الفهرس 
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Abstract
Flaxseed is a good source of ω-3 fatty acids. Feeding flaxseed to dairy animals improves milk production, reproductive performance and improves the meat and milk quality due to the significant increase in its content from omega-3 fatty acid, resulting in making healthier. The objective of our study was to investigate the effect of inclusion flaxseed in Damascus goat’s ration on performance during gestation and lactation periods.
The present study was carried out at Mariout Research Station (30 km to Alexandria) which belong to the Desert Research Center. Total of twenty-four females Damascus goats (31.40 ±0.50 kg weight and 2-3 years old) were randomly divided into three groups (eight animals each). The experimental groups were fed 90% basal diet (Concentrate (CFM) 56.67% and Alfalfa hay33.33%) + 10% full fat soya in T1 (control), 5% flaxseed + 5% full fat soya in T2 and 10% flaxseed in T3. This study was classified into two stages gestation and Lactation period.
Inclusion flaxseed in goat’s ration at rate of 5 and 10% during the entire of the experiment increased all nutrients digestibility, except nitrogen free extract digestibility (NFE) as well as increased total digestible nutrients (TDN) contents. Animals fed 10% flaxseed (T3) recorded significant higher total protein, globulin, Albumin, urea and High-density lipoprotein concentration in blood plasma than T1 and T2.
On the other hand, the animals of T3 recorded significant lower triglycerides, cholesterol and Low-density lipoprotein concentration in blood plasma than those of T1 and T2.
Dry matter intakes (DMI) values of the different experimental groups were comparable during gestation period, but animals fed 10% flaxseed (T3) recorded higher DMI than other groups (T1 and T2) during the lactation period. The body weight of does was not significantly affected by any of the three treatments during gestation period, but during lactation period, animals of T3 recorded higher body weight than T1 and T2. Goats in group T3 recorded the highest does conceived, twinning, conception and kidding rates % as well as total kids born than other groups (T1 and T2). On the other hand, T3 recorded the lowest aborted does and barren does (Zero) compared to T1 and T2.
During lactation period, animals of T3 group recorded higher milk yield and fat corrected milk (FCM) yield than those of T1 and T2. Also, T3 recorded the highest total milk fat, protein and total solid content than the other groups (T1 and T2). Goats fed 10 % flaxseed (T3) recorded higher polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA’s) in milk such as (oleic, α-linolenic (ω3), linoleic (ω6)) than those of T1 and T2. In addition to, goats of T3 recorded the lowest saturated fatty acids (SFA’s) in milk such as (Decanoic acid, Tetradecanoic acid, Palmitic, Stearic acid) than those of T1 and T2 groups.
The results clearly showed that during lactation period animals of T3 group recorded the highest values of TVFA’s and NH3-N compared with those of T1and T2. However, the lowest rumen pH values are recorded in animals of T3.
In conclusion, flaxseed supplementations in Damascus goat’s diets during the gestation and lactation period led to improve total tract digestibility, reduced blood lipids and improved its reproductive performance, rumen fermentation, increased milk production, milk fat, protein concentration in milk and Feed efficiency was greater, especially those fed on diets containing 10% flaxseed.