Effect of calcium soaps from garlic and Salix babylonica extracts on nematode loads, nutrient intake and digestibility, nitrogen balance, and rumen fermentation kinetics in dairy goats

Abstract Global small ruminants’ sector is under scrutiny and is challenged by sustainability issues. The infections caused by gastrointestinal nematodes (GIN) are some of the main concerns that are responsible for both economic and productive losses. Natural extracts may be a useful as a part of an integrated parasite control. It has been shown that both Garlic (Garlic) and Salix babylonica (Salix) have anti-microbial and anti-parasitic properties. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of dietary calcium soaps of Garlic and Salix extracts on nematode loads, nutrient intake and digestibility, nitrogen balance, and rumen fermentation kinetics in dairy goats. A completely randomized design was used with 9 Saanen does, 3 in each of the three treatments over a period of 28 days. Animals were fed a diet based on alfalfa hay and a concentrate that was supplemented (65 g/kg DM) with calcium soaps of either safflower (Control), Garlic, or Salix. Intake of dry matter (DM), organic matter (OM), and neutral detergent fiber (NDF) were not affected by dietary calcium soaps. However, the highest digestibility of DM (P = 0.02) and OM (P = 0.01) was observed in Salix supplemented goats besides a tendency to increase (P = 0.06) NDF digestibility. In vitro gas kinetics and fermentation profile were not affected by diets. Results from fecal egg count indicated a reduction (P = 0.003) for Salix (67%) and Garlic (66%) compared to Control. Overall, calcium soaps of garlic or Salix extracts can be used to reduce gastrointestinal parasites in goats without compromising animal's productive traits and rumen function.