title: Posidonia oceanica banquettes as a substitute for straw in dairy goat rations: metabolic and productive effects.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The marine plant Posidonia oceanica (L.) Delile can be a source of fibre to increase the efficiency of product costs. The aim of the present study was to assess the productive (milk production and performance) and metabolic (blood metabolites) effects of P. oceanica in the ration of dairy goats as a substitute for straw. Posidonia oceanica was used at 225 and 450 g day(-1) per goat in lieu of barley straw.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Supplementation with P. oceanica had no detrimental effects on the body weight, milk production and metabolic status of goats. Goats fed P. oceanica produced more milk fat, had a lower somatic cell count in their milk and showed a decreased risk of oxidative stress.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Goats can be fed P oceanica at levels of up to 450 g day(-1) without detrimental effects on milk production and health, therefore P. oceanica can be a substitute for barley straw in the nutrition of goats.
authors: Departamento de Patología Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de Santiago de Compostela, E-27002, Lugo, Spain.
authors: Cristina
authors: C
authors: Castillo
authors: Instituto de Ganadería de Montaña, CSIC-ULE, Finca Marzanas, E-24346, Grulleros-León, Spain.
authors: Angel R
authors: AR
authors: Mantecón
authors: Departamento de Medicina y Cirugía Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de Murcia, Murcia, Spain.
authors: Juan
authors: J
authors: Sotillo
authors: Departamento de Medicina y Cirugía Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de Murcia, Murcia, Spain.
authors: Cándido
authors: C
authors: Gutiérrez
authors: Departamento de Patología Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de Santiago de Compostela, E-27002, Lugo, Spain.
authors: Angel
authors: A
authors: Abuelo
authors: Departamento de Patología Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de Santiago de Compostela, E-27002, Lugo, Spain.
authors: Joaquín
authors: J
authors: Hernández
mesh_terms: D035961:Alismatales; D000821:Animal Feed; D000824:Animal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D000818:Animals; D002452:Cell Count; D003612:Dairying; D005223:Fats / Q000032:analysis; D005260:Female; D006041:Goats / Q000502:physiology*; D001467:Hordeum; D007774:Lactation / Q000502:physiology*; D008892:Milk / Q000737:chemistry / Q000166:cytology; D018384:Oxidative Stress
chemical_list: D005223:Fats
keywords: Posidonia oceanica; goats; metabolism; oxidative stress; production