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Milk urea concentration (MU) has been extensively studied and is often used to evaluate energy and protein balance in dairy cattle diets, but not to this extent in dairy goat diets. The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between MU concentration and crude protein content (CP) in the diet of Alpine goats in order to reduce excessive nitrogen excretion from the organism. For this purpose, 72 goats were randomly divided into three equal groups (24 animals) and fed a concentrate mix containing 14%, 16%, and 18% CP, respectively. The chemical composition of milk samples was determined and the ratio of milk fat to protein was calculated. Statistical analysis of the data was performed using the MIXED procedure (SAS V8 software package). Increasing CP from 14% to 16% in the diet increased daily milk yield by 0.4 kg (p, Koncentracija uree u mlijeku bila je predmetom mnogobrojnih istraživanja u svrhu procjene uravnoteženosti udjela energije i proteina u obrocima mliječnih krava, međutim ne u tolikoj mjeri u obrocima mliječnih koza. Cilj ovog istraživanja bio je utvrditi povezanost između koncentracije uree u mlijeku i udjela sirovih proteina (SP) u obroku Alpina koza kako bi se smanjilo prekomjerno izlučivanje dušika iz organizma. Istraživanje je provedeno u stadu od 72 koze koje su slučajnim odabirom podijeljene u tri jednake skupine (24 koza/skupini) od kojih je svaka hranjena krmnom smjesom (KS) s različitim udjelom SP: 14 %, 16 % i 18 %. Prikupljeni uzorci mlijeka poslužili su za utvrđivanje osnovnog kemijskog sastava nakon čega je uslijedilo izračunavanje omjera mliječne masti i proteina. Statistička analiza provedena je korištenjem procedure MIXED računalnog programa SAS V8. Koze hranjene KS sa 16 % SP dnevno su proizvele 0,4 kg mlijeka više (p

L’étude a eu pour objectif d’évaluer la production de lait de la chèvre de race Alpine au Sud Bénin, et d’estimer l’influence de la parité, du mois de mise bas et du poids post-partum. Les analyses ont été réalisées avec la procédure des modèles linéaires généralisés et ont porté sur 3820 données de lactations collectées chez 13 chèvres pendant 340 jours. Les résultats ont indiqué une production laitière journalière moyenne de 0,88 ± 0,42 kg, avec un pic de 1,60 kg au quarantième jour. Le mois de mise bas, la parité et le poids post partum de la chèvre ont eu une influence significative (p < 0,001) sur la production journalière. La production a augmenté avec le poids post-partum ainsi qu’avec la parité (en kg ; rang 1 = 0,730 ± 0,320 ; rang 2 = 0,96 ± 0,300 ; rang 3 = 1,05 ± 0,536 ; rang 4 et plus = 1,13 ± 0,330). La prise en compte de ces facteurs d’influence améliorerait la production de lait de la chèvre Alpine dans des conditions semblables.

Local livestock breeds are pivotal to ensure sustainable agriculture and represent a real genetic resource in the context of genetic variability reduction. This study aimed at broadening the knowledge about hematological values in female Verzaschese and Camosciata delle Alpi goats (an Italian local and a cosmopolitan goat breed, respectively) and investigating factors affecting them (i.e., breed, age, season). Blood samples were collected monthly from 34 Verzaschese and 37 Camosciata delle Alpi female goats kept under the same semi-extensive farming system for a whole year. The main hematological parameters were evaluated, and descriptive as well as inferential statistical analyses were performed. Reference intervals for complete blood cell count were established and several inter-breed differences were found. In particular, most of the red blood cell parameters were higher in Verzaschese than Camosciata delle Alpi (p < 0.05) suggesting a greater gastrointestinal parasites’ resilience of the local breed. The age effect (p < 0.05) was consistent with the literature while the season effect (p < 0.05) could be explained by the melatonin immunostimulant action and gastrointestinal parasitism influence. Overall, differences in blood values could be attributed to physiological changes and adaptive strategies developed through centuries highlighting the remarkable rusticity and adaptation to the environment and farming system of the local breed.

Interest in the production and sale of goat milk products has been growing over the past 20 years. The chemical composition of goat milk, which greatly affects its nutritional and therapeutic value, makes its products more acceptable to consumers. The aim of this study was to compare the chemical composition and fatty acid profile of Alpine and Saanen goat milk. The results showed that there were differences in certain chemical components between the milk of these two breeds. Protein, fat and ash content in Alpine goat milk was 4.53 g/100 g, 4.65 g/100 g and 0.94 g/100 g, respectively, and these values were higher than in Saanen goat milk (3.64 g/100 g, 3.20 g/100 g and 0.88 g/100 g, respectively). Differences in the fatty acid profile were also observed. Despite being kept under different breeding regimes, no statistically significant differences were observed in the total saturated fatty acids (SFA) or polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) between breeds. Although there was no difference in total SFA content, there was less palmitic acid (C16:0), as the predominant fatty acid in goat milk, in Alpine (26.94 g/100 g of fat) than in Saanen goat milk (28.60 g/100 g of fat). Unlike SFA and PUFA content, differences were observed in total monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA), with 22.8 g/100 g of fat in Alpine goat milk and 24.0 g/100 g of fat in Saanen goat milk. Based on these findings, it can be concluded that the implemented breeding regimes in different geographical areas with different pasture, together with genetic factors of breeds, greatly affect the goat milk chemical composition and fatty acid profile., Interes za proizvodnju kozjeg mlijeka i proizvode od kozjeg mlijeka u stalnom je porastu tijekom posljednjih 20 godina. Kemijski sastav kozjeg mlijeka, koji uvelike utječe na njegovu hranjivu vrijednost, zajedno s terapijskom vrijednošću, čini kozje mlijeko i proizvode od kozjeg mlijeka prihvatljivijim za potrošače. Cilj ove studije bio je usporediti kemijski sastav i profil masnih kiselina kozjeg mlijeka alpske i sanske pasmine koza. Rezultati su pokazali da postoje razlike u određenim kemijskim komponentama kozjeg mlijeka alpske i sanske pasmine. Sadržaj bjelančevina, masti i pepela u kozjem mlijeku pasmine alpina iznosio je 4,53 g/100 g, 4,65 g/100 g i 0,94 g/100 g, a njihov sadržaj bio je veći nego u kozjem mlijeku sanske pasmine (3,64 g/100 g, 3,20 g/100 g, odnosno 0,88 g/100 g). Uočene su i razlike u profilu masnih kiselina. Iako su koze držane u različitim uzgojnim režimima, nije bilo statistički značajne razlike u ukupnom sadržaju zasićenih masnih kiselina (SFA) i polinezasićenih masnih kiselina (PUFA) između istraživanih pasmina. Iako nije bilo razlike u ukupnom sadržaju SFA između dviju pasmina, sadržaj palmitinske kiseline (C16:0), prevladavajuće masna kiselina u kozjem mlijeku, bio je niži u kozjem mlijeku pasmine alpina (26,94 g/100 g masti) nego u mlijeku sanske pasmine koza (28,60 g/100 g masti). Za razliku od sadržaja SFA i PUFA, uočena je razlika u sadržaju ukupnih mononezasićenih masnih kiselina (MUFA). Ukupni sadržaj MUFA u kozjem mlijeku pasmine alpina iznosio je 22,8 g/100 g masti, a u kozjem mlijeku sanske pasmine 24,0 g/100 g masti. Na temelju ovih rezultata može se zaključiti da sustavi uzgoja koji se provode na različitim zemljopisnim područjima s različitom ispašom, zajedno s genetskim čimbenicima različitih pasmina koza, znatno utječu na kemijski sastav kozjeg mlijeka i profil masnih kiselina.

The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of incorporating detoxified Argane press cake in goats’ diet on milk fatty acids profiles. The use of the detoxification process presents a new way to...

Local livestock breeds are pivotal to ensure sustainable agriculture and represent a real genetic resource in the context of genetic variability reduction. This study aimed at broadening the knowledge about hematological values in female Verzaschese and Camosciata delle Alpi goats (an Italian local and a cosmopolitan goat breed, respectively) and investigating factors affecting them (i.e., breed, age, season). Blood samples were collected monthly from 34 Verzaschese and 37 Camosciata delle Alpi female goats kept under the same semi-extensive farming system for a whole year. The main hematological parameters were evaluated, and descriptive as well as inferential statistical analyses were performed. Reference intervals for complete blood cell count were established and several inter-breed differences were found. In particular, most of the red blood cell parameters were higher in Verzaschese than Camosciata delle Alpi (

This study was aimed for the evaluation of somatic cell count (SCC), physicochemical, and microbiological parameters during the end of lactation in the raw milk of Alpine and native Red goat breed. In the experiment, 102 milk samples from Alpine and native Red goats were included. Two different groups within the same breed were analyzed: a group consisting of animals in their first lactation and the second group consisting of animals from the fifth lactation. The milk samples were individually and daily collected during late lactation for three consecutive weeks, and milk fat, protein, lactose, SCC, and total bacteria with enterobacteria were assessed. Fresh milk of goats from late lactation period had a number of somatic cells (SC) within the expected value with log10 of 5.8–6.18 cells/ml for the compared groups. In both breeds, the total mesophilic bacteria were fewer in numbers, however, in the native Red goat, a larger population of such bacteria was enumerated. The number of coliforms and enterobacteria was below 100 cfu/ml. In the current study, we were able to show a significant difference among the studied breeds depending on lactation and season for fat (p = 0.002), but not for lactose and protein content. A positive correlation for total protein (TP), lactose, and fat as well as for lactose and SCC was found in the native Red goat breed. In the Alpine goat breed, a strong positive correlation (0.821**) was found for lactose and enterobacteria count (EC). In conclusion, these findings evaluate different goat milk parameters during late lactation period and provide an indirect measure to monitor goat mammary gland health for both breeds.

In the last three decades, we assisted in a shift in the dairy product preferences in developed countries, with an increase in goat-derived products consumption. As already seen in the bovine sector, the diffusion of goat milk consumption has led to an abandonment of the local breeds in favor of the more productive cosmopolitan breeds, with an intense reduction in the livestock biodiversity. However, in several studies, it has been shown that local breeds present unique features such as a robust behavior towards the local climate and a high quality of their dairy products. This study aims to assess the differences between the basic lactation variables (milk yield, fat %, protein %, lactose % and somatic cell count) in the Alpine goat and the local breed Verzasca goat from a Bayesian point of observation. Results indicate that the Nera di Verzasca goat has overall lactation characteristics similar toa cosmopolite breed such as the Alpine goat, except for the milk daily yield reduced with respect to Alpine goats (1.68 ± 0.84 and 2.14 ± 1.03, respectively). Moreover, the Verzasca goat showed a tendency to maintain a lower level of somatic cell count along with lactation (798 ± 1734 and 1216 ± 2828, respectively). These findings help to increase the knowledge about the Italian local goat breeds and are important in the optic of biodiversity conservation.

The objective of this study was to estimate genetic parameters for daily milk yield (DMY), fat (FC), and protein content (PC) using 329.022 test-day records of 23.756 Alpine does. Single trait repeatability animal model was applied. Parity, litter size, season, and lactation stage (Ali-Schaeffer’s curve) were fitted in the fixed, while herd, herd-test-day, permanent environment (within lactations) and additive genetic effect in the random part of the model. Variance components were estimated using Residual Maximum Likelihood Method in the VCE-6 program. Additive genetic effect explained 23 %, 16 % and 25 % of DMY, FC and PC variability which is in general agreement with numerous previous reports for dairy goat breeds. Among the non-genetic effects, herd explained 24 %, 12 %, and 9 %, herd-test-day 17 %, 29 %, and 30 %, and permanent environment 16 %, 3 %, and 5 % of DMY, FC and PC variability, respectively. The estimated parameters and developed single trait repeatability test-day models will serve as a basic tool in BLUP based genetic evaluation of Alpine breed in Croatia.

Milking routine and settings of milking machine are crucial factors in influencing milk production, milking labour and teat condition. The aim of the study was to evaluate if different vacuum levels applied during goat milking can affect milk emission, vacuum stability, and teat measurements. At the university experimental farm, 29 Alpine dairy goats were milked once a day testing three different milking vacuum levels (30, 36 and 42 kPa). The study was divided in 4 periods during lactation, 3 weeks each, changing milking vacuum every week. Milk flow measurements were performed using Lactocorder devices (about 700 observations), while, to verify vacuum stability, Vadia devices were used collecting a total of 220 vacuum curves. Teat dimensions before and after milking were measured once a week. Classification of teat shapes was based on the ratio between diameter and length before milking. Milk flow curves were influenced by milking vacuum level. The highest values of peak and average milk flow were recorded using the highest vacuum level. Vacuum level affected the percentage of milk emitted in the first three minutes of milking; in particular, using the highest milking vacuum level, 92.5% of milk was released in the first three minutes. No differences were found in total milk production and milk somatic cell count using different vacuum levels. Both vacuum level at the short milk tube and vacuum level at mouthpiece chamber were significantly influenced by system vacuum level: as the system vacuum level raised, the first parameter increased while the second decreased. The percentage of curves characterized by irregular vacuum fluctuations, calculated as difference between maximum and minimum vacuum level (kPa) measured in the short milk tube during the main milking phase, was not different among vacuum levels (P = 0.562). Milk flow decreased from the first to the last period of trial, as lactation advanced, by 36.8%; 22.7%; 17.3% for 30, 36 and 42 kPa, respectively; this result impacts on milking performances in terms of duration of milking time and of the time in which teat is under vacuum force. The highest and lowest vacuum levels tested (42 and 30 kPa) caused more evident changes in teat dimensions pre and post milking in comparison with medium vacuum (36 kPa). Moreover, teat shape significantly influenced vacuum at the teat-end. In conclusion, medium vacuum level of 36 kPa seems to be less stressful for teat tissue and more efficient in terms of milking performances than the extreme vacuum levels.

Background Local breeds retained unique genetic variability important for adaptive potential especially in light of challenges related to climate change. Our first objective was to perform, for the first time, a genome-wide diversity characterization using Illumina GoatSNP50 BeadChip of autochthonous Drežnica goat breed from Slovenia, and five and one local breeds from neighboring Austria and Italy, respectively. For optimal conservation and breeding programs of endangered local breeds, it is important to detect past admixture events and strive for preservation of purebred representatives of each breed with low or without admixture. In the second objective, we hence investigated the effect of inclusion or exclusion of outliers from datasets on genetic diversity and population structure parameters. Results Distinct genetic origin of the Drežnica goat was demonstrated as having closest nodes to Austrian and Italian breeds. A phylogenetic study of these breeds with other goat breeds having SNP data available in the DRYAD repository positioned them in the alpine, European and global context. Swiss breeds clustered with cosmopolitan alpine breeds and were closer to French and Spanish breeds. On the other hand, the Drežnica goat, Austrian and Italian breeds were closer to Turkish breeds. Datasets where outliers were excluded affected estimates of genetic diversity parameters within the breed and increased the pairwise genetic distances between most of the breeds. Alpine breeds, including Drežnica, Austrian and Italian goats analyzed here, still exhibit relatively high levels of genetic variability, homogeneous genetic structure and strong geographical partitioning. Conclusions Genetic diversity analyses revealed that the Slovenian Drežnica goat has a distinct genetic identity and is closely related to the neighboring Austrian and Italian alpine breeds. These results expand our knowledge on phylogeny of goat breeds from easternmost part of the European Alps. The here employed outlier test and datasets optimization approaches provided an objective and statistically powerful tool for removal of admixed outliers. Importance of this test in selecting the representatives of each breed is warranted to obtain more objective diversity parameters and phylogenetic analysis. Such parameters are often the basis of breeding and management programs and are therefore important for preserving genetic variability and uniqueness of local rare breeds.

This paper reports an exploratory study based on quantitative genomic analysis in dairy traits of American Alpine goats. The dairy traits are quality-determining components in goat milk, cheese, ice cream, etc. Alpine goat phenotypes for quality components have been routinely recorded for many years and deposited in the Council on Dairy Cattle Breeding (CDCB) repository. The data collected were used to conduct an exploratory genome-wide association study (GWAS) from 72 female Alpine goats originating from locations throughout the U.S. Genotypes were identified with the Illumina Goat 50K single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) BeadChip. The analysis used a polygenic model where the dropping criterion was a call rate≥0.95. The initial dataset was composed of ~60,000 rows of SNPs and 21 columns of phenotypic traits and composed of 53,384 scaffolds containing other informative data points used for genomic predictive power. Phenotypic association with the 50K BeadChip revealed 26,074 reads of candidate genes. These candidate genes segregated as separate novel SNPs and were identified as statistically significant regions for genome and chromosome level trait associations. Candidate genes associated differently for each of the following phenotypic traits: test day milk yield (13,469 candidate genes), test day protein yield (25,690 candidate genes), test day fat yield (25,690 candidate genes), percentage protein (25,690 candidate genes), percentage fat (25,690 candidate genes), and percentage lactose content (25,690 candidate genes). The outcome of this study supports elucidation of novel genes that are important for livestock species in association to key phenotypic traits. Validation towards the development of marker-based selection that provides precision breeding methods will thereby increase the breeding value.

The Alpine goats are originally from Alpine mountains located between France and Switzerland. The Alpine goats grow very quickly, have big and unique body figures, upstanding ears, and colors of brown, Isabella or black back with many different spots. They lead the world with their fecund and high milk yield. Since 2015, we have studied breeding domestic goat and Alpine goat to increase production of goat milk and dairy milk production and got the first generation of a hybrid kid in 2016 which located in Arvaikheer soum of Uverkhangai province.A hybrid between Alpine and Mongolian goat kid born from goat was 2.1±0.1 kg at the birth, 4.1±0.2 kg at the age of 1 months, 9.2±0.6 kg at the age of 3 months, 19.9±1.7 kg at the age of 6 months, and 21.4±1.2 at the 12 months in order to 1-year-old in average thus the birth weight increased by 10.2 times.

The aim of this study was to assess the effect of alternate and simultaneous pulsation on milking performance (milk yield, machine stripping milk, milking duration, and average milk flow rate) of Alpine goats milked at two different system vacuum levels (38 and 42 kPa). To this end, a field study was carried out in a commercial farm of Northern Italy. A pre-experimental period was carried out and 164 goats with a similar parturition date were selected and distributed into two similar subplots of 82 goats according to their values of milk yield and milking duration. The experiment lasted 24 d and was laid out as a split-plot design. Each treatment lasted 3 days. Once every combination (2 pulsation types × 2 vacuum levels) was tested (Experiment 1), the same experimental design was repeated in reverse order (cross-over design) to control the effect of lactation progress on the results (Experiment 2). Milk traits regarding milking performance (milk yield, machine stripping milk, milking duration, and average milk flow rate) and variables related to vacuum level in the milking cluster (vacuum in the short milk tube and vacuum fluctuation in the short milk tube) were recorded during morning and afternoon milkings. Results showed that the use of alternate pulsation reduced the vacuum fluctuations and increased the average vacuum in the short milk tube. Moreover, when a higher system vacuum level (42 kPa) was set, the use of alternate pulsation reduced the milking duration. We concluded that the use of alternate pulsation offers some advantages compared to simultaneous pulsation in high milk flow conditions.

The experiment reported in this Research Communication aimed to determine the combined effects of early weaning and post-weaning feeding level on growth, reproductive parameters and milk yield in Alpine goats. Sixty-four Alpine goat kids were weaned abruptly at either 12·2 (±1·40) kg (40 d of age, E) or 17·7 (±2·30) kg (60 d of age, No). After weaning, E and No goats were subjected to 2 feeding strategies (n = 16): ad libitum concentrate until 130 d of age and then 620 g DM/d/goat until 200 d of age (EC and NoC) or ad libitum concentrate until 200 d of age (EAL and NoAL). Goats were weighed twice a month until 200 d of age. Pregnancy rate and litter size were recorded. Daily milk yield was measured by milk meter during the first lactation. Up to 60 d of age, average daily gain (ADG) of E kids was significantly lower than No kids. From 60 to 130 d of age, ADG of the four treatments were not different. After 130 d of age, EC and NoC kids had lower ADG than EAL and NoAL kids. Pregnancy rates of EAL and NoAL goats were lower than those of EC and NoC. Milk yield was not modified by weaning weight or feeding management. Milk quality was not affected by any treatment. To conclude, the age at weaning as well as the feeding level after weaning did not negatively impact growth and milk yield. We hypothesise that the establishment of the lactation function is not impacted by rearing management. Hence, decreasing the age at weaning could be an interesting way to reduce the cost of the rearing period in goat kids.

Received: 2018-05-31 | Accepted: 2018-05-31 | Available online: 2018-11-26 https://doi.org/10.15414/afz.2018.21.04.179-182 Somatic cell count (SCC) is a useful indicator of intramammary infection of cow’s udders and a standard of quality and hygiene of cow’s milk in many countries. The main non-inflammatory factors influencing SCC in goat milk are intrinsic depending directly on the animal and extrinsic where some of them are routinely recorded along milk recording. The objective of this study was to determine the sources of non-genetic variation for SCC in Alpine (ALP) and Saanen (SAN) dairy goat populations based on Croatian (CRO) and Slovenian (SVN) milk recording data. For that purpose, test day records (327,404 in total) were used. They were collected over the period from 2005 to 2017 in Alpine (ALP) and Saanen (SAN) goat populations in Croatia (CRO) and Slovenia (SVN). The majority of records (310,371) represent CRO data, while SVN data included 17,033 records. Data have been obtained from the Central database of Croatian Agricultural Agency and Slovenian Central Database for Small Ruminants, which are collected according to the ICAR standards. Data were analysed using MIXED procedure in SAS/STAT, based on the REML method. Results showed significant effect of the population, parity, litter size, year and month of kidding and interaction between them as well as the effect of the stage of lactation nested within the population on the SCC in milk of studied goat populations. Keywords: Alpine goat, Croatia, dairy goat, logSCC, Saanen goat, Slovenia, somatic cell count References Ali T.E., Schaeffer, L.R., (1987) Accounting for covariances among test day milk yields in dairy cows. Canadian Journal of Animal Science, 67, 1233-1240. ICAR. (2018) Section 16 – Guidelines for performance recording in dairy sheep and dairy goats. Available at: https://www.icar.org/Guidelines/16-Dairy-Sheep-and-Goats.pdf [Accessed 1 May 2018]. Jimenez-Granado, R., Sanchez-Rodrigues, M., Arce C., Rodrigues-Estevez, V. (2014) Factors affecting somatic cell count in dairy goats: a review. Spanish Journal of Agricultural Research, 12 (1), 133-150. DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.5424/sjar/2014121-3803 CAA (2017) Annual report 2016. Sheep and goats. Zagreb: Croatian Agricultural Agency. Available at: http://www.hpa.hr/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/Ov%C4%8Darstvo-i-kozarstvo.pdf [Accessed 1 May 2018]. Rupp, R., Clement, V., Piacere, A., Robert-Granie, C., Manfredi, E. (2011) Genetic parameters for milk somatic cell score and relationship with production and udder type traits in dairy Alpine and Saanen primiparous goats. Journal of dairy science, 94 (7), 3629-3634. DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.3168/jds.2010-3694 SAS Institute (2011) SAS/STAT Software, Version 9.3. Cary, NC. Savsek, R., Simcic, M., Cividini, A., Birtic, D., Drasler, D., Zajc, P., Krsnik, J., Stepec, M., Mrkun, J., Potokar, D. (2018) Porocilo o opravljenem delu znotraj STRP na podrocju reje drobnice v letu 2017. Domžale: Zveza drustev rejcev drobnice, Oddelek za zootehniko

A total of 65, 204 lactation records that were recorded over the period from 2005 to 2016 in Alpine (ALP) and Saanen (SAN) goat populations in Croatia (CRO) and Slovenia (SVN) were used to determine lactation milk yield (MY), fat content (FC) and protein content (PC). The objective of this study was to estimate the sources of non-genetic variation for milk production traits. Data according to the ICAR standards were obtained from the Central database of the Croatian Agricultural Agency and the Slovenian Central Database for Small Ruminants. The data were analysed by the PROC MIXED procedure in the SAS/STAT software based on the restricted maximum likelihood method (REML). The results showed significant effects of the population, parity, litter size, year and month of kidding and the interactions between them as well as the effect of lactation length on analysed traits. SAN goats from Croatia produced the highest MY (585.09 ± 18.03 kg) among the four goat populations that were included in the study. Slovenian SAN goats produced 511.74 ± 28.92 kg of MY. MY in ALP goats was higher in the Croatian population (499.59 ± 7.88 kg) compared to the Slovenian ALP population (486.38 ± 18.86 kg). Milk yield increased with litter size and was the highest in the fourth parity, thereafter declining slowly.

Concentrations of cadmium (Cd) were determined in the samples of 144 animals around 1 and of 144 animals around 4years old. Cd was analysed by inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES), after microwave digestion. Cd concentrations were higher (p lt 0.05) in kidney than in liver and higher (p lt 0.05) in older animals than in young ones. In domestic Balkan goat which was raised in a free-ranged system Cd accumulation was lower (p lt 0.05) than in Alpine goat raised in an intensive production system. Geographic region did influence Cd accumulation only in older animals. Higher Cd levels (p lt 0.05) were determined in goats from Serbia. The highest obtained Cd concentrations in both tissues were lower than maximum levels set by European and national legislation for ruminants (cattle and sheep). This is the peer-reviewed version of the following article: Tomović, V.; Jokanović, M.; Tomović, M.; Lazović, M.; Šojić, B.; Škaljac, S.; Ivić, M.; Kocić-Tanackov, S.; Tomašević, I.; Martinović, A. Cadmium in Liver and Kidneys of Domestic Balkan and Alpine Dairy Goat Breeds from Montenegro and Serbia. Food Additives & Contaminants Part B-Surveillance 2017, 10 (2), 137–142. https://doi.org/10.1080/19393210.2017.1282987.

The Slovenian karst region and similar types of land are difficult to cultivate and often exposed to the process of being abandoned and overgrown with shrubs, trees, and brushwood. Co-grazing in a mixed group may be a way to optimize the management of sheep and goat flocks in such areas. To obtain more knowledge of the natural behavior of small ruminants, the experiment was designed on pasture in the mountain karst region. The experimental area was divided in 6 paddocks, of which 3 paddocks were covered with grass, herbs, and legumes (i.e., grassy paddock [GP]). In the other 3 paddocks the area was additionally overgrown with hazel, beech trees, and bushes (i.e., woody paddock [WP]). In a mixed flock of 40 Slovenian local sheep breed (Istrian Pramenka) and 10 crossbreed goats (Saanen × Alpine goat), 10 animals per species were focally observed during daylight (0500-2100 h). The natural behavior was scored on 12 d, 2 consecutive days in each of the paddocks. Animals were rotated between 6 paddocks according to the balanced schedule. They stayed at each paddock for 5 or 6 d. Observations started on the third day after moving the animals into a specific paddock, following 2 d of adaptation. The results indicated that botanically diverse paddock together with climate conditions affected the behavior. Goats were grazing more (P < 0.001) whereas sheep less in the WP (P = 0.05). In sheep, drinking and salt consumption were higher (both P < 0.001) in the WP, suggesting that salt triggered additional water consumption. The WP enabled conditions where more comfort behavior, that is, autogrooming (both species P < 0.001) and object grooming (both species P < 0.001), was performed. On the second day of observation, animals grazed more compared to the first day (both species P < 0.001), most likely due to lower forage availability. Goats drank (P < 0.001) and consumed more salt on the second day (P < 0.001). With higher temperature sheep and goats grazed less (P < 0.05 and P < 0.001, respectively) and goats drank more (P < 0.05). Sheep showed more while goats less autogrooming when temperature was lower (both P < 0.001). More autogrooming was shown on the second day of observation but only in goats (P < 0.001). The performed behavior of co-grazing sheep and goats suggests different foraging strategies and adaptation between the species, which may be taken into account for management decisions under specific environmental conditions in the mountain karst region.

The aim of this study was to evaluate relationships among body weight, sexual secondary traits andepididymal semen quality in young bucks.Body weight (BW), scrotal circumference (SC), horns diameter (HD), and horns length (HL) wererecorded monthly on 54 young Alpine bucks, from the second to the eighth month of life. After slaughter,testicles weight (TW) and epididymal weight (EW) were recorded and epididymal sperm quality wasevaluated. Epididymal sperm recovery was performed by using the retrograde flushing technique andsperm concentration, motility, viability and morphology were evaluated. Positive relationships betweenBW with TW (P < 0.001) and EW (P < 0.05), and SC with TW (P < 0.05) were observed. Some effects ofsecondary sexual traits on epididymal semen quality parameters were detected: BW and TW on spermproduction (concentration, total number of sperm and number of semen doses) (P < 0.05), and SC onthe presence of immature sperm (P < 0.05). In particular, it was shown that in goat species horns size isrelated to semen quality in terms of sperm production (concentration, total number of sperm and numberof semen doses) and presence of normal sperm (P < 0.05). In conclusion, scrotal circumference and hornssize could be used as parameters to select animals for breeding.

Background : : : : The increase in the goat’s milk production chain has been intensified in recent years. However, little is known about the quality characteristics of goat’s milk. In this sense, the present assay aimed to evaluate the physical parameters of goat’s milk: titratable acidity, alcohol and heat stability and its possible relations. Materials, Methods & Results : 71 samples of Saanen and Alpine goat’s milk were collected during the second lactation phase. In the milk samples were determined the titratable acidity and thermal and alcohol stability. Besides milk samples, date of individual milk production, race, date of birth and order of birth were collected. The titratable acidity values ranged between 11 and 20°D. The median stability of alcohol 52oGL was verified and 76.4% of the samples presented an alcohol stability in which the graduation was lower than 60oGL. A low negative (r = - 0.1914) and non significant (P = 0.1073) correlation was determined between milk production and alcohol stability. In addition to this, a low negative (r = - 0.05702) non-significant (P = 0.6223) correlation between alcohol stability and acidity, measured in Dornic degrees was determined; however, these results did not present a significant association between each other (k = - 0.006). During the clot-on boiling test, a coagulation rate of 39.46% (30/76) from the samples was observed, from which 32% (16/50) was originated from Saanen goats and 53.85% (14/26) from Alpine goats. Discussion : At the time of milking, the acidity of the goat milk varies from 12 to 14oD. This natural acidity is determined by lactation stage and, at the end of this, the acidity is from 16 to 18oD in bulk tank milk. However, in this study, the samples were related to the individual milk production and that may result in different values. Studies have shown significant differences in mean values of acidity according to race, ranging between 12 and 23oD; similar to those observed in this study, but with less individual variability. Data on the stability of goat milk are scarce and the large number of samples that showed no precipitation with alcohol 50°GL is close to the values found in a previous study (40 and 44oGL). Similarly, there are few data on the thermal stability in goat milk. In bulk tank milk samples the thermal stability was determined to 124.5 and 133oC. However, in another study, a low stability of milk coagulation occurs at temperatures from 92 to 110oC. The low thermal stability may be related to the physic-chemical properties of goat milk like protein concentrations and pH. Another factor to consider is that due to its protein composition, the micelles of goat’s milk are less hydrated than those of cow’s milk. This factor, coupled with the highest level of milk proteins and calcium, give to the goat milk a lower thermal stability. It was found that the stability test to alcohol has no correlation with the acidity and contains a wide variability, considering the individual goat milk. Other studies, aiming at correlating the alcohol and heat instability proof to the overall net production of milk in the industrial manufacturing of dairy products, should be performed, considering the growth of the market of caprine dairy products in Brazil.

This case report describes the diagnostic trial of an inspiratory wheeze in a 1.5-year-old Swiss Alpine goat. Left grade 4 laryngeal hemiplegia was diagnosed via laryngoscopy, whereas the severity of the hemiplegia was assessed according to the grading system used in horses. The results of clinical, radiographic, sonographic and endoscopic examinations as well as haematological, biochemical and serological analyses did not reveal the cause of the hemiplegia. Treatment with an antibiotic and vitamin B complex resulted in only slight improvement. A postmortem examination four months later revealed no gross lesions in the left laryngeal nerve, larynx and intrinsic laryngeal musculature. Histological examination of the nerve, arytenoid cartilage and intrinsic laryngeal musculature also showed no lesions. Therefore, the cause of the disease in this goat is suspected to be on the cellular or molecular level of the intrinsic laryngeal musculature.

Twenty lactating Alpine goats were randomly allocated to four treatment groups to investigate the effect of pasture feeding with different levels of concentrates on composition of Alpine goat milk and quality of Domiati cheese during lactation. Goats in Group A were confined and fed alfalfa hay with 0.66 kg/day of concentrate mixture per 1.5 kg of milk. Groups B, C and D were rotationally grazed and received 0.66, 0.33, and 0 kg/day of concentrate supplementation, respectively. Milk from each group was processed into Domiati soft cheese twice monthly for a 6-month lactation period. Fresh cheese samples were evaluated for sensory quality. The results obtained from this experiment indicated that goats fed a high concentrate level with pasture grazing (Group B) produced milk with significantly higher contents of fat, protein and total solids and thus had a higher cheese yield than goats kept on pasture alone (Group D) or under a confined feeding system with concentrate and hays (Group A). The change of Domiati cheese yield over lactation followed the same trends of fat, protein and total solids in goat milk. The chemical composition of Alpine goat milk and the yield of Domiati cheese varied significantly during lactation, with high values in the early and the late lactations. Contents of milk fat, protein and total solids were highly positively correlated with Domiati cheese yield. The milk fat content had an adverse effect on the cheese flavor score while the level of total fatty acids in milk was positively correlated with the flavor score. Further research is needed to investigate the economical efficiency of milk production using concentrate supplementation to lactating goats and the processing functionalities of goat milk for cheese manufacturing.

This project aims to assess the effect of a short episode of water restriction on high producing lactating goats. Water was withheld from eight Saanen and eight Alpine goats after the afternoon milking and until the following morning, on two consecutive days. Water and feed intake, body weight and major blood parameters were assessed daily for one day before, during water restriction, and two days after. Milk production and composition was also measured on a daily basis. The results showed that the animals experienced some dehydration due to the treatment, although they were able to maintain a total water intake similar to the control values recorded on day 1. A drop in feed intake was observed on the days of water restriction although body weight was not affected. Several blood indicators also pointed to the state of dehydration the animals were experiencing namely the increase in albumin, urea, osmolality and Na+. The goats were able to maintain milk production although milk composition was altered; milk urea and lactose increased under water restriction thus keeping milk isotonic with the blood. The observed changes reflect the activated mechanisms that limit body water loss and prevent further dehydration. It was concluded that high producing goats were able to sustain two short consecutive cycles of dehydration and rehydration, as indicated by their maintained body weight and milk production, with only transient physiological and milk changes.

Eight Alpine wethers (8-9 months of age, 27.5+/-1.10kg body weight (BW)) were randomly assigned to consume, free-choice, either shining sumac (Rhus copallina) or water oak (Quercus nigra) leaves as a sole diet. Leaves were collected and dried prior to feeding. A 14-day adaptation period was followed by a 4-day total fecal and urine collection. Chemical composition (%) of the fed water oak and shining sumac leaves revealed similar levels of OM (95.9 and 94.1) and N (1.54 and 1.42) but higher concentrations of cell wall fractions, NDF (54.8 and 31.2) and ADF (34.5 and 26.4), in water oak than shining sumac. Body weight of wethers differed between treatments, although this was not reflected in DM intake. Average daily intake values were 616g DM, 589g OM and 9.3g N. NDF intake was significantly lower (P=0.002) in goats-fed shining sumac than in those that consumed water oak (192 versus 330g). Daily fecal output of all components was higher (P

Frisa goat is an autochthonous breed from high Valtellina (Italian Central Alps), the territory of Sondalo and Grosio villages being regarded as its cradle.Widespread in the Province of Sondrio, it counts about 5.000 heads. Frisa Valtellinese has black coat, apart from the characteristic white stripes of the head (frisature) and other specific white regions, and short hair. In comparison with other similar autochthonous Alpine goat breeds it distinguishes thanks to its bigger size (80 cm at withers).

Data on 838 Common African kids and 688 crossbred kids, progeny of Common African breed does and 16 French Alpine bucks were used to detect the effect of sire breed, gender, type of birth, and age of does on body weights (BW) and average daily gains (ADG) of kids. Genetic, phenotypic parameters and estimates of heritability of 16 growth traits (eight BW taken at monthly intervals from birth up to seven months of age and eight ADG) were estimated from data collected by the French project (Kigali-est, Masaka, Rwanda). Sire breed and type of birth affected (P

Twelve milking Alpine does were randomly selected from the Langston University herd to determine the daily variations of milk somatic cell counts (SW), composition and production. Composite milk samples were collected daily at evening milking from mid-March (2-3 weeks in lactation) to mid-August (drying-off) in 1995. Milk samples were analyzed for SCC using a Fossomatic cell counter and for chemical composition using a Dairylab II milk analyzer. Both instruments were calibrated with goat milk standards. Concentrations of all milk composition variables (fat, protein, solids-non-fat and total solids), with the exception of lactose, were high (2.91 f 0.16%, 3.27 f O.lO%, 8.30 * 0.11% and 11.20 f 0.23%, respectively) in the first month after parturition, declined slightly and then remained constant until drying-off. Daily milk production increased steadily for the first 4 weeks following parturition and then decreased gradually. SCC in milk were high (887 f 400 X lo3 ml-‘) during the first 2 weeks of lactation. The lowest SCC were found in milk during the second month after parturition and then the SCC value increased as lactation advanced. Marked daily variations of SCC in goat milk were observed. These observations indicate that consecutive monthly SCC data collected from the once-a-month sampling plan of the Dairy Herd Improvement Association testing program must be used if the SCC is to be a direct estimator of mastitic conditions in Alpine goats. 0 1997 Elsevier Science B.V.

Here, we announce the first complete genome sequence of a field isolate of a peste des petits ruminants virus (PPRV) from northern Africa. This isolate is derived from an Alpine goat that suffered from severe clinical disease during the 2008 outbreak in Morocco. The full genome sequence of this isolate clusters phylogenetically with the lineage IV isolates of PPRV, sharing high levels of sequence identity with other lineage IV isolates.

Area and maximum depth of the longissimus muscle were measured using real-time ultrasound on 25 male Alpine goat kids. To our knowledge, this is the first report of use of real-time ultrasound to estimate carcass quality in goats. Ultrasonic measurements were taken: (A) between the 12th and 13th ribs and (B) at the first lumbar vertebra. Live weight, condition score, circumference of the widest part of the hind leg, length of the hind leg from the hip, heart girth, body length from shoulder to tail and length of the hind leg from hip to hock were also recorded. Kids were slaughtered 5 d after ultrasound measurements were taken. From carcass measurements, area of the longissimus muscle at both sites A and B averaged 5.6 cm2, and ranged from 4 to 8 cm2 at site A and from 3.6 to 7.6 cm at site B. At site A, the 12th and 13th ribs were very close together and it was difficult to obtain a distortion-free ultrasound image. Ultrasonograms at site B were free from rib-caused distortion, but this site was more difficult to locate repeatably. Despite these complications, the accuracy of measurement of longissimus area did not differ (P > 0.05) between the two sites. Maximum longissimus depth was more accurately measured at site A than at site B (P

About 950,000 goats, farmed mostly in hilly and mountainous areas of Albania, contribute about 8% of the country’s total milk production. In order to increase milk production, farmers are currently using crosses of the local goat breed with exotic breeds, mainly the Alpine breed from France. This study examines milk production data of first lactation from 45 goats of the local breed, 82 goats of the Alpine breed and 58 F1 crosses (♂Alpine breed x ♀local breed). The goats were kept on small-scale farms according to the traditional Albanian system. Milking was carried out in the morning and evening. Kids were weaned at 65 days of age after which milking started. Milk yield was recorded twice with a 15-day interval between the two readings. Total milk yield was calculated using the Fleischmann method. The F1 goats produced 37.8 kg more milk than local breed goats although the lactation length (P

Peste des petits ruminants virus (PPRV) recently caused a serious outbreak of disease in Moroccan sheep and goats. Alpine goats were highly susceptible to PPRV with mortality rates approaching 100%, as opposed to local breeds of sheep which were less susceptible to the disease. The relative susceptibility of alpine goats was investigated through an experimental infection study with the Moroccan strain of PPRV. Severe clinical signs were observed in the alpine goats with virus being excreted through ocular, nasal and oral routes. No difference in the severity of the disease in goats was observed with different inoculation routes and transmission of the virus by direct contact was confirmed. This study confirmed the susceptibility of the alpine goat to PPRV infection and describes a challenge protocol that effectively and consistently reproduced severe clinical signs of PPR in experimentally infected goats.

In this paper, the annual results of the effect of lactation on milk production, the contents of some chemical parameters in the milk (milk fat, protein and dry matter without fat) and somatic cells in milk goat breeds Alpino in intensive production during one production year. Control is included a total of 82 French Alpine goats in different lactations (first-16 heads, the second-19 heads, 29 heads the third-and fourth and subsequent lactation together-18 heads).). Somatic cell count and chemical quality of milk is controlled on a daily basis in the laboratory for raw milk AD 'Dairies' - Subotica on the machine CombiFoss FC 6200. The variability of the analyzed characteristics is presented descriptive parameters and the effect of lactation is determined by a factorial analysis of variance. The average value for somewhat milk goats for the treated population was 362.83 kg, with average milk fat content of 3.31%. Analysis of variance confirmed that the differences that were established under the influence of lactation for all traits analyzed, except for percentage of milk fat, were significant at P lt 0.01. U ovom radu prikazani su rezultati ispitivanja uticaja laktacije po redu na proizvodnju mleka, sadržaj mlečne masti, proteina i suve materije bez masti i broj somatskih ćelija u mleku koza francuske rase Alpina u intenzivnoj proizvodnji u toku jedne proizvodne godine. Kontrolom je obuhvaćeno ukupno 82 grla u različitim laktacijama (prva - 16 grla, druga - 19 grla, treća - 29 grla, a četvrta i naredne latkacije zajedno - 18 grla). Broj somatskih ćelija, kao i hemijski kvalitet mleka, kontrolisan je svakodnevno u laboratoriji za sirovo mleko AD 'Mlekare' - Subotica na aparatu CombiFoss 6200 FC. Varijabilnost analiziranih osobina je prikazana parametrima deskriptivne statistike, a uticaj laktacije po redu je utvrđen jednofaktorijalnom analizom varijanse. Prosečna vrednost za ukupnu količnu mleka kod ispitivane populacije koza iznosila je 362,83 kg, sa prosečnim sadržajem mlečne masti od 3,31%. Rezultati analize varijanse potvrđuju da su razlike koje su ustanovljene pod uticajem laktacije po redu za sve analizirane osobine, izuzev za procenat mlečne masti, bile značajne na nivou P lt 0.01.

The study was conducted to evaluate the effect of partial substitution of soybean meal by urea in the ration of alpine milking does on the physico-chemical composition, fatty acid profile, and sensory characteristics of the milk. Ten multiparous alpine goats, distributed in a 5X5 Latin square and five levels of urea (0.0; 0.5; 1.0; 1.5 e 2.0%) were used in five experimental periods of 17 days each - 12 days for adaptation and 5 days for data collection. There was no effect on the density index (g/cm3), acidity (?D), protein (%), total dry extract (%), dry defatted extract (%), ashes (%) and sensory characteristics (odor and flavor). Substitution of soybean meal by urea increased the concentration of milk fat and short chain fatty acids. However, sensory characteristics of the milk were not altered and acceptable by the taste panel.

Colostrum from French-Alpine and Anglo-Nubian goats and Holstein cows was collected and analyzed for both total and FFA of 12 and fewer carbon atoms. Short-chain VFA were separated from long-chain fatty acids using simultaneous distillation extraction. The n-butyl esters of fatty acids were quantified by gas chromatography, and their identity was confirmed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The concentration of decanoic acid was 33 and 83% less in Holstein colostrum than in colostrum from Alpine and Nubian goats, respectively. Colostrum from Nubian goats had twice as much decanoic acid as colostrum from Alpine goats. The FFA in colostrum that differed between species but not between goat breeds were octanoic and decanoic acids. These respective fatty acids were approximately two and three times greater in colostrum from goats than in colostrum from Holsteins. The quantity of decanoic acid was different between goat breeds and between animal species. The ratio of total fatty acid concentration to free-state concentration for hexanoic acid appeared to be useful for differentiating between Nubian and Alpine goat colostrum as well as between Nubian and Holstein colostrums.