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Dairy Goats (dairy + goat)

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Medical Sciences50%

Selected Abstracts

The Relationship between Linear Type Traits and Fertility Traits in High-yielding Dairy Goats

REPRODUCTION IN DOMESTIC ANIMALS, Issue 5 2008
M Mellado
Contents Reproductive data collected from 13 medium-size goat farms in central Mexico (582 goats), were used to investigate if linear type traits influenced reproductive performance of high-yielding dairy goats. Data were analysed using multiple stepwise forward logistic regressions. Goats with the higher scores for strength were 1.43 times more likely (p < 0.05) to have larger litters (1.49 vs 1.39) than goats with lower strength. Goats approaching level rump angles were 1.68 times more likely (p < 0.01) to have larger litters, compared with goats with extremely sloped rump angles (1.48 vs 1.37). Goats with rear legs nearly straight (posty) in hock tended (p < 0.08) to presented larger litters than goats with rear legs slightly angled (sickled) in hock (1.49 vs 1.38). Less pronounced rump angle was favourable associated (p < 0.05) with litter weight (4.88 vs 4.53 kg) compared with goats with low pin bones. Goats with poorer udder texture were 1.42 more likely (p < 0.05) to have heavier litters than goats with good udder texture. Goats with faulty mammary system tended (p < 0.07) to have heavier litters than goats with good mammary system. Increasing udder height was associated (p < 0.05) with increasing number of services per conception. Goats with good fore udder attachment and non-refined heads were at reduced risk (p < 0.05) for stillbirths. Goats with stronger median ligament were 65% less likely (p < 0.05) to lose their foetuses than those with looser udder support. Our findings indicate that a greater litter size and litter weight is expected in goats as rump angle becomes less sloped. This study showed that a relationship exists between strength of goats and litter size, and that some traits linked to high milk yield were antagonist to some reproductive traits. [source]

In vitro degradation by mixed rumen bacteria of 17 mono- and sesquiterpenes typical of winter and spring diets of goats on Basilitica rangelands (southern Italy)

JOURNAL OF THE SCIENCE OF FOOD AND AGRICULTURE, Issue 3 2009
Mostafa Malecky
Abstract BACKGROUND: Nine monoterpenes (,-3-carene, p -cymene, limonene, ,-myrcene, (E)- and (Z)-,-ocimene, ,-phellandrene, ,-terpinene, ,-terpinene), seven oxygenated monoterpenes (1,8-cineole, linalool, (E)- and (Z)-linalool oxide, 4-terpinenol, ,-terpineol, ,-terpinolene) and one sesquiterpene (,-cedrene) were investigated for their degradability in the rumen microbial ecosystem. These molecules were identified as dominant terpenes in the winter and spring diets of milking goats in Basilicata (southern Italy). RESULTS: All terpenes were tested at 3.33 µL L,1 for 24 h using in vitro incubation with mixed rumen bacteria from dairy goats. Oxygen-containing compounds were those recovered at the highest levels (89% of (E)-linalool oxide, 93% of (Z)-linalool oxide, 91% of 1,8-cineole, 82% of terpineol and 72% of 4-terpinenol), except linalool. The linear alkenes ,-myrcene and ,-ocimene almost completely disappeared. Results were more variable among cyclic alkenes, with recovery rates ranging from 50% in the case of limonene to less than 1% for ,-phellandrene. 17% of the only sesquiterpene of the group, ,-cedrene, was recovered. CONCLUSION: Recovery rates differed markedly among terpenes, partly in relation to the presence of oxygen and rings in the molecules. These observations should contribute to a better understanding of the changes in composition between the diet and milk terpenes. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry [source]

Milk production of dairy goats fed diets with different legume seeds: Effects of amino acid composition of the rumen undegradable protein fraction

JOURNAL OF THE SCIENCE OF FOOD AND AGRICULTURE, Issue 13 2008
E Ramos Morales
Abstract BACKGROUND: To establish the effect of the nature of four different legume seeds, lupins (L), faba beans (FB), bitter vetch (BV) and vetch (V) on the production and composition of goat milk, we studied the ruminal degradation of these legumes, and the amino acid (AA) composition of the seeds and that of the undegradable fractions of the protein sources. Four isonitrogenous and isoenergetic diets were designed, and in each case 30% of the protein was supplied by one of the different legume seeds. A group of eight Granadina goats was used to study the utilisation of these diets for milk production. The goats were allocated to a replicated 4 × 4 Latin square. RESULTS: Ruminal fermentation modified the AA profile of the protein of the legume seeds which was different in each case. However, milk production remained unchanged irrespective of the diet consumed. On the contrary, and despite the high level of degradability of the protein in the different legumes, the concentration of total protein, casein (CN) and overall ,S1 -CN and ,S2 -CN in milk depended on the protein source used. CONCLUSION: The concentration of total protein in milk, as well as its composition, was apparently determined by the AA composition of the corresponding fraction of the rumen-undegradable protein. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry [source]

The Relationship between Linear Type Traits and Fertility Traits in High-yielding Dairy Goats

REPRODUCTION IN DOMESTIC ANIMALS, Issue 5 2008
M Mellado
Contents Reproductive data collected from 13 medium-size goat farms in central Mexico (582 goats), were used to investigate if linear type traits influenced reproductive performance of high-yielding dairy goats. Data were analysed using multiple stepwise forward logistic regressions. Goats with the higher scores for strength were 1.43 times more likely (p < 0.05) to have larger litters (1.49 vs 1.39) than goats with lower strength. Goats approaching level rump angles were 1.68 times more likely (p < 0.01) to have larger litters, compared with goats with extremely sloped rump angles (1.48 vs 1.37). Goats with rear legs nearly straight (posty) in hock tended (p < 0.08) to presented larger litters than goats with rear legs slightly angled (sickled) in hock (1.49 vs 1.38). Less pronounced rump angle was favourable associated (p < 0.05) with litter weight (4.88 vs 4.53 kg) compared with goats with low pin bones. Goats with poorer udder texture were 1.42 more likely (p < 0.05) to have heavier litters than goats with good udder texture. Goats with faulty mammary system tended (p < 0.07) to have heavier litters than goats with good mammary system. Increasing udder height was associated (p < 0.05) with increasing number of services per conception. Goats with good fore udder attachment and non-refined heads were at reduced risk (p < 0.05) for stillbirths. Goats with stronger median ligament were 65% less likely (p < 0.05) to lose their foetuses than those with looser udder support. Our findings indicate that a greater litter size and litter weight is expected in goats as rump angle becomes less sloped. This study showed that a relationship exists between strength of goats and litter size, and that some traits linked to high milk yield were antagonist to some reproductive traits. [source]

Effects of herbage intake on goat performance in the mediterranean type natural pastures

ANIMAL SCIENCE JOURNAL, Issue 1 2009
Basri H. HAKYEMEZ
ABSTRACT This study aimed at identifying changes in natural pastures during the grazing season and investigating the effects of these changes on pasture feeding potential for high yielding dairy goats. During the study, 12 dairy goats were grazed on a 1.5 ha natural pasture for three months from April to June in 2003, 2004 and 2005. The goats were fed 0.5 kg/day of concentrate as a supplement during the grazing season. Botanical composition, herbage production and intake, crude protein (CP), neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and acid detergent fiber (ADF) contents of the pasture were determined. Live weight, milk yield, milk dry matter (DM) and fat content of the goats were monitored. The data were analyzed using a linear model, which evaluated the effects of grazing seasons in each year. Based on the three-year average, 87% of pasture was herbaceous plants and the remaining was shrubs in DM basis with Cistus creticus, Quercus ithaburensis, Pistacia atlantica and Asparagus acutifolius being the major shrub species. The herbage yield in June was significantly lower than in other months in all years (P = 0.001). In all experimental years, the CP content of the pasture decreased but the structural carbohydrates increased as the grazing season proceeded. While live weight was not affected by grazing periods except for 2004 (P = 0.001), milk yield significantly decreased with advancing grazing period (P = 0.001). The results of the present study indicate that natural pasture has a supportive effect in April and May on the milk yield of lactating goats which are in mid-lactation, and suggested that supplementary feeding is required in consecutive grazing periods. [source]

Pharmacokinetics and residues in milk of oxytetra-cyclines administered parenterally to dairy goats

AUSTRALIAN VETERINARY JOURNAL, Issue 7 2001
R. RULE
Objective To determine for two commercial preparations of oxytetracycline (OTC) the pharmacokinetic behaviour, the presence of detectable milk residues and the penetration in milk of OTC administered by intravenous (IV) (conventional formulation [CF]) and intramuscular (IM) routes (CF and long-acting [LA] formulations) in goats producing milk. The effects of these formulations on plasma activity values of creatine kinase (CK) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) were also determined as indicators of tissue damage. Procedure Five healthy lactating goats producing 1.5 ± 0.5 L/d milk and weighing 56.0 ± 4.8 kg were used. Single doses of OTC chlorhydrate (CF) were administered (20 mg OTC/kg) by IV (Trial 1 IV) and IM (Trial 1 IM) routes and OTC dehydrate (LA) by the IM route. The same goats were first given IV CF, then IM CF followed by IM LA with 3 weeks between each treatment. Blood and milk samples were taken. The quantification of OTC was performed by HPLC and the plasma activities of CK and LDH enzymes were determined by spectrophotometry. The presence of OTC residues in milk was determined by a commercial reagent. The plasma pharmacokinetic parameters were calculated using a two-compartment model. Results Estimates of kinetic variables following IV administration were: Vss= 400.0 ± 120.0 mL/kg and CL= 110.0 ± 14.0 (mL/h)/kg. The tfi for IV= 3.0 ± 0.3 h; IM, CF = 10.5 ± 2.1 h and IM, LA = 15.1 ± 3.1 h. The concentration of OTC in milk at 48 h was: IV= 0.6 ± 0.4; IM CF= 1.1 ± 0.2 and at 72 h (IM LA)= 0.6 ± 0.1 ,g/mL and the penetration in milk of OTC was: IV= 70.0 ± 18.0; IM CF= 79.0 ± 14.0 and IM LA= 66.0 ± 6.0 %. The areas under the curve of CK and LDH activities in plasma were calculated by the trapezoidal method. Values of CK and LDH IM, LA were greater (P < 0.05) than those observed for IM, CF at 2 and 3 days after administration of the antibiotic. Finally, the bioavailability of OTC CF = 92.0± 22.0 and LA= 78.0 ± 23.0 % was suitable for its usage by the IM route in lactating goats. Conclusion Plasma concentration-time values of OTC administered parenterally in production dairy goats showed similar bioavailability for the two pharmaceutical preaprations. The presence of detectable residues in milk indicates that milk should not be used for human consumption for 2 and 3 days after administration of conventional and long-acting formulations, respectively. The increments in CK and LDH activities after the IM administration of LA are consistent with the presence of tissue damage provoked by the pharmaceutical preparations at the injection site. [source]