Supplementation of Aloe vera extract in lactating goats' diet: effects on rumen fermentation efficiency, nutrient utilization, lactation performance, and antioxidant status.

The present work was conducted to investigate the effects of supplementing Aloe vera extract on rumen fermentation efficiency, nutrient utilization, lactation performance, and antioxidant status of goats. Twenty-four crossbreed lactating goats (Alpine × Beetal) were divided into three experimental groups (AV0, AV2, and AV4). AV0 had no supplementation, groups AV2 and AV4 received ready to feed aqueous extract of Aloe vera at 20 and 40 g/kg dry matter intake, respectively, along with basal diet and experiment lasted for 100 days. Average DMI did not vary (P > 0.05) among treatment groups; however, the metabolic bodyweight of AV4 was significantly lower (P < 0.05) than the AV0 and AV2 groups (AV0 = AV2 > AV4). Intake and digestibility of DM, OM, CP, NDF, ADF, and EE were unaffected (P > 0.05) by Aloe vera supplementation. The milk production, yield of milk fat, protein, lactose, and solid not fat (SNF) of goats in the AV4 group were significantly higher (P < 0.05) than other groups (AV4 > AV2 = AV0). The activity of superoxide dismutase and catalase enzymes and levels of plasma ferric reducing total antioxidant power were high (P < 0.01) in the Aloe vera supplemented group (AV4 = AV2 > AV0). There was no significant difference (P = 0.979) in the pH, acetic acid (P = 0.449), and butyric acid (P = 0.864) concentration of the rumen liquor among the treatment groups. The propionic acid concentration was similar between AV2 and AV4 and significantly higher (P = 0.024) than the AV0 group (AV4 = AV2 > AV0). Moreover, C2:C3 values were significantly lower (P = 0.037) in the AV4 group compared to the control (AV0). Thus, Aloe vera supplementation enhanced milk yield, propionic acid production, and antioxidant status without affecting nutrient utilization; however, results were better in the AV4 group. The inclusion of Aloe vera at 40 g/kg of DMI would improve the rumen fermentation efficiency, lactation performance, and overall health status of the dairy goats.

Synbiotic formulation of Cichorium intybus root powder with Lactobacillus acidophilus NCDC15 and Lactobacillus reuteri BFE7 improves growth performance in Murrah buffalo calves via altering selective gut health indices.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of synbiotic formulation of Cichorium intybus root powder (C) with Lactobacillus acidophilus NCDC15 (LA) and Lactobacillus reuteri BFE7 (LR) on growth performance in Murrah buffalo calves via monitoring selective gut health indices. Twenty-four Murrah buffalo calves of 5-7 days old and 33 ± 2.0 kg of body weight were distributed randomly into three groups adopting complete randomized design (CRD) as follows: (1) group I served as control (CON) provided with a basal diet alone; (2) group II supplemented with synbiotic formulation of 200 mL L. acidophilus NCDC15 fermented milk with 8 g of Cichorium intybus root powder (LAC) along with basal diet; (3) group III supplemented with synbiotic formulation of 200 mL L. reuteri BFE7 fermented milk with 8 g of Cichorium intybus root powder (LRC) along with basal diet. The final body weight (BW), average dry matter intake (DMI) and structural body measurements were significantly increased (P < 0.05) in LAC and LRC groups by synbiotic as compared to the CON. No effect was registered on apparent nutrient digestibility coefficient of various nutrients in supplemented groups. Faecal score was reduced by the supplementation of synbiotic being lowest in LRC followed by LAC and CON. Calves supplemented synbiotic showed lower (P < 0.05) faecal pH and ammonia with a concomitant increase in faecal lactate levels and faecal short chain fatty acids (SCFA) as compared to control. The faecal Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium population was increased (P < 0.05) in synbiotic fed groups as compared to control. Additionally, coliform and clostridia count was decreased (P < 0.05) in treatment groups compared to CON. Overall, it may be concluded that synbiotic supplementation was effective in improving the growth performance in Murrah buffalo calves via altering selective gut health indices.