Creole Goats Research Articles

Impact of the post-weaning nutritional history on the response to an experimental Haemonchus contortus infection in Creole goats and Black Belly sheep

In small ruminants, the response against gastrointestinal nematode (GIN) infections is influenced not only by the host genotype and the physiological stage but also by environmental factors, particularly the nutritional status at the time of infection. In this study we evaluated the long-term effect and the interaction between the host species and the nutritional history on the response to GIN infection in two animal models differing in their phenotypic growth and their level of GIN resistance: Black Belly sheep and Creole goats. Lambs and kids were subjected to three distinct nutritional conditions at weaning: low dietary conditions (100% of the theoretical energy requirement for maintenance, corresponding to 548v. 484KJ/Kg BW0.75 for lambs and kids respectively and 6% of crude protein, CP), medium dietary conditions (150% of the theoretical energy requirement for maintenance and 13% CP) and high dietary conditions (200% of the theoretical energy requirement for maintenance and 20% CP). This 3-months period was followed by a 1-month period on the medium dietary conditions for all the animals before an experimental Haemonchus contortus infection. We monitored the impact of the nutritional history (nutritional condition after weaning), on the intensity of the GIN infection by measuring individual faecal egg counts (FEC), growth rate (ADG), blood eosinophil counts and other pathophysiological parameters. The FEC, growth rate and blood eosinophil counts were significantly affected by the nutritional history in lambs but not in kids. The lowest FEC was found for lambs placed in high dietary conditions, however during the same period body weight loss was observed in this group. In low dietary conditions, kids were more resistant than lambs and the ADG was higher in lambs. However, the anaemia and the level of serum pepsinogen, marker of the abomasal mucosa integrity, were higher in kids. Our data suggest that the impact of the post-weaning nutritional history on the response to an experimental H. contortus infection is significantly affected by the host species.

Growth and carcass attributes of growing Creole kids according to experimental infection level and type of diet.

In the tropics one of the major constraints to goat production is infection by gastrointestinal nematodes (GIN). One promising alternative to chemotherapy is the improvement of host nutrition. The aim of this study was to assess the effects of infection and supplementation on packed cell volume (PCV), average daily gain (ADG) and carcass quality in growing Creole kids. Sixty male goats were reared indoors following a 2 × 3 factorial design: two experimental infection levels, (infected (I) and non-infected (NI)) and three diets D (G, kids were fed exclusively with tropical forages; B, kids were supplemented with dried and crushed banana and C, kids were supplemented with commercial pellets). Faecal egg counts did not vary among I groups (on average 2,200ω/g). The PCV and ADG were improved (P < 0.001) for NI vs. I animals. There was a D effect (P < 0.001) and no I × D interaction was observed. There was no significant effect of GIN on the main carcass data, except the weights of liver, white offal and abdominal fat, which increased slightly in I compared with NI goats (P < 0.05). All carcass data increased significantly with the addition of supplement in the diet (P < 0.001), except for carcass-cut proportions. Meat physical parameters were degraded when I kids received low N diets (B or G) with higher lightness and water loss than in the C groups. Given that GIN affect the animal's N metabolism it is recommended to avoid the use of unbalanced diet such as those banana-based. Further research is necessary to assess the nutrition × parasitism interactions on physiological features and carcass quality of Creole goats.

Effects of repeated electroejaculations on kinematic sperm subpopulations and quality markers of Mexican creole goats

Here we show the effects of repeated electroejaculation (EE) on mean values of motility, mitochondrial functionality, and expression of active caspases on goat sperm obtained by EE. Evaluations were done using CASA and flow cytometry. A strategy for identification of kinematic sperm subpopulations, when individual data of sperm are not provided by the CASA system, is provided. Fifty semen samples, five of each of ten adult creole goats, were obtained by electroejaculation. Mean values of total motility, progressive motility and flow cytometry evaluations were compared among EEs. Relationships among mean values of variables were investigated using Spearman correlation and principal component analysis (PCA). For identification of kinematic sperm subpopulations, PCA followed by hierarchical clustering was applied on data of the intervals provided automatically by the CASA system. Total motility does no change after repeated EE. Mean values of motility parameters and molecular markers were unrelated in multivariate space, but bivariate correlations were found. Values in upper and lower intervals defined clearly the sperm subpopulations, which had motility parameters changing over time. Taken together, our results show that repeated EE does not affect mean values of total motility, that molecular markers are not related with motility parameters, and that it is possible to identify kinematic sperm subpopulations when individual data, of motility parameters, are not provided by the CASA system.

Impact of the post-weaning parasitism history on an experimental Haemonchus contortus infection in Creole goat kids

Gastrointestinal nematode (GIN) infections have an important negative impact on small ruminant production. The selection of genotypes resistant to these parasitic infections is a promising alternative control strategy. Thus, resistance against GIN is an important component of small ruminant breeding schemes, based on phenotypic measurements of resistance in immune mature infected animals. In this study we evaluated both the impact of the post-weaning parasitism history on the response to an experimental Haemonchus contortus infection of resistant and susceptible Creole kids chosen on the basis of their estimated breeding value, and the interaction with the kid's genetic status. During the post-weaning period (from 3 months until 7 months of age) Creole kids were reared at pasture according to four different levels of a mixed rotational stocking system with Creole cattle: 100% (control), 75% (GG75), 50% (GG50), and 25% (GG25) of the total stocking rate of the pasture. The level of infection of the kids decreased significantly at 50% and 25% of the total stocking rate. After the post-weaning period at pasture, at 11 months of age kids were experimentally infected with H. contortus. The faecal egg counts (FEC) were significantly lower in the groups showing the highest FEC at pasture. This result suggests that a degree of protection against an experimental H. contortus infection occurred during the post-weaning period and was dependant on the level of parasitism. Interestingly, no interaction was observed between this level of protection and the genetic status. In conclusion, the level of post-weaning natural parasitism history at pasture would not influence the genetic status evaluation. More generally our results suggest that it would be better to expose kids to a high level of gastrointestinal parasitism during the post-weaning period in order to increase the basal level of resistance thereafter.

Caracterización fenotípica, productiva y reproductiva de la cabra blanca Criolla del “Filo Mayor” de la Sierra Madre del Sur en el estado de Guerrero

Con el objetivo de hacer una caracterización fenotípica y de determinar parámetros productivos y reproductivos de la cabra blanca Criolla del "Filo Mayor" en la Sierra Madre del Sur, estado de Guerrero, se llevó a cabo el presente estudio en el municipio de Leonardo Bravo a 17º 39´N y 99º 50´O y en el Colegio Superior Agropecuario del Estado de Guerrero (CSAEGRO) ubicado a 14.5 km de Iguala, Gro., a 18º 15´ N y 99º 39´ O. Los colores de pelo predominantes en las cabras fueron el blanco y el bayo o crema (94.8%); la presencia de cuernos fue común en machos y hembras y sólo un 7.4% de éstas no los presentó. Las cabras presentaron ubres esféricas (52.8%) y alargadas (47.2%), mientras que los machos cabríos presentaron testículos lobulares (46.2%) y bipartidos (53.8%). Predominaron cabras con perfil recto y orejas erectas (90.4%). El peso de los machos cabríos adultos fue de 68.0 ± 2.1 kg, con una altura a la cruz de 78.8 ± 3.7 cm y un perímetro torácico de 88.5 ± 1.5 cm. Las cabras adultas presentaron un peso de 43.0 ± 3.2 kg, una altura a la cruz de 68.8 ± 2.7 cm y un perímetro torácico de 80.7 ± 3.4 cm. La tasa de fertilidad e índice de prolificidad fueron de 61.4% y 1.6 ± 0.12 crías por parto, respectivamente, con un 8.7% de abortos. El peso al nacimiento de los cabritos (sin considerar sexo ni tipo de parto) fue de 2.9 ± 0.13 kg; en tanto que el peso a los 100 d de edad fue de 14.3 ± 1.2 kg, con ganancias diarias de peso del nacimiento al destete de 159.0 ± 0.15 g. La producción de leche por día fue de 785.0 ± 35.9 g y la curva de lactancia registró un pico en las semanas 3 y 4 (800 g) para después descender en forma constante hasta la semana 14 (400 g). La duración de la gestación fue de 168.6 ± 2.21 d, con un periodo parto-primer estro de 136.3 ± 30 d. La ocurrencia de ciclos estrales menores a 17 días fue nula, con una alta proporción de ciclos de entre 17 a 25 d (55.2%) y mayores de 25 d (44.8%); asimismo la cabra en estudio presentó alta proporción de celos menores de 36 h (81.0%). Se concluye que el grupo caprino estudiado presenta características fenotípicas y de comportamiento productivo y reproductivo propios, que la diferencian de otros grupos caprinos Criollos de la región y del país, pero que son parecidos a los rasgos informados para uno de sus posibles antecesores, la cabra Celtibérica de España.

Identification of GH10 xylanases in strains 2 and Mz5 of Pseudobutyrivibrio xylanivorans.

Genes encoding glycosyl hydrolase family 11 (GH11) xylanases and xylanases have been identified from Pseudobutyrivibrio xylanivorans. In contrast, little is known about the diversity and distribution of the GH10 xylanase in strains of P. xylanivorans. Xylanase and associated activities of P. xylanivorans have been characterized in detail in the type strain, Mz5. The aim of the present study was to identify GH10 xylanase genes in strains 2 and Mz5 of P. xylanivorans. In addition, we evaluated degradation and utilization of xylan by P. xylanivorans 2 isolated from rumen of Creole goats. After a 12-h culture, P. xylanivorans 2 was able to utilize up to 53% of the total pentose content present in birchwood xylan (BWX) and to utilize up to 62% of a ethanol-acetic acid-soluble fraction prepared from BWX. This is the first report describing the presence of GH10 xylanase-encoding genes in P. xylanivorans. Strain 2 and Mz5 contained xylanases which were related to GH10 xylanase of Butyrivibrio sp. Identifying xylanase-encoding genes and activity of these enzymes are a step toward understanding possible functional role of P. xylanivorans in the rumen ecosystem and contribute to providing an improved choice of enzymes for improving fiber digestion in ruminant animals, agricultural biomass utilization for biofuel production, and other industries.

Selective behavior of Creole goats in response to the functional heterogeneity of native forage species in the central Monte desert, Argentina

The changes in forage availability and the physicochemical variability of plants influence the diet selection by herbivores. In this study, the foraging behavior of Creole goats was studied in terms of botanical composition of the diet, food availability and physicochemical properties of vegetation. The study was performed in a desert rangeland in the northeast (NE) Mendoza region in Argentina. Experiments with grazing goats were made in dry (winter) and wet (summer) seasons and cafeteria experiments (feeding trial) were performed during the summer. Food availability was estimated from forage species cover. Botanical composition of the goat's diet was determined by microhistological analysis of fecal samples. Morphological parts of forage species consumed by goats were sampled and analyzed to determine chemical traits (plant nutrients and secondary metabolites) in both seasons. Also, during summer, the two morphological traits of browse species stem specific density (SSD) and specific leaf area (SLA) were evaluated. In the experiments with grazing goats, diet selection was evaluated based on Ivlev's electivity index (Iˆ) and, in cafeteria experiments, preference was estimated based on the number of bites. Diet selection varied between the two seasons. Grazing goats showed differences in the patterns of diet selection related to changes in forage availability. The botanical composition of the diet had a greater (p<0.001) participation of woody species in relation to grass species in both seasons, but the herbaceous stratum was more utilized by goats during the summer according to their higher availability. Correlations between diet and availability were positive in both seasons, but not significant in summer. The models including crude protein (CP), neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and total phenols (TP) had substantial support for predicting variation in diet selection in summer and winter. In both seasons the preference increased as the concentrations of CP, NDF and TP increased, but the effect of CP was significant only in winter. Thus, goats selected supplementary food mixtures (mixed diet) and tannins were not considered dissuasive but, rather, were maintained below a certain threshold. In summer, SSD was negatively and significantly related to diet selection by grazing goats. This morphological trait allowed explaining a greater percentage of the variation in Iˆ (36%) with regard to the variation explained by the chemical variables (16%). In cafeteria experiments, in summer, the optimization of nutrient intake rate through consumption of species with low SSD values represented a best explanation for the preferences observed, whereas the hypotheses of minimization of secondary metabolites and maximization of nutrients were not able to fully explain the preferences observed in cafeteria experiments. To conclude, dietary decisions by goats in desert rangelands could be interpreted in terms of intake rate optimization and complementation of nutrients and secondary compounds, rather than by explanations involving the isolated effects of nutrient intake maximization or tannin intake minimization.

Milk fatty acid composition from goats in a semiintensive production system in an arid region of the peninsula of Baja California, Mexico

The aim of this research was to study the effects of seasons (rainy and dry) on the composition of the fatty acids (FAs) in milk of Creole goats in a semiintensive production system. Milk sampling was carried out in the dry season (June) and just after the rainy season (November) in an arid region of Baja California Sur, Mexico. The goat diet was composed of native species it grazed on in the rangeland, as well as hayed forages with some supplements containing approximately equal amounts of sorghum and maize. The results for different types of FAs in goat milk showed that there were no significant differences in saturated, polyunsaturated, branched, and omega-6 FAs, with differences for monounsaturated and omega-3 FAs. In terms of individual FAs, the majority of changes were not significant. The FA constituents showed that significant differences existed for C12:0, C23:0, C14:1 n-5, C14:1 n-7, C18:1 n-9, C18:3 n-3 cis, C22:5 n-3, and C22:6 n-3, and 2 branched fatty acids, C12:0 iso and C15:0 anteiso. The rest showed a trend of higher quantities of FAs during the rainy season, but it was not significant. In conclusion, goat milk quality as measured by FAs is for the most part very similar year round, independent of seasons in this semiintensive production system.

Valores hematológicos de cabras criollas en dos estados fisiológicos reproductivos

The present study aimed to determine the hematological values of creole goats in two reproductive physiological states in the Agricultural Experimental Center – Viru of the National University of Trujillo. It was performed the blood analysis of 24 goats of 3-4 years old, was made for this, two samplings, with one month of difference between the two. Were evaluated the erythrocyte series, leukocyte and corpuscular constants. For data analysis was used descriptive statistics and Student t test. The results of the first sampling of blood for pregnant and non-pregnant goats were showing significant statistically differences (p 0.05); however, was there appearance of tables anemic in all goats. It concludes that hematological values of native goats vary according to their reproductive physiological states.

Goat milk fatty acid composition in the Peninsula of Baja California, Mexico

ABSTRACTObjective. The objective of the study was to determine the composition of fatty acids in milk of Creole goats in an extensive production system in an arid region of the peninsula of Baja California and compare it to two seasons of the year (rainy and dry). Materials and methods. Sampling was conducted during the dry season (June) and after the rainy season (December) in the municipality of Comondú in Baja California Sur. The extensive production system used involved releasing goats to roam freely in the rangeland to graze for food, and no additional food or supplements were provided. Results. The most abundant fatty acids were saturated fatty acids (66.3 and 70.9% in the rainy and dry reasons, respectively). The most abundant of these were palmitic, myristic, and stearic acid in both seasons. Monounsaturated fatty acids (15-20%) were the most numerous in terms of isomers, but mostly in low concentrations. The largest average constituent of polyunsaturated fatty acids (5-6%) was linoleic acid (3%) and alpha-linolenic acid (1.2%) in both seasons. Branched, fatty acid concentrations were highly variable; the only stable constituents were C15:0 iso (1.5%) and C16:0 anti-iso, with 0.7% of total fatty acids. Conclusions. The seasons in this extensive production system significantly effected the composition of most monounsaturated and branched fatty acids in goat milk; however, saturated and polyunsaturated showed only a few compositional changes in abundance of fatty acids. Moreover, season effects were not significant on the total fatty acid content, except for branched fatty acids and omega-3.

Nutritional quality of Pithecellobium dulce and Acacia cochliacantha fruits, and its evaluation in goats

The fruits of leguminous trees are part of the natural diet of goats; however, they should be evaluated to quantify its food and nutritional values. Chemical composition, in vitro gas production (with and without polyethyleneglycol (PEG-4000MW)), in vitro digestibility of dry matter (IVDMD) and organic matter (IVOMD) of fruits from Pithecellobium dulce and Acacia cochliacantha were determined. The content of acid detergent fiber (ADF), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), total phenols (TP) and condensed tannins (CT) was correlated (r) with the in vitro gas production (IVGP), IVDMD, IVOMD and metabolizable energy (ME) of the fruits. In Exp. 1 the preference test was developed during 10 days of adaptation, plus five days of evaluation in 10 six months-old female Creole goats, with 14±2.0kg body weight (BW) that were allocated in a completely randomized design to simultaneously receive P. dulce and A. cochliacantha fruits in individual feeders to determine goats preference to any of the two fruits, and the chemical compound of fruits with dry matter intake (DMI) of goats was correlated, too. In Exp. 2 the productive performance was assessed of 25 six months-old male Creole kids (14±3.0kg BW) that were allocated in a completely randomized design to feed ad libitum with fruits added to experimental diets with 30% and 15% of each fruit: P. dulce (T1 and T2), A. cochliacantha (T3 and T4), and T5=control diet without fruit. The chemical composition, IVDMD, IVGP and IVOMD were different (P<0.001) among fruits; the r was negative (−0.83 to −0.99, P<0.01) among the contents of ADF, NDF, TP and CT with IVGP, IVDMD, IVOMD and ME. Goats preferred the fruit of A. cochliacantha: DMI (11.7g/kgW0.75, P<0.001), selectivity (11.5 frequency of intake, P<0.01) and preference coefficient (1.3, P<0.001). DMI was positive r with the CP content (r=0.90, P<0.001), NDF (r=0.91, P<0.001), ADF (r=0.91, P<0.001) and ash (r=0.75, P<0.05) of the fruits. The productive performance was higher (P<0.01) in fed kids' diets T3 and T4 with DMI 108.3 and 101.3g/kgW0.75, there was a higher daily weight gain of 92.4 and 137.3g, and feed conversions 8.1 and 6.0g, respectively. In conclusion the fruit of A. cochliacantha has higher nutritional value in goats that stimulated the dry matter intake; it increases the weight gain and feed conversion.

Fasciola hepatica infection and association with gastrointestinal parasites in Creole goats from western Argentina

Goats, called “the cow of the poor”, are the livestock species with the most significant population growth worldwide in recent years. Gastrointestinal parasitism constitutes one of the main constraints to its outdoor and extensive breeding in temperate and tropical countries. Despite a Creole goat population of nearly 4 million heads, local reports on parasitological prevalence are scarce, and while Fasciola hepatica infection is spread all over Argentina, the goat is usually neglected as a reservoir and economic losses are not considered. To evaluate gastrointestinal parasitism prevalence and associations between parasite genera and species, with emphasis on fascioliasis, Creole goats from the plateau and Andean regions from western Argentina were investigated by coprological techniques, and associations were statistically assessed. Eighty-five percent (85%) of the animals harbored one or more parasite types, while 46% showed mixed infections. Significant positive associations between F. hepatica + Strongyle eggs, Eimeria sp. + Nematodirus sp. and Nematodirus sp. + Trichuris ovis were detected. Further studies are required to define the causality of these associations and their relevance in epidemiology. F. hepatica is rarely considered as goat parasite in the country, but a 33% prevalence poses an interrogation on the role goats play on the transmission and dissemination of this zoonotic trematode.

Effect of Experimental Infection withHaemonchus contortuson Parasitological and Local Cellular Responses in Resistant and Susceptible Young Creole Goats

This study was carried out to evaluate the relationships of cellular changes in the abomasal mucosa and parasitological parameters, by comparing resistant and susceptible young Creole goats (kids) after experimental infection with Haemonchus contortus. The kids were infected over 2 periods (challenges 1 and 2) of 7 and 6 weeks, respectively. Fecal egg count (FEC), blood eosinophilia, packed cell volume (PCV), and body weight were weekly monitored. At the end of both challenges a subgroup of kids was slaughtered for nematode burden measurements and analysis of inflammatory cell infiltration in the abomasal mucosa. The average daily gain was higher in resistant kids after both challenges. Blood eosinophilia and FEC were higher in susceptible kids after both challenges. The number of immature worms and the means of female length were lower after challenge 2 whatever the genetic status. No differences were observed in the eosinophil and mononuclear cell infiltration between challenges 1 and 2 and resistant and susceptible kids. Globule leukocyte infiltration was found higher after the challenge 1 in resistant kids. This effect of the genetic status on globule leukocytes counts but not on the other inflammatory cell highlights the need for further study on the functional activity of these cell populations.

Economic values of body weight, reproduction and parasite resistance traits for a Creole goat breeding goal

A specific breeding goal definition was developed for Creole goats in Guadeloupe. This local breed is used for meat production. To ensure a balanced selection outcome, the breeding objective included two production traits, live weight (BW11) and dressing percentage (DP) at 11 months (the mating or selling age), one reproduction trait, fertility (FER), and two traits to assess animal response to parasite infection: packed cell volume (PCV), a resilience trait, and faecal worm eggs count (FEC), a resistance trait. A deterministic bio-economic model was developed to calculate the economic values based on the description of the profit of a Guadeloupean goat farm. The farm income came from the sale of animals for meat or as reproducers. The main costs were feeding and treatments against gastro-intestinal parasites. The economic values were 7.69€ per kg for BW11, 1.38€ per % for FER, 3.53€ per % for DP and 3 × 10−4€ per % for PCV. The economic value for FEC was derived by comparing the expected profit and average FEC in a normal situation and in an extreme situation where parasites had developed resistance to anthelmintics. This method yielded a maximum weighting for FEC, which was −18.85€ per log(eggs per gram). Alternative scenarios were tested to assess the robustness of the economic values to variations in the economic and environmental context. The economic values of PCV and DP were the most stable. Issues involved in paving the way for selective breeding on resistance or resilience to parasites are discussed.

Isolation of Pseudobutyrivibrio ruminis and Pseudobutyrivibrio xylanivorans from rumen of Creole goats fed native forage diet

We isolated and identified functional groups of bacteria in the rumen of Creole goats involved in ruminal fermentation of native forage shrubs. The functional bacterial groups were evaluated by comparing the total viable, total anaerobic, cellulolytic, hemicellulolytic, and amylolytic bacterial counts in the samples taken from fistulated goats fed native forage diet (Atriplex lampa and Prosopis flexuosa). Alfalfa hay and corn were used as control diet. The roll tubes method increased the possibility of isolating and 16S rDNA gene sequencing allowed definitive identification of bacterial species involved in the ruminal fermentation. The starch and fiber contents of the diets influenced the number of total anaerobic bacteria and fibrolytic and amylolytic functional groups. Pseudobutyrivibrio ruminis and Pseudobutyrivibrio xylanivorans were the main species isolated and identified. The identification of bacterial strains involved in the rumen fermentation helps to explain the ability of these animals to digest fiber plant cell wall contained in native forage species.

Simulated selection responses for breeding programs including resistance and resilience to parasites in Creole goats1,2

The Creole goat is a local breed used for meat production in Guadeloupe (French West Indies). As in other tropical countries, improvement of parasite resistance is needed. In this study, we compared predicted selection responses for alternative breeding programs with or without parasite resistance and resilience traits. The overall breeding goal included traits for production, reproduction, and parasite resilience and resistance to ensure a balanced selection outcome. The production traits were BW and dressing percentage (DP). The reproduction trait was fertility (FER), which was the number of doe kiddings per mating. The resistance trait was worm fecal egg count (FEC), which is a measurement of the number of gastro-intestinal parasite eggs found in the feces. The resilience trait was the packed cell volume (PCV), which is a measurement of the volume of red blood cells in the blood. Dressing percentage, BW, and FEC were measured at 11 mo of age, which is the mating or selling age. Fertility and PCV were measured on females at each kidding period. The breeding program accounting for the overall breeding goal and a selection index including all traits gave annual selection responses of 800 g for BW, 3.75% for FER, 0.08% for DP, -0.005 ln(eggs/g) for FEC, and 0.28% for PCV. The expected selection responses for BW and DP in this breeding program were reduced by 2% and 6%, respectively, compared with a breeding program not accounting for FEC and PCV. The overall breeding program, proposed for the Creole breed, offers the best breeding strategy in terms of expected selection responses, making it possible to improve all traits together. It offers a good balance between production and adaptation traits and may present some interest for the selection of other goat breeds in the tropics.

Use of three fodder trees in the feeding of goats in the subhumid tropics in Mexico

Chemical composition, in vitro gas production with and without polyethyleneglycol (PEG-4000MW), and in vitro digestibility of dry matter (IVDMD) and organic (IVOMD) foliage from Pithecellobium dulce, Gliricidia sepium and Haematoxylum brasiletto were determined. The preference test was run for 15days: the first 10days as adaption period and the 5days served as evaluation period. It was conducted in ten developing female Creole goats of 6months old, weighing 14 ± 2.0kg in order to determine goat preference for any of the three foliages. Productive performance of 35 male creole kids of 6months old (14 ± 3.0kg) was also determined by ad libitum feeding of the foliage of the tree: the 30 and 15% of each of the P. dulce (T1, T2), G. sepium (T3, T4), and H. brasiletto (T5, T6) foliages were added to the experiment diets, while T7 served as control diet that did not contain any foliage. The crude protein (CP), total phenols (TP), condensed tannins (CT), IVDMD, and IVOMD were different among the foliages. The PEG determined the biological activity of the TP and CT of H. brasiletto. Goats preferred to consume the foliage of P. dulce because of its higher content of CP and IVDMD and low content of TP and CT. In the productive response, dry matter intake (DMI) was higher in kids fed T1 diet and was stimulated by higher IVDMD and IVOMD, which resulted in the higher daily weight gain (DWG). The contribution with TP and CT of H. brasiletto to T5 and T6 and the rejection by the animals of G. sepium in T3 and T4 explain the negative effects on the DMI and the DWG. Findings of the study suggested higher kid performance for P. dulce foliage. Possible attributes may include its better CP, low TP and CT, and higher digestibility.

Morphological Characterization of the Cuban Creole Goat: Basis for Participatory Management of a Zoogenetic Resource

Morphological Characterization of the Cuban Creole Goat: Basis for Participatory Management of a Zoogenetic Resource

Detection of quantitative trait loci for resistance to gastrointestinal nematode infections in Creole goats

This study aimed to identify regions of the genome affecting resistance to gastrointestinal nematodes in a Creole goat population naturally exposed to a mixed nematode infection (Haemonchus contortus, Trichostrongylus colubriformis and Oesophagostomum columbianum) by grazing on irrigated pasture. A genome-wide quantitative trait loci (QTL) scan was performed on 383 offspring from 12 half-sib families. A total of 101 microsatellite markers were genotyped. Traits analysed were faecal egg count (FEC), packed cell volume (PCV), eosinophil count and bodyweight (BW) at 7 and 11 months of age. Levels of activity of immunoglobulin A (IgA) and activity of immunoglobulin E (IgE) anti-Haemonchus contortus L3 crude extracts and adult excretion/secretion products (ESPs) were also analysed. Using interval mapping, this study identified 13 QTL for parasite resistance. Two QTL linked with FEC were found on chromosomes 22 and 26. Three QTL were detected on chromosomes 7, 8 and 14 for eosinophil counts. Three QTL linked with PCV were identified on chromosomes 5, 9 and 21. A QTL for BW at 7 months of age was found on chromosome 6. Lastly, two QTL detected on chromosomes 3 and 10 were associated with IgE anti-L3, and IgE anti-ESP was linked with two QTL on chromosomes 1 and 26. This study is the first to have identified regions of the genome linked with nematode resistance in a goat population using a genome scan. These results provide useful tools for the understanding of parasite resistance in small ruminants.

Fatty acid composition of muscle and adipose tissues of indigenous Caribbean goats under varying nutritional densities1

The effects of a concentrate diet on growth, carcass fat, and fatty acid (FA) composition of muscle (supraspinatus), perirenal, and intermuscular adipose tissues of Creole goats (n = 32) were evaluated. Goats were fed a tropical green forage Digitaria decumbens ad libitum with no concentrate (G0) or 1 of 3 levels of concentrate: 140 (G100), 240 (G200), and 340 g•d(-1) (G300), respectively. Goats were slaughtered according to the standard procedure at the commercial BW (22 to 24 kg of BW). Goats fed the concentrate diets (G100, G200, and G300) had greater ADG (P < 0.001), cold carcass weights (P < 0.001), and omental (P < 0.01), perirenal (P < 0.01), and intermuscular (P < 0.01) adipose tissues weights. Dietary intake of C18:0, C18:1n-9, C18:2n-6 increased as concentrate supplementation increased (P < 0.001), whereas C18:3n-3 intake was not affected (P > 0.05). Increased concentrate supplementation did not affect (P > 0.05) the proportion of MUFA in all tissues and had very little effect on SFA in perirenal tissue, but increased the PUFA proportion in muscle (P < 0.05). The major effect of feeding increased concentrate was an increase in n-6 PUFA proportions in all tissues (P < 0.001) and, surprisingly, a decrease in n-3 PUFA (P < 0.001). Focusing on FA, which are supposed to have a beneficial or an adverse effect on human health, feeding increased concentrate did not increase the content of any cholesterol-increasing SFA in meat, but increased the n-6/n-3 ratio above 4 when more than 240 g of concentrate was fed per day.