Journal
ITALIAN JOURNAL OF ANIMAL SCIENCE
Volume 21, Issue 1, Pages 782-791Publisher
TAYLOR & FRANCIS LTD
DOI: 10.1080/1828051X.2021.1968772
Keywords
Stocking density; growth; rumen fermentation; immune; goats; stress
Funding
- Chinese Key Research and Development Program [2018YFD0501605, 2016YFD0500507]
- Science and Technology Support Program of Hubei Province [2014BBA205]
- Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities [2662018PY079]
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The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of different stocking densities on Matou goats. The results showed that high stocking density resulted in a decrease in growth, digestive and immune function of Matou goats.
The objective of this study was to examine the effects of different stocking densities on Matou goats. Thirty-six female Matou goats were randomly assigned into three experimental treatments including the low density (LD, 0.67 goat/m(2)), the medium density (MD, 1 goat/m(2)) and the high density (HD, 2 goats/m(2)) group. Compared with LD group, the average daily weight gain (ADG) of HD group decreased (p < .05). The length of duodenal and ileal villi in HD group was significantly lower than that in LD group (p < .05). The rumen pH and concentration of total volatile fatty acid (VFA), propionate butyrate and ammonia-nitrogen increased in HD group (p < .05). The acetate/propionate ratio was the highest in MD group (p < .05). The mRNA expression level of agouti-related protein gene (AgRP) in hypothalamus of LD was higher than that in HD group (p < 0.05). Proopiomelanocortin (POMC) mRNA expression level was the highest in MD group (p<.05) and the lowest in HD group (p < .05). An increase in growth hormone receptor (GHR), insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF1) and claudin-1 mRNA expression level were noticed in HD group (p<.05). Compared with LD group, the serum total protein (TP), albumin (Alb), globulin (Glb) IgA and IgG levels in HD group decreased (p < .05). Glucocorticoid (GCS), beta-endorphin (beta-EP) and cortisol levels in serum were also significantly increased in HD group compared with LD group (p < .05). These results showed that stocking density affected rumen environment and high stocking density resulted in a decrease in growth, digestive and immune function of Matou goats.
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