Effects of Dietary Rumen-Protected Choline on Stress Alleviation, Antioxidant Modulation, and Haematological, Immunological, and Offspring Performance in Transitioning Goats.

The transition period is a crucial time for dairy animals, marked by significant physiological changes. This study investigated the effects of supplementing rumen-protected choline (RPC) on oxidative stress, immune function, liver health and performance in periparturient Saanen goats and their offspring. Forty pregnant goats were used, with the research starting 5 weeks pre-partum and continuing until 5 weeks post-partum. The experimental treatments included the following: (1) control-no RPC supplement; (2) choline-treatment receiving 6 g/day of RPC. Blood samples were collected at parturition to analyse antioxidant status, haematology, liver enzymes, immunoglobulins and other parameters. The growth performance of kids was monitored until 30 days of age. RPC increased antioxidant capacity in dams, indicated by higher superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and total antioxidant status (TAS) compared to control (p < 0.05). RPC also elevated immunoglobulin G and M (IgG and IgM) levels in goats and kids (p < 0.05), though tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) remained unaffected. Haematological parameters, such as red blood cells (RBCs), haemoglobin (Hb) and haematocrit (HCT), were improved with RPC supplementation, whereas liver enzyme levels remained unchanged. RPC-supplemented kids had greater birth weights and body weights at 10, 20 and 30 days compared to control (p < 0.05). Additionally, average milk intake (AMI) remained constant between both groups (p > 0.05). Overall, RPC demonstrated partial yet promising effects on antioxidant status, immunity and performance in periparturient goats and their kids without affecting liver enzymes. Although some parameters within these domains were not significantly improved, the findings suggest that RPC may contribute to mitigating metabolic stress during the transition period. Further research is needed to clarify its long-term effects on lactation performance and reproductive efficiency.