Birthdate, mass and survival in mountain goat kids: effects of maternal characteristics and forage quality

In temperate environments, early-born ungulates may enjoy a longer growth period before winter, and so attain a higher body mass and an increased probability of survival compared to late-born ones. We assessed the effects of maternal characteristics, forage quality and population density on kid birthdate, mass and survival in a population of marked mountain goats (Oreamnos americanus) in Alberta. The duration and timing of the birth season were similar in all years. Births were highly synchronised: 80% of kids were born within 2 weeks of the first birth. Maternal age, maternal social rank and density did not affect kid birthdate or mass. Previous breeding experience was not related to kid birthdate, but kids born to pluriparous mothers were heavier during summer than kids born to primiparous mothers. Male and female kids had similar mass and accumulated mass linearly during summer. Early-born kids were heavier than late-born kids. Faecal crude protein (FCP) in late spring and maternal mass were positively related to kid mass. Survival to weaning appeared higher for males (90%) than for females (78%), but survival to 1 year was 65% for both sexes. FCP in late spring, density, birthdate and mass did not affect kid survival to weaning in either sex. Survival to 1 year increased with FCP in late spring for females, but not for males. Survival to 1 year was independent of birthdate for both sexes, but heavy females survived better than light ones. Multiple logistic regression revealed a positive effect of mass on survival to 1 year when the sexes were pooled. Our results suggest that mountain goats are constrained to give birth in a short birth season synchronised with forage productivity.     

Survival analysis of mortality in pre-weaning kids of Sirohi goat

Pre-weaning animals exit a flock through death induced by various reasons, causing significant economic losses to the goat producers. In this study, we investigated the survival from birth to weaning of Sirohi goat kids within framework of the survival analysis. Kid records were accessed from 1997 to 2017, with the information on 4417 pre-weaning animals of farmed Sirohi goat native to the Rajasthan State of India. A multivariable Cox regression was fitted to the data after checking the assumptions of regression. The explanatory variables were sex, type of birth, season of birth, birthweight, doe weight at kidding and year of birth. Model selection eliminated doe weight from the model, and sex, type of birth, season of birth, birthweight and year of birth were retained in the model. With model calibration also, these five covariates were retained in the model. The mortality on the first day after birth was 0.3%, constituting 3.5% of all pre-weaning mortality. The mortality until the end of weaning period was 7.8%. Regression analysis revealed that the higher birthweight at kidding was associated with reduced hazard of death among the kids. Male kids had higher hazards of death compared with female kids. The single-born kids had lower risks of death compared with twin-born kids after accounting for heterogeneity. The winter season had a very high adverse effect on the survival of the kids. With each passing year, risks of death decreased. The results of this study indicate that better survival of kids can be achieved by controlling both environmental and animal-related factors.     

Crop-residue supplementation of pregnant does influences birth weight and weight gain of kids, daily milk yield but not the progesterone profile of Red Sokoto goats

The parameters investigated in this study with the objective of evaluating growth, lactation and reproductive performances, included birth weight, litter size, 0-90 days gain and average daily gain of kids as well as the milk yield and progesterone profile of Red Sokoto does supplemented with crop-residue based rations during the long-dry period of the subhumid zone in Nigeria. A total of 7 treatments of 4 goats each was utilised. All treatment groups had a basal diet of Digitaria smutsii hay and natural pasture ad libitum. Ration A supplemented with the conventional concentrate was used as the positive control; rations B and C were supplemented with crop residues; and ration D without supplement was used as the negative control. Supplementation with concentrate and crop residues significantly increased (P < 0.05) the birth weight and liveweight gains of kids, but littersize was unaffected. The heaviest kids at birth (1.3-1.4 kg) were from does in treatments 1A, 2A and 2C, while does in treatments 1B, 2B, 1C and D had the lightest kids (1.07-1.18 kg). The highest gains of 53.9 g x day(-1) were recorded in treatment 2A and the least (32.4 g x day(-1)) in treatment 1B. Supplementation also significantly influenced (P < 0.01) the daily milk yield of dams over the 90-day period of the dry season. All the does had similar progesterone profiles from late gestation through parturition to early lactation irrespective of their treatment group. It was concluded that ration C fed at the 2% level is a good and affordable supplementary feed package for increased birth weight and preweaning gains in kids for meat production.     

Season of birth modifies puberty in female and male goats raised under subtropical conditions

In seasonal goats and sheep breeds, onset of puberty is modified by the season of birth. As adult does and bucks from subtropical Mexico display seasonal variation in their reproductive behaviour, this study was carried out to determine the effect of season of birth on puberty. Three groups of each sex born in January, May and October were used. During the seasons, does and bucks were weaned at an age of 30 days and offered ad libitum alfalfa hay and 100 g of commercial concentrate. In the female kids, the onset of ovulatory activity was determined by progesterone plasma concentrations once in a week from 3 months of age until the onset of puberty. In the male kids, the onset of puberty was individually recorded by observing the ability to mount and intromit an induced oestrous female goat aged 3 months and the presence of spermatozoa in the ejaculate obtained in an artificial vagina 1 week after the first mount. In female kids, there was an effect of the season on the date of first ovulation (P < 0.001). In the May group, ovulatory activity commenced at an earlier age (201 ± 3 days) compared with January (264 ± 5 days) and October (344 ± 5 days) groups (P < 0.001). In the January group also, the ovulatory activity commenced earlier than the October group (P < 0.001). In males, an effect of the season of birth on the first mounting was observed (P < 0.001). The male kids that were born in May (111 ± 3) and October (112 ± 5 days) attained puberty earlier than those born in January (131 ± 4 days; P < 0.001). The time of onset of puberty did not differ between groups of May and October. All males showed the presence of spermatozoa in the first ejaculate obtained 1 week after the first mount. The spermatozoa in all ejaculates were immobile. It was concluded that the season of birth modified the onset of puberty in both genders, but these modifications were more pronounced in the female than in the male kid goats.     

Initiation of the breeding season in ewe lambs and goat kids with melatonin implants

Sixty-eight female and 4 male lambs of the Chios breed born in autumn (September–October) and 48 female and 4 male kids of the Damascus breed also born in autumn (November), were used to evaluate the effect of melatonin implants (Regulin^®) on the initiation of the breeding season. For each species and sex, half of the animals were either left untreated to serve as controls (C) or received ear implants (females one and males two implants) of melatonin (MEL) in May (spring). Each C and MEL group of females was kept separately and away from males for 5 weeks after implantation and then, C and MEL males were joined with the respective groups for 45 (sheep) and 35 days (goats). Animals not conceiving during the early June–July breeding season, were mated again in September (natural breeding season). The reproductive performance and the 60-day milk yield of animals giving birth during the two seasons were compared. Early in the season (mid November–December), significantly more MEL than C ewes and goats gave birth (75.5% versus 23.5%, p < 0.01; 70.8% versus 37.5%, p < 0.05, respectively). For both species, most of the other characteristics examined were significantly affected by season, but not by treatment. Females giving birth early in the season were approximately 80 days younger at parturition and recorded a lower body weight at mating than those giving birth in the natural February–March season. In the first mating period, the animals mated and conceived had similar body weights to those not mated. The natural, compared with the early June–July mating season, was associated in sheep with higher litter weight at birth (7.0 kg versus 5.8 kg, p < 0.05) and in sheep and goats with a higher number (p < 0.05) of offspring born live (1.78 versus 1.38; 2.0 versus 1.61, respectively) and weaned (1.74 versus 1.36; 1.82 versus 1.35, respectively). Total litter size at birth and 60-day milk yield after weaning, were not significantly different between the two seasons. It could be concluded that melatonin implants administered during the last month of spring in autumn-born female Chios sheep and Damascus goats, advanced the initiation of their breeding season by about 80 days when joined with young males also treated with melatonin implants. The overall reproductive performance and milk yield of animals breeding early, was satisfactory and comparable to that of animals breeding in the natural breeding season.     

Genome‐scan analysis for genetic mapping of quantitative trait loci underlying birth weight and onset of puberty in doe kids (Capra hircus)

The objective of this study was to locate quantitative trait loci (QTL) causing variation in birth weight and age of puberty of doe kids in a population of Rayini cashmere goats. Four hundred and thirty kids from five half‐sib families were genotyped for 116 microsatellite markers located on the caprine autosomes. The traits recorded were birth weight of the male and female kids, body weight at puberty, average daily gain from birth to age of puberty and age at puberty of the doe kids. QTL analysis was conducted using the least squares interval mapping approach. Linkage analysis indicated significant QTL for birth weight on Capra hircus chromosomes (CHI) 4, 5, 6, 18 and 21. Five QTL located on CHI 5, 14 and 29 were associated with age at puberty. Across‐family analysis revealed evidence for overlapping QTL affecting birth weight (78 cM), body weight at puberty (72 cM), average daily gain from birth to age of puberty (72 cM) and age at puberty (76 cM) on CHI 5 and overlapping QTL controlling body weight at puberty and age at puberty on CHI 14 at 18–19 cM. The proportion of the phenotypic variance explained by the detected QTL ranged between 7.9% and 14.4%. Confirming some of the previously reported results for birth weight and growth QTL in goats, this study identified more QTL for these traits and is the first report of QTL for onset of puberty in doe kids.     

Superovulation treatments and embryo transfer in Angora goats

A high incidence of early luteal regression after PMSG superovulation was associated with low recovery of embryos from reproductive tracts of Angora goats flushed later than Day 5 after onset of oestrus. Embryos were successfully recovered (mean 7.9/female) by flushing on Days 2-5. Mean ovulation rate after an FSH regimen (16.1 +/- 0.8) was significantly higher than that after a single injection of PMSG (10.8 +/- 1.2). Fertilization rate and survival of embryos following transfer to naturally synchronized recipient feral goats did not differ between the two gonadotrophin regimens: the mean number of kids born to 47 donors treated with FSH (7.5 +/- 0.6) was significantly greater than that to 28 donors treated with PMSG (4.8 +/- 0.6). Irrespective of hormonal treatment, the numbers of embryos recovered and of kids born were correlated with ovulation rate (r = 0.82, P less than 0.001 for both). Embryo survival was influenced by ovulation rate in recipients, with 52%, 63% and 75% of transferred embryos being carried to term by recipients with 1,2 and 3 CL, respectively (P less than 0.01). More embryos survived (65%) when 2 embryos were transferred to each recipient than when 1 (51%) or 3 (48%) were transferred. In recipients receiving 2 embryos, survival was significantly improved by transfer of both embryos to the same oviduct (70%) than when one was transferred to each oviduct (62%). The percentage survival of embryos was optimal when oestrus of recipients was synchronized within +/- 1 day of oestrus in donors.     

Influence of season on birth weight and weaning age of indigenous Balami and imported Sudan Desert sheep in the Sahel region of Northeastern Nigeria

Data on birth weight and age at weaning for 1,092 (609 indigenous Balami and 483 imported Sudan Desert) sheep born from 1975 to 1979 in a Government farm near Maiduguri were analysed to study the influence of season on birth weight and age at weaning in sheep reared in the sahel region of Northeastern Nigeria. The suitability of the Sudan Desert for replacing or upgrading the indigenous Balami was considered.Season, breed, sex and type of birth significantly (P<0.001) influenced birth weight, age at weaning and the average daily gain from birth to weaning of lambs. Heaviest lambs were born during the rainy season-June–August. Birth weight was lowest during the dry hot season. Balami lambs were heavier at birth and were weaned earlier with greater average daily gain than the Sudan Desert (P<0.001). Ram lambs were heavier at birth and had greater daily gain than the ewes (P<0.001). Also single-born lambs were heavier at birth and were weaned earlier (P<0.001) than twins. Twining rate in Balami was almost double that in the Sudanese. Survival tended to be greater in Sudanese than in Balami. Birth, twining and survival rates were highest for the dry cold season-born lambs. The dry cold season seems the best lambing season here. In all, the local Balami proved far superior in almost all traits considered. The use of the Sudan Desert here is definitely not econmically justifiable or rational.     

Effects of an experimental Trypanosoma congolense infection on the reproductive performance of West African Dwarf goats

Thirty-six West African Dwarf (WAD) goats were used to assess the effects of an experimental Trypanosoma congolense infection on their reproductive system. Estrous cycles were synchronised and when confirmed pregnant (n = 31), the does were randomly allocated into control and trypanosome-infected groups. After infection, the animals were carefully observed till parturition. Trypanosome infection caused an increase of rectal temperature, a significant drop in PCV (infected: 23.3 +/- 0.3%; control: 28.5 +/- 0.4%; P < 0.0001) and abortions in 27.8% of the infected does. Kids born from infected does had a lower birth weight than kids born from control goats (0.9 +/- 0.1 kg versus 1.6 +/- 0.1 kg; P < 0.0001). Eight out of 13 kids (61.5%) that were born alive from infected does died during their first week of life. Plasma pregnancy-associated glycoprotein (PAG) and progesterone concentrations were lower in the infected animals than in the controls. In general, PAG concentration in does which aborted dropped before abortion. Our results revealed that artificial T. congolense infection affected reproductive performance of WAD goats with abortions, premature births and perinatal losses being observed. Neither transplacental transmission of T. congolense nor histopathological lesions of the placenta could be demonstrated.     

Genetic and phenotypic parameters of body weight in West African Dwarf goat and Djallonké sheep

The International Trypanotolerance Centre's small ruminant breeding programme was initiated in 1995. The aim was to increase the efficiency of meat production and the trypanotolerance of the animals (sheep and goat). To achieve that goal, selection was based on estimated breeding values for daily weight gain from 4 to 12 months of age measured on trypanotolerance challenge. The purpose of this study was to estimate genetic parameters for growth traits and to evaluate genetic trends in West African Dwarf goat and Djallonké sheep resulting from the breeding programme under a low input production environment. Data for West African Dwarf goat and Djallonké sheep included birth weight (BW), weaning weight (W120), yearling weight (W360), pre-weaning (GR0–4) and post-weaning (GR4–12) growth rate. The data were analysed using an animal model that accounted for fixed effects of sex, year of birth, season of birth, parity of the dam, type of birth and the interaction year by season of birth. Estimates of heritability for BW, W120, W360, GR0–4 and GR4–12 were 0.5, 0.43, 0.30, 0.32 and 0.11 for goats and 0.39, 0.54, 0.21, 0.54 and 0.23 for sheep, respectively. The genetic correlation between BW and W120 was high for goats (0.74) and moderate for sheep (0.47). Genetic correlations between W120 and GR4–12 were high (0.92) for goats and moderate (0.49) for sheep. Between GR0–4 and BW the correlation was positive but low for sheep (0.26) and moderate for goats (0.60). Positive trends were found in mean estimated breeding values for animals born in the period 1995–2002 which demonstrated the effectiveness of the implemented breeding programs.     

Retardation of pubertal development by prenatal long days in goat kids born in autumn.

Goat kids born in spring attain sexual maturity during the first autumn after birth in temperate regions, at about 30 weeks of age. This study observed sexual development in autumn-born kids and the influence of late-summer, prenatal light treatment on onset of puberty. The breeding season of 14 female British Saanen dairy goats was artificially advanced by 4 months, using a treatment of long days during the winter followed by melatonin treatment in spring. Five goats were treated with a photoperiod of 20 h light:4 h dark (lights on 04.00 h) for 62.1 +/- 1.4 days (mean +/- SEM, n = 5) prepartum (14 August to 15 October). The remaining nine goats were kept under a natural photoperiod: 20 kids from these mothers were followed, five males and five females from each group. Testicular development was assessed by means of weekly measurement of scrotal circumference. Blood samples were taken once a week from all kids from 4 weeks of age for 5 months. Plasma was assayed for progesterone in females and testosterone in males. Autumn-born female kids initiated oestrous cyclicity in January, at a mean age of 12.8 +/- 0.8 weeks. Puberty onset was significantly delayed (P less than 0.03, unpaired Student's t test) in females exposed to 20 h light:4 h dark in utero and occurred at a mean age of 16.5 +/- 1.4 weeks. Testicular development was significantly delayed and plasma testosterone concentrations were lower in autumn-born male kids that experienced 20 h light:4 h dark in utero than in kids from mothers in a natural photoperiod.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Nutrition level and season of birth do not modify puberty of Payoya goat kids

This study analysed the effect of level of nutrition and date of birth (age) on the onset of puberty in Payoya she-kids born in autumn (November) or in winter (February). Two experiments were conducted to examine pubertal events at the onset of puberty. For each date of birth (age), two experimental groups were used, differing on the level of nutrition. Groups were balanced for live weight (LW) and body condition score (BCS). For the first experiment (goat kids born in autumn), 27 Payoya she-kids were used: high-nutrition group (H1, n = 13) and control group (C1, n = 14). For the second experiment (goat kids born in winter), 25 Payoya she-kids were used: high-nutrition group (H2, n = 13) and control group (C2, n = 12). In both experiments, the level of feeding was adjusted weekly according to LW so that the animals would gain about 50 and 100 g per day for C and H groups, respectively. Oestrus was tested daily using young aproned bucks. Ovulation rate was assessed by laparoscopy 7 days after identification of oestrus. Plasma samples were obtained weekly for progesterone assay. LW and BCS were recorded weekly. No effect of nutrition level or birth date (Experiment 1 v. 2) on the date of the first ovarian activity or the first detected oestrus was observed. No effect of nutrition on LW or BCS at the first detected oestrus was observed. Birth date influenced significantly the LW of the animals at the onset of ovarian activity or first oestrus (P < 0.001). Irregular sexual activity was frequently observed before the first oestrus (74.7% and 48.0% of the first reproductive activity was irregular for Experiments 1 and 2, respectively). No effect of nutrition level or birth date on ovulation rate was observed. Ovulation rate at first oestrus was influenced by LW in November-born goat kids (1.06 ± 0.06 v. 1.67 ± 0.21 corpora lutea for LW < 30 and 30 kg, respectively, P < 0.01). These results demonstrate that the age at puberty was very dependent upon the season of birth in Payoya goat kids, and that there could be some benefit in breeding November-born goat kids at a higher LW to obtain a higher prolificacy at the first kidding as a consequence of a higher ovulation rate at puberty.     

Absence of effects from immunocontraception on seasonal birth patterns and foal survival among barrier island wild horses

Despite a large body of safety data, concern exists that porcine zonae pellucidae (PZP) immunocontraception--used to manage wild horse populations--may cause out-of-season births with resulting foal mortality. Our study at Assateague, Maryland indicated the effects of immunocontraception on season of birth and foal survival between 1990 and 2002 on wild horses from Assateague Island. Among 91 mares never treated, 69 (75.8%) of foals were born in April, May, and June (in season). Among 77 treated mares, 50 (64.9%) were born in season. Of 29 mares foaling within 1 year after treatment (contraceptive failures), 20 (68.9%) were born in season. Of 48 mares treated for greater than 2 years then withdrawn from treatment, 30 (62.5%) of 48 foals were born in season. There were no significant differences (p <.05) between either treatment group or untreated mares. Survival did not differ significantly among foals born in or out of season or among foals born to treated or untreated mares. Data indicate a lack of effect of PZP contraception on season of birth or foal survival on barrier island habitats.     

Reproductive Failure in Goats in Norway: An Investigation in 24 Herds

Twenty-four flocks comprising 2370 breeding goats were examined. Threehundred-and-sixty-nine (15.6 %) of the goats either aborted or delivered dead kids at full term, or were barren. In 23 of the herds the rate of reproductive loss ranged from 2 % to 36 %, whereas in one herd all of 54 mated goats had live kids. A loss of ≥ 20 % was found in 9 herds comprising 799 goats. In 11 herds comprising 946 goats the rate of reproductive failure was ≤ 10 %. The incidence of reproductive failure was higher in older goats than in those in their first or second pregnancy. The causes were identified in only about 3 % of the goats that aborted. It is concluded that reproductive failure in many flocks probably is associated with non-infectious causes such as nutritional and environmental factors.     

Behavioural interactions between West African dwarf nanny goats and their single-born kids during the first 48 hours post-partum

West African dwarf nanny goats and their single-born kids were tested to find out their behavioural response to separation and their mutual recognition during the first 48 h post-partum. The tests were conducted at 18, 24, 36 or 48 h post partum. Chi-square analyses were used to determine whether age, sex and birth weight of kids as well as h partum and parity of dams had an effect on post-partum bahaviours.In a preliminary study where the kids were not prevented from sucking prior to the tests, the majority of kids (93%) and does (86%) exhibited apparant minimal concern to separation (i.e., had scores of less than 3) and also failed to seek each other. When the kids were prevented from sucking 2 h prior to the tests, the couple showed some response to separation and made attempts to seek each other. This suggests that in goats the state of the neonate's nourishment and the fullness of the dam's udder may be important factors that determine the willingness of the kid and the dam to seek each other when separated. The behavioural response of 48-h-old kids to separation from their dams when they had not sucked for 2 h was significantly higher (P<0.05) than that of 18-h-old kids. The sex and birth-weight of 48-h-old kids did not affect their response to separation from their dams. Hours post-partum and parity of does did not affect their response to separation from their kids even though the proportion of does exhibiting the highest response was much higher in primiparous then multiparous animals (44% vs. 13%). Recognition of dams by kids was poor at 18 and 24 h with more than half (71%) the kids failing to recognize their dams. Dam recognition ability improved with age and at 48 h the majority of kids (88%) were able to recognize their dams. Does tested at 48 h post partum had better (P0.05) kid recognition than those tested at 18 and 24 h. The sex and birth weight of kids and the parity of dams had no effect on the mutual recognition of kids and their dams at 48 h post-partum.     

Production, freezing and transfer of embryos from a bluetongue-infected goat herd without bluetongue transmission

In order to import non-seasonal Creole goats from the Carribean to Europe for an experimental purpose, thirty Creole goats were treated with 10 mg of FSH; embryos were collected at slaughter, washed and deep frozen. After rapid thawing, they were reimplanted surgically into European dairy goats. Twenty-four females ovulated but only 17 of the ovulating females had functional corpora lutea (CL) at collection. Ovulation rate (CL goat ) and recovery rate (embryo CL ) were 13.8 and 78% for females with functional CL. Of 191 embryonic structures collected, 79% were considered suitable for deep freezing: 23% were young blastocysts, 47% were expanded blastocysts, and 30% were zona-pellucida (zp)-free and zp-damaged embryos. Seventy-eight embryos were thawed and 63 were reimplanted. Sixty-eight percent of the recipient females delivered 19 kids. The percentage of kids born relative to good-quality re-implanted embryos was higher for zp-free embryos (64%) than for young and expanded blastocyts (36%). Forty-seven percent of the donor females had strong positive serological reactions for bluetongue virus antibodies against serotypes 6 and 14. However, no recipient goats or newborn kids were positive. Virus isolation attempts on the collection media and last embryo washes were negative.     

Behavior associated with parturition in the domestic goat

The behavior of does during labor, birth and the post-partum period and the behavior of kids during and after birth are described for domestic goats maintained under confined but undisturbed conditions. Most females (76%) separated themselves from herd-mates several hours prior to birth. The majority of births (65%) occurred about mid-day, between the hours of 11.00 and 16.00 h. Immediately after birth, does vigorously licked their kids and continued to groom them intermittently for 2–4 h. Mothers and kids began a series of vocal interchanges within minutes of the young's expulsion. Most newborns (62%) attempted to stand within 15 min of their birth, and 77% suckled within an hour of birth. Mother and young remained at the birth site, isolated from conspecifics, for 12–24 h post-partum, after which kids moved from their mothers and remained secluded, except during brief suckling bouts, for 4–7 days. Does and their kids had little contact during this first week following parturition. Results are compared with maternal and neonatal behavior of other domestic ungulates.     

Effects of prepartum ingestion of Ipomoea carnea on postpartum maternal and neonate behavior in goats

Ipomoea carnea is a toxic plant that grows in tropical areas, and is readily consumed by grazing goats. The plant contains the alkaloids swainsonine and calystegines, which inhibit cellular enzymes and cause systematic cell death. This study evaluated the behavioral effects on dams and kids of prenatal ingestion of this plant. Freshly harvested leaves of I. carnea (10 g/kg body weight) were fed daily to nine pregnant goats from the fifth to the 16th week of gestation; five pregnant goats were controls. Dam and kid behavior were evaluated during 2-hr postpartum. Further evaluation of the offspring was performed using various tests after birth: (1) reaching and discriminating their dam from an alien doe (two tests at 12-hr postpartum), and (2) navigating a progressive maze (2, 4, and 6 days postpartum). Postnatal (n = 2) and fetal (n = 2) mortality were observed in the treated group. Intoxicated kids had difficulty in standing at birth, and only one was able to suckle within 2 hr of birth. Treated kids were slower than controls to arrive at their dam in the discrimination test; treated kids often (seven of nine completed tests) incorrectly chose the alien dam (controls: 0/10 tests). During some runs on days 2, 4, and 6 postpartum, treated kids were slower to leave the starting point of the maze, and were slower to arrive at the dam on all test days. This study suggests that the offspring of pregnant goats given I. carnea during gestation have significant behavioral alterations and developmental delays.     

The effect of vitamin E treatment during preovulatory period on reproductive performance of goats following estrous synchronization using intravaginal sponges

The objectives of this study were to investigate whether the use of intravaginal sponge for estrous synchronization of goats causes oxidative stress, and to examine the effect of administering vitamin E during preovulatory period on reproductive performance of estrous synchronized goats. Estrus was synchronized in 36 non-lactating adult does using intravaginal sponges containing 30 mg of fluorogestane acetate (FGA) for 14 days. All females received 500 IU of eCG at the sponge withdrawal. The goats were allocated at random to two groups balanced for breed, age and body weight. Treatment group (n=18) received 200mg of vitamin E i.m. at the time of sponge removal and again at the time of second artificial insemination. The other 18 goats (control) were administered 1 ml of physiological saline instead of vitamin E on each of these two occasions. All does in estrus was intracervically inseminated at 12 and 24h after the onset of estrus. Blood samples were collected every 72h during the experimental period for evaluation of malondialdehyde (MDA) and vitamin E concentrations. Serum MDA level increased and vitamin E concentration decreased during the period of vaginal sponge application. Following the sponge removal, MDA level declined rapidly to below basal level in the treatment group but remained high in the control group. Conversely, vitamin E concentration increased in the treatment group after the sponge withdrawal and remained at a low level in the control group. No statistically significant differences (P>0.05) were observed between groups in terms of estrous response, conception rate, gestation length or kidding rate. However, the number of multiple births (70.0% versus 50.0%) and prolificacy rate (2.40+/-0.37 versus 1.63+/-0.26 kids per kidding) were significantly higher (P<0.05) for the treatment group than those of the control group. The results indicate that the use of intravaginal sponges for estrous synchronization of goats causes an increase in level of oxidative stress. However, the vitamin E treatment during preovulatory period can prevent the overproduction of reactive oxygen species (ROS), and it may improve the multiple birth rates and the number of kids born in estrous synchronized goats.     

Study on Passive Immunity:time of Vaccination in Kids Born to Goats Vaccinated Against Peste des petits ruminants

In this study,the decay of maternal peste des petits ruminants virus(PPRV) antibodies in kids born to goats vaccinated with Asian lineage IV PPR vaccine and the efficacy of passive immunity against PPRV was assessed to determine the appropriate period for vaccination in kids.Serum samples collected from kids born to vaccinated,unvaccinated and infected goats at different time intervals were tested by PPR competitive ELISA and serum neutralization test(SNT).Maternal antibodies in kids were detectable up to 6 months with a decline trend from the third month onwards and receded below the protective level by the fourth month.The kid with an SN titre of 1:8 at the time of immunization showed significant PPRV specific antibody response(percentage inhibition of 76;SN titers >1:16),when tested on 21 day post-vaccination and was completely protected from infection upon virulent PPRV challenge.Similarly,the kid with 1:8 SN titers was completely protected from PPR infection on active challenge.Therefore,PPR vaccination is recommended in kids,aged 4 months and born to immunized or exposed goats.This could be a suitable period to avoid window of susceptibility in kids to PPRV and the effort to eliminate PPR infection from susceptible populations.