The interbreeding of sheep and goats.

To determine the outcome of interbreeding sheep and goats, ewes and does were bred to rams and bucks, and their embryos recovered. Pregnancy was monitored in 2 does bred to a ram. Fertilization rates in ram X does, buck X does, ram X ewes, and buck X ewes were 72%, 96%, 90%, and 0%, respectively. Ram X doe fetuses died at 5 to 10 weeks.     

Effect of nutritional supplementation upon pregnancy rates of goats under semiarid rangelands and exposed to the male effect

The aim of this study was to evaluate possible effects of improved protein and energy diet upon reproductive outcomes of adult goats under marginal rangeland grazing conditions and exposed to the male effect during the anoestrous-dry season. Adult goats (Nubian × Criollo, nonpregnant, nonlactating, n?=?160, 22° 50' N, 100° 59' W, 1,653?m) were randomly divided in two experimental groups: Control (CG; n?=?80) and Supplemented (SG; n?=?80). Both CG and SG goats were kept together during the day for ranging a semiarid rangeland while separated accordingly at night. SG goats were individually supplemented [400?g?kg(-1)?day(-1)?; 14% CP and 2.92 Mcal DE kg(-1)] during a 30-day period. Thereafter, both the CG [35.5?±?0.94?kg LW, 1.95?±?0.06 U, body condition score (BCS)] and the SG [39.5?±?0.94?kg LW, 2.29?±?0.06 BCS] were exposed to adult males (Nubian, n?=?4, two per group) of proven libido and fertility and kept together at night (1700-0900) during a 42-day experimental breeding period. At the beginning of the breeding period, both LW (P??0.05), respectively. Results suggest that nutritional supplementation and the male effect were able to successfully invoke neurophysiological pathways to increase ovarian activity and to promote a uterine milieu prone to the establishment of pregnancy during the anoestrus season. However, the increased abortion rates observed in the study occurred irrespective of the nutritional regime offered during the premating stage. Therefore, there is a need to align the last third of gestation to the onset of the grazing season in order to increase reproductive and economic efficiency in those rangeland-based marginal goat production systems.     

Mastitis of sheep and goats.

This article presents an overview of the recent research into ovine and caprine mastitis. The common clinical presentations of mastitis in these species are reviewed, as are the important etiologic agents and their significance. The interpretation of somatic cell counts and surrogate tests, factors that affect somatic cell count levels, and association of somatic cell count levels with productivity are reviewed. Investigations into the treatment and prevention of mastitis and milking equipment function are discussed, and comments are made on the public health implications of extra label drug use and the consumption of unpasteurized milk.     

The effect of polyethylene glycol on intake of Mediterranean shrubs by sheep and goats

Poor nutritional quality and increased content of secondary compounds can reduce consumption of Mediterranean shrubs by herbivores. In 2 sequential trials, we examined the effect of polyethylene glycol (PEG) and number of shrub species offered on daily intake of Mediterranean shrubs by 12 sheep and 12 goats. The PEG (25 g) was fed to experimental animals with barley. In trial 1 (6 shrubs), goats ate more (P = 0.0008) daily total shrub biomass than did sheep (60.7 vs. 45.9 +/- 2.6 g/kg of BW). There was a trend (P = 0.08) toward a positive PEG effect on total shrub intake, with PEG-supplemented animals consuming more total shrubs than controls (56.7 vs. 50.0 +/- 2.6 g/kg of BW). Trial 2 (using 3 shrubs) was a continuation of trial 1, except that animals were given less barley and treatment animals were given more PEG (50 g). Both sheep and goats showed a numerical decrease in total shrub intake from trial 1 to trial 2. Sheep receiving PEG ate more (P = 0.002) total shrubs than did controls, but no PEG effect was found for goats. Thus, PEG had a greater influence on sheep than goats when only 3 shrubs were offered, a result that may be related to the fact that fewer shrubs with complementary secondary compounds were offered and that goats appear to have a greater ability to consume and detoxify secondary compounds from Mediterranean shrubs. Overall, as the number and diversity of shrubs offered increased, supplemental PEG had less effect on increasing intake for both goats and sheep.     

Protected fatty acid supplementation during estrus synchronization treatment on reproductive parameters of dairy goats

This study evaluated the effect of the protected fatty acid inclusion during estrus synchronization on reproductive parameters. Goats (n = 32) received progestagen sponges for 6 days and 200 IU equine chorionic gonadotropin and 30 µg d‐cloprostenol were given on Day 5. No difference was found among control (C), 1% protected fatty acid inclusion (C + 1%) or 4% protected fatty acid inclusion (C + 4%) groups, respectively, in estrus (100.0, 100.0 or 90.9%), estrus duration (31.6 ± 12.3; 43.2 ± 12.9 or 40.8 ± 14.1 h), animals ovulating (100.0, 90.0 or 100.0%) or ovulation rate (1.3 ± 0.5; 1.1 ± 0.3 or 1.2 ± 0.4). The interval from sponge removal to ovulation and from estrus to ovulation, respectively, were shorter for C + 4% (45.2 ± 8.0 h; 18.3 ± 11.0 h) compared with C (56.3 ± 12.6 h; 30.6 ± 10.5 h) or C + 1% (57.7 ± 8.7 h; 30.3 ± 11.1 h). The average ovulatory follicle diameter was smaller for C + 4% (6.2 ± 0.7 mm) than C (7.5 ± 0.8 mm), but similar to C + 1% (7.0 ± 1.5 mm). Insulin, insulin‐like growth factor 1, glucose and progesterone concentrations were similar among groups. The inclusion of protected fatty acid during synchronization treatment promoted no benefits on ovulation rate, but 4% anticipated the ovulation time.     

The effect of flushing and stimulus of estrogenized does on reproductive performance of anovulatory-range goats

This study was conducted to determine whether flushing or the stimulus of estrogenized goats is necessary to achieve a high reproductive response in anestrous goats on rangeland. Does were feed-supplemented on rangeland (flushed, n = 20). Other group was exposed to estrogenized does during the mating period (stimulated, n = 20). A third group was both supplemented and stimulated (stimulated–flushed, n = 20) and other group grazed on rangeland only (control, n = 18). More goats in the stimulated and stimulated–flushed groups showed estrus during the first 5 days of joining (45% and 60%, respectively) than the control and flushed groups (11% and 5%, respectively; P < 0.05). Flushing did not improve prolificacy and reduced (P < 0.05) kidding rates (40% and 35% for the flushed and stimulated–flushed groups, respectively) compared to 67% and 55% for the control and stimulated groups, respectively. This experiment demonstrates potential shortcomings of use of flushing in range goats with inadequate nutrition during gestation.     

The effect of copper and cobalt supplementation on the digestibility of fibrous feed in sheep]

The effects of an addition of copper, cobalt, and copper + cobalt on the in vitro digestibility of hay, treated beech sawdust and cellulose by the rumen fluid of sheep fed a complete food ration, complete food ration with 15% treated beech sawdust and a diet consisting of 80% hay and 20% barley were investigated, respectively. The rumen fluid obtained from animals fed a complete food ration showed the significantly higher digestibility of hay (Tab. I) when Cu (P less than 0.05), Co, or Cu + Co (P less than 0.001) had been added into the rumen. The cellulose digestibility increased only after Co application (P less than 0.05). The microelements supplementation in all three forms had a very significant effect on the digestibility of treated beech sawdust by the rumen fluid of sheep fed a diet with 15% sawdust content, although the initial digestibility by the rumen fluid in the control animals (without microelements) was only 44.9%. A similar trend was also observed in the cellulose digestibility, but after Co application this increase was not significant. The rumen fluid of animals fed hay (80%) and barley (20%) showed the highest digestibility. The digestibility of sawdust reached 60% and the of cellulose 95.9% without microelements supplementation (control). In this case the effect of microelement supplementation on the sawdust digestibility was manifested only in the case of cobalt by the digestibility decrease (P less than 0.001). The cellulose digestibility also decreased after administration of Cu (P less than 0.01) and Co (P less than 0.05). The Cu + Co supplementation did not influence its digestibility.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Advanced reproductive techniques in goats.

The use of ultrasonography for pregnancy diagnosis and reproductive tract evaluation in the goat has become more common in the past decade. Pregnancy-specific hormone assays are commercially available for pregnancy determination in goats. Hormonal methods of synchronization of estrus for artificial insemination have been refined, but a number of factors still make pregnancy results variable. Caprine embryo transfer is widely used commercially. More advanced reproductive techniques such as in-vitro production of embryos and cloning have been accomplished in goats; success rates with these techniques will likely rapidly improve.     

The effect of testosterone on the plasma disappearance rates of sulphadimidine and antipyrine in castrated dwarf goats

Plasma disappearance of sulphadimidine and antipyrine was studied in adult castrated dwarf goats before and following pretreatment with testosterone. Comparison was made with entire males before and after castration. Testosterone pretreatment caused a significant increase in the apparent elimination half-life in castrates, whilst in entire males castration caused a significant decrease.     

The effect of testosterone on the plasma disappearance rates of sulphadimidine and antipyrine in castrated dwarf goats

Summary

Plasma disappearance of sulphadimidine and antipyrine was studied in adult castrated dwarf goats before and following pretreatment with testosterone. Comparison was made with entire males before and after castration. Testosterone pretreatment caused a significant increase in the apparent‐ elimination half‐life in castrates, whilst in entire males castration caused a significant decrease.     

The coccidia of sheep and goats in Senegal

A survey of the coccidia in domestic sheep and goats was undertaken to ascertain the type of Eimeria species and the number of different coccidial species in individual faecal samples. Simultaneously the prevalence and the oocyst output was investigated in 2234 sheep and 577 goats during a 12-month period. Eight Eimeria species were encountered in sheep: E. ahsata, E. crandallis, E. faurei, E. intricata, E. ovina, E. ovinoidalis, E. pallida and E. parva.

In goats the following species were found: E. ahsata, E. arloingi, E. christenseni, E. crandallis, E. faurei, E. intricata, E. ninakohlyakimovae and E. parva.

The prevalence in sheep was 94% and in goats 85%, multiple parasitism was the rule. No seasonal fluctuation was observed in the prevalence or oocyst output. The sheep and goats' oocyst output was moderate, the mean for both being in the range of 1000–5000 oocysts/g of faeces.     

绵羊、山羊超数排卵的影响因素

胚胎移植(E.T)是将一头良种母畜配种后的早期胚胎取出,移植到另一头同种的、生理状态相同的母畜体内,使之继续发育成为新个体的方法。超数排卵(超排)则为E.T提供大量优质胚胎,是E.T的重要环节,只有高效、稳定的超排方法和技术才能提供充足的卵源。近些年来,牛的E.T已在一些发达国家转向商业化生产,而羊的E.T研究尚进展较慢。由于羊个体小,超排及E.T都需采用手术法,加之影响超排的因素很多,使羊的超排受到了很大限制。因此寻求一种适合各地条件、超排效果相对稳定的处理程序和方法是我们最为关注的研究课题。本文就影响绵羊、山羊超排的诸多     

The afferent innervation of the face of sheep and goats

The sensory innervation of the maxillary hairy skin and buccal mucous membrane was studied in anaesthetised sheep and goats. An electrophysiological technique isolated 47 single afferent units from the infraorbital nerve under chloralose or halothane anaesthesia. Mechanoreceptors of hairy skin were located in association with the following features: sinus hairs (n = 9); central primary hairs (n = 18); clear marginal hairs (n = 7) and skin-not-hair (n = 3). Units responded to hair tip displacement of 35 to 50 microm. Afferent units were also located in the mucous membrane of the cheek either associated with conical papillae (n = 8), or unassociated with papillae (n = 1). Receptor responses associated with hairs were classified as rapidly adapting (n = 18) and slowly adapting (n = 18) mechanoreceptor responses during sustained hair deflection. Seven mechanoreceptors of hairy skin and mucous membrane were excited by a fall in surface temperature. Two specific cold thermoreceptors were found: one in hairy skin and one in the mucous membrane. These units had phasic discharges during abrupt thermal depression and static discharges at constant surface temperatures. All afferent units had myelinated axons as indicated by their conduction velocities (range 20 to 57 m sec-1, mean 34 m sec-1). It is concluded that the mechanoreceptors identified had similarities with those of other mammalian species and some distinct differences. An interesting feature of mechanoreceptors in the buccal mucosa was their cold sensitivity. They therefore shared characteristics with mechanoreceptors in the penile mucosa of the ram and tongue of the sheep.     

Necropsy of sheep and goats

In this article, diseases will be discussed by system. Common differential diagnoses that may be associated with gross lesions are pointed out, and practical laboratory tests are presented that may help establish a specific diagnosis.     

Ruminal lactic acidosis in sheep and goats.

The clinical findings in 37 sheep and goats with acute ruminal lactic acidosis included a disturbed general condition characterised by anorexia, apathy, teeth grinding and muscle twitching, ruminal stasis, and the excretion of soupy or watery faeces. The ruminal fluid of affected animals was milky, had a sour odour and a low pH. There was a predominance of Gram-positive bacteria in smears of ruminal fluid. In comparison with 10 control animals, the rumen fluid of 23 sheep with ruminal lactic acidosis had higher lactic acid and lower volatile fatty acid concentrations. In addition, the affected animals often had haemoconcentration and metabolic acidosis. Treatment included single or repeated transfer of ruminal fluid from healthy cows and, depending on the severity, the administration of antacids, yeast and chlortetracycline, and the intravenous infusion of isotonic sodium chloride and 5 per cent sodium bicarbonate solutions. Of the 37 treated sheep and goats, four died within 24 hours, and three others were euthanased after one, two and three days because their condition rapidly deteriorated. Thirty animals were discharged one to nine days after treatment. Twenty-nine of them (78.4 per cent) recovered completely but one was euthanased later.     

Lack of weight gain of sheep following iodine supplementation in inland regions of the South Island

Weight gain response to iodine supplementation was investigated in five groups of sheep in different seasons. In only one spring period in one trial was a significant response obtained.     

The effect of dietary protein supplementation on the pathophysiology of Haemonchus contortus infection in West African Dwarf goats

The effect of dietary protein on the pathophysiology of Haemonchus contortus infection in reproducing first pregnancy West African Dwarf (WAD) goats was studied. Eighteen 10-12-month-old pubertal female WAD goats divided into two equal groups were used and confined separately. One group was maintained on high-protein diet (HPD) while the other was maintained on low-protein diet (LPD) from day 1 of pregnancy up to week 6 post-partum. Each animal was infected with 600 infective larvae of H. contortus weekly for 4 weeks and blood collected by jugular venipuncture for the determination of packed cell volume and serum proteins. The results of the study showed that improved protein nutrition significantly enhanced the level of serum albumin (p<0.05). It also significantly lowered the level of serum globulin (p<0.05) that otherwise would be high in haemonchosis. However, improvement in the dietary protein level appeared not to have any effect on the packed cell volume and total serum protein level.