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Acta Prataculturae Sinica ›› 2021, Vol. 30 ›› Issue (6): 151-161.DOI: 10.11686/cyxb2020248

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Effects of different concentration∶roughage ratios on growth performance, serum biochemical indices and ruminal fermentation of Nubian goats

Jun-hong HUO1(), Kang ZHAN2, Qiu-sheng HUANG3, Xiao-jun ZHONG1, Jin-shun ZHAN1(), Xue-bing YAN2()   

  1. 1.Institute of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary,Jiangxi Academy of Agricultural Sciences,Nanchang 330200,China
    2.College of Animal Science and Technology,Yangzhou University,Yangzhou 225009,China
    3.Animal husbandry and Aquatic Products Bureau of Xiushui County,Xiushui 332400,China
  • Received:2020-05-27 Revised:2020-06-29 Online:2021-05-21 Published:2021-05-21
  • Contact: Jin-shun ZHAN,Xue-bing YAN

Abstract:

This research evaluated the effects of total mixed rations with different concentration∶roughage ratios on growth performance, serum biochemical indices and ruminal fermentation of Nubian goats. The work was carried out with identical same ratios of protein∶energy and calcium∶phosphorus across treatments. Thirty-six healthy Nubian goats with similar body weight were chosen and divided into three groups with 12 goats per group. Goats in the three groups were fed total mixed rations with concentration∶roughage ratios of 40∶60 (L), 50∶50 (M) and 60∶40 (H), for an experimental period of 70 days. It was found that: 1) On day 14 of the formal experiment, the average daily feed intake of goats in group L was significantly higher (P<0.05) than that in the other two groups. On day 35 of the formal experiment, the average daily feed intake of goats in group L was significantly higher (P<0.05) than that in group H, but the ratio of feed to gain was lower. On day 56 of the formal experiment, the average daily gain of goats in group L was significantly higher (P<0.05) than that in other two groups, but the ratio of feed to gain was lower. 2) On day 14 of the formal experiment, levels of albumin and urea nitrogen in group L were significantly higher (P<0.05) than those in group H. On day 56 of the formal experiment, the levels of albumin and urea nitrogen in group L and the contents of triglyceride in group M were significantly higher (P<0.05) than those in group H. 3) The concentrations of serum leptin and triiodothyronine in group M were significantly lower (P<0.05) than those in groups H and L, respectively, on day 14 of the formal experiment. The concentrations of serum leptin and insulin in group L were significantly higher (P<0.05) than those in the other two groups on day 35 of the formal experiment. The concentration of growth hormone in group L was significantly higher (P<0.05) than that in group H on day 56 of the formal experiment. 4) The hind leg weight and dressing percentage of goats in group M were significantly higher (P<0.05) than in group L. 5) The concentrations of acetic acid, propionic acid, butyric acid, pentanoic acid and total volatile fatty acids and the ratio of acetic acid to propionic acid in group L were significantly lower (P<0.05) than those in other two groups, and pH values were significantly higher (P<0.05). 6) The counts of Ruminococcus flavefaciensButyrivibrio fibrisolvens Ruminococcus albus and Fibrobacter succinogenes of goats in group L were significantly higher (P<0.05) than those in group H, and the counts of Lactobacillus spp. and Ruminobacter amylophilus were lower (P<0.05). The occurrence of Prevotella ruminicola in goats in group M was significantly higher (P<0.05) than that in the other two groups. In conclusion, the concentration∶roughage ratio of 40∶60 optimised the productive performance of Nubian goats fed total mixed rations under the conditions in this experiment.

Key words: goat, serum biochemical indices, growth performance, hormone, ruminal fermentation