β-carotene Supplementation Does Not Improve Milk Yield and Milk Components of Saanen Goats

Abstract

We hypothesized that supplementing goats with β-carotene would increase milk yield and improve milk quality. Therefore, the current study aimed at evaluating the effect of supplemental β-carotene on milk yield and milk components. Goats were divided into two groups, one group received β-carotene 100 and 50 mg/head/day before and during the drying off period, respectively, while the second group received water as placebo with similar quantities. Colostrum samples were collected for three days and the milk samples were collected once a week for a month. Milk yield, protein%, fat%, lactose% and Somatic Cell Counts (SCC) were analysed. Milk fat, lactose and protein were analysed using Spectrometer and SCC was analysed using Cytometer. The data collected for milk yield, fat, protein and lactose and SCC were analysed using one-way analysis of variance for repeated measures with PROC GLM procedure of SAS (version 9.4). The study found no effect of supplemental β-carotene on milk yield and milk composition. Therefore, it can be concluded that supplemental β-carotene does not influence milk yield and milk composition of Saanen goats during the drying off period.