Effect of exogenous fibrolytic enzymes on digestibility and rumen characteristics in Shami goats

Twelve Shami male goats with average weight 43.3±1.2 kg and 3-4 years old were usedto study the effect of exogenous fibrolytic enzymes (EFE) either pre–treated barley straw orsupplemented with concentrate diet at different levels (0, 2,and 4%) on nutrient digestibilityand rumen characteristics. All Shami goats were divided randomly into six groups (2 buckseach). All goats individually fed concentrate diets in a 2×3 factorial experiment according tomaintenance requirement at 1% live body weight (LBW) while barley straw was offered adlibitium. The results showed that all nutrients digestibilities were not significantly affected bymethods of application, levels of EFE and their interaction. There were numerical increaseswith increasing levels of EEE on dry matter (DM), organic matter (OM), nitrogen (N), neutraldetergent fiber (NDF) and acid detergent fiber (ADF) digestibilities (%). Ruminal pH,ammonia–N, total volatile fatty acids (TVFA) concentrations, percentage of acetate, propionateand butyrate, were also not affected significantly by methods of application, levels of EFE andtheir interaction. There were numerical increased in TVFA and numerical decreased in NH3-Nconcentrations as levels of EFE increased.The results of this study indicated that both methods of application EFE may enhancedigestibility and rumen fermentation in Shami goats when used higher enzyme levels.