EXPERIENCE EARLY IN LIFE AFFECTS VOLUNTARY INTAKE OF BLACKBRUSH BY GOATS

摘要: Low nutritional quality and high levels of condensed tannins adversely affect voluntary intake blackbrush (Coleogyne ramosissima Torr.) by goats. We studied: (1) how consumption or alfalfa pellets young goats affected their those foods later in life, (2) whether previous ingestion the excretion total phenols from urine feces, production proline-rich proteins saliva, nitrogen mass liver, kidneys, parotid glands, reticuloramen From 6 to 26 weeks age, experienced were exposed blackbrush, while inexperienced ate pellets. Following exposure, both groups offered older-growth twigs (OG) a choice between OG current season's (CSG). A similar feeding trial was repeated nine months after and, addition, ad libitum at six availability. Immediately ingested 95% more (P < 0.01) per unit body weight than goats, but rejected CSG. Nine 27% Experienced 30% every level pellet The fate for groups, excreted 63% 0.05) uronic acids weight. Neither nor produced saliva. 32% feces did reticulorumen greater one month not differ 10 exposure. glands treatments. results show that experience early life can have profound persistent effects on diets chemical defenses low nutrional quality. also suggest several physiological morphological factors are involved.