Effect of zinc supplementation on reproductive performance of Teressa goat

Abstract

Aim: The present study evaluates the effect of dietary zinc supplementation on reproductive and productive performance of Teressa goat, an indigenous species of Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Materials and Methods: Eighteen female goats were randomly divided into 3 groups of 6 animals each; (A) control with basal ration without any zinc supplementation (B) Treatment 1 with basal ration supplemented with 50 ppm zinc oxide (C) Treatment 2 with basal ration supplemented with 100 ppm zinc oxide. Different reproductive parameters, e.g. numbers of days to oestrus, the incidence of oestrus, pregnancy rate, kidding rates and weight of kids were recorded. Results: Data indicated that the supplementation of different levels of inorganic zinc oxide significantly increased the incidence of oestrus (33%), pregnancy rate (12%), kidding rate (5%) and resulted in shorter onset (8 days) of oestrus as compared to the control. The mean body weight and daily weight gain of kids born to supplemented does were significantly (p<0.05) higher than the kids born to control. Conclusion: The supplementation of 50 to 100 ppm zinc oxide to the basal diet of Teressa goat significantly improved different productive and reproductive parameters. © The authors.