The effect of feeding low quality date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) on the performance, antioxidant status and ruminal fermentation of mid-lactating Saanen dairy goats

• The part of concentrate of dairy goats can substitute by low quality date palm (LDP).
• LDP inclustion in diet had no effect on dairy goats performance.
• LDP inclustion in diet improve total antioxidant capacity (TAC) in milk and blood.
• LDP is a cheap by-product and is considered as a natural antioxidant source.

This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of feeding low quality date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) (LDP) on the performance, antioxidant status, and ruminal fermentation in Saanen dairy goats. Eight multiparous Saanen dairy goats averaging 92 ± 9 DIM and 2050 ± 280 g of milk production were used in a replicated 4 × 4 Latin square design. Each experimental period lasted 21 days: 14 for adaptation, and 7 for measurements. Experimental treatments were as follows: (1) diet without LDP (control), (2) diet containing 6% of LDP (LDP6), (3) diet containing 12% of LDP (LDP12), and (4) diet containing 18% of LDP (LDP18) (DM basis). The dry matter intake (DMI) and apparent digestibility were not affected by the treatments. In addition, there was no difference in milk yield, and milk composition. Inclusion of LDP in the diet increased total antioxidant capacity (TAC) as LDP18 had the highest and control had the lowest concentration of TAC in milk and blood, respectively. No significant difference was seen in malondialdehyde (MDA) content in milk and blood. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activity had no significant effect across treatment in blood. There was significant difference in ruminal pH among treatments, yet goats fed LDP12 and LDP18 had the highest ruminal propionate concentration and the lowest acetate concentration. With increasing of LDP to diet, the acetate: propionate ratio decreased while concentration of valerate increased. The results of this study indicate that LDP can be substituted with partial replacement of diet in dairy goats ration without negative effects on animal performance. In addition, inclusion of LDP in ration improved the antioxidant capacity of dairy goats.