Effect of Bypass Fat and Bypass Protein Supplementation During Transition Period on Reproductive Performance of Assam Hill Goat

The present study was undertaken to evaluate the response of Assam Hill Goat (AHG) in terms of their productive and reproductive performances upon bypass fat and bypass protein supplementation during the transition period. Twenty-four AHG in transition period (21day prepartum to 21day post-partum) were divided into two equal groups (n=12) viz. T-0 and T-1; where Group T-1 was supplemented with 10 g of bypass fat and 5 g of bypass protein along with their normal diet for a period of 42 days. Group T-0 acted as control and was provided with a normal diet without any supplementation. Blood samples were collected on day -21, -14, -7, 0 (day of kidding), +7, +14 and +21 of the transition period for haemato-biochemical studies. Birth weight, milk yield and time taken for expulsion of foetus and foetal membrane and incidences of peri-partum diseases were recorded. The results indicated that, the supplementation had no significant effect on haematological parameters (TLC, Neutrophil count and Hb), serum Ca, P, glucose, globulin and GGT activity. Serum non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA) levels were significantly (p<0.05) lower in supplemented groups on the day of kidding (0.75±0.09 mmol/L) and day 21 of postpartum (0.38±0.04 mmol/L). Significantly (p<0.05) higher mean values of total protein on day -14, -7, 0, 7, 14 and 21 (6.96±0.21, 6.99±0.25, 7.02±0.26, 7.24±0.28, 7.03±0.12 and 6.95±0.15 g/dL) and serum albumin values on day -14, 7 and 21 (4.46±0.23, 4.69±0.23 and 4.44±0.27 g/dL) were recorded in T-1 group. Significantly (p<0.05) lower mean values of BUN were recorded in T-1 group on day 0, 7 and 21 (30.25±1.74, 35.62±1.58 and 42.08±1.45 mg/dL). The supplemented (T–1) group recorded significantly higher milk yield (303.5±21.16, 306.25±19.67 and 310.75±23.93 ml) on day 14, 21 and 28 after kidding and there was a significant (p<0.05) reduction in time taken for the expulsion of foetus (89.75±11.84 mins) and foetal membranes (90.50±5.86 mins). The supplementation of bypass fat (10g/day) and bypass protein (5 g/day) during the transition period reduce the effect of negative energy balance and facilitate quicker recovery from negative energy balance along with improvement in milk yield and reduce time taken for expulsion of foetus and foetal membrane.