EFFECTS OF BICARBONATE ON RUMEN DEGRADABILITY OF CONCENTRATE AND GRASS HAY IN ANGORA-GOATS

Three rumen-fistulated Angora goats were used to assess the effects of NaHCO3 on rumen degradability and fermentation of concentrates and grass hay in Angora goats. Animals were fed a basal diet (1) (30% concentrates and 70% grass hay); basal diet supplemented with 1.34% (2) or 3.35% (3) NaHCO3 using a 3X3 Latin square design with 15-d periods. The 24-h dry matter loss (DML), potential degradability (a+b) and rate of degradation (k) values of concentrates and grass hay were highest for 3.35% NaHCO3 followed by 1.34% and 0% NaHCO3 (P<0.01). Addition of 3.35% NaHCO3 had the highest effect on the (a+b) values of concentrate and grass hay. Differences in the (a+b) and k values between diets 1,2 and diets 1,3 were significant (P<0.01). The asymptotic values (a+b) and k values of grass hay and concentrate for diet 2 were higher than for diet 3 (P<0.02). Ruminal total VFA, NH3-N concentration and pH of rumen fluid were increased with increasing levels of NaHCO3. The two graded levels of NaHCO3 resulted in higher (P<0.01) rumen NH3-N and total VFA concentration 2 h after feeding compared with 0 level. Also higher (P<0.01) ruminal pH values were observed with the 1.34 to 3.35% levels. Addition of NaHCO3 at 1.34 to 3.35% may be beneficial, in practice, for Angora goat production.