Effects of spineless cactus feeding on milk production and blood metabolites in dairy goat

摘要

The effects of spineless cactus feeding on milk yield, milk quality and blood metabolites inrndairy goats were evaluated. Four Japanese Saanen lactating goats were divided into tworngroups and fed a nutrient required feed with or without a200 g dry matter substitution ofrnspineless cactus for barley. One experimental term has 14 days with ten-day adaptation periodrnand four-day trial period using a cross-over design. Diet was fed twice a day during thernexperimental period and the refused feed amount was recorded every morning during the trialrnperiod. Bodyweight of goats was recorded on the first and the final day of each experimentalrnterm. Milk yield was measured once a day during the trial period. Blood of goats wasrncollected from jugular vein on the final day of each trial period and plasma was collected.rnFeed intake, bodyweight and milk yield were not decreased by the substitution of spinelessrncactus. The contents of antimicrobial substances in milk, calcium and urea nitrogenrnconcentrations in plasma showed higher mean values with the spineless cactus substitutionrnthan without the substitution. However, the cactus feeding caused lower mean values of milkrnfat content, inorganic phosphorus and total cholesterol concentrations in plasma than therncontrol feeding. The 200 g dry matter substitution of spineless cactus for barley did notrnsignificantly affect to milk production and blood metabolites of dairy goats. However, thernfeeding of the cactus to goats has possibilities to promote protein metabolism and increase therncontents of antibacterial factors in milk.