Angora Goat Kids Research Articles

Effects of feeding in different quality rangelands on meat quality and fatty acids composition in Angora goat kids and young bucks

Effects of feeding in different quality rangelands on meat quality and fatty acids composition in Angora goat kids and young bucks

Meat production traits of Angora goats. 2. Meat quality characteristics and fatty acid composition of meat from intact and castrated kids

Context In Turkey, meat production contributes much more income than mohair production in Angora goat farming. Castration is expected to alter the meat quality depending on the slaughter weight. Aims This study was designed to determine the quality characteristics and fatty acid composition of meat from intact and castrated male Angora goat kids slaughtered at different liveweights. Methods Forty-eight single male Angora goat kids (24 intact, 24 castrated) were slaughtered at three slaughter weights (20, 25 and 30 kg) after being fattened intensively. Response variables were meat physical quality characteristics, chemical composition, total cholesterol and fatty acid profile. Data were subjected to analysis of variance using the general linear model procedure. Key results Colour parameters (L*, a*, b*, C* and H*), pH, water-holding capacity and cooking loss were significantly (P < 0.001) influenced by time post-slaughter. Castration did not affect (P > 0.05) these properties. L* values decreased (P < 0.001) as slaughter weight increased. With increasing slaughter weight, meat expressed less water and cooking losses were higher (P < 0.001). Warner–Bratzler shear force increased (P < 0.05) with slaughter weight. Castration affected meat chemical composition: moisture percentage decreased (P < 0.001), and protein and fat increased (P < 0.01). Similarly, protein and fat contents of the meat increased and moisture decreased with increasing slaughter weight (P < 0.001). With increasing slaughter weight, intramuscular fat of the longissimus thoracis muscle showed increased polyunsaturated fatty acids (P < 0.01) and ratios of polyunsaturated/saturated fatty acids (P < 0.001) and n-6/n-3 (P < 0.05), and decreased thrombogenic and atherogenic indexes (P < 0.001). Total unsaturated/saturated fatty acid ratio was higher and atherogenic index lower following castration (P < 0.05). Conclusions Castration of Angora male kids did not affect meat quality, but increased protein and intramuscular fat content of the longissimus thoracis muscle. Increasing slaughter weight positively influenced fatty acid composition pertinent to human health, but some measures indicated poorer meat quality. Implications Castration and slaughter weight did not greatly affect meat quality except for improvements in fatty acid percentages.

Effects of castration on IFN-γ and TNF-α expression in the adrenal gland of Angora goat

In the adrenal gland, there is a mutual interaction between the cells in the cortex and medulla and the cells of the immune system. Sex hormones regulate immune cell functions as well as reproductive and metabolic processes throughout life. Interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) is a cytokine that regulates the maturation and differentiation of many cell types. Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) is a multifunctional cytokine that plays an important role in various physiological and pathophysiological processes and orchestrates cytokines. This study was conducted to investigate the effects of castration on the expression of IFN-γ and TNF-α in the adrenal gland of Angora goat. A total of 16 Angora goat kids were used as material for the study. Healthy animals were selected for the study by clinical examination. At an average age of 75 days, eight animals were randomly selected from the institute herd and castrated. 85 days after castration (after approximately 160 days old), eight control and eight castrated Angora goats were slaughtered and their adrenal glands were removed. In the analysis of each group, IFN-γ expression was found in the cytoplasm of cells in the adrenal cortex and medulla. The adrenal glands of the castrated group showed a decrease in IFN-γ expression in the zona fasciculata. A distinct brown staining was seen in the cytoplasm of TNF-α-positive responsive secretory cells. TNF-α expression was found to be increased in the zona glomerulosa, zona fasciculata and zona reticularis of the adrenal gland in the castrated group. Accordingly, androgen hormone deficiency was able to increase TNF-α expression, whereas it did not significantly affect IFN-γ expression in the adrenal tissue of the Angora goat.

Meat production traits of Angora goat 1: fattening, slaughter, and carcass characteristics of intact and castrated kids.

Fattening performance, slaughter, and carcass traits of intact and castrated Angora goat kids slaughtered at different slaughter weights were examined. A total of 96 (48 intact, I-kids, and 48 castrated, C-kids) single Angora kids were fattened, and 48 of them (24 I-kids and 24 C-kids) were slaughtered at slaughter weights (SW) of 20, 25, and 30kg. Castration negatively affected fattening performance, and the kids showed rising daily weight gain with increasing SW. While dressing percentages were not affected by castration, it caused a tendency for a decrease in offal. However, with the increase in SW, dressing percentages increased, and offal decreased. Castration increased non-carcass fat percentages and back fat depth. The proportions of individual cuts did not generally vary because of castration but changed with SW; foreleg percentages decreased (P < 0.001) while neck percentages increased (P < 0.05). Carcass composition was affected by castration; the percentages of carcass lean (P < 0.001) and bone (P < 0.01) dropped, and total fat (P < 0.001) increased. SW had an impact on carcass composition; the percentages of carcass bone (P < 0.001) declined, and lean (P < 0.001) and total fat (P < 0.001) raised as SW increased. The lean/fat ratio was affected by castration (P < 0.001) and increasing SW (P < 0.05). Castration reduced the lean percentage in all cuts. The leg showed the highest lean percentage, whereas the greatest fat ratio was found in the breast+flank in all SW groups. Consequently, castration of Angora male kids negatively affected fattening performance and altered the carcass composition, while the increase in slaughter weight improved fattening performance and slaughter and carcass characteristics.

Relationship between insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) concentrations and body trait measurements and climatic factors in prepubertal goat kids.

This study aimed to investigate relations between insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) concentrations and some body trait measurements (body weight, withers height, rump height, body length, chest depth, chest width, chest girth and cannon bone circumference) and climatic factors in prepubertal male and female White (75 % Saanen and 25 % Kilis goat) and Angora goat kids. For this purpose, blood samples were regularly taken from the vena jugularis, and body trait measurements were regularly carried out (every 15 d for 5 months) on each kid. The IGF-1 analysis on the blood serum was performed using the enzyme immunoassay (EIA) method. Climatic values and the length of the photoperiod were obtained from the Turkish State Meteorological Service for the experimental period, and the temperature–humidity index (THI) was calculated using these values. Statistical analysis showed that the IGF-1 concentrations were higher () in female White goat kids. Furthermore, differences in IGF-1 concentrations were found () between periods and between the gender groups for both the White and the Angora goat kids. Moreover, the difference between the IGF-1 concentrations between genders was higher () in White goat kids. Additionally, positive and significant correlations were found between IGF-1 concentrations and some body trait measurements in prepubertal kids, except for in female White goat kids. In summary, it was found that there was a significant relationship between IGF-1 concentrations and growth characteristics of the goat kids. Furthermore, IGF-1 concentrations in the goat kids were significantly influenced by climatic factors such as photoperiod, temperature and the temperature–humidity index, with the release of IGF-1 increasing due to increases in the photoperiod and the environmental temperature.

Effects of field bean (Vicia fabaL. var.minor) dietary supplementation on plasma thyroid hormones, insulin, insulin-like growth factor-1 concentrations and mohair characteristics in growing Angora goat kids

Twenty-two Angora kids were used to study the effect of a dietary supplementation with field bean (Vicia faba L. var. minor) on hair follicle activity, mohair characteristics and plasma total thyroxine (T4), triiodothyronine (T3), insulin (INS) and insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) concentrations. At birth, their mothers were divided in two groups (S: supplemented, C: control), the S group being supplemented with 300 g/head/day of whole field bean. At weaning, diet of kids from S group was supplemented with 80 g/head/day of whole field bean. At weaning, secondary hair follicle activity (S: 0.91 ± 0.01, C: 0.84 ± 0.02, p < 0.01) and staple length (S: 5.82 ± 0.13 cm, C: 5.16 ± 0.14 cm, p < 0.001) were greater in the S group. At 155 days of age, secondary fibre diameter (S: 16.54 ± 0.35 μm, C: 18.09 ± 0.31 μm, p < 0.01) was higher in the C kids. Concentrations of total plasma T4 and T3 were higher (p < 0.001) in S (120 ± 12 and 4.87 ± 0.92 ng/ml respectively) than in C kids (92 ± 8 and 2.97 ± 0.77 ng/ml respectively). At weaning, T4 values were negatively correlated (p < 0.05) with the secondary fibre diameter and the T3/T4 ratio was positively correlated (p < 0.05) with the secondary to primary hair follicle ratio. At 155 days of age, both T3 and T3/T4 values were positively correlated (p < 0.01) with staple length. Plasma INS (0.11 ± 0.03 ng/ml) and total IGF-1 concentrations (232 ± 13 ng/ml) were not affected by diet. Improvements of diet quality in kids positively affected fibre diameter and length and follicle activity rate. We suggest that increased circulating thyroid hormones concentrations, but not those of INS and IGF-1, may contribute to the beneficial actions of nutritional supplementation on anatomical growth and mohair production of kids.

Ankara Keçisi Oğlaklarında Serum Kalsiyum (Ca) ve Fosfor (P) Seviyelerinin Degişimi*

2 Oz: Bu caliĢmada, erkek ve diĢi Ankara kecisi oglaklarinda, pubertas oncesi donemde ortalama yuksek sicaklik gosteren aylarda kalsiyum (Ca) ve fosfor (P) kan serum seviyeleri araĢtirilmiĢtir. AraĢtirma sonucunda; Mayis, Haziran, Temmuz ve Agustos aylarinda diĢi ve erkek oglaklarda Ca ve P seviyeleri sirasiyla, 9.510.112, 9.990.116, 9.370.089, 9.210.079 mg/dl; 9.920.128, 10.050.151, 9.630.099, 9.640.086 mg/dl ve 9.540.129, 12.380.268, 8.450.159, 8.270.169 mg/dl; 9.800.123, 12.710.192, 8.370.142, 8.260.127 mg/dl olarak saptanmiĢtir. Ca ve P duzeyinin, yuksek cevre sicakligindan onemli (P<0.05, P<0.01) duzeyde etkilendikleri belirlenmiĢtir. Anahtar Kelimeler: Ankara kecisi, oglak, kalsiyum, fosfor Abstract: In this study, changes of calcium (Ca) and phosphorus (P) levels in the blood serume of pre- pubertal Angora goat kids, during the months of high average temperature were researched. As a result of the research, the Ca and P levels in the female and male kids, during the months of May, June, July, and August, were found to be, 9.510.112, 9.990.116, 9.370.089, 9.210.079 mg/dl; 9.920.128, 10.050.151, 9.630.099, 9.640.086 mg/dl and 9.540.129, 12.380.268, 8.450.159, 8.270.169 mg/dl; 9.800.123, 12.710.192, 8.370.142, 8.260.127 mg/dl respectively. It was determined that the Ca and P levels were significantly affected (P<0.05, P<0.01) by the high environmental temperature.

Ankara Keçisi Oğlaklarında Serum Testosteron Düzeyinin Değişimi

In this study, changes of testosterone hormone levels in the blood serume of pre-pubertal Angora goat kids, during the months of May, June, July, and August, were researched. In these months, the testosterone hormone levels were found to be, 41.462.310; 53.611.940; 87.672.410, 205.468.700 ng/dl for the male kids and 2.000.000; 2.000.000; 2.570.172 ve 2.920.259 ng/dl for the female kids respectively, For the female kids, there was not any significant change in the testosterone levels measured during four months. However, the testosterone levels in male kids were found to be significantly increasing (P<0.01) due to the maturing age and consequently the approaching puberty.

Ankara Keçisi Oğlaklarında Tiroit Hormonlarının Serum Düzeylerinin Değişimi

In this study, changes in the blood serume levels of thyroid hormones (Triiodothyronine=T3, Thyroxine=T4) of male and female Angora goat kids during the months of high temperature. For the months of May, June, July, and August, the T3 levels in the blood serume for the male and female kids were found to be, 129.866.960, 136.646.320, 107.146.120, 98.185.490 ng/dl and 134.602.700, 140.8014.900, 11312.500, 103.338.140 ng/dl. respetively. At the same time, the T4 levels in the blood serume of the male and female kids were found to be, 7.090.381, 8.190.459, 6.940.312, 6.540.263 g/dl and 7.270.333, 8.58(0.506, 6.580.243, 6.410.196 g/dl respetively. For the same months, the general aveage of the T3 and T4 levels of male and female kids were found to be, 131.925.500, 138.326.980, 109.596.140, 100.274.590 ng/dl and 7.160.261, 8.350.338, 6.790.209 and 6.490.174 g/dl respectively. It was determined that the thyroid hormones were significantly affected (P<0.01) by the high environmental temperature during July and August.

Body weight and growth rate of South African Angora goat kids under different pre- and post-weaning management systems

The data used for this study were collected on 16 644 kids born between 2000 and 2004 in 12 different Angora goat studs representing different management systems. Body weight and growth rate of kids from birth to 16 months of age, as well the 18- and 21-month body weights and first kidding performance of ewe kids were evaluated. Variable growth rates were recorded among kids in the different studs, which can be ascribed largely to different environments and supplementary feeding practices. The pre-weaning growth performance of both ram and ewe kids was satisfactory. However, the same did not apply for post-weaning growth rates. In those flocks where kids did not receive any supplementary feeding after weaning, their body weights remained virtually constant from weaning up to eight months of age. This phenomenon where especially ewe kids did not grow well after weaning, needs to be investigated further, since it influences the reproductive ability of young ewes directly. This was evident from the poor reproductive performance of young ewes in some of the studs. On the other hand, the effect of different pre-weaning treatments did not seem to be carried over to body weight and reproductive performance at first kidding age. South African Journal of Animal Science Vol. 37 (2) 2007: pp. 132-141

The possible role of Ostertagia circumcincta, coccidiosis and dietary protein level in the development of swelling disease in Angora goat kids

A trial was carried out to investigate the possible role of Ostertagia circumcincta, coccidiosis and level of protein in the diet in the development of swelling disease in Angora goat kids. Eighty Angora goat kids were bought from 5 producers whose flocks had a history of swelling disease. These kids were kept in enclosures at Grootfontein Agricultural Development Institute near Middelburg (Eastern Cape) for the duration of the experiment. The animals received a combination of the following treatments: (a) high protein vs normal protein diet; (b) Ostertagia circumcincta infection or no O. circumcincta infection; (c) coccidial infection or no coccidial infection. Data recorded included weekly body weight, weekly total plasma protein levels (TPP), weekly faecal egg counts, weekly coccidial oocyst counts and haematology at Weeks 1, 5, 9, 13 and 16. The goats were also monitored daily for any clinical symptoms. There was no specific trend in any of the parameters measured among the different treatment groups at any stage during the experimental period. The goats were shorn during Week 10 of the experiment. On Monday 6 September 2004 (Week 12 of the study), 19 of the goats developed some subcutaneous oedema. The Saturday (4 September 2004) was rather hot (30 degrees C), followed by very cold rainy conditions (11 degrees C) on Sunday (5 September 2004). Twelve of the goats developed what can be described as little oedema, while 7 developed moderate oedema. The number of goats that developed oedema was fairly evenly distributed among the various treatment groups. As far as the specific treatments are concerned, more goats on the normal protein diet developed moderate oedema than the goats on the high protein diet. Body weights of goats that developed moderate oedema were lower throughout the experimental period than body weights of goats that developed little or no oedema, while TPP of goats that developed moderate oedema were lower from Week 5 of the study onwards. There were also no significant differences at any stage throughout the experimental period in faecal egg counts, faecal coccidial oocyst counts or any of the blood parameters between goats that developed moderate oedema, little oedema and those that did not develop any oedema. No goats developed full-blown swelling disease during the course of the experiment. It is possible that the treatments applied in this study are not inductive of the disease, or the effects of the treatments were not severe enough to induce swelling disease.

Performance of Angora goat kids fed acidified milk replacer at two levels of intake

Daily milk intake, weekly BW and blood metabolites were monitored using Angora kids offered ad libitum (AL) or restricted (RES) intakes of acidified milk replacer (AMR) twice daily during an 11-week period. Solid feed was provided ad libitum starting in week 3. All kids were shorn at the end of the experiment and midside samples taken for fiber characteristics. Average daily gain during the experiment was 30% higher for kids fed AL compared with those fed RES (138 vs. 108 g/day; P<0.0001). Average daily milk intake was 0.97 l for RES and 1.37 l for AL ( P<0.001). Pre-treatment BW (2.8±0.1 kg) and blood metabolites were similar for both groups. No differences were found in clean mohair production (275 vs. 279 g; P<0.85) or in any other fiber quality characteristics. Plasma concentrations of glucose (84 mg/dl), non-esterified fatty acids (313 μequiv./l) and total protein (60 g/l) were not different ( P>0.05) between groups at the end of the experiment. In weeks 7 and 11 plasma urea nitrogen (PUN) concentrations were higher (10.1 vs. 8.5 mg/dl; P<0.01) for the kids in the RES treatment. No detrimental effects of feeding a restricted amount of AMR to Angora kids were noted on mohair production or blood metabolites although ADG was 28% lower and solid feed intake was three times higher (32.4 vs. 9.1 g/d; P<0.0001). Feed conversion efficiency for BW gain and mohair growth was greater in the RES group resulting in higher production per feed cost unit. Restricting milk intake decreases costs of kid rearing by decreasing milk costs and encourages faster adaptation to solid feed.

Experimental Clostridium perfringens type D enterotoxemia in goats.

The effects of intraduodenal administration of Clostridium perfringens cultures and culture products in goats were evaluated to develop a reliable experimental model of enterotoxemia in this species. Five conventionally reared, 11-16-week-old Angora goat kids were dosed intraduodenally with whole cultures of C. perfringens type D; five similar animals were dosed with C. perfringens type D filtered culture supernatant; and a third group of five kids was dosed with C. perfringens type D washed cells. Two kids were used as controls and received sterile, nontoxic culture medium intraduodenally. All animals received starch solution into the abomasum. All five kids inoculated with whole culture and three of five dosed with culture supernatant and with washed cells developed central nervous system signs. Diarrhea was observed in two of five kids inoculated with whole culture, in all five of those dosed with culture supernatant, and in three of five of those that received washed cells. The most striking postmortem findings consisted of lung edema, necrotizing pseudomembranous colitis, and cerebral vasogenic edema. The protocol thus provided a reasonable model of naturally occurring enterotoxemia in goats, producing a range of clinical signs and postmortem changes similar to those observed in the natural disease.

Serum glutathione peroxidase activity reflects short-term increases in selenium intake in goats

The objective of this study was to determine if serum glutathione peroxidase activity reflects short-term changes in the selenium status of goats. Angora goat kids (n=14) were fed pelleted luceme containing 20 microg/kg of selenium, and treated orally with either selenium (0.1 mg/kg of liveweight weekly, as sodium selenate) or de-ionised water. Serum activity of glutathione peroxidase was increased in response to supplementation and differed from that of controls within 24 hours of supplementation. The change in serum glutathione peroxidase activity during the 21 days after the start of weekly supplementation closely followed changes in serum selenium concentration. The results of this study suggest that serum glutathione peroxidase activity reflects the short-term improvement in the selenium status of Angora goat kids following oral supplementation with sodium selenate.

Short‐term alteration in voluntary feed intake after selenium supplementation in Angora goat kids

Abstract The objective of this study was to examine the effect of selenium (Se) supplementation on voluntary feed intake in Se‐deficient Angora goat kids and its temporal relationship to alterations in the concentrations of thyroid hormones in plasma and the activity of glutathione peroxidase in serum. Angora goat kids were fed pelleted lucerne with a Se concentration of 20 μg/kg of dry matter (DM) and treated orally with either Se (0.1 mg/kg of liveweight weekly, as sodium selenate) or deionised water. Supplementation with Se had no effect on DM intake measured over 21 days. Serum activity of glutathione peroxidase was increased by Day 1 of treatment (P < 0.001 ), plasma concentration of thyroxine was decreased by Day 21 of treatment (P<0.01), and plasma concentration of triiodothyronine was unaffected by treatment. It is concluded that increased appetite is unlikely to be the primary mechanism involved in the response to Se supplementation in Angora goats.

Effects of selenium and iodine supplementation on the growth rate, mohair production, and thyroid status of Angora goat kids

Abstract The aim of this study was to examine the effect of supplementation with either selenium (Se) or iodine (I), or both, on growth rate, mohair production, and plasma concentrations of thyroid hormones in Angora goat kids. Kids were treated with 0 or 1 intraruminal Se pellet, or treated intramuscularly with iodised oil at doses of 0, 200, or 400 mg I in a 2 × 3 factorial design. The concentrations of Se and I in the lucerne diet were 0.02 and 0.09 mg/kg dry matter (DM), respectively. Supplementary Se enhanced (P < 0.05) liveweight gain by 26% during the final month of the study, however mohair growth was not affected by either treatment. The plasma concentration of total thyroxine was increased (P < 0.001) by I treatment but decreased (P < 0.001) by Se treatment. The plasma concentration of total triiodothyronine was reduced (P < 0.001) by I treatment but unaffected by Se treatment. Thus, Se supplementation improved the liveweight gain of Angora goats but I supplementation had no effect on growth. Bo...

Effects of sulfate supplementation on performance, acid-base balance, and nutrient metabolism in Angora kids

Twelve Angora goat kids (BW: mean ± SE = 18.1 + 0.6 kg; castrated males) were individually fed isonitrogenous and isocaloric diets containing 0.11 (basal), 0.20, 0.28 or 0.38% S of dietary DM (added as CaSO 4). During the 8-wk growth phase, sulfate supplementation up to 0.20% S in the diet increased average daily gain (ADG) by 44%, dry matter intake (DMI) by 17%, and feed conversion efficiency (FE, ADG/DMI) by 23% compared with average Angora kids fed the other diets. Clean mohair production was numerically highest for kids fed the 0.28% S diet, but mohair fiber diameter was not affected ( P > 0.20) by added S. Mohair staple length tended to increase quadratically ( P < 0.20) with sulfate supplementation. Average daily gain ( P < 0.05) and DMI ( P < 0.0001) were lower for Angora than for Alpine kids (70 vs. 95 g and 762 vs. 1125 g/d, respectively), but FE was higher ( P > 0.20) for Angora than Alpine kids. Plasma free cysteine was quadratically increased by S supplementation in Angora kids. Blood pH did not differ between breeds. Blood HCO 3 −, total CO 2 content, pCO 2, base excess in extra-cellular fluids, and standard bicarbonate were lower ( P < 0.05) in Angora than in Alpine kids, but blood partial pressure of O 2 and oxygen saturation were higher ( P < 0.05) in Angora than in Alpine kids, perhaps due to increased heat dissipation via respiration by Angora kids. Plasma glucose, urinary outputs of creatinine and uric acid were lower ( P < 0.05), and plasma free cysteine concentration higher ( P < 0.01) for Angora than for Alpine kids. Ruminal l-lactate concentration ( P < 0.001) and purine N content in isolated bacteria ( P < 0.01) were lower, but ruminal NH 3-N content ( P < 0.10) was higher, and ruminal sulfide-S content ( P < 0.20) tended to be higher for Angora than for Alpine kids. Angora kids were faunated, whereas Alpine kids were fauna-free. The N/S ratio in isolated rumen bacteria was lower ( P < 0.10) for Angora than for Alpine kids. Calculated by regression, ADG was maximum with 0.22% S ( N S = 10.4:1 ) for Angora kids vs. 0.21% S for Alpine kids.

Influence of selenium supplementation on helminth burdens of marginally deficient suckling Angora goat kids

Selenium treatment of deficient Angora goat kids grazing on irrigated artificial pastures did not influence the level of parasitism by helminth parasites. Treatment and control groups acquired high burdens of Moniezia expansa, Nematodirus spathiger, Teladorsagia circumcincta, and Trichostrongylus rugatus. It is concluded that treatment with selenium may not offer a useful additional means of controlling internal parasites of Angora goat kids.

Sites of attachment and intraspecific infestation densities of the brown paralysis tick (Rhipicephalus punctatus) on Angora goats

Significant differences in the distribution of brown paralysis ticks on various age classes of Angora goats were recorded. In kids, most (greater than 98%) of the ticks attached to the head and ears, whereas in older groups, in addition to the ears, a high proportion (greater than 20%) of ticks also attached to the ventral side of the neck. There were significant differences in the mean infestation densities of both male and female R. punctatus in kids and older animals. These differences were, however, only significant for the first two sample dates involving kids, and are probably related to behavioural attributes of the kids which enhance tick/host contact. Newly born Angora goat kids are considered a high-risk group with regard to paralysis caused by the brown paralysis tick. Methods of avoiding mortality amongst kids are suggested.