Effect of live yeast culture on body weight during pregnancy in Barbari goats

Abstract

Eighteen pregnant Barbari goats of similar age and parity were divided into two equal groups of nine each, one group received control diet (T1), while another group of goats (T2) supplemented probiotic culture (Saccharomyces cerevisiae, @ 1.5×109 cfu/goat/day). DMI, CPI and CP percentage in the total diet were similar between two groups. Body weight (kg) at 50 days, at 95 days of pregnancy and before kidding were also statistically similar between two groups. However, percentage increase of weight at 50 days, 95 days of pregnancy and weight before kidding was found marginally higher in yeast (S. cerevisiae) supplemented group (T2) than non supplemented T1. Percentage increase of weight before kidding was 47.72 in T1 and 52.09 in T2, thereby, supplementation of probiotics resulted 4.37% higher weight gain during pregnancy in multiparous Barbari goats. However, the difference was statistically similar between T1 and T2 groups. Daily weight gain due to pregnancy increased; however, the difference was similar. Therefore, the results of body weight changes in pregnant Barbari goats revealed that there was a tendency of higher weight gain during pregnancy due to yeast culture (S. cerevisiae) supplementation, but the differences failed to reach the level of significance.