Brown Goats Research Articles

Analysis of microsatellite DNA markers of OarHH35 and BMS2508 in four goat breeds

AbstractTwo microsatellite markers OarHH35 and BMS2508, closely associated with high levels of reproduction in sheep, were analysed for polymorphisms in Xiangdong black goat, Nanjiang brown goat, Guizhou black goat and Boer goat. The number of alleles for OarHH35 was 11, 8, 7 and 10, respectively, in the four goat breeds. That for BMS2508 was 9, 5, 6 and 7. The polymorphic information content (PIC) values for OarHH35/BMS2508 in the above-mentioned goats were respectively 0.8294/0.8047, 0.8399/0.6894, 0.7985/0.6910 and 0.8582/0.7688. By analysing the dominant effect of the two microsatellite markers on litter size of Xiangdong black goat, it was shown that microsatellite markers BMS2508 and OarHH35 significantly influenced (P<0.05) litter size of goats. At the OarHH35 locus, the least squares means (LSM) of genotype 135/135 bp was the highest (3.67 number born/litter). Moreover, LSM of genotypes 123/135 bp and 125/125 bp also reached 3.00 kids born/litter, indicating that alleles 135 bp and 125 bp exerted a significant positive effect on the litter size in Xiangdong black goat. At the BMS2508 locus, LSM of genotypes 132/145 bp and 93/132 bp for litter size was 4.00 and 3.25 kids born/litter respectively, but that of genotype 122/122 bp for litter size was only 1.00 kid/litter, so alleles 145 bp and 93 bp had significant positive effects on the litter size of Xiangdong black goat, and the allele 122 bp had a significantly negative effect.

Uso da somatotropina bovina recombinante - rbST como alternativa para a produção de leite de cabra na entressafra

O experimento desenvolveu-se no Setor de Caprinocultura da FMVZ - UNESP - Campus de Botucatu, com o objetivo de estudar a influência da somatotropina bovina recombinante (rbST - nome comercial: Boostin 250 mg) na produção de leite, nos constituintes do leite, peso e escore de condição corporal de cabras durante o ciclo lactacional. Foram usadas 21 cabras da raça Parda Alpina, com idade entre 1 ½ e 4 anos, distribuídas aleatoriamente entre três tratamentos de sete animais cada: controle (T1 - sem rbST); completo, safra e entressafra (T2 - rbST após 45 dias de lactação); e apenas entressafra (T3 - rbST após 154 dias de lactação). Os animais dos três tratamentos receberam a mesma alimentação, que diferiu apenas na quantidade de concentrado, ajustada de acordo com a produção de leite dos animais. Não se observou aumento na produção de leite dos animais tratados, mas a persistência da lactação foi maior nestes animais. Não se observou diferença entre animais controles e tratados quanto aos constituintes do leite (densidade, gordura, EST, lactose e proteína). O peso e o índice de condição corporal também não apresentaram diferença significativa entre animais tratados e controle.

PRODUÇÃO DE LEITE DE CABRAS PURAS NO CURIMATAÚ PARAIBANO DURANTE A LACTAÇÃO

Milk production of pure Anglo Nubian, Brown and British Alpine goats during lactation (195 days) in the microrregion of Curimatau at Paraiba State was determined. Six animals of each herd were selected according the order and parity number. Milking control have begun 30 days after birth, with a periodicity of 15 days, in the morning and afternoon milking times, completing 72 determinations. The milk production obtained for the Anglo Nubian, Brown and British Alpine, were 873.6, 1162.0 and 2069.0 g/day, respectively. It was evidenced influence (P<0.05) of herd, lactation period and milking times upon the production: however for the British Alpine this effect was not observed.

Polyamines in Goat's Colostrum and Milk

The concentration and secretion of putrescine (PTR), spermidine (SPD), and spermine (SPM) was examined in colostrum and milk of 60 dairy goats (Polish White and German Brown) during 90 days of lactation. It has been found that milk polyamine pattern is related to breed, age, offspring number, lactation period, milking time, and individual goat-to-goat variations. The mean level of PTR and SPD was significantly higher, whereas SPM level was significantly lower in German Brown than Polish White goats. These differences were maintained during whole observation period (90 days after parturition). Elder goats, bearing two and three kids, secreted colostrum with a higher concentration of PTR and a lower concentration of SPD than young goats having one kid. There was a highly significant positive relationship between the age or litter total weight and PTR concentration in colostrum of Polish White goats. In contrast to PTR, the SPD level was negatively correlated with the age or litter total weight. The daily secretion of PTR, SPD, and SPM progressively increased from the 1st to 90th day of lactation. It was dependent on the increase of milk secretion rate, which could be illustrated by the highly significant correlation between daily milk yield and secretion of SPD in milk of German Brown and Polish White goats. The concentration of SPD in milk sampled in the evening was usually higher than in that from morning milking, however, significant only in the case of German Brown goats. In general, goat's colostrum and milk are rich in polyamines, which the total concentration is the highest when compared to milk of other mammals examined so far (e.g., human, rat, sow, and cow).

Coat characteristics of goats in relation to heat tolerance in the hot tropics

Heat tolerance in relation to coat characteristics was studied by exposing Sirohi goats to the sun for more than 8 h each day continuously for 5 days during the hot summer. Morning rectal temperatures and pulse rates were not influenced by coat type but dermal temperatures and respiratory rates were lower in long haired goats. In the afternoon after exposure, the short haired goats had higher respiratory and pulse rates than long haired goats. The increase in afternoon rectal temperatures, respiration rates and pulse rates over those recorded in the morning was higher in black followed by dark brown, light brown and white goats, in descending order. Water consumption was higher and feed intake during the hotter part of the day was lower in coloured goats than in white goats; feed intake was lowest in black goats. It was concluded that long haired goats tolerate radiant heat better than short haired goats and that white or light brown goats do better than dark brown or black goats. Short haired black goats had lowest tolerance of radiant heat as seen from physiological responses related to heat tolerance, water and feed intakes. Thus, it will be important to select long haired white or light brown goats for breeding and rearing in the hot tropics for higher productivity during summer months.

Dietary supplementation in the Savanna brown goat. 1. Effect on attainment of puberty in the doe

Twenty nulliparous Savanna Brown (SB) does aged 3–4 months were used to study the effect of dietary supplementation on age and weight at puberty. The animals were randomly distributed into four groups of five animals each. Animals on cottsonseed cake (CSC) (protein) supplement attained puberty at an earlier age (190 days) and heavier weight (10 kg) than those on maize and CSC (240 days, 10 kg), maize (260 days, 9 kg) or no supplementation (219 days, 10 kg). The mean body weight changes at first standing estrus were not significant ( P > 0.05), while feed consumption within the group was highly significant ( P<0.05). The mean serum progesterone concentration during the prepubertal period was quite low, ranging from non-detectable to 0.1 ng ml −1. There were elevated levels of peripheral progesterone (above 0.1 ng ml −1) in all the groups before the first observable estrus. Based on age and body weight changes at the time of onset of puberty in these does, it is concluded that dietary supplementation with CSC can influence the onset of puberty in the SB does, as determined by serum progesterone concentration.

Dietary supplementation in the Savanna brown goat. II. Gestation and postpartum activity in primiparous does

Twenty primiparous Savanna Brown does were used to study the effect of dietary supplementation on gestation and postpartum activity. The supplements provided in addition to grazing were cotton-seed cake (CSC)/maize (Group A), maize (B) and CSC (C). The fourth group (D) was allowed grazing only. The mean weights for Groups A, B, C, and D were significantly different ( P<0.05) during gestation (18.0, 21.0, 20.0 and 17.0 kg, respectively) and the postpartum period (19.0, 30.0, 20.0 and 24.0 kg). The mean ages at first kidding were 378, 419, 317 and 405 days respectively, while the gestation length ranged from 142–148 days. All the five does in Groups A and C kidded/aborted while only three does kidded or aborted in Groups B and D. Birth weights of the kids from Groups A, B, C and D were 1.0, 1.7, 0.85 and 0.95 kg, respectively. Progesterone concentration during the gestation period in the animals within the groups increased during the first 7 days after mounting (0.17–2.8 ng ml −1). However, it remained fairly constant for the does in Groups A and D but rose sharply (above 4.0 ng ml −1) after Day 15 for the does in Group B. Does in Group C showed some fluctuations in peripheral progesterone concentration between Days 15 and 36 after mounting. The animals on CSC supplementation exhibited postpartum oestrus much earlier than those on CSC/maize, maize and grazing alone.

Malignant melanoma in goats: a clinico-pathological study

The clinicopathological features of 62 cases of malignant melanoma in goats in Sudan are described. The tumours occurred most frequently in grey or brown goats. The predilection site was the perineum. The tumour invaded locally and metastasized through lymphatics and blood vessels. Surgical excision of the tumour was followed or preceded by lymphadenectomy in some cases. The tumour was highly malignant and carried a poor prognosis. Possible aetiological factors are discussed.

Gross and histological changes of the postpartum genitalia of Savanna Brown goats

Twenty nulliparous Savanna Brown goats purchased from local markets in the area of Zaria (Kaduna State, Nigeria) were used to study the postpartum involution of the uterus and cervix. Their ages ranged from 6 months to 1 year and they weighed between 13 and 20 kg. At slaughter, the mean weights and circumferences of all uterine parameters decreased appreciably up to the 16th day postpartum (dpp). Thereafter, the reduction was gradual. By the 28th-32nd dpp the means of the uterine parameters were similar to those of the non-pregnant does slaughtered 3 days postoestrus. The earliest time postpartum caruncular re-epithelization was observed was on the 20th dpp and by the 24–28th dpp complete endometrial re-epithelization was observed.

A Survey of Some Plasma Metabolites and Haematological Parameters of Grazing White Fulani Cattle and Kano Brown Goats in Nigeria

A Survey of Some Plasma Metabolites and Haematological Parameters of Grazing White Fulani Cattle and Kano Brown Goats in Nigeria

Body temperature responses of Savanna Brown goat to the harmattan and hot-dry season

Rectal and vaginal temperature responses of the Savanna Brown goat indigenous to the Nigerian guinea savanna were determined during the harmattan and the hot-dry season. Measurements were made at 06:00h and at 14:00h after 8h exposure to field conditions. At the 06:00h measurements during the harmattan, all animals were observed to shiver. A significant (P<0.01) positive correlation was found between rectal (Tre) and vaginal temperatures. During the harmattan, mean Tre was 38.2‡C at 06:00h and 39.7‡C at 14:00h; the mean difference, δTre was 1.5‡C. During the hot-dry season, Tre at 06:00h was 38.1‡C, and at 14:00h, 38.7; δTre was 0.6‡C. It is concluded that the harmattan is thermally more stressful than the hot-dry season and that passive thermolability may not be an important mechanism in the Savanna Brown goat in adaptation to thermal stress.

Seasonal Changes in Bovine and Caprine Blood Chemistry and Hepatic Vitamin A in Savanna Zone of Nigeria

A seasonal survey was carried out in Kaduna and Kano Stales of Nigeria to determine the plasma levels of phosphorus, calcium and magnesium, and plasma and hepatic vitamin A levels of Bunaji (White Fulani) cows and the local brown goats. The significance of the results on the reproductive efficiency of the Bunaji cattle is discussed.

Heartwater in Nigeria. I. The susceptibility of different local breeds and species of domestic ruminants to heartwater.

Investigations were carried out on the susceptibility to heartwater of different species of domestic ruminants available in northern Nigeria. Brown goats originating from Zaria and areas north of it, and Friesian-zebu calves from the Shika Agricultural Research Station, were uniformly and highly susceptible to the disease. Brown goats from southern Zaria showed a variable susceptibility with 64 per cent contracting the disease. Many indigenous cattle and some indigenous sheep were resistant to infection.

The Phenotype and Gene Frequencies of Polymorphic Haemoglobins of Nigerian Goat Breeds

Electrophoretic analysis 4I4 blood samples from adult Red Sokoto (Maradi), Kana Brown and Saltel (Maidugnri) goats shows that the first 2 breeds contain at least 3 electro-phoretically distinct types of haemoglobin. These are similar to those described by Braide & Enyenihi (I969) for the Kano Brown goats. Starch gel electrophoresis of the Saliel goats’ haemoglobins using a continuons buffer system yielded at least 4 electroplwretically distinct types, 3 of which are identical with those of the first 2 goat breeds. The fourth type is extremely slow in its migration towards the anode. The frequencies of the haemoglobin homozygote and heterozygote genotypes in the 3 goat breeds are compared. The genetic implications of the policy of preventing cross breeding of the Red Sokoto with other goats in Sokoto province is discussed.

The Castle of Aughentain, or a Legend of the Brown Goat: A Tale of Tom Grassiley, the Shanahus

The Castle of Aughentain, or a Legend of the Brown Goat: A Tale of Tom Grassiley, the Shanahus