A. S. Morsy - Livestock Research Department, Arid Lands Cultivation Research Institute, City of Scientific Research and Technological Applications, New Borg El-Arab, Alexandria, Egypt.
H. M. El-Zaiat - Department of Animal Production, Faculty of Agriculture, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt.
A. M. Saber - Department of Sheep and Goats Research, Animal Production Research Institute, Agriculture Research Center, Dokki, Giza, Egypt.
M. M. Anwer - Department of Sheep and Goats Research, Animal Production Research Institute, Agriculture Research Center, Dokki, Giza, Egypt.
S. M. Sallam - Department of Animal Production, Faculty of Agriculture, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt.

Twenty Barki goats were used for evaluating the effects of oral administration of Selenium Yeast Plus vitamin E (SYPE) on rumen fermentation, milk production, feed digestibility, blood parameters and resistance to parasites. Goats were randomly divided into two groups of ten animals, control group without any treatment and treated group with ۱۰۰ mg of SYPE between days ۱۴ prepartum and ۴۹ postpartum. Rumen fluid and faecal and blood samples were collected on days ۷, ۲۱, ۳۵, and ۴۹ after kidding, milk yield was determined biweekly. During the last week of the experiment, daily fresh faecal grab samples were obtained from each animal. Feed and faeces Acid Insoluble Ash (AIA) contents were used as an internal marker to estimate the apparent digestibility coefficients. Administration of SYPE enhanced (P≤ ۰.۰۰۱) total Short Chain Fatty Acids (SCFAs) production especially propionic acid compared to the control. Ammonia N concentration was lower (P≤ ۰.۰۳۶) for SYPE than for the control. Higher milk yield (P≤ ۰.۰۰۱) and protein and lactose percentages were found (P≤ ۰.۰۵) in SYPE than in the control group. Digestibility of organic matter, ether extract, neutral detergent fiber, acid detergent fiber and hemicelluloses were higher (P< ۰.۰۵) in SYPE than that in the control. Increased serum globulin (P≤ ۰.۰۵), glucose (P≤ ۰.۰۰۱) and total cholesterol (P≤ ۰.۰۵) by SYPE were found. Selenium yeast plus vitamin E decreased (P≤ ۰.۰۵) the faecal egg count compared to the control. Administration of SYPE supported positively the rumen fermentation as was evidenced from the increased milk production, improved nutrients digestibility and the apparent health statues achieved for lactating goats.

Faecal egg count, Milk yield, Selenium yeast, Short chain fatty acids.