Influence of Maternal Dietary Protein during Late Gestation on Performance of Black Bengal Does and Their Kids

The present study aimed to elucidate the effect of different levels of dietary protein during late pregnancy on the performance of Black Bengal does and their kids. Twelve does were divided into three groups, with four in each, and three diets, i.e., high protein (18% CP), medium protein (14% CP), and low protein (10% CP) were supplied for 50 days, commencing from 100 days post-coitum to parturition. During the first 100 days of pregnancy, uniform rations with similar ingredients were provided to fulfill the nutrient requirements depending on the live weight of does. All three diets were isocaloric (10.0 MJ/kg DM). Data were subjected to one-way ANOVA, and the significance of the difference among means was determined by Duncan's Multiple Range Test (DMRT). The main effects of diet and sex, as well as their interaction, were analyzed by two-way ANOVA by using the GLM procedure. The relative expression values of qPCR were calculated by using the 2^-ΔΔCt analysis method. Live weight gain was significantly (<i>p</i> < 0.05) higher in high-protein-fed dams than other groups during the experimental period. The milk yield of does was significantly (<i>p</i> < 0.05) higher in high-protein-fed goats than in the low-protein group. The lactation length of does was significantly (<i>p</i> < 0.05) higher in the high- and medium-protein-fed does than in the low-protein-fed does. The duration of post-partum anestrus of does was significantly (<i>p</i> < 0.05) higher in the low-protein-fed dams than in the high-protein group. The birth weight of kids tended to be higher in the high-protein group but did not differ significantly among the treatment groups. In male kids, weaning weight, final weight, live weight gain, and average daily gain were significantly (<i>p</i> < 0.05) higher than in female kids. Weaning weight was higher (<i>p</i> < 0.05) in kids of the high-protein-fed does than the low-protein group. Final weight and live weight gain were significantly (<i>p</i> < 0.05) higher in kids of the high-protein-fed does than in the low-protein-fed group. On the other hand, average daily gain was significantly (<i>p</i> < 0.05) higher in kids of the high- and medium-protein-fed does than the low-protein group. The average body length and wither height of kids at the 32nd week was significantly (<i>p</i> < 0.05) higher in kids of high-protein-fed does than those of the low-protein-fed group. The average heart girth of kids at the 32nd week was significantly (<i>p</i> < 0.05) higher in kids of high-protein-fed does than the medium- and low-protein groups. The survival rate of kids was higher in the medium- and high-protein-fed does than in low-protein group. Hot carcass weight and ether extract content of meat were significantly (<i>p</i> < 0.05) higher in the high-protein group than in the other groups. The dressing percentage was significantly (<i>p</i> < 0.05) higher in the kids of high-protein-fed does than low-protein-fed goats. The expression of the <i>H-FABP</i> gene was significantly (<i>p</i> < 0.05) higher in kids of high-protein-fed does than those of the medium- and low-protein groups. In conclusion, maternal dietary protein levels positively influences the production performance of Black Bengal does and their kids.