Evaluation of different ratios of neutral detergent-soluble carbohydrate fractions on performance, ingestive behavior, and nitrogen balance in dairy goats.

Cell components soluble in neutral detergent are a diverse group, both compositionally and nutritionally. The present study aimed to evaluate production responses, behavior (eating, ruminating, and idling), and nitrogen balance of dairy goats fed different ratios of neutral detergent-soluble carbohydrate fractions. Five multiparous Alpine does with mean ± SD initial body mass of 49.5 ± 7.9 kg and 60 days of lactation were randomly assigned in a 5 × 5 Latin square design. The treatments were the ratios of starch (starch associated with soluble sugar [StSS]) to neutral detergent-soluble fiber (NDSF) (StSS:NDSF): 0.89, 1.05, 1.24, 1.73, and 2.92. No effect was observed (P > 0.05) of StSS:NDSF on the intakes of neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and NDSC. However, DM intake showed a quadratic behavior (P = 0.049). The ingestive behavior was affected by StSS:NDSF linearly increased (P = 0.002) the feeding efficiency. The increase in StSS:NDSF caused a linear increase in fecal (P = 0.011), urinary (P < 0.001), and milk nitrogen excretion (P = 0.024). The increase in StSS:NDSF affected (P = 0.048) milk yield and net energy lactation (P = 0.036). In conclusion, dairy goats experience reduced dry matter intake and milk yield when subjected to high-NDSC diets, specifically those above 1.24 StSS:NDSF ratio. Elevated NDSC levels in the diets lead to decreased feeding time, whereas rumination remains unaffected. Nitrogen losses in goats increase linearly with high-NDSC diets, and a significant impact on nitrogen balance.

Conjugated linoleic acid in the maternal diet differentially enhances growth and cortical spreading depression in the rat progeny.

BACKGROUND: Conjugated linoleic acids (CLA) are fatty acids that are found in the lipids from goat milk, and appear to protect neurons from excitotoxicity. METHODS: We investigated in developing rats the effects of a maternal CLA-rich diet (containing 7% lipids from goat milk) on body development and cerebral electrical activity of the progeny from dams receiving the CLA diet during gestation (G), lactation (L) or both periods (G+L). RESULTS: Compared to a control group (C) receiving a diet with 7% soybean oil, body weight increased at 14, 21 and 28 days, but not at 35-45 days, in L and G+L groups (P<0.05). No intergroup difference was found on body and brain weights, body length, abdominal and thoracic circumferences, body mass index and abdominal to thoracic circumference ratio at 35-45 days. In contrast, at this later age the CSD velocities of propagation were significantly higher (P<0.05) in L as compared with the C and G group, and in the L+G, as compared with the C, G and L groups, suggesting a long-lasting brain effect. CONCLUSION: These data indicate that a maternal CLA-rich diet can differentially influence body weight increment (short-term effect), and CSD propagation (long-term effect) in the progeny, and the lactation is the most critical period for such diet actions. GENERAL SIGNIFICANCE: The facilitating effect of the lipids from goat milk on an excitability-related phenomenon in the brain (CSD) can be of clinical relevance, since CSD has been associated to neurological disturbances like migraine and epilepsy.