Nutrient utilization and rumen fluid characteristics of West African Dwarf buck fed diets containing varied levels of sodium bicarbonate

Abstract

A 63 day study was conducted to investigate the effects of sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO₃) on nutrient utilization and rumen fermentation characteristics of West African Dwarf goats. A total of fifteen (15) West African Dwarf (WAD) goats were randomly assigned to the five dietary treatments with each of the treatments replicated three times such that each of the replicate had one goat in a completely randomized design. A basal diet was formulated and divided into five equal portions with sodium bicarbonate supplemented at 0.00kg, 0.50kg, 1.00kg, 1.50kg and 2.00kg to 100.00kg to represent Diet 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 respectively. All data collected were subjected to one-way analysis of variance with the aid of SPSS and the means were compared using Duncan's Multiple Range Test at 5% significant level. Observed results showed that the chemical composition of the diets was not statistically (P> 0.05) significant for most of the parameters measured except for Ash content (P< 0.05). The nutrient digestibility profile was statistically (P< 0.05) significant in DM, CP, CF, EE, NDF and ADF respectively. Volatile fatty acid profile and total microbial count profiles were also statistically (P< 0.05) significant in most of the parameters measured except for NH₃-N and protozoa count (P> 0.05), respectively. The major bacteria isolates identified were Streptococcus faecalis and Bacteroides ruminicola. It was concluded that the supplementation of sodium bicarbonate up to 2kg/100g in the diets of WAD bucks had no detrimental effect but significantly enhanced the microbial environment with an increase in the population of cellulolytic and proteolytic bacteria necessary for fiber digestion.