Search

This study demonstrates the application of a mathematical steroidogenic model, constructed with individual in vitro enzyme characterisations, to simulate in vivo steroidogenesis in a diseased state. This modelling approach was applied to the South African Angora goat, that suffers from hypocortisolism caused by altered adrenal function. These animals are extremely vulnerable to cold stress, leading to substantial monetary loss in the mohair industry. The Angora goat has increased CYP17A1 17,20-lyase enzyme activity in comparison with hardy livestock species. Determining the effect of this altered adrenal function on adrenal steroidogenesis during a cold stress response is difficult. We developed a model describing adrenal steroidogenesis under control conditions, and under altered steroidogenic conditions where the animal suffers from hypocortisolism. The model is parameterised with experimental data from in vitro enzyme characterisations of a hardy control species. The increased 17,20-lyase activity of the Angora goat CYP17A1 enzyme was subsequently incorporated into the model and the response to physiological stress is simulated under both control and altered adrenal steroidogenic conditions.

Background and Aim: Goats are reared for their meat, mohair and other socio-cultural needs in Lesotho. Helminth infections are some of the major setbacks in the goat production industry due to their negative impact on animals' health, resulting in significant losses on meat and mohair production and death. A cross-sectional study was conducted to determine the prevalence, fecal egg infestation, and morphological identification of gastrointestinal parasites in goats. Materials and Methods: Fecal samples were collected from 765 goats and subjected to McMaster egg counting techniques using the flotation method. Statistical analyses were performed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS v.26.0). Results: The overall prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites was 94.7%, and the identified gastrointestinal parasites were nematodes (64.7%), coccidia (25.8%), and cestodes (4.2%). Haemonchus contortus was identified as the prevalent gastrointestinal nematode species found in goats. The prevalence and fecal egg count of gastrointestinal parasites were significantly higher (p

Edición Especial III Congreso Argentino de Producción Caprina. I Congreso de la Red CONBIAND Argentina. II Foro Nacional de Productores caprinos y Agricultura Familiar En los hatos de cabras Angora en el norte de la región Patagónica, las crías suelen manifestar deficiencias nutricionales desde el nacimiento hasta el destete a los 90 días que se asocian a bajas tasas de señalada y destete, alta mortandad durante el primer invierno y una insuficiente aptitud reproductiva a los 18 meses de edad. En este trabajo se presentan los resultados de dos Experimentos con diferentes alternativas de manejo nutricional pre y post destete en crías de raza Angora, con la finalidad de incrementar la sobrevivencia de las crías y lograr una reposición de machos y hembras con buen desarrollo productivo. En el Experimento 1 se evaluó la suplementación energético-proteica por un periodo de 90 días durante la lactancia (60 días) y post destete a pastoreo (30 días) en 39 crías Angoras (Grupo Suplementado=GS) y se comparó con un grupo testigo (GT, n=34) sin suplementar. Los animales del GS tuvieron un consumo diario promedio de 250 g/animal (70% avena y 30% expeller de soja), y se observaron mayores ganancias diarias de peso vivo (GDPV) comparados con los animales del GT para ambos periodos evaluados, tanto en el pre destete (GS=108,5±4,1; GT=87,8±4,4 g/animal) como en el post destete (GS=59,6±4,9; GT=16,2±5,38 g/animal) (P< 0,05). El tratamiento de alimentación tuvo un efecto positivo en la CC de las crías generando una diferencia a favor del grupo GS con respecto al grupo GT durante prácticamente todo el periodo de estudio (P< 0,05). En el Experimento 2, se administró una suplementación energético-proteica por un periodo de 190 días durante la lactancia (80 días) y post destete a pastoreo (110 días) en 37 crías Angoras, utilizando un alimento balanceado comercial de 2,9 Mcal EM/kg MS y 18% de PB. El rango de consumo en el comedero de limitación física fue de 270-380 g/animal. La GDPV registrada durante el periodo pre-destete fue de 111,5±4,0 g/animal y en el post destete fue de 34±5,5 g/animal. La CC fue cercana a los 3 puntos al destete, se presentó un descenso con el stress post destete y posteriormente se mantuvo en 2,75 puntos. La suplementación incrementó la producción de mohair en los animales suplementados en ambos experimentos. Los resultados obtenidos demuestran que la implementación de la suplementación energético-proteica en crías de cabras Angora generó una mejora en la GDPV y permitió reducir la pérdida de CC desde el nacimiento, permitiendo lograr un mayor PC y CC al destete, y mayor producción de mohair. El tratamiento de alimentación no produjo un incremento en la sobrevivencia de las crías. Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Bariloche Fil: Villar, Maria Laura. Instituto Nacional de Tecnologia Agropecuaria (INTA). Estacion Experimental Agropecuaria Bariloche. Area Produccion Animal; Argentina Fil: Bruno Galarraga, María Macarena. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estacion Experimental Agropecuaria Bariloche. Laboratorio de Reproducción de Rumiantes Menores; Argentina Fil: Giovannini, Nicolas. Instituto Nacional de Tecnologia Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Bariloche; Argentina Fil: Fernandez, Jimena. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Bariloche. Área de Producción Animal. Grupo de Reproducción; Argentina Fil: Cueto, Marcela Isabel. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Bariloche. Área de Producción Animal. Grupo de Reproducción; Argentina Fil: Villagra, Edgar Sebastian. Instituto Nacional de Tecnologia Agropecuaria (INTA). Estacion Experimental Agropecuaria Bariloche. Area Produccion Animal; Argentina

Smallholder Angora goat farming is widespread throughout Lesotho, resulting in the country being ranked second in global mohair production. The Lesotho landscape across which Angora goats are produced is divided into lowlands, foothills, mountains, and the Senqu river valley agro-ecological zones (AEZs). Husbandry practices, including those related to the control of gastrointestinal parasites (GIPs), are assumed to be influenced by the AEZ-determined farmers' lifestyles. This study assessed how the AEZ of the Angora goat farming communities influences farmers' demographic and socio-economic profiles, GIP knowledge, and goat management practices. Interviews were conducted with farmers from Maseru and Quthing districts selected from four areas that represent the AEZs. Our findings indicate that middle-aged males dominate goat farming in all AEZs. Also, most farmers only reached primary education, hence rely on experience for goat production. Familiarity with parasites differed among farmers from different AEZs although most viewed the GIP impact on goat health as high. Many farmers from all AEZs except the lowlands believed that diarrhoea, a common GIP symptom, is associated with their goat mortality. GIP control measures used include anthelmintics and traditional herbal medicines with differing frequency of administration. More than 80% of farmers reported offering supplemental feeds although other recommended goat management practices like shelter and sanitation were not commonly observed. All farmers reported reliance on communal grazing and many considered rangelands as sources of GIP infections. It is concluded that most husbandry practices are common across AEZs and that many of these are inadequate in controlling GIPs.

The present study investigated the seroprevalence of antibodies to Ehrlichia ruminantium and the associated risk factors in goats from five different farming provinces of South Africa. Sera collected from 686 goats of the commercial meat type (n=179), mohair type (n=9), non-descript indigenous goats from Eastern Cape (n=56), KwaZulu-Natal (n=209), Limpopo (n=111), North West (n=61) and Northern Cape (n=11) provinces and a feral Tankwa goat (n=50) were tested for the presence of immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies to antigens of E. ruminantium using the indirect fluorescent-antibody test (IFAT). Fifty two percent of these goats had ticks. The overall seroprevalence of antibodies to E. ruminantium was 64.87% (445/686) with the highest seroprevalence reported for Limpopo (95.50%) and lowest for Northern Cape (20.29%). Highest seroprevalence for antibodies to E. ruminantium was observed in goats from endemic regions (76.09%), and from smallholder production systems (89.54%). High seroprevalence was also observed in non-descript indigenous goats (85.04%), adult goat (69.62%), in does (67.46%) and goats infested with ticks (85.79%). The logistic model showed a gradient of increasing risk for commercial meat type Savanna (OR=3.681; CI=1.335-10.149) and non-descript indigenous (OR=3.466; CI=1.57-7.645) compared to Boer goats and for goats from the smallholder production system (OR=2.582; CI=1.182-5.639) and those with ticks (OR=3.587; CI=2.105-6.112). Results from this study showed that E. ruminantium infections were prevalent but were widely and unevenly distributed throughout South Africa. Findings from the study facilitate identification and mapping of risk areas for heartwater and its endeminicity in South Africa and should be taken into consideration for future disease control strategies and local goat improvement programs.

Los caprinos de Angora, productores de la fibra mohair utilizada desde tiempos remotos en la confección de prendas de lujo, se diseminaron desde el Medio Oriente a varios países incluyendo a la Argentina. En el norte de la Patagonia su cría proporciona medios de vida a una gran cantidad de pequeños productores. Una revisión bibliográfica, una recopilación de testimonios e información no publicada permiten apreciar las particularidades del origen e historia del Angora, como así también permiten resumir las acciones que contribuyeron a su desarrollo en el país. En ese sentido debe resaltarse la acción del Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria en cuanto al mejoramiento genético y a la extensión. Con el tiempo los productores organizados y empoderados lograron apoyos adicionales que se enmarcaron en el denominado Programa Mohair que a su vez generó la base para la promulgación de una Ley Caprina nacional. Problemas en la producción y prospectivas de comercialización mundial del mohair indican que a pesar de precios favorables sostenidos la producción de Angoras enfrenta varios desafíos para mantenerse en el tiempo. Angora goats, which produce mohair fibres used since ancient times in the manufacture of luxury garments, have spread from the Middle East to several countries including Argentina. In the north of the Patagonia Angoras contribute to the livelihood of a large number of smallholders. A literature review, compilation of testimonies and unpublished information allow us to appreciate the particularities of the origin and history of these goats, as well as to summarize the actions that contributed to its development in the country. In that latter sense, the involvement of the National Institute of Agricultural Research in genetic improvement and extension must be highlighted. Over time organized and empowered smallholders obtained additional support that developed into the so-called Mohair Program, which in turn generated the basis for the enactment of a national Goat Law. Production issues and market outlook of mohair indicates that despite sustained favourable prices for mohair, Angora production faces several challenges to be sustained in time. EEA Bariloche Fil: Müeller, Joaquín Pablo. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Bariloche; Argentina Fil: Taddeo, Héctor Raúl. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Bariloche; Argentina Fil: Abad, Martin Ignacio. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Hilario Ascasubi. Agencia De Extensión Rural Patagones; Argentina Fil: Debenedetti, Sebastián. Río Negro. Ministerio de Agricultura, Ganadería y Pesca; Argentina

This trial was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of multiple eCG injections in the induction of estrus and pregnancy in Colored Mohair goats during the anestrus season. It was also aimed to determine total dose of eCG required for induction of estrus. Ten multiparous and lactating goats were used. The goats were randomly divided into two groups and treatments were started on May 22. Group eCG (n = 5) was treated with eCG intramuscularly for 6 days. Daily dosages of eCG from May 22 to May 27 were 300 IU, 200 IU, 200 IU, 100 IU, 100 IU and 50 IU, respectively. Goats in control group received no treatment. Blood samples were taken from animals in each of the two groups just before and after the beginning of the treatments and serum progesterone concentrations were assayed by RIA. Starting on the fourth day after the first treatments, goats were exposed to fertile bucks twice daily for 30 min to detect standing heat. The estrus goats were allowed to be mated by the bucks. Pregnancies were determined 40 days after mating by real-time ultrasonography. One goat on day 5 and three goats on day 7 exhibited behavioral estrus in eCG group (80%) after the first eCG injection. Three of them (75%) became pregnant. None of the goats in the control group exhibited behavioral estrus. Mean serum progesterone concentrations had prominent elevations indicating ovulation in eCG group, but not in control group, after 20 days from the first treatments. Progesterone concentrations of eCG group were significantly different than those of control group on days 20 and 28 (P < 0.05). The results suggest that divided multiple injections of a total 950 IU eCG are effective without progestagen pretreatment in the induction of estrus and obtaining successful pregnancy and live kids in Colored Mohair goats during the anestrus season. (c) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Adult biting lice Damalinia limbata (Gervais 1844) were most numerous on Angora goats in southwestern Free State Province from November to May with the smallest numbers present during August. Nymphs were most numerous from January to March with the smallest numbers present during July. The largest proportion of adult lice was present on the ventral surface of goats during winter, when population numbers were lowest, and the largest proportion of nymphs during summer, when population numbers were highest. Infestation did not affect the body weight of goats, but adversely affected both the quantity and quality of mohair produced. A single treatment with deltamethrin, applied as a pour-on along the mid-line of the backs of the goats, effectively controlled infestation and resulted in a significant increase in mohair production compared with untreated goats. Deltamethrin sprayed along the sides of the animals was equally effective in controlling infestation.

A questionnaire survey to examine worm control practices on angora and other goat farms in Denmark was undertaken in 1993. Questionnaires were inserted in the July, 1993 issue of the official journal of the angora goat farmers in Denmark (Mohair News) and 72 questionnaires posted directly to other goat farms selected from a list of 150 farms registered with the Goat Breeders Association. Data from 51 angora and 41 other goat farms indicated that anthelmintics were used on more than 80% of the farms. On 51% of the farms, no predetermined drenching programmes were followed. On 72% and 64% of the farms, kids (1 year of age) and adult goats (1 year old) were drenched 1-3, and two or three times per year, respectively. Only 9% of the farmers used the recommended weight of the heaviest animal in a herd to determine anthelmintic doses for groups of both kids and adult goats. Visual perception which may result in underdosing was used to determine weights for drenching on 41% and 69% of the farms for kids and adult goats, respectively. From 1986 to 1993, Class I anthelmintics (benzimidazoles) were the most commonly used. Anthelmintic classes were not alternated annually on the majority of farms, which would enhance selection for resistance. While the majority of farmers (58%) rotated goats regularly between paddocks, only 21% drenched the goats when being moved. Anthelmintic treatment for newly introduced goats was not carried out on 45% of 55 respondent farms, nine of which had imported stock. This increases the likelihood of introducing resistant worms to the farms.

Synthetic pyrethroid pour-on compounds have been developed for use on cattle but many are now also registered for the control of ectoparasites on small ruminants. The breed of small livestock has been known to influence the efficacy of various pour-ons and we hypothesized that differences in the duration of protection afforded by a synthetic pyrethroid pour-on against ticks on small livestock, would be greatest between hairy and woolly breeds. Angora goats with mohair, Dorper sheep with hairy wool, and Merino sheep with wool were treated with 1% m/v deltamethrin pour-on with an oil base at a dosage rate of 1 ml 5kg−1 body mass. The duration of effective protection against Ixodes rubicundus, the Karoo paralysis tick, was determined under field conditions. Angora goats proved to be the highest risk group, but were afforded the least protection. Efficacy never reached 100% in this group and within 3 weeks the goats were already at risk of paralysis. Dorper sheep were afforded above 90% protection for 3 weeks and 85% after 4 weeks. In the case of the Merino sheep efficacy of protection remained above 90% up to 7 weeks post-treatment and was still 87% during Week 8. Differences in the amount of sebum and suint in the epidermis of the different breeds may be responsible for differences in the rate of spread and the rate of dilution of the active compound in the epidermis.

The Optical Fibre Diameter Analyser (OFDA) instrument is based on automatic image analysis technology and was recently introduced to provide a rapid, accurate measurement of average fiber diameter (AFD) and diameter distribution (SD) of textile fibers. Experiments were conducted with wool and mohair in various physical forms (top, core, and staple) to compare results produced by the OFDA with two other methods of determining fiber diameter parameters: the standard projection microscope (PM) method as described by the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) and the Peyer Texlab FDA 200 System (FDA200). The results show that the OFDA fiber diameter measurements were very closely related to PM measurements, and the OFDA partially overcame one shortcoming of the FDA200, overestimation of SD. The results suggest that the OFDA is a promising system for rapid and accurate evaluation of fiber diameter and its distribution.

Summary Twenty-two Angora kids were used to study the effect of a dietary supplementation with field bean (Vicia faba L. var. minor) on hair follicle activity, mohair characteristics and plasma total thyroxine (T4), triiodothyronine (T3), insulin (INS) and insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) concentrations. At birth, their mothers were divided in two groups (S: supplemented, C: control), the S group being supplemented with 300 g/head/day of whole field bean. At weaning, diet of kids from S group was supplemented with 80 g/head/day of whole field bean. At weaning, secondary hair follicle activity (S: 0.91 ± 0.01, C: 0.84 ± 0.02, p

This study was made on the effects of a normal diet containing 12.8 mg Cu kg(-1) DM which added gradually molybdenum and sulphur on the copper status and fibre quality in eight 1-year Merghoze goat. One group (n = 4 mean weight 31 +/- 2.0 kg) was treated with Mo and S supplements for 20 weeks, the second group (n = 4 mean weight 32 +/- 2.1 kg) served as controls. In addition of blood sampling for measuring copper status in plasma, the copper content and quality of fleeces were measured every 6 weeks. Mohair measurements were carried out by taking patch samples (10 x 10 cm2) from the mid-side area of the goat. The analytical set consists of plasma copper concentrations (Pl Cu), Trichloroacetic acid soluble copper concentrations (TCA-Cu), and fleece copper content. The results indicated that the addition of 20-30 mg Mo and 2-2.5 g S kg(-1) DM to the normal diet did produce sub clinical copper deficiency in treated goats. One such visual symptom was the loss of fleeces pigmentation and poorer crimp being observed. The Pl Cu minus TCA-Cu plasma became more than 2 microM in the blood of treated goat, indicating that there was a significant thiomolybdate formation in the body. The results showed that there was a significant decrease in Pl Cu (p < 0.05) along with a significant increase in thiomolybdate (MoS) production after 4 months. The sub clinical signs of copper deficiency and mohair quality are likely to be from high molybdenum intake and thiomolybdate formation in the body.

Goat research in the United States has increased but at a rate less than that in production. Research on goat meat includes nutritional quality, packaging, color, sensory characteristics, and preslaughter management. Goat skins have value for leather, but quality of goat leather has not been extensively studied. Research in the production, quality, antibiotic residues, and sensory characteristics of goat milk and its products has aided development of the US dairy goat industry. Limited progress has been made in genetic improvement of milk or meat production. There is need to explore applications of genomics and proteomics and improve consistency in texture and functionality of goat cheeses. New goat meat and milk products are needed to increase demand and meet the diverse tastes of the American public. Despite research progress in control of mohair and cashmere growth, erratic prices and sale of raw materials have contributed to further declines in US production. Innovative and cooperative ventures are needed for profit sharing up to the consumer level. Internal parasites pose the greatest challenge to goat production in humid areas largely because of anthelmintic resistance. Study of alternative controls is required, including immunity enhancement via nutrition, vaccination, pasture management such as co-grazing with cattle, and genetic resistance. Similarly, the importance of health management is increasing related in part to a lack of effective vaccines for many diseases. Nutrition research should address requirements for vitamins and minerals, efficiencies of protein utilization, adjusting energy requirements for nutritional plane, acclimatization, and grazing conditions, feed intake prediction, and management practices for rapid-growth production systems. Moreover, efficient technology transfer methods are needed to disseminate current knowledge and that gained in future research.

ÖZET: USLU, BA, Yüzüncü Yıl Üniversitesi Sağlık Bilimleri Enstitüsü, Dölerme ve Sun'i Tohumlama Anabilim Dalı, Doktora Tezi. VAN-2008, Bu çalışmada, Renkli Tiftik Keçilerinin anöstrüs döneminde vaginal sünger, CIDR-G ve kulak altı implant kullanılarak östrüslerinin uyarılmasına ilave olarak GnRH enjeksiyonu ile fertilitelerinin artırılması amaçlandı. Çalışmada hayvan materyali olarak 2-4 yaşlı 57 adet Renkli Tiftik Keçisi ve 12 adet Renkli Tiftik Tekesi kullanıldı. Keçiler rasgele üç eşit gruba ayrıldı. Keçilerin I. grubuna (n=19) 30 mg Flurogeston asetat (FGA) içeren süngerler 14 gün süreyle, intravaginal uygulandı. Süngerlerin uzaklaştırıldığı gün keçilere 300 IU eCG yapıldı. Grup II' de (n=19) bulunan keçilere 0.3 g P4 içeren implantlar (CIDR-G) 13 gün süreyle intravaginal uygulandı. İmplantların çıkartıldığı gün keçilere 300 IU eCG yapıldı. Grup III' de (n=19) bulunan keçilere implanların yerleştirildiği gün 5 mg Östradiol Valerat, 3 mg norgestomed kas içi enjekte edildi ve 3 mg norgestomet kulak altı implantı 10 gün süre ile uygulandı. İmplantların çıkartılması sırasında keçilere 300 IU eCG yapıldı. Kızgınlıları belirlenen keçiler elde sıfat yöntemi ile çiftleştirildiler. Grup I, II ve III de kızgınlık gösteren keçiler iki alt gruba ayrılarak bir gruba çiftleşmeyi izleyen 12. günde 1 ml (25 mg Lesirelin asetat) GnRH (grup IA , grup IIA, grup IIIA) ve diğer gruplara 1 ml serum fizyolojik (grup IB , grup IIB , grup IIIB) enjekte edildi. Östrüs gösterme oranları Grup I, II, III de sırasıyla % 94.73, % 94.73 ve % 100 olarak tespit edildi. Kızgınlığa gelme zamanları, grup I'de 36, grup II'de 43 ve grup III'te ise 73. saat olarak kaydedildi. Gebelik oranları ise sırasıyla grup IA'da % 60, grup IB'de % 25, grup IIA'da % 80, grup IIB'de % 25 ve grup IIIA'da % 33.33, grup IIIB'de ise hiç gebelik elde edilemedi. GnRH enjeksiyonu yapılan grup IA'deki 10 keçiden 6'sı, grup IIA'deki 10 keçiden 8'i ve grup IIIA'deki 9 keçiden 3'ünün gebe kaldığı belirlendi. Progesteron değerleri, çalışma başında Grup I, II, III de sırasıyla 0.75 ± 0.39, 0.46 ± 0.09 ve 0.37 ± 0.05 ng/ml, uygulamaların sonlandırıldığı gün 2.55 ± 0.34, 1.66 ± 0.18 ve 2.33 ± 0.23 ng/ml ve östrüs gösterdikleri günlerde 0.56 ± 0.44, 0.22 ± 0.03 ve 0.33 ± 0.17 ng/ml olarak ölçüldü. Sonuç olarak erken anöstrüs dönemindeki Renkli Tiftik keçilerinde kızgınlık uyarılmasında her üç yönteminde etkili olduğu, FGA içeren vaginal sünger ve P4 içeren CIDR-G uygulamalarında kızgınlıkların daha erken gözlendiği belirlenmiştir. FGA içeren vaginal sünger, P4 içeren CIDR-G ve norgestomed içeren Crestar kulak altı implant uygulamalarını takiben 12. günde yapılan GnRH enjeksiyonunun gebelik oranı üzerene olumlu etki yapabileceği kanaatine varılmıştır.Anahtar Kelimeler: Anöstrüs, Renkli Tiftik Keçisi, FGA, CIDR-G, Norgestomet, GnRH. SUMMARY: USLU, BA. Department of Reproduction and Artificial Insemination, Institute of Health Sciences of Yüzüncü Yil University, Van-2008. In the present, in the Colored Mohair Goats, during anoestrus season, vaginal sponge, CIDR-G and ear implants used to stimulate oestrus and additionally GnRH injection. In this study 57 female and 12 male colored mohair goats aged between 2-4 year old were used. The goats were randomly divided into three equal groups. To the 1st group (n=19), 30 mg Flourogestone acetate (FGA) containing sponge applied for intravaginally for 14 days. The day sponges removed, 300 IU eCG applied. To the 2nd group (n=19), 0.3 g P4 containing implants (CIDR-G) applied for intravaginally for 13 days. The day implants removed, 300 IU eCG injected. To the 3th group (n=19), the day implants applied, 5 mg oestradiol valerate and 3 mg norgestomed injected intramuscularly and 3 mg ear implant applied during 10 days. The day implants removed, 300 IU eCG injected. Goats determinent to be on oestrus, they were mated with the method of controlled mating. Goats in group I, II and III showing oestrus symptom, divided into 2 subgroups. Twelwe days after mating 1 ml (25 mg Lesireline acetate) GnRH (group IA, group IIA, group IIIA) and other groups 1 ml serum phsiologic (group IB, group IIB, group IIIB) were injected. Oestrus observation rates in group I, II and III were % 94.73, % 94.73 and % 100, respectively. Estrus timings in group I were 36, group II 43 and in groups III 73 hours. Pregnancy ratios in group IA were 60 %, group IB 25 %, group IIA 80 %, group IIB 25 %, and group IIIA 33.33 %. On the other hand, in group IIIB no pregnancy were observed. GnRH injected 10 goats in group IA, 6 of them 10 goats in group IIA, 8 of them, 9 goats in group III, 3 of them was observed to be pregnant. Progesterone values in the begining of the study in group I, II and III were 0.75 ± 0.39, 0.46 ± 0.09, 0.37 ± 0.05 ng/ml, respectively, the day aplication ended were 2.55 ± 0.34, 1.66 ± 0.18, 2.33 ± 0.23 ng/ml and the day showing oestrus signs were 0.56 ± 0.44, 0.22 ± 0.03, 0.33 ± 0.17 ng/ml. As a result, at early oestrus season stimulation of oestrus by three different method were effective in coloured mohair goats, vaginal sponges containing FGA and P4 containing CIDR-G cause to develope oestrus early. FGA containing vaginal sponge, P4 containing CIDR-G and norgestomet containing crestar ear implant application and 12 days these aplication, GnRH injection had positive effect on pregnancy rate.Key words: Anoestrus, Colored Mohair Goat, FGA, CIDR-G, Norgestomet, GnRH. 65

The effect of infusing dipeptides or their amino acids on mohair growth of Angora goats was investigated using a skin perfusion technique. Seven Angora wethers (average BW 24 +/- 2.5 kg) were implanted bilaterally with silicon catheters into the superficial branches of the deep circumflex iliac artery and vein and carotid artery. The experiment consisted of three 28-d phases. In the first 14 d of Phases 1 and 3, saline was infused into deep circumflex iliac arteries supplying skin and in Phase 2 a mixture of dipeptides (methionine-leucine [Met-Leu], lysine-leucine [Lys-Leu]) was infused into the artery on one side, and free amino acids were administered on the other side. Infusion rates of peptides were 0.85 mg/h Met-Leu and 0.85 mg/h Lys-Leu in 2.4 mL saline. Infusion rates of amino acids were 0.474 mg/h Lys, 0.483 mg/h Met, and 0.743 mg/h Leu in 2.4 mL saline. A 100-cm2 area within the perfused region was used to determine mohair growth. Two weeks after the cessation of infusions, perfused areas were shorn. Clean mohair production from the dipeptide- and amino acids-perfused regions were similar (4.21 vs 4.35 g/[100 cm2 +/- 28 d], respectively; P0.05). However, clean mohair production during dipeptides and amino acids infusions was greater (P0.01) than that observed during saline infusions (3.63 g/[100 cm2 +/- 28 d]). There were no significant differences between dipeptides and free amino acids in concentrations of various hormones and metabolites in blood from deep circumflex iliac veins (P0.05). In conclusion, the studied small dipeptides and amino acids similarly increased mohair fiber growth, presumably through supplying limiting amino acids directly to the fiber follicle.

South African Angora goats (Capra aegagrus) are susceptible to stress conditions, possibly due to adrenal cortex malfunction. Selection for mohair production may reduce adrenal function and decrease cortisol production. Secretion of cortisol by the adrenal cortex is essential for the induction of several gluconeogenic enzymes that enable animals to survive stressful conditions, and adrenocortical insufficiency, therefore, precipitates a vulnerability to stress. In this study, Angora goats were compared with two breeds generally accepted as hardy, Boer goats (Capra hircus) and Merino sheep (Ovis aries). Adrenal steroidogenesis was studied using subcellular fractions prepared from the adrenal glands of freshly slaughtered animals. Adrenal microsomes and mitochondria were incubated with the relevant steroid substrates, and products were analyzed and quantified with TLC, HPLC, or RIA. Subsequently, the activity of individual enzymes involved in this pathway were further investigated. The cytochrome P450 content in the preparations was also compared. The results from these studies indicated that the activity of the cytochrome P450c17 enzyme in Angora goats differed (P < .01) from that of the other species investigated. This difference may contribute to the cause of the observed hypoadrenocorticism in Angora goats.

We conducted three experiments to evaluate the Optical Fibre Diameter Analyser (OFDA) for estimating medullation (med [M], kemp [K], and total [T] medullated fiber content) in mohair and wool produced by Angora goats and sheep, respectively. Medullation can be a beneficial characteristic in certain types of wool, but it is highly undesirable in mohair and apparel wools. Current techniques for evaluating medullation in animal fibers are laborious, slow, and expensive. The OFDA had been modified by the manufacturer to measure fiber opacity distribution, a characteristic known to be indicative of medullation in white fibers, and was capable of providing such measurements in a very short time. Measurements made on magnified fiber images produced with a projection microscope (PM) were used as a reference for M, K, and T in fiber samples. An initial experiment with 124 mohair samples (T = .10 to 9.10%) seemed to indicate that OFDA estimates of M, K, and T were only poorly correlated with corresponding PM values (r2 = .5409, .1401, and .5576, respectively). However, a second experiment using wool and mohair samples containing a wider range of medullation (T = .58 to 26.54%) revealed that OFDA estimates of M, K, and T for wool were highly correlated with PM measurements (r2 = .9853, .9307, and .9728, respectively). Evidence was also obtained indicating that the low r2 values associated with mohair relationships were likely due to a combination of factors: 1) high variation among the standard PM measurements and 2) the relatively low M, K, and T contents of the mohair samples compared with wool. In a third experiment, greater accuracy was obtained in the PM measurements by evaluating many more individual fibers per sample (10,000). In this case, OFDA estimates of M, K, and T for mohair were highly correlated with corresponding PM measurements (r2 = .8601, .9939, and .9696, respectively). However, the two sets of linear regression equations obtained for wool and mohair were somewhat different, indicating that separate calculations should be used to estimate PM measurements from OFDA data. In conclusion, it was demonstrated that the OFDA instrument is capable of providing relatively fast, accurate, and potentially less expensive estimates of medullated fiber characteristics in mohair and wool.

I-ÖZ Bu araştırma Doğu ve Güneydoğu Anadolu Bölgesinde, özellikle göçebe halk tarafından yetiştirilmekte olan renkli tiftik keçilerinin çeşitli verim ve morfolojik özelliklerinin araştırılması maksadı ile yürütülmüştür. Çalışma Siirt yöresinden satın alman tamamı 1.5 yaşlı 47 baş keçi 3 baş teke ve bunlardan iki yıl süre ile elde edilen 27 erkek ve 28 dişi oğlak üzerinde yürütülmüştür. Dişi keçilerin 2. ve 3. yaşlarına ait tiftik verimi ve özellikleri ile süt verimlerine ait veriler ayrı ayrı tespit edilerek ortalamaları ve standart hataları bulunmuştur. Aynı hayvanların 2. yaşlarında doğurdukları erkek oğlaklar besiye alınarak besi performansları ve karkas özellikleri tespit edilmiştir. Besiye alman oğlakların haricindeki erkek ve dişi oğlaklar mera şartlarında beslenerek canlı ağırlık artışları araştırılmıştır. 2.ABSTRACT This study was carried out in order to search for the various morphological and Physiological characteristic of coloured mohair goats being bred especially by the nomadic people in the eastern and south eastern of Anatolia. The study has been conducted on some 47 goats 3 Billy goats which were bought from Siirt about at the age of the 1.5, and the offspring of these animals which gone birth for 27 male and 28 female kids. Findings compiled to the mohair yield and its aspects as well as the milk yield pertaining to the 2th and 3 & year old aged female goats have been distinctly determined and their averages and standard errors were found. The same animals bearing male kids at the age of 2 were taken feeding and their nutritional performance and carcass particularities were determined. Except for the kids taken for feeding in the pasture conditions kids were given the opportunity of feeding and the increase of their live weight was studied. 91

Mohair from Angora goats has been produced in the United States since the introduction of these animals from Turkey in 1849. Cashmere on Texas meat goats was reported in 1973, but domestic interest in commercial production did not occur until the mid-1980s. Since 1982, the average prices of U.S.-produced mohair and cashmere (de-haired) have ranged from $1.81 to $9.48/kg and approximately $55 to $200/kg, respectively. However, return to producers from mohair has been relatively constant, averaging $10.21/kg, due to the federal incentive program. Because this program is scheduled to terminate with final payment in 1996, the future of mohair profitability is questionable. Prospects for expanded mohair and cashmere production and processing in the United States are influenced by numerous interacting factors and potential constraints. These include the prospect that the goat and textile industries may no longer be profitable in the absence of clear government policies. Although selection may have slightly increased fiber production by Angoras (long term) and domestic meat goats (short term), availability of genetic resources may prove to be a constraint to increased fiber production by cashmere goats and improved meat production by both types of goat. Land resources are plentiful unless new government policies prohibit goats from vast tracts of rangeland and forest because of environmental concerns. Future demand is an unknown, but with increasing world population and affluence, prospects for long-term improved demand for luxury fibers seem good. Competition from foreign cashmere growers is expected, whereas, in the short term, mohair production overseas is declining. However, increased processing of cashmere in its country of origin is expected to result in shortages of raw materials for European and U.S. processors. The amount of scouring, worsted, and woolen equipment in the United States is adequate to accommodate major increases in domestic processing of goat fibers. However, the absence of specific processing knowledge and skills may be constraints. Similarly, the absence of acceptable small-scale dehairing equipment for cashmere will limit cashmere processing on a cottage industry scale. Purely practical considerations such as the effects of predation and cost of fencing could become major constraints to expanding the goat fiber industry. Likewise the success (or lack thereof) of industry promotion of fiber and goat meat could be an overriding factor. To emerge from the uncertainty of erratic raw material prices and to better control profitability, domestic goat-fiber producers are encouraged to consider innovative, cooperative, retained ownership business ventures that will permit them to profit-share up to the retail level.

Two hundred castrated male Angora goats (18 mo of age) were divided equally between rangeland sites in the oak savannah of the Edwards Plateau (EP) and the mixed-brush shrublands of the South Texas Plains (STP) for 5 yr to study influence of environment and age on body weight (BW), mohair production, and mohair fiber characteristics. Goats were grazed on rangeland typical of the respective regions and were given typical management that included shearing in February and July or August of each year. Shorn goats were weighed and individual fleeces were measured for grease weight (GFW), clean yield (CMFP), average fiber diameter (AFD), and proportion of medullated fibers, med (MFP) and kemp (KFP). Rainfall and maximum and minimum temperatures were recorded daily at each site. The AFD (P = .01) and its associated SD (P < .001) and kemp levels (P = .03) were all higher at the STP than at the EP site (39.4 vs 37.9 microns, 10.4 vs 11.1 microns, and .80 vs .68%, respectively). Angora goats at EP weighed less (38.1 vs 41.7 kg, P = .03), and sheared less (1.90 vs 2.22 kg, P = .01), finer (36.4 vs 39.3 microns, P < .001), and less kempy (.52 vs .84%, P < .001) mohair at the February shearing than at the August shearing. No seasonal differences in body weight or in mohair production or quality were apparent at STP. The proportions of total variation in grease mohair production (30.6%), CMFP (22.2%), and AFD (15.7%) due to year effects were two to three times greater at STP than at EP. In contrast, year effects were responsible for only a small proportion (2.2 to 4.6%) of the variation in medullated fibers. The effects of rainfall accumulation within specific 6-mo growing periods were positive for BW, GFW, CFW, AFD, SD of AFD and MFP and negative for CMFP and KFP. Only the rainfall effects on SD of AFD and medullated fibers were significant (P < .05). The effects of age were positive for BW (P < .001), CMFP (P = .046), AFD (P < .001), MFP (P = .014), and KFP (P = .084) and negative for GFW (P = .046) and CFW (P = .107). This study documents influence of environment and age of goats on body weight, mohair production, and fiber characteristics.

ÖZET Doktora Tezi ANKARA KEÇİLERİNDE (CAPRA HIRCUS) KAN PROTEİNLERİ POLİMORFİZMİ İLE BAZI TİFTİK ÖZELLİKLERİ ARASINDAKİ İLİŞKİLER Cengiz ELMACI Ankara Üniversitesi Fen Bilimleri Enstitüsü Zootekni Anabilim Dalı Danışman: Prof.Dr.Dr.Sevinç ASAL 1995, Sayfa: 49 Jüri : Prof.Dr.Dr.Sevinç ASAL Prof.Dr.Numan AKMAN Prof.Dr.Kemalettin YAMAN Bu araştırmada Ankara keçilerinde Transferrin, Hemoglobin, Amilaz ve Seruloplazmin polimorfizmi ile önemli tiftik özellikleri (incelik, tek lif gerçek uzunluğu, mukavemet) arasındaki ilişkiler araştırılmıştır. Kan proteinleri yatay nişasta jel elektroforezinde analiz edilmiş ve ele alınan populasyonda Transferrin ile Amilaz sistemleri polimorf, Hemoglobin ve Seruloplazmin sistemleri ise monomorf olarak saptanmıştır. Transferrin lokusunda belirlenen Tf/ TfB ve Tf0 allellerinin frekansları, sırayla, 0.801, 0.195 ve 0.004 olarak bulunmuştur. Amilaz lokusunda da Amy ve Amy3 olmak üzere iki allel saptanmış ve Amy allelinin frekansı 0.93 olarak hesaplanmıştır. Tiftik özelliklerine ait ortalama değerler tek lif gerçek uzunluğu için 17.506-20.050 cm, incelik için 29.532-44.617 jı, mukavemet için ise 20.626-27.952 g değerleri arasındadır. Ele alman tiftik özellikleri ve kan proteinleri arasında önemli bir ilişki bulunmamıştır. Anahtar kelimeler: Ankara Keçisi, Transferrin, Amilaz, Hemoglobin, Seruloplazmin, elektroforetik varyasyon, tiftik özellikleri ABSTRACT Ph.D. Thesis ASSOCIATION BETWEEN BLOOD PROTEIN POLYMORPHISMS AND SOME MOHAIR TRAITS IN ANGORA GOATS (CAPRA HIRCUS) Cengiz ELMACI Ankara University Graduate School of Natural and Applied Sciences Department of Animal Science Supervisor: Prof.Dr.Dr.Sevinç ASAL 1995, Page: 49 Jury : Prof.Dr.Dr.Sevinç ASAL Prof.Dr.Numan AKMAN Prof.Dr.Kemalettin YAMAN Determination of relationship between the polymorphisms of Transferrin Haemoglobin, Amylase and Ceruloplasmin and the important mohair characteristics (single fiber length, fineness and resistance), related with quality, in Angora Goat population was the main purpose of this study. Blood protein samples were analysed by means of horizontal starch-gel electrophoresis technique. Electrophoretic analyses indicated that Transferrin and Amylase region were monomorphic whereas Haemoglobin and Ceruloplasmin region were monomorphic in the studied populations. Transferrin phenotypes were controlled by three (Tf/ Tf8 and Tf°) codominant alleles and their frequencies were 0.801, 0.195 and 0.004, respectively. Amylase phenotypes were controlled by two (Amy* and Amy8) codominant alleles and the frequency of Amy* allel was found 0.93. The mean values of mohair characteristics were found as follows: 17.506-20.050 cm for single fiber lenght; 29.532-44.617 /x for fineness; 20.626-27.952 for resistance. The relationship between mohair characteristics and the genetic markers was not significant. Key words: Angora goat, Transferrin, Amylase, Haemoglobin, Ceraloplasrnin, electrophoretic variation, mohair characteristics 49