EFFECT OF TANNINS IN COMMONLY FED FODDERS ON NUTRIENT AVAILABILITY IN GOATS
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Date
1994
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COLLEGE OF VETERINARY AND ANIMAL SCIENCE,MANNUTHY
Abstract
The effect of nature and level of tannins in tree
leaves on nutrient utilisation in animals was investigated
using six adult non producing Saanen x Malabari female
goats. Four commonly fed tree leaves viz., subabul, jack,
venga and banana leaves selected on the basis of their
tannin contents as well as the palatability and local
availability were used for the feeding experiments. The
experimental animals were maintained on the respective
fodders as the sole feed, each for a period of about one
month under identical managemental conditions. A digestion
cum metabolism trial was carried out at the end of each
feeding experiment. The data on body weight, average dry
matter intake, digestibility coefficients of nutrients,
balance of nitrogen, calcium and phosphorus and
haematological values gathered during the experimental
period were taken as the criteria for evaluating the effect
of tannins on nutrient availability in goats.
The total tannin content in the different tree leaves
studied ranged from 2.6 to 7.8 percent, with condensed
tannins predominating in majority of the fodders.
The average dry matter consumption (g/ kg metabolic
live weight) of goats when fed jack and subabul leaves with
4.0 percent and 5.5 percent total tannins respectively on
dry matter basis were higher than when fed venga and banana
leaves with 4.7 and 3.7 percent respectively of the same.
The digestibility coefficients of dry matter, crude
protein, crude fibre, ether extract and nitrogen free
extract in banana leaves with the lowest level of total and
condensed tannins (3.7 percent and 1.6 percent respectively)
were higher than in jac^:, subabul and venga leaves, the
differences between the various leaves in this regard being
not statistically significant, excepting for nitrogen free
extract.
Though all the experimental animals maintained positive
balances for nitrogen, the average nitrogen balance (g per
day) was higher in goats fed jack leaves when compared to
those given subabul, venga and banana leaves as the sole
feed.
The animals fed all the four fodders maintained
positive balances for calcium, the balance in goats fed
subabul being significantly higjier than those given the
other fodders.
Though a negative phosphorus balance was recorded in
goats fed subabul and venga leaves, the animals on jack and
j
banana leaves as the sole fodder maintained positive
balances for phosphorus.
The haematological constituents Viz., haemoglobin,
plasma protein, calcium and phosphorus in goats fed the four
fodders were all well within the normal ranges for the
species.
A critical assessment of the overall results obtained
during the course of the present study indicates that even a
level of upto 5.5 percent of total tannins and 3.4 percent
of condensed tannins in tree leaves does not appear to exert
any deleterious effect on feed consumption and nutrient
utilisation in goats.
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