Impact of usage protected fats on the skin and hair of Shami does fed on halophytes under desert conditions

Abstract EN

The influence of halophytic diets with or without inclusion with protected fats was studied on the hair follicle dimensions and activity in the skin of Shami goats.

Fortytwo adult Shami goats were divided into three groups (14 each) fed on diets with a ratio of 40 % concentrate and 60 % roughage and drink fresh water twice daily.

The roughage in the first group, which representing the control was berseem hay, while in the other two groups were a mixture of 50 % Atriplex halimus and Nummularia and 50% pearl millet with presence or absence of protected fats.

Skin samples were taken to determine the hair follicle characteristics and activities.

Results obtained indicated that feeding trails have small or no significant effects on the hair follicle dimensions or activities between tested and control groups and consequently elevated the negative effects of poor quality fibrous feed on follicle hair production and activity.

A slight increase was found in the diameters of fibers from the secondary follicles in contrast with those of primary follicles, which showed a reversible trend.

Meanwhile, the medulla thickness of the fibers produced from the primary follicles showed no significant changes corresponding to different feed trails.

The histochemical evaluation revealed that significant differences in carbohydrate and protein contents of both primary and secondary follicle sheaths were found between the different treatment groups.

The highest values of both carbohydrate and protein contents were recorded in the group which have protected fat in their diet.

Animals fed on halophytes supplemented with protected fat were associated with higher sebaceous gland cell and nucleus diameters of both primary and secondary follicles.

In an overall of conclusion, from the stand point of the skin follicle activity and hair production, the mixture of Atriplex halimus, Nummularia and pearl millet supplemented with protected fat could replace berseem hay.

It is a promising feed resource in Sinai and newly reclaimed lands with similar environmental conditions.