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Selection for nutrients by pregnant goats on a microphyll desert scrub

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  14 January 2011

M. Mellado ,
C. N. Aguilar ,
J. R. Arévalo ,
A. Rodríguez ,
J. E. García  and
J. Mellado
M. Mellado*
Affiliation:
Department of Animal Nutrition, Agrarian Autonomous University Antonio Narro, Saltillo 25315, Mexico
C. N. Aguilar
Affiliation:
Department of Food Science and Technology, School of Chemistry, Universidad Autónoma de Coahuila, Saltillo, 25280, Coahuila, México
J. R. Arévalo
Affiliation:
Department of Parasitology, Ecology and Genetics, University of La Laguna, 38207, La Laguna, Spain
A. Rodríguez
Affiliation:
Department of Animal Nutrition, Agrarian Autonomous University Antonio Narro, Saltillo 25315, Mexico
J. E. García
Affiliation:
Department of Animal Nutrition, Agrarian Autonomous University Antonio Narro, Saltillo 25315, Mexico
J. Mellado
Affiliation:
Department of Animal Nutrition, Agrarian Autonomous University Antonio Narro, Saltillo 25315, Mexico
*
†E-mail: [email protected]
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Abstract

The behavioral consequences of pregnancy in goats were studied to test the hypothesis that pregnant females on rangeland select a diet richer in nutrients once the demands of gestation increase, and that nutrient content in goat diets changes with the grazing season. A total of 12 mature mixed breed goats either pregnant (n = 6) or non-pregnant (n = 6) were used during the dry period (February to May). Dietary samples obtained from the oral cavity of grazing goats (restrained with a short light rope permanently tightened around their neck) were used for chemical analyses. Across months, pregnant goats selected diets higher (P < 0.01) in crude protein (CP) than non-pregnant goats; this nutrient did not meet the requirements of late gestating goats. Pregnant goats made use of less (P < 0.01) fibrous feeds than non-pregnant goats. In order to cope with changing nutrient demands for pregnancy, goats adjusted their diet by increasing the selection of plants with 32% higher calcium content compared to forages selected by non-pregnant goats. The physiological state of goats did not alter the levels of phosphorus (P), magnesium (Mg) and sodium (Na) in their diets; these minerals were adequate to meet the demands of pregnancy. There were no effects of physiological state on concentrations of copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), manganese (Mn) and iron (Fe) in the goat diets during the dry season, with levels adequate for sustainability of pregnancy. Pregnant goats did not seek forages lower in tannins, alkaloids, saponins and terpenes. It was concluded that to cope with increasing pregnancy costs, goats adjusted their diets increasing selection of forages or plant parts with high nutritional value to maximize their net nutrient budget.

Keywords

reproductive statusnutrient selectiontanninsalkaloidsminerals
Type
Full Paper
Information
animal , Volume 5 , Issue 6 , June 2011 , pp. 972 - 979
Copyright
Copyright © The Animal Consortium 2011

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