HomeScience Asia Reviewvol. 2 no. 1 (2020)

ASSOCIATION OF RUMEN FLUID ANALYSES AND NUTRIENT APPARENT DIGESTIBILITY IN GOATS AS INFLUENCED BY FAT SUPPLEMENTATION

Neil L. Ningal

 

Abstract:

Goat nutrition depends on rumen microorganisms, however, when the rumen ecosystem is disturbed, a cascade of detrimental effects on animal health and productivity takes place. Thus, the rumen ecosystem alteration by supplementing dietary fats with known potential in microbial protein synthesis, nutrient digestibility, and reduction of ruminal NH3-N emission is indeed a significant scientific challenge. The study aims to explore the potential of dietary fats supplementation in goats. Three rumen-cannulated goats in individual metabolism stalls with customized urine collection tools were used following crossover trials over time. Animals were randomly selected on different dietary treatments and cycles, provided with concentrate supplemented with VCO and lard at 3 and 5% on the morning and ad libitum feeding of Napier grass thereafter with continuous access to clean drinking water. The result showed that there was positively high associations in all nutrients (DM, CP, NDF, and ADF) apparent digestibility while the negatively high association between rumen pH and NH3-N. Moderately positive associations were observed between purine derivatives and apparent nutrient digestibility. However, moderately negative relationship between VFA and purine derivatives and between NH3-N and rumen temperature. In general, the inversely proportional association on rumen pH and NH3-N were noted. However, apparent CP, NDF, and ADF digestibility has a strong positive association.