ABSTRACT
The objective of this study was to determine the effect of dietary calcium soaps from garlic (Allium sativum) and willow (Salix babylonica) extracts on nematode loads, nutrient intake and digestibility, nitrogen balance and rumen fermentation kinetics in dairy goats. Nine adult non-lactating Saanen goats were grouped into a complete randomized block design with 3 treatments (n = 3) over a period of 28 d. Animals were fed a diet based on alfalfa hay and a concentrate that was supplemented (65 g/kg DM) with calcium soaps of safflower (control), garlic or willow. Intake of dry matter (DM), organic matter (OM) and neutral detergent fiber (NDF) were not affected by dietary calcium soaps. However, the highest digestibility of DM and OM were observed in willow supplemented goats. In vitro gas kinetics and fermentation profile were not affected by diets. Results from fecal egg count indicated a reduction in total count, Haemonchus spp. and Trychostrongylus spp. for both garlic and willow compared to control. Our results suggest that calcium soaps of garlic or willow extracts can be used to reduce gastrointestinal parasites in goats without compromising productive traits or rumen function.
Subject(s)
Animal Feed , Diet , Digestion , Fermentation , Garlic , Goats , Nitrogen , Plant Extracts , Rumen , Salix , Animals , Goats/physiology , Garlic/chemistry , Salix/chemistry , Rumen/parasitology , Rumen/metabolism , Digestion/drug effects , Nitrogen/metabolism , Female , Plant Extracts/pharmacology , Animal Feed/analysis , Diet/veterinary , Goat Diseases/parasitology , Goat Diseases/prevention & control , Dietary Supplements , Nematoda/drug effects , Nutrients , Feces/parasitology , Feces/chemistry , Parasite Egg Count/veterinary , Animal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena , CalciumABSTRACT
This article is based on qualitative analysis of interviews and focus groups conducted with participants enrolled in the Senior Programme of the University of Lleida, the City Council of Lleida, and care homes, as well as professional workers in the field of gerontology and related areas. It presents the analysis of interviews focused on the participants' life trajectories, ageing, creativity, self-perception, and quality of life. The study aimed to examine how creativity influences the maintenance and improvement of a sense of wellbeing in older adults, and to reflect on how the perception of old age and of oneself changes through creative activity and active engagement across the life span. The article is framed within a new concept in sociology and the social sciences-'profiguration', which is the key element in the promotion and strengthening of intergenerational interdependence, education, wellbeing, social participation, and active ageing.