Evaluation of the nutritive value of wild almond seed (Amygdalus scoparia) and its effect on performance, milk fatty acid composition and antioxidant activity in lactating goats

A total of 21 dairy goats in mid lactation were randomly assigned to three experimental diets in a completely randomized design. The diets contained 0, 3, or 6% WAS, and consisted of 45% forage and 55% concentrates. Milk fat and the ratio of milk fat to milk protein were significantly lower in goats fed diets containing 6% WAS (P≤0.01). Digestibility of crude fat was higher, and that of neutral (NDF) and acid (ADF) detergent fiber was lower in the goats fed diets containing WAS (P≤0.05). Milk fatty acids C14: 1 and C18: 1 and C16: 1, C18: 2, CLA and C18: 3 were significantly higher in animals which received diets containing WAS. Total mono unsaturated fatty acid (MUFA) content, poly unsaturated FA (PUFA), and PUFA/saturated FA (SFA) ratio were significantly higher in the goats fed diet containing 6% WAS (27.04%, 3.94% and 0.05, respectively). Desaturation index for C16: 1 was significantly higher in WAS goats (P≤0.01). Concentration of plasma HDL in goats (38.14-39.28 mg/dL) was higher WAS goats (P≤0.05). In conclusion, supplementation of WAS to dairy goats at a level of 3 and 6% was an effective means of increasing concentrations of unsaturated FA, especially oleic, linoleic, CLA, linolenic, and PUFA in milk fat, and plasma HDL.