Abstract
The present study aimed to overwhelm the negative impact of peripartum period on body health and productive performances. Forty pregnant Boer goats (40.13 +/- .80 kg body weight) were allocated to four groups to evaluate the effects of Chlorella vulgaris microalgae (CM; 10.0 g/headiday), Nigella sanva (NS; 5.0 g/head/day), a mixture of both CM and NS (CM & NS; treatment) during peripartum period. All treatments (CM, NS and CM&NS) increased (p < 0.05) nutrient digestibility and body weight gain. Ruminal pH increased and total protozoal decreased due to NS treatment while total bacterial counts increased in CM and CM&NS treatments. Additionally, CM and/or NS treatments increased daily milk yield (p < 0.05), concentrations of total solids, solids not fat, fat, protein, lactose and ash. Pulse rate was the lowest (P < 0.05) in NS group and partial pressure of oxygen was the lowest in control group. Hematological parameters (RBCs, WBCs, PCV. Hb) showed insignificant increases due to CM. NS and CM&NS treatments if compared to control group. The highest concentrations (P<0.05) of total proteins and albumin were recorded in CM&NS group. The concentrations of total cholesterol and triglycerides were higher (P < 0.05) in the NS and CM&NS groups when compared with others. Higher concentrations (P<0.05) of glucose. T3 and 14 were recorded in CM, NS and CM&NS groups versus lower concentrations of AST. ALT, urea and creatinine if compared to control Immune and antioxidants responses were improved (P<0.05) due CM and/or NS treatments. It could be concluded that CMNS treatment from 4 weeks pre-partum to 8 weeks post-partum of Boer goats maximizes the results in anabolism of body tissue, improvement milk yield and immune status without any adverse effect on physiological responses.