Supplementation of Aloe vera extract in lactating goats’ diet: effects on rumen fermentation efficiency, nutrient utilization, lactation performance, and antioxidant status

Abstract

The present work was conducted to investigate the effects of supplementing aloe vera extract on rumen fermentation e ciency, nutrient utilization, lactation performance and antioxidant status of goats. Twenty-four crossbreed lactating goats (Alpine × Beetal) were divided into three experimental groups (AV0, AV2 and AV4). AV0 had no supplementation, group AV2 and AV4 received ready to feed aqueous extract of aloe vera at 20 and 40 g/kg dry matter intake, respectively, along with basal diet and experiment lasted for 100 days. Average DMI did not vary (P > 0.05) among treatment groups; however, the cumulative metabolic bodyweight of AV4 was signi cantly lower (P < 0.05) than the AV0 and AV2 groups (AV0 = AV2 > AV4). Intake and digestibility of DM, OM, CP, NDF, ADF, and EE was unaffected (P > 0.05) by aloe vera supplementation. The milk production, yield of milk fat, protein, lactose and solids not fat (SNF) of goats in the AV4 group was signi cantly higher (P < 0.05) than other groups (AV4 > AV2 = AV0). The activity of superoxide dismutase and catalase and levels of plasma ferric reducing total antioxidant power were high (P < 0.01) in the aloe vera supplemented group (AV4 = AV2 > AV0). There was no signi cant difference (P = 0.979) in the pH, acetic acid (P = 0.449), butyric acid (P = 0.864) concentration of the rumen liquor among the treatment groups. The propionic acid concentration was similar between AV2 and AV4 and signi cantly higher (P = 0.024) than the AV0 group (AV4 = AV2 > AV0). Moreover, C2:C3 values were signi cantly lower (P = 0.037) in the AV4 group compared to the Control (AV0). Thus, aloe vera supplementation enhanced milk yield, propionic acid production, and antioxidant status without affecting nutrient utilization; however, results were better in the AV4 group. The inclusion of aloe vera at 40 g/kg of DMI would improve the rumen fermentation e ciency, lactation performance and overall health status of the dairy goats.

Effects of guanidino acetic acid and betaine supplementation on growth, dietary nutrient digestion and intestinal creatine metabolism in sheep

“…In ruminants, GAA supplementation increases the apparent digestibility of DMI, OM, CP, NDF and ADF (Liu & Chen et al., 2021 ; Li et al., 2020 ). In addition, betaine supplementation is associated with increased apparent digestibility of DMI, OM and CP in fattened cattle as well as significantly increased apparent digestibility of nutrients in goats (Wafaa & Reham, 2023 ; Wang et al., 2020 ). In the present study, we found that GAA and RPB supplementation improved the apparent digestibility of EE and phosphorus in the first and second parts of the experiment, respectively.…”

Essential Oil Supplementation in Small Ruminants: A Review on Their Possible Role in Rumen Fermentation, Microbiota, and Animal Production

“…The supplementation was a mixture of natural and nature-identical EO compounds, including thymol, eugenol, vanillin, guaiacol, and limonene, bound to a specific organic-inorganic carrier containing benzoic acid, which ensured high stability of the effective components during storage and feed processing. However, the inclusion of Aloe vera extract at 20 and 40 g/kg DMI in the diet of lactating goats improved milk yield, enhanced antioxidant status, and increased rumen fermentation efficiency, with no negative effects on DMI and nutrient utilization [80]. The erythrocyte antioxidant enzyme activity and ferric-reducing total antioxidant power were higher after the use of Aloe vera extract, which resulted in an improvement in the antioxidant status of goats, thus increasing lactation performance; particularly, the best response was achieved with the supplementation of Aloe vera at 40 g/kg DMI.…”

“…The erythrocyte antioxidant enzyme activity and ferric-reducing total antioxidant power were higher after the use of Aloe vera extract, which resulted in an improvement in the antioxidant status of goats, thus increasing lactation performance; particularly, the best response was achieved with the supplementation of Aloe vera at 40 g/kg DMI. Goats supplemented with Aloe vera had increased milk production, fat, and protein content of milk by about 6% [80]. Very few studies investigated the effects of EO on milk components and milk fatty acid (FA) composition.…”