Growth of Pancreas and Intestinal Enzyme Activities in Growing Goats: Influence of a Low-Protein Diet

A dependence between dietary protein and starch levels flowing to the duodenum has been characterized in monogastric animals for optimal enzymatic secretions of the pancreas, but those in ruminants remain unclarified. The present experiment was conveyed to assess the pancreas growth and mRNA expression of the small intestine enzymes in growing goats fed a low-protein diet. Twenty-four Liuyang goats (19.55 ± 3.55 of body weight (BW)) and aged approximately 8 months were randomly assigned to either a control protein diet (NP: 10.77% CP) or a low-protein diet (LP: 5.52% CP) for 70 days. The results show that no statistical differences (p > 0.05) were observed in the pancreas growth indices between the groups. Pancreas and small intestine α-amylase and lipase activities were unaffected (p > 0.05) by the LP diet, while activities of trypsin and chymotrypsin were decreased (p < 0.05). The LP diet reduced (p < 0.05) the mRNA expressions of trypsin and chymotrypsin in the duodenum and jejunum, and had no effects (p > 0.05) on the mRNA expressions of α-amylase and lipase. Goats fed with the LP diet had higher (p < 0.05) concentrations of cholecystokinin and insulin than those fed with the NP diet. In conclusion, feeding an LP diet (5.52% CP) had no profound influence on pancreas growth and digestive enzyme synthesis in goats.

PSXI-28 Effect of pre-slaughter transport stress on carcass weight, rumen fermentation and bacterial community of growing goats

This study evaluated the effects of pre-slaughter transport stress on the rumen fermentation and bacterial community of growing meat goats. Fifty-four male Spanish growing meat goats (28.9 ± 4.5) were stratified by body weight and randomly assigned into three treatment groups (n = 18 per treatment; 1) No transport stress (CON), 2) Transport stress for 30 mins (LS), and 3) Transport stress for 3 h (HS). Blood samples were collected before and after transport to estimate plasma cortisol concentrations. At the end of the experiment, the goats were slaughtered to determine the carcass weight and to collect rumen ruminal content for pH, 16 sRNA gene sequencing, and volatile fatty acid profile. The Linear discriminant analysis (LDA) effect size and the functional profiling software (PICRUst) were used to estimate the differentially abundant taxa and predicted the functional potential of the microbial community, respectively. Compared to CON, both LS and HS increased (P &lt; 0.01) plasma cortisol concentrations (27.5 vs. 130.1 and 117.7 ng/ mL), no differences were observed in hot carcass weight and VFA profile (P &gt; 0.05). Rumen pH was lower (P &lt; 0.05) in HS compared to CON or LS (6.44 vs 6.75 or 6.77). Compared to CON, LS reduced the relative abundance of Ruminococcaceae UCG 014 (LDA = 4.20; P = 0.01), whereas no effect was observed for HS. Compared to CON, predicted microbial functions associated with the immune system, translation, and enzyme activities were downregulated by LS while that of energy metabolism was downregulated by HS. Compared to HS, the predicted microbial functions associated with immune and digestive systems were downregulated by LS. This study demonstrated that LS transport stress has a more pronounced effect than long-term exposure on the rumen bacterial community and predicted functional potential in growing meat goats.

Effects of Purple Corn Anthocyanin on Blood Biochemical Indexes, Ruminal Fluid Fermentation, and Rumen Microbiota in Goats

The objective of this study was to observe the effects of anthocyanin from purple corn on blood biochemical indexes, ruminal fluid fermentation parameters, and the microbial population in goats. A total of 18 Qianbei Ma wether kids (body weight, 21.38 ± 1.61 kg; mean ± standard deviation) were randomly assigned to three groups using a completely randomized design. The group diets were: (1) control, basal diet, (2) treatment 1 (LA), basal diet with 0.5-g/d purple corn pigment (PCP), and (3) treatment 2 (HA), basal diet with 1-g/d PCP. The results showed that supplementation of PCP anthocyanin increased (P &lt; 0.05) crude protein and gross energy digestibilities compared to the control. Compared to the control group, the inclusion of anthocyanin-rich PCP led to significantly increased (P &lt; 0.05) plasma reduced glutathione and peroxidase concentrations. Goats receiving PCP had increased (P &lt; 0.05) ruminal fluid acetic acid and a higher ratio of acetate to propionate, while the propionic acid, butyric acid, valeric acid, isobutyric acid, and isovaleric acid levels had decreased (P &lt; 0.05). There was no significant difference (P &gt; 0.05) in ruminal fluid alpha bacterial diversity among the three groups. At the phylum level, the feeding of PCP had significant effect (P &lt; 0.05) on the abundances of Actinobacteriota, Proteobacteria, Elusimicrobiota, WPS-2, and Cyanobacteria. At the genus level, HA group had lower (P &lt; 0.05) Prevotellaceae_NK3B31_group abundance compared to the other groups. In addition, significant differences (P &lt; 0.05) were also observed for the ruminal fluid Eubacterium_nodatum_group, Amnipila, Ruminiclostridium, U29-B03, unclassified_c_Clostridia, Pyramidobacter, Anaeroplasma, UCG-004, Atopobium, norank_f_norank_o_Bradymonadales, Elusimicrobium, norank_f_norank_o_norank_c_norank_p_WPS-2, norank_f_Bacteroidales_UCG-001, and norank_f_norank_o_Gastranaerophilales among all groups. Taken together, the inclusion of anthocyanin-rich PCP increased the antioxidant potential, improved rumen volatile fatty acids, and induced a shift in the structure and relative abundance of ruminal microbiota in growing goats.

Microbiome-Metabolites Analysis Reveals Unhealthy Alterations in the Gut Microbiota but Improved Meat Quality with a High-Rice Diet Challenge in a Small Ruminant Model

Effects of a high-rice dietary proportion on the meat quality, acute phase reaction proteins (APRPs) and colonic microbiota and metabolites in goats are rarely reported. This study was designed to investigate the meat quality and metabolism in goats. Sixteen goats were equally divided into two groups and fed a control diet (Con, 55% concentrate) or a high-rice diet (HR, 90% concentrate) for five weeks. We found that the HR diet improved the slaughtering characteristic and meat quality but induced an acute phase reaction and decreased bacterial richness and diversity when compared to the control group. Furthermore, the levels of acetate, propionate and total VFA concentrations were higher in the colonic contents of the HR-fed goats than in those of the control group (p < 0.05). Meanwhile, the HR diet decreased the pH value, lactic acid concentration and increased the activity of amylase and lipopolysaccharide concentration in the colonic contents of goats (p < 0.05). The proportion of Oscillibacter increased while Phocaeicola and Christensenellaceae_R-7_group significantly decreased with the HR diet (p < 0.05). Collectively, the HR diet induced an acute phase reaction and altered the colonic bacterial community, which increases the health risk to growing goats.

Growth, Feed Intake And Conversion Ratio of Improved Goats Fed Brachiaria Grass And Napier Grass Mixed With or Without Leucaena Leaf Meal

This study assessed the growth and feed intake performances of Galla goats and their crosses with local goats fed on Brachiaria grass cultivar Mulato II and Napier grass mixed with Leucaena leaf meal. Twenty-four Galla goats and 24 crossbred goats were selected and divided into four groups of three goats for each genotype and put in a partitioned house for goats’ stall feeding. Goats from each group were identified using ear tags, randomised and then allotted one of the dietary treatments. Feed rations used as treatments were hay of Mulato II, silage of Napier grass, Mulato II, ML (67% Mulato + 33% Leucaena leaf meal) and NL (67% Napier grass + 33% Leucaena leaf meal). Individual goat weights were taken on a weekly basis. Feed samples of each diet were collected every week and analysed for nutritive values. The chemical composition of feed showed significant differences (P<0.05) among diets. Absolute and relative nutrient intakes showed that Galla goat had a higher DM intake of NL compared to other diets and in crossbreds. Galla goats had a higher feed conversion ratio for DM from Napier and NL diets. Mulato II increased body weight up to 29% and 47% over Napier grass in crossbreds and pure Galla goats, respectively. The findings suggest that Mulato II could be a better feed resource for growing goats. Further studies should be conducted by increasing the levels of Leucaena leaf-meal in the diets and determine nitrogen retention and quality of meat under the same feeding regime.

Effect of corn grain in a wet soya waste based total mixed ration silage on goat performance

The utilisation of wet soya waste as feed is low due to difficulties of storage and transportation,which needs to reach normal technical standard and comprehensive utilisation. The aim of thisstudy was to investigate the effect of cracked corn grain as a source of moisture absorbent andenergy in a wet soya waste based total mixed ration silage on goat performance. Ten growing goatswere assigned to two feeding treatment groups for 84 days. Goats in Group 1 received Napier grass(Pennisetum purpuerum) ensiled with 30% soya waste (w/w) and 8% molasses (w/w) (T1) ascontrol, and Group 2 received same grass ensiled with 30% soya waste (w/w) and 15% crackedcorn grain (w/w) (T2). All goats received their respective silage ad libitum after 2 months offermentation. The pH in T1 silage was 4.1, while pH in T2 silage was 4.0. Goats fed T2 diet showedhigher intakes of dry matter, organic matter and metabolisable energy than those of goats fed T1diet, while it was observed vice versa for neutral detergent fibre intake. However, there was nodifference in average daily gain and feed conversion ratio between two treatment diets. Results ofthis study indicate that cracked corn grain, as a source of moisture absorbent and energy, can beused successfully in wet soya waste based total mixed ration silage for growing goats.

Effect of Napier grass ensiled with or without inclusion of soy waste on the performance of growing goats

Utilization of soy waste as a ruminant feed is low due to storage problems and transportation costs.An experiment was carried out with fifteen goats to assess the feeding value of Napier grass(Pennisetum purpureum) ensiled with or without soy waste. Grass ensiled without soy waste wastermed as NM silage, while grass ensiled 30% soy waste (w/w) was termed as NMS silage. In bothsilages, 1.0% molasses (w/w) were incorporated to enhance the fermentation process. After 2months of ensiling, three diets were formulated and assigned to one of three groups: (i) Napier grassad libitum plus 1% pellet of body weight (BW) on a dry matter (DM) basis (T1), (ii) NM silage adlibitum plus 1% soy waste of BW on a DM basis (T2), and (iii) NMS silage ad libitum (T3). TheNMS silage showed a lower pH (4.04 vs. 4.64) than NM silage. The NMS silage exhibited higherproportions of DM, organic matter (OM), and crude protein (CP) compared to NM silage. Animalsreceived T1 diet showed higher (p<0.05) DM, OM and neutral detergent fibre intake compared tothe animals received T2 and T3 diets. However, animals received T2 diet showed higher CP intakethan the animals received T1 and T3 diets. Similarly, animals received T2 diet showed higher(p<0.05) BW gain (49.4 vs. 16.5 g/d) than the goats fed T3 diet. In conclusion, the T3 diet mayhave limited goat performance, which needs further study to improve the quality of silage.

Partial substitution of fish oil for linseed oil enhances beneficial fatty acids from rumen biohydrogenation but reduces ruminal fermentation and digestibility in growing goats

This study was performed to investigate effects of partial replacement of fish oil (FO) for linseed oil (LO) on digestibility, ruminal fermentation and biohydrogenation in growing goats. Experiment 1 was carried out in four growing male goats aged 6 months in a 4 × 4 Latin square design. Goats were fed a basal diet supplemented with 25 g/kg dry matter either LO alone or in combination with tuna FO. Treatments were developed by replacing FO for LO at ratios of 0, 5, 10 and 15 g/kg DM corresponding to FO-0, FO-5, FO-10 and FO-15, respectively. Experiment 2 was carried out in an in vitro incubation system including 12 fermenters with the same four treatments. Each fermenter consisted of 40 mL goat ruminal fluid, 160 mL warm buffer, 2 g mixed substrates, and 50 mg FO-0, FO-5, FO-10 or FO-15. Fish oil inclusion reduced (P &lt; 0.05) digestibility and nitrogen retention in Exp. 1. Increasing doses of FO in the diet induced a strong drop (P &lt; 0.001) in ruminal total volatile fatty acid (VFA) concentration and protozoa population at 3 h post incubation, but did not affect individual VFA proportions. Substitution of FO for LO decreased mean concentrations of C18:0 (P = 0.057), c-9,c-12 C18:2 and C18:3n-3 (P &lt; 0.001), but increased (P &lt; 0.001) C20:5n-3 and C22:6n-3. Feeding FO-10 enhanced formation of ruminal c-9,t-11 conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) concentration compared with FO-0. Overall, combined data suggest that to improve ruminal concentrations of C20:5n-3, C22:6n-3, and c-9,t-11 CLA for deposition in tissues or milk with minimal risk of affecting digestibility and ruminal fermentation, a dietary supplementation of 15 g/kg LO and 10 g/kg FO would be suitable.

Treatment of Rice Stubble with Pleurotus ostreatus and Urea Improves the Growth Performance in Slow-Growing Goats

The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of the fungal treatment (Pleurotus ostreatus) of urea-treated rice stubble on growth performance in slow-growing goats. Eighteen crossbred Thai-native x Anglo-Nubian male goats (average body weight: 20.4 ± 2.0 kg) were randomly assigned to three experimental total mixed rations containing 35% rice stubble (RS) that were either untreated (URS), urea treated (UTRS), or treated with urea and fungi (UFTRS). URS and UTRS were cultivated and harvested from an aseptically fungal spawn, incubated at 25–30 °C for 25 days. Indicators of growth performance were monitored, and feces were collected quantitatively to assess nutrient digestibility, during a 12-week feeding trial. All goats remained healthy throughout the experiment. The goats fed UFTRS had a lower feed conversion ratio (kg feed/kg growth) compared to goats fed URS or UTRS. Compared to URS, dietary UFTRS increased the nutrient digestibility of slow-growing goats, such as organic matter (OM) (+8.5%), crude protein (CP) (+5.5%), neutral detergent fiber (NDF) (+39.2%), and acid detergent fiber (ADF) (+27.4%). Likewise, dietary UFTRS tended to increase rumen ammonia concentrations, but rumen pH and volatile fatty acids were not affected by UFTRS. In conclusion, the present study indicates that the fungal treatment of RS is an effective tool to improve the growth performance of slow-growing goats.