Intake Of Goats Research Articles

The effect of inorganic and organically bound forms of selenium on glutathione peroxidase activity in the blood of goats

The goal of the experiment was to compare the effect of supplementation of inorganic and the new organically bound (lactate-protein selenium complex) form of selenium (Se) in feed for goats. The 31 goats were split into three groups: control (C) without Se supplementation, AN group administered sodium selenite, ORG group administered lactate-protein selenium complex (Selene Chelate, Agrobac, Czech Republic) produced by cultivation of Lactobacillus acidophilus on a substrate containing natrium selenite. The total Se intake in goats was 0.15 mg in group C, and 0.43 mg in the groups AN and ORG. The effect of Se supplementation was assessed based on the determination of Se concentration and the activity of glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) in whole blood. Samples were taken before the beginning of Se supplementation, 14 and 30 days after the start of supplementation, and then two and three months after the beginning of supplementation. Average Se concentrations in the blood of goats in individual groups (C, AN, ORG) before the start of supplementation were 109.6 ± 34.3, 117.5 ± 34.7, and 105.4 ± 43.6 μg/l respectively, and the activity of GSH-Px in whole blood was 745.3 ± 289.2, 810.7 ± 280.4, and 791.0 ± 398.1 μkat/l respectively. While in group C goats neither the Se concentration nor the GSH-Px activity changed substantially during the experiment, in the goats in the experimental groups there was a statistically significant increase (P < 0.01) in both Se concentrations and the GSH-Px activities. At the end of the experiment Se concentrations in the blood of AN and ORG groups amounted to 168.5 ± 12.2 and 168.8 ± 26.8 μg/l. The GSH-Px activities in goats supplemented with Se also increased significantly over the course of the experiment (at the end of the experiment it was 1178.0 ± 127.3 in the AN group and 1030.1 ± 152.3 μkat/l in the ORG group), and the difference between the groups was significant (P = 0.038). Regarding the dynamics of GSH-Px activity changes during the monitored period, a markedly quicker increase in GSH-Px activity was recorded in the AN group – one month after the beginning of Se supplementation, compared to three months after the beginning of Se supplementation in the ORG group. The results thus show that the effects of supplementation with selenite and the lactate-protein selenium complex are similar with regard to Se status, but that the increase in GSH-Px activity occurred much faster with selenite, which therefore appears to be a more biologically available form of selenium for creation of biologically active selenoproteins.

Goat Production and Fodder Leaves Offered by Local Villagers in the Mid-Hills of Nepal

More than 50% of Nepal’s population lives in the hill regions, usually with small land holdings, and over 60% are considered below the poverty line. Livestock, and particularly goats, provide these small-scale farmers with about 55% of their on-farm income. We studied goat production in Katteldanda, a mid-hill village of 78 households, mainly Brahmins, in Ghorka District. Subsistence farmers raise six or seven goats and one or two buffalo, and cultivate mainly maize, millet and rice. Tree fodder constituted about 70% of dry matter intake of goats for large parts of the year and was collected by lopping branches from trees on upland, rain-watered, private terraces (bari) near the household compound. Local farmers ranked the fodder trees they considered best and we measured the actual fodder they offered to goats. In addition, we evaluated and ranked 23 fodder species on the basis of laboratory in vitro nutritional and metabolizable energy yields. Using a Mantel test, a significant correlation was found between what the farmers thought was best fodder and fodder offered to goats (Mantel r = 0.398; P = 0.037) but non-significant correlations were found between either what the farmers thought was best fodder or fodder offered to goats and laboratory rankings (Mantel r = −0.027; P = 0.49 and Mantel r = 0.187; P = 0.18, respectively). We concluded that biomass produced and availability throughout the year, in addition to nutritional and energy yield, are important criteria for selecting fodder trees for goat production.

Forage Characteristics Affecting Meat Goat Preferences for Forage Chicory Cultivars

Concentration of bitter sesquiterpene lactones (SL), lactucin, lactucopicrin, and 8‐deoxylactucin, has been associated with low soil P fertility and reduced livestock preference for forage chicory (Cichorium intybus L.). We evaluated the effect of cultivar and available soil phosphorus (ASP) on meat goat (Capra hircus L.) preferences for ‘Grasslands Puna (Puna)’ ‘Forage Feast,’ and ‘INIA le Lacerta (Lacerta)’chicory grown under varying P fertility. Soil Bray‐P was used to designate ASP as low (LP, mean 8.6 mg kg−1), medium (MP, 21.7 mg kg−1), and high (HP, 40.1 mg kg−1) for the preference test. In September, clipped fresh forage was offered to confined Boer‐cross goat kids using a replicated 3 by 3 Latin square design with an extra period. Preferences were measured using dry matter intake for cultivar effects and multidimensional scaling (MDS) for ASP effects. Across cultivars, soil Bray‐P was positively related to leaf P and Mg concentrations. Soil Bray‐P did not affect lactucopicrin or 8‐deoxylactucin, and was positively associated with lactucin, in contrast to the hypothesis. Goats exhibited no preferences among cultivars despite up to fourfold differences in individual SL. Within cultivars, goats preferred Puna with less lactucin and total SL, Lacerta with less lactucopicrin and leaf Mg, and Forage Feast with more cell wall. Goats were able to detect relatively small differences in SL within cultivars, but this had little practical effect on intake of the forage because they ate it even when bitter. Therefore, P fertilization for fall‐grown chicory is unlikely to improve forage intake in goats.

Growth, Feed Efficiency, Behaviour, Carcass Characteristics and Meat Quality of Goats Fed Fermented Bagasse Feed

The effects of long-term feeding of diets based on bermudagrass hay supplemented with lucerne hay cube (LH) or fermented bagasse feed (FBF) on the growth rate, feed efficiency, behaviour, gut development, carcass characteristics and meat quality of goats were investigated. Six spring-born 8-month-old male crossbred (Japanese Saanen×Tokara native goats) bucks weighing mean 21.6 kg were allotted to 2 treatment groups (3 animals each) and each animal had ad libitum access to feeds, i.e. bermudagrass hay (basal diet)+LH or FBF throughout the experiment. The FBF was produced by the solid-state fermentation of substrates containing dried sugarcane bagasse mixed with wheat bran in a ratio of 1:3 (w/w DM) with Aspergillus sojae. The live body weight, final weight and average daily gain were not different between treatments. Average basal diet intake of goats fed FBF diet was significantly higher than that fed LH diet (p<0.05), but average dry matter intake (DMI; g/day and g/W 0.75 ), feed conversion ratio, digestible crude protein (DCP) and total digestible nutrients (TDN) intake of experimental diets were not significantly different between treatments. Goats fed on LH and FBF diets had similar eating, rumination, resting and drinking behaviours, and blood constituents except for phosphorus content. Slaughter and carcass weights, net meat percentage ((total meat/carcass weight)×100), loin ratio ((loin/total meat)×100) and rib-eye area were not different between treatments. However, goats fed FBF diet had lower dressing percentage and higher bone/muscle ratio compared with goats fed LH diet (p<0.01). Empty gut and guts fill of goats fed FBF diet were significantly greater (p<0.05 and p<0.01, respectively) than those fed LH diet. The weights of rumen and abomasum were also significantly heavier in goats fed FBF diet (p<0.05), but the length and density of papillae of rumen in goats were not different between treatments. Although meat composition of loin was not different in both groups, the meat of goats fed FBF diet was superior to that of LH diet in flavor, aroma and overall quality of loin (p<0.01). In conclusion, the nature of the diet consumed voluntarily did not affect subsequent growth, nutrient intake and behaviour of goats but had an influence on carcass traits and sensory evaluation of meat partly, when either of LH or FBF was fed with bermudagrass hay. (Asian-Aust. J. Anim. Sci. 2005. Vol 18, No. 11 : 1594-1599)

Effect of Sesame Meal Supplemented in Sudangrass Silage on Fermentation Quality and Feed Intake in Goats

Hirano, Y., Ito, Y., Inagaki, N., Yamasaki, K., Yokota, H. and Kita, K. 2005. Effect of sesame meal supplemented in Sudangrass silage on fermentation quality and feed intake in goats. J. Appl. Anim. Res., 28: 85–88. To increase the nutritive value and reduce the moisture content of Sudangrass silage, sesame meal was mixed with Sudangrass at 5, 10, 20 and 40% (w/w) in laboratory glass silos. This silage was compared with plain Sudan grass silage. The acetic acid content increased when sesame meal was added at the level of more than 20% and the content of propionic acid, butyric acid and volatile basic nitrogen (VBN) decreased with increasing sesame meal supplementation. Feed intake of silage mixed with sesame meal and/or beet pulp was higher than that of non-added Sudangrass silage in goats. As the reduction of butyric acid and VBN is an index of good quality silage, it is suggested that sesame meal can be used as an additive to make good silage with improvement of palatability in ruminants.

Effect of Parotid Saliva Secretion on Dry Forage Intake in Goats

Research was carried out to clarify whether a suppression of dry forage intake during the early stages of feeding in ruminants is caused by feeding induced hypovolemia which is produced by the accelerated secretion of parotid saliva. Goats with a parotid fistula were fed roughly crushed alfalfa hay cubes, commercial ground concentrate feed and NaHCO 3 twice daily (10:00-12:00, 16:00-18:00). The animals were free access to drinking water all day prior to, during and after experiments. The animals were intraruminally infused every day prior to the morning feeding period with parotid saliva collected from the parotid fistula over a 24 h period. The present experiment consisted of two treatments, non-infusion (RNI) and intraruminal infusion of parotid saliva (RSF). In the RSF treatment, 4-5 kg of parotid saliva (280-290 mOsm/l) collected over a 24 h period was intraruminally infused 1 h prior to the commencement of the morning feeding. During feeding, eating and parotid saliva secretion rates were measured. Blood samples were also periodically collected from the jugular vein. During and after 2 h feeding, water intakes were measured, respectively. These measurements were used to define thirst levels. It is thought that rumen fill in the RSF treatment was higher than the RNI treatment. Plasma osmolality in the RSF treatment increased in the first half of the 2 h feeding period due to the intraruminal infusion of parotid saliva. Therefore, parotid saliva secretion rates in the RSF treatment were lower than the RNI treatment for 30 min period from 30 to 60 min after the commencement of feeding. On the other hand, plasma total protein concentration and hematocrit in the RSF treatment decreased by 3.2 and 3.3% prior to the commencement of feeding due to the intraruminal infusion of parotid saliva. In the first half of the 2 h feeding period, plasma total protein concentration and hematocrit in the RSF treatment showed a tendency to decrease compared to the RNI treatment. Thirst level in the RSF treatment during feeding was approximately 31.3% less than the RNI treatment. Upon the completion of the 2 h feeding period, cumulative feed intake in the RSF treatment was significantly larger (19.7%) than the RNI treatment. The results suggest that a suppression of dry forage intake during the early stages of feeding in goats is partly caused by feeding induced hypovolemia, which is produced by the accelerated secretion of parotid saliva.

Significance of Feeding Induced Hypovolemia in Feed Intake Control of Goats Fed on Alfalfa Hay

The objective of this study was to examine whether feeding induced hypovolemia (decrease in plasma volume) acts on the regulation of feed intake in goats fed on dry forage. In order to prevent feeding induced hypovolemia, a 2 h intravenous infusion (16- 18 ml/min) of isotonic mannitol solution was begun 1 h prior to feeding and continued until 1 h after the start of the 2 h feeding period. The intravenous infusion of isotonic mannitol solution (MI) decreased plasma osmolality by 1.0%, plasma total protein concentration by 4.2% and hematocrit by 5.9%, respectively. In comparison with no infusion (NI), MI significantly decreased thirst level by approximately 13%. At the completion of the 2 h feeding period, cumulative feed intake had been increased by 43% by MI. In conclusion, feeding induced hypovolemia in goats fed on dry forage increased thirst level more than the increase in plasma osmolality did. The results demonstrate that feeding induced hypovolemia is one of the factors controlling feed intake in goats fed on dry forage. (Asian-Aust. J. Anim. Sci. 2002. Vol 15, No. 3 : 366-370)

Effects of Intraruminal Saliva Flow on Feed Intake in Goats Fed on Alfalfa Hay Cubes

Research was carried out to ascertain whether or not the volume of saliva flowing into the rumen regulates dry forage intake in ruminants. Goats with a parotid fistula were fed roughly crushed alfalfa hay cubes, concentrated beef cattle feed and NaHCO3 twice daily (10:00-12:00, 16:00-18:00). Except for the days on which experiments were conducted, the animals were free access to drinking water. The animals were intraruminally infused every day prior to the morning feeding period with parotid saliva collected from the parotid fistula over a 24 h period. The present experiment consisted of three treatments, non-infusion (NI), intraruminal infusion of parotid saliva (RSI), and intraruminal infusion of warm water (RWI). In the RSI treatment, approximately 4-5 kg of parotid saliva (280-290 mOsm/l) collected over a 24 h period was intraruminally infused 1 h prior to the commencement of morning feeding. In the RWI treatment, parotid saliva was substituted for warm water (36°C). After infusions, the animals were fed on roughly crushed alfalfa hay cubes for 2 h. During feeding, eating and saliva secretion rates were measured. Blood samples were also periodically collected from the jugular vein. After 2 h feeding, water intake was measured for 30 min. These measurements were used to define thirst levels. On the day of the experiment, the animals were not access to drinking water during the morning feeding. It is thought that rumen fill in RSI and RWI treatments was higher than the NI treatment. In comparison with the NI treatment however, cumulative feed intake increased by 39.3% with RSI treatment and by 45.9% with RWI treatment after completion of the 2 h feeding period. After 2 h feeding, thirst level in the RSI treatment showed only a 10% decrease compared to the NI treatment, but thirst level in the RWI treatment decreased 49.8%. Despite the significant differences in thirst levels between RSI and RWI treatments, the cumulative feed intake in both treatments was similar. When comparing accumulated saliva secretion volumes 2 h after feeding, volumes in the RSI treatment were significantly 35.9% lower than the NI treatment while volumes in the RWI treatment were unchanged. However, the volumes of saliva and fluid flowing into the rumen were greater in both RSI and RWI treatments when compared to the NI treatment. The results indicate that the amount of saliva flowing into the rumen is a factor regulating feed intake in ruminants fed on dry forage. (Asian-Aust. J. Anim. Sci. 2002. Vol 15, No. 12 : 1738-1746)

The effect of intravenous infusion of artificial saliva on feed intake in goats

The effect of intravenous infusion of artificial saliva on feed intake in goats

Physiological Relationship Between Thirst Level and Feed Intake in Goats Fed on Alfalfa Hay Cubes

Physiological Relationship Between Thirst Level and Feed Intake in Goats Fed on Alfalfa Hay Cubes

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.

The effects of low level of feeding on response to synchronization of estrus, ovulation rate and embryo loss in goats

Mature nonlactating British Saanen and Toggenburg does with a body score 2 were fed 25% (n=24) and 100% (n=16) maintenance rations from about 19 days before mating until slaughter at approximately 60 days after mating. Estrus was synchronized using PGF 2α, and the ovulation rate was determined by laparoscopic examination of the ovaries once between Days 6 and 10 after mating. Pregnancy rate, potential kidding rate and embryo loss were determined by counts of viable fetuses at slaughter. The proportion of does in estrus within 96 hours of PGF 2α administration was not different (P<0.5) between the feed-restricted and the maintenance groups (71.0% and 87.5%, respectively); however, the time of onset of estrus after PGF 2α tended to be longer (P=0.12) in the feed-restricted group. Ovulation rate, incidence of multiple ovulations and proportion of does pregnant at 60 days were significantly lower (P=0.0004, P=0.025, P=0.05, respectively) in the restricted group. More embryos from single than multiple ovulations were lost in the restricted group (P=0.01). There was no difference in the overall ovulatory activity between right and left ovaries in the 2 groups. Transuterine migrations were observed in all does that had unilateral multiple ovulations. No migration was observed in does which had single ovulations. These data indicate that restricted feed intake in goats tended to delay the onset of estrus and lowered the ovulation rate, incidence of multiple ovulations, and pregnancy rate.

Changes in Feeding Behavior and Plasma Vasopressin Concentration during Water Deprivation in Goats*

To further characterize the suppression of feeding that normally accompanies water deprivation and to test whether vasopressin contributes to this hypophagia, food intake, meal patterns and plasma vasopressin concentrations were measured during 24 h or 72 h of water deprivation in pygmy goats. The effects of exogenous vasopressin and of a V1-receptor antagonist on feeding during water deprivation were also assessed. The hypophagia during water deprivation was primarily due to decreases in meal size. The plasma vasopressin concentration increased about 2.5-fold and 10-fold after 24 and 72 h of water deprivation, respectively. Plasma osmolality also increased (measured only after 72 h of water deprivation). Intraperitoneally (ip) injected vasopressin (1.5 micrograms/kg b. wt.) that previously reduced food intake in goats with ad lib, access to water (Meyer et al., 1989), failed to affect cumulative food intake in water deprived goats, but led to a transient increase in meal size. The V1-receptor antagonist (2.5 micrograms/kg b. wt., ip) did not affect cumulative food intake or meal patterns either. These findings indicate that endogenous vasopressin is not crucially involved in the hypophagia during water deprivation. The results are in line with the hypothesis that an abnormal prandial increase in the osmolality of the ruminal fluid is a major contributor to the hypophagia during water deprivation.

Influence of Flavor on Rice Straw Intake in Goats

Influence of Flavor on Rice Straw Intake in Goats

Nutrition of Goats as Influenced by Thinning and Clearing of Deciduous Woodland in Northeastern Brazil

Nutritive composition of diets and forage intake of goats utilizing pastures of cleared, two levels of thinned (25% and 55% canopy cover) and undisturbed (control) tropical woodland were compared on a seasonal basis. Esophageally fistulated goats were used to collect dietary samples for chemical analysis. Total fecal collections were used to estimate organic matter intake (OMI) and digestible energy intake (DEI). Forage availability during the wet season was more than threefold higher (P less than .1) on treated than on control pastures. Although available forage was similar (P greater than .1) for all treatments by the middle of the dry season, available forage on the control pastures was limited mostly to dry tree leaves. Goats selected diets 4% higher (P less than .1) in neutral detergent fiber on the control pastures than on the treated pastures; otherwise, diets selected by the goats on the various pastures were similar in terms of crude protein, lignin and in vitro organic matter digestibility. However, OMI and DEI were 23 and 31% higher (P less than .1), respectively, on the treated pastures than on the control pastures. There were no differences among the cleared and thinned treatments. Excessively wet conditions during the rainy season adversely affected goat performance. High populations of biting insects and wet field conditions reduced foraging time and diet selection. The generally higher levels of available forage on the cleared and thinned pastures did not result in the goats' selecting diets higher in nutritive value on the treated pastures than on the control pastures. Instead, the increased forage availability for the treated pastures allowed the goats to attain higher intake of forage.

Comparative aspects of water intake and its flow through the gastro-intestinal tract of kids and lambs

It is increasingly being recognized that water intake in goats is considerably lower than in sheep on the same feed (Gihad, 1976; Gihad, El-Bedawy &amp; Mehrez, 1980; Alam, Poppi &amp; Sykes, 1983). It is, however, difficult to judge the significance of this difference for water transactions in the digestive tract. This paper describes the comparative water consumption and flow in the digestive tract of kids and lambs.

Dynamics of digestion in cattle, sheep, goats and deer.

Four experiments were conducted to study factors affecting digestibility of forages in cattle, sheep, goats and white-tailed deer. In a series of digestion trials (Exp. 1), the dry matter digestibility of a moderately high fiber diet was greater in cattle than in deer. Digestibilities of the diet in sheep and goats were intermediate and not different from either extreme. In a second series of trials (Exp. 2), relative organic matter digestibilities were for goats more than sheep more than deer. However, in Exp. 2, intake in goats was very low and digestibility appeared to be positively related to retention time and inversely related to turnover rate. Results of three trials (Exp. 3) suggested that rate of digestion was related more to diet than to the animal species consuming the diet. In grazing animals (Exp. 4), goats digested a smaller percentage of consumed material than either cows or sheep during three of four seasons even though diets were of similar in vitro digestibility. This difference was related to a faster turnover and shorter retention time in goats. These data support the concept that there are species differences in gastrointestinal dynamics which may be which may be important determinants of adaptability to grazing conditions.

The effect of feed intake on nutrient and hormone levels in jugular and portal blood in goats

SUMMARYAdult goats provided with permanent jugular and portal vein catheters were used to study the effect of feeding hay and concentrates on blood composition in order to determine which blood constituents might act as signals in the control of feed intake. Animals were fed limited amounts of feed, or were allowed to eat unlimited amounts for restricted periods, once or twice daily. Blood samples were collected at hourly intervals up to 9 h after feeding and often more frequently in the initial hour, and were analysed for volatile fatty acids (VFA), lactate, glucose, insulin and glucagon.Feed consumption resulted in rapid and large increments of jugular blood acetate, propionate,n-butyrate and 3-methylbutyrate concentrations whereas isobutyrate and 2-methylbutyrate increased only slightly. Jugular propionate,n–butyrate and 3–methyl–butyrate increased within 10 min and acetate within 20 min after feed was offered, both when hay and when concentrates were eaten. Fasting decreased circulating VFA to very low values. As a rule changes of portal VFA paralleled those in the general circulation although both the concentrations and the changes were much greater. Plasma lactate increased within 30 min on a concentrate diet but not at all on a hay diet.Blood glucose declined in the initial hour after feeding and subsequently increased, resulting in a more or less elevated plateau. In some but not all experiments glucose declined before feed consumption, probably owing to ‘anticipation’. Circulating plasma insulin and glucagon appeared to increase slightly, if at all, after feeding. Increased feed intake was reflected in higher base line glucose and insulin concentrations in the jugular vein but the jugular glucose and insulin response to feed consumption was unaffected. Jugular glucagon was not influenced by the amount of feed. Jugular insulin and glucagon sometimes showed a brief peak during eating. Portal glucose, insulin and glucagon gave essentially the same pattern as seen in the jugular vein.In conclusion, it appears that, of the substances studied, acetate, propionate, nbutyrate and 3-methylbutyrate are most suited for the function of feedback signals in the physiological control of feed intake in goats under the conditions of the present experiment. It seems less probable that glucose, insulin and glucagon can play such a role.

Effects of separate and concurrent osmotic and volume stimuli on plasma ADH in sheep.

Effects of separate and concurrent osmotic and volume stimuli on plasma ADH in sheep.

Depression of feed intake of goats by metabolites injected during meals.

Depression of feed intake of goats by metabolites injected during meals.