IMPACT OF FEEDING GUAR PLANT AS SILAGE OR HAY FOR ZARAIBI DOES IN TWO REPRODUCTIVE STAGES ON NEWBORN PERFORMANCE AND SOME BLOOD AND METABOLIC PARAMETERS.

Document Type : Original Article

Abstract

ABSTRACT
This study aimed to study effects of using Guar plant as silage
(GS) or hay (GH) in feeding Egyptian Zaraibi does during the late
pregnancy and suckling periods on growth parameters, and some rumen
and blood parameters. The roughage was 40% corn silage (CS), 30%
GS+30% CS, and 30% GH+30% CS in ration of G1, G2, and G3,
respectively. Results indicated that daily DM intake as BW% and
g/kgw0.75 was higher during suckling period than at late pregnancy in all
groups. The ruminal NH3-N and TVFA's concentrations were affected
(P<0.05) by feeding and reproductive stage. Only RBCs and MCHC was
the highest (P<0.05) in G3 and the lowest (P<0.05) in G2, being lower at
late pregnancy than at suckling. Globulin was highest and creatinine and
ALP were lowest in G3 (P<0.05). Total proteins, globulin, calcium,
phosphorus, manganese were higher (P<0.05) during suckling than at late
pregnancy. Birth and weaning weights, daily gain, and crop of born kids
were the highest (P<0.05) in G3. The mortality rate was 30, 23.8, and
9.1% in G1, G2, and G3, respectively. Values of economic feed
efficiency was 1.85, 2.35, and 2.55 in G1, G2, and G3, respectively. It
could be concluded that using Guar silage or Guar hay as partial
replacement of concentrate feed mixture in Zaraibi does rations during
late pregnancy and suckling period had a positive impacts on born kids
performance and production of viable kids at weaning. This strategy has
a good economic return on the herd of Zaraibi goats.

Highlights

CONCLUSION
It could be concluded that using Guar silage or Guar hay as partial
replacement of concentrate feed mixture in Zaraibi does rations during
late pregnancy and suckling periods had a positive impacts on improving
some metabolic parameters and reproductive performance, without any
adverse effect on the general health. This improvement was reflected on
born kids performance and production of viable kids at weaning. This
had a good economic strategy in the management of Zaraibi goat heds.
Further studies are needed to evaluate the Guar forage in different forms
(hay- fresh - silage) at different levels as well as with other sources of
energy and feed additive with different farm animals.

Keywords

Main Subjects


IMPACT OF FEEDING GUAR PLANT AS SILAGE OR
HAY FOR ZARAIBI DOES IN TWO REPRODUCTIVE
STAGES ON NEWBORN PERFORMANCE AND SOME
BLOOD AND METABOLIC PARAMETERS.
Mohamed, E.A. ; M.E. El-Kholany ; W.M.A. Sadek
and A. L. I. Desoky
Animal Production Research Institute, Agricultural Research Center,
Dokki, Giza, Egypt.
Key Words: Goat, guar, silage, hay, late pregnancy - suckling.
ABSTRACT
This study aimed to study effects of using Guar plant as silage
(GS) or hay (GH) in feeding Egyptian Zaraibi does during the late
pregnancy and suckling periods on growth parameters, and some rumen
and blood parameters. The roughage was 40% corn silage (CS), 30%
GS+30% CS, and 30% GH+30% CS in ration of G1, G2, and G3,
respectively. Results indicated that daily DM intake as BW% and
g/kgw0.75 was higher during suckling period than at late pregnancy in all
groups. The ruminal NH3-N and TVFA's concentrations were affected
(P<0.05) by feeding and reproductive stage. Only RBCs and MCHC was
the highest (P<0.05) in G3 and the lowest (P<0.05) in G2, being lower at
late pregnancy than at suckling. Globulin was highest and creatinine and
ALP were lowest in G3 (P<0.05). Total proteins, globulin, calcium,
phosphorus, manganese were higher (P<0.05) during suckling than at late
pregnancy. Birth and weaning weights, daily gain, and crop of born kids
were the highest (P<0.05) in G3. The mortality rate was 30, 23.8, and
9.1% in G1, G2, and G3, respectively. Values of economic feed
efficiency was 1.85, 2.35, and 2.55 in G1, G2, and G3, respectively. It
could be concluded that using Guar silage or Guar hay as partial
replacement of concentrate feed mixture in Zaraibi does rations during
late pregnancy and suckling period had a positive impacts on born kids
performance and production of viable kids at weaning. This strategy has
a good economic return on the herd of Zaraibi goats.
INTRODUCTION
Nutrition is a major factor affecting the physiological and
metabolic statuses, and consequently the productive performance of farm
animals. In Egypt, there is wide gap between the available feed stuffs and
the nutritional requirements of animal population. During summer
season, green forages with reasonable protein contents are not adequately
available. Guar (Cyamopsis tetragonoloba) is a multi-purpose plant, most
Egypt. J. of Appl. Sci., 35 (5) 2020 13-27
used today as a source of galactomannan gum, which is used as a
stabilizer in foods such as salad dressings, ice cream and yoghurt. The
gum and the water soluble resin extracted from seeds are also use in other
industries, including paper manufacturing, cosmetics, mining and oil
drilling (Wong and Parmar, 1997). Guar was found to be not very
suitable for grazing due to its hairy leaves and unpalatability (Göhl,
1982), but Guar is sometimes grazed to reduce the risk of blot in
ruminants (Wong and Parmar, 1997). Palatability improves after
cutting and wilting (Göhl, 1982). The best time for cutting Guar for
fodder is during flowering and early pod formation (Wong and Parmar,
1997). In goats, Guar hay cut a pod formation gave better nutrient and
energy intakes and digestabilities than the mixture of Guar hay and
crushed oats (Pachauri and Upadhyaya 1986).
In this respect, Guar plant was choosing to study the possibility of
using as silage or hay in feeding pregnant Egyptian Zaraibi does during
the late pregnancy and suckling periods on production performance and
some metabolic parameters of does and their newborn kids..
MATERIALS AND METHODS
This study was conducted at El-Serw Experimental Research
Station belongs to Animal Production Research Institute, Agricultural
Research Center, Ministry of Agriculture, Egypt.
Thirty lactating Zaraibi does in the 2nd, 3rd and 4th seasons of
lactation, and weighing on averaged 40.0 kg were divided according to
their body weight into 3 similar groups (10 does in each group). The
experimental groups were fed three experimental rations, included
control (G1): 60% CFM + 40% corn silage (CS), the second group (G2):
40% CFM + 30% Guar silage (GS) + 30% CS and the third group (G3):
40% CFM +30% Guar hay (GH) + 30% CS. All does were at the late
pregnancy period (4th months of pregnancy) and feeding period
continued for 90 days after kidding (at weaning). Animals were weighed
at the beginning and biweekly as transition period on the same ration
before the start of the experiment.
The nutrients were calculated to cover dairy goats requirements
according to NRC (1981). Concentrate feed mixture (CFM) consisted of
43% yellow corn, undecortecated cotton meal (25%), wheat bran (25%),
molasses (3.5%), limestone (2%), common salt (1.0%) and minerals
mixture (0.5%). The chemical composition of different feed stuffs was
determined (Table 1), water was available all times and drinking water
was measured for each group (ml/day). Diets were offered twice daily at
8 a.m. and 3 p.m. and any refused amounts were daily recorded.
Approximate chemical analysis of the feeds was carried out according to
A.O.A.C (1995).
14 Egypt. J. of Appl. Sci., 35 (5) 2020
Table (1): Chemical analysis of feeds and experimental rations
during the late pregnancy and suckling periods.
Feeds DM%
Chemical composition % on DM basis
OM CF CP EE NFE Ash
CFM 90.50 93.60 15.60 14.50 3.40 60.10 6.40
CS 33.50 91.00 28.80 9.30 3.20 49.70 9.00
GS 35.50 86.50 26.30 14.65 2.50 43.05 13.50
GH 85.50 83.00 12.00 21.00 2.30 47.70 17.00
Chemical composition of experimental rations during the late pregnancy
G1 62.80 90.40 23.45 12.10 2.65 52.20 9.60
G2 61.50 89.50 23.60 12.81 2.90 50.19 10.50
G3 62.50 90.30 23.30 14.92 2.95 49.13 9.70
Chemical composition of experimental rations during the suckling period
G1 62.90 90.30 23.65 12.00 2.60 52.05 9.70
G2 62.00 89.45 23.70 12.75 2.95 50.05 10.55
G3 63.30 90.50 23.20 14.90 3.00 49.40 9.50
CFM: Concentrate feed mixture (25% undecortecated cottonseed meal, 43% yellow corn, 25%
wheat bran, 3.5% molasses, 2% limestone, 1% common salt and 0.5% minerals mixture).
CS: Corn silage GS: Guar silage GH: Guar hay
(G1): 60% CFM + 40% Cs (G2): 40% CFM + 60% (30% GS + 30% CS) (G3): 40% CFM
+ 60% (30% GH + 30% CS)
Rumen fluid samples were taken from 3 animals of each
experimental group using stomach tube at 0 2, 4 and 6 h post-feeding
during the end of feeding trails. The samples were filtered through 3
layers of gauze and pH was immediately by pH-meter. Ammonia
nitrogen (NH3-N) concentration was measured according to Conway
(1957). Microbial protein was determined according to Shultz and
Shultz (1970), while, concentration of total volatile fatty acids (VFA's)
was determined according to the technique described by Warner (1964).
Live body weight of does and their kids was biweekly recorded
individually . Litter size (number of kids/doe), kidding rate (litter size ×
100) and mortality rate were also calculated.
Blood samples were taken once during last month of pregnancy and
the first month of lactation from 3 does of each group via the jugular vein
just before feeding. Blood sample of each doe was collected into two test
tubes, the 1st contained EDTA as anticoagulant, while another test tube
without anticoagulant. The 1st tube was taken as whole blood, and
immediately used for hematological estimation. Another tube of the
blood sample was centrifuged at 4000 rpm for 20 minutes to separate
serum, which was frozen at -20oC until analyses for enzyme activity,
biochemicals, minerals and hormonal determination . Commercial kits
were used for all blood measures.
Data were statistically analyzed by factorial design of ANOVA
(3×2) to study the effect of the experimental rations, reproductive stage,
and their interaction on different parameters studied using SAS (2003).
The analyzed data are presented as means and SEM.
Egypt. J. of Appl. Sci., 35 (5) 2020 15
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Feed intake:
At late pregnancy stage, daily dry matter intake relative to LBW or
metabolic body weight was slightly higher in G1 than in G2 and G3. The
same trend was observed with daily DM intake during suckling
period.The daily DM intake expressed as BW% and g/kgw0.75 during the
suckling periods was higher than that consumed during the late
pregnancy period in all ration (Table 2). The observed increase in
roughage intake as a silage denotes that silage was of good quality as
reported by Ahmed et al. (2001 and 2013) with lactating goats.
Generally, there are many factors affecting chemical composition
as species (legume and grass), soil, fertilization, subsequent, cuts, age
and environmental condition (Gabra et al., 1991; Khinizy et al., 1997;
Haggag et al, 2000; and Soliman & Haggag, 2002).
Table (2): Daily dray mater intake (DMI) by Zaraibi does during the
two experimental periods.
Items
Groups
G1 G2 G3
Daily dray mater intake (g/h) during the late pregnancy period*
From CFM 820 540 530
From CS 546 405 400
From GS 0 405 0
From GH 0 0 390
Total DMI 1366 1350 1320
DMI, % BW 3.42 3.38 3.30
DMI, g/kg w0.75 85.91 84.90 83.02
Daily dray mater intake (g/h) during the suckling period*
From CFM 870 600 585
From CS 580 710 420
From GS 0 415 0
From GH 0 0 400
Total DMI 1450 1425 1405
DMI, % BW 3.63 3.56 3.51
DMI, g/kg w0.75 91.20 89.62 88.36
* Group feeding.
Water consumption:
Data of water consumption of Zaraibi does during pregnancy and
suckling periods are presented in Table (3). The differences in water
consumption among the experimental groups were slight, but water
consumption increased at the suckling period as compared to at late
pregnancy, especially in G3 (Table 3). Generally, the quantity of daily
water consumption in present study is nearly similar to those obtained by
Soliman et al. (2010) on growing Zaraibi goats (ranged from 2.22 to
3.30 ml/g DM intake) and Ahmed et al. (2013) on lactating Zaraibi goats
(ranged from 2.82 to 3.06 ml/g DM intake).
16 Egypt. J. of Appl. Sci., 35 (5) 2020
Table (3): Daily water consumption by Zaraibi does during the two
experimental periods.
Item
Experimental groups
G1 G2 G3
Water consumption during the late pregnancy period*
Liter/head/day 3.85 3.90 4.00
ml/kg BW 96 98 100
ml/kg w0.75 242 245 251
ml/g DMI 2.82 2.89 3.03
Water consumption during the suckling period*
Liter/head/day 5.20 5.35 5.50
ml/kg BW 130 133 138
ml/kg w0.75 327 336 345
ml/g DMI 3.58 3.75 3.91
* Group feeding.
Ruminal fermentation parameters:
Concerning the effect of the experimental rations, reproductive
stage and their interaction on ruminal parameters indicated that the
minimum pH values and the maximum total VFA's values were recorded
3 h post-feeding. The same trend was obtained by Gabra et al. (1999)
and Shehata et al. (2006) on goats, and Sadek (2011) on sheep.
Moreover, the ruminal ammonia-N concentrations were greater postfeeding
than before-feeding and the maximum values of NH3-N in the
ruminal liquor reached at 3 h post-feeding. At 3 and 6 h post-feeding,
ruminal NH3-N concentrations were significantly higher in the rumen of
goats in G2 and G3 than in those G1. The high content of ruminal
ammonia-N concentration in G3 may be due to the high content of CP in
silage mixture (Table1). Similar results were observed by Ahmed et al.
(2001), Shehata et al. (2006) and Ibrahim et al. (2012) with Zaraibi
goats fed rations containing kochia, reed and sesbania silages,
respectively. Also, El-Kholany (2004) found that the NH3-N was higher
in the rumen of goats fed sesbania silage and silage mixture (sesbania+
maize) than those fed maize silage only; this may be attributed to high
content of CP in sesbania silage and high protein degradability of
sesbania protein as reported by Khalili and Varikko (1992).
Ruminal total VFA's concentrations showed the highest values
3and 6 h post-feeding in G3 (12.40 and 11.45 mEq/100ml, respectively),
while the lowest values were detected in G1 (12.03 and 11.09
mEq/100ml, respectively). This differences were significant. Similar
results were observed by El-Kholany (2004), who reported that the
highest values of ruminal TVFA's were recorded with silage mixture
(sesbania+ maize) at all hours, and then maize silage and lowest values
Egypt. J. of Appl. Sci., 35 (5) 2020 17
were detected with sesbania silage group. The decrease in TVFA's during
the late pregnancy, may be due to the decrease in daily feed intake per
kgw0.75 and/or response to the physiological stress of pregnancy. The
same result was observed by Sadek (2011) with Rahmani ewes during
late pregnancy and suckling periods. Generally, it seems that ruminal
VFA's showed an opposite trend of ruminal NH3-N, since both were
affected by physiological status (Table 4).
Table (4): The effect of experimental rations on some rumen
parameters of Zaraibi does during the two experimental
periods.
Item
pH NH3 (mg/100ml RL) TVF's (meq./ 100ml RL)
0 3 6 0 3 6 0 3 6
G1 6.90 6.50 6.70 16.32 21.05bc 20.00b 9.10 12.03b 11.09b
G2 6.97 6.60 6.75 16.45 21.85ab 21.30a 9.05 12.13ab 11.22ab
G3 6.95 6.55 6.80 16.60 22.30a 21.55a 9.02 12.40a 11.45a
SEM 0.18 0.10 0.12 0.22 0.24 0.26 0.041 0.105 0.093
Sig. NS NS NS NS * * NS * *
Pregnancy 7.00 6.60 6.81 16.60 22.14 22.00a 8.95 11.94b 10.75b
Suckling 7.89 6.47 6.70 16.30 21.40 19.85b 9.21 12.12a 12.20a
SEM 0.12 0.08 0.09 0.30 0.35 0.27 0.20 0.15 0.21
Sig. NS NS NS NS NS * NS * *
Pregnancy
G1 6.96 6.59 6.78 16.50 21.23 21.42 9.00 11.70 10.62
G2 7.30 6.64 6.79 16.47 22.25 22.13 8.90 11.93 10.67
G3 7.00 6.58 6.85 16.83 22.95 22.45 8.95 12.20 10.91
Suckling
G1 6.83 6.40 6.60 16.12 20.85 18.60 9.15 11.36 11.19
G2 6.93 6.54 6.70 16.43 21.45 20.45 9.20 12.40 12.65
G3 6.90 6.48 6.80 16.35 21.90 20.50 9.29 12.60 12.76
SEM 0.24 0.16 0.17 0.58 0.71 0.55 0.39 0.30 0.42
Sig. NS NS NS NS NS NS NS NS NS
a-c: Means at the same column with different letters are significantly (P<0.05) different.
NS: Non-significant.
Blood parameters:
Hematological parameters:
Data of hematological parameters of does fed different
experimental rations during late pregnancy and suckling periods are
presented in Table (5). Results indicated that only RBCs and MCHC
were affected significantly by the experimental ration or reproductive
stage, being significantly the highest in G3 and the lowest in G1, and
during suckling than at late pregnancy, However, most hematological
parameters were not affected significantly by the experimental ration or
reproductive stage (Table 5).
The observed reduction in the values of the erythrogram (RBCs and
MCHC) at late pregnancy as compared to during suckling may be
attributed to the mild stress of pregnancy as reported by Schalm (1961),
18 Egypt. J. of Appl. Sci., 35 (5) 2020
Ahmed (1999) and Sadek (2011). These findings are in agreement with
those reported by Hafez et al. (1983), who observed that some
hematological parameters such as Hb, MCHC and RBC's decreased with
the advance of pregnancy especially during the last week and thereafter
tended to increase after parturition till they approach the values of the
control group (non pregnant and non lactation) 6 weeks post- partum.
The same trend was observed by El-Fadaly and Radwan (1992) for
hematocrit value and Hb. In general, the obtained data indicate that all
estimated values for measured parameters are within the normal range of
Zaraibi goats as reported by Ahmed et al. (2008).
Table (5): The effect of experimental rations on some hematological
parameters of Zaraibi does during the two experimental
periods.
Item
Hb Hct RBC's MCV MCH MCHC WBC's Lympho Nutro Meuo Platlets
(g/dl) (%) (×103/ul) (Fl) (Pg) (%) (×103/ul) Cyst,(%) Phils,(%) Cyst,
(%)
(×103/ul)
G1 10.80 35.30 13.45c 20.80 5.70 30.10c 10.26 55.63 37.30 5.90 450
G2 11.00 35.10 13.80b 19.80 6.30 32.04b 10.07 57.80 36.30 5.65 466
G3 11.33 34.20 14.10a 19.90 6.40 33.30a 10.03 63.12 34.00 5.73 495
SEM 0.35 0.93 0.25 0.60 0.40 0.55 0.37 2.60 2.56 0.60 14.20
Sig. NS NS * NS NS * NS NS NS NS NS
Pregnancy 10.62 34.75 13.38b 20.03 6.00 30.47b 10.21 58.31 36.83 5.83 457
Suckling 11.04 34.90 13.95a 20.13 6.23 32.00a 10.05 59.43 34.80 5.68 485
SEM 0.24 0.68 0.17 0.40 0.24 0.39 0.28 1.80 1.75 0.43 10.05
Sig. NS NS * NS NS * NS NS NS NS NS
Pregnancy
G1 10.45 35.40 12.92 20.80 5.50 29.42 10.30 54.63 38.30 6.00 438
G2 10.40 34.85 13.45 19.70 6.20 29.54 10.17 56.30 37.20 5.75 456
G3 11.00 34.00 13.76 19.60 6.30 32.46 10.15 64.00 35.00 5.73 478
Suckling
G1 10.08 35.20 13.28 20.70 5.80 30.78 10.27 56.63 36.20 5.82 461
G2 11.36 35.10 14.15 19.70 6.50 31.07 9.97 59.30 35.20 5.53 480
G3 11.68 34.40 14.43 20.00 6.40 34.13 9.92 62.35 33.00 5.70 513
SEM 0.48 1.36 0.34 0.80 0.48 0.78 0.56 3.60 3.50 0.86 20.10
Sig. NS NS NS NS NS NS NS NS NS NS NS
a-c: Means at the same column with different letters are significantly (P<0.05) different.
NS: Non-significant.
Biochemical parameters:
Data of biochemical parameters of does fed different experimental
rations during late pregnancy and suckling periods are presented in Table
(6). Serum concentration of globulin and phosphorus significantly
increased, while creatinine concentration and ALP activity significantly
decreased in G2 and G3 compared with G1. As affected by the
reproductive stage, total proteins, globulin, calcium, phosphorus,
manganese were higher (P<0.05) during suckling than at late pregnancy.
In comparable with the present results, Ahmed (1999) showed that serum
total proteins, globulin, urea-N, creatinine, uric acid, total lipids,
cholesterol and magnesium as well as thyroid hormones concentrations
were higher at the last month of pregnancy than in the lactation months.
Egypt. J. of Appl. Sci., 35 (5) 2020 19
Table (6): The effect of experimental rations on some biochemical parameters of Zaraibi does during the
two experimental periods.
Item
T. Protein,
(g/dl)
Albumin,
(g/dl)
Globulin,
(g/dl)
Creatinine,
(mg/dl)
Urea-N,
(mg/dl)
Cholesterol,
(ml/dl)
Triglyceride,
(ml/dl)
AST, (u/l)
ALT, (u/l)
ALP, (u/l)
T3
(mg/dl)
T4
(mg/dl)
Glucose,
(ml/dl)
Calcium,
(ml/dl)
Phosphorus,
(ml/dl)
Magnesium,
(ml/dl)
G1 6.20 3.75 2.45b 0.93a 16.83 91.20 49.20 75.20 23.00 123.50a 118.20 6.80 57.00 9.50 4.30b 2.50
G2 6.35 3.48 2.87a 0.83ab 15.70 88.80 46.30 69.50 20.80 110.20b 122.30 6.65 56.80 9.65 4.65ab 2.70
G3 6.46 3.56 2.90a 0.75b 15.83 90.83 47.00 69.85 20.65 109.70b 127.33 6.70 58.75 9.80 5.00a 2.63
SEM 0.20 0.14 0.10 0.06 0.40 2.60 2.57 3.52 1.44 2.50 7.10 0.46 3.90 0.34 0.15 0.16
Sig. NS NS * * NS NS NS NS NS * NS NS NS NS * NS
Pregnancy 6.15b 3.40 2.75b 0.94a 16.39 96.23a 49.68 72.06 21.78 121.40a 159.77a 7.48a 55.96 9.19b 4.32b 2.21b
Suckling 6.50a 3.65 2.85a 0.82b 15.93 84.99b 45.53 71.68 21.21 106.43b 84.13b 5.91b 59.80 10.15a 4.97a 3.10a
SEM 0.12 0.09 0.08 0.05 0.28 1.84 1.83 2.47 1.04 1.72 5.00 0.34 2.76 0.25 0.10 0.12
Sig. * NS * * NS * NS NS NS * * * NS * * *
Pregnancy
G1 5.94 3.58 2.36 1.02 17.08 97.00 51.35 77.20 23.70 131.00 156.00 7.75 59.65 9.06 4.00 2.15
G2 6.13 3.37 2.76 0.93 16.00 95.00 48.00 69.00 21.30 117.20 157.00 7.25 53.63 9.20 4.40 2.30
G3 6.38 3.24 3.14 0.86 16.10 96.70 49.70 70.00 20.35 116.00 166.30 7.45 54.60 9.30 4.55 2.18
Suckling
G1 6.40 3.84 2.56 0.86 16.58 85.67 47.30 75.00 22.33 115.00 81.40 5.85 56.30 10.05 4.50 2.95
G2 6.60 3.60 3.00 0.83 15.62 84.30 45.00 70.35 20.30 103.00 81.70 6.05 60.00 10.10 4.95 3.25
G3 6.50 3.50 3.00 0.76 15.60 85.00 44.30 69.70 21.00 101.30 89.30 5.83 63.10 10.30 5.45 3.10
SEM 0.24 0.18 0.16 0.10 0.56 3.68 3.66 4.94 2.08 3.44 9.98 0.68 5.52 0.50 0.21 0.24
Sig. NS NS NS NS NS NS NS NS NS NS NS NS NS NS NS NS
a-c: Means at the same column with different letters are significantly (P<0.05) different.
NS: Non-significant.
20 Egypt. J. of Appl. Sci., 35 (5) 2020
Generally, the obtained data of most serum biochemicals of does in
the experimental groups are within the normal range as reported by
Kaneko (1989), Maged (2004) Sadek (2011) and Ahmed et al. (2012)
for small ruminants.
Live body weight of does:
Table (7) showed that changes in live body weight (LBW) of
Zaraibi goats. The LBW of does increased to the maximum before
parturition and recorded the highest values (ranged from 48.6 to 49.8 kg)
then sharply decreased post- parturition to the minimum at day 90th
(weaning) in all groups. The same trend was observed by Ahmed et al.
(2012) with Zaraibi does at the late pregnancy and during the lactation
period. Also, Shehata et al. (2007) observed that the LBW of does
increased to the maximum weight before parturition (end of pregnancy)
and recorded the highest values (55.7-58.8 kg), decreased during postpartum
to the minimum values during suckling period, then slightly
increased in during the lactation period. Similar results were observed by
El-Shinnawy et al. (2010) with Rahmani ewes during the late pregnancy
and suckling periods.
Table (7): Live body weight change (kg) of Zaraibi does during the
two experimental periods.
Days
Groups
G1 G2 G3
Initial weight (at 90 days of
pregnancy)
40.2 40.0 39.8
At 120 days of pregnancy 43.4 43.8 43.8
At 150 days of pregnancy (last
month)
48.6 49.10 49.8
Weight at kidding 40.0 40.3 41.3
Weight at 30 days post kidding 38.6 38.9 39.4
Weight at 60 days post kidding 37.4 38.0 39.0
Weight at 90 days post kidding 36.3 36.8 38.1
Weight at 90 days as % of weight at
kidding
90.75 91.32 92.25
Productive performance:
Data of the productive performance of Zaraibi does fed on the
tested experimental rations are summarized in Table (8). The results
indicated that no abortion cases happened during the late eight weeks of
pregnancy. The obtained data showed that the still birth cases were
noticeably higher in G1 (15%) compared with the other groups. From
data in Table (8) it seems that incidence of twins parturition was high in
Zaraibi does fed G3 compared with other groups, hence, the kidding rate
or litter size was high too. Moreover, kidding rates were 200, 210 and
Egypt. J. of Appl. Sci., 35 (5) 2020 21
220 in G1, G2 and G3 respectively. Similar values for litter size of
Zaraibi does were obtained by Mousa (1996), Ahmed (1999) and
Maged (2012).
The present study indicated that does given Guar hay (G3) or Guar
silage (G2) during late pregnancy period gave born kids with heavier
weight at the birth and weaning (1.90, 1.67 and 10.65, 9.98 kg,
respectively) compared with G1 (1.50 and 9.30 kg, respectively) and the
differences were significant as shown in Table (8). Accordingly, output
measured as kilograms produced per doe and economic feed efficiency
were better with G3, followed by G2 and lastly G1. These positive
effects may be attributed to high content of CP in Guar silage and Guar
hay.
The percentage of mortality recorded the highest values in control
group (30%) then G2 (23.80%) whereas mortality rate was (9.10%) in
G3. Similar results were observed by El- Hosseiny et al. (2000) who
observed that using medical herbs such as chamomile flowers in doe
diets reduced mortality rate of born kids to zero during the suckling
period compared with rate of 6.67 to 13.33% for other medicinal herbs.
Table (8): The effect of experimental rations on reproductive
performance and economic efficiency of Zaraibi does.
Item
Experimental group
G1 G2 G3
Number of does 10 10 10
Does with single kids (%) 30 20 20
Does with twin kids (%) 40 50 40
Does with triple kids (%) 30 30 40
Total number of born kids 20 21 22
Litter size/doe 2 2.1 2.2
Kidding rate 200 210 220
Still birth 3 2 0
Alive kids at 0 days 17 19 22
Alive kids at 15 days 16 18 21
Alive kids at 30 days 16 18 21
Alive kids at 45 days 15 17 21
Alive kids at 60 days 14 16 20
Alive kids at 90 days 14 16 20
Average kid weight at birth
(kg)
1.50±0.08b 1.67±0.10ab 1.90±0.10a
Average kid weight at
weaning (kg)
9.30±0.30b 9.98±0.28ab 10.65±0.47a
Average daily gain (kg/h/d) 86.67±4.40b 92.33±1.86ab 97.22±2.46a
Kid crop (kg) /doe at birth 3.75±0.27 4.14±0.60 4.60±0.45
Kid crop (kg)/doe at weaning 25.62±1.95b 27.12±2.90ab 27.95±2.55a
Number of dead kids 6 5 2
Mortality rate of kids 30 23.80 9.10
Economic efficiency 1.85 2.35 2.55
a-b: Means at the same row with different letters are significantly (P<0.05) different.
22 Egypt. J. of Appl. Sci., 35 (5) 2020
CONCLUSION
It could be concluded that using Guar silage or Guar hay as partial
replacement of concentrate feed mixture in Zaraibi does rations during
late pregnancy and suckling periods had a positive impacts on improving
some metabolic parameters and reproductive performance, without any
adverse effect on the general health. This improvement was reflected on
born kids performance and production of viable kids at weaning. This
had a good economic strategy in the management of Zaraibi goat heds.
Further studies are needed to evaluate the Guar forage in different forms
(hay- fresh - silage) at different levels as well as with other sources of
energy and feed additive with different farm animals.
REFERENCES
A.O.A.C. (1995). Official Methods of Analysis (16th Edit). Association
of Official Analytical Chemists, Washington, D.C., USA.
Ahmed, M.E. (1999). Improving feed conversion efficiency during
reproduction-stress-phases. Ph.D. Thesis, Fac. Agric., Mansoura
Univ.
Ahmed, M.E.; A.M. Abdelhamid ; F.F. Abou Amou ; E.S. Soliman ;
N.M. El-Kholy and E.I. Shehata (2001). Response of milk
production of Zaraibi goats to feeding silage containing different
levels of teosinte and kochia. Egyptian J. Nutrition and Feeds,
(4):141.
Ahmed, M.E. ; E.I. Shehata ; F.F. Abou Ammou ;A.M. Abdel-
Gowad and K. M. Aiad (2008). Milk production feed
conversion rate and reproduction of Zaraibi goat in response to
bacterial feed additive during late pregnancy and lactation.
Egypt. J. Anim. Prod., 45: 189.
Ahmed, M.E. ; E.I. Shehata ; G.H.M. Zaza ; A.M. Abdel-Gawad ;
E.I. Khalifa and K.M. Aiad (2012). Milk production, feed
conversion ratio and reproduction of Zaraibi goats fed reed
plants in different forms during late pregnancy and lactation
periods. 11th Conf. Agric. Dev. Res., Fac. Agric., Ain Shams
Univ., Cairo, Egypt.
Ahmed, M.E. ; E.I. Shehata ; M.E. El-Kholany ; G.I. El-Emam ; E.I.
Khalifa and H. Bahery (2013). Productive performance of
Zaraibi goats fed berseem and/or triticale silage. The 4th
Scientific Conference of Animal Production Research Institute,
P: 184.
Egypt. J. of Appl. Sci., 35 (5) 2020 23
Conway, E.F.(1957). Micro diffusion Analysis and Volumetric Error.
Rev. Ed. Lock Wood, London.
El- Hosseiny, H. M.; S.M. Allam ; S. A. El-Saadany ; A. M. Abdel-
Gawad and A.M. M. Zeid (2000). Medicinal herbs and plants
as feed additives for ruminants. 2-Effect of using some
medicinal herbs on growth performance of Zaraibi kids. Proc.
Conf. Anim. Prod. Sakha, Kafr ElSheikh, 18-20 April, P: 189.
El-Fadaly, A. and Y. A. Radwan (1992). The effect of pregnancy,
parturition and lactation on electrolytes and blood picture, as
well as liver and kidney function in Buffaloes. J. Egypt. Vet.
Med. Ass., 52 (1): 105.
El-Kholany, M.M. (2004). Evaluation of some new green fodder for
Farm animals.Ph.D. Thesis Fac. of Agric, Mansoura Univ.
El-Shinnawy, M.M. ; M. E. Ahmed and W.M.A. Sadek (2010). Effect
of some feeding schemes on some rumen parameters, blood
profile and productive performance of Rahmani sheep. J.
Animal and Poultry Prod., Mansoura Univ. 1(10):481.
Gabra, A.A.; A.M. Abdelhamid and M.Y. EI-Ayek (1991). Nutritional
evaluation of dried poultry litter in comparison with berseem
hay (Trifolium alexandrinum) and their mixtures as feeds for
sheep. J. Agric. Sci.. Mansoura Univ., 16 (9) : 2004 - 2016.
Gabra, A.A. ; A.Z. Mehrez ; E.S.M. Soliman and M.El-Kholany
(1999). Response of lactating goats to diets containing reed
grass (Aroundo domax L.) versus sorghum plants, Egyptian J.
Nutrition and feeds, 2 (Special Issue): 297.
Göhl, B. (1982). Les aliments du bétail sous les tropiques. FAO,
Division de Production et Santé Animale, Roma, Italy.
Hafez, A.M. ; H. Ibrahim ; A. Gomaa ; A.A. Farrag and I.A. Salem
(1983). Enzymatic and hematological studies on buffaloes at
preparturient periods. Assiut Vet. Med. J., 11 (21): 172.
Haggag, M. El-H. ; E.S. Soliman ; E.M. Gaafer and M.I. Salem
(2000). Effect of phosphate fertilizer levels and seeding rates on
yield, quality and nutritional evaluation of Sesbania forage by
goats. J. Agric. Sci. Mansoura Univ., 25 (7): 3901
Ibrahim, F.A. ; E.S. Soliman ; A. A. Abd El-Hamid and M. E.
Ahmed (2012). Growth performance and feed utilization
efficiency of Rahmani lambs fed some legume and /or grass
silages. Egyptian J. of Sheep and Goats Sciences, 7 (2): 1.
24 Egypt. J. of Appl. Sci., 35 (5) 2020
Kaneko, J.J. (1989). Clinical Biochemistry of Animals. 4thEd.,
Academic Press, Inc. USA.
Khalili, H. and T. Varvikko (1992). Effect of replacement of
concentrate mix by wilted Sesbania (Sesbania Sesban) forage on
diet digestibility, rumen fermentation and milk production in
Friezian x Zebu (Boran) cross bred cows fed low quality native
hay. Anim. Feed Sci. and Technol., 63: 275.
Khinizy, A.E.M. ; M.K., Hathout ; W.H. Abdel-Malik ; S.I. Hafez
and P.A. Aspila (1997). Evaluation of some summer forages
cultivated in new reclaimed sandy soil in Egypt. J. Agric. Sci.
Mansoura Univ., 22 (8):2565.
Maged, G.A. (2004). Nutritional studies on small ruminants M.Sc.
Thesis. Fac. of Agric., Mansoura Univ., Egypt.
Maged, G.A. (2012). Effect of medical herbs on production of dairy
Zaraibi goats. Ph. D. Thesis, Fac. of Agric., Mansoura Univ.,
Egypt.
Mousa, M.M. (1996). Physiological and nutritional studies on goats.
Ph.D. Thesis, Fac. Agric., Mansoura Univ.
NRC (1981).Nutrient Requirements of Domestic Animals. Nutrient
Requirements of Goats. National Research Council,
Washington, D.C. USA, of Official Analytical Chemists,
Washington, D.C., USA.
Pachauri, V.C. and R.S. Upadhyaya (1986). Nutritive value of
clusterbean (Cyamopsis tetragonoloba) hay as affected by
supplementation of oat grain in goats. Indian J. Anim. Sci., 56
(1): 154-155
Sadek, W.M.A. (2011). Nutritional requirements of rahmani ewes. Ph.D.
Thesis, Fac. Agric., Mansoura Univ.
SAS Institute (2003). SAS/STATR User's Guide: statistics. Ver. 9.1,
SAS Institute Inc., Cary, NC, USA.
Schalm, O.W.(1961). Veterinary Hematology . 1st Ed. Bailler, Tindall
and Cow , london.
Shehata, E.I. ; F.H. Abd El-Rasoul ; F.F. Abou Ammou ; M.E.
Ahmed and A.M. Abdel-Gawad (2007). Effect of feeding the
medicinal herbs, chamomile flower, on some productive
performance of Egyptian Zaraibi does and their new born kids.
Egypt. J. of Sheep and Goats Sci., 2:111.
Shehata, E.I. ; M.E. Ahmed ; Faten F. AbouAmmou ; A.A.M.
Soliman ; K.M. Aiad and A.M. Abdel-Gawad (2006).
Egypt. J. of Appl. Sci., 35 (5) 2020 25
Comparison of feeding reed as hay or silage with feeding
berseem hay or Maize silage to dairy Zaraibi goats. Egyptian
Sheep Goats and Desert Animals Sci., 1(1): 233-247.
Shultz, T.A. and E. Shultz (1970). Estimation of rumen microbial
nitrogen by three analytical methods. J. Dairy Sci., 53:781.
Soliman, A. A. ; M. E. Ahmed ; Faten F. Abou Ammou ; E.I. Shehata
; M.K. Abou Elmaged ; S.A. Tawfik and M. A. Shebl (2010).
Impact of some feed additives on Zaraibi goats performance and
blood profile fed aflatoxins contaminated diets. American-
Eurasian J. Agric. And Erviron Sci., 7 (1) : 80.
Soliman, E.S. and M.El-H. Haggag (2002). Effect of feeding green
forage mixtures of Sesbania and Teosinte instead of concentrate
feed mixture on lactating goats. Egypt. J. Appl. Sci., 17 (5): 31.
Warner, A.C.I. (1964). Production of volatile fatty acids in the rumen,
methods of measurements. Nutr. Abst. & Rev., 34: 339.
Wong, L.J. and C. Parmar (1997). Cyamopsis tetragonoloba (L.)
Taubert. Record from Proseabase. Faridah Hanum, I & van der
Maesen, L.J.G. (Eds). PROSEA (Plant Resources of South-East
Asia) Foundation, Bogor, Indonesia.
أثر تغذیة الماعز الز ا ریبى عمى الجوار کسیلاج أو دریس خلال مرحمتین
مختمفتین من ال نتتاج عمى أدا الجدا حدیث الوادد وبض ییاسا الد
والتمثیل الغذائى.
محمد إب ا رهی احمد، محمد التابضى الخوادنتى، ولید ماهر أمین صادق،
احمد لولى إب ا رهی دسویى
معهد بحوث الإنتاج الحیوانى ، مرکز البحوث الز ا رعیة ، الدقى ، الجیزة ، مصر.
یهدف البحث الى د ا رسة تأثی ا رت استخدام نبات الجوار کسیلاج أو دریس فی علائق الماعز
الز ا ربی المصریة خلال فترتى الحمل المتأخر والرضاعة عمى معدل نمو الجداء المولودة، وبعض قیاسات
الکرش والدم. کان العمف الخشن فى العلائق التجریبیة 04 % من سیلاج الذرة ، 04 ٪ سیلاج الجوار +
عمى التوالی(. G و 3 ، G2 ،G ٪04 سیلاج الذرة ، 04 ٪ دریس جوار + 04 ٪ سیلاج الذرة ) 1
خلال g / kgw و 0.75 ٪BW أوضحت النتائج أن المادة الجافة المأکولة کنسبة مئ ویة لوزن الجسم
فت ا رة الرضاعة کانت أعمى منها خلال فترة الحمل المتأخرة فی کل المجموعات. اثرت ترکیز کلا من
کانت مج 0 الاعمى . (P< فى سائل الکرش معنویا بالتغذیة وبرحمة الانتاج ( 0.05 TVFA و NH3-N
وکانت فى فترة الحمل (P< ومج 2 الأقل عند مستوى معنویة ( 0.05 MCHC و RBC's فقط فى
26 Egypt. J. of Appl. Sci., 35 (5) 2020
فى ALP المتأخر اقل من فترة الرضاعة. بینما ارتفع ترکیز الجموبیولین وانخفض ترکیز الکریاتینین و
البروتین الکمى، الجموبیولین، الکالسیوم، الفسفور والمغنسیوم .(P< مج 0 عند مستوى معنویة ( 0.05
کانت مرتفعة خلال فترة الرضاعة عنها خلال فترة الحمل المتأخر. وزن المیلاد والفطام ومعدل الزیادة
20.2 و ، الیومیة وحاصل الجداء المولودة کانت اعمى بشکل معنوى فى مج 0. بمغ معدل النفوق 04
2.05 و 2.55 فى ، %1.9 فى مج 9، مج 2 و مج 0 عمى التوالى. کانت قیمة العائد الاقتصادى 9.25
مج 9، مج 2 و مج 0 عمى التوالى.
الخلاصة، ان الاستبدال الجزئى لمعمف المرکز باستخدام سیلاج الجوار أو دریس الجوار فی علائق
الماعز الز ا ربی خلال فت رتى الحمل المتأخر والرضاعة کان له اثر ایجابى انعکس عمى أداء
الجداء المولودة والمفطومه . مما کان له مردود اقتصادی جید عمى قطیع الماعز الز ا ربی.
Egypt. J. of Appl. Sci., 35 (5) 2020 27

REFERENCES
A.O.A.C. (1995). Official Methods of Analysis (16th Edit). Association
of Official Analytical Chemists, Washington, D.C., USA.
Ahmed, M.E. (1999). Improving feed conversion efficiency during
reproduction-stress-phases. Ph.D. Thesis, Fac. Agric., Mansoura
Univ.
Ahmed, M.E.; A.M. Abdelhamid ; F.F. Abou Amou ; E.S. Soliman ;
N.M. El-Kholy and E.I. Shehata (2001). Response of milk
production of Zaraibi goats to feeding silage containing different
levels of teosinte and kochia. Egyptian J. Nutrition and Feeds,
(4):141.
Ahmed, M.E. ; E.I. Shehata ; F.F. Abou Ammou ;A.M. Abdel-
Gowad and K. M. Aiad (2008). Milk production feed
conversion rate and reproduction of Zaraibi goat in response to
bacterial feed additive during late pregnancy and lactation.
Egypt. J. Anim. Prod., 45: 189.
Ahmed, M.E. ; E.I. Shehata ; G.H.M. Zaza ; A.M. Abdel-Gawad ;
E.I. Khalifa and K.M. Aiad (2012). Milk production, feed
conversion ratio and reproduction of Zaraibi goats fed reed
plants in different forms during late pregnancy and lactation
periods. 11th Conf. Agric. Dev. Res., Fac. Agric., Ain Shams
Univ., Cairo, Egypt.
Ahmed, M.E. ; E.I. Shehata ; M.E. El-Kholany ; G.I. El-Emam ; E.I.
Khalifa and H. Bahery (2013). Productive performance of
Zaraibi goats fed berseem and/or triticale silage. The 4th
Scientific Conference of Animal Production Research Institute,
P: 184.
Egypt. J. of Appl. Sci., 35 (5) 2020 23
Conway, E.F.(1957). Micro diffusion Analysis and Volumetric Error.
Rev. Ed. Lock Wood, London.
El- Hosseiny, H. M.; S.M. Allam ; S. A. El-Saadany ; A. M. Abdel-
Gawad and A.M. M. Zeid (2000). Medicinal herbs and plants
as feed additives for ruminants. 2-Effect of using some
medicinal herbs on growth performance of Zaraibi kids. Proc.
Conf. Anim. Prod. Sakha, Kafr ElSheikh, 18-20 April, P: 189.
El-Fadaly, A. and Y. A. Radwan (1992). The effect of pregnancy,
parturition and lactation on electrolytes and blood picture, as
well as liver and kidney function in Buffaloes. J. Egypt. Vet.
Med. Ass., 52 (1): 105.
El-Kholany, M.M. (2004). Evaluation of some new green fodder for
Farm animals.Ph.D. Thesis Fac. of Agric, Mansoura Univ.
El-Shinnawy, M.M. ; M. E. Ahmed and W.M.A. Sadek (2010). Effect
of some feeding schemes on some rumen parameters, blood
profile and productive performance of Rahmani sheep. J.
Animal and Poultry Prod., Mansoura Univ. 1(10):481.
Gabra, A.A.; A.M. Abdelhamid and M.Y. EI-Ayek (1991). Nutritional
evaluation of dried poultry litter in comparison with berseem
hay (Trifolium alexandrinum) and their mixtures as feeds for
sheep. J. Agric. Sci.. Mansoura Univ., 16 (9) : 2004 - 2016.
Gabra, A.A. ; A.Z. Mehrez ; E.S.M. Soliman and M.El-Kholany
(1999). Response of lactating goats to diets containing reed
grass (Aroundo domax L.) versus sorghum plants, Egyptian J.
Nutrition and feeds, 2 (Special Issue): 297.
Göhl, B. (1982). Les aliments du bétail sous les tropiques. FAO,
Division de Production et Santé Animale, Roma, Italy.
Hafez, A.M. ; H. Ibrahim ; A. Gomaa ; A.A. Farrag and I.A. Salem
(1983). Enzymatic and hematological studies on buffaloes at
preparturient periods. Assiut Vet. Med. J., 11 (21): 172.
Haggag, M. El-H. ; E.S. Soliman ; E.M. Gaafer and M.I. Salem
(2000). Effect of phosphate fertilizer levels and seeding rates on
yield, quality and nutritional evaluation of Sesbania forage by
goats. J. Agric. Sci. Mansoura Univ., 25 (7): 3901
Ibrahim, F.A. ; E.S. Soliman ; A. A. Abd El-Hamid and M. E.
Ahmed (2012). Growth performance and feed utilization
efficiency of Rahmani lambs fed some legume and /or grass
silages. Egyptian J. of Sheep and Goats Sciences, 7 (2): 1.
24 Egypt. J. of Appl. Sci., 35 (5) 2020
Kaneko, J.J. (1989). Clinical Biochemistry of Animals. 4thEd.,
Academic Press, Inc. USA.
Khalili, H. and T. Varvikko (1992). Effect of replacement of
concentrate mix by wilted Sesbania (Sesbania Sesban) forage on
diet digestibility, rumen fermentation and milk production in
Friezian x Zebu (Boran) cross bred cows fed low quality native
hay. Anim. Feed Sci. and Technol., 63: 275.
Khinizy, A.E.M. ; M.K., Hathout ; W.H. Abdel-Malik ; S.I. Hafez
and P.A. Aspila (1997). Evaluation of some summer forages
cultivated in new reclaimed sandy soil in Egypt. J. Agric. Sci.
Mansoura Univ., 22 (8):2565.
Maged, G.A. (2004). Nutritional studies on small ruminants M.Sc.
Thesis. Fac. of Agric., Mansoura Univ., Egypt.
Maged, G.A. (2012). Effect of medical herbs on production of dairy
Zaraibi goats. Ph. D. Thesis, Fac. of Agric., Mansoura Univ.,
Egypt.
Mousa, M.M. (1996). Physiological and nutritional studies on goats.
Ph.D. Thesis, Fac. Agric., Mansoura Univ.
NRC (1981).Nutrient Requirements of Domestic Animals. Nutrient
Requirements of Goats. National Research Council,
Washington, D.C. USA, of Official Analytical Chemists,
Washington, D.C., USA.
Pachauri, V.C. and R.S. Upadhyaya (1986). Nutritive value of
clusterbean (Cyamopsis tetragonoloba) hay as affected by
supplementation of oat grain in goats. Indian J. Anim. Sci., 56
(1): 154-155
Sadek, W.M.A. (2011). Nutritional requirements of rahmani ewes. Ph.D.
Thesis, Fac. Agric., Mansoura Univ.
SAS Institute (2003). SAS/STATR User's Guide: statistics. Ver. 9.1,
SAS Institute Inc., Cary, NC, USA.
Schalm, O.W.(1961). Veterinary Hematology . 1st Ed. Bailler, Tindall
and Cow , london.
Shehata, E.I. ; F.H. Abd El-Rasoul ; F.F. Abou Ammou ; M.E.
Ahmed and A.M. Abdel-Gawad (2007). Effect of feeding the
medicinal herbs, chamomile flower, on some productive
performance of Egyptian Zaraibi does and their new born kids.
Egypt. J. of Sheep and Goats Sci., 2:111.
Shehata, E.I. ; M.E. Ahmed ; Faten F. AbouAmmou ; A.A.M.
Soliman ; K.M. Aiad and A.M. Abdel-Gawad (2006).
Egypt. J. of Appl. Sci., 35 (5) 2020 25
Comparison of feeding reed as hay or silage with feeding
berseem hay or Maize silage to dairy Zaraibi goats. Egyptian
Sheep Goats and Desert Animals Sci., 1(1): 233-247.
Shultz, T.A. and E. Shultz (1970). Estimation of rumen microbial
nitrogen by three analytical methods. J. Dairy Sci., 53:781.
Soliman, A. A. ; M. E. Ahmed ; Faten F. Abou Ammou ; E.I. Shehata
; M.K. Abou Elmaged ; S.A. Tawfik and M. A. Shebl (2010).
Impact of some feed additives on Zaraibi goats performance and
blood profile fed aflatoxins contaminated diets. American-
Eurasian J. Agric. And Erviron Sci., 7 (1) : 80.
Soliman, E.S. and M.El-H. Haggag (2002). Effect of feeding green
forage mixtures of Sesbania and Teosinte instead of concentrate
feed mixture on lactating goats. Egypt. J. Appl. Sci., 17 (5): 31.
Warner, A.C.I. (1964). Production of volatile fatty acids in the rumen,
methods of measurements. Nutr. Abst. & Rev., 34: 339.
Wong, L.J. and C. Parmar (1997). Cyamopsis tetragonoloba (L.)
Taubert. Record from Proseabase. Faridah Hanum, I & van der
Maesen, L.J.G. (Eds). PROSEA (Plant Resources of South-East
Asia) Foundation, Bogor, Indonesia.