Mature Female Goats Research Articles

Voluntary Feed Intake of Goats Supplemented with Different Dietary Fats

Three (3) female (rumen-cannulated goats) weighting 27.33±1.53 kg were housed in individual elevated metabolism stalls provided with 30% concentrate in the morning based on feed requirements (3% of their body weight (BW) dry matter (DM) basis) of the animals. Ad libitum feeding of napier grass follows thereafter. Clean drinking water were made available all the times in the respective animal watering troughs. All data were collected sequentially in every cycle of the study. There were 7 days lag period in every cycle for the animals to return to each natural state. On the 8 th day of every cycle animals were given different dietary treatment. Voluntary feed intakes were recorded for 3 days. This was done on the 11th to 13th day of feeding trial (3 days after treatment). The following were data collected, daily roughage dry matter intake (g/ kg metabolic body weight), daily concentrate feed intake (g DM/kg MBW) and daily total feed dry matter intake (g DM/ kg MBW). All data collected showed no significant difference (P > 0.05) among treatment means was observed. This implies that supplementing 3 to 5% dietary fats from two different sources (VCO and Lard) in ruminant diet do not influence the roughage, concentrate and total feed intake of mature female goats.

Effect of Heat Stress on Reproductive and Productive Traits in Baladi and Crossbred Goat Does under Subtropical Conditions

This experiment was conducted to study the effect of heat stress on some reproductive and productive performance in purebred and crossbred female goats under both of hot (summer season) and mild climatic (winter season) conditions. Forty mature female goats (20 Baladi and 20 crossbred (50% Zaraibi x 50% Baladi) used in this research. Results- cundity were higher in experimental does during mild climate conditionsthan hot climate conditions. Birth weight recorded higher values inmild climate conditions in comparison with hot climate conditions. Concerningto breed, reproductive traits were higher in crossbred goat doescompared with purebred goat does. Crossbred goat does showed higher(P<0.01 or P<0.0001) in all productive traits than Baladi goat does. Cortisolhormone concentration showed lower (P<0.0001) concentration undermild climate conditions than hot climate conditions during differentstages of estrous cycle, pregnancy and postpartum periods. On the otherin crossbred goat does compared with purebred does during differentstages of estrous cycle, except diestrous period. Similar trend was foundduring pregnancy and postpartum periods (P<0.01 or P<0.0001). It could-productive and productive traits of goats and in the same time, crossbredwas better than purebred goats.

The Effect of Surgical Technique and Spacer Texture on Bone Regeneration: A Caprine Study Using the Masquelet Technique.

The Masquelet-induced-membrane technique is a commonly used method for treating segmental bone defects. However, there are no established clinical standards for management of the induced membrane before grafting. Two clinically based theories were tested in a chronic caprine tibial defect model: (1) a textured spacer that increases the induced-membrane surface area will increase bone regeneration; and (2) surgical scraping to remove a thin tissue layer of the inner induced-membrane surface will enhance bone formation. Thirty-two skeletally mature female goats were assigned to four groups: smooth spacer with or without membrane scraping and textured spacer with or without membrane scraping. During an initial surgical procedure (unilateral, left tibia), a defect was created excising bone (5cm), periosteum (9cm), and muscle (10g). Segments initially were stabilized with an intramedullary rod and an antibiotic-impregnated polymethylmethacrylate spacer with a smooth or textured surface. Four weeks later, the spacer was removed and the induced-membrane was either scraped or left intact before bone grafting. Bone formation was assessed using micro-CT (total bone volume in 2.5-cm central defect region) as the primary outcome; radiographs and histologic analysis as secondary outcomes, with the reviewer blinded to the treatment groups of the samples being assessed 12weeks after grafting. All statistical tests were performed using a linear mixed effects model approach. Micro-CT analysis showed greater bone formation in defects with scraped induced membrane (mean, 3034.5mm3; median, 1928.0mm3; quartile [Q]1-Q3, 273.3-2921.1mm3) compared with defects with intact induced membrane (mean, 1709.5mm3; median, 473.8mm3; Q1-Q3, 132.2-1272.3mm3; p=0.034). There was no difference in bone formation between textured spacers (mean, 2405.5mm3; median, 772.7mm3; Q1-Q3, 195.9-2743.8mm3) and smooth spacers (mean, 2473.2mm3; median, 1143.6mm3; Q1-Q3, 230.2-451.1mm3; p=0.917). Scraping the induced-membrane surface to remove the innermost layer of the induced-membrane increased bone regeneration. A textured spacer that increased the induced-membrane surface area had no effect on bone regeneration. Scraping the induced membrane during the second stage of the Masquelet technique may be a rapid and simple means of improving healing of segmental bone defects, which needs to be confirmed clinically.

Deteksi Spesies Brucella pada Kambing di Rumah Potong Hewan Jakarta

Brucellosis is a zoonosis and occupational diseases transmision. The diseases caused by bacterial and attack multiple species of animals. Common species that infects goats as the most pathogenic species (zoonotic) is Brucella melitensis; however, the species B. abortus could also infect goats. The study purposed to find out the brucellosis seropositive in goat in Jakarta slaughterhouse and to detect caused agent of brucellosis. Sampling was done through slaughtered goats that come from brucellosis endemic area. The samples were collected fromslaughtered mature female goats i.e serum, goat milk, vaginal swab, mamary gland, limphoglandula supramamary, limph, and uterus. The detection method was used i.e patological lession, serological, culture and PolymeraseChain Reaction (PCR) technique. The serological detection of brucellosis in goats was done parallelly between Rose Bengal Test (RBT), Complement Fixation Test (CFT) and Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA). The results of this study demonstrated that out of the 119 serum samples serologically tested, negative for RBT, one was positive for CFT and none were positive with ELISA. Patological observation in the Brucella predilection organs, there were 5 goat carcases showed pathological lession (vagina discharge, hemoragy at limphand limphoglandula, crumbly limph and there were pus in uterus). The serum samples that had reacted positively and the organs with pathological lesion were confirmed further with PCR, bacterial isolation and identification.The PCR test results and the culture of milk samples, vaginal swabs and organs did not reveal any Brucella spp bacteria (B. abortus, B. melitensis, B. ovis dan B. suis) and also vaccine strains of RB51. Based on these results, it was concluded that brucellosis in goats on Java Island was a 0.84% seropositive (confidence interval 95%; 0.00826 - 0.00854) (1/119), although the species of Brucella that had infected them remains unknown.

Morphological differentiation of indigenous goats in different agro-ecological zones of Vhembe district, Limpopo province, South Africa

The study was carried out to differentiate indigenous female goats in different agro-ecological zones based on their morphological traits. 551 mature female goats from semi-arid, dry sub-humid and humid agro-ecological zones were considered in this study. The morphological traits analysed were Body Weight, Body Length, Shoulder Height, Hip Height and Heart Girth. Stepwise discriminant analysis was used to check the discriminating power of the variables. Canonical discriminant procedure was applied to determine differences between indigenous goats in different zones. The analysis showed that all the variables measured have discriminating power. In canonical discriminant analysis, the first canonical variable determined was significant and accounted for 91.87% of the variation, but the second canonical variable was not significant and accounted 8.13% of the variation. The pairwise Mahalanobis distances between indigenous goats in semi-arid and dry sub-humid as well as between semi-arid and humid were significant. The pairwise distance between goats in dry sub-humid and humid was not significant. Discriminant model function correctly allocated 60.31% (semi-arid), 58.06% (humid) and 38.46% (dry subhumid) of indigenous goats into their original agro-ecological zone.

The estimation of live weight based on linear traits in indigenous Tswana goats at various ages in Botswana

The objective of this study was to determine the usefulness of some linear body measurements in predicting live weight in indigenous Tswana goats at various ages. Data for this study were obtained from 2,783 goats sampled from six agricultural regions of Botswana except for Tsabong and Ghanzi districts. Fifteen farmers keeping goats were randomly selected from each district and records taken on a random sample of 4-12 animals per farm depending on the 1999 Botswana Government average district flock size. Body measurements recorded were heart girth, height at withers, body length, shoulder width, and live weight. Information on age of each animal was estimated from dentition; flock size and sex of the animal were also recorded for each farm. Regression analysis using stepwise selection method in Statistical Analysis System was used to determine prediction equations for live weight with heart girth, height at withers, body length, and shoulder width as independent variables for male and female goats of different ages. In all models, heart girth contributed most in explaining variation in body weight as shown by high partial R(2) which ranged from 0.48 for female mature to 0.80 for mature male goats. Using mean square error, R(2), and Mallows' C(p), the best prediction equations were for female and male kids (R(2) = 0.83 and 0.82, respectively) and mature male goats (R(2) = 0.82). The poorest model was for mature female goats with R(2) = 0.57. Live body weight could be estimated with accuracy from linear body measurements in Tswana goats which are unique for each sex and age. More research is required to explore using these models to develop measuring tapes for use by resource poor farmers who keep indigenous Tswana goats.

The potential of the weed, &lt;I&gt;Commelina diffusa&lt;/I&gt; L., as a fodder crop for ruminants

The objective of this study was to evaluate the potential of Commelina diffusa L. as a ruminant feed. Commelina diffusa belongs to the Commelinaceae family, a family of plants that is generally poorly investigated with respect to ruminant nutrition. The species was evaluated in terms of its chemical composition, and through the in sacco technique, its rumen degradation characteristics. Rumen degradability was determined in three mature female goats, each fitted with a permanent rumen cannula. Commelina diffusa contained 177 g crude protein (CP)/kg dry matter (DM) and its CP had a rumen degradability of 74.1 ± 2.7%. Most of the DM and organic matter (OM) were lost during the first 36 h of incubation and the cell wall components after 48 h of incubation. Maximum (120 h) DM, OM, neutral and acid detergent fibre, hemicellulose and cellulose disappearances from the bags incubated in the rumen were 66.3, 57.8, 55.6, 55.2, 56.7 and 44.3%, respectively. Rumen degradation of DM and OM was correlated (r2 = 0.66), but significantly different. It is concluded that, from a nutritional point of view, C. diffusa compares well with many commonly used fodder crops and could be used as protein source for ruminants on smallholder farms. South African Journal of Animal Science Vol. 36(1) 2006: 28-32

The effects of Leucaena leucocephala on semen quality, fertility and reproductive performance of dihydroxy pyridone-adapted South African Nguni goats

The effects of feeding Leucaena leucocephala on semen quality and fertility were examined using four dihydroxy pyridone (DHP)-adapted (21.0, 26.5, 27.0 and 31.0 kg) and four DHP-unadapted (28.0, 31.0, 40.0 and 44.0 kg) South African indigenous Nguni bucks (mature male goats). The DHP-adapted bucks were assigned to air-dried Leucaena leucocephala forage (LL; Leucaena group) while the unadapted ones were maintained on a cereal-based concentrate diet (C; concentrate group) containing 122 g crude protein (CP)/kg over an 84-day period. Buck semen samples were collected on days 0 and 77 of the study. On the last day of the study (day 84), bucks in the Leucaena group were divided into two equal subgroups; a subgroup was assigned to Leucaena leucocephala-grass pasture (LGP) with ten does (mature female goats) while the second subgroup was assigned to natural pasture (NP) with nine does. Similarly, the two concentrate subgroups were separately assigned to mate nine and ten does on LGP and NP plots, respectively. The proportions of normal semen on both groups were not significantly different. However, semen quality on LL treatment increased significantly (P = 0.004) between days 0 and 77 and probably explains the significant (P&lt;0.01) difference between the fertility rates of bucks on both treatments. There was no evidence that feeding LL was detrimental to semen quality and fertility of bucks and to conception among females mated by the bucks fed the forage; perhaps due to the fact that the bucks had adapted to DHP as a result of the DHP-degrading rumen bacteria (Synergistes jonesii) that were transferred to them by the does. Synergistes jonesii is known to be capable of detoxifying mimosine and its toxic metabolites to innocuous compounds.

Two biological determinants of anterior cruciate ligament graft strength: A review

Introduction: 1. A major long-term determinant of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) graft strength is the biological remodeling process to which the ACL graft collagen matrix is subjected immediately after surgical implantation. The collagen matrix provides the tensile strength of ligaments. Previous quantitative ultrastructural studies have shown that both human and goat anterior cruciate ligament patellar tendon (ACL-PT) autografts contain mainly small diameter collagen fibrils (< 100 nm) at 3–20 years post-surgery irrespective of the tissue of origin of the graft. Similar observations have recently been reported for human ACL allografts over an 8 year period.1 2. Parry and Craig (1988) suggested there was a strong correlation between large collagen fibrils and the ultimate tensile strength and modulus of ligaments/tendons. This part of the study was designed to test the hypothesis that there was a positive correlation between large collagen fibrils and the tensile modulus and the area-normalized ultimate load of patella tendon preparations subjected to loading and unloading conditions. Methods: Two studies are presented in review. 1. This part of the study examined goat ACL-PT autografts up to 3 years post-surgery for collagen fibril size, collagen type and hydroxypyridinium (HP) cross-link density. Twenty-two mature female goats received an ACL-PT autograft to the right knee and were tested at 6 weeks (n = 5), 12 weeks (n = 4), 24 weeks (n = 5), 1 year (n = 5) and 3 years (n = 3). Two in each group were assigned for HP analyses and the rest for collagen fibril quantitation. The fibrils of five left control ACL’s and two PT’s were also quantitated. Two normal animals served as controls for HP analyses. 2. Experimental design. Nineteen Flemish giant rabbits (average weight 5.2 ± 0.6 kg) were used in this second study. Three experimental conditions were tested in which the right limbs were used as the experimental side and the left as the control side. 1. A central window of 40% of the width of the patella tendon was removed and the animals (n = 4) sacrificed immediately (T = 0), 2. Same surgery as in 1. but sacrificed at 7 weeks (n = 6), 3. Same surgery as in 2. but a stress shielding device implanted to unload the tendon (n = 6) and sacrificed at 7 weeks. Groups 2. and 3. were allowed 1 week cage activity and were then exercised on a treadmill for 6 weeks and then sacrificed at 7 weeks post-surgery (T = 7). The patella tendons were tested mechanically for area-normalized ultimate load, tensile stiffness and corresponding modulus from the linear range of response were determined for each tendon. Tranverse sections of the same tendons were prepared for computerized quantitative collagen fibril analyses after tensile testing. The mean of the area weighted mean collagen fibril diameters was determined from four tissue blocks obtained from the central region of each control and experimental patella tendon mechanically tested. These mean fibril diameters were then used in regression correlation analyses vs modulus, stiffness and ultimate load at T = 0 and T = 7 for both the control and experimental tendons. Results: 1. The collagen fibril profile for each time group was compared to the control ACL and PT with Kolomogorov–Smirnov analyses. Differences were found between the PT collagen profile with the 12, 24 and 52 week groups (P = 0.005, 0.07 and 0.1, respectively). All the grafts except the 6 week group contained mainly small fibrils ( 100 nm with Young’s modulus of the grafts which was tested in a separate study. The HP density was low in the 6, 12 and 24 week groups, but increased in the 1 and 3 year groups. Significant correlation (r = 0.75, P = 0.01) was found between the HP density and Young’s modulus.1 2. Strong positive correlations were found between the area weighted mean fibril diameter and the tensile modulus (r = 0.74, P < 0.05) and the normalized ultimate load (r = 0.72, P < 0.05) for the whole rabbit control tendons and the experimental tendons. Discussion: 1. This first study shows that the poor long term strength of goat ACL-PT autografts is probably due to the lack of large fibrils and the low cross-link density determined in the predominantly small collagen fibril populations in these grafts even at 3 years post-surgery.2 2. This is the first study to successfully correlate area weighted mean collagen fibril diameters with biomechanical parameters such as ultimate load, tensile stiffness and modulus of the patella tendon.3 References 1Shino K , Oakes BW et al. (1995) Am J Sports Med 23, 203–9. 2Ng GYF , Oakes BW , Deacon OW , McLean ID , Eyre D (1996) J Orthop Res 14, 851–6. 3Oakes BW , Singleton C , Haut R (1998) TORS, New Orleans, USA 23, 24–4.

Incorporation of composite bone implants in the facial skeleton.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the capacity of composite grafts consisting of either particulated cancellous or particulated cortical bone and anorganic bovine bone mineral (BBM) (Bio-Oss) to induce regeneration in standardized critical size bony defects overlying the frontal sinus. Four full thickness critical size bone defects were made in the frontal bone in each of 8 skeletally mature female goats. These defects were filled at random with composite cancellous bone/BBM grafts or composite cortical bone/BBM grafts. Control defects were not included but could be evaluated using data from a previous study in which the same experimental setting was used (Merkx et al. 1999a). Fluorochrome bone markers were injected subcutaneously 1 and 5 weeks after implantation, and 1 week before the animals were killed. Two animals were killed at 3, 6, 12 and 24 weeks after surgery respectively. The results were evaluated by histological means including fluorescence microscopy. In conclusion, composite grafts consisting of autogenous cancellous bone/BBM yield good results, combining the advantages of each material alone and reducing the disadvantages of each when used separately. Critical size defects in the maxillofacial area, overlying a paranasal sinus, filled with this material heal uneventfully within 12 weeks. Composite grafts consisting of cortical bone and BBM show less favorable results. These grafts induce osteoclasts, probably by the presence of non-functional BBM, resulting in resorption of the cortical bone chips.

Incorporation of particulated bone implants in the facial skeleton.

The purpose of this study was to compare the regenerative response of autogenous cortical and cancellous bone chips and a natural particulate resorbable bone mineral (RBM) (Bio-Oss, Geistlich-Pharma, Wolhusen, Switzerland) in standardized bony defects relating paranasal sinuses to one another and to bone blocks. On 13 skeletally mature female goats four standardized critical-sized full thickness bone defects were made in the frontal bone overlying the frontal sinus. These defects were filled at random with cortical bone chips, cancellous bone chips, spongiosa granules of a RBM or left empty. Fluorochrome bone markers were injected subcutaneously 1 and 5 weeks after transplantation, and one week before the animals were killed. The animals were killed at 3, 6, 12 and 24 weeks after surgery. Autogenous cancellous bone chips is the material of choice for bridging a bony defect in the maxillofacial area where there is no need for mechanical strength. They heal in the same way as cancellous bone blocks do. Cortical bone chips are not reliable enough to be used as a solitary bone-grafting material under these conditions. A cortical block as a solitary implant gives better results. RBM granules as solitary implant in a critical-sized defect do not stimulate osteoconduction but give rise to an extensive osteoclastic activity stimulated by the mutual loose relation. A solid block of RBM is in a similar case more reliable.

Peripheral plasma oestradiol-17β and progesterone levels in female goats induced to hypothyroidism

Subcutaneous injections of thiourea were given to five mature female goats, initially at the rate of 100 mg kg −1 body weight per day for 15 days and then at 66.7 mg kg −1 body weight per day for the following 15 days. Triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4) plasma levels were reduced during the period of thiourea treatment. This confirmed successful induction of hypothyroidism. Behavioural oestrus was exhibited by three animals on day 22, and by two animals on day 23 of thiourea treatment, whereas in the control group oestrus was observed on days 19–20. The symptoms of behavioural oestrus in treated females were partially suppressed; however, the duration of oestrus was 48–50 h compared with 36–48 h in control animals. Plasma oestradiol-17β and progesterone levels during the oestrous cycle in thiourea-treated goats were lower ( P < 0.05) than in control animals and when artificially inseminated, treated goats did not conceive. The results of this experiment confirm the hypothesis that the thyroid is involved in maintenance of the reproductive process.

Dolichos lablab ( Lab lab purpureus cv. ‘Rongai’) as supplementary feed to maize stover for indigenous female goats in Zimbabwe

Three mature female goats fitted with permanent rumen cannulae were used to estimate rumen degradation kinetics of diets consisting of 70:30 ( w w ) (Diet 1) and 50:50 ( w w ) (Diet 2) proportions of maize stover and dolichos lablab. The DM degradation constants ( a, b, c) from the equation P = a + b(1 − e − c1 ) were 11.8, 49.0, 0.029 and 13.1, 48.5, 0.030, for Diet 1 and Diet 2, respectively. Diets were fed to pregnant does to study their effect on reproductive performance and to non-pregnant does to study effects on carcass traits. In pregnant does Diet 2 resulted in higher ( P < 0.05) intakes of DM, OM and N (55 vs. 53 g kg −0.75, 48 vs. 46 g kg −0.75 and 0.7 vs. 0.6 g kg −0.75, respectively) compared with Diet 1, but kid birth weights were similar (2.4 vs. 1.9 kg for does on Diets 2 and 1, respectively; P > 0.05). Daily milk yield (884 vs. 434 g day −1), average daily gain of does (22.2 vs. 6.3 g day −1) and average daily gain of kids (49 vs. 21.9 g day −1) differed ( P < 0.05) for Diet 2 vs. Diet 1, respectively. In non-pregnant does, the diets had no effect ( P > 0.05) on carcass traits and resulted in hot carcass weights of 7.1 kg and 7.6 kg, cold carcass weights of 6.9 kg and 7.4 kg and killing-out proportions of 360 g kg −1 and 384 g kg −1 for Diet 1 and Diet 2, respectively. It was concluded that diets based on maize stover and dolichos lablab could provide adequate nutrients to maintain goat productivity during the cropping season, without compromising labour availability to cropping activities.

Studies on the meat production characteristics of Botswana goats and sheep—Part II: General body composition, carcase measurements and joint composition

The present paper gives data on the general body composition, carcase size, weight and joint composition of indigenous Botswana goats and sheep of various age and sex groupings. Data on a small group of entire milk tooth male Boer goats are also presented. Indigenous male castrate goats developed larger and heavier carcases than sheep of a similar background with increasing age, although differences were not significant after correction for empty body weight (ebw). Castrate male indigenous sheep produced highest carcase and offal yields at the two tooth stage. Although mature female goats had significantly heavier ebws than the female sheep, the latter had significantly heavier carcases and heavier dressing out percentages (DO%) at equivalent ebws. The Boer goats had higher ebws, carcase weights and DO% than the indigenous goats of similar age while the indigenous castrates had larger and heavier carcases than the entires. The goats had proportionally heavier leg and shoulder joints whereas the sheep had heavier loins.

Progesterone-inhibition of oxytocin release during vaginal distention: evidence for a central site of action.

In alternate experiments with each of 6 unanesthetized, mature female goats, progesterone was infused for 60 min into either the lateral cerebral ventricle (2 or 10 μg/min) or the jugular vein (10 or 50 μg/min). Oxytocic activity in chromatographed extracts of plasma was measured by the Ryden-Sjoholm bioassay. Immediately before progesterone was infused, vaginal distention increased the concentration of oxytocin in venous blood from a resting level of 3.1 ± 0.3 to 46.8 ± 9.4 μU/ml plasma (mean ± SEM). At the end of each infusion, the distention stimulus induced a relatively smaller increase in plasma oxytocin. The size of the decrement in response was linearly related, with significant slope, to the logarithm of the infusion rate of progesterone regardless of the route of administration but, comparing equal doses, the central route was 5.75 times more effective than the peripheral route with fiducial limits of 2.82 and 12.36 at the 99.5% confidence level. The infusion vehicle (a mixture of propylene glyco...

Inhibition by progesterone of oxytocin secretion during vaginal stimulation.

Progesterone was administered intravenously for 60 min periods to mature female goats. Immediately before the steroid was infused, vaginal distention increased the concentration of oxytocin in jugular vein blood from 3.7 ±0.4 (mean ±SE) to 36.8 ±6.9 µU/ml plasma. At the end of the infusion, distention induced relatively smaller increases. The size of the decrement in response was linearly related to the logarithm of the infusion rate of progesterone over a range of 5–50 µg/min. Since pregnant goats reportedly secrete progesterone from their ovaries at rates approaching this range, circulating progesterone may prove to be a physiological determinant of posterior pituitary function insofar as it suppresses the release of oxytocin occasioned by genital stimulation. (Endocrinology 87: 812, 1970)