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

West African dwarf nanny goats and their twin-born kids were tested to determine their behavioural response to separation and their mutual recognition during the first 48 h post-partum. Does and their kids were given scores ranging from 1 to 5, depending on how they performed in the tests. Animals that showed maximum response and recognition ability were given a score of 5, while those with minimum response and recognition ability scored 1. The kids were prevented from sucking 2 h prior to the tests, which were carried out at 18, 24, 36 and 48 h post-partum. Chi-square procedure was used to determine whether age, sex and birthweight of kids as well as hours post-partum and parity of dams had any effect on these post-partum behaviours. Out of 48 twin-born kids tested, 32 (67%) responded actively to separation from dams (i.e. had scores of 3 or more). The age, sex and birthweight of kids did not significantly affect (P>0.05) their response to separation from their dams. The hours post-partum and the parity of does also did not affect their response to separation from their kids. The dam recognition ability of twin-born kids was very poor. Out of a total of 48 kids tested, only 17 (35%) were able to recognize their dams (i.e. had scores of 3 or more). Even at 36 h, only four out of 14 (26%) could recognize their dams. It was only at 48 h that the majority of kids tested (i.e. 75%) successfully identified their dams. At 48 h, the dam recognition ability of kids was significantly better (P<0.05) than that of 18-h-old kids. Sex and birthweight of 24-48-h-old twin-born kids did not significantly affect (P>0.05) their ability to recognize their dams. The majority of does tested (i.e. 20 out of 24) were able to recognize their twin-born kids. The hour post-partum and parity of does did not significantly affect (P>0.05) their kid recognition ability.     

Effects of high ambient temperatures on the metabolism of West African dwarf goats. II

32 West African dwarf goats were exposed in respiration chambers to temperature treatments of 20, 25, 30, 35, 35, 35, 30, 25, 20°C. Each treatment lasted three days. 16 goats were kept in individual pens (I); the others in two group pens of eight animals each (G). During each treatment, heat production and activity were recorded continuously over 48 hours. In addition, feed and water intake, rectal temperature, skin temperature and respiratory rate were measured during each treatment.Compared to 20°C, at 35°C rectal temperature increased from 39.0°C to 39.9°C, respiratory rate from 30 to 260 times. min^–1 and skin temperature from 37.1°C to 39.5°C. Hay intake decreased by 40%; concentrates (30 g. kg^–0.75. d^–1) were always completely consumed. Heat production was higher for the G animals at 20°C and higher for the I animals at 35°C. These differences in heat production between the two groups were reflected in differences in rectal and skin temperature and in respiratory rate but only very slightly in differences in hay intake.Tissue insulation was 0.014 K. m². W^–1 at 30°C and 35°C and 0.022 K. m². W^–1 at 20°C.It is concluded that the reactions of these dwarf goats to high ambient temperatures are not different in principle from those of other domestic ruminants and that they do not exhibit a specific suitability or unsuitability for ambient temperatures as prevailing in West Africa.     

Effects of high ambient temperatures on the metabolism of West African dwarf goats. I

Thirty-two West African dwarf goats were exposed to temperature treatments: 20, 25, 30, 35, 35, 35, 30, 25, 20°C each lasting three days.Sixteen goats were kept in individual pens (I), the others in two group pens (G). Heat production (HP) and activity were recorded during 48 hours in each temperature treatment.Mean HP and ME intake were similar for G and I animals, but I animals had lower values than G animals at low chamber temperatures and higher values than G animals at high temperatures. Upper critical temperature was between 25°C and 30°C under an increasing T and between 30 and 35°C under a decreasing T. Adaptation of heat production and ME intake to a change in temperature of 5°C required at least six and possibly more than nine days.Diurnal variation in HP was large, up to 44% between extremes. This was largely due to variation in activity.     

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.     

Fluid, electrolyte and haematological changes in experimental peste des petits ruminants virus infection in West African dwarf goats

The changes in plasma volume, blood volume, erythrocyte indices, leucocyte indices and serum biochemical values during experimental pestes des petits ruminants (PPR) virus infection of West African dwarf goats (Fouta djallon) were investigated. There was a progressive decline of the plasma volume and serum sodium and potassium values in all the infected goats as from day 5 post-infection and this became quite marked between days 10 and 23 post-infection. The fall was severest in those animals which had diarrhoea. There were no significant changes in the chloride, bicarbonate, phosphate, urea, total protein and albumin values of the goats during the course of the diseases. Haemoconcentration and apparent polycythaemia in the early and terminal stages of the disease were associated with severe dehydration which characterized the infection. There was initial neutrophilic leucocytosis during the phase of fever followed by marked lymphopaenic leucopaenia which progressed terminally in most of the infected goats. The destructive effect of the virus on lymphocytes is suggested as a cause of lymphopaenia.     

Changes in liver and fat depots of West African dwarf goats (Capra aegagus hircus) after an infection with T. vivax

Nine West African dwarf goats (Capra aegagus hircus) were each infected experimentally with 3 × 10⁷ Trypanosoma vivax parasites. The changes in the plasma concentration of nonesterified fatty acids (NEFA) were monitored during the infection and the level of hepatic triacylglycerols and glycogen was measured postmortem. During the infection they had higher plasma NEFA concentrations than nine uninfected control goats and at postmortem their total liver triacylglycerol and glycogen contents were found to be increased. These observations suggest that the mobilization of the goats' defense mechanisms against the T. vivax infection induced a more intensive fat mobilization resulting in changes in fat metabolism of the liver.     

Genetic parameters for litter size at birth and kidding interval in the West African Dwarf goats

A total of 587 kidding records of West African Dwarf (WAD) goats over 10 years (1982–1991) were used. Mean kidding interval and litter size at birth were 275.68 ± 6.08 days and 1.79 ± 0.05 kids, respectively. Effects of parity, season and year of birth were significant (P < 0.05) for kidding interval. Parity also had significant effect (P < 0.05) on litter size at birth. Heritability estimates of 0.35 ± 0.05 and 0.32 ± 0.07 were obtained from sire and sire-dam groups, respectively, for litter size at birth. Heritability estimate for kidding interval was 0.03 ± 0.01 from sire-dam group. Repeatability estimates of 0.38 ± 0.05 and 0.33 ± 0.03 were obtained for litter size at birth while 0.06 ± 0.04 and 0.04 ± 0.02 were obtained for kidding interval from dam and sire-dam group, respectively. Selection for multiple birth is likely to result in larger litter size while culling of does for long kidding interval should be based on more than two records.     

Behavioural interactions of dairy cows with their newborn calves and the effects of parity

Continuous observations of 82 individually penned Friesian cows and their calves were made during the first 6 h post partum. The behaviour observed was similar to that described for wild ungulates of the ‘hider’ type. Cows showed a marked decrease in calf-directed activities with time after parturition. This was more pronounced in older animals, which recommenced ingestive behaviour sooner. The incidence of licking and other maternal behaviour depends upon the characteristics of the calf and upon the state of the mother. Close proximity between cow and calf was maintained, in small calving pens, by the mother at the first three calvings but by the calf after these. The eating of the afterbirth is considered to be anti-predator behaviour. Calves of primiparous dams spent more time suckling and suckled from more quarters than did calves of older cows. Primiparous dams showed a higher incidence of abnormal maternal behaviour.     

Behavioural interactions between the Carangidae (Pisces) and their prey on the fore-reef slope of Aldabra, with notes on other predators

The behavioural interactions of carangids with their prey have been examined on the forereef slope of Aldabra Atoll, Indian Ocean. From underwater observations and from fishing data, Caranx melampygus and C. ignobilis are shown to be predominately piscivores. Slight differences in the sex ratios occurred when compared with earlier work, although length distribution of trolled specimens match very closely. By contrast underwater observations indicate that many more small C. melampygus occur on the reef slope than are caught by trolling and suggest this method of capture is highly selective. The literature ascribes the association of small predatory fish to larger ones with a scavenging role, but present observations suggest that it provides a mechanism whereby small fish can approach and exploit the disorientation of prey during hunting episodes. Other types of predator association are discussed.     

Vertical distribution of epipelagic siphonophores at the confluence between Benguela waters and the Angola Current over 48 hours

The diel distribution of epipelagic siphonophores at a station off northern Namibia (18°00 S 10°30 E) was studied. This area is characterized by the mixing of surface waters of the Angola Current with the waters of the northernmost Benguela region. During the sampling period, the continuous flow of the Angola Current gave rise to a marked thermocline at ca 30 m depth. In order to study the diel vertical distribution patterns of epipelagic species under these hydrographic conditions, narrow depth horizons in the top 200 m of the water column were sampled repeatedly over a 48 h period. Thirty-four species were collected. Sphaeronectes gracilis and Chelophyes appendiculata predominated. Increasing numbers of species and individuals were observed on the second day of sampling, particularly in the layers above the thermocline. Only a few species showed an upward nocturnal migration that crossed the boundary between 2 water masses. The differences in the depth distributions of the various species were related to 3 distinct phenomena: the existence of 2 separate siphonophore populations associated with each of the 2 water masses; vertical migration by the most abundant species, which were able to cross the thermocline; and differences in patch size for the most epipelagic species.     

Ion and water balance in Gryllus crickets during the first twelve hours of cold exposure

Insects lose ion and water balance during chilling, but the mechanisms underlying this phenomenon are based on patterns of ion and water balance observed in the later stages of cold exposure (12 or more hours). Here we quantified the distribution of ions and water in the hemolymph, muscle, and gut in adult Gryllus field crickets during the first 12 h of cold exposure to test mechanistic hypotheses about why homeostasis is lost in the cold, and how chill-tolerant insects might maintain homeostasis to lower temperatures. Unlike in later chill coma, hemolymph [Na⁺] and Na⁺ content in the first few hours of chilling actually increased. Patterns of Na⁺ balance suggest that Na⁺ migrates from the tissues to the gut lumen via the hemolymph. Imbalance of [K⁺] progressed gradually over 12 h and could not explain chill coma onset (a finding consistent with recent studies), nor did it predict survival or injury following 48 h of chilling. Gryllus veletis avoided shifts in muscle and hemolymph ion content better than Gryllus pennsylvanicus (which is less chill-tolerant), however neither species defended water, [Na⁺], or [K⁺] balance during the first 12 h of chilling. Gryllus veletis better maintained balance of Na⁺ content and may therefore have greater tissue resistance to ion leak during cold exposure, which could partially explain faster chill coma recovery for that species.     

Behaviour of tyrosine amino transferase and convertase during the first hours after hepatectomy in rats

The activity of rat liver tyrosine amino transferase (TAT) increases after hepatectomy with a first prominent peak at 8 h and a second peak at 18 h. This change in activity is probably due to de novo enzyme synthesis since it is prevented by actinomycin-D (AMD). In the same period an increase of the lysosomal converting enzyme (convertase) which catalyses the in vitro transition of TAT from form I to form III, has been observed; this is not accompanied by changes of other lysosomal enzymes, such as acid phosphatase and cathepsin L. The activity of convertase is equal to that of the controls (sham operated animals) 2 h after hepatectomy, increases three times at 5 h, maintains the same value at 8 h and then decreases slowly to control level after 24 h. The correlation between the activity changes of the two enzymes strongly suggests a physiological role of convertase in TAT turnover.     

Comparison between wild-born mother-female infant interactions and laboratory-born mother-female infant interactions during the first 14 weeks after birth in individually caged cynomolgus macaques

In this study we compared mother-female infant interactions between primiparous and multiparous laboratory-born (F1) cynomolgus macaques (Macaca fascicularis) in individual cages at Tsukuba Primate Center (TPC), Japan, during the first 14 weeks of infant life. We also compared interactions between multiparousF1 mothers and their female infants with those between wild-born mothers and their female infants when mothers and their infants were housed in the same individual cages. PrimiparousF1 mothers showed significantly higher values for contact with and holding of their infants than multiparousF1 mothers. The primiparousF1 mothers also tended to behave aggressively toward their infants when the latter did not show any obviously irritating behaviors. Thus, the primiparousF1 mothers seemed to be inconsistent in terms of maternal behavior. Compared with multiparous wild-born mothers, multiparousF1 mothers moved more frequently, held their infants less frequently and acted aggressively toward their infants less frequently. However, infants ofF1 mothers, as well as infants of wild-born mothers, interacted with their mothers through approaching and playful contact with them. These findings indicate that the attitude of multiparousF1 mothers toward their infants was relatively passive. Possible reasons for the passive maternal style of multiparousF1 mothers are discussed.