Search Results (9)

Pseudopregnancy (PPG) is a common reproductive disorder in dairy goats, characterized by the accumulation of sterile fluid in the uterus and persistence of a corpus luteum, leading to temporary infertility and reduced farm efficiency. This study aimed to determine the pregnancy-associated glycoprotein (PAG) profile in dairy goats and to evaluate the PAG/P4 ratio as a potential novel biomarker for PPG diagnosis. A total of 605 Saanen and crossbreed mated goats were evaluated via transabdominal ultrasonography between 31 and 52 days after the removal of bucks in four intensive dairy farms, presenting an overall PPG incidence of 7.8%. Blood samples from PPG (n = 47), nonpregnant (NPG; negative control; n = 11), and pregnant (PG; positive control; n = 10) does were collected for PAG and P4 analysis. The PAG plasma levels were 0.08 ± 0.02, 0.13 ± 0.04, and 1.45 ± 0.04 OD (optical density) in the PPG, NPG, and PG groups, respectively (p < 0.001). The PAG/P4 ratio was lower in the PPG group (0.01 ± 0.11; p < 0.001) than in the NPG (0.24 ± 0.23) and PG (0.18 ± 0.23) groups. This difference allows for the establishment of a new methodological diagnostic approach to PPG. The area under the curve (AUC) was 0.996 for a cut-off of 0.04 and 97.9% and 100% sensitivity and specificity, respectively. This study suggests that the PAG/P4 ratio can serve as a reliable biomarker for PPG diagnosis, helping to distinguish it from pregnancy and nonpregnancy and improving reproductive management in dairy goats. Full article

This study aimed to investigate how diets supplemented with DHA-rich algae affect the expression of liver lipid synthesis genes in dairy goat bucks. The results revealed that when supplemented with DHA-rich algae, liver weight and serum HDL-C were significantly increased (p < 0.05), as well as serum LDL-C was significantly decreased (p < 0.05). Transcriptome sequencing indicated that algae supplementation alters liver gene expression. The differentially expressed genes were predominantly enriched in fatty acid metabolism and the biosynthesis of unsaturated fatty acids. The expression of fatty acid desaturation and transcription factors (SCD, FADS1, INSIG1), de novo synthesis fatty acids (FASN), fatty acid transport (LDLR), and cholesterol and steroid synthesis (HMGCR, HMGCS1, SQLE) genes were significantly increased (p < 0.05), and fatty acid oxidation (ALDH3B1) genes were significantly decreased (p < 0.05). In conclusion, this research provided preliminary evidence that supplementation with algae in dietary supplements altered the expression of the liver lipid synthesis genes in the Saanen dairy goat bucks. Full article

Based on a circular economy approach, we evaluated the possible effect of targeted supplementation with leftover feed from dairy cows (i.e., intensive system) on the reproductive performance of crossbred/rangeland goats (i.e., extensive system) in arid Northern Mexico. During the deep-anestrous season (i.e., March–April, 25° North), multiparous goats (n = 38) with a similar body weight (BW) and body condition score (BCS) were randomly assigned to two groups: (1) supplemented group (SG; n = 19; BCS: 1.76 ± 0.07; BW: 43.7 ± 1.8 kg), receiving 400 g goat d⁻¹ of dairy-cow-feed leftovers prior to grazing; and (2) non-supplemented group (NS; n = 19; BCS: 1.76 ± 0.06; BW: 44.3 ± 2.5 kg). Both groups were directed to the rangeland for a period of ≈8 h. While the experimental period lasted 36 d, the experimental breeding considered 11 d (d0–d10). The anovulatory status of goats was ultrasonographically confirmed on days −20, −10, and −1 prior to male–female interaction. Previously, bucks were separated for 3 weeks from the experimental females and received exogenous testosterone every third day (i.e., 50 mg i.m.) prior to mating. With respect to the response variables, namely BW, BCS, blood glucose levels (BGLs), estrus induction (GIE, %), latency to estrus (LTE, h), estrus duration (ED, h), and luteal tissue volume (LTV, mm), no differences (p > 0.05) occurred between experimental groups. However, the response variables, namely goats ovulating (GO, %; 78.9 vs. 47.3), total number of corpuses luteum (TNCL, n; 27 vs. 13), ovulation rate (OR, n; 1.42 vs. 0.73), multiple ovulation (MO, %; 73.3 vs. 55.5), and pregnancy rate on d 36 (PRd36, %, 68.4 vs. 36.8), favored (p < 0.05) the SG over the NS goats. Our results demonstrate that connecting the circularity of two divergent ruminant production systems (i.e., cow-intensive and goat-extensive) by using dairy cows’ feed leftovers as a targeted supplementation strategy in anestrous goats under a marginal-rangeland production system enhanced out-of-season reproductive outcomes (i.e., ovulation rate and pregnancy rate), thus benefiting marginal goat producers and their families. Full article

The possible effect of body condition score (BCS) on ovarian function, sexual behavior, (i.e., females and males; appetitive and consummative), estrus, ovulation, and reproductive performance was investigated in crossbred dairy goats under extensive conditions. Based on their BCS, female goats (n = 48) were divided into two experimental groups, either with a low (LG; 1.0 ± 0.2 units; n = 26) or with a high BCS (HG: 2.5 ± 0.9 units; n = 22). Bucks n = 4; cc = 2.5. Female sexual behavior (i.e., acceptance of anogenital sniffing and approach, flight, and tail wagging) was higher in the HG (p < 0.05). In addition, bucks exposed to HG goats showed more approach and mounting attempts (p < 0.01). There were no significant differences (p > 0.05) between the groups in either the follicular diameter or size. Interestingly, although follicular volume, pregnancy rate, kidding rate, and total number of kids born alive were higher in the HG goats (p < 0.05), there were no significant differences (p < 0.05) in fetal mortality and prolificacy between the HG and LG goats. In addition, the response variables of female ovulation, total number of corpus luteum, ovulation rate, corpus luteum diameter, and luteal tissue volume were more favorable in the HG goats (p < 0.05). Our research results demonstrate that a higher BCS improves not only the reproductive responses, but also sexual behavior (i.e., female and male). Larger ovarian structures, higher ovulation rates, higher pregnancy and kidding rates, and higher prolificacy were observed in the HG goats managed under a marginal semiarid extensive production system. Full article

This study reports the occurrence and appearance of various reproductive tract pathologies of small ruminants diagnosed using ultrasound. An eight-year retrospective study of collected ultrasound data was carried out in Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil from September 2012 to July 2020. A total of 3463 animals from 16 sheep flocks and 10 dairy goat flocks, raised under extensive and intensive management systems, respectively, were used in the study. All animals were submitted to an ultrasound examination of their reproductive tract. Data were analyzed using Fisher’s exact test (p < 0.05), to compare disorder frequencies within and between species. Ewes (4.14%) had fewer reproductive disorders than does (8.98%), while rams (43.63%) and bucks (56.25%) presented no significant differences. Hydrometra was the most frequent finding in does, represented by 50.98% of cases; while, in ewes, recent fetal loss (22.85%) and cystic endometrial hyperplasia (20.00%) were the most frequent. In bucks, the findings showed no clear differences; while, for rams, the most frequent finding was testicular microlithiasis (75.00%). Ultrasonography offers clinically useful information about the reproductive tract via the images it provides; knowledge of which makes it possible to improve the diagnosis, therapy, and prognosis of genital pathologies. Full article

This review describes the current state of knowledge relating to scientific literature on welfare indicators for goats. Our aim was to provide an overview of animal-based indicators for on-farm welfare assessments. We performed a literature search and extracted 96 relevant articles by title, abstract, and full-text screening. Out of these articles, similar indicators were aggregated to result in a total of 32 welfare indicators, some of which were covered in multiple articles, others in only a single one. We discuss a set of three established assessment protocols containing these indicators, as well as all individual indicators which were covered in more than one article. As single indicators, we identified lameness, body condition score (BCS), qualitative behaviour assessment (QBA), and human–animal relationship (HAR) tests with substantial evidence for sufficient validity to assess welfare in goats. A multitude of indicators (e.g., hair coat condition) was studied less intensively but was successfully used for welfare assessments. For some indicators (e.g., oblivion, lying behaviour), we highlight the need for future research to further validate them or to optimise their use in on-farm welfare assessments. Moreover, further investigations need to include kids, bucks, and meat and fibre goats, as well as extensively kept goats as the literature predominantly focuses on dairy goats in intensive production systems. Full article

Short day length is associated with reduced milk production in dairy ruminants. Dairy ruminants have been kept in lit sheds during winter to extend the day length and stimulate milk production. However, there studies are few on the effect of an extended photoperiod on the ensuing reproductive performance of dairy goats. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of long day photoperiod (LDPP) and exposure to bucks on milk production and plasma progesterone and prolactin in dairy goats. The study was conducted in 122 non-pregnant lactating dairy goats over 18 weeks from April to August (late autumn and winter in the Southern Hemisphere). The goats were kept in open sided sheds in which the control treatment received ambient lighting while the LDPP treatment received 16 h of light, including artificial lighting. In June, July and August synchronised does were randomly assigned each month to the presence or absence of a buck and ovulatory activity determined from plasma progesterone. Plasma progesterone concentrations were reduced (0.73 vs. 0.46 pmol, p < 0.001) while prolactin concentrations were increased (0.095 vs. 1.33 ng/mL, p < 0.001) in LDPP goats. The former response was most marked in late winter (0.58 vs. 0.004 pmol, p < 0.001) indicating a lack of functional corpora lutea. While there was no overall effect of buck exposure on plasma progesterone concentrations there was a three-way interaction such that plasma progesterone concentrations were increased (p < 0.05) by exposure to bucks in LDPP goats in August (late winter) but not at other times. Milk production was increased in LDPP goats over the latter stages of the study (1. 55 vs. 1.82 L/d, p < 0.05). Also, persistency of lactation was greater in LDPP goats with fewer goats drying off (13 vs. 0%, p < 0.05). These findings suggest that LDPP can increase milk production and persistence while decreasing ovulatory activity in dairy goats. Full article

Seasonal reproduction restricts the offering of goat commodities across the year. Therefore, it is crucial to improve diverse strategies to induce the reproductive response in goats during the anestrus stage. The effectiveness of a short P4 + eCG-based estrus induction protocol during both the deep anestrous (March) or the reproductive transition period (June) upon the reproductive performance of crossbred dairy goats was assessed. Adult, anestrous, 24–30-month- old dairy crossbred (Saanen–Alpine–Nubian × Criollo) goats (n = 123) from two commercial herds and 10 sexually active goat bucks were used. Before the trials, the anestrous status of goats was confirmed. Then, goats were randomly allocated into two different experiments. In Exp. 1, we tested the effect of different doses (D) of intramuscular progesterone (P4; 10 or 20 mg + eCG (100 UI)) and type of breeding (TB), natural mating (NM), or artificial insemination (AI), on two commercial goat herds (H1 & H2), in March (deep anestrous). In Exp. 2, we evaluated the effect of D (P4; 10 or 20 mg + 100 UI eCG) in goats subjected to NM, and either during deep anestrous (March; M) or transitional anestrous (June; J), in two commercial herds. After breeding, conception and pregnancy were diagnosed with ultrasound scanning. The response variables were estrus induction (EI; %), estrus latency (EL; h), ovulation (OVP; %), ovulation rate (OR; units), fertility (FERT; %), and pregnancy (PREG; %). No differences (p > 0.05) in live weight (LW) and body condition score (BCS) occurred between herds in both trials. In Exp. 1, EI, EL, OVP, OR, FERT, and PREG were affected (p < 0.05) by the H–TB–D interaction, whereas in H1 + P4–20 combination had the highest (p < 0.05) EI, EL, and OVP values. Irrespective of TB, H1 had the largest (p < 0.05) OR, independently of TB or D. Also, the lowest (p < 0.05) OVP occurred in the AI + P4–10 group, while the AI had the lowest (p < 0.05) FERT, irrespective of D. FERT and PREG were two-fold higher (p < 0.05) in NM compared with AI. In Exp. 2, EI, EL, OVP, OR, FERT, and PREG were affected (p < 0.05) by the H–M–D interaction. In general, H2 + P4–10 had the lowest (p < 0.05) reproductive outcomes in March, whereas H1 had the largest (p < 0.05) values in either month. No differences (p > 0.05) between P4 doses occurred for EI, OVP, OR, FERT, and PREG. Yet, the largest (p < 0.05) EL occurred with P4–20 in June. No correlations (p > 0.05) occurred between LW and all the reproductive variables. BCS was positively correlated (p < 0.05) with EI (0.34), OVP (0.44), OR (0.58), and PREG (0.20). Also, positive correlations (p < 0.05) occurred between EI with EL (0.83), OVP (0.80), OR (0.64), and PREG (0.56); EL with OVP (0.58), OR (0.44), and PREG (0.42); OVP with OR (0.79) and PREG (0.70), as well as OR and PREG (0.63). Results of these studies confirm a multidimensional response regarding the effectiveness of P4 + eCG for estrus induction in goats mainly modulated by a specific time within the anestrous season, or even by specific management or a particular environment at the herd level (H1), although quite remarkably independent of the animal’s LW or BCS at herd level. Moreover, the best reproductive outcomes occurred with NM in June. The most reproductive variables were similar using either 10 or 20 mg P4 + 100 IU eCG, giving the possibility to lessen the scale in the use of exogenous hormones while obtaining acceptable out of season reproductive response. Full article

Implementing linear appraisal systems (LAS) may reduce time, personnel and resource costs when performing large-scale zoometric collection. However, optimizing complex zoometric variable panels and validating the resulting reduced outputs may still be necessary. The lack of cross-validation may result in the loss of accuracy and value of the practices implemented. Special attention should be paid when zoometric panels are connected to economically-relevant traits such as dairy performance. This methodological proposal aims to optimize and validate LAS in opposition to the traditional measuring protocols routinely implemented in Murciano-Granadina goats. The sample comprises 41,323 LAS and traditional measuring records from 22,727 herdbook-registered primipara does, 17,111 multipara does and 1485 bucks. Each record includes information on 17 linear traits for primipara/multipara does and 10 traits for bucks. All zoometric parameters are scored on a nine-point scale. Cronbach’s alpha values suggest a high internal consistency of the optimized variable panels. Model fit, variability explanation power and predictive power (mean square error (MSE), Akaike (AIC)/corrected Akaike (AICc) and Bayesian information criteria (BIC), respectively) suggest the model comprising zoometric LAS scores performs better than traditional zoometry. Optimized reduced models are able to capture variability for dairy-related zoometric traits without noticeable detrimental effects on model validity properties. Full article