• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.34-37
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• 2002

Two experiments were conducted to evaluate the nutritional value of common fodder tree leaves with goats fed at 50% of total ration. In experiment 1, leaves from six fodder tree species i.e., Ailanthus aitissima, Elaeagnus angustifolic, Morus alba (Mulberry), Populus spp, Robina pseudoacacia and Salix babylonia were harvested in spring and winter from northern areas of Pakistan. Chemical composition and apparent in situ dry matter digestibility (DMD) of fodder tree leaves were measured. Results showed that crude protein (CP) values were higher (p<0.05) in all the species during spring compared to winter (17.9% vs 12.0%). The concentration of NDF in Elaeagnus and Robinia was higher in spring, whereas no seasonal difference was found in other species. In situ DMD was higher (p<0.05) in Ailanthus and Populus at spring while it was higher (p<0.05) in Elaeagnus, Mulberry and Robinia at winter. There was no (p<0.05) seasonal effect on in situ DMD of Salix. In experiment II, four iso-nitrogenous and iso-caloric rations viz., A, B, C and D were prepared containing 50% (winter harvested) sun dried leaves of Salix, Robinia, Mulberry and Elaeagnus, respectively and 50% concentrate. Dry matter and crude protein intakes were higher (p<0.05) given ration A (Salix) whereas DM and CP digestibility was lowest (p<0.05) given ration B. Nitrogen retention was higher (p<0.05) given ration A. Goats fed on fodder tree leaves and concentrate showed moderate intake and digestibility.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.45-54
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• 2002

Ninety lactating goats (Bachthao, Barbary, Beetal and Jamnapary breeds) were used in an experiment to investigate the replacement value of the tree fodders Flemingia (Flemingia macrophylla) and Jackfruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus). The foliages were used to replace the concentrate in diets based on chopped whole sugar cane (Sacharatum sp.), Para grass (Brachiaria mutica) and dried cassava root (Manihot esculanta). The concentrate was replaced by foliage of Jackfruit or Flemingia at 0%, 20%, 40%, 60% and 80% based on the crude protein (CP) content in the concentrate and foliages, respectively. Average milk yield was 1,617 g/day for goats fed Jackfruit compared to 1,532 g/day for those fed Flemingia. Increasing amounts of Flemingia foliage resulted in reduced dry matter intake and decreased milk yield but milk composition (CP, casein and fat content) was similar up to 60% replacement. Flemingia showed a poor potential as a supplement for lactating goats and replacement levels should not exceed 20% of the protein in the concentrate or 7.5% of the dry matter in the diet. With respect to the combination of milk production and net return over the control a CP replacement rate of 20% was the most promising. For Jackfruit there was similar feed intake and milk yield at a replacement level of 20% of CP in the concentrate (9.2% of DM intake) compared to the control diet. Milk yield at the level of 40% replacement (15% of the DM) in the diet was slightly reduced. Up to a level of CP replacement rate of 60% (21% DM in the diet) can be suggested for on-farm testing as a higher net return over the control was obtained on station.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.15 no.9
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• pp.1263-1266
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• 2002

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of some production factors on commercial production of Etawah Crossbred Goats (ECG) of Inpres Desa Tertinggal member groups (AKIDT) at Krasak, Pandansari, Brajan, and Kragilan villages in Boyolali regency, Central Java, Indonesia. The study was from February to April 2000. Eighty respondents of AKIDT were selected by simple random sampling and the data were analyzed using Cobb Douglas Production Function. The results showed that ECG production simultaneously were highly significant (p<0.01) influenced by amount of feed consumed (kg TDN/year, $x_1$), number of does of ECG (Animal Unit/year, $x_2$), number of kids and does/ barn/year (Animal Unit/year, $x_3$), labor use (man-days/year, $x_4$) and work capital (US$/year, $x_5$) with $R^2= 0.6568$. In addition, ECG production was partially influenced by $x_2$, $x_3$ and $x_5$ (p<0.01) and $x_1$ (p<0.05), but not significant (p>0.05) by $x_4$. Technically, production factors of $x_1$, $x_2$, $x_3$, $x_4$, $x_5$ had reached technique efficiency (0$x_1$, $x_3$, $x_4$, $x_5$ did not showed efficiency (Ep<1) and $x_2$ was not efficient yet.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.19 no.7
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• pp.1010-1018
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• 2006

A glucose clamp technique was used to investigate the effects of non-protein energy intake on tissue responsiveness and sensitivity to insulin for glucose metabolism in intact adults male goats. Three goats were fed diets at 1.0, 1.5 and 2.0 times of ME for maintenance, each for 21 d. Crude protein intake was 1.5 times of maintenance requirement in each treatment. Tissue responsiveness and sensitivity to insulin were evaluated using a hyperinsulinemic euglycemic clamp technique with four levels of insulin infusion, beginning at 13 h after feeding. Concentrations of plasma metabolites and insulin were also measured at 3, 6 and 13 h after feeding, for evaluating effects of non-protein energy intake on the metabolic status of the animals. Increasing non-protein energy intake prevented an increase in plasma NEFA concentration at 13 h after feeding (p = 0.03). Plasma urea-nitrogen and total amino-nitrogen concentrations decreased (p<0.01) and increased (p = 0.03), respectively, with increasing non-protein energy intake across time relating to feeding. Plasma insulin concentration was unaffected (p = 0.43) by non-protein energy intake regardless of time relating to feeding. In the glucose clamp experiment, increasing non-protein energy intake decreased numerically (p = 0.12) the plasma insulin concentration at half-maximal glucose infusion rate (insulin sensitivity), but did not affect (p = 0.60) maximal glucose infusion rate (tissue responsiveness to insulin). The present results suggest that an increase in non-protein energy intake may enhance insulin sensitivity for glucose metabolism, unlike responsiveness to insulin, in adult male goats. The possible enhancement in insulin sensitivity may play a role in establishing anabolic status in the body, when excess energy is supplied to the body.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.5-11
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• 1993

First crop of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) was harvested, wilted and ensiled with or without NaOH or $NH_3$, and fed to three rumen fistulated goats in a $3{\times}3$ Latin-square design. Each alkali treatment (2.44% of alfalfa dry matter) was made by spraying its solution prior to ensiling. Silage pH, $NH_3-N$ and butyric acid concentration were increased with each alkali addition, and NaOH-treated silage showed the lowest chemical quality. Compared with untreated silage, digestibilities of organic matter, ADF and cellulose were depressed by both alkali treatments, and the reductions in NaOH-treated silage were significant. Crude protein digestibility was also significantly decreased in NaOH-treated silage, but the goats receiving the silage excreted less nitrogen in urine than those on the other two silages. Nitrogen retention of goats was not different among the treatments. Ruminal solubility and potential degradability of dry matter and nitrogen determined with the in situ bag technique were reduced, and rate of degradation of the two components were increased by the NaOH treatment. Addition of $NH_3$ provided ruminal soluble nitrogen to the silage, but the rate of degradation was similar to that of untreated silage. These results suggest that NaOH treatment would denature the protein and reduce the susceptibility to microbial degradation in the rumen, while no positive effect of alkali treatment on fiber digestion and nitrogen utilization was observed in this study.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.365-374
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• 2014

This experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of increasing concentrations of crude glycerin (CGLY) in diets on nutrient utilization, ruminal fermentation characteristics, and nitrogen utilization of goats. Four male crossbred (Thai Native${\times}$Anglo Nubian) goats, with an average initial weight of $26{\pm}3.0$ kg, were randomly assigned according to a $4{\times}4$ Latin square design with four 21 days consecutive periods. Treatments diets contained 0%, 5%, 10%, and 20% of dietary DM of CGLY. Based on this experiment, there were no significant differences (p>0.05) among treatment groups regarding DM intake and digestion coefficients of nutrients (DM, OM, CP, EE, NDF, and ADF). Likewise, mean serum glucose, BHBA, and PCV concentrations were not affected (p>0.05) by dietary treatments, whereas serum insulin concentration linearly increased (L, p = 0.002) with increasing the amount of CGLY supplementation. Ruminal pH, $NH_3$-N, and BUN concentration were unchanged by dietary treatments, except for 20% of CGLY, $NH_3$-N, and BUN were lower (p<0.05) than for the diets 10% of CGLY, while the difference between the diets 0%, 5%, and 20% of CGLY were not significant. The amount of N absorption and retention were similar among treatments. Based on this study, CGLY levels up to 20% in total mixed ration could be efficiently utilized for goats and this study elucidates a good approach to exploiting the use of biodiesel production for goat production.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.21 no.6
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• pp.845-852
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• 2008

The goal of this study was to determine whether galanin affects the mean plasma concentrations of metabolic parameters such as thyroxine (T4), triiodothyronine (T3), growth hormone (GH), insulin, glucagon, glucose, fatty acid and urea in goats fed diets differing in energy content. Sixteen goats were randomly divided into 4 groups. Animals in groups 1 and 2 were fed 100% and animals in groups 3 and 4 were fed 50% energy content in the diet for 20 days. After 20 days, animals in groups 1 and 3 received a daily infusion of $1{\mu}g$ galanin and groups 2 and 4 received a daily infusion of $2{\mu}g$ galanin into their third ventricle for 5 days. Blood samples were collected daily from the jugular vein before infusion on day 4 until 4 days after the last infusion of galanin. Samples were assayed for plasma T3, T4, GH, insulin and glucagon concentrations by double-antibody RIA. Glucose, fatty acid and urea concentrations were also measured. Lower dietary energy intake and infusions of 1 and $2{\mu}g$ galanin significantly (p<0.01) decreased the mean plasma concentrations of T3, T4, insulin and glucose and significantly (p<0.01) increased the mean plasma concentrations of GH, glucagon, fatty acid and urea of the animals in groups 3 and 4. Different dosages of the galanin infusions did not change the plasma concentrations of the metabolic parameters in the animals fed a normal dietary energy content. The results of this experiment indicated that galanin may negatively affect T3, T4, insulin and glucose and increase GH, glucagon, fatty acid and urea in goats with negative energy balance, but not in those with positive energy balance.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.13 no.9
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• pp.1245-1248
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• 2000

In order to ascertain the influence of supplemental iodine on nutrient utilisation by goats fed a leucaena leucocephala leaf meal containing diet, 8 adult male goats (2 years; $22.3{\pm}1.73kg$) were randomly allocated into two groups, viz. control and experimental. Both the groups were fed a diet comprising of wheat bran, leucaena leaf meal and wheat straw ad lib. In addition, the experimental animals were given extra iodine at 0.04 mg/head/day (as KI soln.). A metabolism trial of 6 days duration conducted after 13 weeks of experimental feeding revealed that the daily DM intake $(g/W^{0.75})$ increased significantly due to iodine supplementation. Similar was the case with the intakes of DCP and ME. The digestibility of CP and EE showed significant improvement in the experimental group while that of DM, OM and total carbohydrates did not vary significantly between the two groups. The animals of control group were in negative nitrogen balance, which improved significantly and become positive in the experimental group. Moreover, the control animals lose weight apparently in contrast to the experimental animals, who maintained their weights. While iodine supplementation tended to enhance phosphorus retention that of calcium exhibited significant improvement. Conclusively, provision of extra iodine to Leucaena containing diet may prove beneficial in augmenting the nutrient utilization of this protein rich tropical forage.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.295-301
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• 1992

Eight crop residues : 1, sorghum (Sorqhum bicolor) straw, 2, maize (Zea mays) straw, 3, cotton (Gossypium Sp.) straw, 4, sunflower (Helianthus Sp.) straw, 5, cotton (Gossypium Sp.) seed hulls, 6, groundnut (Archais hypogaea) hulls, 7, maize (Zea mays) cobs, 8, sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum) bagasse and two forest grasses 9, Heteropogan contortus dry grass and 10, Sehima nervosum dry grass were subjected to three physical processing 1, chopping (2-3 cm) 2, grinding (8 mm sieve) and 3, pelleting (10 mm die holes). The processed material was fed ad lib. Along with 250 g of concentrate mixture per head per day to 6 adult local goats and 16 adult Nellore rams in ten digestion experiments and finally assessed the nutritive value of the processed roughages by difference method. Grinding increased bulk density by 32.4 (cotton seed hulls, CSH) to 88.1% (Sehima dry grass) while pelleting of ground material increased bulk density by 53.9 (maize cobs) to 235.8% (maize straw). The average particle size ranged from $584.1/^U$ (sorghum straw) to $1467/^U$ (CSH). Modulus of uniformity ranged from 2:5:3 (sorghum straw) to 7:2:1 (CSH) while modulus of fineness ranged from 3.4 (sorghum straw) to 5.4 (CSH). Molasses absorbability was highest with cotton seed hulls and least with maize cobs. Pelleting increased DM intake of the residues except cotton seed hulls compared to grinding. Grinding of chopped material/unprocessed material increased DM intake on sorghum straw and cotton seed hulls. Sheep consumed more DM compared to goats on all the residues except sorghum and sunflower straws. Pelleting increased nutritive value of all the residues compared to grinding and chopping. However, no difference was observed in the nutritive value due to grinding and chopping. Goats performed better compared to sheep in utilizing the fibrous residues.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.24 no.8
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• pp.1112-1119
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• 2011

The study aimed to evaluate the best level of licury oil in the diet of 3/4 Boer goats, as determined by profile analysis of commercial cuts on aspects of chemical composition, sensorial quality and fatty acid content. Nineteen male goats were used, with an initial weight of 10.8 kg/live weigh. The animals were fed with hay and a concentrated mix containing different levels of licury oil, which constituted the treatments. The experiment lasted for 60 days, at which point the animals were submitted to feed fasting and slaughtered. The carcass weight, commercial yield and cuts were measured. The ham was collected for sensorial and chemical evaluation and the longissimus dorsi was collected for fatty acid profile analysis. The addition of licury oil to the diet did not promote changes in the proportions and weights of the commercial cuts, nor to the meat's sensorial attributes. The sum of medium-chain fatty acids and the atherogenicity index was increased with the addition of oil. Licury oil can be added to the diet of goats (up to 4.5%) without resulting in changes in to the proportions of the commercial cuts, or to the chemical composition or sensorial characteristics of the meat. Based on the chain length of fatty acids, the addition of 4.5% licury oil can improve the quality of meat, but no effect was noted in relation to the atherogenicity index.