Browsing by Author "Edwiga Joiel Nelson."

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    Evaluation of the efficacy of bypass nutrients in maintaining the growth rate of Malabari got kids under varying levels of thermal stress
    (College of Climate Change and Environmental Science , Vellanikkara, 2024-08-24) Edwiga Joiel Nelson.; Prasad, A
    Goats are predicted to surpass other species in withstanding heat stress and are considered to be the ideal animal that is climate-resistant, however, their adaptive mechanism in response to heat stress might hamper their growth rate, production and welfare. So, it is vital to strategically alter the diet of goats through the usage of bypass nutrients as a nutritional intervention to improve the growth rate, production and welfare under heat stress. Thus, this study was conducted to evaluate the growth rate of Malabari goat kids under conditions of low and high temperature humidity index and to study the efficacy of dietary supplementation of rumen bypass fat and bypass protein as an adaptation strategy for thermal stress. The study was conducted for six months in prevailing conditions available on the farm. Eighteen female Malabari goat kids (3 to 9 months) were randomly allocated into three groups of six animals each C (n=6, Control), T1 (n=6, Treatment 1) and T2 (n=6, Treatment 2). Two types of ration were prepared in addition to control ration. Firstly, a ration formulated with high natural bypass protein (T1) and secondly, a control ration with bypass fat (T2). All meteorological parameters were recorded daily for the entire duration of the study. Physiological parameters were measured twice a day at 07:00 AM and 2:00 PM biweekly. Blood biochemical parameters and biometrical parameters were also measured and documented biweekly. Bypass fat supplementation did alter the biometrical parameters such as wither height, hip height, and paunch girth where significantly higher values were observed in the T2 group when compared to the C and T1 groups. Also, heart girth and body length showed significantly higher values in the T2 group when compared to the T1 group. However, no significant difference was observed in all biometrical parameters between low and high THI in all three groups. Also, no significant difference was observed in body weight in all three groups against the feed. A significant difference was observed in ADG under high THI with higher values in the T2 group compared to the T1 group. A significant difference was also observed in DMI between low and high THI with higher values in high THI periods in all three groups and also significantly higher DMI was observed in the T2 group when compared to the C and T1 groups. However, FCR did not show any significant difference between low and high THI in all three groups. Bypass fat supplementation did alter physiological parameters with rectal temperature (Forenoon and Afternoon) and body surface temperature (Forenoon and Afternoon) having significantly lower values against the feed in the T2 group when compared to the C and T1 groups. No significant difference was observed in rectal temperature (Forenoon) and body surface temperature (Forenoon and afternoon) between high and low THI in all three groups. However rectal temperature (Afternoon) showed a significant difference in the T2 group between high and low THI with lower values in the low THI compared to the high THI period. Respiration rate (Forenoon and Afternoon) and Pulse rate (Forenoon and Afternoon) showed no significant difference against the feed in all three groups. However, respiration rate (Afternoon) showed a significant difference between low and high THI in both T1 and T2 groups with lower values in high THI periods whereas respiration rate (Forenoon) did not show a significant difference between low and high THI in all three groups. Pulse rate (Forenoon) did not show a significant difference in T1 and T2 groups between low and high THI. However, the pulse rate (Afternoon) differed significantly in the T1 group between low and high THI with lowered pulse rate during low THI periods. Bypass fat supplementation did alter blood biochemical parameters such as serum glucose, cholesterol, triglycerides, calcium, magnesium, albumin, and total protein levels with significantly higher values in the T2 when compared to the C and T1 groups. Blood biochemical parameters such as cholesterol and triglyceride levels showed a significant difference between low and high THI in all three groups with higher values in high THI periods and also, higher levels were observed in the T2 group compared to the C and T1 groups respectively. Serum calcium levels also showed a significant difference between low and high THI in the T2 group where higher values were observed during the high THI period compared to the low THI period. However, no significant difference was observed in serum glucose, total protein, albumin, phosphorus, and magnesium levels between low and high THI in all three groups (C, T1, T2). Hence, this study revealed that bypass fat supplementation could be considered an ideal nutrient strategy to be used in heat-stressed animals to increase the energy and nutrient density of the diet thereby helping to maintain the growth and welfare of the Malabari goat breed in the hot tropical climate of Southern India