Venous segments in the goat (Capra hircus) spleen

46 goat spleens were studied to observe the venous segmentation in them by preparing the corrosion cast of the splenic vein and its intrasplenic tree. 56.5% of the specimens revealed the presence of two splenic venous segments - a right and a left one -, and 30.4% of cases showed the presence of three venous segments - a right, a left and a hilar one. The rest did not show any venous segmentations.     

Non-cutaneous peripheral thermosensitivity in the goat (Capra hircus)

1. A 0.2 m2 area of the trunk skin was denervated and its center was externally cooled or warmed, when central body temperature was lowered. 2. When the denervated skin was cooled, the central body temperature, at which shivering occurred, was significantly higher than with warming of the denervated skin. 3. It is concluded that the difference was caused by temperature signals originating from thermoreceptors in tissue layers underneath the denervated skin.     

Basic haematological values in the Cameroon goat (Capra hircus)

1. Basic haematological values in 165 Cameroon goats (Capra hircus) are reported. 2. The erythrocyte count, mean 14.36 x 10(12) l-1, ranged from 8.24 to 24.7 x 10(12) l-1; the haematocrit values, mean 0.304, varied from 0.20 to 0.38; the haemoglobin content, mean 113.4 g/l, was in the range from 83.0 to 143.0 g/l and the leukocyte count, mean 13.67 x 10(9) l-1, had lowest and highest values between 5.4 and 24.5 x 10(9) l-1. 3. Comparing these blood constituents in 47 male and 118 female Cameroon goats we demonstrated statistically significant lower values of the haematocrit and haemoglobin content and a statistically significant higher proportion of lymphocytes in the female animals. 4. In 16 pregnant and 30 non-pregnant female Cameroon goats, all animals older than 3 years, no statistically significant differences of the red blood picture were noted. 5. Also in three groups, assorted according to age, no significant changes in basic haematological parameters were seen. 6. During one year follow-up of some haematological parameters, statistically significant seasonal changes were found. 7. All presented data are compared with values abstracted from the literature and discussed.     

Distribution of rhodanese in tissues of goat (Capra hircus)

Rhodanese (thiosulfate: cyanide sulfurtransferase, EC. 2.8.1.1) is a ubiquitous enzyme present in all living organisms, from bacteria to humans and plays a central role in cyanide detoxification. The purpose of this investigation is to determine and compare rhodanese activity in different tissues of adult male and female goats (Capra hircus). The results showed that the specific activity of rhodanese in different tissues was significantly different (P<0.05). The highest activity of rhodanese was in epithelium of rumen, followed by epithelia of reticulum and omasum and liver. No significant difference was observed when tissues of male and female goats were compared. The lowest specific activity of rhodanese was observed in spleen, urinary bladder, lymph node, ovary, skeletal muscle and pyloric muscle of abomasum. The results of this study may indicate the involvement of rhodanese in cyanide detoxification in goat tissues that have greater potential to be exposed to higher levels of cyanide.     

Genetic diversity of nine populations of the black goat (Capra hircus) in Sichuan, PR China

Sixteen polymorphic primers screened from 100 random primers were selected to analyze the randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) of 540 domesticated black goats (Capra hircas) from 9 different geographical populations in Sichuan Province of China. After the test, 170 entirely repeatable RAPD markers representing goat polymorphisms were obtained from the 16 polymorphic primers, the lengths of the markers ranging from 0.1 to 2.5 kb. The genetic distance among the black goat populations ranges from 0.1051 to 0.2978. The similarity coefficient (0.9002) between Jintang and Lezhi black goats was the highest in the 9 populations, followed by the coefficient (0.8953) between Jialing and Yinshan goats, while that between Jiangan and Huili goats was found to be the lowest (0.7424). The coefficient of differentiation among population genes (Gst) was 0.2766, indicating a comparatively low degree of differentiation among the black goat populations. A UPGMA dendrogram constructed from similarity coefficients showed that the two populations from Huili and Baiyu, which are found mostly on the Western Sichuan plateau and in mountainous areas, clustered together, and the other seven populations formed another group. It can also be clearly seen that the Huili and Baiyu populations are very special, and must have been closely related in the past, even though their link with the other populations is quite weak as a result of genetic communication. The results of the experiment offer some crucial scientific data useful for the breeding of black goats.     

Coccidia of the domestic goat (Capra hircus) in Saudi Arabia.

Faeces of 228 domestic goats (Capra hircus) from the central region of Saudi Arabia were examined for the presence of coccidian oocysts. Ten species of coccidia were identified and described. A total of 90.3% of the specimens were positive, most of them contained 100-1000 oocysts per g of faecal sample. Kids less than 1 year old had higher oocyst counts than goatlings or adult goats. Mixed infections with three to five species were found in 69.7% of the specimens and six to eight species were found in 10.1%. Eimeria arloingi and E. hirci were most prevalent. E. alijevi, E. ninakohlyakimovae, E. caprina, E. christenseni and E. apsheronica were less common. E. jolchijevi, E. caprovina and E. punctata were relatively rare.     

Sensory and physiological determinants of maternal behavior in the goat (Capra hircus)

Maternal behavior in the goat appears at the time of parturition, partly under the activating influence of vaginocervical stimulation. Mothers actively lick their neonate and rapidly establish a selective bond with their kid through olfactory recognition. They also develop visual and acoustic recognition of the kid within 4 h following birth. Acoustic recognition is present at 48 h. The establishment of maternal recognition can be impaired by underfeeding during the second half of pregnancy. There is no indication that the mechanisms controlling the onset of maternal behavior and bonding are different from those reported in sheep, despite the fact that lambs start to follow their mother within a few hours after birth and kids hide for about a week. During lactation, the cues provided by the kid are necessary for the maintenance of maternal responsiveness, but suckling itself does not appear of primary importance. The presence of the kid also modulates the hormonal response to udder stimulation and influences recovery of postpartum sexual activity when kidding (i.e. birthing) takes place in autumn. Finally, the rapid establishment of mutual attachment between mother goats (does) and their kids offers the possibility to investigate an aspect of mother-young affiliation that is not present in many laboratory species.     

Purification and characterization of milk clotting enzyme from goat (Capra hircus)

Chymosin, the major component of rennet (milk clotting enzyme), is an acid protease produced in the fourth stomach of milk-fed ruminants including goat and sheep in the form of an inactive precursor prochymosin. It is responsible for hydrolysis of kappa-casein chain in casein micelles of milk and therefore, used as milk coagulant in cheese preparation. The present investigation was undertaken to purify and characterize goat (Capra hircus) chymosin for its suitability as milk coagulant. The enzyme was extracted from abomasal tissue of kid and purified nearly 30-fold using anion exchanger and gel filtration chromatography. Goat chymosin resolved into three major active peaks, indicating possible heterogeneity when passed through DEAE-cellulose ion exchange column. The purified enzyme had a molecular mass of 36 kDa on SDS-PAGE, which was further confirmed by Western blot analysis. The purified enzyme preparation was stable up to 55 degrees C with maximum activity at 30 degrees C. The milk clotting activity was decreased steadily as pH is increased and indicated maximum activity at pH 5.5. Proteolytic activity of goat chymosin increased with incubation time at 37 degrees C. Goat chymosin was found to be more thermostable than cattle chymosin and equally stable to buffalo chymosin.     

Blood groups and protein polymorphisms in five goat breeds (Capra hircus)

Data on allele frequencies at six red cell blood group systems and three blood protein polymorphic loci in five goat breeds are reported. Two blood proteins, albumin and carbonic anhy-drase, were not found to be polymorphic. The B blood group system of goats, like its homologue in cattle and sheep, is highly complex. At least 44 B phenogroups (haplotypes) have been distinguished in this study. Based on the variation in allele frequencies between breeds, genetic distances were calculated. The distances estimated by four different methods were in close agreement with data from the history and geographic origins of the breeds examined.     

Detection of myostatin gene MSTN in some goat breeds (Capra hircus)

Till now not information about myostatin MSTN gene in Egyptian goat breeds. Here we show more information about MSTN in some Egyptian goat breeds to enrich the database with new sequences for Egyptian goat breeds. Our conducted study focused on detection and identifying the MSTN gene as a candidate gene of the muscles growth trait in three goat breeds (Zaraibi, Baladi and Damascus). We found the similarity between the registered sequences with the accession numbers KY463684 for Zaraibi and KY463685 for Baladi and Chinese goat breeds of the MSTN gene deposited with international gene banks by up to 99% and some other species including sheep, cows and bull breeds with percentages of 95 to 97% and between 95 to 99%, respectively. There is also a correlation between the sequences of the registered pieces of Baladi with KY463686 and Damascus and Chinese breeds with KY441464 of MSTN deposited with international gene banks by up to 99% and some other species including sheep and bull breeds at a ratio of 99% for two pieces. Results demonstrated the deposited sequences of object are part of intron 1, exon 2 is fully sequenced with Zaraibi and Baladi breeds; the intron 1, exon 1 with Baladi breed; and the intron 2, part of exon 3 with Damascus breed. Therefore, the Egyptian goat breeds consider national wealth can be used to develop breeding and improvement programs which helps in more applicable scopes like biotechnology, genetic engineering and molecular biology with the help of bioinformatics tools.     

Ovarian activities of the West African dwarf goat (Capra hircus) during oestrus

Ovarian activity was studied by laparotomy of 9 adult nulliparous goats in which oestrus was synchronized. Ovulation occurred in animals operated on 20-48 h from the onset of sexual receptivity. There was a mean ovulation rate of 1.57 ova per doe and the right and left ovaries had similar follicular activity in relation to sizes of follicles and ovulations.     

Immunolocalization of natriuretic peptides and their receptors in goat (Capra hircus) heart

Natriuretic peptides are structurally similar, but genetically distinct, hormones that participate in cardiovascular homeostasis by regulating blood and extracellular fluid volume and blood pressure. We investigated the distribution of natriuretic peptides and their receptors in goat (Capra hircus) heart tissue using the peroxidase-anti-peroxidase (PAP) immunohistochemical method. Strong staining of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) was observed in atrial cardiomyocytes, while strong staining for brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) was observed in ventricular cardiomyocytes. Slightly stronger cytoplasmic C-type natriuretic peptide (CNP) immunostaining was detected in the ventricles compared to the atria. Natriuretic peptide receptor-A (NPR-A) immunoreactivity was more prominent in the atria, while natriuretic peptide receptor-B (NPR-B) immunoreactivity was stronger in the ventricles. Cytoplasmic natriuretic peptide receptor-C (NPR-C) immunoreactivity was observed in both the atria and ventricles, although staining was more prominent in the ventricles. ANP immunoreactivity ranged from weak to strong in endothelial and vascular smooth muscle cells. Endothelial cells exhibited moderate to strong BNP immunoreactivity, while vascular smooth cells displayed weak to strong staining. Endothelial cells exhibited weak to strong cytoplasmic CNP immunoreactivity. Vascular smooth muscle cells were labeled moderately to strongly for CNP. Weak to strong cytoplasmic NPR-A immunoreactivity was found in the endothelial cells and vascular smooth muscle cells stained weakly to moderately for NPR-A. Endothelial and vascular smooth cells exhibited weak to strong cytoplasmic NPR-B immunoreactivity. Moderate to strong NPR-C immunoreactivity was observed in the endothelial and smooth muscle cells. Small gender differences in the immunohistochemical distribution of natriuretic peptides and receptors were observed. Our findings suggest that endothelial cells, vascular smooth cells and cardiomyocytes express both natriuretic peptides and their receptors.     

Development of preimplantation goat (Capra hircus) embryos in vivo and in vitro

Preimplantation goat embryos were cultured with or without goat oviduct epithelial cells in Earle's 199 medium + 10% goat serum (E199 + 10%GS), and in three different simple chemically defined media. In-vivo development was characterized by an extended 8- to 16-cell stage followed by a rapid cleavage rate in the next 3 cell cycles. Culture of 1-8-cell embryos in Medium E199 + 10%GS led to cleavage arrest at the 8-16-cell stage, while in the chemically defined media embryos developed poorly and a high percentage failed to pass the 8-16-cell stage. In co-culture, however, a high percentage (77% and 96%) of 1-2-cell and 4-8-cell embryos, respectively, developed beyond the 16-cell stage. In co-culture, 1-2-cell embryos maintained cleavage rates equivalent to those in vivo until the 8-cell stage, but thereafter cell numbers lagged behind those in vivo, and by 168 h after ovulation, cell numbers (+/- s.e.) in vitro were 47.6 +/- 7.9 compared to 238 +/- 27.2 in vivo (t = 6.93, P less than 0.001). The results demonstrate that co-culture of embryos with oviduct cells allows a high percentage of embryos to develop through the period of cleavage arrest, providing a favourable environment for development through the 1-16-cell stages but a less adequate environment for development to the blastocyst stage.     

Effect of repeated oral administration of quinalphos to male goat (Capra hircus)

Quinalphos given in daily oral doses of 0.5 mg/kg for 110 days induced severe signs of organophosphorus poisoning in male goats. The inhibition of acetylcholinesterase activity in erythrocyte was highly significant. The activity of liver glutamic; oxaloacetic transaminase, glutamic; pyruvic.transaminase, alkaline phosphatase and protein indicated marked alteration. The haematological changes were however, relatively less significant with the exception of a very low count of red blood cells and white blood cells in the treated animals. Among the vital organs, only liver suggested mild cellular changes due to quinalphos intoxication. There was no significant pathological change in other organs of the treated animals. In animals observed after 15 and 30 days rest, the activity of acetylcholinesterase in red blood cells and haematological picture showed a fairly good recovery. This study suggests that although quinalphos in low concentrations did not produce discernible cellular changes, it induced highly significant enzymatic and haematological changes in the goat.     

Seasonal and hormonal control of pulsatile LH secretion in the dairy goat (Capra hircus)

In Exp. 1, the changes in pulsatile LH secretion at the onset of the breeding season were observed in 20 intact, mature Saanen does. Blood was sampled every 20 min for 6 h each week from the beginning of August until the onset of ovulatory activity, as evidenced by cycles in plasma progesterone. The first doe ovulated at the end of August and all were cycling by the end of September. As the first ovulation approached, LH pulse frequency increased by 67% and mean levels of LH increased by 47%. These changes were progressive rather than abrupt. In Exp. 2, seasonal changes in the inhibition of pulsatile LH secretion by ovarian steroids were studied in ovariectomized Saanen does. The animals were untreated (N = 4) or given subcutaneous oestradiol implants (N = 4) and blood was sampled every 10 min for 6 h, twice during the breeding season and twice during the anoestrous season. In each season, the second series of samples was taken after the animals had been treated with progesterone, administered by intravaginal implants. Season did not significantly affect LH secretion in goats not treated with oestradiol, but LH pulse frequency was 54% lower during the anoestrous season than during the breeding season in oestradiol-treated goats. Mean LH concentrations were affected in the same manner as pulse frequency, but pulse amplitude was increased by oestradiol treatment in both seasons. Progesterone had no detectable effect on LH secretion in either season. In Exp. 3, the response to repeated melatonin injections at a set time after dawn was investigated in 11 oestradiol-treated, ovariectomized goats.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Rumen protozoal diversity in the Spanish ibex (Capra pyrenaica hispanica) as compared with domestic goats (Capra hircus)

Rumen protozoal diversity in the Spanish ibex (SI) was studied in males (n=4), females (n=7) and young (n=4) from the Maestrazgo (Spain) and contrasted with domestic goats (n=3; DG) of the same region. There were no differences among SI types in protozoal concentration or in the number of protozoal species. Only protozoa from the genus Entodinium were observed in SI (seven species), the highest numbers corresponding to E. damae, E. ovibos and E. parvum. DG harboured threefold more species than SI. Nine to 10 Entodinium spp. were observed, but E. ovibos was absent from the rumen of DG, and E. damae was in only one animal. E. caudatum (caudatum, dubardi and lobospinosum morphotypes) occurred in the highest percentage, and E. dubardi, E. exiguum and E. parvum were quite abundant. Four genera of the subfamily Diplodiniinae and the genera Isotricha and Dasytricha from the family Isotrichidae were detected in DG. Epidinium (two DG) and Ophryoscolex (one DG) were also observed. Denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis analysis agreed with microscopic classification, showing up to 8 and 16 bands in SI and DG samples, respectively. The three DG clustered together (similarity index over 0.84), and separately from SI (similarity index over 0.86), with only 0.58 similarity between host species.     

Influence of cohabitation between domestic goat (Capra aegagrus hircus) and Iberian ibex (Capra pyrenaica hispanica) on seroprevalence of infectious diseases

We have investigated the prevalence of infection with different pathogens in domestic goat (Capra hircus) and Iberian ibex (Capra pyrenaica hispanica) populations from two neighbouring geographical zones (with or without cohabitation between wild and domestic species) in Spain. No ibexes were found to be seropositive for Brucella melitensis, Mycoplasma mycoides supspecies mycoides (Mycoplasma mycoides), bovine leukaemia virus, and Chlamydophila abortus or bovine herpes virus type 1 (BHV-1). Domestic goats from both zones were detected with antibodies to Chlamydophila abortus and BHV-1. The percentage seroprevalence against Coxiella burnetii, Mycoplasma agalactiae, Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis (MAP), caprine arthritis encephalitis virus (CAEV) and bluetongue virus (BTV) was clearly higher in domestic goats compared to wild ibexes in both zones, although CAEV showed negative results in a zone where species were isolated from each other. Moreover, Borrelia burgdorferi and Pestivirus infection showed moderate seroprevalence differences between domestic and wild goats in cohabitation zones, with the highest prevalence found in wild ibexes from a non-cohabitation zone. Our results showed that cohabitation between species was a risk factor (P?<?0.05) in Q fever infection.     

Ion-exchange chromatography used to isolate a spermadhesin-related protein from domestic goat (Capra hircus) seminal plasma

Mammalian seminal plasma contains among others, proteins called spermadhesins, which are the major proteins of boar and stallion seminal plasma. These proteins appear to be involved in capacitation and sperm-egg interaction. Previously, we reported the presence of a protein related to spermadhesins in goat seminal plasma. In the present study, we have further characterized this protein, and we propose ion-exchange chromatography to isolate this seminal protein. Semen was obtained from four adult Saanen bucks. Seminal plasma was pooled, dialyzed against distilled water and freeze-dried. Lyophilized proteins were loaded onto an ion-exchange chromatography column. Dialyzed-lyophilized proteins from the main peak of DEAE-Sephacel were applied to a C2/C18 column coupled to an RP-HPLC system, and the eluted proteins were lyophilized for electrophoresis. The N-terminal was sequenced and amino acid sequence similarity was determined using CLUSTAL W. Additionally, proteins from DEAE-Sephacel chromatography step were dialyzed and submitted to a heparin-Sepharose high-performance liquid chromatography. Goat seminal plasma after ion-exchange chromatography yielded 6.47 +/- 0.63 mg (mean +/- SEM) of the major retained fraction. The protein was designated BSFP (buck seminal fluid protein). BSFP exhibited N-terminal sequence homology to boar, stallion and bull spermadhesins. BSFP showed no heparin-binding capabilities. These results together with our previous data indicate that goat seminal plasma contains a protein that is structurally related to proteins of the spermadhesin family. Finally, this protein can be efficiently isolated by ion-exchange and reverse-phase chromatography.