Influence of refeeding on production, blood biochemistry parameters, and reproduction in underfed Kacang goat does

Abstract

This research aimed to investigate the effect of refeeding on production, blood biochemical parameters, and reproduction in underfed Kacang goat does. Twelve 2-3year-old Kacang goats scored (body condition score [BCS]: 1-1.5) with poor body condition but appeared healthy, gave normal births 3-4 months before but no longer nursing their youngs, and anestrus were used in this study. The experiment consisted of 110 days with 14 days of adaptation period and 96 days of feeding treatment and data collection. After the adaptation period, the animals were divided into two groups (A and B), with six animals each. During the first 40 days (underfeeding period), they were fed with kangkong (Ipomoea reptans) straw at a level of 2% of body weight (BW).For the following 56 days (refeeding period), each animal in group A was fed at the level of 4% BW per day while group B was fed at the level of 5% BW per day consisting of 50% kangkong straw and 50% concentrate. Feed intake, average daily gain, body condition, and estrus were assessed in the period of underfeeding and refeeding. Blood samples were collected at the end of the underfeeding and refeeding period for blood biochemical parameter analyses. During the underfeeding period, the animals were anestrous and had poor body condition (BCS: 1.17-1.33) and high serum levels of cortisol, progesterone, and estradiol. Refeeding resulted in a significant increase in BCS (2.75-3.0), restoring estrous cycle, and reduced serum cortisol and progesterone level (p < 0.05). The Kacang goats had good compensatory growth.It could be concluded that refeeding at the level of 4-5% BW would restore undernourished goats' clinical condition, productivity, and reproductive performance after 8 weeks of refeeding.

Effect of short time precise dietary energy–protein in reproductive parameters of local crossbred dairy goats

“…Because of the high metabolic demands of maintaining basal energy reserves and milk production, reproduction activity in dairy animals is restricted. Feeding limitations or excesses have been linked to reproduction disruption [ 13 ], which has been shown to reduce the future rate of kidding. The results of this study also showed that a well-balanced diet (nutrition intake and nutrition needed to meet equilibrium scale ±5%) is essential for reproductive efficiency and that this is proven in blood and hormonal parameters.…”

“…This condition occurs because hemostatic ability stabilizes GLU levels as long as energy and protein needs do not exceed or fall below 35% and allows adult dairy animals to maintain normal blood GLU levels [ 17 , 18 ]. In this study, dairy goats’ GLU also ranged in normal concentrations from 2.19 to 4.5 mmol/l [ 13 ]. T1 and T2 seemed to have slightly higher GLU levels than T0 because of the increased energy intake used in gluconeogenesis at T0 [ 14 ].…”

“…The total plasma protein can be successfully used to assess the modification and delivery of nutrients during goat production. In situations where dietary protein intake is insufficient (T0), blood total protein is used as an energy source (gluconeogenesis), resulting in low blood total protein levels but increased blood GLU levels ( Table 5 ) [ 13 , 19 ].…”

“…A slightly lower progesterone concentration was observed in T2 than in T1, due to excess protein supplementation and increased BUN levels, affecting ovarian follicular and endocrine secretion. Excess protein consumption delays initial ovulation or estrus, reduces the conception rate, increases days open, shortens the estrus cycle, and lowers the overall conception rate, as indicated by low progesterone levels [ 13 ] ( Fig. 1 ).…”

“…Goats fed a balanced diet have the highest levels of estrogen due to their high blood cholesterol levels [ 13 ]. Hence, precursors for estrogen synthesis are sufficient for ovarian steroidogenesis.…”