The effect of oilseeds included the peripartum ration on performance and plasma adipokine concentration in dairy goats and respective kids

The present study investigated the effects of oilseeds added to the ration (safflower rich in linoleic acid, which is an omega-6 fatty acid, flaxseed rich in linolenic acid, which is an omega-3 fatty acid, sesame rich in oleic acid, which is omega-9, and linoleic acid, which is omega-6) during the peripartum period on performance and plasma adipokine concentration of goats and kids. Four weeks before kidding, forty-two pregnant German Fawn x Hair crossbred dairy goats were divided into four groups (Control, Safflower, Flax, Sesame) and fed with 100 g of oilseed (safflower/flax/sesame) in addition to the basal ration. The same groups received 200 g oilseeds per animal in addition to the basal ration from kidding to postpartum 6 weeks. Individual blood and milk samples were collected weekly. There was no effect of oilseeds on adiponectin, ghrelin, and leptin concentrations in the prepartum period (P>0.05 for each variable). In the postpartum period, oilseeds did not affect the adiponectin concentration, while the addition of safflower and flaxseed increased ghrelin (P=0.03) and leptin (P=0.03) concentrations. The addition of oilseeds in the prepartum and postpartum period did not affect the body weight (P˃0.05). However, sesame supplementation in the postpartum and prepartum period decreased dry matter intake (P˂0.01). Colostrum IgG (g/L) level increased significantly with the addition of flaxseed, which is an omega-3 source (P=0.05). Milk yield, corrected milk yields, total solids and milk fat levels were not affected by oilseeds (P˃0.05). However, milk protein, casein, lactose levels (P˂0.01) and milk urea concentration (P=0.08) were higher in the oilseed groups compared to the control group, and the highest was detected in the sesame group. There was no statistical difference between the groups in terms of body weight and body weight gain of kids (P˃0.05). In the present study, it was determined that oilseed supplements could change plasma leptin and ghrelin concentrations through changes in the energy status of animals.