INFLUENCE OF VARYING LEVELS OF DIETARY PROTEIN AND PROPORTIONS OF RUMEN DEGRADABLE PROTEIN ON NUTRIENT UTILIZATION IN PREGNANT CROSSBRED GOATS

Abstract

Fifteen crossbred goats (Alpine x Beetai) were divided into 3 groups of 5 each. Groups I and II werefed 100% CP requirements with 77:30 and 60:40 ratio of RDP: UDP, respectively. Group III was offered 25% less CP (RDP;UDP Patio of 60:40) as compared to groups I and II. All the groups were provided isoenergetic rations. The feeding of experimental diets was started at least one month prior to the onset of breeding season and was continued throughovt pregnancy. A 5-d metabolism trial was conducted on all goats in the fifth montt of their gestation. DM intake (kg/100 kg B.W) averaged 3.04±0.04, 2.78±0.02 and 2.60±0.04 in group I, II and III, respectively and differed significantly (P<0.91) among groups Digestibility of DM and OM was lowest in group I. Digestibility of EE, ADF and NFE was found to be maximum in group II whereas CP digestibility was similar in all the groups. Net nitrogen balance was highest (7.24±0.27) In group II followed by groups I (5.69±0.25) and III (3.28±0.12) respectively indicating a significant relationship between dietary CP content and RDP:UDP with N utilization in pregnant goats.