Effect of bulk feeds (alfalfa hay, corn silage) on the metabolism and liver parameters of growing geese.
Rearing experiments were conducted with a total of 90 liver hybrid geese from Babat, divided into three groups of 30 birds each. The effect exerted by all-concentrate feeding (group 1), concentrate feeding supplemented with alfalfa hay (group 2) or with corn silage (group 3) ad libitum on the blood glucose level, blood plasma total lipid, total cholesterol and free fatty acid level, and on total lipid content of the liver was studied. In addition, aspartate aminotransferase (AST) activity of the blood plasma and carotene, vitamin A and vitamin E concentration of the blood plasma and the liver were determined. It was found that the blood and liver parameters of goose groups fed different diets changed within the physiological limits typical of the species. Excessive fibre intake resulted in reduced lipid transport within the organism at an unchanged plasma cholesterol level; at the same time, blood glucose level remained unchanged. Ad libitum feeding of alfalfa hay and corn silage enhanced carotene and vitamin A transport and carotene storage but did not affect the transport of vitamin E. The results confirm earlier data of the literature that beta-carotene and vitamin A together impair vitamin E metabolism.
Vetési
M
M
Department of Animal Nutrition, University of Agricultural Sciences, Gödöllö, Hungary.
Mézes
M
M
Gaál
T
T
Baskay
G
G
D000821:Animal Feed; D000818:Animals; D004043:Dietary Fiber / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D005777:Geese / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism*; D050356:Lipid Metabolism; D008099:Liver / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D014815:Vitamins / Q000378:metabolism
D004043:Dietary Fiber; D014815:Vitamins