Integrating production performance, haematological status, and serum metabolomics to evaluate PUFA diets and jackfruit leaf supplementation in pre-mating goats

The use of polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA)-based flushing diets enriched with jackfruit leaf extract (JLE) has the potential to support physiological health and metabolic stability during the pre-mating period. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of flushing diets containing PUFA, calcium soap (Ca-soap), and JLE on production performance, haematological characteristics, and serum metabolite profiles of pre-mating goats using a metabolomic approach. The experiment was conducted using nulliparous Boer × Jawarandu crossbred does assigned to three dietary treatments with five replicates per treatment. The treatments consisted of a PUFA-based flushing diet (R0), R0 + 200 ppm JLE (R1), and a Ca-soap-based flushing diet + 200 ppm JLE (R2). The observed parameters included production performance, haematological parameters during the follicular and luteal phases, and serum metabolomics. The results showed that PUFA- and JLE-based flushing diets did not adversely affect nutrient intake or final BCS (p > 0.05). JLE supplementation increased haematocrit and haemoglobin concentrations during the luteal phase and elevated the proportions of basophils and monocytes (p < 0.05). Fifteen metabolites were identified as the most significant contributors to distinguishing among dietary treatments. However, the overall metabolite profile did not differ significantly among treatments (p > 0.05; p = 0.437). The goat serum metabolite profile was dominated by bile acids. In conclusion, flushing diets containing PUFA, Ca-soap, and JLE did not adversely affect production performance or haematological traits. The metabolite profile was predominantly characterized by bile acids and their derivatives, possibly suggesting a potential association with liver function and lipid metabolism.