Murciano-Granadina Breed Research Articles

Reproductive Performance is Improved During Seasonal Anoestrus when Female and Male Murciano–Granadina Goats Receive Melatonin Implants and in Payoya Goats when Females are thus Treated

This work investigates whether the reproductive performance of Mediterranean goats achieved using melatonin implants at around the spring equinox is affected by the protocol followed, i.e. implanting females only, males only, both sexes or neither sex. In a first experiment, Murciano-Granadina females (n = 419, 510 and 631 for three consecutive years) were divided into four groups: treated with melatonin (FM) and not treated with melatonin (FC), mounted by males treated with melatonin (MM) or not (MC). In a second experiment, performed during 2009, the same protocols were used with 635 Payoya females and the results compared with those obtained for the same year for the Murciano-Granadina breed. Fertility (percentage of goats kidding), litter size (number of kids born per female kidded) and productivity (number of kids per female in each mating group) were calculated. In the first experiment, better reproductive performances were obtained when females (overall fertility: 71.1% vs 57.0% for the FM and FC animals; productivity 1.37 ± 0.04 kids per female vs 1.12 ± 0.03 kids per female for the FM and FC animals; p < 0.01) or males (overall fertility: 65.9% vs 58.4 for the MM and MC animals; productivity 1.28 ± 0.03 kids per female vs 1.13 ± 0.04 kids per female for MM and MC groups, respectively; p < 0.01) were implanted with melatonin. Moreover, the interaction sex × melatonin treatment had a significant effect (p < 0.05) on productivity. In the second experiment, for the Murciano-Granadina breed, the greatest increase in the number of kids born per female was obtained when the females were treated with melatonin, in either the FM/MC or FM/MM protocols (0.54 extra kids and 0.53 extra kids per female, respectively) (p < 0.01). In the Payoya breed, the greatest increase was obtained using the FM/MC protocol (0.19 extra kids per female). Thus, improved reproductive performances are obtained when female Murciano-Granadina and Payoya goats are implanted with melatonin, although important differences in reproductive performance are seen between the breeds.

Seasonal changes in sperm DNA fragmentation of Murciano-Granadina goats: The compelling case for dynamic assessment

Evidence is provided of seasonal changes in the rate of DNA fragmentation dynamics of sperm collected from goats Murciano-Granadina breed), in a Spanish Breeding Centre at 41°N latitude. Results show that the initial assessment of sperm DNA fragmentation (T0) was not sufficient to differentiate sperm DNA fragmentation of bucks collected at different times of the year (Kruskal–Wallis 2.399; P=0.493). However, when thawed semen was subsequently incubated at 37°C for periods of between 2 and 48h, differences were recorded in the rate of sperm DNA fragmentation (r-SDF), that are indicative of seasonal changes in reproduction (Log Rank: Mantel–Cox; χ2=158.6; DF=3; P<0.001). Goat semen collected and cryopreserved in the Spanish winter and spring resulted in a poor post-thaw sperm DNA longevity and recorded a r-SDF of 0.8 and 1.3 per hour, after 48h of incubation respectively. The r-SDF subsequently decreased to 0.16 and 0.36 per hour during summer and autumn. It is therefore, recommended that semen samples from Murciano-Granadina goats housed above the 40°N latitude be collected and cryopreserved in the summer and early autumn. This would result in a more stable DNA molecule, which is likely to improve the reproductive success.

Conditioned aversion to olive tree leaves ( Olea europaea L.) in goats and sheep

With the aim of adverting to olive tree leaves, lithium chloride (LiCl) was used in goats and sheep. A total of 10 dairy does (Murciano–Granadina breed) and 10 dairy ewes (Manchega breed) were used in 2 simultaneous experiments for comparing olive leaf intake in averted vs. control animals. Does and ewes were dry and non-pregnant and were randomly allocated into 4 experimental groups of 5 animals each. Animals had no previous contact with olive leaves. For aversion induction, all animals were penned in individual box stalls during 6 d, fed tall fescue hay ad libitum, and offered the olive leaves for 5 min (does) or 1 h (ewes). Aversion was induced by using a drenching gun for orally administering a solution of LiCl (200 mg/kg BW) in water, immediately following olive leaf consumption in the averted groups. Water alone was drenched in the control groups as a blank. Does learned faster to eat the olive leaves and developed stronger aversion to the LiCl treatment than ewes. After the aversion induction period, all the animals joined their respective flock or herd, grazed a cultivated pasture during the day and were complemented indoors with tall fescue hay during the night. Aversion memory was evaluated every 14 d via of 5 min lasting 144 d in the does, and 10 min lasting 130 d in the ewes. No LiCl was given during the aversion memory test period. No olive tree leaf consumption was detected until day 53 and 23, for does and ewes, respectively ( P < 0.05). Olive tree leaf consumption in the averted groups was lower than in the control groups throughout the experiment ( P < 0.05). Animal behavior, when the olive leaves were offered, differed between averted and control groups during learning and memory test periods. Animals in the control group avidly ate the olive leaves, whereas animals in the averted groups strongly rejected the olive leaves. In conclusion, the LiCl conditioned aversion to olive tree leaves proved to be an efficient short-term method in sheep and goats under our experimental conditions. The method may be of special interest for implementing selective grazing and for avoiding the use of herbicides in organic cultures. Further research will be necessary before recommending its use in practice.

Is the Murciano-Granadina a single goat breed? A molecular genetics approach

The population structure of the Murciano-Granadina breed was determined using 25 microsatellites from 266 goats of seven populations. The results of the genetic differentiation analysis showed that it is possible to differentiate the Murciana and Granadina populations even though a low F ST value (0.0432) had been obtained. Individuals could be assigned to their populations with a success rate of more than 80%. Bayesian-based clustering analysis of allele frequencies and multivariate analysis revealed that Murciana and Granadina populations were grouped in different clusters since K=3. The results demonstrate that Murciana and Granadina are still two different genetic groups included into Murciano-Granadina denomination. There is the opportunity to the genetically manage these populations, under a single herd-book but adding the necessary modifications to respect the conservation of the genetic diversity based on the use of multibreed models of genetic evaluation.

Variability in the behavior of kids born of primiparous goats during the first hour after parturition: Effect of the type of parturition, sex, duration of birth, and maternal behavior

The aim of the study was to determine the effect of the type of birth, the sex of the kids, the duration of the birth (categorized as short, medium, or long), and the level of maternal care (categorized as low, medium, or high) on the behavioral variables of kids during the first hour after birth. The parturitions of 78 primiparous goats of Murciano-Granadina breed (46 single-birth and 32 twin-birth) along with the behavior of the kids (44 males and 66 females) during the first hour of life were studied. Birth weight and duration of parturition were greater in single-birth kids (2.94 kg and 60.5 min, respectively) than in twin-birth kids (2.27 kg and 43.2 min, respectively). Birth weight and duration of parturition was greater in males (2.74 kg and 54.61 min) than in females (2.43 kg and 47.70 min). All the kids attempted to stand during the first hour of life, but only 83% attempted to suckle with 65% succeeding. Single-birth kids attempted to stand earlier than twin-birth kids (7.05 vs. 9.08 min), although they achieved this later (16.87 vs. 13.21 min). Compared with twin-birth kids, single-birth kids attempted to suckle later (22.45 vs. 34.76 min, respectively) and achieved it later (25.69 vs. 37.32 min). In the single-birth kids the duration of the first suckling was shorter (16.11 vs. 22.26 s), although total suckling time was greater (5.86 min) than in the twin-birth kids. Males tried to stand sooner than females (7.41 vs. 8.78 min), but took longer (16.12 vs. 13.81 min). The sex factor had no significant effect on suckling-related variables. Compared with medium- and long-duration-birth kids, short-duration-birth kids attempted to suckle earlier, (29.34, 34.23, and 12.82 min, respectively), achieved suckling earlier (31.75, 37.00, and 16.70 min, respectively), and suckled longer at first attempt (0.32, 0.17, and 0.45 min, respectively). Total suckling time was longer in long-duration-birth kids than in medium- and short-duration birth (9.07, 2.63, and 3.86 min, respectively). These results suggest that heavier kids suffer more during birth and are slower to achieve suckling; however, they appear to recover quickly because the total suckling time observed during the first hour was greater.

Effect of αs1-casein (CSN1S1) genotype on milk CSN1S1 content in Malagueña and Murciano-Granadina goats

There is substantial evidence showing that the polymorphism of the goat alphas1-casein (CSN1S1) gene has a major effect on milk protein, casein and fat content as well as on cheese yield. However, its influence on the synthesis rate of CSN1S1 has been less studied, with measurements only available in French breeds. In this article, we have measured milk CSN1S1 content in 89 Malagueña and 138 Murciano-Granadina goats with 305 and 460 phenotypic registers, respectively. In the Malagueña breed, average values of CSN1S1 content estimated for BB, BF, EE and FF genotypes were 6.94+/-0.38, 5.36+/-0.22, 4.58+/-0.13 and 3.98+/-0.27 g/l, respectively, being all significantly different (P<0.05). Conversely, in the Murciano-Granadina breed only the BB genotype (8.50+/-0.60 g/l) was significantly associated with increased levels of CSN1S1 (P<0.05), whereas BF (6.56+/-0.82 g/l), EE (6.39+/-0.60 g/l) and EF (6.91+/-0.76 g/l) genotypes displayed non-significant differences when compared with each other. Our results highlight the existence of breed-specific genetic and/or environmental factors modulating the impact of the CSN1S1 gene polymorphism on the synthesis rate of the corresponding protein.

Bronchioloalveolar Carcinoma Not Related to Jaagsiekte Sheep Retrovirus in a Goat

A spontaneous lung tumor in a 5-year-old goat of the Murciano-Granadina breed is described in this paper. Clinical signs of cachexia and tachypnoea were evident, and a considerable amount of white mucous foamy fluid was discharged from the nostrils when the animal's head was lowered. A lung tumor with the characteristics of bronchioloalveolar carcinoma was detected during histopathologic examination. The tumor cells were positive for surfactant proteins C and B, confirming that alveolar type II cells were the origin of the neoplasia. Tumor samples were tested by polymerase chain reaction, immunoblotting, and immunohistochemistry for the presence of Jaagsiekte sheep retrovirus (JSRV) and enzootic nasal tumor virus (ENTV), another retrovirus very closely related to JSRV, but all tests were negative. Therefore, this is the first reported case of spontaneous bronchioloalveolar carcinoma not related to JSRV or ENTV infection in a goat.

Parity as a risk factor for caprine subclinical intramammary infection

In a cross-sectional study, 324 lactating goats of the Murciano–Granadina breed were randomly selected from 18 herds. Animals were in late lactation and bacteriological analyses including mycoplasmas were made from aseptic milk samples individualy taken from udder halves. The presence of intramammary infection (IMI) was studied in relation to goat parity. Three parity groups were considered: first and second; third, fourth and fifth; and six and greater parities. Prevalence of IMI was 22% of halves and 34% of animals. Most of isolates were Staphylococci (70%). Using the prevalence ratio (PR) and confidence interval (CI), we saw a positive statistical association between subclinical intramammary infection and greater than fifth parity (PR=1.80; 95% CI=1.21, 2.68).

Effects of citrus by-product supplementation on the intake and digestibility of urea+sodium hydroxide-treated barley straw in goats

Sixteen castrated male goats of the Murciano–Granadina breed were used to determine the effect of citrus by-product supplementation on the intake and digestibility of urea+NaOH-treated barley straw. Barley straw was treated with urea (40 g kg −1 DM) and sodium hydroxide (10 g kg −1 DM) and was offered supplemented with citrus by-product at 0, 100, 200, 300 g DM animal/day in four digestibility trials in a completely randomised block design. Digestible organic matter intake was changed ( P<0.05) by a supplement of dried lemons. Dry matter and OM digestibilities were increased linearly ( P<0.001) by citrus by-product supplementation. There were no differences ( P>0.05) in CP or fibrous fraction digestibilities among the four diets. The digestibility of treated straw was assessed for differences. Organic matter digestibility was different ( P<0.05) when urea+NaOH-treated straw was supplemented. At lower levels of supplementation a significant improvement in straw OM digestibility was found, but at higher levels of supplementation a slight negative effect was noted. When citrus by-products were added, the CP or fibrous fraction digestibilities of treated straw were not affected ( P>0.05). These results suggest that digestibility or intake of DM and OM in a diet based on urea+NaOH-treated barley straw could only be improved by supplementation at modest levels with citrus by-product.

Behaviour of the Murciano–Granadina goat during the first hour after parturition

The behaviour of 40 multiparous goats of Murciano–Granadina breed were recorded for the first hour after birth. Data obtained were subjected to Chi-square tests and one way analyses of variance. Does and kids (15 of single-birth and 25 of twin-birth) began a series of vocal interchanges within minutes of the young's expulsion. The majority of does directed their first sniffings and lickings at their kids' heads (49/65 and 48/65 observations, respectively), there being no significant differences with regard to the type of birth (single or twin). First sniffing took place immediately after birth (8.7±0.8 s for single-birth does and 9.7±0.6 s for twin-birth does, not significantly different). The first licking of the newborns took place immediately after the first sniffing (13.3±1.0 s both single- and twin-birth does). Twin-birth does groomed their kids less per kid but more in total (first kid, 15.3±0.6; second one, 13.8±0.4 and total time, 29.1±0.6 min) than single-birth does (25.7±1.4 min). Does remained standing during most of the first postpartum hour (50.8±1.5 min single-birth does and 47.2±1.3 min twin-birth does, there being no significant differences between them).

Urea and citrus by-product supplementation of straw-based diets for goats: effect on barley straw digestibility

Voluntary intake and in vivo digestibility of barley straw based diets supplemented with citrus by-product and urea were determined in 24 castrated male goats of the Murciano-Granadina breed in a digestion trial. Daily DM and digestible OM intake of diets increased ( P < 0.05) with increasing levels of energy supplement. ME daily intake was improved ( P < 0.01) by supplementation ranging from 411.0 to 611.1 kJ kg −1 LW 0.75 as higher levels of citrus by-product were included in the diets. DM and OM digestibilities of the diets increased ( P < 0.01) when citrus by-product was added. Citrus by-product supplementation caused a quadratic increase ( P < 0.001) in DM and CP digestibilities of the diets. DM, CP and crude fibre digestibilities of the straw increased ( P < 0.05) as higher levels of dried citrus by-product were incorporated in the diet. These results suggest that digestibility and intake of barley straw are improved when urea and citrus by-product were included in the diets.

In vivo digestibility of treated and untreated barley straw: results of direct and by-difference digestibility trials

A herd of 28 castrated adult male goats of the Murciano-Granadina breed was used to determine the direct and by-difference digestibility of untreated straw, straw treated with 4% urea and straw treated with 4% urea and 1% NaOH.In the four direct digestibility trials the diets consisted exclusively of alfalfa hay, untreated (with N supplementation), or treated straws. In the three by-difference digestibility trials we used alfalfa hay as a basic diet at a ratio of 50,50 and untreated or treated straw. Dry matter digestibility increased when the straw was treated (P < 0.001), but there were no differences (P < 0.05) between the methods for determining digestibility. An effect of methodology on crude protein digestibility (CPD) was found (P < 0.001) and the type of straw X methods interaction was also significant (P < 0.001). CPD was significantly greater in straw treated with urea (P < 0.001) than in straw treated with urea + NaOH or untreated straw. The digestibility of the straw fibrous fractions improved with the treatments. On calculating the by-difference digestibility of crude fibre (CF), it was noted that straw treated with urea + NaOH had higher (P < 0.01) digestibility coefficients than in the direct digestibility trial. The digestible organic matter (DOM) content of the straw improved (P < 0.001) with the treatments and was not affected (P < 0.05) by the method used to calculate the digestibility. However, in urea + NaOH-treated straw, the DOM content was lower (P < 0.05) when determined directly than when calculated by difference, due to associative effect. In general, a greater standard error was found when the digestibility was calculated by difference, but both techniques showed the effect of treatment on straw. However, in urea + NaOH-treated straw it is advisable that digestibility be calculated by difference, in order to avoid high concentrations of alkali from urea + NaOH-treated straw in the rumen.

Influence of forced contact on the maternal-filial bond in the domestic goat after different periods of post-partum separation

Twenty multiparous does of Murciano-Granadina breed were separated from their offspring immediately after birth, there being no contact whatsoever between mother and kid (ten goats remained separated from their kids for 30 min and the remaining ten for 1 h). After this period mothers and kids were reunited in a 8m × 4m barn, where three tests were done to determine the maternal behaviour of the mother. Mothers and kids were forced to remain together in a fenced plot of 1.5 m × 1.5 m for 24h. After this, the same three tests were repeated. Results obtained showed that all mothers that had been separated for 30 min showed a certain degree of maternality in the tests done before the forced contact. These same goats increased their maternality after the forced reunion (Test 1: χ 2 = 14.0, P < 0.001; Test 3: χ 2 = 16.4, P < 0.001). In contrast, those goats that had been separated from their offspring for 1 h lost their maternality. Nevertheless, after 24 h of forced reunion 50% of the goats observed recovered their lost maternality (Test 1, Test 2 and Test 3: χ 2 = 6.7, P < 0.05). In a second experiment, 30 multiparous goats of Murciano-Granadina breed were separated from their offspring after having remained together for 5 min after birth (ten goats remained separated for 1 h, another ten goats for 8 h and the remaining ten for 24h). Once the separation period was over, each goat, together with its kid, was placed in an 8 m × 4m barn where three tests were done to determine maternality. Mothers and kids were forced to stay together for 24h in a 1.5m × 1.5m barn. The same three tests were repeated after this 24h forced reunion. Results indicated that those mothers separated for 1 h and 8 h behaved maternally towards their offspring after these separation periods. These same goats increased their maternality after the 24h forced reunion (Test 1 and Test 3: χ 2 = 12.5, P < 0.01). Nevertheless, not all of the goats that were separated from their offspring for 24 h behaved maternally after the separation or after the forced reunion period.

Dried lemon as energetic supplement of diet based on urea-treated barley straw: effects on intake and digestibility in goats

Voluntary intake and in vivo digestibility of diets based on treated straw (40 g urea kg −1 straw dry matter) supplemented with dried lemon were determined. Twenty-four castrated male goats of the Murciano-Granadina breed were used in the eight digestion trials. Four digestibility trials with alfalfa hay (100%) and alfalfa hay/dried lemon, untreated or urea-treated barley straw (50:50%) diets were conducted and digestibility by difference of dried lemon, untreated straw and urea-treated straw was calculated. Four trials were conducted using urea-treated straw based diets with dried lemon at four levels of supplementation (0, 100, 200 and 300 g DM per animal per day) in a completely randomized experiment. The urea treatment increased ( P < 0.05) the DM digestibility of the straw. Digestible OM intake of supplemented diet increased ( P < 0.001) with the inclusion of high levels of dried lemon. DM intake of urea-treated straw decreased ( P < 0.01) as the level of dried lemon in the diet increased, but ME intake of the diet was increased ( P < 0.01) by dried lemon supplementation ranging from 445.9 to 599.2 kJ kg −1 LW 0.75 day −1. DM and OM digestibility of the diets was increased ( P < 0.001) by dried lemon supplementation. There were no differences ( P > 0.05) in CP, CF, NDF, ADF or cellulose digestibility when the levels of supplement in diets increased. The digestibility of urea-treated straw was determined by difference. In general, a dried lemon supplement had no effect ( P > 0.05) on digestibility of the proximate principles or cell wall constituents of the urea-treated barley straw. Results from the present study indicate that dried lemon could be used as a supplement to raise the digestible organic matter concentration of the urea-treated straw based diets without affecting the digestive utilization of the basal roughage. However, a decrease in treated straw intake when the level of supplement in the diet increased was observed.

Effects of immediate and early post-partum separation on maintenance of maternal responsiveness in parturient multiparous goats

The subject of study consisted of the determination of the effects of separation, either immediate or after brief mother-young post-partum contact, on the maintenance of the maternal response in multiparous goats of Murciano-Granadina breed, having eliminated every visual, olfactory, auditory, or taste stimulus that could be used as a reminder by the mother. Fifty goats and their 82 kids were used in the study. The goats were kept away from their kids for 1 2 or 1 h when the separation took place immediately after birth, and for 1, 8, or 24 h when it took place after a brief 5-min post-partum contact between mother and young. At the end of the separation both were put together in a stall. The half-hour following the reunion was recorded on video tape. The results have shown that, as for an immediate post-partum separation, the maternal response is maintained ( 10 10 ) after a separation of 1 2 h . However, the response is null ( 0 10 ) after 1-h separations. After a brief mother-young post-partum contact, the results show that there is maternal response after separations of 1 and 8 h ( 10 10 ). On the other hand, a separation of 24 h brings about the extinction of that maternal response ( 10 10 ) and breaks any mother-young ties that may have been established during that brief period of initial contact.

Nutritive value of Kochia scoparia L. and ammoniated barley straw for goats

Chemical composition, in vivo digestibility and usable energy value of kochia ( Kochia scoparia L.) were determined using goats of Murciano—Granadina breed. Fifteen mature goats were fed fresh kochia substituting ammoniated barley straw at 0, 25, 50, 75 or 100% of their complete diets in a completely randomized experimental condition. There were no differences ( P > 0.05) in DMI or DMD or OMD among the five diets containing kochia and treated straw. Kochia substitution resulted in a quadratic increase ( P < 0.001) in N digestibility as rising levels of kochia replaced treated straw. In contrast, the substitution of treated straw with kochia in increasing amounts resulted in a decline ( P < 0.001) in NDF, ADF and cellulose digestibilities. ME content of kochia (5.7 MJ kg −1 DM) was significantly ( P < 0.001) lower than treated straw (8.1 MJ kg −1 DM). However, four kochia diets had a low ME content. This result suggests the possible role of kochia in a grazing system for goats, during periods, such as the hot season, in which pasture availability in the Mediterranean regions is reduced.

Protein quality of Spanish Murciano-Granadina goat milk during lactation

The evolution of contents of total protein, caseins (α, β, κ) and whey proteins (α-lactalbumin, β-lactoglobulin and ‘remaining’ whey proteins) in the milk of 44 Spanish goats (Murciano-Granadina breed) was studied during part of the lactation (70 to 210 d after kidding) using polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis-SDS. Mean values of protein groups (g/l) and their fractions were: total protein (40.9), total casein (32.1), whey proteins (8.7), α-casein (8.5), β-casein (21.0), κ-casein (2.5), β-lactoglobulin (5.8), α-lactalbumin (1.5) and ‘remaining’ whey protein (1.4). All proteins groups and fractions increased significantly ( P < 0.01) during the lactation except for ‘remaining’ whey proteins which decreased ( P < 0.001). Stepwise discriminant analysis showed that α-casein and β-lactalbumin differed significantly between sample dates ( P < 0.001), with more variation than the other proteins ( F = 48.0 and F = 17.3, respectively, P < 0.001).

Protein composition and variation of caprine colostrum (Murciano-Granadina breed) by means of polyacrylamide-sds gel electrophoresis

ABSTRACTThe variation in the content of total protein, total casein, whey protein, α-casein, β-casein, k-casein, α-lactalbumin, β-lactoglobulin and ‘other’ whey proteins of the mammary secretion was studied in 44 goats of the Murciano-Granadina breed (Spain) from the 1st to the 4th day after parturition.The concentration of all the protein variables showed a marked decrease from the 1st to the 4th day after parturition (P&lt; 0·001). In whey proteins this decrease was more marked from the 1st (67·1 g/1) to the 2nd day after parturition (21·6 g/1), whereas the total caseins sharply decreased from the 2nd (62·6 g/1) to the 3rd day after parturition (39·0 g/1).Stepwise discriminant analysis revealed that, except for the k-casein, all the proteins resulting from the electrophoretic fractionation had a discriminant power between the dates of sampling (P&lt; 0·001). The multivariant analysis did not show statistical differences in the electrophoretic fractions corresponding to the samples on the 3rd and 4th days after parturition. According to such fractionation, the transition from colostrum to milk should take place on the 2nd day after parturition.