Ideal proportion of roughage and concentrate for Malpura ewes to adapt and reproduce in a semi-arid tropical environment

Abstract

The study was designed to identify the most appropriate roughage to concentrate ratio for Malpura ewes under semi-arid tropical environments. The study was conducted for a period of 35 days and included 30 (2 years old) non-pregnant Malpura ewes weighing between 30 and 35 kg. Estrus synchronization was carried out in all the animals using indigenously developed intravaginal sponges impregnated with progesterone. The ewes were randomly divided into three groups (n = 10/group) namely R50 (n = 10; roughage to concentrate, 50:50), R60 (n = 10; roughage to concentrate, 60:40), and R70 (n = 10; roughage to concentrate, 70:30). Individual feed and water intake was recorded on a daily basis throughout the course of the study. Growth variables, physiological responses, blood metabolites, and endocrine responses were estimated at weekly intervals. Results of the study indicated that nutritional treatment significantly influenced growth variables including body weight (p < 0.01), BCS (p < 0.01), feed intake (p < 0.05), and water intake (p < 0.01) among the different treatment groups. The highest growth variables were recorded in R50 whereas the lowest were in R70. Both respiration rate (p < 0.01) and plasma estradiol levels (p < 0.05) also showed a similar trend as that of the growth variables. However, growth hormone (p < 0.01), T3 (p < 0.01), Hb (p < 0.01), glucose (p < 0.05), and estrus duration (p < 0.05) demonstrated a reverse trend with highest values recorded in R70 and lowest in R50. However, the nutritional treatment did not influence pulse rate, rectal temperature, T4, progesterone, PCV, total cholesterol, total protein, albumin, estrus%, and estrus cycle length. Since the additional concentrate supplementation in R50 and R60 did not improve the production variables, it can be concluded that providing 70 % roughage and 30 % concentrate could be a more appropriate and economically feasible ration composition for Malpura ewes reared in semi-arid tropical environments.

Review: Adaptation of animals to heat stress

“…In a recent study conducted using three indigenous goat breeds during summer, it was concluded that T 3 could serve as an indicator of metabolic activity in animals (Pragna et al, 2018). Reduced concentrations of circulating T 3 and T 4 , indicative of an attempt to reduce metabolic rate and thus metabolic heat production in heifers (Pereira et al, 2008), sheep (Indu et al, 2015) and goat (Todini, 2007), have been reported. However, contrary results showing no significant alterations in the metabolic hormonal levels have also been reported recently in three indigenous breeds of goats (Pragna et al, 2018).…”

Effect of Different Diet Level on the Physiological Adaptability, Biochemical and Endocrine Responses and Relative Hepatic HSP70 and HSP90 Genes Expression in Osmanabadi Kids

“…Animals fed on different energy levels in the diet significantly affect the total feed intake, metabolizable energy and the average daily gain, and thereby affect their adaptive capability [12,13]. Varying dietary energy and protein levels also affects the adaptive capability of an animal [14].…”

Influência Do Estado Nutricional Sobre O Desempenho Produtivo E Perfil Hormonal De Cordeiras Confinadas Durante a Fase De Crescimento

“…Portanto, esperar-se-iam diferenças nas concentrações do P 4 , sendo as cordeiras do tratamento Alto as que provavelmente apresentariam os menores valores durante o período o estudo, porém apesar do maior desenvolvimento corporal alcançado pelas cordeiras desse tratamento, o plano nutricional pode não ter sido tão rigoroso e, este por si só, não é foi suficiente para provocar alterações na concentração plasmática de P 4 . Corroborando Indu et al (2015) que também não obtiveram diferença na concentração plasmática de P 4 em ovelhas da raça Malpura submetidas a dietas com diferentes proporções de volumoso:concentrado (50:50, 40:60 e 30:70).…”