Pashmina Goats Research Articles

Evaluation of ameliorative potential of antioxidants and/or immunomodulators in contagious caprine pleuropneumonia affected Himalayan Pashmina goats

Contagious caprine pleuropneumonia causes oxidative stress and immune disturbances in affected goats. Hence these derogative alterations aggravate the pathogenesis and severity of this disease, thus, necessitating utilization of antioxidants and/or immunomodulators in the therapeutic regimes of contagious caprine pleuropneumonia. Present study evaluated ameliorative effects of N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) and alpha tocopherol (vitamin E) in association with primary antibiotic tylosin treatment in contagious caprine pleuropneumonia affected test goats in comparison to antibiotic only treated goats (n=6) and healthy goats (n=6). N-acetyl cysteine given at a dose of 12 mg per kg of body weight orally daily for 7 days, showed better antioxidant effect by significantly ameliorating oxidative stress (41.4%) compared to other treatments; besides, decreasing total oxidative status (TOS) and increasing total antioxidant status (TAS). Immunomodulatory potential of alpha tocopherol given at a dose of 10 mg per kg of body weight orally daily for 7 days, was found to be comparatively better than NAC in decreasing percentage of neutrophils and increasing percentage of lymphocytes; besides, decreasing the levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and immunoglobulin G (IgG) when the modulation of total leukocyte count and differential leukocyte count was comparable between the two. Thus, it can be concluded from this study that NAC acts as a comparatively better antioxidant and alpha tocopherol as better immunomodulator when used in the therapeutic regimes of contagious caprine pleuropneumonia.

Co‐designing conservation interventions through participatory action research in the Indian Trans‐Himalaya

Abstract Community‐based conservation, despite being more inclusive than fortress conservation, has been criticized for being a top‐down implementation of external ideas brought to local communities for conservation's benefit. This is particularly true for Changpas, the pastoral people of Changthang in trans‐Himalayan India who live alongside unique wildlife. Our main aim was to co‐design conservation interventions through participatory action research. We worked with two Changpa communities, to understand the issues faced by them. Subsequently, we co‐designed context‐sensitive interventions to facilitate positive human–nature interactions. We did so by integrating the PARTNERS (Presence, Aptness, Respect, Transparency, Empathy, Responsiveness, Strategic Support) principles with the Trinity of Voice (Access, Standing and Influence). In Rupsho, we facilitated focus group discussions (FGDs) led by the community. We found livestock depredation by wildlife was primarily facilitated by the weather. This led to co‐designing of a new corral design, which was piloted with seven households, safeguarding 2385 pashmina goats and sheep. Approximating the value of each sheep/goat to be USD125, this intervention amounts to a significant economic protection of USD c. 42,500 for each household. This is along with intangible gains of trust, ownership and improved self‐esteem. In Tegazong, a restricted area adjoining the Indo‐China border with no previous research records, we worked with 43 Changpa people to co‐create research questions of mutual interest. Wildlife presence and reasons for livestock loss were identified as areas of mutual interest. The herders suggested they would record data in a form of their choice, for 6 months, while they live in their winter pastures. This participatory community monitoring revealed nutrition and hypothermia to be a key cause of livestock death. Subsequently, we delimited two previously untested interventions: lamb cribs and provisioning of locally sourced barley as a feed supplement. The wildlife monitoring recorded the first record of Tibetan Gazelle Procapra picticuadata, outside of their known distribution, in Tegazong. We aim to highlight the benefits of co‐designing projects with local communities that link research and conservation, while also discussing the challenges faced. Ultimately, such projects are needed to ensure ethical knowledge generation and conservation, which aims to be decolonial and inclusive.

Occurrence of GI parasites in ruminants of Kashmir and Ladakh.

The study was conducted in Kashmir and Ladakh Divisions of the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir to work out the occurrence of gastrointestinal parasites in ruminants. The qualitative faecal examination of 476 samples revealed an overall prevalence of GI parasites to the tune of 80.04% comprising of 80.61% in cattle, 96.70% in sheep and 66.27% in goats. In Kashmir overall prevalence of GI parasites was 88.33% comprising of 80.61% in cattle, 98.41% in sheep and 100% in goats. Highest prevalence was observed for strongyles (84.00%) followed by Eimeria spp. (31.67%), Moniezia spp. (20.00%), Ascaris spp. (5.33%) and Strongyloides spp. (1.67%). Mixed infection was observed in 37.67% samples. In cattle, the parasites observed were strongyles (68.37%) and Eimeria spp. (13.27%) with mixed infection in 1.02% samples. In sheep highest prevalence was observed for strongylid eggs (97.88%) followed by Eimeria spp. (43.38%), Moniezia spp. (31.74%), Ascaris spp. (8.47%) and Strongyloides spp. (2.64%) with mixed infection in 59.26% samples. Amongst goats, only strongylid eggs (100%) were observed. In Ladakh region overall prevalence of GI parasites was 65.91% with 82.61% in sheep and 63.40% in pashmina goats. Highest prevalence was observed for Eimeria spp. (63.64%) followed by strongyles (9.09%) Moniezia spp. (5.11%) and Thysanosoma spp. (1.14%). Mixed infection was observed in 13.07% samples. In sheep, highest prevalence was observed for Eimeria spp. (73.91%) followed by strongyles (17.39%) and Thysanosoma spp. (8.70%) with mixed infection in 17.39% samples. In pashmina goats, the prevalence of Eimeria spp. (62.09%) was observed highest followed by strongylid eggs (7.84%) and Moniezia spp. (5.88%) with mixed infection in 12.42% samples.

Changthangi Pashmina Goat Genome: Sequencing, Assembly, and Annotation.

Pashmina goats produce the world's finest and the most costly animal fiber (Pashmina) with an average fineness of 11–13 microns and have more evolved mechanisms than any known goat breed around the globe. Despite the repute of Pashmina goat for producing the finest and most sought-after animal fiber, meager information is available in the public domain about Pashmina genomics and transcriptomics. Here we present a 2.94 GB genome sequence from a male Changthangi white Pashmina goat. We generated 294.8 GB (>100X coverage) of the whole-genome sequence using the Illumina HiSeq 2500 sequencer. All cleaned reads were mapped to the goat reference genome (2,922,813,246 bp) which covers 97.84% of the genome. The Unaligned reads were used for de novo assembly resulting in a total of 882 MB non-reference contigs. De novo assembly analysis presented in this study provides important insight into the adaptation of Pashmina goats to cold stress and helps enhance our understanding of this complex phenomenon. A comparison of the Pashmina goat genome with a wild goat genome revealed a total of 2,823 high impact single nucleotide variations and small insertions and deletions, which may be associated with the evolution of Pashmina goats. The Pashmina goat genome sequence provided in this study may improve our understanding of complex traits found in Pashmina goats, such as annual fiber cycling, defense mechanism against hypoxic, survival secret in extremely cold conditions, and adaptation to a sparse diet. In addition, the genes identified from de novo assembly could be utilized in differentiating Pashmina fiber from other fibers to avoid falsification at marketing practices.

Identification of potential key genes and pathways associated with the Pashmina fiber initiation using RNA-Seq and integrated bioinformatics analysis

Pashmina goat (Capra hircus) is an economically important livestock species, which habitats the cold arid desert of the Ladakh region (India), and produces a princely animal fiber called Pashmina. The Pashmina goat has a double coat fleece as an adaptation to the very harsh cold winters the outer long coarse hair (guard hair) produced from primary hair follicles and the inner fine Pashmina fiber produced from secondary hair follicles. Pashmina fiber undergoes a circannual and synchronized growth cycle. In the present study, we analyzed transcriptome profiles from 10 different Pashmina goats during anagen and telogen to delineate genes and signaling pathways regulating active (anagen) and regressive (telogen) phases of the follicle growth. During anagen, 150 genes were expressed at significantly higher levels with log (FC) > 2 and padj < 0.05. The RNA seq results were subjected to qRT-PCR validation. Among the nine genes selected, the expression of HAS1, TRIB2, P2RX1. PRG4, CNR2, and MMP25 were significantly higher (p < 0.05) in the anagen phase, whereas MC4R, GIPC2, and CDO1 were significantly expressed (p < 0.05) in the telogen phase which supports and validates the gene expression pattern from the RNA-sequencing. Differentially expressed genes revealed that Pashmina fiber initiation is largely controlled by signaling pathways like Wnt, NF-Kappa, JAK-STAT, Hippo, MAPK, Calcium, and PI3K-Akt. Expression of genes from the Integrin family, Cell adhesion molecules, and ECM-receptors were observed to be at much higher levels during anagen. We identified key genes (IL36RN, IGF2, ITGAV, ITGA5, ITCCR7, CXCL5, C3, CCL19, and CXCR3) and a collagen cluster which might be tightly correlated with anagen-induction. The regulatory network suggests the potential role of RUNX3, NR2F1/2, and GATA family transcription factors in anagen-initiation and maintaining fiber quality in Pashmina goats.

Comparative Histomorphological Studies on the Lungs in Adult Pashmina, Bakerwali and Non-Descript Goats of Union Territories of Ladakh and Jammu and Kashmir

Comparative Histomorphological Studies on the Lungs in Adult Pashmina, Bakerwali and Non-Descript Goats of Union Territories of Ladakh and Jammu and Kashmir

Comparative Micrometrical Studies on the Lungs of Pashmina, Bakerwali and Non-descript Goats of the Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh

Background: The diversity of different climatic conditions and altitudes of UTs of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh (erstwhile J and K state) has given rise to differential adaptive mechanisms that enable goats to cope effectively with a variety of stressful environmental conditions. Jammu city (with an altitude of 327m to 412 m), like the rest of north-western India, features a humid subtropical climate. Ladakh is the dry temperate region and the highest plateau in the state of Jammu and Kashmir with much of it ranging from 3,000 m (9,800 ft) to 5,000–5,500 m (16,000–18,050 ft). There has been no systemic study on the probable comparative variation in micrometry of lungs in high altitude Pashmina goats of Ladakh and migratory Bakerwali and non-descript goats of Jammu and Kashmir, which live in regions with varied altitudes. Respiratory system plays a vital role in exchange of oxygen, olfaction, phonation and thermoregulation of the body. No literature on the comparative micrometry of the lungs in these three goat populations was found and such paucity of available literature prompted this present study. Methods: The work was done in the lung samples of adult Pashmina, Bakerwali and non-descript goats (N=10 each) collected from slaughter houses of UT of Ladakh and in and around Jammu city of UT of J and K. The representative tissue samples from lungs of all the goats were preserved in 10% Neutral Buffered Formalin (NBF) solution, processed for paraffin block preparation, tissue sections of 5 mm thickness were obtained and stained with Hematoxylin and Eosin to record various micrometrical parameters. Results: Our study revealed that significantly largest alveolar diameter and thinnest inter alveolar septal thickness was recorded in Pashmina goats followed by Bakerwali and non-descript goats. This might be due to the adaptive morphological phenomenon of the Pashmina goats which are natural habitants of high altitudes of the Himalayan regions for better utilization of the oxygen in hypoxic conditions.

Comparative Biometrical Studies on the Trachea and Lungs in Adult Pashmina, Bakerwali and Non-descript Goats of Jammu &amp; Kashmir State

Comparative Biometrical Studies on the Trachea and Lungs in Adult Pashmina, Bakerwali and Non-descript Goats of Jammu &amp; Kashmir State

Comparative transcriptome analysis reveals the genetic basis of coat color variation in Pashmina goat

The genetics of coat color variation remains a classic area. Earlier studies have focused on a limited number of genes involved in color determination; however, the complete set of trait determinants are still not well known. In this study, we used high-throughput sequencing technology to identify and characterize intricate interactions between genes that cause complex coat color variation in Changthangi Pashmina goats, producer of finest and costly commercial animal fiber. We systematically identified differentially expressed mRNAs and lncRNAs from black, brown and white Pashmina goat skin samples by using RNA-sequencing technique. A pairwise comparison of black, white and brown skin samples yielded 2479 significantly dysregulated genes (2422 mRNA and 57 lncRNAs). Differentially expressed genes were enriched in melanin biosynthesis, melanocyte differentiation, developmental pigmentation, melanosome transport activities GO terms. Our analysis suggested the potential role of lncRNAs on color coding mRNAs in cis and trans configuration. We have also developed online data repository as a component of the study to provide a central location for data access, visualization and interpretation accessible through http://pcd.skuastk.org/.

A study on biological rhythms of Himalayan Pashmina goats

ABSTRACT Biological rhythms may play an important role in the physio-reproductive lifecycle of Pashmina goats. However, such a study is lacking. Present study focuses on same. A total of 30 female Pashmina goats (N = 30) from 3 flocks (n = 10) having 10 animals each were selected randomly in 3 villages of Changthang, Ladakh (India). Average life span was 9.93 ± 0.462 years, body weight of adult female was 23.0 ± 1.08 kg and age of puberty was 11.93 ± 0.55 months. Average duration of oestrus cycle was 20.73 ± 0.23 days and that of standing estrus was 36.40 ± 1.67 h. Seasonal breeding was noted with breeding cycle being influenced by light hours. Average gestation length was 149.5 ± 1.05 days, frequently single kidding and usually singlets were born. Pashmina wool grows during winter season and starts shedding from spring. Seasonal cyclicity of diseases including neonatal diarrhea, endo-ectoparasitic infections, and respiratory infections [contagious caprine pleuropneumonia (CCPP)/peste des petits ruminants (PPR)] was noted. No significant difference (p > 0.05) of biological rhythms was noted in the three villages. This study provides the baseline data for biological rhythms of Pashmina goats that can have both physio-biological- and production- related importance.

Seroepidemiology and risk factor analysis of contagious caprine pleuropneumonia in Himalayan Pashmina Goats

Contagious caprine pleuroneumonia (CCPP), a highly contagious and severe respiratory disease of goats caused by Mycoplasma capricolum subspecies capripneumonia (Mccp) has not been reported in Pashmina goats of this trans-Himalayan region when there are ample clinico-pathological evidences of the occurrence of this disease. Further analyses of risk factors have not been carried out. Thus in this study we for the first time explored diagnostic and epidemiological aspects of contagious caprine pleuroneumonia in Pashmina goats. Diagnosis was achieved through clinico-pathological examination, culture and isolation of mycoplasma, serology and molecular detection. For epidemiology, cross sectional and multistage sampling of 433 animals in 10 villages of 3 clusters namely Nyoma, Kharnak and Henley of Changthang, Ladakh (India) was done and were screened by slide agglutination test (SAT) for mycoplasmosis and competitive enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (cELISA) for contagious caprine pleuroneumonia. Risk factor data collected through a specially designed questionnaire was analyzed by univariate logistic regression test followed by multivariate logistic regression of significant associations. Clinico-pathological examination revealed characteristics of pleuropneumonia, culture of mycoplasma and serology of mycoplasmosis (SAT) in particular of contagious caprine pleuroneumonia (cELISA). Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) followed by restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) confirmed Mycoplasma capricolum subspecies capripneumonia. Overall seroprevalence of mycoplasmosis was found to be 11.08% (95% CI = 8.12–14.05) whereas that of contagious caprine pleuroneumonia was 9.93% (95% CI = 7.10–12.76). Cluster wise seroprevalence of contagious caprine pleuropneumonia was 8.13% in Nyoma, 12.18% in Kharnak and 11.15% in Henley cluster but showed non-significant (P > 0.05) difference (X2 = 20.00, P = 0.33). Seropositivity showed significant (P ≤ 0.05) association with age (X2 = 6.78, df = 2, P = 0.034), season (X2 = 8.285, df = 1, P = 0.004) and lack of therapeutic interventions (X2 = 6.11, df = 2, P = 0.047). Other risk factors including gender, flock size, altitude, grazing system, supplementation management, and wild animal interaction showed non-significant (P > 0.05) association. From these findings it can be inferred that contagious caprine pleuropneumonia affects Himalayan Pashmina goats and predisposition is increased in older age, under harsh climate and in the absence of therapeutics. Thus it is imperative to devise strategies for prevention of disease spread to unaffected areas. Further, in future main thrust should be on molecular identification of Mycoplasma capricolum subspecies capripneumonia strains in the region, exploration of prophylactic and alternate therapeutic moieties for prevention, treatment and control of contagious caprine pleuropneumonia.

Ectoparasite prevalence in Pashmina goats in Changthang: A pastoralnomadic area of Ladakh

The present study was a part of the survey which was carried out on Pashmina goats during November 2014 to October 2015 from in and around Nyoma block of Leh in 13 villages. There were around 38,412 Pashmina goats in 228 flocks which were less than 8 years recorded from these areas. Young goats constituted around 15–20% of whole goat population. The male and female goat constituted about 27–32% and 68–73% of total adult population respectively. During the study, an attempt was also made to find out ectoparasite prevalence, which showed that 21.12% male, 32.89% female goats and 35.31% young ones were infested by single or mixed ectoparasites. The infestation rate of ectoparasites was significantly higher in females against male goats. The analysis also showed that the prevalence of ectoparasites was significantly higher in younger (35.31%) than adult goats (27.01%). The most common ectoparasites encountered were lice. Tick was present in very less predominance. Flea and mite were rarely present. The seasons of highest infestation of ectoparasites were autumn and winter (&gt;65%), the least being spring and summer. Therefore, to reduce high prevalence of ectoparasites and their impacts on the productivity and health status in Pashmina goats, appropriate and strategic control measures by creating awareness among farmers through extension services is needed.

Molecular Detection and Isolation of Mycoplasma capricolum subsp. capripneumoniae in Pashmina and Local Goats in Five Districts of Kashmir, India

Contagious caprine pleuropneumonia (CCPP) is caused by Mycoplasma capricolum subsp. caprip-neumoniae (Mccp), which belongs to Mycoplasma mycoides cluster, a group of closely related Mycoplasmas that are pathogenic to ruminants. The clinical lesions of CCPP are restricted to alveolar tissues of infected goats, which distinguish it from other respiratory diseases of small ruminants caused by members of the Mycoplasma mycoides cluster. The outbreaks of CCPP in Pashmina goats have been reported in cold arid regions of Kashmir province, such as Leh and Kargil districts and northern parts of the Kashmir valley. In the current study, a total of 55 lung samples and 70 nasal swabs were collected from clinically sick goats showing respiratory symptoms prior to death and processed for Mccp isolation and identification. The Mccp was detected in 33 (60.0%) and 24 (34.2%) samples, respectively by PCR. All the PCR positive samples for Mccp were further processed for isolation but only five isolates were obtained due to their fastidious nature which were confirmed by typical colony morphology and DNA sequencing of 548 bp 16SrRNA gene fragment. The five isolates were isolated from lung samples of Pashmina goats of Leh district. The results of the current study reveal that Pashmina goats of Ladakh region are highly vulnerable to CCPP and is the major cause of mortality and morbidity among them particularly during the winter season. Hence, there is an immediate need to isolate and characterise the organism for the development of autogenous vaccine to combat this economically important disease of goats. This communication records the first ever report on molecular detection and isolation of Mccp from Pashmina goats in India and is the first step towards development of vaccine against CCPP.

Polymorphism of Exon V of prolactin gene and its association with Cashmere traits in Changthangi Pashmina goats

Prolactin is one of the potential genes which mediates seasonal cues entraining reproductive and hair follicle growth cycles. Seasonal changes in levels of prolactin hormone mediate the patterns of de-iodinase enzyme activity which influence the follicular activity and thereby may affect Cashmere fibre growth and moult. To study polymorphism of the prolactin gene and associate it with fibre production and quality, Changthangi goat 196 bp fragment of prolactin gene Exon-V region was amplified and restriction digested with ECO 241(BanII) and in the study three genotypes were observed. These different genotypes were confirmed by DNA sequencing. The frequencies for the observed genotypes A1A1, A2A2, A1A2 were 0.214, 0.291 and 0.495 respectively. The distribution of the genotypes within the Changthangi goat population studied herein did not deviate from the Hardy Weinberg equilibrium. The mean genetic variability parameters for the gene analyzed were 0.4970 (heterozygosity value), 0.3735 (PIC value), 1.9880 (Effective allele number) and 0.6901 (Shannon index I) . The polymorphism observed in the gene showed a non-significant association (P&gt;0.05) with Cashmere quality traits. The results obtained here in, because of low sample size, demand further investigation with sufficiently large number of samples.

Enhancement of production of Pashmina goats by mineral and nutrient supplementation in Changthang region of Ladakh

The present study was designed to determine the effect of mineral and nutrient supplementation on Pashmina production of Changthangi goats and birth weight of their kids in cold arid region of Changthang, Ladakh. Bucks (24) of same age and body weight were selected and divided randomly into four groups of 6 animals each to access pashmina production. Similarly, in 2nd experiment, pregnant does (24) were randomly selected and divided into four groups of 6 animals each to access the birth weight of their kids. The bucks and does were 2 to 3 years of age with average body weight of 40±2.87 kg. Experimental feeding was done for 60 days which was started in December month for both experiments. Each group in both experiments was assigned with four treatments namely T0, T1, T2 and T3. The goats in the control group (T0) were fed with basal ration as per farmers practice, without nutrient and mineral supplementation. The goats of the treatment group (T1) received only mineral supplement (agrimin forte supplement @ 10 g/day) without nutrient supplement in addition to basal ration. The T2 and T3 group received agrimin forte supplement @ 10 g/day with concentrated feed supplement in pellet and mashed form respectively @ 250 g/day. The pashmina production in T0, T1, T2 and T3 groups was recorded to be 221.33±3.33, 244.84±2.26, 247.66±5.58 and 246.0±5.46 g, respectively. In comparison to the control group, all the supplemented groups produced significantly higher pashmina. The birth weight of kids in T0, T1, T2 and T3 groups was 2.85±0.08, 3.08±0.07, 3.39±0.1 and 3.66±0.07 kg, respectively. T3 group showed significantly higher birth weight of kids than the other groups. On the basis of these results, it can be concluded that the supplementation showed a positive effect on pashmina production of bucks as well as on birth weight of kids of supplemented does.

Impact of Area Specific Urea Molasses Mineral Block on the Production Performance of Pashmina Goats

Impact of Area Specific Urea Molasses Mineral Block on the Production Performance of Pashmina Goats

Alteration of metabolic biomarkers and oxidative stress indices in pashmina (Changthangi) goats under climate change

The main aim of this study was to evaluate climate change induced variation of metabolic biomarkers and oxidative stress indices in different age groups of pashmina goats. Adult animals in comparison to young and old animals had significantly higher levels of glucose, glycated haemoglobin (GHb), fructosamine and total protein during summer and significantly higher levels of glucose, fructosamine and haemoglobin (Hb) during winter. Significantly reduced levels of these biochemicals were noted in winter than summer in all age groups except for glucose in young and old, GHb in young and Hb in adult animals. Urea and acetoacetate levels were significantly higher in young animals than adults during winter. Higher betahydroxybutyrate and lower propionate levels were noted during winter than summer in all age groups. Significantly higher levels of insulin, T3, T4 and lower levels of TSH and cortisol in adult animals were noted in both seasons. Significant rise of insulin in adult, T3 and T4 in young and old, cortisol in young and TSH in all animals occurred during winter. Level of GSH in summer, CAT and SOD in winter were significantly higher in adult animals whereas, that of LPO were in young animals. Decrease in levels of antioxidants and increase of oxidants during winter was significant in all age groups. Hence, young and old age groups of pashmina goats are more vulnerable to metabolic alterations under climatic stress than the adult group.

Parasitic fauna infections in Pashmina goats of cold arid region of Ladakh, India

This preliminary study based on examination of 60 faecal samples was carried out on traditionally raised Pashmina goats (Capra siberica) of Ladakh region during the year, 2014. Out of 60 samples, 34 (56.66%) were positive for one or the other parasite species. Strongyle worm eggs including Nematodirus (26.66%), Moniezia (15.00%), Trichuris (1.66%) and oocysts of Eimeria (28.33%) were recovered. Pure natural infection with Nematodirus spp. was observed in 23.33% of samples. Mixed infection was observed in 15.00% of animals. The present study may be regarded as a step forward for evaluating the prevalence of parasites parasitizing the Pashmina goats of Ladakh, so as to evolve package of practices for their effective control.

Pulse Oximetry During Laparoscopy-Assisted Embryo Transfer Under Lumbosacral Epidural Anaesthesia in Goats

Eighteen adult, clinically healthy, Pashmina and Bakerwal goats undergoing laparoscopy-assisted embryo transfer were randomly divided into three equal groups (I, II, III) and injected lignocaine hydrochloride (@ 4.0mg/kg) or ropivacaine hydrochloride (@1.0mg/kg or 0.5mg/kg) at the lumbosacral epidural space, respectively. Pulse oximeter designed for application on human finger was used to record haemoglobin saturation (SpO2) values. The SpO2 values in 2 2 goats of Gr-I, II and III varied from 77.00±4.80 to 87.00±2.00%, 83.66±5.88 to 90.00±0.92% and 89.40±2.88 to 93.00±0.51%, respectively. Goats of Gr-I showed significantly (P<0.05) lower values than Gr-II and III continuously during initial 45 min following induction. The SpO2 values varied from 81.58±2.47 to 89.08±1.18% in 2 Bakerwal and 85.16±3.54 to 90.50±1.70% in Pashmina goats. It was concluded that the pulse oximetry is a useful, inexpensive and easy technique to quickly detect changes in oxygen saturation

Introduction and performance study of Pashmina goats in Kargil District (Non Traditional Area) of Jammu &amp; Kashmir, India

Pashmina goats, normally reared by changpa, a nomadic tribe in Changthang region of Leh Ladakh have been introduced in Kargil District of J&amp;K state under the NAIP Pashmina Project with the objective of expansion of pashmina goat rearing area and enhancing the livelihood security of the farmers in these areas. Fifty one (51) mini farm units of goats, each comprising of 9 does and 1 buck were established in Kargil district (Suru, Bodhkharbu, Drass, Shakar, Chiktan and Khangriyal). The intervention in the form of shelter, feeding and health cover was provided to all the farm units. After two years of rearing, the average survivability and mortality was reported as 84.07± 0.49 (%) and 15.93± 0.49 (%) respectively. The overall kidding percentage was reported as 79.62± 0.77 with kid mortality as 24.92± 0.71(%). The pashmina yield/head was 161.6± 0.31 (gms) with fibre diameter and fibre length of 14.07±0.11 (μ) and 55.99± 0.19 (mm) respectively. The average body weight (kg) of kids, hoggets and adults was reported as 2.63± 0.09, 20.72±0.19 and 28.87± 0.12 respectively. The study revealed that the adaptability and production performance of pashmina goats in some of the areas of Kargil (Non Traditional Belt) which is having similar ecological niche as that of Changthang region (Traditional Belt) is very good in terms of survivability, kidding percentage, pashmina yield etc. Further, by adoption of pashmina goat rearing in these areas, there is an enhancement of livelihood security through sale of pashmina and increase in strength of livestock which is expected to reach worth Rs 250000 after 5 years and an increase in total production area of Pashmina from Ladakh.