Gerontological Studies on the Micrometry of Liver of Bakerwali Goat

Background: Goat husbandry has been playing an important role in the economy of our country with special reference to milk, meat, manure and hide production. Bakerwali goat constitutes about 50% of the total goat population of J and K. The liver is an extremely important organ in the body of mammals performing numerous functions. The liver is much heavier in young animals than older animals as it atrophies with age. The present study has been planned to record the micrometrical data about the liver of Bakerwali goat during different age groups. Methods: Liver samples were collected from slaughter houses of Nagrota in and around Jammu city of UT of J and K during 2019-20. The samples were divided into young (below 1 year), adult (2-3 years) and senile (4 years and above) as per the dentition of the goats. Six samples from each age group were collected. The micrometrical observations were recorded on H and E stained sections with the help of an ocular micrometer duly calibrated with stage micrometer. Result: The capsule showed maximum thickness in adults followed by the young and senile age group. The maximum thickness of the capsule was seen at upper part of main lobe (UPOML) in the liver of young and adult whereas, in the senile group, the maximum thickness was seen at middle part of main lobe (MPOML). The diameter of the central vein showed the highest values in adults, followed by young and senile probably due to increased liver functions in adult. The mean values of length of hepatocytes ranged between 13.50 to 22.50 µm in all regions of the liver of irrespective of age groups. The mean values showed higher values in adult and senile age groups. The nuclear diameter of the hepatocytes ranged between 9.00 to 13.50 µm with mean values varying between 9.72±0.58 to 10.05±0.50 µm in all the three age groups. The maximum number of portal triads per field was seen at ventral part of main lobe (VPOML) in the senile group whereas the minimum number was observed at MPOML in the young group. In general, several portal triads per field were highest in the senile group followed by adult and young.

Population validation of reproductive gene mutation loci and association with the litter size in Nubian goat

Litter size is an important component trait of doe reproduction. By improving it, production efficiency and economic benefits can be significantly provided. Genetic marker-assisted selection (MAS) based on proven molecular indicators could enhance the efficacy of goat selection, as well as litter size trait. Many molecular markers have been identified that they can be used to improve litter size in different goat breeds. However, the presence and value of these markers vary among goat breeds. In the present study, we used the reported loci on other breeds of goat as candidate loci to detect whether these loci appear in this Nubian goat population; then we proceed to genotype and detect surrounding loci (50 bp) by multiplex PCR and sequencing technology. As a result, 69 mutations (59 SNPs and 10 indels) were screened out from 23 candidate genes in Nubian goat population, 12 loci were significantly associated with the litter size of first-parity individuals; 5 loci were significantly associated with the litter size of second-parity individuals; 3 loci were significantly associated with the litter size of third-parity individuals. In addition, five loci were significantly associated with the average litter size. The additive effect value of KITLG: g.18047318 G>A in first parity, KITLG: g.18152042G>A in third parity, KISS-1: g.1341674 C>G in first parity, and GHR: g.32134187G>A in second parity exceed more than 0.40, and the preponderant alleles are G, C, A and G, respectively. Further, linkage disequilibrium analysis of 21 mutation loci shows that 3 haplotype blocks are formed, and the litter size of combination type AACC in KISS-1 gene and AAGG in KITLG gene are significantly lower than that of other combinations genotype in first parity (P<0.05). These findings can provide effective candidate DNA markers for selecting superior individuals in Nubian goat breeding.

A Capra Hircus Chromosome 19 Locus Linked to Milk Production Influences Mammary Conformation

Background: Economically important milk production traits including milk volume, milk fat and protein yield vary considerably across dairy goats in New Zealand. A significant portion of the variation is attributable to genetic variation. Discovery of genetic markers linked to milk production traits can be utilised to drive selection of high-performance animals.A previously reported genome wide association study across dairy goats in New Zealand identified a quantitative trait loci (QTL) located on chromosome 19. The most significantly associated single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) marker for this locus is located at position 26,610,610 (SNP marker 19:26,610,610). This locus is associated with multiple milk production traits including fat, protein and volume. The predicted effect of selection for the beneficial haplotype would result in an average production increase of 2.2kg fat, 1.9kg protein and 73.6kg volume.An outstanding question was whether selection for the beneficial allele would co-select for any negative pleiotropic effects. An adverse relationship between milk production and udder health traits has been reported at this locus. Therefore, a genome wide association study was undertaken looking for loci associated with udder traitsResults: The QTL and production associated marker 19:26,610,610 was identified in this study to also be associated with several goat udder traits including udder depth (UD), fore udder attachment (FUA) and rear udder attachment (RUA). Our study replicates the negative relationship between production and udder traits with the high production allele at position 19:26,610,610 associated with an adverse change in UD, FUA and RUAConclusions: Our study has confirmed this negative relationship between udder traits and production traits in the NZ goat population. We have found that the frequency of the high production allele is relatively high in the NZ goat population, indicating that its effect on udder conformation is not significantly detrimental on animal health. It will however be important to monitor udder conformation as the Chromosome 19 locus is progressively implemented for marker assisted selection. It will also be of interest to determine if the gene underlying the production QTL has a direct effect on mammary gland morphology or whether the changes observed are a consequence of the increased milk volume.

Application of Artificial Insemination (AI) as a Breeding Method for Dairy Goat Herd Build-Up in Region 3, Philippines

One of the constraints in the development of dairy industry in the country is the limited number of dairy animals of which only 14% are goats providing only 1% of the total volume of local milk production. Meanwhile, increasing dairy goat population is hindered by the lack or the high price of dairy breeder animals that can be used in improving our local stocks. To spur the population of goats with genetic potential for dairying among goat farms in Region 3, Philippines, artificial insemination (AI) was applied in this project. Within the implementation period, a total of 50 participants were trained on AI in goats. They served as AI service providers in their respective and nearby municipalities. Meanwhile, a total of 4 seminars on goat raising was conducted at the different municipalities to promote the use of AI in goat breeding and upgrading which were participated by a total of 166 goat raisers. A total of 346 inseminations were reported by the trained technicians. Based on the total number of inseminations monitored, the observed conception rate was 60.29% ranging from 37.50% in Bulacan to 100% in Zambales. Of the total number of kiddings recorded, the percent of singletons, twins, and triplets observed were 46.38%, 44.93%, and 8.69%, respectively, giving an average kidding size of 1.17. A total of 106 kids were born with 61.32% (65 kids) males and 38.68% (41 kids) females with an overall male to female ratio of 1.59:1. Majority (73.58%) of the total kids born were of upgraded Anglo-Nubian bloodline. Meanwhile, of the five commercial farms visited, the Soliman Goat Farm in Tarlac was selected as the location for the establishment of the farm-based goat semen processing laboratory. Moreover, the owner and the farm staff involved in operating the laboratory had already undergone training on semen collection, processing, and evaluation.

Large-scale survey of prion protein genetic variability in scrapie disease-free goats from the United States

Scrapie is a slowly progressive neurodegenerative disease of small ruminants caused by an accumulation of an abnormal isoform of prion protein in the central nervous system. Polymorphisms of the prion protein gene (PRNP) strongly modulate scrapie resistance and incubation period in goats. The aim of this study was to identify PRNP genetic variability in goats across the United States. Blood from a total of 6,029 apparent scrapie disease-free goats from 654 operations and 19 breeds were analyzed. Sequencing of PRNP revealed 26 genotypes with different rates based on eight codons. The GG127, RR154, and QQ222 genotypes were predominant and showed a remarkably high rate across all goats. The QK222 and NS146 genotypes, known to be protective against scrapie, were found in 0.6% [with 95% CI = (0.3, 1.2)] and 22.0% [95% CI = (19.1, 25.2)] of goats, respectively. The QK222 genotype was found in 23.1% of Oberhasli goats tested, with 95%CI = (3.9, 68.7)] and 22.0% of Toggenburg goats tested with 95%CI = (9.7, 42.5)], while NS146 was found in 65.5% of Savannah goats tested, with 95%CI = (30.8, 89.9), 36.7% of Boer goats tested, with 95%CI = (33.1, 40.4), 36.3% of Nubian goats tested, with 95%CI = (27.0, 46.7)], and 35.6% of LaMancha goats tested, with 95%CI = (22.8, 50.8%). The MM142 and IM142 genotypes were found more frequently in goats on dairy operations, while the HR143, NS146, and ND146 genotypes were found more frequently in goats on meat operations. Goats in the east region had a higher percentage of goats with RH154, RQ211, and QK222 genotypes than goats in the west region. The results of this study showed high genetic variability of PRNP among the U.S. goat population, with differences by location and breed, and may serve as a rationale for development of goat breeding programs at the national level to mitigate the risk of scrapie.

Traditional Husbandry Practices of Goats in Selected Districts of Sidama Zone, Southern Ethiopia

The aim of this study was to describe goat production system in two districts of Sidama zone of southern Ethiopia using two production systems. Semi-structured questionnaire was developed and employed to gather information regarding the management activities, purpose of keeping goats and selection criteria of farmers to select breeding animals. A total of 240 households were interviewed to collect relevant information for the study. Data collected from questionnaire was statistically analyzed and summarized into descriptive statistics. Indexes was calculated to clarify rankings by using indexes formula. The number goat population is more in Loka Abaya than Aroresa. The primary purpose of keeping goats study area are mainly for their milk, meat and income generation. The reproductive potential of Does reared in the Aroresa district was lower. Broad shoulders, compact frame and short and thick necks of the Bucks were considered as the most important characteristics for selection. Communal grazing and crop aftermath were the most common feed sources reported by farmers in the study area. River was the major water source for goats in the study districts. The major factors limiting the productivity of goats are feed shortage, diseases, labour shortage and lack of improved goat breeds.

Caracterización e identificación morfométrica de las ubres de cabras criollas (Capra aegagrus hircus) de la parroquia Colonche, ubicados en el bosque deciduo de tierras bajas de Ecuador

El objetivo fue caracterizar la morfología de las ubres de cabras criollas de Colonche, se evaluaron 73 hembras adultas, las variables fueron, tamaño y ángulo de pezones, profundidad, inserción y conformación general de ubre. Se estableció un análisis estadístico descriptivo para las variables fanerópticas y morfométrica con el software estadístico SPSS versión 20. Los resultados determinaron que las cabras criollas tienen caracteres mamarios con una ubre periforme con un tamaño de pezón 5,23cm, ideal para la producción de leche, un ángulo de inserción fuerte y amplio 5,93cm, con buena profundidad de ubre4,84cm un ángulo de los pezones direccionados verticalmente 6,21cm y una conformación general ideal en casi todas hembras. Las medidas morfológicas de la glándula mamaria de la ubre fueron: profundidad 17,52cm, perímetro 23,59cm, distancia entre pezones 9,12cm, surco intermamario 4,35cm, longitud delpezón 2,60cm, diámetro base del pezón 2,7cm, predominan animales de capa policromada, de pelo corto. Palabras Clave: Cabras criollas, cisterna, glándula mamaria, pezón. Referencias [1]B.Vanegas García, “Caracterización de la morfología mamaria y control lechero en un rebaño comercial de ovejas Guirras”, Valencia: Universitad Politécnica de Valéncia, 2013. [2]V. Landi, “Conservación de los recursos zoogenticos”, Panama, 2011. [En línea] Disponible en: http://www.uco.es/conbiand/pdf/libro_resumenes_panama2012.pdf [3]M. Riera-Nieves, V. Vila-Vals and E. Perozo-Prieto, “Características morfológicas de los pezones y su relación con la producción de leche y eficiencia de ordeño en vacas de raza Carora” Revista Científica FCV – LUZ. vol 18, n° 6, pp 734–738, 2008. [4]L. Rodríguez, A. Hernández, A. Cervantes, M. Domínguez and J.Martínez, “Morfometría de los pezones de vacas doble propósito en hatos de la zona ganadera de Veracruz”, trabajo presentado en la Reunión Científica Tecnológica Forestal y Agropecuaria Veracruz, Colombia, 2013. [5]J. Vázquez García, “Relación de medidas de la glándula mamaria de cabras raza nubia en la producción y calidad de la leche”, 2013. [En línea] Disponible en: http://ninive.uaslp.mx/xmlui/handle/i/3426 [Último acceso: 26 03 2020]. [6]K. González, “La reproducción de las cabras”, 2017 [En línea] Disponible en: https://zoovetesmipasion.com/cabras/la-reproduccion-de-las-cabras/[Último acceso: 20 02 2020]. [7]G. Ferrano, “Lactación de la cabra y los factores que la regulan”, 2010. [Online] Available at: https://helvia.uco.es/xmlui/bitstream/handle/10396/3770/02-1990 [8]A. Flores, “Caracterización fenotípica de la cabra criolla y su sistema de producción, en la Parroquia Limones del Cantón Zapotillo”, 2018. [En línea] Disponible en: https://dspace.unl.edu.ec/jspui/bitstream/123456789/20535/1/alex%20maximiliano%20flores%20gonz%c3%81lez.pdf. [9]R. Singh, B. Bansal and D.Gupta, “Udder health in relation to udder and teat morphometry in Holstein Friesian×Sahiwal crossbred dairy cows”, Tropical animal health and production, vol. 46, pp. 93-98, 2014. [10]T. Buragohain, P. Das, P. Ghosh, D. Banerjee and J. Mukherjee, “Association between udder morphology and in vitro activity of milk leukocytes in high yielding crossbred cows” ,Vet World, vol.10, pp. 342–347, 2017. [11]A. Hernández, P. Cervantes, B. Domínguez, M. Barrientos and F. Gómez, “Morfología del pezón en vacas de lechería en el trópico de Veracruz, México”, Actas Iberoamericanas en Conservación Animal AICA vol. 10, pp. 251-256, 2017. [12]N. Fernández , “Aptitud al ordeño mecánico de ovejas de raza Manchega: II. Producción de leche, reparto de fracciones y cinética de emisión de leche”, In: 3rd International Symposium on Machine Milking of Small Ruminants. ed. Valladolid, Spain: Sever-Cuesta, 1983.XXXX [13]A. Rojas, “Selección de cabras lecheras”, 2001. [En línea] Disponible en: http://biblioteca.inia.cl/medios/biblioteca/ta/NR27087.pdf. [14]Chávez, D., Villacrés Matías, J. “Estimación del gasto energético de los caprinos en la Península de Santa Elena”, Revista Científica y Tecnológica UPSE. Vol 5, no. 1, pp. 70-76 . 2018. [15]V. Villavicencio , “Caracterización morfológica de la cabra criolla del Ecuador en el Cantón Zapotillo, provincia de Loja”, 2015. [En línea] Disponible en: http://dspace.espoch.edu.ec/bitstream/123456789/5331/1/Tesis%20Victor%20Javier%20Arias%20Villavicencio.pdf. [16]N. C. Gómez Urviola, “Caracterización estructural, morfológica y genética de la población de cabras autóctonas de la región apurímac del Perú”, 2013. [Online]. Available: https:// hdl.handle.net/10803/125720. [17]O. Camacho, “Caracterización fenotípica de la cabra criolla y su sistema de producción, en la parroquia Mangahurco del cantón Zapotillo”, 2018. [En línea] Disponible en: https:// dspace.unl.edu.ec/jspui/bitstream/123456789/20971/1/osvaldo%20vladimiro%20camacho%20enriquez.pdf. [18]G. Contreras, Z. Chirinos, S. Zambrano, E. Molero, “Caracterización morfológica e índices zoométricos de vacas Criollo Limonero de Venezuela”, Rev. Fac. Agron, vol. 28, no. 1, pp. 91-103, 2011. [19]C. Hernández, “Caracterización morfométrica de la cabra en el centro de Veracruz”, 2015. [En línea] Disponible en: http://132.248.9.34/hevila/Agroproductividad/2015/vol8/no6/10.pdf?fbclid=IwAR1IkGSsKuDzmd9_MX9V_zbjiaZG-. [20]M. Arias y A. Alonso, “Estudios sobre sistemas caprinos del norte de la provincia de Córdoba, Argentina”, Archivos de Zootecnia, vol. 51, pp. 195, 2002. [21]A. Solis Lucas, M. Lanari y M.Oyarzaba, “Phenotupic characterization of the goat population of Santa Elena province (Ecuador)”, Archivos de Zootecnia, vol. 265, no 265, pp. 22-29, 2020. [22]C. Landacay Barrera, “Caracterización fenotípica del ganado caprino criollo en el cantón Catamayo, provincia de Loja”, 2014. [Online]. Available: https://dspace.unl.edu.ec/jspui/handle/123456789/12373. [23]W. O. Burgos Paz, R. E. Vásquez Romero, J. O. Pérez Palencia, D. H. Bejarano Garavito y E. R. Camargo Sánchez, “La cabra criolla santandereana, patrimonio genético de Colombia”, 2015. [Online]. Available: http://repository.agrosavia.co/handle/20.500.12324/11551 [24]S. Carné, N. Roig y J. Jordana, “La cabra blanca de Rasquera: caracterización morfológia y faneróptica”, Archivos de zootecnia, vol. 56, no. 215, pp. 319-330, 2007. [25]Suárez, V.H.; Martínez, G.M.; Nievas, J.D.; Quiroga, Roger. J., “Prácticas de manejo y producción en sistemas familiares de cría caprina en las quebradas áridas de Jujuy y Salta RIA”, Revista de Investigaciones Agropecuarias, vol. 43, no. 2, pp. 186 -194, agosto, 2017.

Mortality and morbidity pattern in goats under organized farm conditions of Kerala

A study was undertaken to find out the morbidity and mortality pattern in the goat population of Kerala. Factors such as cause, age, sex, breed, season and year were included in the study. Data were collected from 3925 goats maintained at The Goat and Sheep Farm, KVASU, Mannuthy for six years from 2011 to 2017 to assess the effect of different factors. Data pertaining to 2649 goats from 2013 to 2017 were analysed to find out the morbidity pattern among goats. The overall mortality rate was 11.76 per cent. Among the various causes of mortality, the results of this study indicated that mortality due to enteritis was the highest (40.60 %) followed by that due to pneumonia (22.88%) and acidosis (10.40%). The effect of age, season, sex and year on goat mortality were significant (p<0.05). Mortality was the highest in the age group of 0.-3 months followed by 3-6 months. The incidence of mortality rates were 4.67, 5.09 5.27 and 5.26 per cent in pre-monsoon, south-west monsoon, post-monsoon and winter respectively. Mortality was more in females (64.11%) than males. Mortality was highest in cross bred goats followed by Malabari and Attappady black, but not significant. The proportional morbidity due to foot rot was the highest (35.28%) followed by enteritis (16.03%) and orf (7.65%). Highest morbidity was observed during south west monsoon (45.55%) followed by post monsoon (21.98%) and pre monsoon (18.14%). The results of this study suggest that proper management during first three months of age especially during south west monsoon was critical to minimise mortality among goats.

Microsatellite-Based Genetic Characterization of the Indigenous Katjang Goat in Peninsular Malaysia

The Katjang goat is the only indigenous domestic goat breed in Malaysia. Following a national baseline survey from 2001 to 2002, this breed was reported to the FAO as being at risk of extinction. In this study, 36 microsatellite markers were screened, and 25 polymorphic markers were used to analyze the genetic structure of the Katjang goat breed in Peninsular Malaysia. A sample set of data derived from another 10 populations from three published research studies was used as an outgroup for an inter-population genetic study. The analysis showed that the mean value of the observed heterozygosity was 0.29 ± 0.14, and the expected heterozygosity was 0.72 ± 0.14, which indicated low genetic diversity. The inbreeding coefficient, FIS, was high, at 0.46. Significant (p < 0.01) deviations from the Hardy Weinberg equilibrium were noted for all loci. The bottleneck analysis using the Wilcoxon Rank test under the two-phase model of mutation was significant (p < 0.01) for heterozygosity excess, which suggested that the Katjang breed had undergone significant population reduction in the past. Through combined analysis of data from publicly available research, almost the entire population of Katjang goats represent the centroid and are grouped together on a multidimensional scaling plot, except for the Terengganu population. Network analysis revealed that the goat population from Pahang formed the centrality of the network.