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To investigate the pharmacokinetics, efficacy and convulsive dose of articaine hydrochloride in goat kids. Experimental prospective study. A total of 18 (n = 6 animals per experiment) male Saanen goat kids (2–4 weeks old). The study consisted of three experiments. The first determined the pharmacokinetics of articaine following intravenous administration of articaine hydrochloride (8 mg kg–1). The second experiment investigated the anaesthetic efficacy and pharmacokinetics following cornual nerve block using 1.5% articaine hydrochloride. Anaesthesia of horn buds was evaluated using the response to pinprick test. Non-compartmental analysis was used. The final experiment determined the convulsive dose of articaine and its corresponding plasma concentration following intravenous infusion of articaine hydrochloride (4 mg kg–1 minute–1). Data are shown as mean ± standard deviation. The mean terminal half-life (t 1/2λz), mean volume of distribution at steady state (Vd ss) and mean plasma clearance (CL) of articaine following intravenous administration were 0.66 hour, 3.81 L kg–1 and 5.33 L hour–1 kg–1, respectively. After cornual nerve block, the mean maximum plasma concentration of articaine was 587 ng mL–1 at 0.22 hour and its mean t 1/2λz was 1.26 hours. Anaesthesia of horn buds was observed within 4 minutes following cornual nerve block. The mean dose required to produce convulsions was 16.24 mg kg–1 and mean convulsive plasma concentrations of articaine and articainic acid were 9905 and 1517 ng mL–1, respectively. Intravenous administration of 8 mg kg–1 of articaine hydrochloride did not cause any adverse effects. Pharmacokinetic data suggest that articaine was rapidly eliminated and cleared. Cornual nerve block using 1.5% articaine hydrochloride alleviated the response to the acute nociceptive stimulus during disbudding. Articaine hydrochloride appears to be a safe and effective local anaesthetic for disbudding in goat kids. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Livestock and crop productions are always intrinsically linked in risk prone rainfed farming. Agrosilvopastoral systems ensures supplementarity of resources, feed availability for goat and sheep, and food grain for farmers. Agrosilvopastoral system approach is an attempt to tackle fodder shortages in winter (December–February) and summer (March–June), which can meet the small ruminants' requirements in addition to food grains for human consumption in rainfed areas. The objective of the study was to evaluate and identify an agrosilvopastoral system suited to rainfed environments to ensure high crop and fodder productivity and improved soil health. A field experiment on agrosilvopastoral system was conducted during 2019–2022 at Hayathnagar research farm of ICAR-CRIDA (17°19′59.0"N Lat. and 78°35'25.3"E Long.) in different combinations of fodder trees with finger millet and legume fodder, and finger millet and legume fodder (stylos) each as check. The fodder trees were: Ailanthus excelsa , Azadirachta indica , Dalbergia latifolia , Madhuca longifolia , Hardiwickia binata , Butea monosperma, Syzygium cumini , Aegel marmelos and Bauhinia variegata. Finger millet and stylos were sown as inter-row and intra-row components of fodder trees. Impacts of these systems on crop, tree and livestock productivity from harvested fodders, and soil health were studied. The Hardiwickia binata + finger millet + stylos and Dalbergia latifolia + finger millet + stylos based agrosilvopastoral systems produced 1.32 and 1.28 t ha−1 of finger millet yield respectively, and 7.64 and 7.95 t ha−1 green fodder respectively, from fodder trees, finger millet straw and stylos together. There were increases in soil N (36 and 33%), P (65 and 63%), and organic carbon (36 and 35%), and decrease in bulk density (6%) respectively, over initial status under the Hardiwickia binata + finger millet + stylos and Dalbergia latifolia + finger millet + stylos based systems. Hardiwickia binata based system accumulated highest above ground biomass of 17.5 t ha−1. These agrosilvopastoral systems ensured improved fodder availability from crop, legume and trees for small ruminants, improved soil health from fodder legume in wet season, grain availability for farmers from finger millet, and the fodder leaves from trees in the late dry season. Our study demonstrated that the Dalbergia latifolia + finger millet + stylos and Hardiwickia binata + finger millet + stylos based agrosilvopastoral systems is a feasible option to meet the fodder requirement of small ruminants, improve soil health, lessen vulnerability to crop failure, and improve livelihood security of rainfed farmers in South India. [Display omitted] • Crop, legume and tree fodders, a sustainable system for food and fodder output • Agrosilvopastoral system improved fodder availability to goats during lean season. • Spatial-temporal mix of components, boosted soil health in rainfed environments. • Dual purpose arable crop ensured food grain availability to rainfed farmers. • Dalbergia latifolia based system, a doable option for crop and animal production [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Kids preferred to lie near heat lamps when they were provided. • Kids were observed lying down and running more when on wood shavings than on metal mesh. • Kids tended to gain more weight when on wood shavings than on metal mesh. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of different flooring surfaces and a supplemental heat source (heat lamps) on location preference, behaviour and growth rate of dairy goat kids. Eighty female Saanen kids were enrolled in the study at 3 days of age (SD: 0.9 d) and allocated to one of four treatment pens (n = 4 pens/treatment, 5 goats/pen): 1) wood shavings with two 250 W heat lamps (WS+H), 2) wood shavings without heat lamps (WS), 3) metal mesh with two heat lamps (MM+H) or 4) metal mesh without heat lamps (MM). Kids were reared in treatment pens for 8 days. To assess location preference, pens were divided into equally sized zones and time spent lying or upright in each zone was determined from video recordings observed continuously for 19 h/d on two separate days. Average temperatures in the warm (zones 1 and 2), medium (zones 3 and 4) and cold (zones 5 and 6) zones were 15.0 °C, 11.8 °C, 10.8 °C and 11.7 °C, 11.1 °C, 11.2 °C in pens with and without heat lamps, respectively. Frequency of walking, running, self-grooming and interactions (environment and pen mate) were recorded over the whole pen on the same two observation days. Lying times and bouts were recorded continuously over the 8 days using accelerometers. Milk consumption was recorded daily, and body weight gain was calculated over the trial period on a pen level. Kids housed on wood shavings with heat lamps spent more time lying than in all other treatments (P < 0.001). Kids managed on wood shavings were observed running more often than kids on metal mesh (P = 0.04). Kids preferred to lie in the warm zone when heat lamps were present regardless of flooring type (% of time lying in warm zone: WS+H: 98%, MM+H: 94%; SEM: 7.0%; P < 0.001). Kids on average spent 97% of the time lying in the two end zones (1 and 6) and 3% in the middle zones (2 to 5), irrespective of treatment. Milk consumption was not affected by treatment, however, kids managed on wood shavings tended (P = 0.052) to gain more weight than kids on metal mesh. These results indicate that rearing kids on wood shavings improves welfare and performance, which can be further enhanced by providing an additional heat source. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights • Supplementation of Omega-3 fatty acids Impacted on glucose clearance rate. • Feeding frequency of 2 caused a significant enhancement in visceral fat content. • Fish oil supplementation can enhance insulin sensitivity. Abstract This study was conducted to investigate the potential effects of different fat sources including fish oil (FO; n-3 fatty acids source) and palm oil (PO; C16:0 source) in combination with different feeding frequency (FF) on performance, glucose metabolism and carcass characteristics of Mahabadi goat kids. Twenty eight Mahabadi goat kids were used in a factorial design with 4 treatments including 2 types of fat supplement (calcium salt of FO versus PO) and 2 F F (2 or 4 times a day). The experiment lasted for 90 days. Daily dry matter intake was recorded throughout the experiment and body weight was measured every 21 days. The glucose tolerance test was conducted in day 70 of the experiment on 5 randomly selected goat kids from each treatments. The goat kids were slaughtered at the end of period for measurement of carcass characteristics. Inclusion of FO in diet alongside with feeding frequency of 2 caused a significant enhancement in visceral fat content (P < 0.05). Supplementation of FO in the diet (P < 0.01) and increasing the FF (P < 0.05) significantly increased glucose clearance rate. The results of the current study demonstrate that FO supplementation with FF of 4 times a day can enhance insulin sensitivity and the enhancement in FF can be used to prevent fat accumulation in visceral adipose depots as a consequence of higher insulin sensitivity caused FO supplementation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights • Photoperiod affects the growth rate in subtropical goat kids. • Artificial long days promotes a high body weight during growth of the goat kids. • Artificial long days increase the concentrations of IGF-1 in goat kids. Abstract To determine whether exposure to artificial long days increases the body weight of subtropical goat kids born in autumn, sixty-four goat kids were distributed in a completely randomized design with a factorial arrangement. Experimental groups consisted of two photoperiod treatments (natural or artificial photoperiod, 16 h light: 8 h darkness), and two suckling types (natural or artificial). The mean body weight, recorded at day 27 of age, was higher in goat kids subjected to artificial long days (7.7 ± 0.2 kg) than in those maintained under a natural photoperiod (7.0 ± 0.2 kg; P < 0.05). The mean daily gain was higher in light-treated kids (163 g/d) than in those maintained on a natural photoperiod (141 g/d; P < 0.001). Likewise, the mean blood glucose concentration was higher in goat kids submitted to artificial long days (102.0 ± 1.3 mg/dL) than in those kids maintained on the natural photoperiod (92.5 ± 1.3 mg/dL; P < 0.001). The suckling type had an effect on the plasma insulin-like growth factor-1 concentrations (IGF-1) of the kids (P < 0.01), and this effect was more pronounced in goat kids under artificial long days (P < 0.05). The results of the present study show that in subtropical goat kids born during the autumn, exposure to an artificial long-day photoperiod promotes a high body weight during the early phase of growth, independent of whether they are reared or not by their dams. In addition, these results also showed that, depending on suckling type, exposure to artificial long days increase the concentrations of IGF-1 in goat kids. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights • Cryosurgery (liquid nitrogen) or caustic paste debudding were evaluated in goat kids as alternatives to cautery disbudding. • Cryosurgery and caustic paste debudding elevated pain sensitivity relative to cautery disbudding. • Cautery disbudding caused skull injury, whereas the alternative methods did not. • Average daily gains were not affected by disbudding method. Abstract Pain sensitivity and skull/brain injury associated with cautery, cryosurgical and caustic paste disbudding were evaluated in goat kids. Kids (reared for meat; n = 280) were randomly assigned to one of four treatments (n = 70 per treatment): (1) sham-handling (SHAM) or (2) cautery (CAUT), (3) cryosurgical (CRYO) or (4) caustic paste (CASP) disbudding. A pain sensitivity test was carried out 15 min pre-treatment and 1 h post-treatment. Skull/brain injury was assessed at post-mortem examination. Kids with evidence of injury to the skull/brain, as well as a random sample of kids (n = 15 per treatment) without evidence of skull/brain injury, were selected for histological examination of brain tissue. Average daily gains (ADG) were calculated from body weight measurements taken 10 min pre-treatment and then at 2, 7 and 14 days post-treatment as a measure of the potential effects of pain or injury on growth. CASP and CRYO kids displayed higher pain sensitivity post-treatment than CAUT or SHAM kids, suggesting that they experienced more acute pain 1 h post-treatment. One of 70 CAUT kids had a perforated skull, but there was no histological evidence of brain injury in this animal; a further nine CAUT kids exhibited hyperaemia of the skull. The other treatments did not result in injury to the skull/brain. There was no evidence of a difference in ADG across treatments. Caustic paste and cryosurgical disbudding resulted in greater acute pain sensitivity than cautery disbudding; however, cautery disbudding has the potential to cause skull injury if performed incorrectly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Optimal young stock rearing benefits animal health and welfare and therefore contributes to a more sustainable herd. In order to be able to evaluate the rearing process, producers need insight into their kid rearing results, preferably based on key indicators. Although mortality is considered a useful parameter to assess animal health and welfare, little is known about the prevalence and factors influencing mortality in dairy goat farming. Calculating kid mortality risks may be further challenged by how and when producers record mortality after birth. This study aimed to develop key kid mortality indicators which can support producers in optimising their rearing system. Census data were available from 395 Dutch dairy goat herds from 2016 until and including 2020. Four mortality indicators were defined: mortality risk of neonatal kids, and mortality rates of postnatal, preweaning, and postweaning kids. Mortality percentages were determined for three subgroups of dairy goat herds depending on the quality of available data i.e. accuracy and completeness of data. The quality of mortality data was classified as good in 39 % (n = 153), fair in 49 % (n = 192), or poor in 13 % (n = 50) of the included herds. For each of the three quality groups, recorded kid mortality for all four mortality indicators was higher in herds with accurate animal registration. Kid mortality was significantly different (p 0.001) between all quality groups. Other factors affecting kid mortality levels included herd size as the 25 % largest herds had lower kid mortality (p = 0.005), and a decreasing trend was associated with the age of dairy kids. This study provided insight into kid mortality in Dutch dairy goat herds and showed that it is possible to monitor kid mortality based on routinely collected data. Nevertheless, data quality should be considered when communicating benchmark values and individual results back to farmers. It is therefore recommended that benchmark values are calculated on data from herds with the highest data quality. • Good-quality data on goat kid health and development is essential for evaluating and improving rearing practices. • Key rearing performance indicators are preferably based on routine census data. • A mortality risk or mortality rate of specific rearing stages can support producers identify potential risk periods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Behavioural changes associated with cautery disbudding of female Saanen dairy goat kids were assessed. At 4 ± 2 days of age, kids were randomly assigned to one of two treatment groups: (i) disbudded with a cautery iron (CAUT, n = 5) and (ii) sham handled and not disbudded (SHAM, n = 5). Animals were video recorded 12 h pre- and post-treatment in the home pen. One trained observer recorded the frequency of 11 behaviours: allogrooming, body shaking, ear biting, feeding, head butting, head rubbing, head scratching, head shaking, jumping, running and self-grooming. In addition, total lying duration and number of lying bouts were measured using accelerometers. The mean post-treatment frequencies (corrected for the frequencies pre-treatment) were compared between treatment groups. CAUT and SHAM kids performed the same behaviours before and after treatment, however the frequency of certain behaviours changed in response to disbudding. Behaviours (mean ± SEM) that were significantly different between CAUT and SHAM kids were: head shaking (31.2 ± 3.11 vs. 17.5 ± 1.79; P = 0.03), head scratching (15.8 ± 5.90 vs. 2.2 ± 1.11; P = 0.04), head rubbing (4.2 ± 0.77 vs. 0.8 ± 0.27; P = 0.02) and body shaking (6.1 ± 0.36 vs. 8.8 ± 0.49; P = 0.02). Self-grooming was performed at much higher frequencies in CAUT than SHAM kids, however due to a large variation between individuals, this was not significantly different between treatments. There was no evidence of a difference in lying duration or number of lying bouts between treatments ( P ≥ 0.75). Allogrooming, ear biting, feeding, head butting, jumping, running, and self-grooming did not vary significantly across treatments ( P ≥ 0.06). Changes in the frequency of head shaking, head scratching, head rubbing and body shaking may reflect pain associated with cautery disbudding in goat kids and could be used to assess pain mitigation strategies in future studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Selenium (Se) prevents oxidative damage and stimulates the immune system. Currently, there are no data available evaluating the Se-induced antigenic response to Mannheimia haemolytica and oxidative stress in goat kids. Twenty-one 6-month-old male Alpine Goat kids (22.9 kg) were immunized against M. haemolytica and divided into 3 groups: Basal diet with no additional Se (CG); Se injected subcutaneously at 0.25 mg Se/kg live weight (LW) (SeSG); and Se administered as intraruminal bolus at 0.46 mg Se/kg LW (SeBG). Blood samples were taken from the animals in all groups at 0, 14, 28, 42 and 56 days post-dosing. Erythrocyte Se levels doubled in SeSG during days 14–28 post-dosing (130.6 ng/g Se) as compared to CG. During days 28–42 post-dosing, Se levels decreased (P < 0.05) in SeSG (106.9 ng/g Se) vs. CG and SeBG (86.2 ng/g Se and 81.7 ng/g Se, respectively). Glutathione (GSH) levels decreased in days 0–28 post-dosing (3.7E–4 nmols/mg of total protein) and then, remained stable up to day 56 (5.6E–4 nmols/mg of total protein). Catalase levels in the SeBG and SeSG (79.9 U) were higher (P < 0.05) than in the CG (56.3 U) by day 14 post-dosing. Malondialdehyde (MDA) levels on day 14 post-dosing increased 7-fold in the SeBG (1.28E–3 ng/mg of total protein). IgG levels increased in the groups treated with Se during days 28–42 post-dosing (1.4 nM) vs. the CG (0.10 nM) (P < 0.05). Treatment with Se improved the immunological response to M. haemolytica . [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present study, the developmental changes of plasma acute phase proteins concentrations in healthy Saanen goat kids during neonatal period were investigated. Blood samples were collected from eleven goat kids at 0, 1, 3, 7, 14, 21 and 28 days of age. Serum Amyloid A concentrations were higher during first two weeks and significantly decreased at days 21 and 28. There were no statistically differences in the mean haptoglobin concentrations throughout the study. Ceruloplasmin concentrations were lower during first week of life and significantly increased at days 14 and 28. Fibrinogen concentrations were only significantly high at day 28 compared to day 1. Concentrations of Acid Soluble Glycoprotein were higher during first three days and significantly decreased at days 7, 14, 21 and 28. Alterations of these acute phase proteins could be related with birth process and stress and/or factors in colostrum. As a result, the time related changes in acute phase protein levels in Saanen goat kids suggested that these proteins might play an important role in defense and physiological adaptation mechanisms during neonatal period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study compared the effectiveness of intramuscularly administered dexmedetomidine hydrochloride and other pharmacologic techniques used in reducing disbudding pain in goat kids. A total of 30 kids aged 4–9 days old were randomly assigned to 5 treatment groups; Sham disbudded (SD, n = 6); hot-iron disbudded (295–326 °C, 4–7 s/horn bud; D, n = 6); hot-iron disbudded after a ring block with lidocaine hydrochloride and IM administration of meloxicam (LMD, n = 6); hot-iron disbudded under dexmedetomidine hydrochloride, lidocaine hydrochloride and meloxicam (DeLMD, n = 6); hot-iron disbudded under dexmedetomidine hydrochloride and saline (DeSSD, n = 6). Results indicated that there were significant increases in plasma cortisol of the D (pre-disbudding, 16.97 ± 3.3 vs. after disbudding, 58.1 ± 12.8, mean ± SE) and LMD (15.2 ± 3.0 vs. 43.9 ± 8.6: P < 0.05). However, the levels were slightly higher but insignificant among the sedated kids. The mean cortisol of the DeSSD kids was significantly low during 5 h after disbudding (11.2 ± 2.5, p = 0.0436). The total means of the pain-related behaviors were significantly high in the D and LMD kids whereas the sedated kids had relatively low values (P < 0.05). The DeSSD group had the lowest number of pain-related behaviors. Heart rates and rectal temperature decreased significantly in the DeSSD kids. There were no significant differences in respiration rates among all the kids. The cortisol and behavior levels observed in this study suggest a positive reduction in pain among kids disbudded under sedation with dexmedetomidine hydrochloride. It was concluded that sedation with dexmedetomidine hydrochloride prior to disbudding can improve kid’s welfare. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gastrointestinal nematode (GIN) infections have an important negative impact on small ruminant production. The selection of genotypes resistant to these parasitic infections is a promising alternative control strategy. Thus, resistance against GIN is an important component of small ruminant breeding schemes, based on phenotypic measurements of resistance in immune mature infected animals. In this study we evaluated both the impact of the post-weaning parasitism history on the response to an experimental Haemonchus contortus infection of resistant and susceptible Creole kids chosen on the basis of their estimated breeding value, and the interaction with the kid's genetic status. During the post-weaning period (from 3 months until 7 months of age) Creole kids were reared at pasture according to four different levels of a mixed rotational stocking system with Creole cattle: 100% (control), 75% (GG75), 50% (GG50), and 25% (GG25) of the total stocking rate of the pasture. The level of infection of the kids decreased significantly at 50% and 25% of the total stocking rate. After the post-weaning period at pasture, at 11 months of age kids were experimentally infected with H. contortus . The faecal egg counts (FEC) were significantly lower in the groups showing the highest FEC at pasture. This result suggests that a degree of protection against an experimental H. contortus infection occurred during the post-weaning period and was dependant on the level of parasitism. Interestingly, no interaction was observed between this level of protection and the genetic status. In conclusion, the level of post-weaning natural parasitism history at pasture would not influence the genetic status evaluation. More generally our results suggest that it would be better to expose kids to a high level of gastrointestinal parasitism during the post-weaning period in order to increase the basal level of resistance thereafter. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: A longitudinal study was undertaken to characterize the course of Cryptosporidium infection in a dairy goat farm located in western France. Two cohorts of twenty-five and fifteen animals, respectively, were sampled once a week from birth to weaning. Each individual fecal sample was screened using direct immunofluorescence (IFT) and if found positive, the Cryptosporidium species was identified using PCR analysis. Seventeen (68% [95% CI: 44–91]) animals were positive at least once during the first study and 14 (93% [95% CI: 80–100]) during the second, after IFT examination. In the first study, the age at first excretion was 17 days and the peak of excretion (mean arithmetic excretion: 22,700 oocysts per gram (opg) of feces) was recorded when kids were between 22 and 28 days old. For the second study, the age at first excretion was 10 days and the peak of excretion (mean arithmetic excretion: 3.4×106 opg) was recorded in animals aged between 10 and 14 days. Clinical signs were observed only in animals of the second cohort. DNA sequence analysis at the 18S ribosomal RNA locus was successful for 9 of the 27 IFT-positive samples in the first cohort and for 10 of the 34 positive isolates in the second cohort. All isolates were identified as Cryptosporidium xiaoi except one which was identified as Cryptosporidium parvum. Our results confirm that goat kids are hosts for C. parvum and C. xiaoi and that infection by C. xiaoi may be associated with mild clinical signs. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The objective of this study was to compare the growth, slaughter and carcass characteristics of Alpine×Hair goat (first cross) (AH), Saanen×Hair goat (first cross) (SH), and Hair goat (H) male kids fed with concentrate in addition to grazing on the natural pasture. Seven kids per breed group (a total of 21 kids) at approximately 3.5 months of age were fed 300g/day/animal concentrate in addition to grazing on rangeland for 70 days. The kids were kept in the natural pasture accompanied by a shepherd throughout the day, except pen rest to avoid the midday heat outside for 1–2h. The concentrate was given after returning from grazing at the end of the day. All lambs were slaughtered at the end of the 70 days period. Least squares means of the final live weights of AH, SH and H kids were 32.7, 33.6 and 28.9kg (P <0.01), respectively. Total and daily live weight gains were 9.2, 9.8 and 6.7kg (P <0.05), and 0.13, 0.14 and 0.09kg (P <0.05) for the AH, SH and H kids, respectively. Cold carcass weight and dressing percentage of AH, SH and H groups were 12.9, 13.3 and 11.1kg (P <0.01), and 39.4, 40.5 and 38.5% (P <0.05), respectively. Internal fat weight of AH, SH and H kids were 0.06, 0.06 and 0.03kg (P <0.05), respectively. M. Longissimus dorsi (MLD) area between the 12th and 13th ribs of AH, SH and H kid carcasses were 10.5, 11.5 and 8.9cm2 (P <0.05), respectively. The liver (P <0.05), kidney (P <0.01) and internal fat (P <0.05) percentages of the kid carcasses were significantly different among groups. In this study, the total and daily live weight gain, dressing percentage and several carcass characteristics were found to be different among genotype groups. Results suggest that Alpine and Saanen breeds could be used to improve the productivity of Hair goat kids fed with concentrate in addition to grazing on rangeland. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The immunoglobulin G (IgG) uptake and enterocyte nucleus position in the villous were studied in newborn goat kids fed goat or lyophilized bovine colostrum. Two groups of 15 newborn goat kids, each received 5% of body weight of goat colostrum (GC) or lyophilized bovine colostrum (LBC) containing 55mg/mL of immunoglobulin G (IgG) at 0, 7 and 14h of life. Three animals were sampled just after birth, receiving no colostrum intake, to be used as control. Samples of duodenum, medium jejunum and ileum were collected at 0, 18, 36 and 96h of life. IgG vacuoles were not observed in the duodenum throughout the experiment regardless of all the experimental time points. In this segment, at 0, 18 and 36h of life, nuclei were found in the apical, medial and basal positions in the enterocytes, and localized in the upper, medial and lower parts in the villous, respectively. At 96h, a basal nuclei position was observed in the enterocytes, throughout the villous. In jejunum, IgG vacuoles were distributed along the villous at 18 and 36h. In this segment at 0h the nuclei were positioned predominantly apically in the enterocytes, throughout the villous. At 18 and 36h, no consistent nuclei pattern was verified; however at 96h, the nuclei were positioned basally in the enterocytes, throughout the jejunal villous. In the ileum at 0, 18 and 36h, a great number of vacuoles without IgG were verified in the medial–apical part of the villous. In this segment, at 0h of life and 96h of life, the predominance of basal nuclei was observed. Nuclei were positioned in medial–apically part of the ileal enterocytes in the upper part of the villous at 18 and 36h. It was found that the jejunal epithelium was the most important segment related to absorption process. The IgG absorption and nucleus position in the newborn goats were dependent on the small intestine segments and experimental time points, regardless of the colostrum source, GC or LCB. Considering the IgG uptake mechanism observed in the present study, the lyophilized bovine colostrum might be used instead of goat colostrum. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: In the study, it was aimed to determine the radius-ulna closure time of growth plates in mohair goat kids by radiography and find out the effects of elongation in related bones, shoulders height and gender on closure in accordance to months. The study was carried out in a total 30 kids; 15 being male and 15 female. Until the closure of growth plates of related bones is completed (35 months), radiographies of related bones were taken every month and shoulder heights were measured. Radiographies were taken in ML and LM positions. The lengths of bones seen in the radiogram were measured using negatoscope. Developmental stages of proximal and distal growth plates of radius-ulna were evaluated in four periods according to a modified method. First sign of the start of closure in all the plates among males and females was observed in the proximal plates of radius in the 5th month. In both genders, proximal plates of radius closed in 11–13th month, proximal plate of ulna closed in 25–32nd month, distal plates of radius closed in 33–35th month, distal plate of ulna closed in 34–35th month. As a result, while distal growth plates of radius-ulna closes later compared to proximal plate, it gives an impression that growth in these bones occur mainly in distal plates. One of the reason of the lowerness of shoulder height in the females compared to males, is could be due to early closure time of radius-ulna plates in females compared to males. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Many compounds have been screened for their potential anti-cryptosporidial activity in ruminants but none of them has been totally efficient in controlling the disease. A product containing activated charcoal and wood vinegar liquid demonstrated a good efficacy in controlling clinical signs and oocyst excretion in calves experimentally infected. This product (Obionekk®, Obione, Charentay, France) was given to goat kids in field conditions. The product was administered in a preventive way at the dose rate of 3.75g/day/kid of Obionekk® from the age of 3 days to the age of 17 days in suspension in milk replacer twice or three times a day. A significant reduction of oocyst excretion was observed when the product was given 3 times a day when compared to control group. The clinical signs (diarrhoea) were significantly reduced whatever the rhythm of distribution when compared to control group. These results demonstrated the efficacy of Obionekk® in preventing cryptosporidiosis in goat kids in field conditions. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: A main purpose of a mathematical nutrition model (a.k.a., feeding systems) is to provide a mathematical approach for determining the amount and composition of the diet necessary for a certain level of animal productive performance. Therefore, feeding systems should be able to predict voluntary feed intake and to partition nutrients into different productive functions and performances. In the last decades, several feeding systems for goats have been developed. The objective of this paper is to compare and evaluate the main goat feeding systems (AFRC, CSIRO, NRC, and SRNS), using data of individual growing goat kids from seven studies conducted in Brazil. The feeding systems were evaluated by regressing the residuals (observed minus predicted) on the predicted values centered on their means. The comparisons showed that these systems differ in their approach for estimating dry matter intake (DMI) and energy requirements for growing goats. The AFRC system was the most accurate for predicting DMI (mean bias=91g/d, P <0.001; linear bias 0.874). The average ADG accounted for a large part of the bias in the prediction of DMI by CSIRO, NRC, and, mainly, AFRC systems. The CSIRO model gave the most accurate predictions of ADG when observed DMI was used as input in the models (mean bias 12g/d, P <0.001; linear bias −0.229), while the AFRC was the most accurate when predicted DMI was used (mean bias 8g/d, P >0.1; linear bias −0.347). [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Meat colour was evaluated in 141 male suckling kids from five Spanish breeds: Blanca Andaluza (BA), Blanca Celtibérica (BC), Moncaína (MO), Negra Serrana-Castiza (NE) and Pirenaica (PI). Kids were slaughtered at 7.5 and 11.5kg. pH and colour were measured in the longissimus thoracis et lumborum muscle. pH values did not differ significantly among breeds. Lightness tended to decrease and redness to increase as weight increased. BC and NE at light weight and BC and BA at heavy weight were characterized by greater lightness, chroma and hue. At both weights MO and PI were darker and showed lower values for chroma and hue. BA at light weight and NE at heavy weight were characterized by values that were between those of the former groups for all variables. Discriminant analysis based on colour and pH correctly classified 48.9% of the kids into their breed and slaughter weight. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Twenty-four high percentage Kiko crossbred male kids (body weight (BW), 27.8±2.2kg) were stratified by BW and randomly allocated to one of four experimental treatment groups (n =6). Diets contained different levels of the condensed tannin (CT) containing forage sericea lespedeza (SL, Lespedeza cuneata) dried meal replacing alfalfa (Medicago sativa) pellets (ALF). Experimental treatments included: the control diet – 0% SL and 30% ALF; 10% SL and 20% ALF; 20% SL and 10% ALF; or 30% SL and 0% ALF as fed. Sericea lespedeza whole plant dried meal, incorporated in the grain mix portion of the diet and the mix was fed daily at 70% of total feed offered, with the remaining 30% consisting of bermudagrass (Cynodon doctylon) hay (BGH). Animals were fed once a day and the intake was adjusted every 3–4 days so that a 4–6% was refused (grain mix/SL and hay). Body weights were taken at the beginning, mid, and end of the study and blood was collected twice, at the beginning and at the end of the study, for complete analysis. The performance period lasted 63 days and at the completion of the study, goats were harvested and carcass characteristics measured. There was no difference in initial or final BW of goats; however, average daily gain (ADG) was higher (quadratic, P =0.01) in goats consuming either all ALF or SL diets. Average daily dry matter (DM) and CT intake increased (linear, P =0.04 and P <0.0001, respectively) as the level of SL increased in the diet; however, body weight gain:feed (G:F, kg/kg dry matter) was lower for 10 or 20% SL diets (quadratic, P =0.002). Scrotal circumference tended to decrease (quadratic, P =0.07) in goats fed 10 or 20% SL and height at withers decreased (linear, P =0.05) with addition of SL. Adjusted body fat thickness decreased (linear, P =0.02) with added SL. Dressing percentages were low and ranged from 37.6 to 39.1±1.5 for all diets. White blood cells decreased (linear, P =0.05) and lymphocytes % increased (linear, P =0.05) with added SL. Serum creatinine kinase and alanine aminotransferase increased (linear, P =0.01 and P =0.001, respectively) and serum amylase decreased (linear, P =0.01) as the level of SL increased. In conclusion, addition of SL up to 30% or CT up to 22.2mg/kg DM in the diet did not adversely affect growth performance of goats, and it produced lower fat in the carcass. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: This study evaluated the transference of maternal-specific antibodies against Haemonchus contortus and the humoral immune response of 32 goat kids to natural infection by the parasite, from birth to 5 months of age. All serum samples collected immediately after birth and before colostrum ingestion were negative for H. contortus antibodies, as demonstrated by ELISA. However, 30 and 60 days after colostrum and milk ingestion, antibody detection was positive and faecal egg count (FEC) was negative, suggesting the transference of humoral immunity by colostrum. All animals were FEC-negative for Strongylodea until four months of age, consistent with the stage of animal development where nourishment comes only from breastfeeding. Animals also presented a high serum IgA concentration, associated with lower levels of total IgG. This work demonstrated that passive humoral immunity against H. contortus in goat kids occurs via the colostrum and not by transplacental transference of antibodies. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Many compounds have been screened for their potential anti-cryptosporidial activity in ruminants but none of them has been totally efficient in controlling the disease. Macrolide antibiotics have demonstrated some activity against Cryptosporidium spp. in humans. Tilmicosin is a macrolide antibiotic, available in France in an oral form (Pulmotil® AC, Lilly France). The preventive efficacy of tilmicosin was evaluated in a goat farm experiencing severe clinical cryptosporidiosis in kids. Twenty-two kids were separated from their dams just after birth and placed in a separated pen. They were divided into 3 groups: an untreated group (10 kids), group 1 (6 kids) receiving tilmicosin at 25mg/kg BW/day and group 2 (6 kids) receiving tilmicosin at 50mg/kg BW/day. Tilmicosin was individually given by oral route from day 2 of age for 10 days. Three times a week, individual faecal samples were performed to assess the oocyst output. Clinical data, i.e. diarrhea and mortality, were recorded. In control kids, the highest prevalence and intensity of excretion were observed between day 6 and day 16 of age and mortality reached 90%. Excretion dynamic and clinical consequences were similar in both treated kid groups. Finally, tilmicosin did not demonstrate any activity against severe kid cryptosporidiosis in field conditions. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The requirements for polyunsaturated fatty acids during brain development are high and in certain situations supply may be inadequate. Numerous studies in rodents have shown that a diet rich in linolenic acid improves learning ability and modifies emotional reactivity of offspring. Thirty-two goats received from 1.5 months before to 2 months after parturition either a control supplement (C, rapeseed supplement, n =16), rich in oleic acid (C18:1n −9) or a test supplement (L, linseed supplement, n =16), rich in linolenic acid (C18:3n −3). At birth the profile of fatty acids was measured in blood, mammary secretions and tissue samples from the goats and their kids. After birth the kids were fed a mixture of milk obtained from the same treatment group as their dam and their emotional reactivity and learning ability were studied. The profile of fatty acids was also measured in goat milk and kid plasma. Plasma proportions of linolenic acid, eicosapentaenoic acid (C20:5n −3) and docosahexaenoic acid (C22:6n −3) were increased (P <0.05) and arachidonic acid (C20:4n −6) decreased (P <0.01) by L compared to C in goats and kids at birth. At 11 days, L kids spent more time sniffing the environment (P <0.01) and less time immobile (P <0.05) in a novel environment and passed more frequently next to the novel object (P <0.05). The kids also tended to spend more time watching the object (P =0.079) and tended to delay the first vocalisation with mouth open (P =0.070) compared to C kids. Learning ability in a T-maze test at 46 days and the reaction to a startling stimulus at 48 days were unaffected by treatment. In conclusion, a diet rich in linseed given to gestating and lactating goats seems to increase the attention/exploration of their kids at 11 days without affecting their learning ability. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The aim of the present study was to study the effects of social instability (regrouping) during the second trimester (7 weeks) of pregnancy on aggression, cortisol concentrations and growth in goats and its consequences for survival, growth and some aspects of behavioural development in the kids. Six weeks after mating, 32 goats were distributed into eight groups. In four of the groups, randomly chosen pairs of goats were rotated between groups every Monday morning (around 08:30h) for 7 weeks (unstable groups), starting 6 weeks into gestation (second trimester). The remaining four groups were kept stable throughout the entire pregnancy (stable groups). The adult goats were video recorded for 6h twice a week for the first, second, fourth and seventh regrouping and for the 2 last weeks before expected birth. Blood samples of the adult goats were collected in a period from 1 week before the start of the first regrouping and until 1 week before expected birth. Blood samples from a maximum of two kids from each litter were collected at 3 weeks of age. Two kids from each litter were subjected to two types of behavioural tests: a ‘social test’ at the age of 1 and 7 weeks and a ‘novel object test’ at the age of 5 weeks. Except for the higher aggression level in the unstable groups, social instability did not have any other significant effects on factors such as growth, cortisol level or kid production in the goats. There were only minor effects on the behavioural development in the goat kids. However, kids from the unstable groups showed more escape attempts in the first trial of a ‘social test’, spent more time in contact with a novel object and unfamiliar kids, and showed less fear (escape attempts) after they were given one exposure to the social test situation. Furthermore, kids from unstable groups had a lower basal cortisol level than kids from stable groups. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The purpose of this study was to investigate the comparative pharmacokinetics of difloxacin in male goat kids and lambs. Difloxacin was administered in a crossover as a single dose of 5mgkg−1 b.wt. by the intravenous (i.v.) and intramuscular (i.m.) routes in kids and lamb. The concentrations of the drug in the plasma were measured using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with fluorescence detection. Following i.v. injection, the elimination half-life (t 1/2β ) in goat kids (3.57±0.39h) was higher than in lambs (2.63±0.29h). The apparent volume of distribution (V dss) and the total body clearance (Cltot) in goat kids were 0.48±0.03lkg−1 and 0.12±0.01lkg−1 h−1, respectively. The corresponding values in lambs were 0.49±0.04lkg−1 and 0.11±0.01lkg−1 h−1, respectively. After i.m. administration, difloxacin reached a peak plasma concentration (C max) of 4.95±0.53 and 4.25±0.47μgml−1 at a post-injection time (T max) of 1.85±0.23 and 1.31±0.2h in goat kids and lambs, respectively. The mean bioavailability (F) in both goat kids and lambs were 97.5±20.61% and 97.1±21.5%, respectively. The in vitro plasma protein binding % of difloxacin were 10.31 and 12.98 for goat kids and lambs, respectively. Using the surrogate marker C max/MIC and AUC24/MIC90, difloxacin could be effective by the i.m. route at 5mgkg−1 against isolates with MIC≤0.5 and 0.4μgml−1 for goat kids and lambs, respectively, after i.m. dosing. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Fifty five suckling kids from three genotypes and two sexes protected by the PGI “Cabrito de Barroso” European quality label were used in this experiment. Carcass quality was assessed using indices from carcass measurements, dressing percentages, refrigerated losses, higher priced joints proportion and tissue composition of the carcass. Meat pH, colour, total pigment, fat, dry matter, collagen determinations (total and soluble), cooking losses and shear force estimated in longissimus thoracis et lumborum (LTL) and gluteobiceps (GB) muscles were used to characterize meat quality. Principal component (PC) analysis was performed in order to examine carcass quality traits (n =16) and meat quality (n =16) traits. The five first principal components (PCs) explained about 86% of the total variability for carcass quality and 75% of the total variability for meat quality. Compactness indices of carcass and leg, carcass weight and subcutaneous fat were the most effective variables for the PC1, whereas the higher priced joints proportion, muscle proportions of the higher priced joints and of the carcass and the muscle and bone ratio were useful to define the PC2. The first PC of the meat quality parameters was characterized by colour traits (L ⁎, b ⁎, a ⁎, C ⁎, H ⁎ and total pigment) whereas collagen determinations (total collagen and collagen solubility) defined the second PC. When the carcass quality data were projected on the plane defined by the first two PCs, two separate groups of points appeared, corresponding to the animals with slaughter live weight higher or lower than 10 kg. The distribution of the meat quality data on the plane defined by the first two PCs allowed the identification of two separate groups, corresponding to the muscles GB and LTL. The differences between genotypes tend to be small and related to slaughter live weight, which implies certain constancy in carcass and meat quality of the PGI “Cabrito de Barroso”. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The effects of halofuginone lactate (100μg/kg B.W.) for the treatment and prevention of cryptosporidiosis in goat kids was evaluated in 3 field trials. Trial 1 was to assess the efficacy of halofuginone on the treatment of kid diarrhoea caused by Cryptosporidium spp. Halofuginone given for 7 and for 3 consecutive days, respectively, was effective for the treatment of diarrhoea (P <0.05). Also, halofuginone administered for a 7-day treatment was significantly (P <0.05) more effective than a 3-day treatment in reducing the incidence of diarrhoea in the infected goat herds. In the second trial halofuginone given for 7 days reduced significantly (P <0.05) the diarrhoea incidence, the time of oocyst shedding and the mean intensity of shedding. In the third trial halofuginone was effective in reducing the death rate and preventing cryptosporidiosis. It was concluded, that halofuginone lactate at a dosage rate of 100μg/kg for 7 days was effective in treatment and prevention of kid cryptosporidiosis. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The effects of different group sizes on feed intake, growth and behaviour in penned kids and lambs were studied in an experiment (Exp. 1) with 30 kids and 30 lambs used in 3 periods. In each period, animals were divided into five group sizes. The group sizes were one, two, three, four or five animals per pen. In a second experiment (Exp. 2) 36 kids and 36 lambs were allotted to two groups of one and five animals per group. The diet consisted of Jackfruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus) and Acacia (Acacia mangium) foliages, sugar-cane (Saccharum officinarum) and concentrate. The foliages were given ad libitum, equal to 130% of intake of fresh matter of the group the previous day, and concentrate and sugar-cane were given at a level of 10g dry matter (DM)/kg initial body weight. The time for each period in Exp. 1 was 21 days, with the last 7 days for data collection. The behaviour observations were done during the last 4 days of each data collection period. The time for Exp. 2 was 84 days. In Exp. 1, the kids had a higher total DM intake (DMI) (P =0.011) and DMI of Jackfruit (P <0.001) than the lambs. Total intake increased linearly as group size increased (P =0.03). When feeding Jackfruit or sugar-cane aggressive behaviours recorded per pen or per animal increased linearly with group size. In Exp. 2, there was no difference in total DMI between kids and lambs, but kids had a significantly higher DMI of Jackfruit and a lower DMI of sugar-cane. Total DMI and DMI of Jackfruit and sugar-cane were similar for the group sizes of five animals and one animal, but kids showed a higher total intake and intake of Jackfruit in the group sizes of five animals, while a higher intake was obtained in single pens for lambs. The weight gain was higher (P <0.05) for the lambs compared to the kids, but similar for the animals in the group size of one or five animals. The feed conversion ratio (FCR) was significantly lower for the lambs compared to the kids, but not different between group sizes. The water intake of the lambs was higher (P <0.05) than that of the kids in both experiments and the animals in the pens with high density drank more water than the animals in individual pens only in Exp. 2. In conclusion, increasing the number of animals in the pens increased feed and water intake and also aggressive behaviours and did not improve growth rate or feed conversion ratio. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Two Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (MAP) antigens (native—S 5, ‘Bison type’ and commercial antigens ‘Bovine’), were compared for screening of kids against paratuberculosis infection. Using MAP (S 5) antigen (‘Bison type’) in plate ELISA, 47 serum samples driven from farmer''s herds of Jakhrana, Sirohi, and Marwari breeds in their home tract in Rajasthan state were screened. Of the 47 kids randomly sampled, 8.5% were found sero-positive by plate ELISA test. Breed-wise sero-prevalence was 10.5%, 7.6%, and nil in the Jakhrana, Sirohi, and Marwari male kids, respectively. Whereas, none of the serum sample was found positive using commercial MAP ‘Bovine’ antigen. Sero-prevalence of paratuberculosis has been found to be low in young kids (2 months old) belonging to the farmer''s herds of Jakhrana and Marwari in their home tracts. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Carcass composition and meat quality traits were evaluated in 55 suckling kids (27 males and 28 females) from Serrana (S), Bravia (B) and Serrana×Bravia (S×B) crossbred genotypes. Kids were slaughtered at 8–11kg of live weight according to “Cabrito de Barroso–PGI” specifications and carcasses’ left sides were totally dissected. Dressing percentage (based on ELW) did not vary between genotypes and sexes. Genotype B carcasses have better conformation, expressed in higher compactness index and muscle/bone ratio. Sex had no effect on the composition of dissected carcass but females deposited more internal fat than males. S genotype had significantly less muscle content and higher dissectible fat compared to B and S×B genotypes, suggesting differences in maturity stages. The carcass’ bone content (20.4–21.4%) did not differ significantly between genotypes. The longissimus thoracis et lumborum (LTL) and gluteobiceps (GB) muscles were used for meat quality determinations. Genotype had a significant effect on meat traits and fatty acid composition of the analysed muscles: B genotype and LTL muscle showed lower final pH, S×B genotype had darker and more red muscles, GB muscle had a higher shear force value and lower collagen solubility. Few sex effects were observed on meat quality traits as well as on fatty acid composition. Average percentage of desirable fatty acids in kids was superior to 60% with male S genotype displaying a lower value. Genotypes B and B×S, males and GB muscle had more favorable PUFA:SFA ratios. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The objective of this study was to determine the effects of grain compared to spineless cactus feeding on goat kids growth, carcass characteristics and FA profile. For this purpose, 21 kids were used and allocated to 3 groups receiving a low quantity (200g) of oat hay. The control group received ad libitum a concentrate containing 130g crude protein (CP) per kg of dry matter (C130). The second group received half of that contained consumed by the control one but its CP content was 260g/kg DM and spineless cactus ad libitum (C260-Cac). In the third group, concentrate intake was limited to soya bean at a quantity that provided the same CP quantity as the two other groups and also cached spineless cactus was distributed ad libitum (Soya-Cac). Animals of all groups had free access to water. At the end of the growth trial which lasted for 74 days, all kids were slaughtered. Samples of longissimus dorsi muscle were used for meat quality and FA composition study. Animals in the control group and those in the C260-Cac had higher growth rate than Soya-Cac diet animals. Muscle and adipose tissue mean weights were higher in the first groups while the bone weight was similar in all treatments. Animals given Soya-Cac diet had relatively less fat (10.5%) than those fed other diets (p <0.001). Carcass fat content tended to be lower (p =0.07) in C260-Cac goats (13.5%) than in those of the C130 group (15.8%). The ultimate pH ranged between 6.18 and 6.48; it was higher in meat from control goats (C130) than in animals receiving cactus. Dietary treatment had no significant effect (p >0.05) on meat moisture, ash, crude fat and protein contents. The intra muscular lipid composition in fatty acids showed differences between the control group and those receiving cactus. Cactus in the diet was associated with more C18:2 and conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) as well as a higher proportion of PUFA and PUFA:SFA ratio than control ones. In conclusion, this study showed that cactus feeding of goat kids maximises the proportion of CLA, PUFA and PUFA:SFA ratio. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Presents abstracts of several studies on goat species. "Influence of Diet and Gut Fill on Blood Metabolites and Fecal Shedding of E. coli in Sheep and Goats," by V. R. Gutta, G. Kannan, B. Kouakou, K. M. Gadiyaram, W. R. Getz, G. W. McCommon and Y. Lan; "Assay of Antibiotic Residues in Goat Milk," by M. Bsharat and R. Attaie; "The Use of Crawfish Meal Waste as a Protein Source for Feeding Goats," by S. Gebrelul, C. R. Walker, A. Harris and A. Dantzler.

Presents abstracts of several studies on goat species. "Influence of Diet and Gut Fill on Blood Metabolites and Fecal Shedding of E. coli in Sheep and Goats," by V. R. Gutta, G. Kannan, B. Kouakou, K. M. Gadiyaram, W. R. Getz, G. W. McCommon and Y. Lan; "Assay of Antibiotic Residues in Goat Milk," by M. Bsharat and R. Attaie; "The Use of Crawfish Meal Waste as a Protein Source for Feeding Goats," by S. Gebrelul, C. R. Walker, A. Harris and A. Dantzler.

The present study was conducted to investigate the effect of dietary α-linolenic acid (C18:3n-3, ALA) and linoleic acid (C18:2n-6, LA) on growth performance and fatty acid status of goat kids. The 5 week-feeding trial had a 2×2 factorial design with two levels of LA (5.5% and 11.2% of total fatty acids) and two levels of ALA (0.2% and 0.6% of total fatty acids) in the milk replacers. The goat kids were fed a restricted amount of milk replacer. Dietary treatments had no influence on growth performance and feed utilization. This outcome indicates that in the formulation of milk replacers for goat kids the contents of ALA and LA are not very critical. The concentration of plasma triglycerides was lowered by the high intake of ALA and LA. The dietary level of ALA or LA was reflected in the composition of these fatty acids in red blood cells, adipose tissue and liver. The milk replacer with high ratio of ALA to LA significantly increased the contents of eicosapentaenoic (C20:5n-3, EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (C22:6n-3, DHA) in liver of the goat kids. This metabolic interaction between dietary ALA and LA was observed in liver only. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

One hundred and sixty Alpine kids (16 kg BW) were studied for 150 days with two diets, evaluating in situ DM disappearance, VDMI, OMI, rumen degradation, rate of passage, ammonia (NH3) and volatile fatty acids (VFA) concentrations, apparent digestibility, pH, total fermentable carbohydrates (FC), and BW gains. Group 1, designated as CS/SIUS (n=80 plus two cannulated goats) was offered corn stubble (CS) 800 g per day and alfalfa hay (AH) 100 g per day, with 150 g per day of a slow-intake urea supplement (SIUS) consisting of 16.5% molasses, 5% urea, 4% fishmeal, 2% limestone, 16% cottonseed meal, 17.5% rice polishing, 14.5% corn, 9.5% poultry litter, 4.1% commercial mineral salt, 0.9% orthophosphate, 2% ammonium sulfate, 1.5% cement kiln dust, and 6.5% animal lard. Group 2, designated as AH/BC (n=80 plus two cannulated goats) were fed 550 g AH per day supplemented with 450 g of a balanced concentrate (BC) per day, consisting of 1.1% mineral salt, 1.2% orthophosphate, 40.0% corn, 25.9% wheat bran, 25.8% barley, and 6.0% soybean meal. VDMI and OMI were similar for 150 days for the two experimental diets fed to goats. NH3 concentration and degradation of potential non-degradable DM fractions were augmented by SIUS (P<0.05). Rumen pH rose to 6.9 by 2 h after CS/SIUS was offered and stayed above 6.6 for 12 h, while the rumen pH in AH/BC goats decreased to 5.57 by 6 h and rose again to 6.50 after 12 h. N intake with CS/SIUS was 18.60 g per day versus 14.57 g per day with AH/BC (P<0.05). In vivo N digestibililty was 76.63% in the CS/SIUS diet and 54.16% in AH/BC (P<0.05). In vivo digestibility of NDF was greater for CS/SIUS (P<0.05) (77.14% versus 65.11% for AH/BC). Degradation rate constant (kd) of NDF also favored the CS/SIUS diet (P<0.05) and non-degradable fiber was less (P<0.05) (35.18% versus 63.32% for AH/BC). Half-time (t1/2, h) disappearance of cellulose and hemicellulose in the CS/SIUS diet were 29.34 and 29.14 compared to 16.54 and 20.16 in the AH/BC diet, respectively (P<0.05) and passage rates differed similarly (P<0.05). True digestibility of cellulose in CS/SIUS at 46.24% was higher (P<0.5) than that of AH at 33.22%. Growth in 150 days averaged 112±23 g gain per day for CS/SIUS compared to 86±21 g per day for the AH/BC diet (P<0.05). SIUS supplement intake per kg BW ranged from 6.57 to 3.12 g per day for the CS fed goats and 21.02 to 11.80 g per day for the AH/BC fed control goat kids (P<0.05). Rumen NH3 was higher for CS/SIUS (12.3 mg per 100 ml versus 6.8 mg per 100 ml for AH/BC) (P<0.01). Rumen acetic and butyric acids increased with the CS/SIUS diet (P<0.05), while propionic acid was less and total VFA were not different. Supplementation of a high fiber diet with a slow-intake NPN supplement improved rumen fermentation. SIUS supplied critical nutrients to the rumen microflora, improved rate of passage, ruminal pH, NH3 contents, and resulted in higher weight gain than the AH/BC fed control goat kids. Results showed that high fiber forages like CS can be used efficiently by growing goats, when conditions for ruminal microorganisms are improved with a continuous slow-intake N supplementation. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Goats raised on range in the south-central United States often face a forage quantity and quality deficit from July through August that may be mitigated with inexpensive agro-industrial byproduct supplements. Peanut meal was tested in north-central Texas as a 0, 0.25 and 0.50% BW supplement on 20 kg Spanish X Boer goat doe kids that rotationally browsed native hardwood under-story from May to mid-August during two low-rainfall summers (42 and 78% below the 30-year average). Average daily gains were measured and goat browse selectivity, ADF, AD-lignin (ADL) and CP concentration of the primary forage leaves were determined. Goats in the 0 and 0.50% supplement group obtained the lowest (70.05 g, year 1; 43.38 g, year 2) and highest (87.56 g, year 1; 72.64 g, year 2) ADG (P<0.05), respectively, during both years. Goats showed consistent preference for plant species across years as indicated by percent of foliage browsed, including greenbriar (88.2%), post oak (83.3%), hackberry (74.8%), live oak (74.3%), and elm (37.7%). Browse plant leaf number, CP, ADF, and ADL content decreased over time in all observed species as new growth replaced older browsed leaves. Of the plant species and leaf components studied, kids selected species with higher CP but did not select against ADF or ADL. Supplementation was most cost effective at the 0.25% rate indicating that minimal amounts of peanut meal enhance ADG of doe kids on warm season woodland range. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Goat kids were fed for 5 weeks milk replacers with or without α-linolenic acid (C18:3n-3, ALA) and growth performance, plasma lipids and fatty acid composition of red blood cells, adipose tissue, liver, kidney, lymph node and spleen were examined. Ten animals were either given a milk replacer with 1.3% (% of total fatty acids) linoleic acid (C18:2n-6, LA) and 0.6% ALA or a milk replacer (ALA-free) with 1.2% LA and no ALA. The diets did not contain eicosapentaenoic (C20:5n-3) or docosahexaenoic acid (C22:6n-3). Both experimental milk replacers contained 224 g crude protein and 17 MJ metabolizable energy per kg air-dry matter. Crude fat contents were 131 and 124 g/kg air-dry matter in the control and ALA-free milk replacer, respectively. Growth performance of the goat kids was not affected by dietary treatment. The ALA-free milk replacer decreased the concentrations of plasma total and LDL cholesterol. After feeding the ALA-free diet, ALA was not detectable in any of the tissues and the erythrocytes. Except for adipose tissue and red blood cells, there was still eicosapentaenoic acid in the tissues of the goat kids fed the diet deficient in ALA, but the levels were markedly reduced. The present study shows that dietary ALA is not essential for growth in goat kids for a period of up to 5 weeks after birth. It is suggested that at birth the goat kids had sufficiently large stores of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids to prevent deficiency when fed the ALA-free milk replacer. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Nutritional value of sunflower meal (SFM) as a replacement protein source of soybean meal (SBM) for goat kids was evaluated. Thirty-six weaned Shami goat kids were randomly selected and used in a complete randomize design (CRD) trial with three treatments. Kids were divided into three groups of equal number and allocated into pens of similar size and condition. For each group, kids were fed one of three diets containing SBM, SFM, or SFM supplemented with fibrolytic cellulases enzyme (sunflower meal with enzyme, SFME). The experiment lasted 12 weeks. Total gain and average daily gain were higher (P<0.05) for kids fed SFME with no differences obtained between SBM and SFM. Daily gain values averaged 221.7, 155.8, and 141.6 g for the three experiments, respectively. SFME group had the highest (P<0.05) feed intake value. At the same time, SFM and SBM group were not different (P>0.05) with higher value for the former. Same results were obtained for the feed conversion ratio (FCR) where SFME kids had the highest (P<0.05) FCR value of 4.7. No difference was observed for SBM in feed conversion ratio value (6.6) compared to that of the SFM (7.59). It is concluded that sunflower meal can successfully replace soybean meal as a protein source in fattening diets. Moreover, fibrolytic enzymes can be effectively used to enhance the feeding value of the SFM and overcome its high fiber content. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The effect of increasing intakes of both α-linolenic (C18:3n-3) and linoleic acid (C18:2n-6) on growth performance, plasma lipids and fatty acid composition of adipose tissue were studied in goat kids. The milk replacers with the lowest and highest contents of α-linolenic and linoleic acid had levels of 0.5 and 1.4, and 6.7 and 12.4% of total fatty acids of the two fatty acids, respectively. Modulation of the intake of the two essential fatty acids had no influence on weight gain, feed intake and feed conversion. There were no significant diet effects on the concentrations of plasma cholesterol and phospholipids, but triglycerides were lowered by high intakes of α-linolenic and linoleic acid. The fatty acid patterns of diet and adipose tissue were closely related. Fortification of the milk replacers with both α-linolenic and linoleic acid produced a dose-dependent, linear increase in the contents of these fatty acids in adipose tissue. Linoleic acid was incorporated more efficiently into adipose tissue than was α-linolenic acid. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The importance of blood serum immunoglobulin (IgG) concentration, gamma glutamyl transferase (GGT) activity and glutaraldehyde coagulation test (GCT) duration was compared to assess passive transfer status in healthy goat kids. Twenty-one Saanen goat kids (0–15 days old) were used. Blood samples were collected from kids presuckling (day 0, baseline), and on the 1st, 4th, 7th and 15th days. Serum IgG concentration, GGT activity and GCT duration were measured on these days. It was observed that serum IgG concentration and GGT activity significantly increased on the 1st, 4th and 7th day of the experiment. However serum GCT duration was decreased significantly in kids on the 1st, 4th, 7th and 15th days. It was observed that passive transfer status was sufficient when 10% GCT solution clotted serum within 10 and 15min in up to 7-day-old and 8–15 days old suckling kids, respectively. Thus, GCT as an indicator of GGT activity is useful, practical, and cheaper than GGT in assessing passive transfer status in goat kids. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Faecal specimens from five diarrhoeic goat kids (Capra hircus) younger than 21 days were collected in a goat farm in Galicia (NW Spain) and examined for the presence of Cryptosporidium oocysts. Two Cryptosporidium-positive isolates were detected and selected for molecular examination. A banding pattern indicative of Cryptosporidium bovis was obtained after restriction analyses of PCR products from small-subunit rRNA genes. However, both positive isolates were identified as Cryptosporidium xiaoi by sequence analyses of SSU rRNA and actin genes. Our results demonstrate that domestic goats are a host for C. xiaoi and suggest that this parasite species may be involved in the aetiology of neonatal diarrhoeic outbreaks in goat farms. This is the first published description of C. xiaoi in goat kids in Spain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Effect of olive leaves (OL) on meat quality of male kids was determined. • OL are high in unsaturated fatty acids. • The meat of OL-receiving kids was higher in CLA, MUFA and PUFA. • Meat and subcutaneous fat n-6/n-3 ratios of kids fed OL were lower than control. Effect of increasing levels of olive leaves in the diet on intake, growth rate and meat quality of kids was studied. Twenty-four Mahabadi kids (initial body weight (BW) of 21.3 ± 1.14 kg and 5–6 months of age) were randomly assigned to three groups (n = 8). One group was fed a basal diet as control (without OL) while the diet of the other two groups was modified by substituting 7.5 % (OL7.5) and 15 % (OL15) of the control with OL. The results showed that total dry matter intake and growth performance were not affected by diets (P > 0.05). Feeding OL increased the concentrations of C18:1 (P < 0.001), C18:2 n-6 (P < 0.05), C18:3 n-3 (P < 0.001), n-6 PUFA (P < 0.001) and n-3 PUFA (P < 0.05) and decreased the C16:0 (P < 0.05), C18:0 (P < 0.01) and the ratio of n-6/n-3 (P < 0.05) in both muscle and adipose tissues. An important increase (P < 0.01) was observed in CLA of meat, with increasing OL level in diet. The present study indicated that the OL may have favorable impact on improving meat fatty acid profile. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Quebracho tannins minimized fecal oocyst excretion in lambs and kids. • Feeding quebracho failed to reduce signs of coccidiosis (dag and fecal scores). • Dietary quebracho tannins did not decrease fecal egg counts in feces. • Quebracho-fed lambs were lighter in body weight than lambs fed control diet. • Quebracho-fed kids were similar in body weight than kids fed control diet. The objective was to examine the effects of supplementary quebracho on control of coccidiosis and gastrointestinal nematodes in lambs and kids. In Exp. 1, naturally infected lambs weaned (87.8 ± 0.4 days of age; day 0) in January (winter) were blocked by sex and randomly assigned (n = 10/treatment) to receive supplement with or without 100 g/lamb of quebracho for 28 days. In Exp. 2, single or twin rearing ewes were randomly assigned into two groups, and naturally infected lambs were fed control (n = 28) or quebracho (100 g/lamb of quebracho tannins in feed; n = 27) between -28 and 21 days (weaning = day 0; 70.8 ± 0.1 days of age). In Exp. 3, weaned doe kids (57.6 ± 2.0 days of age) were randomly assigned to receive alfalfa (Medicago sativa) supplement with (n = 9) or without (n = 8) 50 g/kid quebracho or sericea lespedeza (Lespedeza cuneata) with quebracho (n = 8) for 21 days. Fecal oocyst count (FOC), nematode egg counts (FEC), fecal score, dag score (soiling around rear quarters), and blood packed cell volume (PCV) were determined every 7 days. Data were analyzed as repeated measures using mixed models. In Exp. 1, FOC decreased in quebracho-fed lambs (diet × time, P < 0.001) but FEC was similar between treatments during the feeding period (P = 0.19). Packed cell volume (P = 0.19) and fecal score (P = 0.42) were similar between groups. Quebracho-fed lambs had a greater dag score initially (diet × time, P = 0.02), but were similar by day 42 (P = 0.72). In Exp. 2, FOC remained low (P = 0.02), PCV tended to decrease (P = 0.06), but FEC increased on days 14 and 21 (diet × time; P < 0.001) in quebracho compared with control-fed lambs. Quebracho-fed lambs had lower fecal score (diet × time; P = 0.005) but higher dag score (diet × time; P < 0.001). In Exp. 3, FOC of kids fed quebracho (alfalfa or sericea lespedeza supplement) was lower than control (P < 0.001). Fecal score of kids fed sericea lespedeza compared with alfalfa were lower regardless of quebracho (P = 0.01). There were no differences among treatments for dag, FEC, PCV, or body weight (P> 0.10). Quebracho was effective in reducing FOC but not clinical signs of coccidiosis in both lambs and kids, and may not be highly digestible in lambs as it caused loose stools. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• To review the process of thermal disbudding in goat kids. Additionally, we describe possible complications, and propose considerations and suggestions for best practice for disbudding of goat kids. • Thermal disbudding is a painful procedure. This should be addressed to prevent potential welfare problems as well as subsequent complications. • Veterinarians should be aware of considerations for optimal disbudding management, including practical, legislative, technical, and anaesthesiologic concerns. Objectives of the present paper were to review the process of thermal disbudding in goat kids in the Netherlands. We describe possible complications and propose considerations and suggestions for best practice for disbudding of goat kids. Thermal disbudding of approximately one to two week old female dairy goat kids is common practice in Dutch dairy goat farming in order to prevent injuries and optimise use of feeding space. Thermal disbudding is a painful procedure. This should be addressed to prevent potential welfare problems as well as subsequent complications. This report describes current practice as well as complications noted following disbudding of goat kids in the Netherlands. Complications include failure to recover from anaesthesia as well as neurological symptoms and subsequent death up to two weeks after the procedure. Considerations for optimal disbudding management, including practical, legislative, technical, and anaesthesiologic concerns are briefly discussed. Data on both the safety and efficacy of local anaesthetic injections for disbudding in goat kids are scarce. Therefore, more field studies focusing on feasibility and efficacy of local anaesthetic approaches with or without sedation, and the use of NSAID's peri- and postoperatively, are recommended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Effects of the nutritional status on the pathophysiological impact of Haemonchus contortus were evaluated. • No impact of the infection was observed on diet intake and digestibility. • The high nutritional status reduced the anemia of infected goat kids. • The high nutritional status reduced the nematode burden but not the faecal egg counts. The objective of this study was to measure the effect of the nutritional status of Creole goat kids on the host responses and the nematode population established after an experimental H. contortus infection. Fifty six kids were fed with 4 diets corresponding to 2 nutritional statuses: the low nutritional status (HAY, hay ad libitum and HB, Hay ad libitum + banana) and the high nutritional status (HS, hay ad libitum + soya meal and HSB, hay ad libitum + banana + soya meal). For each diet, 8 kids were experimentally infected with 10,000 H. contortus infective larvae (L3) and 6 kids were kept as non-infected controls. From the day of infection until 6 weeks post-infection, samples were collected to measure individual intake, total tract digestibility, parasitological and hematological parameters. The dry matter intake (DMI), the average daily gain (ADG), the crude protein (CP) and the digestible CP intake were higher in goats fed the HS and HSB diets, but no statistically significant interaction between the nutritional status and the infection was observed. The packed cell volume (PCV), the red blood cell counts (RBC) and the mean corpuscular volume (MCV) were higher with the HS and the HSB diets. In kids with the high nutritional status the nematode burden and pathophysiological impact of the infection were significantly lower but not the FEC. In conclusion, this reduced establishment rate was associated with an increased production of eggs by the female parasites and suggested a phenomenon of density-dependent prolificacy of H. contortus probably inherent to the fitness of the parasite population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]