EVALUATION OF VARIOUS LEVELS OF DIETARY GUAR (CYAMOPSIS TETRAGONOLOBA) MEAL ON GROWTH, NITROGEN BALANCE AND PROTEIN UTILIZATION, AMINO ACIDS AND SERUM BIOCHEMICAL PARAMETERS IN GROWING GOATS

Mohammed A. Amean

Авторы

Mohammed A. Amean Animal Production Department, College of Agriculture, Tikrit University, Tikrit, Iraq

Ключевые слова:

Guar meal, amino acid profile, growth, livestock

Аннотация

This study evaluated the various levels of guar meal on growth, nitrogen balance, plasma amino acids, and blood biochemistry in goats. Sixty goats (7–9 months old, average initial weight 15.28 kg) were divided into four groups. T0 received 0% guar meal (control), while T1, T2, and T3 received 5%, 10%, and 15% guar meal, respectively, for 90 days. Final body weight increased from 23.54 kg in T0 to 25.78 kg in T3. Average daily gain also rose from 68.83 g/day in T0 to 87.5 g/day in T3. Dry matter intake remained unchanged across all groups. Protein efficiency ratio was highest in T1 (1.61) and lowest in T3 (1.14). Nitrogen intake increased with guar meal level, while fecal nitrogen decreased from 5.9 g/day in T0 to 3.9 g/day in T3. Urinary nitrogen first dropped, then rose to 5.9 g/day in T3. Nitrogen retention improved from 41.6% in T0 to 61.7% in T3. Apparent protein digestibility, biological value, and net protein utilization all increased with higher guar meal. However, all plasma amino acids (lysine, methionine, threonine, leucine, valine) decreased as guar meal increased, and globulin dropped at higher levels. Serum total protein and albumin dropped, while blood urea nitrogen increased at higher levels. In conclusion, guar meal at 5% improved protein efficiency, but levels above 10% reduced amino acid availability and altered blood biochemical indicators. Moderate inclusion of guar meal is recommended for growing goats.

Библиографические ссылки

Adhikari, S., Schop, M., de Boer, I.J., & Huppertz, T. (2022). Protein quality in perspective: A review of protein quality metrics and their applications. Nutrients, 14(5): 947. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu14050947

Agwa, H.M., Saleh, H.M., Ayyat, M.S., & Abdel-Rahman, G.A. (2023). Effect of replacing cottonseed meal with canola meal on growth performance, blood metabolites, thyroid function, and ruminal parameters of growing lambs. Tropical Animal Health and Production, 55(2): 122. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11250-023-03532-0

Ahmed, M., Hayat, R., Ahmad, M., Ul-Hassan, M., Kheir, A.M., Ul-Hassan, F., & Ahmad, S. (2022). Impact of climate change on dryland agricultural systems: A review of current status, potentials, and further work need. International Journal of Plant Production, 16(3): 341–363. https://doi.org/10.1007/s42106-022-00190-5

Al Sulivany, B. S., Owais, M., Fazal, R. M., Asad, F., Hussein, N. J., & Selamoglu, Z. (2024). Seasonal effects of protein levels on common carp (Cyprinus carpio) body composition. Iraqi journal of aquaculture, 21(2), 111.

Alcaide, E.M., Ruiz, D.Y., Moumen, A., & García, A.M. (2003). Ruminal degradability and in vitro intestinal digestibility of sunflower meal and in vitro digestibility of olive by-products supplemented with urea or sunflower meal: Comparison between goats and sheep. Animal Feed Science and Technology, 110(1–4): 3–15. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0377-8401(03)00200-1

Ali, A., Jabeen, N., Farruhbek, R., Chachar, Z., Laghari, A.A., Chachar, S., & Yang, Z. (2025). Enhancing nitrogen use efficiency in agriculture by integrating agronomic practices and genetic advances. Frontiers in Plant Science, 16: 1543714. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2025.1543714

Alobre, M.M., Alhidary, I.A., Qaid, M.M., Alharthi, A.S., Aboragah, A.A., Aljumaah, R.S., & Abdelrahman, M.M. (2025). Effects of dietary sunflower hulls on performance and rumen fermentation of pregnant Naemi ewes: A sustainable fiber source for arid regions. Animals, 15(24): 3569. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani15243569

Amanlou, H., Farahani, T.A., & Farsuni, N.E. (2017). Effects of rumen undegradable protein supplementation on productive performance and indicators of protein and energy metabolism in Holstein fresh cows. Journal of Dairy Science, 100(5): 3628–3640. https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.2016-11744

Arif, M., Iram, A., Fayyaz, M., Abd El-Hack, M.E., Taha, A.E., Al-Akeel, K.A., & Alagawany, M. (2023). Feeding barley and corn hydroponic-based rations improved digestibility and performance in Beetal goats. Journal of King Saud University-Science, 35(2): 102457. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jksus.2023.102457

Aruwayo, A., Nuhu, A., Junaidu, I., Rotimi, E.A., & Arowosegbe, T.O. (2024). Performance of Sokoto Red goat fed urea-treated groundnut (Arachis hypogaea) shell. FUDMA Journal of Agriculture and Agricultural Technology, 10(1): 61–69. https://doi.org/10.33003/jaat.2024.1001.08

Belloir, P., Méda, B., Lambert, W., Corrent, E., Juin, H., Lessire, M., & Tesseraud, S. (2017). Reducing the CP content in broiler feeds: Impact on animal performance, meat quality and nitrogen utilization. Animal, 11(11): 1881–1889. https://doi.org/10.1017/S1751731117000662

Boudalia, S., Smeti, S., Dawit, M., Senbeta, E.K., Gueroui, Y., Dotas, V., & Symeon, G.K. (2024). Alternative approaches to feeding small ruminants and their potential benefits. Animals, 14(6): 904. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14060904

Cao, Y., Yao, J., Sun, X., Liu, S., & Martin, G.B. (2021). Amino acids in the nutrition and production of sheep and goats. In Amino Acids in Nutrition and Health: Amino Acids in the Nutrition of Companion, Zoo and Farm Animals (pp. 63–79). Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-54462-1_4

Carmichael, A.K., Kouakou, B., Gelaye, S., Kannan, G., Lee, J.H., & Terrill, T.H. (2012). Organ mass and composition in growing dairy goat wethers fed different levels of poultry fat and protein. Small Ruminant Research, 104(1–3): 104–113. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.smallrumres.2011.12.005

Chanjula, P., Supapong, C., Hamchara, P., & Cherdthong, A. (2022). Blood metabolites and feed utilization efficiency in Thai-native-Anglo-Nubian goats fed a concentrate diet including yeast-fermented palm kernel cake instead of soybean meal. Veterinary Sciences, 9(5): 235. https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci9050235

Coleman, J., Berry, D.P., Pierce, K.M., Brennan, A., & Horan, B. (2010). Dry matter intake and feed efficiency profiles of three genotypes of Holstein-Friesian within pasture-based systems of milk production. Journal of Dairy Science, 93(9): 4318–4331. https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.2009-2906

Cortese, M., Segato, S., Andrighetto, I., Ughelini, N., Chinello, M., Schiavon, E., & Marchesini, G. (2019). The effects of decreasing dietary crude protein on the growth performance, feed efficiency and meat quality of finishing Charolais bulls. Animals, 9(11): 906. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani9110906

Dubeuf, J.P., Genis, J.C., Morand-Fehr, P., & Morales, F.D.A.R. (2023). The contribution of goats in the future redesigning of livestock activities and value chains. Small Ruminant Research, 227: 107065. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.smallrumres.2023.107065

Eckart, A., Struja, T., Kutz, A., Baumgartner, A., Baumgartner, T., Zurfluh, S., & Schuetz, P. (2020). Relationship of nutritional status, inflammation, and serum albumin levels during acute illness: A prospective study. The American Journal of Medicine, 133(6): 713–722. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.amjmed.2019.10.031

Elgioushy, M.M., Hassan, W., Abdullah, S.M., Elsheikh, H.E., & Emam, M.H. (2025). Bovine coronavirus in diarrheic pre-weaned calves in Egypt: Prevalence, risk factors, and the associated biochemical alterations. Tropical Animal Health and Production, 57(2): 112. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11250-025-04115-8

Gao, H., Wang, J., Zou, X., Zhang, K., Zhou, J., & Chen, M. (2022). High blood urea nitrogen to creatinine ratio is associated with increased risk of sarcopenia in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Experimental Gerontology, 169: 111960. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.exger.2022.111960

Gao, M., El-Sherbiny, M., Szumacher-Strabel, M., Cieślak, A., Yanza, Y. R., Irawan, A., ... & Liu, Y. B. (2024). Cutting-edge exploration of insect utilization in ruminant nutrition—Feature and future: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Frontiers in Veterinary Science, 11, 1484870.

Gupta, M., Sharma, R.K., Rastogi, A., Varun, T.K., Bala, S., & Saharan, V. (2018). Effect of plane of nutrition on nitrogen balance, blood biochemical and serum enzymes in goats. Indian Journal of Animal Research, 52(11): 1603–1607. https://doi.org/10.18805/ijar.B-3320

Hafeez, A., Akram, W., Naz, S., Khan, R.U., Maqbool, B., Razaq, A.H.A., & Alhidary, I.A. (2026). Dual processing of guar meal through fermentation and enzyme supplementation improves growth, nutrient utilisation, bone quality, and gut viscosity in broilers. Journal of Animal Physiology and Animal Nutrition, 110(1): 88–99. https://doi.org/10.1111/jpn.14245

Hindrichsen, I. K., Wettstein, H. R., Machmüller, A., Soliva, C. R., Bach Knudsen, K. E., Madsen, J., & Kreuzer, M. (2004). Effects of feed carbohydrates with contrasting properties on rumen fermentation and methane release in vitro. Canadian journal of animal science, 84(2), 265-276.

Huang, J., Jiao, J., Tan, Z.L., He, Z., Beauchemin, K.A., Forster, R., & Zhou, C. (2016). Inferring the skeletal muscle developmental changes of grazing and barn-fed goats from gene expression data. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 64(36): 6791–6800. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jafc.6b02188

Huang, J., Jiao, S., Fu, Y., Zhao, W., Diao, Q., Ma, T., & Zhang, N. (2024). Effect of feeding level on growth and slaughter performance, and allometric growth of tissues and organs in female growing Saanen dairy goats. Animals, 14(5): 730. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14050730

Hussein, S.N., Mohammad, A.M., Azeez, A.K., & Duru, A. (2025). Rumen fermentation parameters of Awassi lambs fed diets containing sesame and sunflower meals as alternatives to soybean meal. Tikrit Journal for Agricultural Sciences, 25(4): 206–216. https://doi.org/10.25130/tjas.25.4.17

Khan, M. Z., Huang, B., Kou, X., Chen, Y., Liang, H., Ullah, Q., ... & Wang, C. (2024). Enhancing bovine immune, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory responses with vitamins, rumen-protected amino acids, and trace minerals to prevent periparturient mastitis. Frontiers in immunology, 14, 1290044.

Kholif, A.E., Gouda, G.A., Olafadehan, O.A., & Abdo, M.M. (2018). Effects of replacement of Moringa oleifera for berseem clover in the diets of Nubian goats on feed utilisation, and milk yield, composition and fatty acid profile. Animal, 12(5): 964–972. https://doi.org/10.1017/S1751731117002375

Kotnala, B., Panneerselvam, V., & Vijayakumar, A.K. (2024). Physicochemical, structural, and functional characterization of guar meal protein isolate (Cyamopsis tetragonoloba). Heliyon, 10(3): e24978. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e24978

Liu, H., Jiang, G.M., Zhuang, H.Y., & Wang, K.J. (2008). Distribution, utilization structure and potential of biomass resources in rural China: With special references of crop residues. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 12(5): 1402–1418. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2007.07.012

Lokaewmanee, K., Suttibak, S., Sukthanapirat, R., Sriyoha, R., Chanasakhatana, N., Baotong, S., & Trithalen, U. (2023). Laying hen performance, feed economy, egg quality and yolk fatty acid profiles from laying hens fed live black soldier fly larvae. Czech Journal of Animal Science, 68(4): 147–158. https://doi.org/10.17221/169/2022-CJAS

Manat, T.D., Chaudhary, S.S., Singh, V.K., Patel, S.B., & Puri, G. (2016). Hematobiochemical profile in Surti goats during post-partum period. Veterinary World, 9(1): 19–24. https://doi.org/10.14202/vetworld.2016.19-24

Mazinani, M., Memili, E., & Rude, B.J. (2022). Harnessing the value of rumen protected amino acids to enhance animal performance: A review. Annals of Animal Science, 22(1): 43–62. https://doi.org/10.2478/aoas-2021-0058

Meli, G., Fumo, V., Giromini, C., Perricone, V., Sandrini, S., Agazzi, A., & Invernizzi, G. (2023). The use of co-products of the agri-food industry in feeding dairy ruminants. Animals, 13(23): 3678. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani13233678

Monteiro, A., Costa, J.M., & Lima, M.J. (2017). Goat system productions: Advantages and disadvantages to the animal, environment and farmer. In Goat Science (pp. 351–366). https://doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.70002

Owais, M., Mohammed, D. A., Mhammad, H. A., Al Sulivany, B. S., Dernekbaşı, S., & Fazal, R. M. (2025). The role of silica nanoparticles in modulating growth performance, enzyme activity, and heavy metal accumulation in muscle tissue of common carp (Cyprinus carpio. L). Science Journal of University of Zakho, 13(2), 197-205.

Parsad, R., Ahlawat, S., Bagiyal, M., Arora, R., Gera, R., Chhabra, P., & Singh, A. (2025). Climate resilience in goats: A comprehensive review of the genetic basis for adaptation to varied climatic conditions. Mammalian Genome, 36(1): 151–161. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00335-024-10167-0

Piccione, G., Monteverde, V., Rizzo, M., Vazzana, I., Assenza, A., Zumbo, A., & Niutta, P.P. (2014). Reference intervals of some electrophoretic and haematological parameters in Italian goats: Comparison between Girgentana and Aspromontana breeds. Journal of Applied Animal Research, 42(4): 434–439. https://doi.org/10.1080/09712119.2013.875904

Prajapati, V.D., Jani, G.K., Moradiya, N.G., Randeria, N.P., Nagar, B.J., Naikwadi, N.N., & Variya, B.C. (2013). Galactomannan: A versatile biodegradable seed polysaccharide. International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, 60: 83–92. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2013.05.017

Prieto, I., Goetsch, A.L., Banskalieva, V., Cameron, M., Puchala, R., Sahlu, T., & Coleman, S.W. (2000). Effects of dietary protein concentration on postweaning growth of Boer crossbred and Spanish goat wethers. Journal of Animal Science, 78(9): 2275–2281. https://doi.org/10.2527/2000.7892275x

Rufino, L.D.A., Pereira, O.G., Ribeiro, K.G., Valadares Filho, S.C., Cavali, J., & Paulino, P.V.R. (2013). Effect of substitution of soybean meal for inactive dry yeast on diet digestibility, lamb's growth and meat quality. Small Ruminant Research, 111(1–3): 56–62. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.smallrumres.2012.09.012

Sahlu, T., Goetsch, A. L., Luo, J., Nsahlai, I. V., Moore, J. E., Galyean, M. L., ... & Johnson, Z. B. (2004). Nutrient requirements of goats: developed equations, other considerations and future research to improve them. Small Ruminant Research, 53(3), 191-219.

Salem, H.B. (2010). Nutritional management to improve sheep and goat performances in semiarid regions. Revista Brasileira de Zootecnia, 39(Suppl.): 337–347. https://doi.org/10.1590/S1516-35982010001300037

Salim, R., Nehvi, I.B., Mir, R.A., Tyagi, A., Ali, S., & Bhat, O.M. (2023). A review on anti-nutritional factors: Unraveling the natural gateways to human health. Frontiers in Nutrition, 10: 1215873. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnut.2023.1215873

Samsuzzaman, Islam, S., Ali, M.R., Dey, P.K., Bicamumpaka, E., Reza, M.N., & Chung, S.O. (2025). Quantification of light, photoperiod, temperature, and water stress symptoms using image features for smart vegetable seedling production. Horticulturae, 11(11): 1340. https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae11111340

Shafiq, M., Al Sulivany, B. S., Albassam, N. H., Al-Taee, N. T. T. A. T. T., Shahid, A., HASSAN, A., ... & E Hassan, S. S. (2025). Comparative Impacts of Plant-Derived Functional Diets (Azolla, Duckweed, and Napier Grass) on Growth, Hematology, and Serum Biochemistry of Grass Carp (Ctenopharyngodon Idella). Egyptian Journal of Aquatic Biology and Fisheries, 29(6), 253-268.

Sher, A., Calone, R., Sattar, A., Ijaz, M., Sarwar, B., Qayyum, A., & Barbanti, L. (2022). Growth, yield and quality attributes of guar (Cyamopsis tetragonoloba L.) genotypes grown under different planting dates in a semi-arid region of Pakistan. Pakistan Journal of Agricultural Sciences, 59(5): 757–763. https://doi.org/10.21162/PAKJAS/22.1098

Shilwant, S., Hundal, J.S., Singla, M., & Patra, A.K. (2023). Ruminal fermentation and methane production in vitro, milk production, nutrient utilization, blood profile, and immune responses of lactating goats fed polyphenolic and saponin-rich plant extracts. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 30(4): 10901–10913. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-022-22779-8

Shwerab, A.M., Khalel, M.S., Khayyal, A.A., Hassan, A.A., & Yacout, M.H. (2015). Influence of different treatments of guar korma meal on sheep performance. Egyptian Journal of Nutrition and Feeds, 18(1): 49–63. https://doi.org/10.21608/EJNF.2015.104669

Shweta, N., Rani, K.S., Kumar, D.S., & Illa, S.K. (2025). Guar meal as an alternative protein source: Effects on digestibility and growth performance of Nagavali ram lambs. Tropical Animal Health and Production, 57(8): 430. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11250-025-04279-3

Silanikove, N. (2000). The physiological basis of adaptation in goats to harsh environments. Small Ruminant Research, 35(3), 181-193. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0921-4488(99)00105-1

Silva, T.M., Medeiros, A.N., Oliveira, R.L., Neto, S.G., Ribeiro, M.D., Bagaldo, A.R., & Ribeiro, O.L. (2015). Peanut cake as a substitute for soybean meal in the diet of goats. Journal of Animal Science, 93(6): 2998–3005. https://doi.org/10.2527/jas.2014-8570

Te Pas, M.F., Veldkamp, T., de Haas, Y., Bannink, A., & Ellen, E.D. (2021). Adaptation of livestock to new diets using feed components without competition with human edible protein sources—A review of the possibilities and recommendations. Animals, 11(8): 2293. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani11082293

Vidya, B., Venkateshwarlu, M., Nagalakshmi, D., Sarat Chandra, A., Chinni Preetham, V., & Nalini Kumari, N. (2022). Effect of feeding of sorghum stover based complete feed blocks containing guar meal as protein supplement on reproductive efficiency, hormone profile and antioxidant status in Deccani ewes. PLoS ONE, 17(5): e0268893. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0268893

Wu, G. (2009). Amino acids: metabolism, functions, and nutrition. Amino acids, 37(1), 1-17.

Ye, Y., Chen, W., Gu, M., Xian, G., Pan, B., Zheng, L., & Sheng, P. (2020). Serum globulin and albumin to globulin ratio as potential diagnostic biomarkers for periprosthetic joint infection: A retrospective review. Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery and Research, 15(1): 459. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13018-020-02053-1

Zare, R., Devrim-Lanpir, A., Guazzotti, S., Ali Redha, A., Prokopidis, K., Spadaccini, D., & Aragon, A.A. (2023). Effect of soy protein supplementation on muscle adaptations, metabolic and antioxidant status, hormonal response, and exercise performance of active individuals and athletes: A systematic review of randomised controlled trials. Sports Medicine, 53(12): 2417–2446. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40279-023-01929-5

Zhu, W., Xu, W., Wei, C., Zhang, Z., Jiang, C., & Chen, X. (2020). Effects of decreasing dietary crude protein level on growth performance, nutrient digestion, serum metabolites, and nitrogen utilization in growing goat kids (Capra hircus). Animals, 10(1): 151. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani10010151

Zurak, D., Kljak, K., & Aladrović, J. (2023). Metabolism and utilisation of non-protein nitrogen compounds in ruminants: A review. Journal of Central European Agriculture, 24(1): 1–14. https://doi.org/10.5513/JCEA01/24.1.3812