Reproductive performance, digestibility, and rumen bacteria of goats fed two levels of phytogenic mixture

Phytogenic mixtures have gathered attention to promote the productive and reproductive efficiency of animals. This study estimated the effect of two levels of phytogenic mixture (HM), including ginger, garlic, artemisia, turmeric, fennel, and fenugreek, on the rumen bacteria and fermentation, digestibility, blood metabolites, and reproductive performance of female Shami goats. Thirty-six female goats were divided into three groups (n = 12) to receive one of three diets: The control diet consisted of alfalfa hay and a concentrate feed mixture (C); control diet contained 1% of the HM based on dry matter intake (H1); control diet contained 2% of the HM (H2). The supplementation modified the rumen bacterial community, which was predominated by phyla Bacteroidota and Firmicutes. The supplementation increased the fibrolytic bacteria, Prevotella, Butyrivibrio, Christensenellaceae R-7 group, Saccharofermentans, and Ruminococcus. Moreover, the supplementation enhanced the digestibility, total feed intake, total volatile fatty acids (VFA), propionic acid, and iso butyric acid, and reduced the methane production. Additionally, the supplementation enhanced serum glucose, total antioxidant capacity (TAC), and immunoglobulin M (IgM), and decreased cholesterol and urea. The supplementation affected the concentration of serum estrogen and enhanced the reproductive performance indices, including conception and kidding rates. Additionally, higher females were observed in the offspring of group H2. The current herbal mixture can be used at 1% to modify rumen microbiota to enhance digestibility and rumen fermentation as well as reproductive indices.