Effects of gastrointestinal helminth infections and plane of nutrition on the health and productivity of F1 (West African Dwarf x Sahelian) goat crosses in The Gambia

in Small Ruminant Research (2003), 50(1-2), 153-161

A two by two factorial design including natural helminth infections (dewormed 'D' or not dewormed 'ND') and different levels of diet (basal 'B' or basal diet plus supplement 'S') was used to assess the ... [more ▼]

A two by two factorial design including natural helminth infections (dewormed 'D' or not dewormed 'ND') and different levels of diet (basal 'B' or basal diet plus supplement 'S') was used to assess the effect of helminth infections and plane of nutrition on health and productivity of F1 (West African Dwarf (WAD) x Sahelian) crosses. The pasture composed the basal diet and supplemented animals received cottonseed and rice bran. Feed composition analysis revealed that the pasture did not provide sufficient nutrients for reproduction requirements. Feed supplementation had a significant effect on weight gain of does during pregnancy and lactation, and milk off-take was significantly higher in supplemented does compared to non-supplemented ones (31.3 +/- 2.5 1 versus 17.7 +/- 2.5 1 respectively, P < 0.01). A peri-parturient rise in strongyle egg output was noted, and diet supplementation tended to reduce faecal egg count and to increase packed cell volume (PCV), mainly during the dry season. Deworming had a significant effect on red blood cell (RBC) count, PCV and haemoglobin (Hb) concentration, mainly during the period of peak strongyle egg output (season x deworming: P < 0.001 for RBC and PCV and P < 0.05 for Hb). Helminth infections combined with a basal diet seriously affected weight gain but the interaction of deworming and diet was not significant. In groups receiving the basal diet, dewormed animals had a significantly higher milk yield than those that were not dewormed (23.5 +/- 3.31 versus 12.0 +/- 3.71, respectively; interaction diet x deworming: P < 0.05). The higher daily weight gains of offspring born from dewormed does might be explained by the fact that, in addition to the effect of deworming on milk yield in animals receiving basal diet, the kids were less exposed to helminth eggs, whereas does that were not dewormed constituted a greater source of helminth infection for their kids. (C) 2003 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved. [less ▲]

Association of milk traits with SSCP polymorphisms at the growth hormone gene in the serrana goat

in Small Ruminant Research (2003), 50

The five exons and the 5' and 3'-untranslated regions (5'-UTR and 3'-UTR) of the oGH gene were screened for mutations using PCR-single strand conformation polymorphism (PCR-SSCP) procedures in 523 Serra ... [more ▼]

The five exons and the 5' and 3'-untranslated regions (5'-UTR and 3'-UTR) of the oGH gene were screened for mutations using PCR-single strand conformation polymorphism (PCR-SSCP) procedures in 523 Serra da Estrela ewes and were found to be highly polymorphic. The region extending across and between the GH2-N and GH2-Z copies was sequenced allowing the design of primers for the specific PCR amplification of each copy. These were cloned and sequenced in 20 animals representative of all SSCP patterns. The corresponding genotypes were established for each copy following nucleotide sequencing of SSCP alleles. Twenty-four polymorphic sites were found at the GH2-N (or GH1) and fourteen at the GH2-Z copies. Eight amino acid substitutions were predicted at the GH2-N and six at the GH2-Z copies. Milk yield adjusted to 150 lactation days was analysed for the genotype of each oGH gene copy taken separately or together (associated genotypes) by restricted maximum likelihood (REML) through a univariate best linear unbiased prediction (BLUP) animal model with repeated measures. Significant associations between genotypes and milk yield were observed. Within GH2-N genotypes there was a milk yield differential of 21.4+/-0.2 l/150 d between the most (N7) and the least (N5) productive ones. Within GH2-Z genotypes there was a differential of 21.6+/-0.2 l/150 d between the most (Z8) and the least (Z1) productive ones. The effect of associated GH2-N and GH2-Z genotypes revealed a differential of 39.6+/-0.3 l/150 d between the most (N1+Z7) and the least (N3+Z2) productive associated genotypes. The results show that GH2-N and GH2-Z genotypes significantly affect milk yield in Serra da Estrela ewes. Moreover, the apparent joint effect of GH2-N and GH2-Z genotype could improve milk yield in 25% as compared with the mean milk production of the analysed population. [less ▲]

Relationship between maternal concentrations of caprine pregnancy-associated glycoprotein in Alpine goats and the number of fetuses using a homologous radioimmunoassay

in Small Ruminant Research (2001), 42(2), 105-109

The relationship between maternal caprine pregnancy-associated glycoprotein (cPAG) concentrations and fetal number was investigated in 21 nulliparous and 17 multiparous goats. Using a homologous ... [more ▼]

The relationship between maternal caprine pregnancy-associated glycoprotein (cPAG) concentrations and fetal number was investigated in 21 nulliparous and 17 multiparous goats. Using a homologous radioimmunoassay (hm-RIA) cPAG was detected in plasma of pregnant goats from the 21st day of pregnancy. Statistical differences between goats bearing single and multiple fetuses were observed after 63 days to the end of pregnancy, except on day 133. After 126 days (3rd week pre-partum) cPAG levels began to decrease slowly in both the groups. The hm-RIA was an efficient method to describe the relationship between maternal PAO concentrations and number of fetuses in goats. (C) 2001 Published by Elsevier Science B.V. [less ▲]

Pregnancy-Associated Glycoprotein and progesterone profiles during pregnancy and postpartum in native goats from north-east of Brazil.

in Small Ruminant Research (1999), 32

Pregnancy diagnosis is a critical procedure for monitoring goat reproductive performance. In the present investigation, pregnancy-associated glycoprotein (PAG) profiles during pregnancy and first month ... [more ▼]

Pregnancy diagnosis is a critical procedure for monitoring goat reproductive performance. In the present investigation, pregnancy-associated glycoprotein (PAG) profiles during pregnancy and first month postpartum, as well as progesterone (P4) concentrations throughout pregnancy, were determined in native goats from the north-east of Brazil. A total of 30 goats (Moxoto, n = 19 and Caninde, n = 11) were used. Peripheral blood was collected on days 0 (Day 0 = AI), 11, 16, 18, 20, 24 and 30 after AI. Samples were subsequently collected every 2 weeks until day 145, and weekly during the first month postpartum. The levels of PAG and P4 were determined by radioimmunoassay (RIA). The profiles of PAG were not different between the breeds throughout pregnancy. However, a significant effect of the week of pregnancy (p < 0.01) and the number of fetuses (p < 0.05) in PAG concentrations were found. Lower concentrations of PAG were observed during weeks 1 and 3, compared to the rest of the gestation. Thereafter, there was a significant (p < 0.05) increase in PAG concentrations from week 5 to 7 and a significant decrease (p < 0.05) in week 9. The PAG concentrations remained relatively constant until week 17, and finally decreased slowly until parturition. After parturition, PAG concentrations decreased rapidly, and continued to decrease until week 4. During pregnancy, mean P4 concentrations had weekly variations among the animals (p < 0.01) and the period of pregnancy (p < 0.01), but P4 was not affected by the breed or number of fetuses. These results indicate that PAG and P4 concentrations were similar for Caninde and Moxoto goats and that, for both the breeds, the stage of pregnancy and the number of fetuses could influence PAG production. [less ▲]

Plasma pregnancy-associated glycoprotein and progesterone concentrations in pregnant Assaff ewes carrying single and twin lambs

in Small Ruminant Research (1997), 24(2), 125-131

Ovine pregnancy-associated glycoprotein (oPAG) and progesterone (P4) concentrations were monitored weekly during the last three months of gestation and the first month postpartum in plasma of twelve Assaf ... [more ▼]

Ovine pregnancy-associated glycoprotein (oPAG) and progesterone (P4) concentrations were monitored weekly during the last three months of gestation and the first month postpartum in plasma of twelve Assaf ewes. The oPAG levels were determined with a heterologous RIA using bovine PAG as standard and tracer and rabbit antiserum against oPAG. The P4 levels were measured with a radioimmunological procedure with a sensitivity to less than 0.1 ng/ml. The oPAG profiles in ewes carrying a single lamb and in those carrying twins were very similar from week 9 of gestation to lambing. Ewes which had twins presented numerically higher oPAG concentrations from week 12 to lambing, but that difference was only significant (p<0.05) at week 21. Ewes carrying twins presented higher (P<0.05) P4 concentrations from weeks 12 to 20 of gestation than those carrying a single lamb, but afterwards there was no difference. No correlation was found between P4 and oPAG concentrations at each stage of gestation studied in any group. After lambing, P4 levels dropped rapidly in one week, whereas oPAG decreased in four weeks to basal values in both groups of ewes. No relationship (P>0.05) was found between oPAG concentrations and lamb birth-weight at any week of gestation considered in this study. However, the lamb birth-weight was positively correlated (P<0.10) with the P4 concentrations from weeks 9 to 19 of gestation. Results indicate that number of fetuses could influence the oPAG production in ewes during the last three months of gestation. [less ▲]