practical utility of Moringa oleifera tree leaves, the present study had been performed on 12 male Marwari goat kids, randomly distributed in to two groups control and treatment. Kids were fed on ground nut straw based complete feed, whose composition was kept similar in both the groups except the incorporation of Moringa oleifera leaves in the diet of treatment group, at the level of 15% of complete feed as a replacement of equal proportions of cotton seed cake. A feeding trial of ninety days was conducted to observe the effect of supplementation of Moringa oleifera leaves on haematobiochemical parameters of experimental kids. Blood samples were collected at monthly intervals and analyzed by UV spectrophotometer. The study reported no significant difference of Moringa oleifera leaves supplementation on haemato-biochemical parameters of experimental kids. The study concluded that the Moringa oleifera leaves can be used in the diet of goats up to 15% level of incorporation.

Повышение колонизационной резистентности микрофлоры желудочно-кишечного тракта коз

The study was conducted to increase the colonization resistance of the microflora of the gastrointestinal tract of young goats of the Saanen breed through the use of the Extrasol preparation based on Bacillus subtilis Ch-13 (LLC Bisolbi-Inter). In the course of the study, scientific and production experience was carried out in the Samara region on 20 Saanen goats: 10 heads in the control and experimental groups. As a result of the study, it was found that the drug «Extrasol» increases the intensity of the process of energy and substance metabolism in the body of animals. The concentration of total protein in the blood serum of goats of the experimental group at 120 days of age was higher by 9,7 %, albumin by 33%, blood glucose by – 11,2 % compared with the control. The proteolytic, anti-lysozyme, anti-carnosine activity of enterococci, the ability of microorganisms to form biofilms was higher in the goats of the experimental group due to the use of the Extrasol preparation. Body weight of kids in the control group at 120 days of age was 21,32±1,79 kg, in the experimental group – 23,25±2,58 kg, which is 1,93 kg higher. The average daily gain in the experimental group was significantly higher by 0,029 kg. As a result, the administration of Extrasol as a probiotic in addition to the basic diet of young goats of the Saanen breed from 60 days to 120 days of age leads to an increase in the rate of growth and development of animals, an increase in colonization resistance and antagonistic ability of the resident microflora of the gastrointestinal tract of animals. The economic efficiency of using the Extrasol preparation is due to the possible profit from the sale of meat from young goats of the experimental group, which was higher by 70,81 rubles from each head.

Relating goat milk production according to the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index and precipitations in the Chaco forest throughout the 2016-2018 period

This work aimed to quantify and relate goat milk production and the Normalized Difference of Vegetation Index of the semiarid Chaco forest and the monthly average precipitation along the 2016-2018 period. The work was carried out in El Polear, in Santiago del Estero, Argentina. Even though the NDVI of the forest and its lower strata biomass productivity were affected by drought, its milk production curve remained unaffected. This may be due to the forest stability resulting from the deep rooted trees that includes, to the strategic displacement of the phenophase in its lower strata (broadleaves, herbaceous) in drought seasons and the adaptation to the changes in the goat diet selectivity before forage fluctuations. Winter NDVI peaks should be considered for new lines of research on their contribution to the energetic reserves of the goat component at the beginning of winter. Significant straight relationships (p&lt;0.05) were found between the average goat milk production and the average monthly precipitation (r=0.64) as well as the NDVI and the semiarid Chaco forest (r=0.59). The resulting linear models involving goat milk production with both precipitation and NDVI had moderate and significant (p&lt;0.05) explaining power (R2=0.41) and (R2=0.35), respectively. These models make the seasonal goat milk production predictable and the planning and the making decision process of both producers and the agroindustry easier.

Sugarcane bagasse or elephant grass hay in diets for goats: Performance, feeding behavior and carcass characteristics

Background: Novel feeding strategies should be developed to produce high-quality meat in current goat production systems. Objective: To evaluate the effects of castration and the association of spineless cactus with sugarcane bagasse or elephant grass hay on nutrient intake, digestibility, performance, feeding behavior and carcass traits of feedlot kids. Methods: A total of 24 male kids (12 castrated and 12 intact), with an average initial weight of 18.5 ± 3.8 kg were allotted to a completely randomized 2 x 2 factorial design (sugar cane bagasse or elephant grass hay; intact or castrated), and confined for 70 days. Results: Nutrient intake and animal performance were similar between treatments. Sugarcane bagasse increased, when compared to elephant grass hay, the digestibility of dry matter (66.12 vs 62.88; p=0.005), crude protein (74.26 vs 70.95; p=0.029) and non-fibrous carbohydrates (91.94 vs 83.07; p&lt;0.001). The forage source affected the time spent resting, ruminating and total chewing time, but there was no effect of diet on feeding and rumination efficiencies. Elephant grass hay increased, when compared to sugarcane bagasse, hot carcass weight (9.87 vs 10.79; p=0.025) and hot carcass yield (43.81 vs 46.87; p=0.013). Intact kids produced heavier hot carcasses when compared with castrated kids (10.80 vs 9.86; p=0.014). Conclusion: Feeding intact or castrated kids with sugar cane bagasse or elephant grass hay do not affect nutrient intake and performance. Feedlot goats have improved carcass traits if kept intact and fed elephant grass hay.