Blood metabolic profile of goat kids fed a diet supplemented with alfalfa protein-xanthophyll (PX) concentrate during rearing with their dams

The research objective was to assess the effect of dietary supplementation with alfalfa protein-xanthophyll (PX) concentrate on haematological and biochemical parameters of the blood of goat kids. The study was conducted on 82 goat kids of the Saanen breed, reared with their dams. From 30 days of age the experimental group of kids (41 goats) received a feed mixture supplemented with 3% protein-xanthophyll PX concentrate, while the control was fed a standard, unsupplemented diet. Prior to the start of the experiment (29 days of age) and after its completion (121 days), blood was collected from the kids to determine haematological and biochemical indices. The results and their analysis indicate that inclusion of 3% alfalfa protein-xanthophyll (PX) concentrate in the kids’ diet positively affected the haematological and biochemical parameters of the blood. A higher level of erythrocytes, haemoglobin and haematocrit was noted, together with a decrease in the lymphocyte and monocyte count. The blood of goat kids receiving the PX concentrate-supplemented diet had significantly reduced content of total cholesterol and triglycerides, as well as low-density lipoproteins (LDL). The blood of the experimental kids showed a significantly higher level of total protein and urea. The alfalfa concentrate significantly diminished the activity of alanine and aspartate aminotransferases. Protein-xanthophyll (PX) concentrate of alfalfa can be used as a phytobiotic providing an excellent source of protein, vitamins and minerals essential for the proper function of the animal organism.