Influence of levels of DL-malic acid supplementation on milk production and composition in lactating Pelibuey ewes and pre-weaning weight gain of their suckling kids

Abstract

Fifteen hair Pelibuey ewes were allotted individually to examine the effect of DL-malic acid (MA) supplementation level (0, 2 and 4 g of MA/kg of feed) during the first weeks of lactation on feed intake, milk yield and composition and pre-weaning weight gain of their suckling kids. Milk yield (P = 0.04) and milk efficiency (P = 0.03) increased linearly as MA supplementation increased, but dry matter intake (DMI) and milk composition (percentage of total solids, protein and fat) were not affected (P > 0.05). Increases on milk yield with no effect on milk composition led to a greater (linear effect, P = 0.02) milk protein yield. The ingestion of MA by the ewes resulted in a greater (linear, P < 0.01) average daily gain of their kids. Supplementation with 4 g of DL-ML per kilogram of feed increased milk production, milk protein yield and milk efficiency with no effect on DMI and milk composition. This milk production increase led to a greater daily gain of pre-weaned kids fed with milk as the unique feed source.