Effects of levels of crude fiber on growth performances and intestinal carbohydrases of domestic goslings

Abstract

This study was conducted to examine the effects of dietary crude fiber levels on the growth and intestinal carbohydrases of goslings. Thirty-two, 2 week old female White Roman goslings were divided into four groups of 4 goslings with 2 replicates. Diets were isocaloric and isonitrogenous, containing 40, 80, 120 or 160 g/kg crude fiber. At the end of the 4 weeks of the experimental period, all goslings were sacrificed and the carbohydrases activities were measured. Feed intake was significantly higher in the 120 and 160 g/kg crude fiber groups over that in the 40 and 80 g/kg groups (p<0.05). The average daily gosling weight gain significantly increased with increasing crude fiber levels from 40 to 120 g/kg. However, both the daily gain and feed conversion of the 160 g/kg crude fiber diet group decreased significantly. Amylase, maltase and alpha-glucosidase activities in the duodenum significantly decreased as the dietary crude fiber level increased. The maltase and alpha-glucosidase activities in the jejunum-ileum showed a similar trend with those in the duodenum. By increasing the levels of crude fiber, cellulase activity in the caecum content significantly increased. There was, however, an adverse effect on the amylase activity.