Colostral Transfer in the Goat of Antibodies Against Corynebacterium Pseudotuberculosis and the Antibody Status of Kids During the First 10 Months of Life

Serum and colostrum samples from goats at parturition and serum samples from their kids at 3 days and at 4, 7, 10 and 12 weeks after birth were examined for the presence of antibodies to Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis hemolysins. The hemolysis inhibition test (HIT) was used. High correlation was found between titre values of antihemolysins in serum and colostrum of goats at parturition (correlation coefficient r = 0.83; P < 0.01). Intermediate correlation was found between antihemolysin titre in colostrum of goats and in the sera of their kids 3 days old (r = 0.56; 0.01 < P < 0.05). Furthermore, titre values for 3 day-old kids showed high correlation with the antihemolysin titres when the kids aged 4 and 7 weeks (r = 0.76 and 0.85, respectively; P < 0.01). Antihemolysin titres decreased linearly in kids from 3 days to 10 weeks old. Calculated half life of antibodies was 12 days. Most of the kids had detectable antibodies up to the age of 5–6 weeks. None of the kids were seropositive at 2½ months of age.Serum samples collected monthly from a group of kids chosen at random, aged 7–10 months, contained antibodies to hemolysins in half of the animals at the first testing. At the age of 10 months 14 out of 15 kids were seropositive. Thus, most of the kids from this herd were exposed to G. pseudotuberculosis antigens during summer and autumn of their first year of life.Prophylactic measures against caseous lymphadenitis is briefly discussed.     

Dynamics of passive humoral immunity transfer against Marek's disease in the progeny of the grandparent breeding stock of broilers

In the progeny of the grandparents of broiler type HYBRO, imported by the Dutch firm EURIBRID, neonatal humoral immunity was studied during the whole laying period, i.e. in laying hens at the age of 26-52 weeks. Precipitation test was used to examine 292 samples of sera from the parent chickens of sire stock AB and 299 samples of sera from the chickens of dam stock CD, for the presence of maternal antibodies to Marek's disease virus. The number of positive samples decreased with the growing age of the grandparent generation. In the sire stock it ranged from 41.7 to 82.6% (average number 57.5%); in the dam stock, it was from 50 to 90.9% (average number 71.6%). The average incidence of precipitation antibodies in the dam stock was significantly higher than in the sire stock (p less than 0.05). The relationship between laying hen age and percent incidence of passive antibodies in parent-generation chickens was characterized by a regression line and correlation coefficient. We discuss the problem that the incidence of heterologous passive antibodies in the produced parent-generation chickens can only minimally influence the onset of post-vaccination immunity after application of the Czechoslovak vaccine MARVAK, i.e. passive immunity in these chickens cannot be caused by insufficient prophylaxis in some of Czechoslovak multiplier flocks of broiler type.     

Decline of maternal antibodies to small ruminant lentivirus in goat kids

We carried out this study to determine for how long small ruminant lentivirus (SRLV)‐specific antibodies can be detected by three commercial ELISA kits in goat kids after suckling infected does in field conditions. Forty‐one kids born to SRLV‐seropositive asymptomatic does were blood sampled prior to colostrum consumption, and then weekly for 6 months in total. The sera were screened with three commercial ELISA kits: whole‐virus ELISA (wELISA), recombinant transmembrane and capsid antigen ELISA (TM/CA‐ELISA), and surface antigen ELISA (SU‐ELISA). All but one kid were seronegative in all three ELISAs right after birth. At the age of 1 week all kids turned seropositive in wELISA, 39 kids (95%) in TM/CA‐ELISA, and 35 kids (85%) in SU‐ELISA. All seropositive kids turned seronegative in wELISA by the 15th week, and in SU‐ELISA by the 19th week (median of 8 weeks in both ELISA), whereas in TM/CA‐ELISA five kids (13% of 39 initially seropositive) were still seropositive at the age of 6 months (median of 11 weeks). Antibody levels at the age of 1 week proved significantly linked to the duration of maternal antibodies in all three ELISAs and could be employed to predict for how long maternal antibodies would remain detectable.     

Effect of culling age of does on milk and meat production in Japanese-Saanen goats

A functional herd dynamics model was developed to estimate the effect of culling age on milk and meat production for Japanese-Saanen goats in relation to changes in prices of milk and meat. The model simulates life cycle production of bucks and does and their kids. Every production trait is first modelled as an individual trait and thereafter as a trait in the herd using a herd dynamics model. At the individual level, the survival curve function, the litter size function and the production traits function are combined. Data on growth and lactation were used to fit growth and lactation curves to estimated parameters using non-linear least squares regression technique and used in the production traits function. Using herd dynamics, the individual level functions are combined with the total number of animals function to estimate the total herd output and income efficiency at the herd level. Here, variables of culling days including the effect of difference in meat price value among goat categories (bucks, does, male kids and female kids) are used. Analysis of interrelations among the culling days of does, the price ratio and the income efficiency indicated that optimal culling days of does was shortened with an increase in the price ratio of meat to milk. However, when meat price value was different among goat categories according to actual situation of Japanese goat production, the optimal culling days of does could be fixed regardless of the change in price ratio and was calculated as 1730 days. This functional herd dynamics model can aid in decision-making regarding culling under several situations especially when there is a wide fluctuation in prices at local markets.     

Enzootic ataxia and caprine arthritis/encephalitis virus infection in a New England goat herd [corrected

Ataxia was diagnosed in kids from a New England goat herd. Concurrent infection with the caprine arthritis/encephalitis (CAE) virus contributed to the development of hind limb ataxia and weakness in one of the kids. Six kids from this herd had signs of hind limb ataxia and paralysis. Detailed evaluation of 2 of the affected kids revealed low liver and serum copper concentrations and spinal cord demyelination. One kid also had histologic changes in the CNS and lungs, compatible with a diagnosis of CAE. Serum copper concentration was determined in affected goat kids and their dams and was compared with serum copper concentration in clinically normal kids and their dams from the same herd. Serum copper concentration also was measured in dams and kids in a control herd that had no history of ataxia. The mean serum copper concentration in affected kids was 0.125 microgram/ml, compared with 0.45 microgram/ml in unaffected kid herdmates. Kids from the control herd had mean serum copper concentration of 0.6 microgram/ml. Mean serum copper concentration in dams of kids with neurologic signs also was low (0.25 microgram/ml), compared with that (0.5 microgram/ml) in dams of clinically normal kids of the affected herd and that (0.95 microgram/ml) in dams of kids of the control herd. Results of a serologic survey (by use of agar gel immunodiffusion) of the affected herd for CAE indicated that 69.5% of the goats were seropositive. Dietary copper intake was determined to be adequate in this goat herd; therefore, copper deficiency appeared to be conditioned by an interfering substance. However, a search for interfering substances was unrewarding.     

Placental transfer of immunoglobulins in cattle infected with Schistosoma mattheei

Although the epitheliochorial placenta of ruminants does not allow passage of immunoglobulins from dam to foetus specific antibodies have been detected at birth in calves born to Schistosoma mattheei-infected cows. The present study determined the prevalence of calves born with specific antibodies for S. mattheei and the origin of these antibodies. For the determination of the prevalence, 100 calves born to infected mothers in an endemic area (Zambia) were examined, 24 were seropositive. To study the origin of these antibodies placentomes of 40 naturally S. mattheei-infected cows were examined for the presence of schistosome eggs and lesions which could explain foetal priming and/or leakage of maternal antibodies and/or antigen into the foetus. Tissue damage and schistosome eggs were observed on the maternal as well as the foetal side of the placentomes. In order to determine the specific nature of the antibody response, antibody profiles against soluble adult worm antigen preparation (SWAP) of S. mattheei were compared by Western blot between dams and their newborn calves (n = 8). The specific recognition profiles were identical for the seropositive calves and their dams on SWAP mattheei. Identical recognition profiles between dams and calves were also observed when sera were analysed on Escherichia coli, a pathogen of which the foetus should be free, and would indicate passive antibody transfer from the dam. In conclusion, the present study shows that S. mattheei could induce placentome lesions and that eggs can cross the placenta. Consequently, foeti can come into contact with S. mattheei antigens in utero, and might also contain maternal antibodies from leakage through placentome lesions. As such, the infection status of the mother could have far reaching effects on the immunological status of her offspring and modify their reaction upon infection.     

Lamb and Kid Mortality in Village Flocks in the Coastal Savanna Zone of Ghana

A cohort study was designed to observe and follow up mortality in lambs and kids in 88 flocks of sheep and goats under the traditional production system in five villages within the coastal savanna zone of Ghana over a 2-year period. The overall mortality rates for kids and lambs were 30.8% and 33.5%, respectively. Significantly higher proportions of kids (80.2%) and lambs (75.6%) up to 3 months of age died compared to kids and lambs from 4 to 12 months of age. The differences in mortality rates, either between male and female kids and lambs or between single-born and multiple-birth kids and lambs, were not significant. The odds ratio (OR) and relative risks (RR) for lambs and kids, on the basis of sex and birth types, were not significant; neither were the values obtained for attributable risk, attributable fraction, population attributable risk and population attributable fraction. The overall mortality rate on the basis of species of animal was not significant. At the village level, significant differences in the proportions of mortality on the basis of sex were seen in two villages. At Akotokyir, more male lambs (54.2%) died compared to females (27.6%), while at Apewosika more female lambs (42.2%) died compared to males (16.7%). The only significant difference in mortality proportions on the basis of birth type at the village level was seen at Apewosika, where more single-born kids died (52.8%) compared to kids born with sibling(s) (28.4%). The significant ORs for mortalities were 3.10 for male lambs at Akotokyir, 3.35 for female lambs at Apewosika and 2.82 for single-born kids at Apewosika. The corresponding RRs were equally significant. On the basis of species, significantly more lambs died at Akotokyir (44.2%) and Kwesimprah (44.7%) compared to kids. The implications of these findings are discussed.     

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.     

Risk Factors for Kid Mortality in West African Dwarf Goats Under an Intensive Management System in Ghana

Breeding records from 1997 to 2000 for West African Dwarf goats kept under an intensive management system on the National Breeding Station at Kintampo in Ghana were analysed for the effect on mortality of sex, season and type of birth, and birth weight. The pre-weaning and post-weaning mortalities were 10% (n = 390) and 23.1% (n = 351), respectively, while the overall mortality from birth up to 12 months of age was 30.8% (n = 390). The post-weaning period recorded significantly higher proportions of deaths in males, females, single-born and twins, during the rainy and dry seasons, and for kids with low or high birth weight, compared to the pre-weaning period. There was significantly higher mortality in male kids than in female kids. The odds and risks of death for male kids were about twice those for females at post-weaning and up to 1 year of age. At pre-weaning and up to 1 year of age, a higher proportion of the dead were twins. Twins had approximately 2.5 the risk of death at pre-weaning, compared to singles. Also, kids born in the rainy season had significantly higher mortality than those born in the dry season. Kids that died by the time of weaning were significantly lighter in weight at birth than those that survived. Male kids had significantly higher mean weights at birth and at weaning, but not at 12 months of age. The significance of these findings is discussed.     

Short-term effects of maternal feed restriction during pregnancy on goat kid morphology, metabolism, and behavior

Morphometric, metabolic, and behavioral modifications were studied in goat kids after maternal feed restriction during the last one-third of pregnancy. At birth, only kids from twin and triplet litters were studied [n=40 kids born to control dams (CONT) and n=38 born to restricted dams (REST)] and only males thereafter (n=13 CONT and 15 REST kids) until slaughter at 6 wk of age. Kids born to restricted goats had a smaller abdominal girth at birth (P<0.01) and tended to have a smaller body mass index (P=0.10) and a smaller density index (P=0.09) than kids born to CONT goats. Male REST kids had a lighter birth weight (P=0.03) than male CONT kids, but no differences (all P>0.10) were found for BW and morphometric measurements thereafter. Decreased NEFA concentrations suggested that male REST kids mobilized their body reserves less than CONT kids at birth (P<0.01). No modifications in drinking tests at 3 and 5 wk of age were observed, or in feeding behavior and emotional reactivity at 5 wk of age (all P>0.10). In conclusion, maternal feed restriction in the last one-third of pregnancy resulted in a decrease in birth size, but male kids rapidly caught up, and there were no changes in behavior, morphology, or metabolism during rearing.     

Caprine beta-Mannosidosis in Kids from an Ontario Herd

Caprine β-mannosidosis, a fatal inherited deficiency of the lysosomal enzyme β-mannosidase, was diagnosed in neonatal female Nubian crossbred twin kids from a small herd near Guelph, Ontario. The kids had been tetraplegic since birth, with whole body tremors, abnormal nystagmus and an intention tremor of the head.     

Prognostic indicators of post partum viability of kids born to Escherichia coli-vaccinated or unvaccinated does

This study was undertaken to determine some blood and other physiological parameters with potential for use as prognostic indicators of viability of newborn goat kids. Of the 143 kids born during the on-farm study, 97 were crosses of Galla x Small East African (SEA) and 46 were pure SEA. The SEA x Galla kids were 46 single males, with a mean body weight at birth of 2.77 +/- 0.22 kg, 43 females with a mean body weight at birth of 2.36 +/- 0.76 kg and 5 and 3 sets of female and male twins (mean body weight at birth of 1.8 +/- 0.19 kg and 2.05 +/- 0.07 kg for the female and male kids, respectively). The SEA kids comprised 36 single male and female kids (mean body weight at birth of 2.48 +/- 0.04 kg and 10 sets of twins (both male and female) (mean body weight at birth of 1.50 +/- 0.04 kg ). Pre-suckling sera obtained on-station from kids born of does vaccinated against Escherichia coli (n = 8) and unvaccinated does (n = 7) had a total protein content of <40.0 g/l and no detectable levels of IgG and A or E. coli antibodies. Sera obtained 12 hours post partum) from kids that survived in both groups contained about 19-22 g of Ig g/l, 50-80 g total protein/l, blood glucose of >5 mmol/l and had an E. coli antibody titre of between 1/160 and 1/640. On the other hand, kids that died within 48 hours of birth (parturient deaths) and had been classified in categories 3 and 4 righting reaction had low (<40 g/l) total protein, low white blood cell count (4,000/ml) and low blood glucose concentration (<4.9 mmol/l). It is concluded that kids with delayed righting reaction (>45 minutes), low rectal temperature (<36 degrees C), low birth weights (<1.5 kg for singles and <1.0 kg for twins), low white blood cells (<4,000/ml), low (<2 mmol/l) blood glucose levels, low total protein (<40.0 g/l), low (<1:160) E. coli antibody titre and IgG (< or =3,350 mg/l) in sera obtained 12 hours after birth have a poor prognosis for survival.     

An epidemiological study of natural in utero infection with bovine leukemia virus.

The purpose of this study was to examine rates of natural in utero infection with bovine leukemia virus for association with breed, sex, dam age, dam parity and time of maternal seroconversion. Analyses conducted for breed and sex, dam age and parity and time of maternal seroconversion were the FUNCAT procedure for categorical data, Wilcoxon Rank Sums test and Fisher's exact test, respectively. A total of 223 calves born between July 1979, and September 1980, to cows infected with bovine leukemia virus in the University of Florida Dairy Research Unit herd were tested for detectable bovine leukemia virus antibodies prior to the consumption of colostrum. Sera were tested for antibodies by agar-gel immunodiffusion and radioimmunoprecipitation using the glycoprotein-51 antigen. In a group of 125 calves in which in utero infection could be confirmed through serological follow-up (group A), eight calves (6.4%) had precolostral bovine leukemia virus antibodies. For all 223 calves (group B), 18 (8.1%) had detectable bovine leukemia virus antibodies. For calves in group A, no associations were detected between precolostral bovine leukemia virus antibodies and breed (p = 0.66), dam age (p = 0.86), dam parity (p = 0.83), or time of maternal seroconversion to bovine leukemia virus (p = 0.50). However, precolostral bovine leukemia virus antibodies were found in 17.4% of the males and 3.6% of the females in group A (p = 0.11) and in 12.4% of the males and 3.6% of the females in group B (p = 0.04).     

Genetic parameters for direct and maternal calving ease in Walloon dairy cattle based on linear and threshold models

Calving ease scores from Holstein dairy cattle in the Walloon Region of Belgium were analysed using univariate linear and threshold animal models. Variance components and derived genetic parameters were estimated from a data set including 33 155 calving records. Included in the models were season, herd and sex of calf × age of dam classes × group of calvings interaction as fixed effects, herd × year of calving, maternal permanent environment and animal direct and maternal additive genetic as random effects. Models were fitted with the genetic correlation between direct and maternal additive genetic effects either estimated or constrained to zero. Direct heritability for calving ease was approximately 8% with linear models and approximately 12% with threshold models. Maternal heritabilities were approximately 2 and 4%, respectively. Genetic correlation between direct and maternal additive effects was found to be not significantly different from zero. Models were compared in terms of goodness of fit and predictive ability. Criteria of comparison such as mean squared error, correlation between observed and predicted calving ease scores as well as between estimated breeding values were estimated from 85 118 calving records. The results provided few differences between linear and threshold models even though correlations between estimated breeding values from subsets of data for sires with progeny from linear model were 17 and 23% greater for direct and maternal genetic effects, respectively, than from threshold model. For the purpose of genetic evaluation for calving ease in Walloon Holstein dairy cattle, the linear animal model without covariance between direct and maternal additive effects was found to be the best choice.     

Infection of two goatherds with Mycoplasma mycoides subsp. capri in Hungary,evidence of a possible faecal excretion

During epidemic outbreaks in two goatherds clinical symptoms and deaths occurred in five (14%) of the 3-week-old goat kids in farm A, and in six (33%) of those in farm B. In the latter farm, three female goats aborted before the clinical symptoms in the kids emerged. Mycoplasma could be isolated from both healthy and sick goat kids and from female goats, which had diseased kids or had aborted. Three goat kids (one from herd A and two from herd B) were sent for post-mortem examination. In all these cases septicaemia caused by Mycoplasma was diagnosed. Based on the bacteriological examination the Mycoplasma strains proved to be Mycoplasma mycoides subsp. capri (Mmc). This was confirmed by the PCR examination. Mmc was isolated from several locations including from the rectum of one healthy female goat, and from two diseased kids. In addition, bacteria were detected in the small intestine in two of the necropsied kids by bacteriological and/or immunohistochemical methods. The finding suggests that Mmc may be transmitted via faeces in goatherds, kept under conventional conditions.     

Infection of Two Goatherds with Mycoplasma mycoides Subsp. capri in Hungary,Evidence of a Possible Faecal Excretion

During epidemic outbreaks in two goatherds clinical symptoms and deaths occurred in five (14%) of the 3‐week‐old goat kids in farm A, and in six (33%) of those in farm B. In the latter farm, three female goats aborted before the clinical symptoms in the kids emerged. Mycoplasma could be isolated from both healthy and sick goat kids and from female goats, which had diseased kids or had aborted. Three goat kids (one from herd A and two from herd B) were sent for post‐mortem examination. In all these cases septicaemia caused by Mycoplasma was diagnosed. Based on the bacteriological examination the Mycoplasma strains proved to be Mycoplasma mycoides subsp. capri (Mmc). This was confirmed by the PCR examination. Mmc was isolated from several locations includingfrom the rectum of one healthy female goat, and from two diseased kids. In addition, bacteria were detected in the small intestine in two of the necropsied kids by bacteriological and/or immunohistochemical methods. The finding suggests that Mmc may be transmitted via faeces in goatherds, kept under conventional conditions.     

Glutaraldehyde coagulation test for detection of hypogammaglobulinemia in neonatal nondomestic ruminants

Sera were collected from 103 individuals of 26 species of nondomestic ruminant animals in 2 zoological collections. Eighteen were presumed not to have absorbed colostral proteins (group 1), 32 had consumed colostrum at least 12 hours before testing (group 2), and 53 were healthy adults (group 3). The gamma-globulin concentration, as determined by zone electrophoresis, was less than or equal to 0.4 g/dl in 16 of 18 samples from the group 1 animals, and greater than 0.4 g/dl in 31 of 32 group 2 animals. The glutaraldehyde coagulation test was performed on each serum sample. The results were negative in 15 of 17 samples, with gamma-globulin concentration less than or equal to 0.4 g/dl, and positive in 85 of 86 samples, with gamma-globulin concentration greater than 0.4 g/dl. The glutaraldehyde coagulation test appeared to be a practical field test for determining failure of passive transfer of maternal antibody in newborn nondomestic ruminant animals in zoological collections.     

Embryo-transfer twinning and performance efficiency in beef production

Effects of twinning on efficiency of beef production were estimated from results of bilateral transfer of two Angus x Hereford (AxH) embryos into each of 241 heifers and 84 cows (H, A, HxA or Holstein x H) over 4 yr. Calves were weaned at 180 d and fed either 220 d in a feedlot (1977) or 170 d on forage and 140 d in a feedlot (1978 to 1980). Effects of parity, twinning and sex of calf were estimated as covariates within year-breed of dam. Pregnancy at 45 to 60 d of gestation was 68% in heifers (H) and 74% in cows (C), with 40% single (S) and 60% twin (T) births. Dystocia was 28% in H vs 10% in C (P less than .05), and tended to be less (P greater than .05) for T than S in H. More placentas were retained (P less than .05) for T than for S in both H (35 vs 12%) and C (24 vs 4%). Twin gestations averaged 3 d shorter and subsequent calving intervals 13 d longer (P less than .05), but total calf mortality was slightly higher (P greater than .05). Abortions were 4% in H only. Twinning females lost maternal weight during late gestation (P less than .05) when crowding limited voluntary feed intake, while fetal requirements were 60% higher (P less than .01). Twins increased milk output 25% (P less than .05), but 11% higher feed intake maintained cow weight during lactation. Twinning reduced birth weight 13% and weaning weight 17% (P less than .05), but 400-d feedlot weight only 9% because of compensating feedlot gain. Twins gained 18% faster than S during postweaning 170-d forage feeding, but 5% slower in feedlot to 8% lighter 490-d weight (P less than .05). Assuming 40% higher veterinary and labor costs for twins, estimated integrated herd costs per unit of age-constant output value would be lower for T than for S production by about 24% for marketing either at weaning or at 400 d.     

Interpretation of the detection of Sarcocystis neurona antibodies in the serum of young horses

Horses that are exposed to Sarcocystis neurona, a causative agent of equine protozoal myeloencephalitis, produce antibodies that are detectable in serum by western blot (WB). A positive test is indicative of exposure to the organism. Positive tests in young horses can be complicated by the presence of maternal antibodies. Passive transfer of maternal antibodies to S. neurona from seropositive mares to their foals was evaluated. Foals were sampled at birth (presuckle), at 24h of age (postsuckle), and at monthly intervals. All foals sampled before suckling were seronegative. Thirty-three foals from 33 seropositive mares became seropositive with colostrum ingestion at 24h of age, confirming that passive transfer of S. neurona maternal antibodies occurs. Thirty-one of the 33 foals became seronegative by 9 months of age, with a mean seronegative conversion time of 4.2 months. These results indicate that evaluation of exposure to S. neurona by WB analysis of serum may be misleading in young horses.