Effects of dietary supplementation with different concentration of molasses on growth performance, blood metabolites and rumen fermentation indices of Nubian goats
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.
Abstract
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Abstract
Background: Molasses is a potential energy supplement; extensively used to improve growth performance, milk
and meat characteristics in goats at relatively low…
Simple Summary: Feeding a pelleted diet under the prevailing water scarcity in arid regions, coupled
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