Studying the effect of antioxidants (Origanum Vulgare and N-Acetylcysteine ) administration on productive and reproductive performance of Damascus goats and their offspring.

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Sheep & Goats Research Department, Animal Production Research Institute (APRI), Agricultural Research Center (ARC), Egypt.

2 Camel Research Department, Animal Production Research Institute (APRI), Agricultural Research Center (ARC), Egypt.

Abstract

Thirty Damascus does aged 1.5-2 years and weighed 46.9±1.64 kg were used to define the influence of Origanum Vulgare oil or N-acetyl cysteine supplementation on reproductive performance, milk yield and composition, growth performance in addition to changes in some blood metabolites during late pregnancy and suckling periods of Damascus does. Does were randomly divided into three equal groups (10 each) and،fed basal ration according to NRC (1981). The first group, acted as control (G1), received a basal diet made up of 60% concentrate feed mixture (CFM), 20% berseem hay, and 20% rice straw. While the second (G2) and third (G3) groups consumed the same basic ration and supplemented daily with Origanum vulgare oil (OV oil) at a level of 1m. / kg concentrate (G2) and 0.3 gm / kg live body weight of N-acetyl-cysteine (NAC) after being dissolved in 200 ml of water and administered once daily for seven consecutive days during pregnancy and the same period after birth (Start before the first day of breastfeeding) (G3).
Results indicated that both treated groups, during late pregnancy and suckling periods, showed improve in fecundity, prolificacy, kids born per does joined, kids born or weaned per does kidded and kg born and weaned per doe kidded, taking in consideration that the flock have history of high mortality rates and still birth which indicated in the values presented for the control group. The high mortality rate of control group (30%) efficiently reduced by NAC (6.67%) while lightly reduced by OV oil (22.22%).
Daily milk yield of both treated groups were significantly higher than control group (G1). Fat, protein and lactose percentages for both treated groups also were significantly (P≤0.05) higher compared to the control group.
Either Origanum Vulgare oil or N-acetyl cysteine supplement led to a significant increase in weaning weights, daily gain and total gain of kids, while birth weight value does not show any differences between treatments. The best weights occurred with N-acetyl cysteine.
Origanum Vulgare oil or N-acetyl cysteine significantly (P<0.05) increased glucose, ALT and Vit C, while, the concentration of urea and AST significantly (P<0.05) decreased as result of Origanum Vulgare oil or N-acetyl cysteine treatment during late pregnancy and lactation periods as compared to the control does.

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