ABSTRACT
Thirty Damascus does aged 1.5-2 years and weighed 45.7±1.64 kg were used to define the influence of L-carnitine or Coenzyme Q10 supplementation on reproductive performance, milk yield and composition, microbiological analysis in addition to changes in some blood metabolites during late pregnancy and lactation periods of Damascus does. Does were randomly divided into three equal groups (10 each and، fed basal ration according to NRC (1981). The first group (G1) fed basal ration composed of 60% concentrate, feed mixture (CFM) plus 20% clover hay and 20% rice straw and served as control. The treatment groups fed the same basal ration with daily supplement of 40 mg L-carnitine/kg LBW (G2) and 40 mg Coenzyme Q10/kg LBW (G3).
Results indicated that both treated groups, during late pregnancy and suckling periods, showed improve in fecundity, prolificacy, reproductive ability, kids born per does joined, kids born or weaned per does kidded and kg born and weaned per doe kidded, taking in consideration that the flock have history of high mortality rates and still births which indicated in the values presented for the control group.
The L-carnitine supplement reduced mortality rate of kids (from 43% to 15%) from birth to weaning period, while CoQ10 made little reduction (40%) compared to control group.
Daily milk yield of both treated groups were significantly higher than control group (G1). Fat, protein and lactose percentages for both treated groups also were significantly (P≤0.05) higher compared to the control group. Counts of total bacterial count in milk were lower in treated groups than the control group along the storage times (fresh, 24 and 72 hours) during suckling period.
Either L-carnitine or CoQ10 supplement led to a significant increase in both birth and weaning weights and daily gain of kids. The best weights occurred with L-carnitine.
L-carnitine or CoQ10 supplementation significantly (P<0.05) increased blood total protein, albumin, glucose, AST, total antioxidant (TAC). The concentration of cholesterol, urea and creatinine decreased as results of L-carnitine or co-enzyme treatment while blood urea significantly increased with CoQ10 only during late pregnancy and lactation periods as compared to the control does.1