A study was conducted to observe the effect of soybean and rice bran oil supplementation on
nutrient utilization, lactation performance and ruminal fermentation in Surti goats. Twenty
four multiparous lactating Surti does were distributed into four homogenous groups for entire
lactation of 150 days. Control group (CON) was offered a basal diet consisting of compound
concentrate mixture, green jowar and pigeon pea straws without any oil supplementation,
while other treatment groups were additionally supplemented with soybean oil @ 3% of DMI
(SBO), rice bran oil @ 3% of DMI (RBO) and equi-propotional blend of soybean oil and rice
bran oil @ 3.0 % of DMI (SRBO). DM, CP, NDF and ADF intake (g/d) and digestibility (%)
remained statistically (p>0.05) similar amongst dietary treatments groups. EE intake (g/d)
and digestibility (%) was significantly (p<0.01) improved in all three oils supplemented
groups as compared to control but values between oils supplemented groups remained at par
(p>0.05). Nitrogen balance of experimental groups remained unaffected (p>0.05) and all the
animals were under positive nitrogen balance. Milk yield (kg/d), milk fat, SNF, protein,
lactose, FCM and ECM yields (g/d) were significantly (p<0.05) increased in oils
supplemented groups as compared to control. Feed efficiency in terms of MY/DMI and
FCM/DMI significantly (p<0.05) improved in SBO, RBO and SRBO as compared to CON.
Soybean and rice bran oil supplementation either alone or in combination significantly
reduced (p<0.05) SCFA, MCFA, SFA with increased LCFA and PUFA in milk. However,
values between oils supplemented groups remained at par (p>0.05). Oil supplementation
increased (p<0.001) oleic acid (C18:1 n-9) and linoleic acid (C18:2 n-6) in SBO, RBO and
SRBO as compared to CON while, linolenic acid (C18:3 n-9) remained non significant
amongst treatments. Lipid quality indices (LQI) like atherogenicity index, thrombogenicity
index and hypocholesterolaemic/hypercholesterolaemic (h/H) index were significantly
improved in all the oils supplemented groups as compared to control. Rumen pH, total
nitrogen and its fractions (ammonia N, TCA precipitable N and soluble N) remained similar
(p>0.05) amongst treatment except TVFA. Thus, supplementation of soybean oil and rice
bran oil either alone or in combination in lactating goat can be effectively used to improve
both nutritional quantity and quality of milk.