Effect of jackfruit peel inclusion in diets on nutrient utilization and haemato-biochemical profile of Osmanabadi goats

Lactating Osmanabadi goats (n = 12) were randomly divided into three groups: T0, T1 and T2. The control group (T0) was offered a regular concentrate mixture, whereas in the treatment groups, Jackfruit peel (JFP) was included at 10% (T1) and 20% (T2) levels in a concentrated mixture on a dry matter (DM) basis. For the nutrient utilization study, 350 g of concentrate mixture was offered in the morning and evening, and green forage (hybrid napier fodder) was given adlib throughout the day. Inclusion of JFP did not show any significant effect (p >0.05) on the intake, outgo (g/d) and digestibility (%) of nutrients (DM, OM, CP, EE and NFE). The effect of the inclusion of jackfruit peel was non-significant on the apparent absorption of Ca and P. No significant change was observed on hemoglobin (g/dl), packed cell volume (%) and serum biochemical parameters, viz., total protein, albumin, globulin (g/dl) and A:G ratio (p >0.05) due to the inclusion of JFP. Serum ALT level was not affected, whereas AST level was significantly lower in T2 (64.72 IU/L) compared to T0 (90.34 IU/L). Thus, JFP could be safely included up to 20% level in a concentrated mixture of Osmanabadi goats.