Adult Female Goats Research Articles

Validation of a reference interval for symmetric dimethylarginine in healthy goats and its comparison to values in goats with obstructive urolithiasis.

Symmetric dimethylarginine (SDMA), a sensitive biomarker for detecting renal injury, has not been characterized in goats. Obstructive urolithiasis (OU) is the most common urinary tract disease in male small ruminants. Establish an SDMA reference interval (RI) in healthy adult goats and describe SDMA concentrations in goats with OU. We hypothesize that the SDMA RI in healthy adult goats will be similar to that of other adult veterinary species and that SDMA can be utilized to assess the renal function of goats experiencing OU. Fifty-five healthy adult male and female goats from a university herd were enrolled for SDMA RI development. Twenty male and female goats from a university herd were enrolled for validation of the SDMA RI established. Thirteen male goats diagnosed with OU were enrolled. Clinical trial. Serum samples for all animals enrolled were collected and analyzed for SDMA using an immunoassay (IDEXX Laboratories, Inc); goats with OU had additional blood work analyzed (PCV, total solids, and serum biochemistry). Symmetric dimethylarginine and other values in goats with OU were analyzed and compared at specific time points. The SDMA RI for healthy, adult goats is 8.03 μg/dL (90% CI 4.81-11.04) to 25.93 μg/dL (90% CI 22.88-28.97). There was no correlation identified between serum creatinine and SDMA in goats with OU. The SDMA RI for adult goats is higher than in other adult large animal species. Use of SDMA in goats with OU is not useful in assessing their renal function.

Iberian wild goat coprophagy on dove guano. A case report and insights from food analysis

Heterospecific coprophagy. i.e., the consumption of excreta of other species, is reported and documented for the first time for Iberian wild goat Capra pyrenaica Schinz, 1838 and is discussed in light of the nutritional composition of the excreta. Two adult female goats were observed consuming guano of rock dove Columba livia Gmelin, 1789 in March 2021 in the Natural Park of Guara. The chemical composition and feed value of the dove guano consumed by goats was analyzed using standard methods of food analysis. The guano had moderate energy content and high concentrations of nitrogen-compounds that are convertible into protein. It was also rich in macronutrients such as calcium, phosphorus, sodium and sulfur, some of which (namely phosphorus) may be deficient for goats in calcareous environments such as the study area. High levels of sodium and possibly of guanine can cause hedonistic responses to salty and umami flavors that may contribute and reinforce this feeding habit. The guano was affected by desiccation and aging resulting from outdoor exposure, which might have also decreased its degree of pathogenicity. We hypothesize that female Iberian wild goats could be stimulated by guano in the second half of their pregnancy period, when their protein requirements increase. Heterospecific coprophagy has been documented in a wide range of mammals indicating it may be an important feeding activity, but it is still poorly described and understood. Its causes, consequences and relevance should deserve more attention to better understand their feeding ecology. This has to be faced under a multidisciplinary approach.

Evaluating the influence of vitamin E and selenium on the uterine health of adult female goats: a histological study

Evaluating the influence of vitamin E and selenium on the uterine health of adult female goats: a histological study

Effects of high, sub-lethal doses of fentanyl on respiratory functions in adult female goats

Since 1999, the opioid epidemic in the United States has claimed more than 300,000 lives, and data from more recent years indicate annual increases exceeding 80,000 fatalities. Synthetic opioids like fentanyl contribute to these opioid-related deaths through multiple physiologic effects including Opioid-induced respiratory depression (OIRD), impairment of the alveolar to arterial oxygen gradient (A-a), and rigidity of upper airway and pump muscles causing airway dysfunction, or Wooden Chest Syndrome (WCS). We have previously shown (PMID: 37885800) that sub-lethal doses of fentanyl (25-125 μg/kg; IV) cause in healthy adult goats a transient time and dose dependent effect on breathing frequency and tidal volume, WCS and A-a which varied greatly between goats. We hypothesize that high dose fentanyl will exacerbate the effects seen in sub-lethal doses in both a time and dose-dependent manner. Adult female goats (n=3) were surgically instrumented with electromyographic (EMG) wires in both the airway (genioglossus and thyropharyngeal) and respiratory pump muscles (diaphragm, transverse abdominus and diaphragm) and the carotid arteries were relocated to a subcutaneous location. Goats were allowed 2 weeks for recovery before the onset of studies. Arterial blood samples were obtained through carotid catheters and fentanyl injections were made through acute placement of jugular venous catheters. Following a 30-minute control period, we injected saline (vehicle) or high-dose fentanyl (250-500μg/kg). In a time dependent manner, high doses of IV fentanyl injections decreased breathing frequency (FB), increased expiratory time (TE) and increased tidal volume (VT). Arterial oxygen (PaO2) decreased substantially (~35 mmHg; and arterial CO2 (PaCO2) increased to as high as 70mmHg. From about 15 to 90 minutes after fentanyl injections, the overall effect on breathing and respiratory muscle activity was consistent with a stimulatory effect of fentanyl. These data suggest high dose fentanyl increases OIRD and exacerbate life-threatening effects that cause ventilatory suppression, hypoxemia, and hypercapnia. Funded by NIH DA050571. This is the full abstract presented at the American Physiology Summit 2024 meeting and is only available in HTML format. There are no additional versions or additional content available for this abstract. Physiology was not involved in the peer review process.

Effects of high dose Fentanyl in combination with hypoxia or ketamine in adult female goats

The worsening opioid epidemic in the United States continues to claim >80,000 lives each year. Synthetic opioids such as fentanyl are highly useful in the clinical management of pain but at high doses are thought to cause death through opioid-induced respiratory depression (OIRD), impairment of the alveolar to arterial oxygen (A-a O2) gradient and though upper airway and respiratory pump muscles activation causing airway dysfunction and/or Wooden Chest Syndrome (WCS). These negative effects of high dose opioids may be exacerbated when individuals use additional drugs such as ketamine or by an existing hypoxia. We have shown previously that low (sub-lethal) doses of fentanyl (25-125 μg/kg; IV) cause transient apnea (<30 sec), a brief suppression of breathing frequency (FB; <5 min), increased tidal volume (VT), upper airway and pump muscle activity, and an increased A-a O2 gradient with an overall stimulatory effect on ventilation for up to 90 min post-injection (PMID: 37885800). Here we tested the hypothesis that the physiological effects of high doses of fentanyl will be exacerbated when combined with pre-treatment of either mild hypoxia (FIO2=0.12) or IV ketamine (10 mg/kg). Adult female goats (n=3) were surgically instrumented with electromyographic (EMG) wires in airway (genioglossus and thyropharyngeal) and respiratory pump (diaphragm, transverse abdominus and intercostal) muscles and the carotid arteries relocated subcutaneously and allowed 2 weeks for recovery. Arterial blood samples were obtained through a carotid catheter and all injections were via a catheter in the jugular. Following a 30-minute control period, goats were given IV saline (vehicle) or fentanyl (50–500 μg/kg). In most goats, fentanyl doses of 200-250 μg/kg cause immediate apnea up to 60 sec in duration and decreased FB (~40%) and PaO2 (~35 mmHg) while increasing PaCO2 (~70mmHg) along with an EMG activation and increased A-a O2 gradient. These effects tended to be less severe at a given dose when injections were performed during mild hypoxia (15 min; n=2) but were exacerbated by pretreatment with ketamine (n=1). These data suggest high doses of fentanyl in goats cause similar life-threatening features as in humans, and that these effects seem to be mitigated by hypoxic ventilatory stimulation but exacerbated by polypharmacy with ketamine. NIH DA050571. This is the full abstract presented at the American Physiology Summit 2024 meeting and is only available in HTML format. There are no additional versions or additional content available for this abstract. Physiology was not involved in the peer review process.

Studies on Echostructural Pattern of Urinary System in Adult Female Goats

Background: Ultrasonography is a second most commonly used diagnostic imaging technique in veterinary practice after radiography. The ultrasonographic examination of clinically healthy animals provides relevant information about anatomical location, echo texture, size and shape of organs. In the present study, the echo-structural pattern of urinary system of adult female goats were evaluated to find the normal structural pattern of various constituents of urinary system. Methods: B-mode ultrasonographic study of urinary system was performed in 20 healthy adult female Jamunapari goats. Mean±S.E. values of body weight and age of selected animals were 27.49±0.79 kg and 2.77±0.10 years, respectively. All twenty animals were subjected to sonographic examination after clipping the hairs from desired sites to scan the various organs of urinary system in standing position under physical restraint without using any anesthetic agent. The values of various clinico-physiological parameters including rectal temperature, heart rate, respiration rate, colour of mucous membranes were recorded to examine the health status prior to sonography. The left and right kidneys were scanned from right dorsal flank by paravertebral approach using a transcutaneous micro-convex probe at 5 MHz and a convex probe at 2.8-6 MHz frequency. A dual frequency (5-9 MHz) micro-curved array cavity probe was used to scan bladder and urethra per rectally. The renal parenchyma in healthy goats was distinctly divided into hypoechoic outer cortex and anechoic inner medulla. The hyperechoic renal sinus complex was present in center of the kidney and renal pelvis was anechoic. The renal capsule was seen as hyperechoic fine line surrounding the renal parenchyma. Pulsed wave renal color doppler ultrasound was performed in 3 healthy goats with the aim to generate reference images of renal vasculature. Result: The Mean±SE values of renal length, renal height, horizontal diameter of renal sinus, vertical diameter of renal sinus and diameter of renal pelvis for right kidney were 6.11±0.09, 3.26±0.08, 3.01±0.11, 1.32±0.03, 1.05±0.03, respectively while for left kidney these values were 6.02±0.09 and 3.35±0.07, 2.67±0.12, 1.14±0.06, 1.10±0.07 cm. The ureters could not be visualized in any of the goats. The distended bladder was seen as anechoic circular structure surrounded by a smooth echogenic wall with a mean thickness of 1.65±0.06 mm. No significant difference was observed in the measurements of both kidneys except in dimensions of renal sinus. Positive correlation was found between renal size and body weight of goats. It was concluded that ultrasound is an easy, rapid and non-invasive method to evaluate echotexture and morphometry of structures of urinary system.

Assessing the Prevalence’s of Fascioliasis in Goats in the Central Areas of Khost Province Afghanistan

Fascioliasis is an important parasitic disease of domestic animals, which causes weakness, loss of appetite, reduced production and death of animals in domestic animals, which causes more financial losses to farmers. this study aims to investigate and determine the prevalence’s of fascioliasis in goats in the central areas of Khost province. the data were analyzed using SPSS with chi square test. A total 100 goats were investigated and the positive prevalence rate of the fascioliasis was 38%. In this study, the age and sex of the animals were also considered. the prevalence rate based on age was 40% in young goat and 37.1% in adult goats. According to sex, the prevalence of fascioliasis in male goats was 42.8% and in female goats was 35.3%. the positive incidence of the fascioliasis was higher in male animals than in female goats based on sex. and based on age the positive incidence was higher in young goats than in adult goats. also, the prevalence of fascioliasis in young male was 50%, but in young female goats the prevalence of fascioliasis was 35%. 40% in adult male and 35.5% in adult female goats detected.

Morphological and Histological Analysis of the Uterus in Adult Female Goats for Understanding Reproductive Health and Function

Morphological and Histological Analysis of the Uterus in Adult Female Goats for Understanding Reproductive Health and Function

An Investigation of the Prevalence’s of Fascioliasis in Goats in the Central Areas of Khost Province Afghanistan

Fascioliasis is an important parasitic disease of domestic animals, which causes weakness, loss of appetite, reduced production and death of animals in domestic animals, which causes more financial losses to farmers. this study aims to investigate and determine the prevalence’s of fascioliasis in goats in the central areas of Khost province. the data were analyzed using SPSS with chi square test. A total 100 goats were investigated and the positive prevalence rate of the fascioliasis was 38%. In this study, the age and sex of the animals were also considered. the prevalence rate based on age was 40% in young goat and 37.1% in adult goats. According to sex, the prevalence of fascioliasis in male goats was 42.8% and in female goats was 35.3%. the positive incidence of the fascioliasis was higher in male animals than in female goats based on sex. and based on age the positive incidence was higher in young goats than in adult goats. also, the prevalence of fascioliasis in young male was 50%, but in young female goats the prevalence of fascioliasis was 35%. 40% in adult male and 35.5% in adult female goats detected.

Phenotypic Characteristics of Indigenous Goats in Benin

Introduction: Phenotypic characterization contributes to the knowledge of breeds and their sustainable use. The present study assessed the possibility of using factorial analysis of mixed data (FAMD) combined with hierarchical clusters on principal components to manage goat characteristics. Materials and methods: A total of 1644 adult male and female indigenous goats were randomly sampled across different climate zones (Guinean, Sudanian-Guinean, and Sudanian zone) of Benin. The samples were investigated in terms of 20 body measurements (head length, right and left horn length, right and left ear length, neck girth, neck length, cannon length, cannon bone circumference, body length, heart girth, tail length, body weight, Rump width, withers height, chest depth, back height, rump height, rump depth, and age) and 12 qualitative traits sex, coat color, color pattern, horn presence, horn shape, horn orientation, ear orientation, head profile, beard presence, wattles presence, back profile, and rump profile). Data analysis was performed using FAMD and hierarchical clusters on principal components. Results: The findings indicated three types of goats with distinct characteristics. The first goat type had a small size (35.65 cm in withers and 38.29 cm in back height), while the third type had a large size (57.02 cm in withers and 59.08 in back height ). The second genetic type had a medium size (47.31 cm and 50.01 cm for withers and back height, respectively) resulting from the previous types of genetic crosses. Conclusion: The results indicate the efficiency of FAMD-based cluster analysis in handling phenotypic data.

Polymorphism of the MTNR1A Melatonin Receptor Gene in Goat Breeds of Northern Italy.

Melatonin receptor MT1, encoded by the MTNR1A gene, is the main one involved in the seasonal regulation of reproductive activity. A correlation between this gene polymorphism and reproductive performance has been demonstrated in sheep. To date, no data about MTNR1A gene polymorphism are available regarding Italian goat breeds other than the Sarda goat. This study aimed to detect any PCR-RFLP polymorphic sites of MTNR1A using MnlI and RsaI enzymes in Northern Italian goat breeds, which are characterized by a pronounced reproductive seasonality. One-hundred-eight adult female goats belonging to four different breeds were included in the study (i.e., Frisa Valtellinese, n = 29; Orobica, n = 23; Lariana, n = 29; Camosciata delle Alpi, n = 27). Blood was sampled from each goat. Genomic DNA was extracted from each sample and the main part of exon II of MTNR1A gene was amplified by PCR and digested with MnlI and RsaI enzymes. Unexpectedly, none of the fragments were found to be polymorphic. The absence of polymorphism may be linked to the macro group of goat breeds that evolved during human migrations. Breeds of the Alpine-European strain would appear to show no polymorphism, as confirmed by our study, whereas breeds belonging to the Mediterranean-African or Asian-Middle Eastern strains do.

Evaluation of Voluntary Feed Intake and Digestibility Organic Feed Ingredients for Adult Female Goats

Limited forage for livestock during the dry season has an impact on low livestock productivity, so a source of feed other than grass is needed as an effort to utilize local resources.The purpose of research is voluntary feed intake level and organik matter digestibility adult female goat given by 3 different feed. It was carried out on experimental farm of Hasanuddin University for 3 months. A total of six a head of adult male goats aged around 1.5 years with preliminary weights 11-15 kg were used and place at individual pen of 100 x 50 x 100 cm with 80 cm above ground level. This research was designed using RBSL with 3 treatments and it was used 2 heads of goat replication. The feed treatment covered 3 kinds of leaves, namely mango (R1), jackfruit (R2), and banana (R3). The voluntary feed intake (kg/day) was measured based on difference between given and remained feed weights. The measurement of feed digestibility (%) using Total Collecting Method, covering total of feed comsumption and total of goat faeces (24 hours) separeted with urine. The research result showed that the voluntary feed intake level R1 leaves was heigher than R2 and R3 leaves, whereas the level of crude fiber digestibility and crude fat of R1 higher than R2 and R3, but digestibility of crude protein R3 higher than R1 dan R2.

Effects of sub-lethal doses of fentanyl on vital physiologic functions and withdrawal-like behaviors in adult goats.

Synthetic opioids like fentanyl have improved the standard of care for many patients in the clinical setting, but their abuse leads to tens of thousands of overdose deaths annually. The current opioid epidemic underscores a critical need for insights into the physiological effects of fentanyl on vital functions. High doses of opioids in small mammals cause opioid-induced respiratory depression (OIRD) leading to hypoventilation, hypoxemia, and hypercapnia. In addition, opioids can also increase the alveolar to arterial oxygen (A-a) gradient and airway dysfunction. However, little is known about the physiologic effects of sub-lethal doses of opioids in large mammals. Here we report the effects of a sub-lethal dose range of fentanyl (25-125μg/kg; IV) on vital physiologic functions over 90min (min) and withdrawal-like behaviors over the subsequent 4h (h) in adult female goats (n = 13). Fentanyl induced decreases in breathing frequency in the first few min post-injection, but then led to a sustained increase in tidal volume, total ventilation, and blood pressure with a reduced heart rate for ≥90min. These ventilatory changes resulted in time-dependent arterial hypocapnia and hypoxemia and an increased alveolar to arterial oxygen gradient ∼30min post-injection indicative of impaired gas exchange in the lung. The predominant effects of fentanyl on breathing were stimulatory, underscored by an increased rate of rise of the diaphragm muscle activity and increased activation of upper airway, intercostal and abdominal muscles. Beginning 90min post-injection we also quantified withdrawal-like behaviors over 4h, demonstrating dose- and time-dependent increases in locomotor, biting, itching, and pawing behaviors. We conclude that fentanyl at sublethal doses induces multiple physiologic and behavior changes that emerge along different time courses suggesting multiple independent mechanisms underlying effects of opioids.

Ovarian activity, metabolic and physiological parameters of canindé goats submitted to short-term supplementation with licuri oil

This study aimed to evaluate the estrous behavior, ovarian activity, feed intake, metabolic and physiological parameters of Canindé goats supplemented for nine days with Licuri oil (Syagrus coronata). Thirty-six adult female goats were distributed randomly into two groups: control group (n = 18) without Licuri oil and the oil group (n = 18) receiving a supplement containing 3% Licuri oil. The short-term food supplementation was associated with an estrus synchronization protocol. The number of ovulations and follicle diameter were evaluated by ultrasonography. Dry matter intake (DMI) and nutrient intake, water ingestion, and physiological parameters such as rectal temperature (RT), respiratory rate (RR), heart rate (HR), and serum concentrations of cholesterol and non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA) were also determined. As concern statistical analysis, ANOVA followed by Fisher’s LSD was used and the differences were considered significant when P < 0.05. The control group showed higher HR and RR in the afternoon shift compared to the Oil group. The Oil group showed lower DMI but higher ether extract intake, and serum cholesterol and NEFA concentration than control group. Treatments did not affect estrus response and ovulation rate, but the Licuri oil increased the number of small follicles. The supplementation of Licuri oil improved thermal comfort during the dry season and a marginal increase in the ovarian activity was observed.

Fentanyl induced disruption of the coordinated reciprocal activity of inspiratory and expiratory respiratory muscles

Opioid induced respiratory depression (OIRD) occurs when respiratory pump and/or airway muscle activity are reduced ostensibly due to reduced output from the brainstem respiratory control system, resulting in central (CA) and/or obstructive apnea (OA) and reduced breathing frequency. Although less commonly reported in the literature, ORID may also result from an inappropriate activation of accessory muscles leading to the “Wooden Chest Syndrome” (WCS) -when airflow is limited due to simultaneous activation of inspiratory and expiratory pump and/or airway respiratory muscles to decrease chest wall compliance and inappropriately increase airway resistance. This phenomenon is difficult to directly study in humans, but here we present data from our large animal model (adult female goats). We tested the hypothesis that IV fentanyl would lead to transient dysfunction in respiratory accessory muscles indicative of WCS. We surgically instrumented goats (n=7) with electromyographic (EMG) wires in inspiratory (diaphragm; DIA) and expiratory (Transversus Abdominus; TA) pump muscles, as well as airway dilator (Thyropharyngeus; Thy) and constrictor (Genioglossus; GG) muscles. After &gt;2 weeks of surgical recovery, responses to saline or various doses of fentanyl citrate (25-125 mcg/kg; IV) were tested for 30 min before and up to 90 min after injection. As described in an adjacent poster, particularly over the first several minutes after fentanyl injection, CA and OA were observed in some goats. However, disruption of airflow was primarily associated with increased simultaneous activation of pump and airway inspiratory and expiratory muscles resembling WCS. For most muscles, the rate of rise in muscle activity (an index of firing intensity) increased within 2 minutes following fentanyl injection and remained significantly (P&lt;0.05) elevated up to 90 minutes. During WCS periods, airflow was oscillatory or interrupted suggesting transient closure of the airway. In addition, there were time- and dose-dependent effects on frequency, duration, and total activity of the pump and airway muscles. By 60 minutes post-injection, there were periods of transient return of muscle activity and airflow to at or below baseline values. There was no significant effect of saline on muscle activity. Overall, these data suggest that following fentanyl injection in awake goats, there was an increase in firing of pump and airway muscles which ultimately disrupts the coordinated reciprocal activity of inspiratory and expiratory muscles and contributes to OIRD. Supported by NIH DA050571 This is the full abstract presented at the American Physiology Summit 2023 meeting and is only available in HTML format. There are no additional versions or additional content available for this abstract. Physiology was not involved in the peer review process.

Intravenous injection of fentanyl in adult awake goats increases arterial blood pressure and reduces heart rate without affecting metabolic rate or temperature

At high doses, synthetic opioids are thought to slow heart rate and reduce mean arterial blood pressures in humans and rodents and could create a life-threatening situation. Herein, we report dose-dependent effects of intravenous (IV) injection of fentanyl on systolic (SYS), diastolic (DIA), and mean (MAP) arterial blood pressure, heart rate (HR) metabolic rate and body temperatures in adult female goats (n=7). Variables were measured 30 min before, during and up to 90 min after IV injection of vehicle (saline) or 25, 50, 75, 100, and 125 mcg/kg fentanyl. Baseline averages for SYS, DIA, MAP was 102, 73, 83 mmHg, respectively, and HR was 84 beats/minute (bpm). There were no significant changes in these values over 90 minutes when saline was injected. Between 8 and 10 minutes after fentanyl injection, SYS, DIA, and MAP increased substantially from control by about 40, 25, and 30 mmHg, respectively. These increases did not appear dose independent, but by 90 minutes post-injection SYS, DIA, and MAP decreased toward control at the lowest dose (25 mcg/kg). The fentanyl induced arterial hypertension was partially compensated by a ~15 bpm decrease in heart rate which changed minimally between 10 and 90 minutes after fentanyl injection. The sustained increase in arterial blood pressure indicates a sustained excitatory effect of fentanyl consistent with the excitatory effect of fentanyl on tidal volume and respiratory muscle activity (see additional abstracts from our group). This excitatory effect is not due to changes in metabolic rate and/or body temperature as we found no consistent effect of fentanyl injections on these variables. This excitatory effect of fentanyl appears species-dependent as opioid agonists injected into rats and humans typically induces arterial hypotension. Species dependency of fentanyl may reflect species variation in effects of fentanyl on vagal nerve endings, brainstem control centers, and/or cardiac receptors (J. Car.Pharm, 1985), or alternatively may reflect differences in fentanyl metabolism whereby metabolites may have differential effects on blood pressure among these species. NIH DA050571 This is the full abstract presented at the American Physiology Summit 2023 meeting and is only available in HTML format. There are no additional versions or additional content available for this abstract. Physiology was not involved in the peer review process.

Hematological Parameters in Hair Goats During and out of Breeding Season Hair Goats Seasonal Hematological Parameters

Background: The hair goat of Anatolia is a breed that has adapted to rugged and mountainous areas and is known to be very resistant to diseases. As the world faces the problem of climate change, we believe that knowing the hematological characteristics of hair goats will provide great benefits for goat breeding. Objectives: This study was performed to determine possible differences in the blood parameters of adult (male and female) hair goats during and out of the breeding season. Methods: For this purpose, blood samples were taken from clinically healthy adult male and female hair goats (n=36, 3-4 years old) in the spring and autumn seasons. Regarding the whole blood, white blood cell (WBC), red blood cell (RBC), hemoglobin (Hb), hematocrit (Hct), mean red blood cell volume (MCV), mean red blood cell hemoglobin (MCH), average red blood cell hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) and red blood cell distribution width (RDW) values were determined. Results: In the study, MCV values in males were not significantly (P≥0.05) different between spring and autumn, while all other parameters showed significant differences (P≤0.05). In females, WBC, RBC, Hb, Hct, and RDW blood values were higher in the autumn (estrus period) than in the spring (anestrus period), and the differences were found to be significant (P≤0.05). Comparing males and females between the estrus and anestrus seasons, WBC and MCHC were found to be significantly different (P≤0.05) between males and females in May. In contrast, the difference between other parameters was not significant. In October (estrus season), the MCV value was not significantly different between males and females; however, all other parameters were significantly different (P≤0.05). Conclusion: As a result, there were significant differences in hematological parameters of hair goats based on gender and the breeding season.

Individual Genomic Loci and mRNA Levels of Immune Biomarkers Associated with Pneumonia Susceptibility in Baladi Goats

The effectiveness of breeding for inherent disease resistance in animals could be considerably increased by identifying the genes and mutations that cause diversity in disease resistance. One hundred and twenty adult female Baladi goats (sixty pneumonic and sixty apparently healthy) were used in this study. DNA and RNA were extracted from blood samples collected from the jugular vein of each goat. SLC11A1, CD-14, CCL2, TLR1, TLR7, TLR8, TLR9, β defensin, SP110, SPP1, BP1, A2M, ADORA3, CARD15, IRF3, and SCART1 SNPs that have been previously found to be associated with pneumonia resistance/susceptibility were identified via PCR-DNA sequencing. The pneumonic and healthy goats differed significantly, according to a Chi-square analysis of the discovered SNPs. The mRNA levels of the studied immune markers were noticeably greater in the pneumonic goats than in the healthy ones. The findings could support the significance of the use of immune gene expression profiles and nucleotide variations as biomarkers for the susceptibility/resistance to pneumonia and provide a practical management technique for Baladi goats. These results also suggest a potential strategy for lowering pneumonia in goats by employing genetic markers linked to an animal's ability to fend off infection in selective breeding.

Effects of implementing a semi-stall-feeding system on goat kid survival and farmer adoption in western Odisha

A study was conducted over an eight-month period in 2016 with the objective of implementing and evaluating a semi-stall-feeding system in comparison to the traditional grazing system on goat farms in Kandhamal district, Odisha. Sixteen households across two villages were randomly selected from a sampling frame of farmers that owned at least four adult female goats. Four households from each of the two villages were randomly assigned to the control group (C) that engaged in traditional grazing of goats and four households to the supplemented group (S) which applied semi-stall-feeding (concentrate feeding at 2% of the herd's total body weight of goats). The potential outcomes of a transition to intensive goat production system were assessed by monitoring growth, survival, and milk quality on goat farms. Farmers' input concerning technology adoption was documented. Survivability was 4.26 times greater for kids in the supplemented than control group. Adult and kid weights did not differ among the groups. Sixty-three per cent of participating farmers were interested in supplementing their goats after the project and willing to pay between 1.5 to 15.0 USD/ household per month on goat feed. Results from this study will help policymakers about the potential impact of reducing goat dependence on grazing land and tribal farmer receptivity to goat system intensification.

Haemotobiochemical changes and management of post-partum fatty liver syndrome in Malabari goats

The fatty liver syndrome was confirmed by haemotobiochemical and hepatic ultrasonographic investigations in 12 Malabari goats within six weeks after kidding. Animals were divided into two groups with six does each which received two different treatments. Ketonex bolus, which contains nicotinic acid, disodium hydrogen phosphate, and live yeast was given to the goats in Group I. The animals in Group II received syrup Bexoliv, which contains tricholine citrate, methionine, inositol, vitamin E, biotin, selenium, silymarin, iron, copper, and B12. In addition to this, animals of both groups received glycerin orally. On the fifteenth day of treatment, the animals were reevaluated. Six apparently healthy adult female goats within six weeks of kidding were selected as control. Before treatment, the neutrophil count showed a significant increase and lymphocyte and monocyte counts showed a decrease in the study groups. Blood beta-hydroxybutyrate (βHB), serum non-esterified free fatty acids (NEFA) and serum urea nitrogen (SUN) levels showed a significant increase before treatment and reduced after treatment among both groups. Hepatic ultrasonography showed hyperechogenicity of parenchyma before treatment when compared to after treatment. The animals showed improvement with both treatments.