الفهرس | Only 14 pages are availabe for public view |
Abstract Five indigenous castrated kids having nearly the same age (10 - 12 M) and weight (15.5 kg), were used in four experiments (eight trials) to examme the way in which goats adapt their Ca & P metabolism in response to changes in the dietary intake of both elements ranging from grossly deficient (LCaLP, 0.10%, Ca & 0.16% P) to more than adequate (HCaHP, 0.82% Ca & 0.53% P). Besides, serum concentration ofCa, P & Mg were determined. In addition, food intake, body gain and digestibility of various nutrients of the experimental diets were also investigated. The animals were fed a balanced control ration for 3 weeks, then were divided into 2 groups (A & B of 3/A and 2IB). Individual metabolism cages were designed to separate the urine and faeces as they were voided. The kids were fed the experimental diets for 4 weeks as preliminary period followed by a 8-day collection period during which faeces and urine of the animals were separately collected and prepared for chemical analyses, besides, determination of Ca, P & Mg content. Along the experiments, blood samples were collected at the beginning of the adaptation period and then at weekly intervals for the determination of serum Ca, P & Mg concentrations. For each trial, the animals were weighed every fortnight and the body gain was recorded and the average daily food intake during the collection period was also recorded. Eight test diets varying in their Ca & P levels were formulated to contain the recommended amounts of DE, CP, Mg & Vitamin D, acceding the tables of NRC (1981) for goats. The common salt, mineral mixture and vitamin. |