Search Results (10)

Creole goats have adapted to the harsh Andean environment, yet the physiological impacts of high-altitude production systems remain underexplored. This study assessed seasonal and dietary influences on the hematological and biochemical profiles of 45 Creole goats in the Peruvian Andes. The animals were assigned to three diets: D1 (grazing), D2 (grazing + 2000 g hay), and D3 (grazing + 400 g concentrate), across rainy and dry seasons. Biweekly blood sampling measured urea, cholesterol, total protein, albumin, ALP, ALT, WBCL, NeuP, LymP, HGB, and MCV. Season exerted the strongest influence (p < 0.001), with modest dietary effects and a consistent effect of sampling time. Urea, total protein, and albumin increased during the rainy season, though only urea responded significantly to diet. Leukocytosis rose in the dry season and with higher-protein diets, suggesting heightened immune activation under environmental stress. Hemoglobin peaked in the rainy season and early sampling, indicating better oxygenation. MCV and body weight were higher in the dry season, with weight unaffected by diet. These results underscore the complex interplay of environmental and nutritional factors in shaping goat physiology at high altitudes, emphasizing the importance of dynamic modeling in sustainable Andean livestock systems. Full article

This study provides a comparative analysis of the post-thaw sperm lipidomic profiles of Alpine and Spanish–Creole goat breeds to explore breed-specific differences in fatty acid composition and their implications for sperm function and reproductive efficiency. Lipids were extracted from cryopreserved semen samples of Alpine (n = 7) and Spanish–Creole (n = 4) mature bucks and subsequently analyzed by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS), with 21 fatty acids identified within the two breeds. Eight of these fatty acids, namely 13:0, 16:0, 18:0, 24:0, 14:1, 18:1 (cis-9), 24:1, and 18:2 showed significant differences (p < 0.05). The levels of 16:0, 18:0, 24:0, 18:1 (cis-9), 18:1, and 18:2 were higher in the Alpine breed, whereas the levels of 13:0, 14:1, and 24:1 were higher in the Spanish–Creole breed (p < 0.05). Of those, 16:0, 18:1 (cis-9), and 18:2 were both statistically and biologically significant (p < 0.05, FC > 2). Concentrations of the total fatty acids, total saturated fatty acids (Total-SFA), and total polyunsaturated fatty acids (Total-PUFA) were significantly higher in the Alpine breed, whereas the concentrations of the total cis-monounsaturated fatty acid (Total cis-MUFA) were significantly higher in the Spanish–Creole breed (p < 0.05). Network and pathway analyses revealed that 16:0, 18:1 (cis-9), and 18:2 contributed to the most central nodes of the lipidomic network, which may support membrane stability and cryotolerance. The lipidomic differences observed between breeds may be attributed to both genetic and environmental factors and may provide valuable tools for enhancing breeding strategies, artificial insemination programs, and sperm cryopreservation techniques. Full article

Endoparasitosis is a critical health challenge in the management of Creole goats under extensive production systems due to its negative impact on animal health and productivity. This study determined the occurrence of endoparasites and identified associated risk factors in Creole goats from the southern coast of Peru. Fecal samples were collected from 129 goats in two localities of the Pisco province to detect the presence of oocysts from Eimeria spp. and eggs from trichostrongyles, Skrjabinema spp., Trichuris spp., and Fasciola hepatica. Data were analyzed using logistic regression models and adjusted through bootstrapping and stepwise selection methods, with locality, feeding type, age, and body condition as predictive variables. The results revealed a high occurrence of Eimeria spp. (86.0%) and trichostrongyles (65.1%), while Fasciola hepatica (14.0%) and Skrjabinema spp. (7.0%) were exclusively identified in Independencia and San Clemente, respectively. Mixed infestations were predominant (65.9%), occurring more frequently in Independencia (75.9%) than in San Clemente (57.7%) (OR: 2.26, p < 0.05). The likelihood of infestation was significantly higher in Independencia for Eimeria spp. (OR: 5.72, p < 0.01) and Fasciola hepatica (OR: 61.4, p < 0.01). Moreover, goats fed exclusively on alfalfa were more likely to be infested with Fasciola hepatica compared to those fed a mixed diet of alfalfa and crop residues (OR: 0.06, p < 0.05). These findings underscore the necessity of implementing comprehensive health programs tailored to local management and feeding conditions. Full article

Goat milk composition is affected by feeding, and in semiarid rangeland, information on Creole goat milk physicochemical composition is lacking. For the fulfillment of this objective, three agroecological regions (AR) considering altitude (lowland 87, highland 779, and mountain 1309 m above sea level) with different botanical compositions were chosen. Every AR analyzed accounted for 30 goat herds, with a total of 90 herds. The results demonstrated that altitude had an influence mainly on density and protein. Milk density increases as altitude increases; conversely, milk protein increases as altitude decreases. On the other hand, in the mountain and lowland ARs, the salts and solids not fat (SNF) percentages were higher compared to that of the highland AR (p < 0.05). The freezing point (FP) was higher at highland altitudes compared to that of mountain and lowland ARs (p < 0.01). In the milk fatty acids (FA) profile, only the C14:1 value was affected by altitude, whereas goat milk at lowland and mountain altitudes had higher values compared to that at highland altitudes (p < 0.05). Additionally, late lactation stage fat, FP, and pH values were higher compared to early lactation values. The opposite effect was observed for salts and SNF. In the FA profile, late lactation values were higher for C10:0 and C8:0 compared to early lactation values. The opposite trend was observed for C18:2n6t. The thrombogenic index was significantly higher at lowland altitudes compared to highland altitudes, and similar to the mountain AR. These goat milk characteristics could be explained as a consequence of animal nutrition, as well as the goat’s meat-type phenotype. Full article

Gastrointestinal nematodes (GINs) are a major health problem in tropical goat husbandry. The control of GIN has been nearly exclusively reliant on the use of anthelmintic treatments. Their wide use has provoked the appearance and diffusion of anthelmintic resistance. Therefore, there is a need to use anthelmintics only when they are really needed. This strategy of targeted selective treatment (TST) has been recommended. The selection of animals to be treated has been based either on the objective measures of GIN intensity (fecal nematode egg counts) performed in the laboratory or on indirect assessment such as anemia (FAMACHA©), diarrhea score or weight gains, particularly in sheep. The roughness of hair has also been proposed in goats. These indicators can be handled by the farmer. Their opinion on the importance of GINs, and the indicators that they are ready to accept and use have very rarely been studied. Goat for meat production is important in the French West Indies (especially in Guadeloupe) and GIN infection may significantly alter this production. Eighteen farmers participated in semi-directive interviews in order to appreciate their relation to goat GIN infection and the solutions they considered. Seventeen farms were investigated for fecal nematode egg counts, FAMACHA©, body score, and roughness of hair. The average infection by GINs was high (average fecal egg count 1562 and standard deviation 2028) with a wide range from one farm to another (from 0 to 25,000 eggs of GIN per gram of feces). The Haemonchus genera was predominant (54%), followed by Trichostrongylus (37%) and Oesophagostomum (9%). Young goats were less infected than adult goats since they were not yet grazing; males were more infected than females; and the Creole breed was more infected than the other breeds. Among the farming types, the professional ones were less infected compared with the traditional or mixed agriculture and husbandry farms. Those using targeted selective treatment did not have a significantly higher GIN infection than those treating the whole herd. Most of the characteristics were related and multivariate analysis could not match the intensity of GIN infection with any parameter. The frequency of anthelmintic treatments was negatively related to the use of body score, FAMACHA©, and hair roughness. The use of semi-directive interviews provided a wider understanding of the strategies and problems of farmers. The farmers valued their animals very much and diseases, in general, were a preoccupation, whereas parasites were not a major issue for traditional farmers. This is due to the important use of indicators and the belief in their value that gives comfort to the farmers that the parasites are being controlled. The extension services have well diffused the practice of indicators to the goat farmers of Guadeloupe, with some depending less on anthelmintics to control the gastrointestinal nematodes by using targeted selective treatments. Full article

Of the diversity of proteins and high digestibility, goat milk will be a food of significant value for infant nutrition. The genetic polymorphisms of milk proteins play an essential role in the different degrees of allergic reactions. This work aimed to identify the proteins and peptides in the composition of goat milk and compare them to those in cow’s milk. The work was performed with goats French Alpine, Nubian, and Creole breeds and Holstein Friesian milking cows at the Universidad Autónoma de Querétaro, Amazcala. We investigated the relative abundance of goat and cow milk protein fractions by SDS-PAGE resolution and the densitometric analysis of gels. The protein alfa-casein was (17.67 ± 0.46) for Creole, (19.18 ± 0.88) French Alpine, (17.35 ± 0.49) Nubian, and (35.92 ± 1.96) Holstein cows. The relative abundance obtained from alfa-casein was statistically different between goats and cows, and this protein was vital because it is a protein related to allergies. On the other hand, the amino acid in position 67 of the beta-casein from three goat breeds is a Proline, so it is assumed that the beta-casein variant of goat milk is an A2-type. The latter has excellent relevance for infant nutrition and differs from cow milk. Full article

In order to determine whether organic production may be a viable option for goat farmers of the lower Mixteca region of Puebla, Mexico, in order to increase sustainability of their farms, we evaluated the extent to which these goat farms fulfill organic standards. Additionally, we revised their level of sustainability by calculating an Organic Livestock Conversion Index (OLCI) using 10 indicators and 36 variables. Information was obtained through two means: direct observation and a questionnaire applied to 119 goat farmers of six municipalities of the region. These goat farms principally consist of creole goats that graze in extensive communal rangelands and grasslands in non-arable lands with xerophytic vegetation, and their principal product is meat of adult goats. The goat farms had a moderate level of OLCI (48.0–53.6%) as well as a moderate level of sustainability (46.0–58%) for the goat farms included in this study). Five indicators showed limited compliance of the goat farms, with organic standards. Five showed a high level of compliance. The greater the OLCI value, the greater the sustainability of the goat farms. Increasing the level of compliance of the goat farms of the lower Mixteca region of Puebla, with the organic standards, which would in turn increase their level of sustainability, would require improving technical, social, environmental, and economic aspects of these farms, as well as co-responsibility in promoting sustainable organic goat farming by the different social actors involved (farmers, researchers, technical advisors, and policymakers). Full article

The largest population of goats (62%) in Ecuador is in the dry forest region in the south of the country. A Creole goat, named “Chusca Lojana”, has adapted to the dry forest region where environmental conditions are warm-dry, with sparse vegetation. Knowledge of the genetic information of the Creole goat is important to determine intra-racial diversity, the degree of genetic distance among other breeds of goats, and the possible substructure of the population, which is valuable for the conservation of such a species’ genetic resources. A total of 145 samples of the Creole goat was taken from the four biotypes previously identified. Genetic analyses were performed using 38 microsatellites recommended for studies of goat genetic diversity (FAO-ISAG). The results of within-breed genetic diversity showed a mean number of alleles per locus (MNA) of 8, an effective number of alleles (Ae) of 4.3, an expected heterozygosity (He) of 0.71, an observed heterozygosity (Ho) of 0.63, polymorphic information content (PIC) of 0.67, and an F_IS value of 0.11. Between-breed genetic diversity among 43 goat populations (native of Spain, American Creole, Europeans, and Africans) showed the following values: F_IS = 0.087, F_IT = 0.176, and F_ST = 0.098. Regarding the analysis of the population structure, the results showed that the Creole Chusca Lojana goat population is homogeneous and no genetic separation was observed between the different biotypes (F_ST = 0.0073). In conclusion, the Chusca Lojana goat has a high genetic diversity, without exhibiting a genetic substructure. Therefore, it should be considered as a distinct population because crossbreeding with other breeds was not detected. Full article

The Region Lagunera, a region in northeast Mexico, is undergoing significant problems with the quality of its groundwater, which exceeds the permissible limits of contaminants and/or heavy metals stipulated in Mexican legislation. The present study evaluated chronic toxicity in male goats exposed to arsenic via one ex situ Group 1 (n = 5) and one in situ female goats Group 3 (n = 10). The treatment in Group 1 was carried out in the La Laguna experimental field of the Instituto Nacional de Investigaciones Forestales, Agrícolas y Pecuarias (INIFAP), located in Matamoros, Coahuila, Mexico. Sodium arsenite (2 mg/kg) was orally administered for 84 days to five male Creole goats, aged between four and five years old and weighing between 60 and 70 kg, in order to determine its effect on urine toxicity, libido, and physiological condition, an untreated group (n = 5) was included (Group 2). The experiment in group 3 was conducted on ten female Creole goats, aged between four and six years old and weighing between 40 and 49 kg, in both the contaminated sampling area in the rural community of El Venado and the control sampling area in the rural community of Nuevo Reynosa (Group 4 (n = 5)), in which the arsenic levels were measured in the urine of the exposed goats, as was their physiological condition. Significant differences (p < 0.01) between the groups were found in both the arsenic concentration in the urine and the physiological condition observed in both experimental groups. Full article

In order to evaluate the morphostructural variability of the Black Creole goat (BCG), the present study was carried out in a population of 226 animals from eight localities and 14 morphometric variables were taken. Descriptive statistics for the variables were obtained and 10 of these presented variation coefficients of less than 10%. The degree of harmony in the morphology of the population was determined by the number of positive correlations with significant differences (p < 0.05), including a correlation test using Spearman’s method. In order to reduce the matrix of variables, a principal components analysis was performed, and it was evaluated based on Kaiser’s criteria (eigenvalue > 1). Finally, a hierarchical analysis of conglomerates using Ward’s method was performed using the Euclidean distance to evaluate the distances among localities. Morphometric variables were also included to visualize the relationship among the localities and their average per variable. The results showed that the animals evaluated presented a certain degree of homogeneity and maintained a highly harmonic model. The BCG population showed a high aptitude for milk production, which confirmed the zootechnical purpose of the breed. The BCG populations evaluated maintain similar morphostructural profiles specific to them that can distinguish this population from other animal breeds. Full article