physiological and Nutritional Value of (Tabaldi) Adansonia digitata Seed Cake as Ruminants Feed

Abstract

This study was carried out at the Experimental Farm of the College of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, Sudan University of Science and Technology at Hillat Kuku. The objective of this study was to evaluate Tabaldi seed cake (TSC) physiologically and nutritionally; through proximate analysis, in situ ruminal degradability of Dry Matter (DM)and crude protein (CP) was performed for TSC , Groundnut cake (GNC) and Sesame seed cake (SSC)).Rations containing TSC at 4 levels (0%,5%,10% and 15%) were fed to ruminants to assess their effect on feedlot performance , rumen environment and some blood constituents.. TSC showed lower CP (12.48%) and ME (5.7MjKg) content and higher fiber content than GNC and SSC. TSC registered a lower disappearance rate and degradability characteristics of dry matter and crude protein than those of GNC and SSC. In situ rumen degradability of DM and CP was performed with rumen fistulated steers with the three cakes were incubated in the rumen of for 0, 6,12, 24, 36, 48, 72 and 96 h . TSC registered ,for both the DM and CP , the lowest disappearance rate and degradability characteristics i.e. soluble fraction (a) ,potentially degradable insoluble fraction (b) , potential degradation (a+b) ,the rate of degradation of b(c) and effective rumen degradability at three ruminal flow rates (0.02/hr , 0.05/h and 0.08/hr). Twenty-four male Nubian goats kids, with an average weight of 10 kgs, were used to study the feedlot performance ,rumen ecosystem and blood analysis. The animal fed rations containing 10% TSC registered the highest total weight gain/head (Kg) ,daily weight gain(g/day) , daily feed intake(kg/day), total feed intake/head (Kg) and the best feed conversion ratio.(FCR) .Animals fed rations containing 15% TSC suffered from diarrhoea at the end of the experiment and registered significantly lower total weight gain/head (Kg). daily weight gain(g/day) , daily feed intake(kg/day), total feed intake/head (Kg) and higher FCR than the other groups. Rumen environment parameters (pH, NH3, VFAs and Bacterial count) were not affected significantly with the ration except of the rumen pH at 6hrs after feeding was 4.83±0.15 _5.40 ±0.01 was registered by the lowest value was registered by animals fed ration containing 0% TSC and the highest value was registered by animals fed ration 10% TSC The animal fed rations containing 5% TSC registered the highest RBCs×(106/ml), Hb (mg/dl) and P.C.V. (%). Animals fed rations containing 15% TSC registered the lower values. leukocyte parameters were not affected significantly with the rations except Neutrophil (%) was32.21±9.61- 35.14±5.86 the lowest value was registered by ix Animals fed ration containing 10% TSC and the highest value was registered by the control group (0% TSC). Albumen (g/dl), creatinin (mg/dl), T. billirubin (g/dl) and D. billirubin (g/dl) values were not affected significantly with the rations. The control group showed significantly higher values for Total Protein (g/dl), AST (units/l) and A LP (units/l) than the other groups. The animal fed rations containing 15% TSC registered Lower values for Total Protein (g/dl), ALT (units/l), AST (units/l) and A LP (units/l). It is concluded that TSC can be incorporated in Nubian goat kids up to 10% to improve their feed intake, body weight gain and feed conversion ratio without any ill signs. Strategic planning and effective implementation are recommended for efficient utilization of indigenous fruit trees in livestock feeding.