The current study carried out to assessment the effect of addition of low levels 0.3 and 0.6 g/kg diet of Spirulina platensis (SP) on the productive performance and economic efficiency parameters of growing Red Balady rabbits for 8 weeks. A total of 36 growing rabbits (6-week old) were randomly assigned into three dietary experimental treatments (12 rabbits of each), that was conducted from 6 to 14 weeks of age. The obtained results revealed that addition of SP to the diet of growing rabbits at level 0.6 g/kg diet led to significantly increased of growth performance parameters and improved feed conversion ratio, as well as led to insignificantly enhanced of carcass traits, and hematological and economic efficiency parameters compared to those fed the low level (0.3 g/kg diet) or those fed free SP diet. Thus, it could be concluded that the useful addition of SP for improving the productive and economic performance of growing Red Balady rabbits, especially at the tested level 0.6 g SP/kg diet.
This study aimed to determine the effect of sodium butyrate (SB) on reproductive tract development and histomorphometric analysis of testes in neonatal kids, as well as on their growth, antioxidant status and some blood metabolites. Thirty-six neonatal Zaraibi kids were divided immediately after 4-5 days from birth into three equal groups (12 kids/ each). The first group (G1) received milk replacer (MR) at a rate of 10% of the body weight until the weaning. The second group (G2) received 9.7% MR supplemented with 0.3% SB. The third group (G3) received whole milk and served as a control. The results revealed that there was significant (p < .001) increase in total and daily gain between the G2 and G1 groups, whereas there was no significant change between G2 and G3 groups. Body condition score was slightly increased (p > .05) in G2 compared with G1. Serum total protein and cholesterol levels were significantly decreased in treated groups compared with the G3 group, on reverse globulin and glucose levels had no significant changes. Also, T3 and testosterone concentrations were significantly (p < .0001 & p < .05) higher in G3 and G2 than G1. Antioxidant status was enhanced through decreasing the oxidative marker and increasing antioxidant enzymes activity in G2. Testis parameters in G3 and G2 kids had the highest values, compared with G1. G1 and G2 had thin basement membrane of seminiferous tubules with few Leydig cells and pyknotic germinal epithelium, while G3 showed thick basement membrane, mild wide interstitial spaces with many Leydig cells. The tubular diameter was also significantly larger in the G3 and G2. It could be concluded that MR supplemented with SB can be used as alternative whole milk in suckling goat kids for maintaining reproductive tract and kids' performance through improving the antioxidant status. K E Y W O R D S antioxidant, goats, milk replacer, reproductive, sodium butyrate | 813 MOHAMED Et Al.
ighteen lactating Zaraibi goats were designed experiment to determine the effects of three different rations (isocaloric and isonitrogenic) supplemented with different levels of propylene glycol (PG) on goats welfare during critical transition stages. The three rations formed as PG0, PG1 and PG2 which alternative of 0, 10 and 20% of concentrate feed mixture (CFM), respectively. These rations were prepared and continued feeding to the three dairy nanny goat groups (n=6 each group) from flushing up to 21st weeks of lactation. The body weight, measurements post-parturition, milk production such as suckling and milking amount, feed consumption and blood samples were evaluated. Then, economical efficiency was assayed for selling milk yield. Experimental results indicated that both dietary groups included PG1 and PG2 showed higher (P<0.05) body weight through transition periods. Supplementation of PG in ration as 10 or 20% could be improved measurements post-parturition more than goat group untreated with PG. The milk production such as suckling and lactating of the PG groups were significantly higher than that of the control group (P<0.05). The PG1 and PG2 goats had lower (P<0.05) effect on dry matter intake (DMI) than PG0 during transition periods. The effect of different levels of PG containing rations on the main blood serum of goat such as glucose, non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA), β-hydroxyl butyric acid (βHBA) and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) were varied through pre / post-partum. Hence, concentration of serum glucose in the PG groups were significantly higher than that of the control group (P<0.05) through pre / post-partum. Conversely, the concentrations of NEFA, βHBA and BUN in the PG groups were lower than those of the control group (P<0.05) through pre / post-partum. In addition, commercial milk amount, selling price of milk and total price was lower in PG1 and PG2 groups than PG0 thus, PG showed higher economical value than control goats. It can be concluded that inclusion of PG instead of 10 or 20% of CFM in the dairy nanny goats' diet lead to economic benefit positively such as body weight, reproductive performance post-partum, milk production, feed consumption and blood metabolic. Generally, supplementation with PG might have been attained among dairy goats on lower planes of nutrition or otherwise less optimally managed and also prevents any negative risk on goats healthy during critical transition periods.
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