Effect of feeding cauliflower leaf meal on blood-biochemical, immunity status and carcass characteristics of growing goat kids

Abstract

An experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of feeding cauliflower leaf meal (CLM) on blood biochemical, immunity status and carcass characteristics of growing goat kids. Fifteen male non-descript goat kids of 6-8 months of age were divided equally into three groups (T0, T1 and T2). T0 group was fed with basal diet and T1 and T2 group were fed with 20 and 30% CLM in concentrate mixture for 120 days. The Hb, PCV, DLC, TLC, albumin, globulin, total protein, A:G ratio, Ca, P, Urea N and glucose levels were comparable among all groups of goat kids. However, total cholesterol was significantly lower in T1 and T2 group. The enzymatic profile including ALT, AST and ASP levels were comparable among all groups of kids. The serum antioxidants such as glutathione peroxidase and catalase were significantly higher in T2 group as compared to T1 and control group without affecting superoxide dismutase level. The thyroid hormones were non-significant among all groups of kids. The humoral and cell mediated immunity was improved in CLM fed group of kids. The carcass characteristics and meat composition were comparable among all groups of kids while TBAR value was lower in T2 group. Therefore, it may be concluded from the study that 20-30% CLM in concentrate mixture reduces the total cholesterol level, increases serum catalase and glutathione peroxidase level and improved keeping quality of meat, cell mediated and humoral immunity status of growing goat kids.