Influence of Feeding Cellulytic Enzymes on Performance, Digestibility and Ruminal Fermentation in Goats Kholif A.M.*, Aziz H.A.1 Dairy Science Department, National Research Centre, Dokki, Giza, Egypt 1Animal Nutrition Department, Desert Research Center, Cairo, Egypt *Corresponding author: am_kholif2000@yahoo.co.uk
Online published on 15 May, 2014. Abstract A study was conducted to investigate the effects of adding cellulytic enzyme “Asperozym” or Tomoko® to the diets on the performance of goats. Six Baladi lactating goats after 42 days of parturition were assigned randomly into three groups of two animals each using 3x3 Latin square design. The experimental periods were 90 days and consisted of three equal periods. The first group was fed on 50% concentrate feed mixture (CFM), 10% grounded date stone and 40% berseem clover (control diet). The second group was fed control diet (C) supplemented with Asperozym at 3.08 U/kg DM (T1). The third group was fed control diet supplemented with Tomoko® at 1.54 U/kg DM. (T2). At the last day of each experimental period, rumen liquor samples were collected at zero and 4h post-feeding. Individual milk samples were collected at the last three days of each period for analysis. The diets supplemented with Asperozym (T1) and Tomoko® (T2) showed significantly (P<0.05) increased digestibility all nutrients for compared with the control diet. Rumen liquor parameters were significantly (P<0.05) affected. Asperozym enzyme group had the highest total ciliate densities of ruminal protozoa followed by control group and group B. Milk yield was higher (P<0.05) for goats fed T1 and T2 diets than those fed the control diet. On the other hand, there were no significant differences between goats fed T1 diet and those fed T2 diet. Milk composition was not affected (P>0.05) by cellulase-treated diets. Overall, the results suggest that the exogenous enzymes could be used with success as supplements in goats’ diets. Top Keywords Cellulytic enzymes, Digestibility, Goats, Milk, Rumen parameters. Top |