Effect of colostrum deprivation of goat kids on the natural transmission of caprine retrovirus infection

An investigation was conducted to determine if depriving goat kids of colostrum and rearing them away from the herd would prevent transmission of caprine retrovirus infection. Twenty-four newborn goat kids were deprived of colostrum and reared on cow's milk away from their dams from an endemically infected goat herd. Twenty-three colostrum-deprived kids had no evidence of retrovirus infection at birth. One kid had sucked briefly and obtained some colostrum resulting in passive transfer of antibody but it did not develop evidence of infection. Nineteen showed no serological evidence of infection over the 370 days of the study. One colostrum-deprived, segregated goat was subsequently found to be infected and developed arthritis-synovitis. Three had doubtful positive response in one or 2 serological tests during the period but no evidence of infection in leucocyte co-cultures. Cells centrifuged from colostrum of infected goats were co-cultivated with foetal goat synovial membrane cultures. Caprine retrovirus was isolated from cells in the colostrum from the 3 goats examined.     

Impact of the post-weaning parasitism history on an experimental Haemonchus contortus infection in Creole goat kids

Gastrointestinal nematode (GIN) infections have an important negative impact on small ruminant production. The selection of genotypes resistant to these parasitic infections is a promising alternative control strategy. Thus, resistance against GIN is an important component of small ruminant breeding schemes, based on phenotypic measurements of resistance in immune mature infected animals. In this study we evaluated both the impact of the post-weaning parasitism history on the response to an experimental Haemonchus contortus infection of resistant and susceptible Creole kids chosen on the basis of their estimated breeding value, and the interaction with the kid's genetic status. During the post-weaning period (from 3 months until 7 months of age) Creole kids were reared at pasture according to four different levels of a mixed rotational stocking system with Creole cattle: 100% (control), 75% (GG75), 50% (GG50), and 25% (GG25) of the total stocking rate of the pasture. The level of infection of the kids decreased significantly at 50% and 25% of the total stocking rate. After the post-weaning period at pasture, at 11 months of age kids were experimentally infected with H. contortus. The faecal egg counts (FEC) were significantly lower in the groups showing the highest FEC at pasture. This result suggests that a degree of protection against an experimental H. contortus infection occurred during the post-weaning period and was dependant on the level of parasitism. Interestingly, no interaction was observed between this level of protection and the genetic status. In conclusion, the level of post-weaning natural parasitism history at pasture would not influence the genetic status evaluation. More generally our results suggest that it would be better to expose kids to a high level of gastrointestinal parasitism during the post-weaning period in order to increase the basal level of resistance thereafter.     

A case of scours in goat kids

Extract

Madam: — Automatic feeders are commonly used to rear goat kids. The efficiency of these factors should be considered when investigating the cause of scours in kids as the following case illustrates.     

平衡艺术--肠道菌群的最佳化

可通过抗生素、生菌剂和有机酸的综合应用而建立和保持家禽胃肠道格兰氏阳性菌和格兰氏阴性菌之间的最佳平衡。这些物质在饲料中和饮水中的综合应用，有助于避免其中每一种单独应用时的缺点，从而改善家禽的健康状况。     

Effect of castration procedure on the pharmacokinetics of meloxicam in goat kids

The aim of this study was to determine the changes in the pharmacokinetics of meloxicam in goat kids who were castrated following the administration of xylazine. Six goat kids were used for the study. The study was performed in two periods according to a longitudinal study, with a 15-day washout period between periods. In the first period (Control group), 1 mg/kg meloxicam was administered by i.v. route to kids. In the second period (Castration group), the kids were sedated with 0.3 mg/kg xylazine and castration was performed following meloxicam administration. Plasma meloxicam concentration was analyzed using HPLC-UV, and pharmacokinetic parameters were calculated by noncompartmental model. In the control group following the administration of meloxicam, mean elimination half-life (t_1/2ʎz), area under the concentration–time curve (AUC_0−∞), total body clearance (Cl_T), and volume of distribution at steady-state (V_dss) were 13.50 ± 0.62 hr, 41.10 ± 2.86 hr µg/ml, 24.43 ± 1.75 ml hr⁻¹ kg⁻¹, and 0.45 ± 0.03 L/kg, respectively. In the castration group, the t_1/2ʎz of meloxicam prolonged, AUC_0−∞ increased, and Cl_T and V_dss decreased. In conclusion, the excretion of meloxicam from the body slowed and the t_1/2ʎz was prolonged in the castrated goat kids following xylazine administration. However, there is a need to determine the pharmacodynamics of meloxicam in castrated goat kids.     

A successful attempt to raise goat kids free of infection with caprine arthritis encephalitis virus in an endemically infected goat herd

Goat kids from a herd endemically infected with caprine arthritis encephalitis (CAE) virus were raised according to 3 methods. One group of ten goat kids was removed from infected does at birth before suckling or licking by the doe could occur (snatch birth technique). Kids were fed on goat colostrum, which had been heated to 57 degrees C for ten minutes and then held in a thermos flask for one hour. Subsequently the kids were fed reconstituted spray dried cows' milk powder. They were raised apart from infected goats with separation maintained by a wire fence. Contact occurred across-the-fence. Passively acquired serum antibody to CAE virus was detected in some kids at two to three months of age. Nine of the ten goats were negative for serum antibody to CAE virus when tested at 5-6, 9 and 12 months of age. One goat was positive at three and nine months of age but was negative when tested at 12 months of age. A second group of four kids was removed at birth and fed heat-treated goat colostrum, followed by milk from CAE virus-infected does. All four kids became infected with CAE virus; they developed serum antibody to CAE virus between 5-6 and 9 months of age. A third group of two kids was not removed from their infected dams. Both kids were infected at 5-6 and 9 months of age.     

波尔山羊与师宗山羊杂交效果试验研究报告

同时设置3个重复的杂交试验,在3群师宗母山羊中同时放入波尔及师宗种公羊各1只,自由交配观察测定种公羊的配种能力、产羔数、后代毛色、初生重、各月龄体重;并通过补饲对比试验测定波×师F1代的育肥性能和肉品品质。结果表明,波尔山羊的配种能力强,多羔率为48.72%,后代毛色近似父本的比例为64.91%;杂交羊适应性强,初生重提高18.27%;1～11月龄日增重提高17.79%;在其它条件相同的情况下,放牧加补饲的波×师F1代比单纯放牧的波×师F1代日增重提高85.16%,相同补饲条件下的波×师F1代比师×师日增重提高32.43%;每多增重1kg耗料量降低13.15%,耗料费降低13.03%。波×师F1代11月龄胴体重为(19.07±2.80)kg,净肉重为(15.47±2.20)kg,分别比同龄师×师羊(12.23±1.22)kg、(9.80±1.49)kg高55.93%、57.86%;品味鉴定、肉品理化特性和营养成分分析,其多汁性、嫩度、香气、香味、膻味、pH值、大理石纹、系水率、熟肉率、剪切力无明显差异。     

The effects of diet and age on serum complement system activity in goat kids

Thirty new born male kids were allotted into three groups to evaluate the effects of diet and age on complement system activity in serum. After the colostrum feeding period, the control group (C) received a commercial milk replacer; the CLA group received 20 g/kg milk replacer DM of conjugated linoleic acid; and the GMK group was fed with goat milk. The kids were fed colostrum for 2 days and then either milk replacer or goat milk from days 3 to 60. Blood samples were taken at 1, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50 and 60 days of age. The complement system activity was higher (P < 0.05) in the GMK group throughout the whole experiment through alternative pathway. C kids did not present complement activity at any time. CLA group complement activity was statistically higher than that of C kids from 30 to 60 days, through alternative pathways. In conclusion, the milk replacer formula should be reformulated because it did not induce any complement system activity in the first two months of life.     

Humoral immune responses of experimentally Eimeria ninakholyakimovae-infected goat kids

Although cellular immune reactions seem to be crucial for protective immune responses in Eimeria spp. infections, there are also evidences on an active involvement of the humoral counterpart. In the present study, we have analyzed the humoral response of goat kids subjected to primary and challenge infections with Eimeria ninakholyakimovae. Specific levels of IgG and IgM in serum samples and IgA in the ileal mucus were estimated. In infected kids, significantly increased levels of IgG were observed from 3 weeks post infection onwards in addition to an enhancement of specific IgM and secretory IgA levels. A wide range of peptides of sporulated oocyst antigen (SOA) was recognized by specific IgG as determined by immunoblotting. However, no correlations were found between immunoglobulin levels and OPG counts after challenge infection. Overall, these data indicate a significant specific humoral response of E. ninakohlyakimovae-infected goat kids that does not seem to convey immunoprotection. Further studies should be addressed to clarify if the lack of correlation might be associated to the type of antigen used for the immunoenzimatic assays, the age of the animals or other factors.     

Influence of colostrum treated by heat on immunity function in goat kids

The aim was to evaluate the influence of goat colostrum treated by heat on immune function in kids. Thirteen newborn kids were fed untreated colostrum (group A) and 13 kids were fed colostrum treated by heat (56 degrees C, 30 min) (group B). Blood samples were obtained at eight time points between the ages of 0 h to 28 days. Serum protein fractions, IgG levels and phagocytic activity of neutrophils were determined. A delayed type hypersensitivity (DTH) test was used, clinical status and body weight was recorded. There were no clinical signs of disease and no differences (P>0.05) on body weight between groups were noted. Kids from group B had less total protein levels and gamma-globulins than kids from group A (P<0.05). A decrease in serum IgG levels (P<0.05) was observed in kids from group B during all experiment. DTH response in kids from group B was lower (P<0.01) than group A, suggesting alteration on cellular immune system. No effects on phagocytic activity of the neutrophils were observed when both groups were compared (P>0.05). These results showed that colostrum treated by heat impaired some immunological parameters in kids, but these changes did not affect on clinical status or performance.     

Influence of the gut microflora on fasting heat production in chicks

1. The influence of the gut microflora on fasting heat production in chicks was investigated. 2. Single Comb White Leghorn chicks were fed on an adequate diet from 2 to 12 d of age and then fasted for 3 d. Fasting heat production was estimated from changes in body composition and energy content of droppings from days 1 to 3 of fasting. Measurements of body temperature and plasma thyroxine concentration were also made. 3. Body fat content was consistently higher in germ-free (GF) chicks than in conventional (CV) counterparts during the starvation period, whereas no difference was found in body protein content. The GF birds had a significantly higher body temperature than the CV controls with no change in plasma thyroxine concentration. 4. It was concluded that estimated fasting heat production of chicks was increased by the absence of the gut microflora.     

An outbreak of spinal neuronopathy of goat kids in Fiji

A newly recognised caprine neuropathy is described in which goat kids developed rapidly progressive neurologic signs in association with widespread spinal cord neuronal degeneration and active demyelination.     

Effect of weaning on behavior and serum parameters in dairy goat kids

This study aimed at investigating the effects of weaning kids abruptly at an average of 55 ± 13 days of age on intake, behavioral and serum parameters and, lasted for a total of six weeks; two weeks pre-weaning and four weeks post-weaning. Sixteen single kids with equal gender were used. Kids were only allowed to stay with their mothers for suckling (45 min/period) both in the morning and in the evening period during pre-weaning. Grower concentrate and hay were offered ad libitum . The duration of the study was divided into three periods for the sampling of behavioral and serum parameters; (i) pre-weaning period lasting for two weeks (P-BW) (ii) early post-weaning period lasting for one week (P-AW1) and (iii) late post-weaning period lasting for three weeks (P-AW2). Daily weight gain of kids gradually decreased as the observation period progressed ( P  = 0.001). However concentrate feed intake increased from 0.154 kg/day in P-BW to 0.479 kg/day in P-AW1 and 0.499 kg/day in P-AW2. Water intake, rumination and standing behaviors decreased in P-AW2 ( P  < 0.001), whereas activity towards concentrate feed (CF) ( P  < 0.001) and roughage ( P  = 0.012) increased as compared to P-BW and P-AW1. Abnormal oral activity was not affected by the periods ( P  = 0.906). CF was significantly higher in females ( P  = 0.003), whereas males displayed higher lying behavior ( P  = 0.007). Glucose, total protein, urea, cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol concentrations ( P  = 0.001) and ALP activity ( P  = 0.003) were significantly affected by the periods. The results of the present study suggest that behavioral and serum parameters across the periods describe changes in the nutritional conditions as a result of the transition from milk to solid feed in association with weaning.