Abstract

NOGUEIRA, D.M. et al. Effect of alimentary regimes on body weight and reproductive parameters of native goats. Arch. zootec. [online]. 2011, vol.60, n.232, pp.1339-1342. ISSN 1885-4494.  https://dx.doi.org/10.4321/S0004-05922011000400052.

This work aimed to evaluate the effect of different alimentary regimes on the dry matter intake, corporal weight variation and reproductive parameters of goats raised in the semi-arid region of Northeastern Brazil. Fifty-six goats were distributed into four treatments: diet 1) caatinga and palm forage; diet 2) caatinga, palm forage and concentrate; diet 3) buffel grass and palm forage; diet 4) buffel grass, palm forage and concentrate. It was observed greater (p<0.05) total weight gain and daily weight gain in the goats which were under buffel grass pasture or caatinga receiving supplementation with palm forage and concentrate. The alimentary regimes promoted the weight gain up to 16 g/animal/day during the dry season. The reproductive performance was not influenced (p>0.05) by the alimentary regimes. In conclusion, diets receiving supplementation with palm forage and concentrate increased the goat's weight gain; however, it did not affect the estrus behavior, parturition rate or prolificity of these females.

Keywords : Estral cycle; Fertility.

        · abstract in Portuguese     · text in Portuguese     · Portuguese ( pdf )