Effects of substituting Leucaena (Leucaena leucocephala) as roughage source on digestibility, blood metabolites and ruminal fermentation in growing goat

Abstract

Abstract This study aimed to assess the effects of three levels of inclusion (0, 50, and 100%) of Leucaena (Leucaena leucocephala) as roughage sources on growing goats. Feed nutrient digestibility, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), blood glucose (BG), and ammonia nitrogen concentration (NH3-N) of goats were measured. The results showed that the control and the 50% Leucaena in roughage groups had higher DM, OM, NDF, and ADF digestibility than the 100% Leucaena group. The digestibility of CP in goats fed with 50 and 100% of Leucaena in roughage was significantly (P<0.05) higher than goats in the control group. The values of pH, NH3-N, and BG of all treatments were not significantly different. The ruminal NH3-N concentration did was not changed with different proportions of Leucaena leaf, ranged between 24.98-26.52 mg/dL. The BUN and BG concentrations in this trial were within the physiological range of goats. Results of this study concluded that substitution of grass by Leucaena up to 50% enhanced DM, CP and fiber digestibility but total substitution reduced nutrient digestibility (except CP). However, substitution at both levels did not affect blood metabolites and ruminal fermentation of growing goat.