Effects of dietary supplementation with different concentration of molasses on growth performance, blood metabolites and rumen fermentation indices of Nubian goats

مقال فى مجلة

2020

تم النشر فى: BMC Veterinary Research

Abdoun, Osman A. Osman, Nawal M. Elkhair and Khalid A. . 2020

Abstract

Background: Molasses is a potential energy supplement; extensively used to improve growth performance, milk

and meat characteristics in goats at relatively low concentrations of 5–40% of the diet. Few data are available

concerning feeding molasses to goat kids; therefore, the current study aimed to investigate the effects of dietary

supplementation with higher concentrations of molasses on growth performance, blood metabolites and rumen

fermentation indices. Twenty male Nubian goat kids (4–6 months old; 9–10 kg BW) were randomly assigned to 4

groups receiving different concentration of molasses: 0% (M-0), 30% (M-30), 40% (M-40) and 45% (M-45) for 5

weeks. Feed (DFI) and water intake (DWI) were measured daily, while the blood and rumen liquor samples were

collected weekly.

Results: The DFI increased and feed conversion ratio (FCR) decreased in all molasses-supplemented groups (P ≤

0.05), whereas DWI increased in M-30 and decreased in M-45 (P ≤ 0.05). The final BW and average daily gain (ADG)

increased (P < 0.0001) in groups M-30 and M-40 compared to the control and M-45. Blood pH was significantly

influenced by dietary molasses concentration (MC) and the duration of molasses supplementation (MD), where it

decreased in groups M-30 and M-45 compared to the control and M-40 (P < 0.05). The MC had no significant effect

on blood Hb, HCT, TLC, albumin, [K+], AST, ALT and total protozoa count (TPC), as well as ruminal-[Na+], [K+], strong

ion difference concentration ([SID3]) and [NH3]; however, only [NH3] was significantly affected by MD and the

interaction between MC and MD (MC × MD). Serum TP, globulins, [Na+] and [Cl−] increased (P ≤ 0.05) in all

supplemented groups, while A/G ratio and [SID3] decreased (P ≤ 0.05). Ruminal pH decreased (P < 0.0001) in M-40

and M-45 compared to the control and M-30. However, [VFAs] increased (P < 0.04) in M-30 and M-40 compared to

the control and M-45, while osmolality increased (P ≤ 0.05) in M-30 compared to the other groups.