# The effect of a calcium soap and jackfruit leaf extract on blood metabolites, oxidative stress biomarkers and follicle growth of crossbreed doelings

## TL;DR

This study shows that adding jackfruit leaf extract to a flushing diet improves glucose and cholesterol levels, reduces oxidative stress, and supports follicle growth in young goats.

## Contribution

The novel finding is that jackfruit leaf extract, when combined with PUFA, enhances follicle development and reduces oxidative stress in doelings.

## Key findings

- Jackfruit leaf extract (JLE) reduced oxidative stress by lowering malondialdehyde (MDA) levels in doelings.
- JLE supplementation increased estradiol and progesterone levels, correlating with improved follicle development.
- Combining JLE with PUFA in a flushing ration led to higher glucose and cholesterol levels, possibly supporting hormone synthesis.

## Abstract

This study evaluates the effect of a flushing ration containing polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) and jackfruit leaf extracts (JLEs) on the follicle growth, reproductive hormone profiles and oxidative stress state of doelings.

Fifteen primiparous Boer×Jawarandu doelings (23.21±3.57 kg body weight, 10–11 months old) were divided into three groups: control (PUFA flushing ration), control+JLE (200 mg/kg dry matter intake [DMI]), and control+Ca-soap (calcium soap)+JLE (200 mg/kg DMI). The following parameters were measured: production performances, follicle development, blood metabolites, antioxidant status, estradiol, and progesterone concentration.

The doelings’ glucose levels showed significant differences (p<0.05) during the post-flushing phase, on days 19, and day 21 after estrus. An increase in glucose level was observed following the administration of the control+Ca-soap+JLE ration. However, on day 21 after estrus, the highest glucose level was detected in the control+JLE treatment group (p<0.05). In addition, the doelings’ cholesterol levels were elevated on days 19 and 21 with the administration of the control+JLE ration. These changes in glucose and cholesterol levels between phases are presumed to be associated with the increased demand for hormone synthesis and follicular development. JLE supplementation reduced malondialdehyde (MDA) levels across all phases (p<0.05), indicating lower oxidative stress. Moreover the administration of the control+JLE flushing ration resulted in the highest estradiol hormone level on day 19 after estrus compared to other treatments. This finding is consistent with the greater number of medium-sized follicles observed in doelings receiving the same treatment. Additionally, including JLE in the flushing ration also resulted in increased doelings’ progesterone hormone levels during the luteal phase.

JLE can mitigate oxidative stress by reducing blood MDA levels during the pre-mating phase. Follicle formation, especially of larger and medium-sized follicles, may be accelerated when a flushing proportion of PUFA is combined with JLE.