Influence of Spirulina platensis Supplementation Alone or Mixed with Live Yeast on Blood Constituents and Oxidative Status of Damascus Goats and their New Born

Abstract

The goal of this study was to investigate the effect of supplementing Spirulina, either alone or in a mix with live yeast, on blood biochemical constituents and oxidative status in goats and their kids. Eighteen pregnant multiparous goats were equally distributed into three groups. The first group (control) received normal feeding without any additions. The second group (SP) received the normal diet plus 5 grams per head per day of Spirulina platensis, while the third group (SPSC) received the same amount of SP mixed with 3 grams per head per day of Saccharomyces cerevisiae for 30 days before parturition and continued for 45 days of lactation period. Results revealed that applying both additives caused (P≤0.01) decrease in serum cholesterol, urea, alanine aminotransferase, lipid peroxidase, and glutathione peroxidase. Serum insulin and triiodothyronine levels increased (P≤0.05) in goats fed diets supplemented with SP alone or mixed with SC compared to the control group. Concentrations of calcium and phosphorous were higher (P≤0.05) in both treated groups than in the control group. Birth weights for kids born from goats supplemented with SP alone or mixed with SC were higher (P≤0.05) compared to kids in the control group. Serum cholesterol concentration decreased (P≤0.05) in the SPSC kids group, while serum phosphorus level increased (P≤0.05) in SP kids group. It could be concluded that supplementation with SP alone or mixed with SC improved health and antioxidant status in both Damascus female goats and their newborns.