ABSTRACT.
The objective of this research was to determine the ingestive behavior, volatile fatty acids, and blood biochemical and hormonal variables of goats consuming a diet with 15% glycerin. Feed efficiency (FE) and rumination (ER) of dry matter intake (DMI) and neutral detergent fiber (NDFI) of dairy goats supplemented with glycerin (0 and 15%) were not influenced by treatments (p > 0.05). The specific activities of defecation, urination and drinking had a significant effect (p < 0.05) in relation to the treatments with glycerin in the diet of dairy goats. The occasional activities (defecation, urinating and drinking water) decreased with the addition of 15% of glycerin in the goats’ diet. Lactic acid had a significant effect (p < 0.001) with the addition of 15% glycerin. Diets for dairy goats with 15% glycerin did not change the consumption of dry material, neutral detergent fiber, nor did they change the ingestive behavior of these animals. The levels of globulin, protein, albumin/globulin, glucose, cholesterol, urea, triglycerides, cortisol, and T4 variables were significantly influenced (p < 0.05) by the addition of glycerin in the diet.
Keywords:
Agv's glycerin; rumination; idleness; defecation; water