This study was carried out to determine the level of certain biochemical variables reflecting the energy metabolic statuses during the first week of lactation in goats. A total of 120 Anglo-Nubian, Angora, Baladi, and Damascus does (30 does per breed) were used throughout 5 consecutive parities (30 does per parity) to investigate the effect of breed, parity, day of lactation, and their interaction on serum metabolites including total protein, albumin, globulin, glucose, total lipids, cholesterol, and transaminases. Blood samples were collected every other day during the first week of lactation. Baladi does had the greatest (P < 0.001) values in all measured biochemical variables followed by Anglo-Nubian [in total protein, globulin, and aminotransferase (AST)] and Damascus (in globulin and AST) and then Angora, which had the lowest (P < 0.001) values for all variables. Fifth parity exhibited the greatest (P < 0.001) values in all serum metabolites compared with other parities except for alanine transaminase (ALT) enzyme activity in which the greatest (P = 0.046) values were observed in the first and fourth parties. Serum concentrations of the measured variables increased gradually throughout the first day after kidding until the seventh day for total protein (P < 0.001), albumin (P = 0.013), globulin (P = 0.017), and cholesterol (P = 0.028) whereas serum glucose concentration exhibited an opposite trend. Serum concentrations of total lipids and enzyme activities of AST and ALT were not affected by day (P > 0.05) after kidding. Baladi goats had the least (P < 0.001) serum insulin concentration, which was associated (P < 0.001) with greatest serum glucose concentration. Serum triiodothyronine (T(3)) was inversely correlated (P = 0.032) with milk yield whereas greatest (P = 0.003) T(3) concentrations were associated with least (P < 0.001) milk yield recorded in Angora goats. Animal physiological responses and their indices were not affected (P > 0.05) by breed whereas both rectal temperature and coefficient of heat tolerance were affected (P < 0.001) by parity in an opposite direction. Baladi goats expressed an aspect of adaptability where their rectal temperature decreased and coefficient of heat tolerance increased with increasing parity number.
The current study evaluated the effect of feeding clove (Syzygium aromaticum) as a natural additive on productive performance, digestibility and nutritive value, antioxidant enzymes activities, and immune response of growing rabbits. A total of 48 New Zealand White (NZW) rabbits aged 6 weeks were randomly allocated to 4 groups (12 rabbits/group). Clove buds powder (CLP) was supplemented at 0.5, 1, and 1.5% of basal diet. Four tested diets formulated to contain basal diet without CLP (treatment 1, T1), 0.5% CLP (T2), 1% CLP (T3), and 1.5% CLP (T4). The animals were provided pelleted diets and fresh water ad libitum throughout the experimental period. The rabbits fed diets containing CLP improved FCR (P=0.007) and consumed (P<0.0001) less than those fed control group. The diet containing 1.5% CLP had the best feed conversion ratio (FCR) value (P<0.05). No significant differences were observed among experimental groups in all nutrients digestibility except CP digestibility significantly (P=0.0261) increased with 0.5 and 1% CLP groups compared to control group. Blood total lipid (TL) was significantly decreased (P<0.009) with increasing the dietary level of CLP, (being 379.17 and 361.11 mg/dl for 1% and 1.5% CLP groups vs. 470.84 for control group). The catalase and total antioxidant capacity (TAOC) concentrations significantly (P<0.0001) increased with CLP groups compared to control group. The immunoglobulins titres (IgG and IgM) improved (P>0.05) with rabbits fed CLP diets when compared to those fed the control diet. In conclusion, using CLP as an alternative feed additive in rabbit’s diets up to 1.5% without any adverse effect on productive performance and vital activities. The CLP inclusion in rabbit diets decreased feed intake (FI), improved FCR and increased profitability, moreover, had a positive effect on antioxidant enzyme activity and immunity (IgG and IgM) titres.
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