Condensed Tannins Enhance the Erythron Function and Deter the Development of Anaemia in Pregnant Goats Browsing in an East African Natural Range Land

Abstract

To investigate the effect of selectively browsed CT on the erythron function of pregnant goats under free range grazing in a natural ecosystem, 30 yearling F1 AngloNubian x Mubende goats (21 +/- 0.45 kg), were screened, dewormed, mated and randomly divided into 2 equal groups during a 3 months preparatory phase. During the 6 months that followed, one group received 50g per goat and day of a CT deactivator - polyethylene glycol (PEG) and the other treated as the control (no PEG). Goats were monitored for their nutritional status and erythron characteristics: packed cellular volume (PCV), blood haemoglobin (Hb), erythrocyte (RBC) counts, volume per RBC (MCV). Hb per RBC (MCH), Hb concentration per RBC (MCHC) and plasma protein. RBC counts, blood Hb and PCV level in goats treated with the CT deactivator (PEG) significantly (p<0.05) dropped below the physiological limit in the 4th and 5th months of gestation. Plasma protein in the PEG group dropped (p<0.05) below the physiological value by 400 mg during the last two months of gestation. These results suggest that under selective feeding in the natural Ankole range land ecosystem, fed browse condensed tannin enhance the erythron function of goats in gestation and reduce the development of anaemia. This has practical significance in the management of goat feeding, health and production.