Alpine Goats Research Articles

Energy Supplementation during the Last Third of Gestation Improves Mother-Young Bonding in Goats.

Simple SummaryThe last third of gestation is a period of high energy demand for the dam, because she needs to support the growth of fetuses and the newborn. Moreover, towards the end of gestation, maternal feed intake is reduced as the mass of the fetoplacental unit increases. The maternal diet often cannot meet nutritional requirements, compromising thermoregulatory capacity, wellbeing, and viability, and the survival of the newborn. We have shown that energy supplementation of the mother during the last third of gestation does not affect progeny birth weight but enhances mother–young bonding.We tested whether maternal energy supplementation during the last third of gestation improves birth weight, neonatal wellbeing, and mother–young bonding. Thirty-six pregnant French Alpine goats were randomly allocated among three nutritional treatments for the last third of pregnancy: (i) Control, fed alfalfa (T-0; n = 12); (ii) alfalfa + 150 g/head daily energy concentrate (T-150; n = 12); (iii) alfalfa + 300 g/head daily energy concentrate (T-300; n = 12). At birth, we collected progeny data on birth weight, birth type, sex, rectal temperature, heart rate, respiratory rate, time to standing, time to udder connection, and time to first feeding. For the dams, we collected data on the duration of labor, time to clean the progeny, and time to allow first suckling. At birth, body weight, rectal temperature, heart rate, and the respiratory rate did not differ among treatments (p > 0.05). In the dams, labor duration was not affected by the treatments (p > 0.05). The T-150 dams were faster to clean the newborn and allow first suckling (p < 0.05). The T-150 progeny were faster to stand and the T-300 progeny were faster to connect to the udder (p < 0.05). We conclude that energy supplementation of the dam during the last third of gestation does not affect the birth weight of the progeny, but enhances the mother–young bonding.

114 Short-term hormonal protocol efficiency either with or without equine chorionic gonadotrophin to promote oestrous synchronization in cyclic dairy goats

The use of equine chorionic gonadotrophin (eCG) in oestrous induction protocols is associated with antibody production against eCG. Moreover, there are important equine welfare issues involved in its production and the development of viable protocols without eCG in dairy goats is essential. The aim of this study was to assess oestrus and ovulatory responses of short-term oestrous synchronization protocol with or without eCG in nulliparous (NUL) and multiparous (MUL) dairy goats during the breeding season. On a random day of oestrous cycle (Day 0), Alpine (n=10 NUL and 10 MUL), Nubian (n=10 NUL and 10 MUL), and Saanen (n=10 NUL and 6 MUL) goats received 30μg of d-cloprostenol intramuscularly (IM) and an intravaginal sponge containing 60mg of medroxyprogesterone acetate, which was maintained for 6 days (Day 6). At 24h before sponge removal (Day 5), goats received IM 200IU of Novormon 5000 (G-eCG) or saline solution (G-Control). NUL and MUL goats of each breed were assigned equally into one of the two treatments. Transrectal ultrasonography was used to assess ovarian parameters, and teaser goats detected oestrus every 12h from sponge removal to ovulation or until 96h after sponge removal. The results are described as mean±s.e.m., and categorical results are presented as percentages. The normal distribution of the residues of all variables was determined by the Shapiro-Wilk test and for homoscedastic by Levene test. To evaluate interaction between treatments and parity order, the general linear model (GLM) was applied. Parametric variables were subjected to Student’s t-test. Nonparametric variables were analysed by Mann–Whitney test, Chi-squared test, and Fisher’s exact test. Values of P&amp;lt;0.05 were considered significant. According to the breed and parity order, Nubian and Saanen goats showed no difference (P&amp;gt;0.05) in reproductive parameters. Alpine goats had a longer (P&amp;lt;0.05) interval from sponge removal to onset of oestrus (SROE) in MUL (61±14.0h) than NUL (38.5±12.7h), longer interval from onset of oestrus to ovulation (IEOV) in NUL (33.5±11.9h) than MUL (19.5±13.4h), and the number of ovulations was greater (P&amp;lt;0.05) in MUL (2.2±0.9) than in NUL (1.3±0.5). In goats either receiving eCG or not, Alpine and Nubian goats had no difference (P&amp;gt;0.05) in SROE, IEOV, interval from sponge removal to ovulation (SROV), percentage of animals that ovulated, diameter of the ovulatory follicle, and number of ovulations. Saanen goats had a higher (P&amp;lt;0.05) percentage of animals that ovulated in G-eCG (87.5%) than G-control (25.0%). Regardless of parity order and breed, SROV was longer (P&amp;lt;0.05) in G-control (73.2±9.8h) than in G-eCG (65.1±10.2h), and the percentage of animals that ovulated was greater (P&amp;lt;0.05) in G-eCG (96.4%) than in G-control (67.9%). In summary, in short-term protocols for oestrous synchronization in cyclic dairy goats, the addition of eCG led to a shorter interval from sponge removal to ovulation and increased number of animals that ovulated. This research was supported by CNPq (310166/2012-8) and Embrapa (20.19.01.004.00.03.001).

112 Follicular dynamics and oestrus response of Alpine goats with oestrus/ovulation synchronized during the early transitional reproductive phase using gonadotrophin given early or late

Oestrus and ovulation synchronization (E/OS) regimens for fixed-timed breeding are useful when consistently eliciting ovulation. Early synchronization in the reproductive season promotes unreliable oestrus behavioural and physiologic response due to insufficient ovarian priming. In ruminants, equine (eCG) or human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG) has FSH bioactivity or elicits ovulation, correspondingly. Hence, 120 and 60IU of eCG and hCG, respectively, are included in goat E/OS regimes. This experiment addresses the time when eCG/hCG (CG) is given relative to progestagen (P4) withdrawal and its effect on oestrus and ovulation. Fourteen non-lactating, Alpine breed goats, ranging from 1 to 6 kiddings, averaging±s.d. 3.9±2.0 years of age, and 56.3±5.0kg of bodyweight (BW), and body condition score (BCS) of 2.6±0.2, were evaluated early in the transitional reproductive phase (12h daylight:12h darkness). E/OS was accomplished with 12 day of P4 (200 mg) exposure by intravaginal insert. Three treatments were evaluated: Traditional (T; n=4) did not receive CG and served as the control group; early (E; n=5) received CG 24h before P4 removal; and reverse (R; n=5) received PGF2α 24h before P4 withdrawal as well as CG concurrent with P4 withdrawal. Oestrus response to E/OS was evaluated 24h after breeding using epididymectomized bucks. Ovaries were scanned by transrectal ultrasound (Aloka SSD-500V/7.5-MHz linear array probe) for 4 consecutive days starting with the first i.m. injection of 1.0mL of PGF2α or 1.5mL of CG. Images were digitized (MediCapture™) for later morphometry. The absence of effect (P&amp;gt;0.05) from concomitant variables age, BW, BCS, and parity was ascertained using a logistic regression model (JMP/SAS v15; SAS Institute Inc.). Ovulation, defined as the disappearance of the largest (&amp;gt;7mm) preovulatory follicle on a subsequent observation, was 100, 80, and 100%; and the average±s.e. number of ovulations per goat was 2±0.41, 1±0.32, and 1.3±0.49 (P&amp;gt;0.05). Table 1 summarises follicular size documented of 122 observations of ovulatory areas. Graafian follicle location was not different for left or right ovaries (P&amp;gt;0.05). Oestrus behavioural response to each E/OS treatment (T, E, or L) up to 24h after P4 removal was 50, 80, and 80% (P&amp;gt;0.05), respectively. In summary, oestrus response and ovulation were not affected by the variables studied. In this experience the timing of CG was not relevant. Table 1. Mean diameter (±SE; mm) of nonovulatory and preovulatory follicles on left (L) and right (R) ovaries E/OS protocol Non- and preovulatory Nonovulatory Preovulatory L R L R L R Traditional 6.4±0.6 5.5±0.6 4.8±0.4 4.5±0.4 7.7±0.4 8.9±0.3 Early 5.2±0.3 5.5±0.4 4.9±0.2 4.4±0.3 8.4±1.2 8.1±0.2 Reverse 6.6±0.5 5.3±0.6 5.1±0.4 4.4±0.5 8.7±0.3 8.1±0.2 Overall 5.7±0.19 4.7±0.14 8.3±0.14

Relationship between reproductive performance and meteorological variables in French Alpine goats in the northwestern part of Croatia

The study aimed to determine the relationship between reproductive performance, kidding distribution, and birth weight of French Alpine goats and meteorological variables in the northwestern part of Croatia throughout six consecutive years (from 2013 until 2018). During the study, French Alpine goats (n=948) on the 6 dairy goat farms, birthed 1025 goat kids after 893 successful matings (55 matings were unsuccessful) during six consecutive years. The average birth weight was 3.46±0.48 kg for females (n=478) and 3.71±0.51 kg for male kids (n=547). French Alpine does with single kids accounted for 85.89% (n=767), with twins 13.44% (n=120) and triplets 0.67% (n=6). The average litter size was 1.15, and the average parity was 2.95. The birth weight of goat kids in primiparous and pluriparous goats was not significantly different. Survival rate (until 1 month of age) was 93.66 % (n=960). French Alpine does fertility in northwestern Croatia, through six years was 94.18%. Seasonal kidding of French Alpine was distributed mostly on two seasons: winter (73.57%) and spring (24.52%) in the northwestern part of Croatia during six consecutive years 2013-2018. Observed differences in the kidding distribution per month during the years of observation were statistically significant (P = 0.018). The highest number of kidding was recorded in February in all years of observation. It can be concluded that there was not any relationship between monthly air temperature and precipitation amounts with tested reproductive performances in French Alpine dairy goats in the NW part of Croatia during the observed period.

Energy requirements and efficiency of Alpine goats in early lactation

Dairy goats may rely heavily on body fat and protein reserves in early lactation. Therefore, we aimed to determine the energy requirement and estimate the efficiency of utilization the nutrients of tissues mobilized in the first 8 weeks of lactation for milk production using the comparative slaughter technique. The average initial body mass of 51 multiparous goats was 57.19 ± 8.38 kg and a body condition score of 3.0 ± 0.5. Three goats were slaughtered at the beginning of the experiment to serve as baseline animals to estimate initial empty BW and initial body composition. We used a complete randomized design in which the factor was the day of lactation for slaughtering (the 7th, 14th, 21st, 28th, 35th, 42nd, 49th and 56th day), with six repeats, totalling 48 goats. No fasting before slaughtering. All animals received a single experimental diet. The efficiency of transferring energy from body reserves to milk was estimated using a multiple linear regression equation yielding a value of 0.76. The total energy stored in the empty body decreased over the eight lactation weeks, from 726.47 ± 26.19 to 316.18 ± 49.21 MJ, a 56.47% reduction, mainly because of a reduction in the energy from internal fat of 3.96 ± 1.98 MJ/day. In conclusion, the net energy required for maintenance is 60 ± 30 kJ/BW0.75 per day, and the net energy required for lactation decreases 70 ± 30 kJ/day during the first eight lactation weeks.

The effect of dietary pumpkin seed cake and extruded linseed on blood haemato-chemicals and milk quality in Alpine goats during early lactation

Due to the high content of crude protein and high concentration of unsaturated fatty acids, pumpkin seed cake (PSC) could be a good quality feedstuff for ruminants, while extruded linseed (ELS) has already shown some beneficial effect on fatty acids proportion of goat milk. Besides, lactation is the most demanding period when monitoring the metabolic condition of animal. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the effect of PSC and ELS replacing soybean meal in diets of dairy goats on blood haemato-chemical parameters and milk quality. A 28 lactating French Alpine dairy goats were monitored within 20 days in early lactation. Diet of each groups had a balanced content of energy and crude protein, and a slight difference in lipid content. Goats in control group (n = 9) received soybean meal and extruded soybean. In experimental groups soybean was partially replaced with ELS (n = 10) or completely with PSC (n = 9). Dietary treatments had no effect on haemato-chemical parameters, although PSC increased concentration of globulins in serum. PSC lowered linoleic acid compared to control. ELS increased proportion of α-linolenic acid, eicosapentaenoic acid, and total n-3 fatty acids in milk. Positive correlations were found between non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA) and ratio C18:1/C15:0, NEFA and ratio C17:0/C15:0, as well as β-hydroxybutyrate and ratio C17:0/C15:0. The replacement of soybean meal with PSC or partially with ELS is feasible with respect to haemato-chemical parameters of early lactating dairy goats, while ELS had much beneficial effect on fatty acids compared to PSC.

Diets supplemented with corn oil and wheat starch, marine algae, or hydrogenated palm oil modulate methane emissions similarly in dairy goats and cows, but not feeding behavior

This research compared the response of dairy cows and goats in terms of digestive processes (enteric methane [CH4] emissions, ruminal fermentation, total tract digestibility), and of feeding behavior to diets supplemented with various lipids known to modulate differently milk fat concentration between species. Four Holstein cows and four Alpine goats were fed a diet based on grassland hay and concentrate in a 45:55 ratio (on DM basis) containing no additional lipid (control), or supplemented with corn oil (5% dry matter intake [DMI]) and wheat starch (COS), marine algae powder (MAP; 1.5 % DMI), or hydrogenated palm oil (HPO; 3% DMI) in a replicated 4 × 4 Latin square design. Each experimental period lasted 28 days. Dairy performances (intake, milk production and composition), digestive parameters (total tract digestibility, fermentation), and feeding behavior were measured from day 19 to day 24, during which cows and goats stayed in individual respiration chambers for quantification of enteric CH4 emissions. Compared to the control, milk fat concentration differed between all diets in cows, being the highest with HPO (+10.7 %), intermediate with MAP (-16.0 %), and the lowest with COS (-44.4 %), whereas only MAP decreased the milk fat concentration in goats (-18.0 %). Goats had more eating bouts per day, spent less time eating and ruminating (min/[g DMI/kg body weight]). Cows also differed from goats in their ruminal fermentation parameters: a higher total volatile fatty acid concentration with more acetate and less butyrate, whereas a higher ammonia (NH3) concentration was observed for goats which was in agreement with a 7 times larger total protozoal population. Enteric CH4 yield (expressed per unit of intake), CH4 intensity (expressed per unit of milk) and total tract digestibility did not differ in dairy cows and goats fed diets supplemented with various lipids. Only COS significantly reduced CH4 yield and CH4 intensity in both species (overall average, -28 % in g/kg DMI, -27 % in % gross energy intake, and -31 % in g/kg milk) compared to other diets. The lower CH4 yield for COS is in agreement with the higher ruminal propionate proportion (+50.0 % and +22.4 % than control for cows and goats, respectively). The mitigating effect on methanogenesis and changes in ruminal fermentation parameters and total tract digestibility of fiber observed for both species with COS was accompanied in goats by an adaptation of their feeding behavior that counterbalanced the negative digestive interaction of the lipid- and starch-rich diet inducing milk fat depression in cows. In conclusion, cows and goats specific behavior contribute to the observed differences in dairy performances to milk fat depressing diets.

The kinetic characteristics of semen from Saanen and Alpine goats after cryopreservation in different freezing media

The kinetic characteristics of semen from Saanen and Alpine goats after cryopreservation in different freezing media

PSX-8 Effects of dietary concentrate level and limited feed access on feed intake and performance by lactating Alpine dairy goats

Abstract The objective was to determine if effects of different limited feed access treatments on performance by lactating Alpine dairy goats vary with dietary concentrate level. Primiparous (29; 55.2±0.8 kg BW) and multiparous Alpine goats (29; 70.2±1.06 kg) were used in a 24-wk study of 3 8-wk phases beginning at 7.1±0.37 d after kidding. Diets of 40 or 60% concentrate (40C and 60C, respectively) were offered free choice in Calan gate feeders, with access continuously (CON), for 8 h between morning and afternoon milkings (DAY), or for 2 h after each milking (FRH). Although there were many interactions involving phase, ADG during the entire study was greater for CON vs. FRH (P &amp;lt; 0.05; -20, -41, and -61 g for CON, DAY, and FRH, respectively; SEM = 8.6). Intake of DM also was greater for CON than for FRH (P &amp;lt; 0.05; 2.17, 2.03, 2.01, 2.29, 2.07, and 1.80 kg/d for 40C-CON, 40C-DAY, 40C-FRH, 60C-CON, 60C-DAY, and 60C-FRH, respectively; SEM=0.093). There were interactions (P &amp;lt; 0.02) between concentrate level and access treatment in milk yield (2.55, 2.41, 2.61, 3.21, 2.66, and 2.27 kg/d; SEM=0.103) and protein concentration (2.65, 2.55, 2.60, 2.67, 2.70, and 2.49%; SEM = 0.042), and milk fat concentration was greatest among treatments (P &amp;lt; 0.05) for FRH (2.79, 2.77, 3.18, 2.86, 2.89, and 3.02% for 40C-CON, 40C-DAY, 40C-FRH, 60C-CON, 60C-DAY, and 60C-FRH, respectively; SEM=0.103). As a consequence, milk energy yield was 6.14, 5.70, 6.67, 7.83, 6.58, and 5.61 MJ/d (SEM=0.251) and the ratio of milk energy to DMI was 3.01, 2.87, 3.37, 3.47, 3.28, and 3.18 MJ/kg for 40C-CON, 40C-DAY, 40C-FRH, 60C-CON, 60C-DAY, and 60C-FRH, respectively; SEM=0.123). Overall, limited feeder access treatments did not improve performance and, in fact, the shortest access treatment increased BW loss; however, efficiency of feed DM usage for milk energy yield was not adversely impacted.

Kemijski sastav i profil masnih kiselina mlijeka alpske i sanske pasmine koza iz Bosne i Hercegovine

Interest in the production and sale of goat milk products has been growing over the past 20 years. The chemical composition of goat milk, which greatly affects its nutritional and therapeutic value, makes its products more acceptable to consumers. The aim of this study was to compare the chemical composition and fatty acid profile of Alpine and Saanen goat milk. The results showed that there were differences in certain chemical components between the milk of these two breeds. Protein, fat and ash content in Alpine goat milk was 4.53 g/100 g, 4.65 g/100 g and 0.94 g/100 g, respectively, and these values were higher than in Saanen goat milk (3.64 g/100 g, 3.20 g/100 g and 0.88 g/100 g, respectively). Differences in the fatty acid profile were also observed. Despite being kept under different breeding regimes, no statistically significant differences were observed in the total saturated fatty acids (SFA) or polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) between breeds. Although there was no difference in total SFA content, there was less palmitic acid (C16:0), as the predominant fatty acid in goat milk, in Alpine (26.94 g/100 g of fat) than in Saanen goat milk (28.60 g/100 g of fat). Unlike SFA and PUFA content, differences were observed in total monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA), with 22.8 g/100 g of fat in Alpine goat milk and 24.0 g/100 g of fat in Saanen goat milk. Based on these findings, it can be concluded that the implemented breeding regimes in different geographical areas with different pasture, together with genetic factors of breeds, greatly affect the goat milk chemical composition and fatty acid profile.

Genome-Wide Association Study towards Genomic Predictive Power for High Production and Quality of Milk in American Alpine Goats.

This paper reports an exploratory study based on quantitative genomic analysis in dairy traits of American Alpine goats. The dairy traits are quality-determining components in goat milk, cheese, ice cream, etc. Alpine goat phenotypes for quality components have been routinely recorded for many years and deposited in the Council on Dairy Cattle Breeding (CDCB) repository. The data collected were used to conduct an exploratory genome-wide association study (GWAS) from 72 female Alpine goats originating from locations throughout the U.S. Genotypes were identified with the Illumina Goat 50K single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) BeadChip. The analysis used a polygenic model where the dropping criterion was a call rate ≥ 0.95. The initial dataset was composed of ~60,000 rows of SNPs and 21 columns of phenotypic traits and composed of 53,384 scaffolds containing other informative data points used for genomic predictive power. Phenotypic association with the 50K BeadChip revealed 26,074 reads of candidate genes. These candidate genes segregated as separate novel SNPs and were identified as statistically significant regions for genome and chromosome level trait associations. Candidate genes associated differently for each of the following phenotypic traits: test day milk yield (13,469 candidate genes), test day protein yield (25,690 candidate genes), test day fat yield (25,690 candidate genes), percentage protein (25,690 candidate genes), percentage fat (25,690 candidate genes), and percentage lactose content (25,690 candidate genes). The outcome of this study supports elucidation of novel genes that are important for livestock species in association to key phenotypic traits. Validation towards the development of marker-based selection that provides precision breeding methods will thereby increase the breeding value.

Genetic parameters of weeping teats in Italian Saanen and Alpine dairy goats and their relationship with milk production and somatic cell score

This paper reports a quantitative genetics analysis of weeping teats (WT), an abnormality of the mammary gland in goats. Weeping teats are characterized by milk oozing out of the teat or by the presence of multiple cysts near its base. This abnormality has been routinely recorded in Italian Alpine and Saanen goats since 2000 using a score of 0 or 1 (0 = defect not present, 1 = defect present). No information is available on the genetic background of WT or its relationship with production or other udder-related traits. Data obtained by the Italian National Sheep and Goat Breeders Association (Rome, Italy) were used to estimate both heritability of WT and its genetic correlation with milk yield, somatic cell score, and udder traits. The final data set used in the analysis included 2,178 Saanen and 2,309 Alpine primiparous goats kidding from 2009 to 2014. The pedigree data included 7,333 Saanen and 7,421 Alpines, respectively. A threshold-linear multivariate animal model was used to estimate variance and covariance components. A genealogical data analysis was also implemented, including genealogical data completeness, inbreeding, and identification of possible most recent common ancestors. On average, around 4 and 13% of primiparous Saanen and Alpine females kidding from 2009 to 2014 showed mammary gland abnormality, respectively. Weeping teats heritability was 0.27 and 0.26 for Saanen and Alpine, respectively. Genetic correlations between milk production or somatic cell score ranged from -0.16 in Saanen to 0.43 in Alpine, but the standard error of the estimates was very large. Positive genetic correlations were observed among WT and teat characteristics in both Saanen and Alpine. The average inbreeding of abnormality carriers was 2.4 and 5.1 for Saanen and Alpine, respectively. The genealogical data analysis identified 4 common ancestors of affected does in Saanen and 2 in Alpine. These results indicate that WT have a possible genetic background. A genome-wide association study might help in understanding the polygenic or monogenic determination of this abnormality.

Fatty acid profile variations of Alpine goat’s milk in response to detoxified Argania spinosa press cake supplementation

ABSTRACT The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of incorporating detoxified Argane press cake in goats’ diet on milk fatty acids profiles. The use of the detoxification process presents a new way to use Argane by-products. Obtained results showed that goat’s milk fat of Argane diet by-product could produce a greater proportion of unsaturated fatty acid. This research work provides evidence that the inclusion of Argane feedstuff affects the milk fatty acids and therefore gives rise to potential health benefits. Furthermore, the incorporation of these alternative food resources into the diet of small ruminants would undoubtedly reduce the pressure on silvo-pastoral resources and production costs and consequently improve the income of Moroccan livestock farmers.

Influence of breed on selected quality parameters of fresh goat meat.

The potential of goats to produce a high-quality meat is mainly reflected in their healthy fats, low calorie intramuscular fats, saturated fats, and, especially, their high ratios of unsaturated (UFA) and saturated (SFA) fatty acids, as well as hypocholesterolemic and hypercholesterolemic fatty acids. The aim of this study was to collect and compare meat quality parameters for domestic Balkan, Alpine and Saanen goats of the same age. Samples for all tests were taken from musculus gluteus superficialis. Chemical composition, pH value, fatty acid composition, content of volatile compounds, color and overall sensory quality (appearance, texture and smell) were determined. In chemical composition, moisture, fat, protein and ash varied significantly between each of the examined groups as opposed to pH values. Furthermore, among all the examined groups a significant difference was found for fatty acids and volatile compounds. Determined ratio of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) to SFAs was 0.089, 0.085 and 0.071 for Balkan, Alpine and Saanen goat meats, respectively. Regarding that ratio, Saanen goat meat had the most favorable characteristics. Saanen goat meat showed the highest nutritional value. On the other hand, Balkan goat meat had the lowest intramuscular fat content. Measurements of the meat color from all three groups, as well as overall acceptability, showed significant differences between breeds. Obtained results point to the impact of breed on chemical composition and fatty acid profile of goat meat.

Productive Performance, Milk Composition and Milk Fatty Acids of Goats Supplemented with Sunflower and Linseed Whole Seeds in Grass Silage-Based Diets.

Simple SummaryFeeding is the most practical way to induce changes in the milk fatty acid profile of ruminants. The use of whole oilseeds is an available resource that farmers can use for improving animal´s performance and milk quality. Thus, the objective of this study was to determine productive performance, milk composition and milk fatty acids of goats supplemented with sunflower and linseed whole seeds in grass silage-based diets. Compared to the typical use of Megalac-R®, sunflower and linseed whole seeds did not affect nutrients digestibility and milk composition but reduced palmitic acid and increased oleic acid in milk. Overall, sunflower and linseed whole seeds resulted an effective strategy for altering the fatty acid composition of goat´s milk towards a healthier profile for humans without negative effects on animal performance.The objective of this study was to determine productive performance, milk composition and milk fatty acids (FA) of goats supplemented with sunflower and linseed whole seeds in grass silage-based diets. Nine Alpine goats were grouped in a replicated 3 × 3 Latin square design (n = 3), that included three 21-d periods. Treatments were based on grass silage offered ad libitum and a concentrate mixture supplemented with either 40 g/d of Megalac-R® (control), 80 g/d of sunflower seed (SF), or 80 g/d of linseed (LS). Dry matter intake (1292 ± 14.0 g/d) and digestibility (g/kg) of dry matter (640 ± 32.1), organic matter (668 ± 32.4), neutral detergent fiber (628 ± 41.4) and acid detergent fiber (567 ± 60.9) was not affected by treatments (p > 0.05). Treatment did not affect milk fat yield (39.9 ± 1.24 g/d), protein content (4.5 ± 0.03 %) and protein yield (34.7 ± 1.22 g/d). Compared to control, SF and LS, decreased C16:0 (28.2 vs. 23.1 and 22.4 g/100 g), and increased total C18:1 (24.1 vs. 27.6 and 28.4 g/100 g) respectively. Overall, SF and LS resulted an effective strategy for altering the FA composition of goat´s milk towards a healthier profile for humans without deleterious effects on animal performance.

Estimation of dairy goat body composition: A direct calibration and comparison of eight methods.

The objective was to compare eight methods for estimation of dairy goat body composition, by calibrating against chemical composition (water, lipid, protein, mineral and energy) measured post-mortem. The methods tested on 20 Alpine goats were body condition score (BCS), 3-dimension imaging (3D) automatic assessment of BCS or whole body scan, ultrasound, computer tomography (CT), adipose cell diameter, deuterium oxide dilution space (D2OS) and bioelectrical impedance spectroscopy (BIS). Regressions were tested between predictive variates derived from the methods and empty body (EB) composition. The best equations for estimation of EB lipid mass included BW combined with i) perirenal adipose tissue mass and cell diameter (R2=0.95, residual standard deviation, rSD=0.57kg), ii) volume of fatty tissues measured by CT (R2=0.92, rSD=0.76kg), iii) D2OS (R2=0.91, rSD=0.85kg), and iv) resistance at infinite frequency from BIS (R2=0.87, rSD=1.09kg). The D2OS combined with BW provided the best equation for EB protein mass (R2=0.97, rSD=0.17kg), whereas BW alone provided a fair estimate (R2=0.92, rSD=0.25kg). Sternal BCS combined with BW provided good estimation of EB lipid and protein mass (R2=0.80 and 0.95, rSD=1.27 and 0.22kg, respectively). Compared to manual BCS, BCS by 3D slightly decreased the precision of the predictive equation for EB lipid (R2=0.74, rSD=1.46kg), and did not improve the estimation of EB protein compared with BW alone. Ultrasound measurements and whole body 3D imaging methods were not satisfactory estimators of body composition (R2≤0.40). Further developments in body composition techniques may contribute for high-throughput phenotyping of robustness.

Gastrointestinal nematode infections in goats: differences between strongyle faecal egg counts and specific antibody responses to Teladorsagia circumcincta in Nera di Verzasca and Alpine goats.

Strongylida are gastrointestinal nematodes (GIN) of greatest importance in small ruminants throughout the world. Differences in resistance and resilience to GIN among goat breeds were reported. This study aims to investigate the mechanism underlying the breed-associated differences using a cosmopolitan (Alpine, AB) and an autochthonous (Nera di Verzasca, NV) goat breed. At first, fifteen goats from the same herd (NV = 7, AB = 8) at day 0 were infected with infective larvae (L3) of mixed GIN. From the 15th day post-infection (DPI), individual parasite egg excretion (faecal egg counts, FEC) was performed on all goats, once per week, until the 63rd DPI. Afterwards, in goats under field conditions (30 AB and 30 NV reared on the same farm), individual faecal and blood samples were collected; FEC-specific antibody and PCV levels were explored. In goats with experimental GIN infection, mean eggs per gram of faeces (EPG) values were consistently lower in NV goats. In goats with natural GIN infection, EPG and prevalence values showed high variability in both breeds; among individual variables, breed had a significant influence on EPG. Further, PCV and anti-T. circumcincta IgA levels were influenced by the breed. Lower PCV values were also associated with higher strongyle EPG in AB goats, and anti-T. circumcincta IgA levels were influenced by both strongyle EPG and breed, with IgA levels being higher in AB vs. NV goats and positively associated with EPG. Neither EPG nor breed had any influence on IgE levels. Both studies on experimental and natural infection confirmed that goats of NV are more resistant to infection with gastrointestinal nematodes.

The influence of selenium deficiency on chosen biochemical parameters and histopathological changes in muscles of goat kids.

The research was conducted on 40 young alpine goats (kids) divided into two groups. First group consisted of 20 kids demonstrating clinical signs of muscular dystrophy. Second group was a control and consisted of 20 animals that received intramuscular injection (2ml per animal) of vitamin E and selenium preparation containing in 1ml 50 mg of tocopherol acetate, 0.5mg of sodium selenite and solvent on 2nd day of life. The kids were clinically examined and blood for laboratory analyses was sampled three times from day 5 of their life in 10 day intervals. In addition, six 24 days old kids demonstrating clinical signs of muscular dystrophy and six control kids were subjected to biceps femoris biopsy. Serum total protein, glucose, triglycerides, cholesterol as well as AST, CK and LDH were determined in all the animals. In addition, the activity of glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) was determined in whole blood and serum concentrations of selenium and vitamin E were deter-mined in 6 kids from each group. Total lactate dehydrogenase activity and its separation into isoenzymatic fractions were determined in the collected biopsy material. The muscle samples collected were additionally subjected to histopathological examination consisting of HE staining and HBFP staining to detect necrotic muscle fibers. Symptoms of muscular dystrophy began to appear in the first group between 17 and 23 days of age and included tremors of the limbs, poor posture, stilt gait and increased time of laying. The control animals did not show any symptoms of the disease during the experiment. Hypo-proteinemia, hypoglycemia, cholesterol reduction and elevated triglycerides level associated with lipolysis of adipose tissue have been found in the sick kids. A significant decrease in selenium, vitamin E and activity of glutathione peroxidase levels was observed in the kids with symptoms of muscular dystrophy. The activity of AST, CK and LDH was significantly higher in the animals with symptoms of the disease as well. Five isoenzymes were obtained in the electrophoretic separation of lactate dehydrogenase into isoenzymatic fractions in the muscle tissue. LDH4and LDH5 isoenzymes were dominating, and a significant increase in LDH5 fraction of the sick animals was also observed. Histopathological examination of muscle samples from sick animals revealed changes characteristic for the presence of Zenker necrosis.

Genetic structure of breeds of goats bred in Slovakia

Article Details: Received: 2019-12-16 | Accepted: 2020-03-24 | Available online: 2020-06-30 https://doi.org/10.15414/afz.2020.23.02.49-50 The genetic structure of five goat breeds bred in Slovakia was characterized using a visible genetic profile and biochemical polymorphic systems. Tree dairy goat breeds – White Shorthaired, Brown Shorthaired and Alpine goats – and two wool goat breeds – Angora and Cashmere goats – were evaluated. Calculated were the heterozygosity and the effective number of alleles for each locus based on the allele frequencies of eight genes determining type traits and biochemical polymorphic systems, as well as their average values as indicators characterizing the genetic variability of each breed. The genetic differences between breeds were also determined. Keywords: Goats, White Shorthaired, Brown Shorthaired, Alpine, Angora Cashmere, genetics, Slovakia References ORAVCOVÁ, M. (2013). Pedigree analysis in White Shorthaired goat: First results. Archiv Tierzucht, 56, 547–554.

Short communication: Genetic parameter estimates for caprine arthritis encephalitis in dairy goats

Caprine arthritis encephalitis (CAE) is a chronic disease caused by a retrovirus from the Lentivirus genus. No effective vaccines or treatments exist, and therefore genetic selection for CAE resistance might be a feasible alternative. To our best knowledge, no other studies have investigated the genetic architecture of CAE resistance in dairy goats. In this context, this study was designed to estimate genetic parameters for CAE infection in Alpine and Saanen goats using a Bayesian threshold model. A total of 542 adult goats (and >3-generation pedigree), which were group-housed in a population with high CAE prevalence, were tested based on a serological infection assessment test (negative = 1 or positive = 2) and used for this study. Genetic parameters were estimated using the BLUPF90 family programs. There was considerable genetic variability for CAE resistance, and pedigree-based heritability was significantly different from zero (0.026 < heritability < 0.128). Our findings indicate that the prevalence of CAE in goat herds can be reduced or eliminated through direct genetic selection for CAE resistance in addition to proper management strategies.