Effects of dietary energy levels using calcium salts of fatty acids on nutritive value of diets and milk quality in peripartum dairy goats

• Published in: Ciência e agrotecnologia 2014-06, Vol.38 (3), p.286-294
• Main Authors: Souza, Rodrigo de, Alcalde, Claudete Regina, Hygino, Bruna, Molina, Bruna Susan de Labio, Santos, Geraldo Tadeu dos, Gomes, Ludmila Couto
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: AGRICULTURE, MULTIDISCIPLINARY; digestibilidade; gordura protegida; Lactoplus; sabões de cálcio; Ácidos graxos
• ISSN: 1413-7054; 1981-1829; 1413-7054
• DOI: 10.1590/S1413-70542014000300009

Peripartum is a critical period for dairy goats, as dry matter intake (DMI) is not enough to supply the energy requirement for foetal growth and subsequent lactation. The objective of this study was to evaluate the use of calcium salts of fatty acids (CSFA) to increase dietary energy level of peripartum dairy goats and its effects on nutritive value of diets and milk quality. Twenty multiparous Saanen goats (body weight 63.5±10.3 kg) were distributed in a completely randomised design in four treatments at the following dietary energy levels: 2.6 Mcal of metabolisable energy per kg of dry matter (Mcal ME/kg DM) - control diet; and 2.7, 2.8, and 2.9 Mcal/kg DM - with added CSFA. Goats were housed in individual stalls and evaluated in the peripartum period, by measuring body weight (BW), DMI, dry matter and nutrient digestibility of diets, blood composition, and milk quality and yield. Increasing dietary energy level to 2.9 Mcal ME/kg DM had no effect on BW and did not limit DMI. CSFA supplementation increased intake of total digestible nutrients and did not affect fibre digestion. Blood triglycerides and cholesterol concentration increased with CSFA addition. The treatments had no effect on milk yield and composition; however, CSFA supplementation changed the fatty acid concentration of milk fat, increasing levels of polyunsaturated and essential fatty acids. In conclusion, peripartum dairy goats supplemented with CSFA to increase dietary energy level up to 2.9 Mcal ME/kg DM had a greater supply of total digestible nutrients and showed altered fatty acid concentration of milk fat. O periparto é um período crítico para cabras leiteiras, onde a ingestão de matéria seca (IMS) não é suficiente para suprir os requerimentos energéticos para o crescimento fetal e lactação subsequente. Neste estudo, objetivou-se avaliar o uso de sais de cálcio de ácidos graxos (SCAG), para aumentar o nível de energia na dieta de cabras leiteiras no periparto e seus efeitos sobre o valor nutritivo das dietas e qualidade do leite. Vinte cabras multíparas (63,5±10,3 kg) foram distribuídas em delineamento inteiramente casualizado, em quatro tratamentos com os seguintes níveis de energia na dieta: 2,6 Mcal de energia metabolizável por kg de matéria seca (EM/kg de MS) - dieta controle; 2,7; 2,8; e 2,9 Mcal de EM/kg de MS - com adição de gordura protegida. As cabras foram confinadas em baias individuais e avaliadas durante o período do periparto, acompanhando o peso corporal (PC), IMS, dig