Authors: Toheeb Oluwakemi Bawala, Akiritunde Olaleye Akinsoyinu, Azeez Olanrewaju Yusuf
Nutrition & Food Science Vol. 39 No.4, 2009
Abstract
Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to determine the effect of dietary sulphur supplementation
from elemental sulphur on the growth performance, nitrogen (N)and sulphur (S)utilisation, rumen
microbial volatile fatty acids production, acidlbase balance, serum biochemical status and
haematological profile of young West African dwarf and Red Sakata (Maradi) goats, with a view of
improving their-nutrition for greater performance. Design/methodology/approach – Twenty-four (12of each)growing West African dwarf and Red Sakoto goats were fed isonitrogenous (17 per cent) and isocaloric (3.98Mcal/kgDM) treatments containing varying levels of elemental sulphur at (percentage DM) 0.00, 0.15 and 0.20 in a 2 x 3 factorial arrangement within randomized complete block design. After a 61day feeding trial, the performances of the goats were assessed and compared.
Findings – The results showed that S supplementation increased (p < 0.05) weight’ gain and feed
efficiencyin the fed goats with those on 0.20 per cent S level recorded highest values. Similar trends
were observed for N and S retention, haematological and serum biochemical studies. S supplementation did not influence (p > 0.05) ruminal pH, lactate and acidlbase balance. Increased
dietary S inclusion increased (p < 0.05) molar proportions of acetate and priopionate, Practical implications – Owing to the outstanding performances ofgoats fed 0.15 and 0.20 per cent
S dietary levels relative to their contemporaries on an unsupplemented (0.00 per cent) S diet, inclusion of S in the.diet of growing animals becomes necessary for optimal production. Originality/value – The paper provides information on the influence of sulphur on animal performance as poor nutrition constitutes a limiting factor to animal production.