Experimental Goats Research Articles

Exploring the Mechanisms of Electroacupuncture-Induced Analgesia through RNA Sequencing of the Periaqueductal Gray.

Electroacupuncture (EA) can relieve various pains. However, its mechanism in terms of the transcriptome is still not well-known. To explore the full profile of EA-induced molecular modification in the central nerve system, three twins of goats were selected for a match-paired experiment: EA stimulation (60 Hz, 30 min) and none-EA (control). Goats in the EA group showed an increased (p < 0.05) nociceptive threshold compared with the control goats. Experimental goats were sacrificed at 4 h of the experiment, and the periaqueductal grays were harvested for RNA sequencing. As a result, 2651 differentially expressed genes (1803 up-regulated and 848 down-regulated genes) were found and enriched in 30 Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathways and 149 gene ontology terms. EA-regulated five neuropeptide genes (proenkephalin, proopiomelanocortin, preprodynorphin, diazepam-binding inhibitor and proprotein convertase 1 inhibitor) were validated with quantitative PCR. Furthermore, up-regulated glutamate receptors, glutamate transporters, γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptors, GABA transporters, synaptotagmins or mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) genes might contribute to EA-induced analgesia through regulating the glutamatergic synapse, GABAergic synapse, MAPKs, ribosome or ubiquitin-proteasome pathways. Our findings reveal a full profile of molecular modification in response to EA and provide a solid experimental framework for exploring the mechanisms underlying EA-induced analgesia.

Rapid detection of infection due to Mycoplasma mycoides subsp. capri in experimental goats by PCR by assay

Mycoplasma causes a number of important disease viz., CBPP, CCPP, CRD, Arthritis, Contagious agalactiae and Mastitis in livestock and poultry. The conventional method of isolation and identification of the causative agents of these diseases are generally employed in conjunction with the serology which have the limitation of cross reactivity with other mycoplasma and poor growth of the organisms. To overcome these problems, the PCR assay which is rapid, sensitive and specific was used in the present study to detect the mycoplasma infection due to M.Mycoides subsp.capri directly from the tissue materials viz., lungs, lymphnodes, spleen and liver from the experimentally infected goats. All the tissue materials were subjected to PCR assay with cluster specific primers (MC 323 and MC 358), which yielded approximately 1.5 kbp long product. Further,. It was characterized by using mycoides group specific primers (MM 450 and MM 451) and Mycoplasma capri specific primers (P 4 and P 6) which gave an amplicons of 574 bp and 195 bp products, respectively. The findings indicate that the PCR assay is very simple and useful method for detecting the mycoplasma infection directly from the tissue materials in a very short span.

Enhancing the growth performance of replacement female breeder goats through modification of feeding program.

Aim:The study was conducted at a smallholder goat farm located in Labu, Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of proper feeding program on growth performances of replacement breeder goats.Materials and Methods:A total of 30 healthy female boer cross goats at the age of 4 months old with average initial live body weight (BW) of 20.05±0.5 kg were used for on-farm feeding trial to evaluate the growth performance as preparation for breeding purposes. The experimental goats were divided into two groups of 15 animals each labeled as control and treatment groups, which were kept under intensive farming system. Goats in control group were fed with normal routine feeding protocol practiced by the farmer, while goats in the treatment group were fed with new feed formulation. Throughout the experimental period, on-farm monitoring and data collection were carried out. Initial BW and body condition score (BCS) were recorded before the start of the experiment while final BW and BCS were gained after 7 months of the experimental period. Average daily gain (ADG) was calculated after the experiment end. Data on BW, ADG, and BCS were recorded from both groups for every 2 weeks and reported monthly. The feed intake for the control group was 2.8 kg/animal/day which practiced by the farmer and 3.2 kg/animal/day as new feed formulation for the treatment group.Results:After 7 months of the experimental period, final BW shows an improvement in treatment group (39.1±1.53 kg) compared with control group (32.3±1.23 kg). The ADG in treatment group also gives promising result when comparing with control group. Goats in treatment group significantly attained better ADG than control group which were 126.7 g/day and 83.3 g/day, respectively. For the BCS, goats in the treatment group had shown an improvement where 86.67% (13 out of 15) of the group had BCS ≥3 (1-5 scoring scale) and only 66.67% (10 out of 15) of the control group had BCS ≥3.Conclusion:Therefore, it was concluded that implementation of proper feeding program as shown in treatment group give promising result to improve the growth performance of replacement breeder goats which can be adopted by the farmers to improve farm productivity.

Effect of supplementary glycerin on milk composition and heat stability in dairy goats.

ObjectiveThis experiment was studied the effects of various levels of crude glycerin (CG) in dairy goat diet on daily intake, milk yield, milk composition, some physical properties and some quality changes of goat milk after sterilization.MethodsTwelve 75% Saanen dairy goats (body weight = 49±3 kg; days in milk = 60±12 d) were randomly assigned in a completely randomized design to evaluate the effects of three experimental diets consisting of 0%, 5%, and 10% CG (dry matter basis) which were formulated to meet or exceed the nutrient requirements of goats. Experimental dairy goats were evaluated for feed and milk yield. Milk samples were analyzed for their composition, including fatty acids, casein profile, fat globule size, and color, and were sterilized to evaluate milk heat stability.ResultsThere were no significant differences between 0% and 5% CG treatments infeed. Increasing CG supplementation from 0% to 5% increased milk yield from 2.38±0.12 to 2.64±0.23 kg/goat/d. In addition, milk samples from 5% CG treatment had the highest total solids, fat content and lactose content, and largest fat globule size. Increasing CG to 10% resulted in a decrease in milk fat. After sterilizing at 116°C, F0 = 3 min, goat milk samples from 5% CG treatment had slightly higher sediment content and comparatively higher degree of browning.ConclusionConsidering milk yield, milk fat content and quality of sterilized milk, 5% CG supplementation in a total mixed ration has a potential for implementation in dairy goats.

Effects of Different Levels of Oxalic Acid Administration on Feed Intake and Nutrient Digestibility in Goats

An experiment was carried out to investigate the effects of oxalic acid administration on feed intake and nutrient digestibility in goats. Four female cross bred (Boer × local) goats (average body weight of 46.3 kg) were randomly assigned to four experimental diets including oxalic acid administration at levels of 0, 2.25, 4.50 and 6.75 g/animal/d in a 4×4 Latin Square design. Oxalic acid diluted with water was administered orally via syringe to experimental goats once daily for four experimental periods. Each experimental period was lasted 21 d in length, comprising 14 d of adaptation to the experimental diet followed by 7 d of data collection. All the animals were individually fed with Napier grass ad libitum supplemented with 300 g (fresh basis) pelleted compound feed per goat per day throughout the study. Feed composition, feed intake, nutrient intake and nutrient digestibility were determined. Intakes of dry matter (DM), organic matter (OM), crude protein (CP), neutral detergent fibre (NDF) and metabolisable energy tended to linearly decrease with the increasing rate of oxalic acid administration, with the value in the 6.75 g oxalic acid/animal/d treatment being significantly (p<0.05) lower than the control (0 g oxalic acid/animal/d) treatment. The oxalic acid administration had no effect on apparent digestibilities of DM, OM, CP and NDF. The experiment demonstrated that oxalic acid administration may influence in the DM and nutrient intakes, but not influence on DM and nutrient digestibilities in goats.

Optimum dose and time of pregnant mare serum gonadotropin injections in Kacang goats to increase endogenous secretion of estrogen and progesterone without superovulation response

The present study was conducted to determine what the optimum dose and time of pregnant mare serum gonadotropin (PMSG) injections in Kacang does to increase endogenous secretion of estrogen and progesterone without increasing the number of ovulating follicles above the normal range. Forty-eight Kacang does were assigned to a 3×4factorial randomized experimental design with 4 replications. The first factor was the dose of PMSG injection, and it consisted of three levels: 0, 7.5, and 15IU/kg body weight (BW). The second factor was the time of PMSG injection at the four stages of follicular development: the pre-luteolytic, luteolytic, pre-antral, and antral stages. The experimental goats were injected twice with prostaglandin to synchronize their estrous cycles. The parameters measured included the number and diameter of the dominant follicles and serum estrogen concentrations during the pre-ovulatory period and the number and diameter of corpora lutea and serum progesterone concentrations during the post-ovulatory period. The diameter of each dominant follicle and corpus luteum was also calculated. The results showed that an increased dose of PMSG injection significantly increased the numbers, total diameters, and diameter of each dominant follicle and corpus luteum, as well as serum estradiol and progesterone concentrations (P<0.05). The time of PMSG injection significantly affected all parameters (P<0.05), except for the diameter of each dominant follicle and corpus luteum. There was a significant effect of the dose and time of injection of PMSG on all parameters, except on the diameter of each dominant follicle and corpus luteum. Average pre-ovulatory serum estrogen concentrations and post-ovulatory serum progesterone concentrations in does injected with 7.5IU/kg BW at the luteolytic stage increased by 133.68% and 545.11%, respectively. Injection of PMSG during the pre-antral and antral stages also increased estradiol and progesterone secretion to a lesser degree without increasing the number of ovulating follicles and corpora lutea. In conclusion, the results of the present study indicate that injection of 7.5IU PMSG/kg BW at the luteolytic stage could be used to increase the secretion of pregnancy hormones without increasing the number of ovulating follicles and corpora lutea above the normal ranges.

Effect of Vitamin E and Selenium Supplementation on Arsenic Induced Oxidative Stress in Goats

Present study was designed to assess the effect of vitamin E+Se supplementation on growth performance as well as antioxidant status in arsenic toxicity in experimental goats. Eighteen cross breed goats of either sex, aged between 12 to 24 months of age were randomly selected and divided into three groups. Group I was considered as healthy control. Goats of group II and III received Sodium arsenite (NaAsO2) @ 5 mg/kg orally daily for 45 days. The goats of group III also received the treatment of Vitamin E+Se. Increase growth performance was observed in animals supplemented with Vitamin E+Se treatment as compared to group II animals. Significantly (P<0.05) increased lipid peroxidation (LPO), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) enzyme activity in blood, liver and kidney tissue were observed in arsenic intoxicated goats. However, arsenic treatment caused depletion of reduced glutathione (GSH). Restoration of arsenic toxicity effects were observed in group III animals. (Kile et al., 2007) Therefore, present study indicated the ameliorative potential of Vitamin E + Se against toxic effects of arsenic.

Effect of feeding Acacia nilotica pod meal on hematobiochemical profile and fecal egg count in goats.

Aim:This study was conducted to observe the effect of feeding Acacia nilotica pod meal on hematobiochemical profile and gastrointestinal parasitic load in growing goats.Materials and Methods:To experiment was conducted for a period of 3-month on 24 male goats (3½ month old, average body weight [BW] 6.50±1.50 kg), distributed into four groups of six animals each. The experimental animals were fed graded level of A. nilotica pod meal (0%, 10%, 20% and 30%) mixed in concentrate mixture equivalent to tannin concentration of 0%, 1.91%, 3.82% and 5.73% in the total mixed ration I, II, III and IV, respectively, but ad libitum measured quantity of green sorghum fodder (Sorghum bicolor) feeding. The blood samples were collected from experimental goats during the feeding experiment for the examination of different hematological indices and serum biochemical profile to know the overall health status of animals and standard method was followed to analyze the samples. Fecal sample was collected directly from the anus of goats by inserting middle finger and kept the samples in labeled polythene bag. Further fresh sample was processed and examined by McMaster Technique for eggs per gram and oocysts per gram. It gives accurate information regarding severity of infection.Results:The feeding of babul pod meal did not address significant changes about the hematological parameters among various treatment groups. The lymphocyte count was significantly higher (p=0.07) in T3 group as compared to control and increase with increase in level of babul pod meal in the diet. Blood urea nitrogen (BUN) level was 4.86 and 6.59% lower in T1 and T2 group as compared to control and inversely proportional with level of supplement in ration. The decrease in BUN reflected good dietary protein metabolism happened in animals supplemented with babul pod meal. Serum creatinine level was significantly lower (p<0.01) in T2 group as compared to control. The creatinine level was 20.17% lower in T2 group as compared to control. Haemonchus and Coccidian egg count was significantly reduced (p<0.01) in T2 and T3 group followed with T1 as compared to control group.Conclusion:The metabolic status of the animal was not affected with the supplementation of babul pod meal, however, lower serum creatinine level and remarkable reduction in nematode, as well as protozoan egg count in the treatment group, showed good health impact of babul pod.

Water consumption rate of konkan kanyal goats (Capra hircus) fed finger millet straw supplemented with varying levels of dried poultry dropping based diets

This study was conducted to estimate the water intake of konkan kanyal goats fed finger millet straw supplemented with varying levels of dried poultry droppings based diet. Thirty konkan kanyal goats aged above 12 months weighing 14.00-14.67 Kg were used in a randomized block design (RBD) experiment. The experimental goats were randomly assigned to five treatments (TI-T5). T1 were goats fed with 0 % dried poultry droppings based diets (DPDBD), T2 were fed with 20 % dried poultry droppings based diets (DPDBD), T3 were fed with 40 % dried poultry droppings based diets (DPDBD), T4 were fed with 60 % dried poultry droppings based diets (DPDBD), T5 were fed with 80 % dried poultry droppings based diets (DPDBD. Water was offered at 5 L per goats daily. Water and feed refusal were recorded on a daily basis before feeding in the morning. Feed and feaces samples were analyzed for proximate constituents. Live weight changes were also measured. Results revealed that treatment groups supplemented with dried poultry droppings based diets had superior water intake compared to the control group. Daily water intake of the experimental goats was 1.4, 2.2, 3.5, 2.7, and 1.7 L per head, respectively. Konkan kanyal goats fed finger millet straw supplemented with varying levels of dried poultry dropping based diets requires up to 3.5 L of water per head per day for optimum utilization of the feed.

Characterization of inflammatory responses by cervical cytology, cytokine expression and ultrastructure changes in a goat subclinical endometritis model.

Endometritis is a common puerperal disease in livestock. Thus, a practical clinical test for the establishment of diagnosis is needed. We developed a goat model for subclinical endometritis diagnosis by examining cytological, ultrastructural features and molecular expression in cervical discharge collected by cervical cytobrush method. A suspension of E. coli was infused into the uterine horn of goats, and cervical discharge, peripheral blood and endomertrial biopsy samples were collected before inoculation and at 3, 6, 12, 24, 72, 120 and 168 hr post-inoculation (pi). In experimental goats, total leukocytes increased at 6–12 hr pi in hematological examinations, abundant neutrophils were observed in cervical discharge smears, and some micro-villi shortened or were lost from the epithelium at 3 hr pi, with some inflammatory cells infiltrated into the uterine glands and lamina propria. The mRNA expression levels of the Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), cytokines and β-defensin-2 increased significantly within 12 hr pi and returned to pre-inoculation levels at 7 day pi. The results showed that subclinical endometritis was simulated in this bacterial infusion goat model, and the evaluation of cervical cytology was in good agreement with molecular changes of cytokines in cervical discharge, hematology and histology. We thus conclude that the simple cervical cytobrush technique can effectively obtain cervical discharge samples for cytology examination in the early diagnosis of subclinical endometritis in goats.

Hepatic and subcutaneous adipose tissue variations in transition dairy goats fed saturated or unsaturated fat supplemented diets

Biochemical and histological approaches were used to study the metabolic adaptations of transition dairy goats to dietary supplementation with saturated and unsaturated fatty acids. Twenty-three Alpine dairy goats were divided into three groups and fed a basal pre-kidding and lactation diet (C) or the same diet supplemented with fish oil (FO) or stearic acid (ST) starting 1 week before kidding until 21days in milk (DIM). No differences were observed in milk production and composition. However, the serum non-esterified fatty acid (NEFA) and beta-hydroxybutyrate (BOHB) concentrations were changed over time by the treatments. The mean adipocyte area, measured on a subset of 12 goats, which included four subjects from each experimental group, decreased constantly in the C and ST groups from −7 to 21days, while the FO group did not change between days 7 to 21. These results support the idea that FO is able to limit lipolysis, although the energy balance is still negative. No inflammatory processes were observed in the liver in accordance with the blood leukocytes trend, even if moderate to severe fatty changes in the liver were observed in the experimental goats. In the FO group, however, fatty infiltration appeared more severe and it occurred more gradually compared with the other diets. Overall, these results suggest an interesting ability of dietary lipid supplements to affect the fat mobilizing machinery; FO in particular seems able to reduce/delay fat mobilization and could improve hepatocyte adaptation to fatty infiltration, allowing the cells to better maintain their function.

Real-time monitoring of peripheral body temperature using non-invasive, self-powered, sensor based radio-frequency device in goats (capra hircus)

The livestock health monitoring programme becomes central not only for preventing outbreak of the animal diseases, but also for ensuring the fitness of the animals that directly affecting the health of the consumers. Thus, the aim of the current study was to validate the real-time rectal temperature (RT) data of radio frequency based digital (RFD) thermometer with RT data of mercury bulb (MB) thermometer by conducting three experiments in Black Bengal goats. In experiment I, six non-pregnant Black Bengal does with a mean (±SEM) body weight of 10.93±1.33 at the age of 2.25±0.11years were used to record RT for 2h on empty stomach and 2h after feeding at 0, 30, 60, 90 and 120min using RFD thermometer as well as MB thermometer. In experiment II, previously selected six does were further used to record RT for 2h before exercise and 2h after exercise at 0, 30, 60, 90 and 120min. In experiment III, twelve non-pregnant Black Bengal does with mean (±SEM) body weight of 15.83±2.16kg at the age of 3.61±0.43years were challenged with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) μg/kg body weight and RT was recorded at 15min interval for 1h prior to the administration of LPS at −60, −45, −30, 15 and 0min (0 being the time of LPS administration) and then every 15min interval for 5h post LPS administration up to 300min. Two way repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) with post hoc comparisons by Bonferroni test depicted that there was no significant difference (P>0.05) between real-time RT data recorded by RFD thermometer as well as MB thermometer before and after feeding/exercise/LPS administration. Both RFD thermometer and MB thermometer recorded increased (P<0.05 or P<0.001) RT due to the effect of feeding/exercise/LPS administration in experimental goats. Hence, the body temperature recordings from RFD thermometer would be acceptable and thus RFD thermometer could be used for monitoring real-time RT in goats.

Analysis of the energetic metabolism in cyclic Bedouin goats (Capra hircus): Nychthemeral and seasonal variations of some haematochemical parameters in relation with body and ambient temperatures

Several studies have examined changes in some haematochemical parameters as a function of the different physiological status (cyclic, pregnant and lactating) of goats, but no relevant literature has exhaustively investigated these variations from anestrous to estrous stages in cyclic goats. In this paper, we report nychthemeral and seasonal variations in ambient and body temperatures, and in some haematochemical parameters (glycemia, cholesterolemia, triglyceridemia, creatininemia and uremia) measured during summer, winter and spring, in seven (7) experimental cyclic female Bedouin goats (Capra hircus) living in the Béni-Abbès region (Algerian Sahara desert). Cosinor rhythmometry procedure was used to determine the rhythmic parameters of ambient temperature and haematochemical parameters. To determine the effect of time of day on the rhythmicity of the studied parameters, as well as their seasonality, repeated measure analysis of variance (ANOVA) was applied. The results showed that in spite of the nychthemeral profile presented by the ambient temperature for each season, the body temperature remained in a narrow range, thus indicating a successful thermoregulation. The rhythmometry analysis showed a circadian rhythmicity of ambient temperature and haematochemical parameters with diurnal acrophases. A statistically significant effect of the time of day was shown on all studied haematochemical parameters, except on creatininemia. It was also found that only uremia, cholesterolemia and triglyceridemia followed the seasonal sexual activity of the studied ruminant. This study demonstrated the good physiological adaptation developed by this breed in response to the harsh climatic conditions of its natural environment.

Sero-surveillance and sero-monitoring of locally produced PPR vaccine in the field and experimental level

Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR) is a highly contagious, economically important viral disease of goats with high morbidity and mortality. To control the disease effectively a live attenuated vaccine is available in Bangladesh which is produced by Livestock Research Institute (LRI), Mohakhali, Dhaka. The study was carried out to determine the immune status and immune response against PPR in field and experimental Black Bengal goats. Sero-surveillance of PPR was conducted by using c-ELISA in non-vaccinated 240 goats in Gazipur, Sirajgonj and Barisal. Out of the 240 goats tested, of which only 39 (20.31%) goats had positive level of PPR antibodies while 16.25% (13 out of 80 goats) in Gazipur, 28.75% (23 out of 80 goats) in Barisal and 3.75% ((3 out of 80 goats)) in Sirajgonj. In case of sero-monitoring of PPR, the result revealed that vaccinated goats from Rajshahi showed high positive result and have higher seroprevalence where 75% (60 out of 80 goats) were seropositive and only 25% (20 out of 80 goats) are seronegative. These result indicated that vaccinated Rajshahi goats is more resistant for PPR virus than non vaccinated goats. In experimentally to perform sero-monitoring, 10 seronegative goats were selected and divided into two equal groups (A and B).The immunization study against PPR with a commercial PPR vaccine was conducted on 5 goats of group A by inoculating @ 1.0 ml vaccine / animal subcutaneously and group B kept as non-vaccinated. The antibody titres against PPR in goats were determined at 0 day on vaccination and after 21DPV, 180DPV and 365DPV. The results found that 100% (5 out 5goats) seronegative in both vaccinated goats of group A and non-vaccinated goats of group B at 0 day on vaccination. The mean negative titres± SD were 79.285±13.921 and 76.707±9.265 in vaccinated group A and group B, respectively. The mean positive titers ±SD were 20.201±2.480, 8.630±4.970 and 11.382±1.419 at 21DPV, 180DPV an 365DPV, respectively in group A (100% seropositive). In case of non-vaccinated group B, the mean negative titres±SD were 74.258±7.793, 77.726±9.142 and 82.965±7.492 at 21DPV, 180DPV and 365DPV, respectively (100% seronegative). As it is observed, the antibody titres remain at the level over the period of time that indicates the immune response against PPR. From this finding, it is said that PPR vaccine could produce immune response in goats for about one year or 365 days.Asian J. Med. Biol. Res. March 2016, 2(1): 33-37

Exploring the Goat Rumen Microbiome from Seven Days to Two Years.

Rumen microbial communities play important roles in feed conversion and the physiological development of the ruminants. Despite its significance, little is known about the rumen microbial communities at different life stages after birth. In this study, we characterized the rumen bacterial and the archaeal communities in 11 different age groups (7, 15, 30, 60, 90, 120, 150, 180, 360, 540 and 720 days old) of a crossbred F1 goats (n = 5 for each group) by using an Illumina MiSeq platform targeting the V3-V4 region of the 16S rRNA gene. We found that the bacterial communities were mainly composed of Bacteroidetes, Firmicutes, and Proteobacteria across all age groups. The relative abundance of Firmicutes was stable across all age groups. While changes in relative abundance were observed in Bacteroidetes and Proteobacteria, these two phyla reached a stable stage after weaning (day 90). Euryarchaeota (82%) and Thaumarchaeota (15%) were the dominant phyla of Archaea. Crenarchaeota was also observed, although at a very low relative abundance (0.68% at most). A clear age-related pattern was observed in the diversity of bacterial community with 59 OTUs associated with age. In contrast, no age-related OTU was observed in archaea. In conclusion, our results suggested that from 7 days to 2 years, the ruminal microbial community of our experimental goats underwent significant changes in response to the shift in age and diet.

Seasonality in feed availability and nutritional status of goats in heavy rainfall region of south Gujarat

The seasonality pattern in availability of grazing and browsing along with nutritional status of grazing goats in heavy rainfall region of south Gujarat were studied for a year by monitoring 360 goats from 8 villages. The nutritional status of experimental goats was judged by body condition scoring (BCS), FAMACHA (FAffa MAlan CHArt) and by analyzing packed cell volume (PCV). The availability of grazing and browsing resources was judged by participatory rural appraisal tools. The collected data wasfrequencised, tabulated and analyzed by various suitable techniques in IBM® SPSS® Statistics Version 20.0. The study revealed that a period from September to December was flush and May- August was lean period as far as availability of grazing or browsing resources. The grass is found in plenty in monsoon months; however, due to kharif crops most of the ways and roads are not accessible for goats. The BCS was highest (3.13±0.04) in winter and lowest in monsoon (2.74±0.03). The majority (57.5%) of goats was having low BCS in monsoon and good BCS in other seasons. The FAMACHA score was high in monsoon where as it was at par in winter and summer season. Frequency distribution of experimental goats based on FAMACHA score range shows that in monsoon, 40.8% and 15.8% goats were having either borderline or severe score. The PCV was significantly low (20.47±0.43) in monsoon. Overall 31.67% of goats were having low PCV indicating that they were more or less anaemic during whole year. The BCS were negatively correlated with FAMACHA and positively correlated with PCV. It can be concluded that the feed availability and nutritional status of grazing goats in south Gujarat is poor during monsoon months.

Perioperative Nursing Management of an Animal Model of Axial Flow Blood Pump Implantation

Objective: This study aimed to explore the characteristics of perioperative nursing of experimental goats using self-made axial-flow blood pump implantation and provided theoretical nursing knowledge and practice-based evidence for the clinical application of domestically manufactured artificial cardiac pumps. Methods: Seven experimental goats were used in this study, three for pre-testing and four for the formal experiments. According to the surgical requirements for axial-flow blood pump implantation into the cardiac apex, we creatively designed and made a series of highly practical animal surgical instruments including a composite disassemblable bed for experimental animal transferring and monitoring, a multifunctional animal surgery bed, and portable medical supporting equipment. We also applied for two national invention patents and one utility model patent. Active measures were taken to ensure careful preparation before surgery, close collaboration during surgery, and effective management of complications after surgery. Results: Two of the four experimental goats died during surgery because of a massive hemorrhage caused by distal anastomotic failure and air embolism-induced cardiac arrest caused by air leakage from the outlet into the heart due to poor connection of the auxiliary pressure tap (used to measure left ventricular pressure). The mean survival time of the remaining three experimental goats was 22.7 hours. Conclusion: This study was the first to systematically and comprehensively investigate the perioperative nursing management of axial-flow blood pump implantation using animal models. These findings could greatly promote further clinical applied nursing research of self-made artificial cardiac pump implantation in experimental goats. * Joint first author. # Corresponding author.

&lt;i&gt;In vivo&lt;/i&gt; Efficacy of Ethanolic Extract of &lt;i&gt;Cassia nigricans&lt;/i&gt; (Vahl) Against Gastro-Intestinal Nematodes (GIN) of Goats in West Nile Region, Uganda

Several plants are used by farmers for the treatment of gastrointestinal nematodes (GIN) in goats. However, their phytochemical properties, efficacy and safety is largely unknown. A trial was therefore designed to determine in vivo efficacy of ethanolic extract of Cassia nigricans against gastrointestinal nematodes (GIN) in goats. Cassia nigricans leaves were collected from Arua District, Uganda. Ethanolic extraction method was to prepare extracts and the experimental goats were dosed accordingly. Treatments were assigned to five (5) groups of goats (n=9) as follows: Group A, the negative control (30ml of distilled water; group B, the positive control (Albendazole 10%, 8mg/kg). Groups C, D and E received extracts at 50, 100 and 150mg/kg, respectively. Live weights (LWs kg), faecal samples (for faecal egg count reduction (FECR) based on eggs per gram (EPGs) of faeces, packed cell volume (PCV %), total protein (TP g/dL), body condition scores (1-5) and Faffa Malan Chart (FAMACHA scores 1-5) were taken on day 1 of the experiment and subsequently at 7-day intervals for 4 weeks. Results revealed that a significant increase in LWs by 2nd week was observed in goats treated with Albendazole from 20.8 ± 1.9 to 21.9 ± 1.8 (p ≤ 0.05). No change in LWs and in TP was observed in all other groups (p ≥ 0.05). Only Albendazole treated group exhibited a significant increase of PCV in the 2nd week (p ≤ 0.05). EPGs were observed to significantly drop in those treated with Albendazole by the 2nd week from 300 ± 91 to 0 ± 0 and extract at 150 mg/kg dose from 740 ± 236 to 60 ± 25 (p ≤ 0.05). The FECR for Albendazole, 50, 100 and 150 mg/kg doses of the extract were found to be 100%, 37.3%, 66.6% and 83.8% respectively. Only at 150 mg/kg dose did the extract show moderate efficacy in reducing mixed Strongyle spp faecal egg counts in goats. Strongyles spp. were the most predominant genera of nematodes found in goats. Further evaluations of leaf extracts and other plant parts is necessary to establish its potential as a source of local effective remedy against gastro-intestinal nematodes in goats.

Effects of Feeding Ficus polita Foliage-based Complete Rations with Varying Forage: concentrate Ratio on Performance and Ruminal Fermentation in Growing Goats

A study was conducted to investigate the effects of forage to concentrate ratio (F: C) on voluntary feed intake, total tract digestibility, N utilization, ruminal fermentation, microbial protein supply and growth in goats in a 91-day experiment excluding the adjustment period. Twenty-one goats, with an initial similar body weight of 12.3±0.59 kg, were randomly assigned to one of three F: C ratio diets containing 70: 30, 60: 40 or 50: 50 in a completely randomized design. Dry matter and nutrient intakes, apparent digestibility of fibre fractions, digestible crude protein (DCP) and digestible organic matter (DOM), digestible energy (DE) and metabolizable energy (ME), ruminal total N, N retention, feed conversion ratio and average daily gain were not (P>0.05) affected by the treatments. Intakes of DCP, DOM, DE and ME, organic matter digested in the rumen, microbial protein supply, total volatile fatty acids, apparent digestibility of crude protein and organic matter, and N absorbed linearly increased (P<0.05) with decreasing F: C ratio. Apparent DM digestibility, digestible DM, digestible DM intake, ruminal pH and NH3-N had a positive linear increase (P<0.01) with increasing level of concentrate. The results indicate that tannin-containing Ficus polita forage can be included in complete diet of goats up to 700 g/kg DM without compromising the performance of the animals.

Pathogenicity of local isolates of Mycoplasma ovipneumoniae and Mycoplasma arginini in experimental West African Dwarf goats

Objective: This study was carried out to assess the pathogenicity of local isolates of Mycoplasma ovipneumoniae and M . arginini in West African dwarf goats (kids) in Nigeria. Materials and methods: A total of 22 goats aged less than 1-year were purchased from markets. The goats were divided into six groups comprising of four experimental groups (EG; 4 in each) and two control groups (CG; 3 in each). The goats were fed ad libitum with standard diets and safe water. Groups EG1 and EG2 were infected with M . ovipneumoniae through trans-tracheal (TT) and intravenous (IV) routes, respectively, while those in groups EG3 and EG4 were infected with M . arginini through the same routes. Goats in groups CG1 and CG2 were inoculated with sterile Mycoplasma broth through TT and IV routes, respectively. In all cases, the amount of bacteria inoculated was 1.5x10 8 cells/mL. After the onset of the disease in goats, re-isolation of Mycoplasma was performed by culturing on mycoplasma agar supplemented with mycoplasma supplement G. The goats were monitored for 14 days post-infection (PI) to observe respiratory signs and mortality. Post-mortem (PM) examination was performed on each animal that died, while one surviving goat from each of the groups was sacrificed at 14 days PI for PM. After PM, histopathology was performed to observe the changes in tissues. Results: Cough and nasal discharges were observed in all the experimentally infected goats seven days PI. Mortalities were recorded in goats in EG1 (two goats), EG2 (one goats), EG3 (two goats) and EG4 (one goat). At PM, pneumonic lesions were observed in the lungs of all the experimentally infected goats. Conclusion: This study provides evidence that the local isolates of M . ovipneumoniae and M . arginini strains are pathogenic for goats in Nigeria. http://doi.org/10.5455/javar.2016.c161