Effect of vitamin A and grazing in some physiological characters and milk production of Meriz does

Abstract

The current study was aimed to investigate the influence of Vitamin A- Palmitate injection and grazing on some physiological and biochemical characters, milk yield and its compositions. Twenty eight Meriz does (2 years aged) after parturition with average body weight 22.57 ± 0.47 Kg, and were randomly assigned into 4 groups (7 does/group) treated for 3 months as following: 1st group does were reared on standard ration and injected with 0.05 ml of physiological saline i.m weekly, 2nd and 4th groups, does were reared on standard ration and injected with vitamin A- Palmitate (50000 IU/doe weekly) as well as grazing for 6 hrs. daily for the does in 4th group, 3rd group does were reared on standard ration with 6hrs grazing /daily. Results showed a significant increase in Hb and PCV in 4th group at 1st, 2nd and 3rd month of treatment. ESR significantly increased in 4th group at 3rd month of treatment, also serum glucose level increased significantly in 2nd and 4th groups at all months of the study, while serum cholesterol level decreased significantly in 4th group at 2nd and 3rd months of treatment. Triglyceride increased at 3rd month in all treatments as compared with control, total protein and albumin increased significantly in 2nd, 3rd and 4th groups at 2nd and 3rd months of treatment. A significant increase in milk yield and fat% were recorded in 2nd, 3rd and 4th treatments in most kidding weeks. Conclusion, results showed that vitamin A and grazing improved some of physiological, biochemical, body weight and milk yield in Meriz goats.