Dietary Boron Supplementation and its Impact on Growth, Immunity and some Minerals in the Blood of Male Goats

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Small and large ruminant farm, faculty of agriculture, Minia University, El-Minia, 61519 Egypt.

2 Physiology Department, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Beni-Suef University, Beni-Suef University, 62511 Beni-Suef, Egypt.

3 Physiology Department, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Minia University, Minia 61519, Egypt.

Abstract

Boron (B) has been linked to a variety of physiological activities, and the World Health Organization considers it essential for both animal and human health. Therefore, this study was implemented to judge the safe use of B at the current dose on the growth, immunity, and blood calcium and magnesium in male goats. Two groups of male goats were used in the current study. The animals in the control group (CNT group) were offered free access to the standard diet. The animals in the B group received the control diet plus 70mg of B/kg diet for 6 months. The findings showed that there were no significant differences (P> 0.05) between the two groups in terms of growth indicators (Heart girth, body length, fore, and hind limb lengths, and testicular circumferences). Except after the 18th week, body length was longer in the CNT group, while hind limb length increased with B at the twelfth week. Moreover, serum levels of calcium and magnesium were similar in both groups. However, on the 24th week, serum magnesium level showed a marked increment with B compared to the CNT group (P< 0.05). Furthermore, the adjusted densities of serum gamma globulin were equivalent in both groups (P= 0.814).  In conclusion, adding B to the diet, at the studied dose, to male goats had no negative effects on their ability to grow, immunity, or serum calcium and magnesium levels; therefore, it may be added to the diet without risk.

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