Author : Arinto

Summary : The study aimed to determine the effects of feeding varying levels of Ipil-ipil leaves on the reproductive performance of native does. The study conducted for one year used a randomized complete block (RCB) scheme. Thirty-five regularly cycling goats were randomly assigned to five treatment groups, with seven does per treatment. The dietary treatments consisted of feeding fresh IPIL-IPIL leaves at different levels (0; 19.0; 37.5; 56.0; and 75 percent) of equivalent dry matter (DM) to breeding does supplemented with 25 percent DM concentrate. Goats were likewise fed Napier grass to satisfy the 75 percent DM roughage allowance. Total dry matter offered to goats was 3.5 percent of their body wieghts. The results indicated that breeding does fed 56 and 75 percent DM IPIL-IPIL leaves consumed significantly less (P<0.05) dry matter, but the intake of crude protein was appreciably higher. Hence, they imparted heavier daily and total liveweight gains than those fed 0, 19, and 37.5 percent DM Ipil-ipil leaves. Likewise, feeding high levels of fresh IPIL-IPIL leaves (up to 75 percent DM) to breeding does demonstrated no adverse effect on their reproductive functions based on the regularity of the estrous cycle (21.2+ 1.9 days, range: 18-26 days), estrus duration (3.0 + 1.1 days, range: 1.5-6.0 days), number of services per conception (1.1, range: 1-2), gestation period (146 days, range: 144-148 days), kidding rate (1.5 range: 1.1-1.7), kid viability (range: 79-100 percent), and the pre-weaning growth rates of single and twin-birth kids.