Fertility of the West African dwarf goat in its native environment following prostaglandin F2-alpha induced estrus

The fertility of ten West African Dwarf goats in which oestrus was induced with PGF2 alpha was comparable to that of the five West African Dwarf goats in the control group. Performance indices as determined by duration of oestrus and length of gestation were not affected. Similarly the birth weight of kids was not significantly influenced. However, treated goats were superior to controls when the interval from commencement of experiment to oestrus is considered, although there was no difference between the two treated groups of goats (5 mg vs 10 mg PGF2 alpha). Results showed that PGF2 alpha could be an important tool in oestrus synchronization and thus in controls of the reproductive performance of the West African Dwarf goats under humid lowland tropical environmental conditions.     

Caprine alpha- and beta-mannosidase activities: effects of age, sex, and reproductive status and potential use in heterozygote detection of beta-mannosidosis

Effects of age, sex, and reproductive status on caprine plasma alpha- and beta-mannosidase activities were studied. The potential use of these plasma assays was evaluated for heterozygote detection of caprine beta-mannosidosis in populations of control goats and a breeding herd composed of known and putative heterozygotes for beta-mannosidosis. In the control population, the mean plasma alpha- and beta-mannosidase activities decreased in both sexes with maturity. Male goats generally had higher plasma mannosidase activity than did females, and plasma beta-mannosidase activity was affected by the reproductive status of the goats examined. Although putative carriers in the beta-mannosidosis breeding herd could not be differentiated from age- and sex-matched controls, known carriers had plasma beta-mannosidase values intermediate between those of control and affected goats. The lack of any correlation between alpha- and beta-mannosidase activities excluded alpha-mannosidase as a reference enzyme for carrier detection, but there are still differences between known carriers and the control population with respect to the alpha- and beta-mannosidase ratio.     

Immunization of goats against inhibin increased follicular development and ovulation rate

In the present study, two experiments were conducted to induce superovulation in goats using passive and active immunization against inhibin. In the first experiment, two groups of goats were given an intravenous injection of either 10 ml normal goat serum (control; n=6) or inhibin antiserum developed against [Tyro30]-inhibin alpha (1-30) (passively immunized; n=6) 48 h before treatment with PGF2alpha. In the second experiment, two groups of goats were immunized with inhibin vaccine (actively immunized; n=5) or Freund's adjuvant (control; n=5) followed by three booster immunizations at 4 week intervals. Blood samples were collected for determination of FSH, LH, estradiol-17beta, and progesterone. Ultrasonography was used to determine ovarian activity at PGF2alpha injection and ovulation rate one week after estrus. In both experiments, there was a significant increase in plasma FSH concentration compared with the controls. However, the pattern of the FSH levels was different between the passively and actively immunized goats. The numbers of follicles in passively and actively immunized goats (22.4 +/- 2.3 and 18.6 +/- 2.1, respectively) were significantly greater than those in the controls (2.6 +/- 0.4 and 2.3 +/- 0.4, respectively). In addition, the ovulation rate was greater in the immunized animals compared with the controls. Therefore, either passive or active immunization against inhibin could be used to induce superovulation in goats.     

Fertility of the West African Dwarf goat in its nagative environment following prostaglandin F2‐alpha induced estrus

Summary

The fertility of ten West African Dwarf goats in which oestrus was induced with PGF₂α was comparable to that of the five West African Dwarf goats in the control group. Performance indices as determined by duration of oestrus and length of gestation were not affected. Similarly the birth weight of kids was not significantly influenced. However, treated goats were superior to controls when the interval from commencement of experiment to oestrus is considered, although there was no difference between the two treated groups of goats (5 mg vs 10 mg PGF₂α).

Results showed that PGF₂α could be an important tool in oestrus synchronization and thus in control of the reproductive performance of the West African Dwarf goats under humid lowland tropical environmental conditions.     

Short-term transportation in a small vehicle affects the physiological state and subsequent water consumption in goats

We investigated the physiological effects on goats of transportation for one hour in a small truck. We also investigated food and water consumption after transportation. Eight adult goats (four castrated males and four ovariectomized females) were used. Plasma levels of cortisol, glucose and free fatty acids increased significantly within 15 min of the start of transportation, and these higher levels were maintained throughout transportation. These results indicate that transportation in a small truck activates the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and the sympathetic nervous system in goats. Despite activation of the sympathetic nervous system, heart rate (HR) in subjected animals during transportation did not differ from during the control animals, which were housed in their usual pen. However, after the transportation had ended and the goats started to eat fodder, HR increased significantly. There was no difference in the amount of food consumption between the control and transported goats. Water consumption in the first three hours after transportation was significantly lower in the transported goats than in the controls for the equivalent period. In the subsequent three hours, however, the transported goats consumed more water than the controls. Consequently, the total water consumption of the transported goats did not differ from that of the controls during the six hours after transportation. In conclusion, short-term transportation with a small vehicle activated the HPA axis and the sympathetic nervous system in goats. HR was not increased during transportation, but after the transportation had ended HR in transported goats was higher than that in control goats. After transportation, goats had consumed the same amount of food as control goats, but water consumption during three hours after the transportation was lower than that of control goats.     

Therapeutic potential of thiamine hydrochloride in experimental chronic lead intoxication in goats

The therapeutic potential of thiamine hydrochloride (vitamin B1) was evaluated in experimental chronic lead poisoning in goats. Eighteen goats divided into three groups were used. Goats of group A served as healthy controls while those of B1 and B2 received oral doses of 10, 15 and 20 mg lead acetate (5.43, 8.15 and 10.86 mg lead kg-1 body-weight) for 30, 30 and 31 days, respectively. At the end of the 91 days, thiamine hydrochloride was given at 20 mg kg-1 bodyweight subcutaneously for 15 days to group B2. Goats of group B1 served as lead exposed untreated controls. Significantly (P less than 0.05) higher lead concentrations were found in blood, liver, kidney and brain samples of lead exposed untreated goats than in healthy control or in lead exposed thiamine treated goats. The lead concentration, however, remained significantly (P less than 0.05) higher in all these tissues of thiamine treated goats than in healthy controls and no appreciable difference could be recorded in histopathological lesions between lead exposed untreated and thiamine treated goats.     

The Effects of Dexamethasone on the Response of Bronchus-associated Lymphoid Tissue to Intranasal Administration of Formalin-killed Pasteurella haemolytica A2 in Goats

A trial was conducted to observe the immediate and chronic effects in goats of dexamethasone administration on the bronchus-associated lymphoid tissue (BALT) response to intranasal administration of formalin-killed Pasteurella haemolytica A2. Twenty-four goats were divided into four groups. Those in group 1 were injected intramuscularly with 1 mg/kg dexamethasone on three consecutive days, followed by intranasal exposure to formalin-killed P. haemolytica A2 one day after the last dexamethasone treatment. The goats in group 2 were similarly injected with dexamethasone followed by intranasal exposure to formalin-killed P. haemolytica A2 21 days after the last dexamethasone treatment. The animals in group 3 were exposed intranasally to formalin-killed P. haemolytica A2 without prior dexamethasone treatment. The animals in group 4 were untreated controls. The intranasal exposures to formalin-killed P. haemolytica A2 were repeated 2 weeks later. Intranasal exposure to formalin-killed P. haemolytica 1 day after dexamethasone treatment further reduced the number and size of BALT compared to the untreated control. Significantly (p<0.01) more reduction of BALT occurred in goats exposed to formalin-killed P. haemolytica A2 21 days after dexamethasone treatment. On the other hand, intranasal exposure of goats without prior dexamethasone treatment stimulated the BALT compared to the untreated controls.     

Comparison of four immune variables and pulmonary lesions of goats with intrapulmonary exposure and subsequent intrathoracic challenge exposure with Pasteurella haemolytica

A comparison of immune variables following lung sensitization with live Pasteurella haemolytica serotype 1 (Ph1)-impregnated agar beads was done in 2 separate trials. The Ph1 immune variables studied were blood bactericidal activity, serum bacteriolysis, total classical complement, and indirect hemagglutination antibody. Each trial had 16 male weanling goats: 6 controls and 10 principals. In trial 1, each goat was surgically catheterized through the trachea, then the material was deposited in a bronchus. The controls received only agar beads and the principals received agar beads impregnated with live Ph1. These goats were studied for 32 days, euthanatized, and necropsied. In trial 2, the controls were each transthoracically injected with agar beads into the left lung and the principals were similarly injected with agar beads impregnated with live Ph1. These goats were studied for 35 days, then challenge exposed transthoracically by injection of Ph1 in saline solution (1.2 x 10(7) CFU/ml) into the right lung. Four days later, they were euthanatized and necropsied. The volume of lung consolidated tissue was an excellent measure of Ph1 immunity. Principal goats generated solid protective immunity to subsequent challenge exposure because minimal or no lung consolidation was observed, whereas large volumes of lung consolidation were seen in the controls. The principal goats in trial 1 gave a weak serum indirect hemagglutination Ph1 antibody response, which was attributed to the bronchial method of depositing the Ph1. The corresponding response of the control group remained negative. The Ph1 agar beads (1 x 10(6) CFU in 0.5 ml) protected the bacteria from immediate phagocytosis and lysis as indicated by the induced pneumonic deaths of 2 principals 5 days later.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Effect of chronic lead intoxication on the distribution and elimination of amoxicillin in goats

A study of amoxicillin pharmacokinetics was conducted in healthy goats and goats with chronic lead intoxication. The intoxicated goats had increased serum concentrations of liver enzymes (alanine aminotransferase and γ-glutamyl transferase), blood urea nitrogen, and reactivated δ-aminolevulinic acid dehydratase compared to the controls. Following intravenous amoxicillin (10 mg/kg bw) in control and lead-intoxicated goats, elimination half-lives were 4.14 and 1.26 h, respectively. The volumes of distribution based on the terminal phase were 1.19 and 0.38 L/kg, respectively, and those at steady-state were 0.54 and 0.18 L/kg, respectively. After intramuscular (IM) amoxicillin (10 mg/kg bw) in lead-intoxicated goats and control animals, the absorption, distribution, and elimination of the drug were more rapid in lead-intoxicated goats than the controls. Peak serum concentrations of 21.89 and 12.19 µg/mL were achieved at 1 h and 2 h, respectively, in lead-intoxicated and control goats. Amoxicillin bioavailability in the lead-intoxicated goats decreased 20% compared to the controls. After amoxicillin, more of the drug was excreted in the urine from lead-intoxicated goats than the controls. Our results suggested that lead intoxication in goats increases the rate of amoxicillin absorption after IM administration and distribution and elimination. Thus, lead intoxication may impair the therapeutic effectiveness of amoxicillin.     

Effects of induced parturition in goats on immunoglobulin G and chitotriosidase activity in colostrum and plasma and on plasma concentrations of prolactin

The effect of induction of parturition with a PGF(2)α analog on plasma concentration of prolactin (PRL) and its effects on colostrum concentration of IgG and chitotriosidase (ChT) activity were studied in 16 pregnant Majorera goats. Treated goats, those in which parturition was induced, had greater concentrations of PRL than control goats 24 h before parturition (P < 0.05) and 48 h after parturition (P < 0.05). Control goats had greater concentrations of PRL than treated goats 96 h after parturition (P < 0.05). Plasma concentration of IgG did not differ between groups during the experimental period, but colostrum concentrations of IgG were greater in control goats than in treated goats at parturition (P < 0.05). Plasma ChT activity decreased during the period 72 h before parturition to 24 h after parturition in control and treated goats. Time evolution after partum affected the colostrum ChT activity, being greater at parturition than after parturition in both groups (P < 0.05). In summary, concentration of IgG in colostrum is slightly diminished if parturition is induced. Induction of parturition causes an early increase in PRL, which is most likely responsible for preterm suppression of IgG transport into mammary secretions.     

Experimental respiratory infection of goats with caprine herpesvirus and Pasteurella haemolytica

Groups of six male goats were inoculated intratracheally and intranasally with either caprine herpesvirus followed 6 days later by Pasteurella haemolytica, canine herpesvirus alone or P. haemolytica alone. Pneumonic lesions were observed in five of the six goats inoculated with caprine herpesvirus followed by P. haemolytica and in three of the six goats inoculated with P. haemolytica alone, but were not observed in goats inoculated with caprine herpesvirus alone or in non-infected controls. Pasteurella haemolytica was isolated from seven of eight lungs with pneumonia, but only from one of sixteen lungs without pneumonia. The lesions ranged from fatal acute exudative necrotising pneumonia to predominantly proliferative pneumonia. Half of the caprine herpesvirus-inoculated goats developed a clinical catarrhal rhinitis five days post-inoculation and the only virus-specific histopathological lesion was a mild tracheitis. Canine herpesvirus was recovered from the nasal swabs of all caprine herpesvirus- inoculated goats developed a clinical catarrhal rhinitis five days post-inoculation and the only virus-specific histopathological lesion was a mild tracheitis. Canine herpesvirus was recovered from the nasal swabs of all canine herpesvirus-inoculated goats and from the lungs of three goats inoculated with caprine herpesvirus alone. The experimental inoculations demonstrated that P. haemolytica alone can produce pneumonia in goats. In addition, the study showed that caprine herpesvirus readily proliferates in the upper respiratory tract and lungs of goats but the role of caprine herpesvirus in the aetiology of pneumonia remains uncertain.     

Effect of danofloxacin (Advocin A180) on goats affected with contagious caprine pleuropneumonia

The efficacy of danofloxacin (Advocin A180) was evaluated for the treatment of contagious caprine pleuropneumonia (CCPP) caused by Mycoplasma capricolum subsp. capripneumoniae. Ten healthy Angora goats, confirmed free of CCPP, were exposed to clinically affected animals from a natural outbreak in Thrace, Turkey. After 14 days exposure, 8 goats showed pyrexia ( > or = 41 degrees C). Shortly after, the Angora goats were divided randomly into two groups. Five of these were injected with danofloxacin (6 mg/kg subcutaneously), which was repeated after 48 h; the five remaining animals received saline. Goats were monitored clinically and blood samples were collected for serology. Animals with severe disease were withdrawn from the trial. Goats completing the study were euthanized at day 42. Lung tissue and bronchial fluid were collected for mycoplasma isolation. All danofloxacin-treated goats showed resolution of clinical disease by the end of the trial. Two saline-treated goats failed to complete the study owing to CCPP. Danofloxacin-treated goats showed fewer lung lesions and had significantly lower combined clinical scores than saline controls (p < 0.001). Danofloxacin was found to be highly effective in the treatment of CCPP in goats.     

Response of goats to repeated infections with Fasciola gigantica

One or two mature primary infections with Fasciola gigantica which had been removed by anthelmintic treatment resulted in a significant reduction in the number of flukes recovered from challenge infection as compared with that from controls.

Characteristic lesions of fascioliasis were seen in the livers of the 3 groups, however, goats with two primary abbreviated infections prior to challenge showed more severe lesions than those of animals with one primary abbreviated infection or those of challenge controls. The former group also showed the highest serum glutamate dehydrogenase and sorbitol dehydrogenase peaks following challenge infections and pulmonary fascioliasis was encountered in one of the goats of this group. Haemoglobin concentration and packed-cell volume decreased after infection in the three groups of goats.     

不同尿素水平下青山羊谷丙转氨酶代谢规律的研究

选用4只体重约18kg 的健康青山羊 ,采用4×4拉丁方设计 ,结合氮平衡试验研究了不同尿素水平下血清谷丙转氨酶(GPT)活性随时间的变化。结果表明 ,不同尿素水平极显著影响GPT活性(P<0.01) ;GPT随时间呈动态变化 ,其变化曲线出现波峰的时间比瘤胃氨浓度出现高峰的时间平均推迟1～2h。求得尿素水平与GPT活性的回归方程为Y=25.83X0.1093(r=0.9972)。     

Effects of dexamethasone, levamisole, and dexamethasone-levamisole combination on neutrophil function in female goats

Effects of dexamethasone, levamisole, or combined dexamethasone-levamisole administration on polymorphonuclear neutrophil (PMN) function in healthy, adult female goats were studied. Goats were assigned to treated (n = 6) and control (n = 6) groups. In experiment 1, treated goats were given levamisole (6 mg/kg of body weight, IM). In experiment 2, treated goats were given 0.1 mg of dexamethasone/kg, IV, for 3 consecutive days, 1 mg of dexamethasone/kg, IV, for 6 consecutive days, and 6 mg of levamisole/kg, IM, with a 4th injection of 1 mg of dexamethasone/kg. All injections were administered 12 hours before blood collection. The PMN were evaluated for random migration and chemotaxis under agarose, ingestion of Staphylococcus aureus, cytochrome C reduction, iodination, and antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity. Levamisole alone did not alter the function of caprine PMN. Both doses of dexamethasone caused increased random migration and decreased cytochrome C reduction and iodination. Dexamethasone resulted in no changes in chemotaxis, S aureus ingestion, and antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity. Random migration and cytochrome C reduction returned toward base line in cells from dexamethasone and levamisole-treated goats. Although iodination activity in cells from dexamethasone-treated goats remained significantly (P less than 0.05) lower than those of controls after levamisole administration, a rebound toward base-line activity occurred.     

Pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics of orally administered bishydroxycoumarin in the goat

Eight goats, 2 nontreated controls and 6 treated, were used to study the pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics of bishydroxycoumarin. In 5 of the 6 treated goats, there was a significant relationship between prothrombin times and drug concentrations. Activated clotting times did not change with time in either the controls or the treated goats. Five of 6 treated goats reached a plateau of drug concentration after 24 to 36 hours. Lag times for onset of pharmacologic effect ranged from 12 to 24 hours. The one goat (No. 3) that did not respond in concert with the other 5 was extremely nervous and became anorectic during the period of indoor confinement.     

Evaluation of antibody response and nonspecific lymphocyte blastogenesis following inoculation of a live attenuated bluetongue virus vaccine in goats

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate vaccine safety, antibody response, and nonspecific lymphocyte blastogenesis following inoculation of a commercial monovalent live attenuated bluetongue virus (BTV) serotype 2 vaccine in goats. ANIMALS: 12 nonpregnant and nonlactating Saanen goats. PROCEDURE: 6 goats were inoculated with the monovalent live attenuated BTV serotype 2 vaccine, which has been widely used in Italy during the proceding 2 years. The other 6 goats were unvaccinated and represented negative controls. Nonspecific lymphocyte blastogenesis was evaluated 14 and 7 days before and 7, 21, and 49 days after vaccination by measuring DNA synthesis in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) stimulated with phytohemagglutinin, concanavalin-A, and pokeweed mitogen. On the same days as lymphocyte blastogenesis, blood samples were taken to determine serum concentrations of anti-BTV antibodies. RESULTS: During the 7 weeks following vaccination, PBMCs obtained from vaccinated goats had a significantly decreased response to mitogens in terms of DNA synthesis, compared with PBMCs from the same goats before vaccination. Conversely during the experiment, no significant change was found in the response of the PBMCs obtained from unvaccinated goats. Starting from 21 days after vaccination, serum from vaccinated goats had anti-BTV antibodies. No anti-BTV antibodies were detected in the serum from unvaccinated goats. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Inoculation of goats with the monovalent live attenuated BTV serotype 2 vaccine described herein resulted in a profound depression of nonspecific lymphocyte blastogenesis, which might compromise the resistance of vaccinated goats to pathogens.     

日粮锰水平对辽宁绒山羊与蛋白质代谢相关的血液指标的影响

为了研究日粮中添加锰对辽宁绒山羊蛋白质代谢的影响,试验采用单因子完全随机试验设计,将24只辽宁绒山羊公羊随机平均分为Ⅰ、Ⅱ、Ⅲ组,分别饲喂锰含量为20,40,60 mg/kg的日粮,测定了血液中谷丙转氨酶、谷草转氨酶、总蛋白、尿素氮含量。结果表明:随着锰含量的增加,谷丙转氨酶活性和总蛋白含量显著提高(P<0.05),尿素氮含量显著降低(P<0.05),但谷草转氨酶活性未受显著影响(P>0.05)。综合分析认为,含锰60 mg/kg的日粮对促进辽宁绒山羊的蛋白质代谢较为适宜。     

蛋氨酸硒和纳米硒对波尔山羊种公羔生长及血液、组织硒含量的比较

【目的】为了研究纳米硒(nano-selenium)和蛋氨酸硒(methionine-selenium)对种公羊羔羊生长发育以及血液、组织中硒的沉积和谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶活性的影响。【方法】试验选用体重相近的30只种用波尔山羊断奶公羔随机分3组,每组10个重复,预试2周,正试12周,分别饲喂基础日粮(对照组);基础日粮+0.3 mg/kg纳米硒;基础日粮+0.3 mg/kg蛋氨酸硒(以硒浓度计算)。每隔4周采血样一次,试验结束时,每组随机屠宰羔羊3只测量组织硒浓度。【结果】不同的硒源和一定浓度的硒对公羔生长发育影响不显著(P>0.05);添加蛋氨酸硒和纳米硒的公羔组织器官,血清,全血硒含量以及肝脏谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶活性显著高于对照组(P<0.05),添加组之间差异不显著。【结论】统计结果表明,纳米硒和蛋氨酸硒与对照相比都能有效地增加血液、组织中硒的沉积,添加纳米硒组羔羊硒沉积和谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶活性稍高于蛋氨酸硒组,羔羊添加纳米硒更易于硒的吸收和沉积。