Effect of Tea (Camellia sinensis) Seed Saponin Supplementation on Growth Performance, Nutrient Utilization, Microbial Protein Synthesis and Hemato- Biochemical Attributes of Gaddi Goats

An experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of feeding tea seed saponin in oat fodder based diet on intake, growth performance, nutrient utilization, microbial protein synthesis and hemato-biochemical attributes of Gaddi goats in a 90 days feeding experiment. Eighteen male goats (6 to 7 months old and 17.70±0.75 kg body weight) were divided into three groups of six in each, as T0 (control), T1 and T2 in a completely randomized design. The animals in T0 were fed a basal diet containing concentrate mixture and oat fodder, while the animals in T1 and T2 groups were fed with same ration supplemented with tea seed saponin (TSS) on alternate days at the dose level of 0.4% and 0.8% of DMI, respectively. All animals were fed for a growth rate of 60 g/d. Daily feed intake and weekly body weight changes of each animal were recorded. A metabolism trial of six days duration was conducted. Dry matter, organic matter, NDF, ADF and cellulose digestibilities were though comparable in between T0 and T1, were significantly lower in T2 (P<0.05). Though digestible crude protein (g/kg diet) was comparable, TDN (g/kg diet) was significantly (P<0.05) lower in T2. A trend of lower urinary N excretion, higher N balance and microbial N supply were observed in TSS supplemented groups (T1 and T2) as compared to T0. Average daily gain was highest in T1 (75.56g) followed by T0 (61.78g)and was lowest in T2 (58.78g). The TSS supplementation did not change the levels of Hb, PCV, total protein, albumin, globulin, blood urea nitrogen, bilirubin and creatinine. However, saponin supplementation significantly (P<0.05) decreased triglyceride and increased HDL cholesterol levels. Thus, it may be concluded that TSS may be supplemented on alternate days at the level of 0.4% of DMI to improve growth rate, microbial protein synthesis and to favourably modify lipid profile in Gaddi goats.