No abstract

No abstract

The purpose of the current study was to explore the supplementing effects of Moringa oleifera leaf powder (MOLP) on plasma and milk biochemical indices and productive/reproductive performance of goats. A total of 30 healthy pregnant goats were randomly distributed (n = 10) into three experimental groups: control (M0) group (basal diet without MOLP), M2% group (basal diet + 2% MOLP), and M3.5% group (basal diet + 3.5% MOLP). The experiment started 2 months before parturition and continued till the first month of lactation. The plasma flavonoids were significantly increased in the M3.5% group during the entire experiment, whereas the total phenolic contents were enhanced only during the lactation period depending on the supplementation percentage. The amount of vitamin C increased significantly in M2% and M3.5% groups as compared to the M0 group. Supplementation of MOLP improved the plasma total antioxidant capacity by declining malondialdehyde concentration and total oxidant status values. The activities of superoxide dismutase and peroxidase enzymes were modified in M2% and M3.5% supplemented groups throughout the experiment, while the catalase activity was significantly influenced only during the lactation stage. The protein and lycopene contents in plasma were significantly improved in the M3.5% group, whereas the total sugars and carotenoid level was increased in both M2% and M3.5% groups. Dietary supplementation with 3.5% MOLP more effectively enhanced protease and amylase activities as compared to 2% supplementation. MOLP also improved the biochemical indices and antioxidant status of colostrum and milk. The milk yield, weight gain of the kids, and reproductive performance were high in M2% and M3.5% groups in comparison to the M0 group. These findings disclose that supplementing the diet with 3.5% MOLP improves antioxidant status, milk yield, and reproductive performance in goats.

Contents This study compares the factors associated with variable interval to oestrus and ovulation between early versus late ovulating goats following PGF2α administration. The time of ovulation in Beetal goats (n = 38) was monitored through transrectal ultrasound at every 6 hr following a single dose of PGF2α (experiment 1). Variations in oestrus and ovulation times were further explored through the changes in follicular dynamics, endocrine profiles and behaviour in another set of goats (n = 13) following single PGF2α given randomly during the luteal phase (experiment 2). The ovulation time varied between 60 and 96 hr, and 57% of ovulations occurred by 72 hr following PGF2α (experiment 1). Accordingly, the goats (n = 13) in the second experiment were retrospectively divided either into early and/or late ovulating, that is, ≤72 and/or ≥84 hr following PGF2α. The onset of oestrus, peak estradiol‐17β concentration and LH surge after PGF2α was first observed in early than late ovulating goats (p < 0.05). The goats ovulating early had larger follicle and smaller CL in diameter at the time of PGF2α administration than those ovulating late (5.4 ± 0.2 vs. 4.3 ± 0.2 mm and 10 ± 0.6 vs. 11.8 ± 0.3 mm, respectively; p < 0.05). Likewise, plasma progesterone concentration tended to be lower (p = 0.087) in early than late ovulating goats. In conclusion, the size of dominant follicle and CL at the time of PGF2a determines the interval to ovulation following a single dose of PGF2a during the luteal phase.