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Thirty-six Malpura lambs (age = 58 days; 8.9 kg BW) were equally divided into three groups (N = 12; six males and six females) to assess the effect of probiotics supplementation on growth, digestibility, rumen fermentation and carcass attributes. The lambs of the control group (CON) were not supplemented with probiotics, while test groups received either Saccharomyces cerevisiae (SC) or combination of S. cerevisiae and Lactobacillus sporogenes (SCLS) at 1.5 % of concentrate mixture. The lambs were fed ad libitum concentrate mixture and bajra (Pennisetum typhoides) straw in a cafeteria system until 180 days of age. Daily feed intake and weekly live weight changes were recorded. A metabolism trial was conducted on six lambs at 90 days. Rumen fermentation study was conducted at 105 days. At 6 months, all male lambs were slaughtered and carcass characteristics were recorded. Body weight and average daily gain (ADG) were similar among the three groups. The digestibilities of all the nutrients were also similar among the groups, except acid detergent fiber (ADF) digestibility, which was higher (P = 0.032) in SC and SCLS than the CON. The rumen fluid pH was higher (P = 0.04) in CON and SC group than SCLS at 0 h while NH(3)-N at 8 h sample was higher (P = 0.031) in SC and SCLS group than the control. Pre-slaughter weight, hot carcass weight and dressing yields were similar. ADF digestibility and rumen fermentation was improved in lambs by probiotic supplementation. However, carcass traits remained unchanged due to probiotics supplementation.

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A study was conducted to assess comparatively the growth performance of three different indigenous goat breeds during exposure to summer heat stress. The primary objective of the study was to observe the heat stress impact on the growth performance based on the body weight changes, allometric measurements, growth hormone (GH) concentration and peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) Insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) mRNA expression pattern during the summer season in comparison with the local breed (Osmanabadi). Thirty-six ten-month- to one-year-old female goats of Osmanabadi, Malabari and Salem Black breeds were randomly divided into six groups, OC (n = 6; Osmanabadi control), OHS (n = 6; Osmanabadi heat stress), MC (n = 6; Malabari control), MHS (n = 6; Malabari heat stress), SBC (n = 6; Salem Black control) and SBHS (n = 6; Salem Black heat stress). Body weight was recorded at weekly intervals, whereas other growth and allometric measurements and blood collection were carried out at fortnightly intervals. Breed factor significantly (p < .05) influenced only few growth variables such as body weight, body mass index (BMI) and body condition score (BCS). However, heat stress treatment significantly (p < .05) reduced all growth parameters expect BMI. Further, the heat stress significantly (p < .01) increased plasma GH concentration in goats with significantly higher (p < .05) concentration recorded in OHS. Among the stress groups, the lower (p < .05) PBMC IGF-1 mRNA expression was recorded in OHS, while the higher (p < .05) expression was observed in SBHS indicating the extreme adaptive capability of Salem Black breed. Thus, the results indicated that the Salem Black breed performed much better compared to both Osmanabadi and Malabari breeds indicating the superior ability of this breed to adapt to heat stress challenges. The results also indicated that plasma GH and IGF-1 gene may act as ideal biomarkers for assessing the heat stress impact on growth performance in indigenous goats.

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Improvement in body condition was assessed in 40 cull ewes (>6 years), equally distributed in two groups and realimented with ad libitum roughage (gram straw) and two levels of concentrate feeding, i.e., 2.5 % (T(1)) of live weight (LW) and ad libitum (T(2)). Five representative animals from an initial 45 were slaughtered at the initiation of the study (0 day) and five animals from each treatment at 44, 67, and 90 days of experiment for carcass attributes. Improvement in body condition score (BCS), nutrient utilization, feed efficiency, and carcass traits were assessed at 44, 67, and 90 days. Metabolism trial of 6-day collection of feed, feces, and urine samples was conducted on five representative ewes from each group after 60 days of feeding. The level of concentrate feeding on LW gain and BCS was significant, and the duration of realimentation showed a linear improvement (P < 0.001). The digestibility and intake of dry matter, organic matter, and crude protein was higher (P < 0.05) in T(2). The N intake, absorption, and balance showed a similar trend. Increase (P < 0.05) in total N, trichloroacetic acid precipitable N, and ammonia N was observed with extension of realimentation period. Blood metabolic profile also showed improvement (P < 0.05) from an undernourished state to normal after alimentation. Animals in T(2) accumulated higher LW with minimal expenditure of metabolizable energy (73.4 vs 79.1 MJ) and higher efficiency of feed conversion during 68 to 90 days of realimentation. Linear improvement (P < 0.01) in carcass traits (preslaughter weight, empty live weight, hot carcass weight, dressing percentage, and amount of subcutaneous and intramuscular fat) and composition of longissimus dorsi muscle was observed. Ad lib concentrate supplementation for a period of 90 days may thus be considered appropriate for achieving desired efficiency of gain and improvement in body condition of cull ewes for quality mutton production.