• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.17 no.10
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• pp.1374-1377
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• 2004

The present study was conducted to explore the possibilities of estrus induction and superovulation in a native Indian breed of goats called 'Black Bengal'. Forty-two adult non-pregnant females were divided in two groups, of which 18 goats were subjected to a superovulatory treatment comprising of equine chorionic gonadotropin (eCG), Prostaglandin (PGF2$\alpha$) and human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) to induce superovulation. The remaining 24 goats received no treatment and served as controls for the parameter under study as well as recipients for embryo transfer studies. The average duration of estrus was found to be significantly increased in treated goats (34.2${\pm}$3.4 h) compared to controls 3.0${\pm}$2.4 h). The average duration between PGF administration and occurrence of estrus was 2.0${\pm}$5.2 h. After mid ventral laparotomy, superovulatory responses indicated a significant increase in the number of follicles, which was 8.27${\pm}$0.37 in the treatment group compared to 4.16${\pm}$0.17 in the control group. The number of corpora lutea was also significantly increased in treated animals compared to control (2.90${\pm}$0.86 vs. 0.74${\pm}$0.04) respectively per ovary per goat.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.123-128
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• 2011

In vitro maturation and activation of oocytes are primary steps towards biotechnological manipulation in embryology. The objectives of the present study were to determine the oocyte recovery rate per ovary, in vitro maturation rates of oocytes and rates of parthenogenetically activation of matured oocytes in Black Bengal goats. All visible follicles were aspirated to recover follicular fluid from individual ovaries (number of ovaries = 456). The immature cumulus oocyte complexes (COCs; n = 1289) were cultured in tissue culture medium (TCM)-199 supplemented with 10% (v/v) fetal bovine serum (FBS) for 27 hours at $39^{\circ}C$ with 5% $CO_2$ in humidified air. The matured oocytes (n = 248) were activated with 5 ${\mu}M$ ionomycin for 5 minutes followed by treatment with 2 mM 6-dimethylaminopurine (6-DMAP) for 4 hours. After activation, oocytes were cultured for another 14 hours in TCM-199 supplemented with bovine serum albumin (BSA) at $39^{\circ}C$ with 5% $CO_2$ in humidified air. The pronucleus formation in activated oocytes was determined by staining with 1% orcein (whole mount technique). Matured oocytes (n = 176) without activation stimuli were used as control. The mean number of oocytes recovered per ovary was $3.5{\pm}0.5$. The proportion of oocytes matured in vitro, confirmed by the presence of first polar body, was $42.1{\pm}4.7%$. Parthenogenetic activation, evidenced by formation of pronucleus, occurred in $37.2{\pm}15.8%$ of matured oocytes. No pronucleus formation was observed in control oocytes. In conclusion, a combination of ionomycin and 6-DMAP induces activation in one third of Black Bengal goats' oocytes.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.15 no.10
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• pp.1453-1457
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• 2002

The experiment was conducted to find out the effect of 4 feeding systems on growth, feed intake, eating behavior, lactation performance, gestation period, post-partum heat period, conception rate and parasitic infestation of Black Bengal goat. Twenty four does of approximately 1 year of age were randomly selected for 4 treatment (feeding systems) groups having 6 replications in each. Treatments were stall feeding ($T_1$), tethering ($T_2$), restricted grazing ($T_3$) and grazing ($T_4$). $T_1$ group was housed continuously and adequate amounts of natural grass were supplied for ad libitum feeding. $T_2$ group was tethered for grazing natural grass from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. being moved at one hour intervals. Goats of $T_3$ group were allowed grazing from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. $T_4$ group was grazed from 8 a. m. to 4 p.m. Concentrate supplement was given at the rate of 150 g per day per goat for all of the treatment groups. Duration of experiment was 219 days. Daily live weight gain was significantly (p<0.05) higher in case of stall fed goats than that of others. DM intake also significantly (p<0.05) differed among the treatment groups and was 3.40 3.95, 3.76 and 4.05 per cent of their live weight for stall feeding, tethering, restricted grazing and grazing groups, respectively. Rate of rumination was significantly (p<0.05) higher in case of tethering group of goats than that of others. Birth weight of kids, milk yield, lactation period and post-partum heat period were significantly higher in case of stall fed goats than others. Tethering group showed significantly (p<0.05) higher litter size than others. Infestation rate of Fasciola was significantly (p<0.05) higher in the grazing group. In conclusion, it may be stated that among these feeding groups overall performance of stall fed goats was more satisfactory, and that the tethering group showed better performance than the others.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.155-158
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• 1996

Seventy two Black Bengal goats on road side grass based diet were fed on 0, 20, 40, 80, 100 or 120 g of fish meal (FM)/goat/day with or without ad libitum access to urea molasses block(UMB). The purpose was to assess the interaction of undegradable protein (UDP) and fermentable nitrogen(N) supplementation on feed intake, nutrient digestibility and growth of goats. Live weight gain of goats increased linearly with the increasing of dietary fish meal as an undegradable protein source. With the increasing level of fish meal the live weight gain(g/day) was 17, 23, 46, 48, 48 and 52 with urea molasses block and 12, 21, 31, 49, 47 and 47 without urea molasses block. It was concluded that the beneficial effects of urea molasses feeding to accelerate the dry matter intake, TDN intake and nutrient digestibility observed could not be exploited in terms of live weight gain.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Service
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.475-484
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• 2008

A year round study was carried out to investigate the etiology, clinical signs, postmortem lesions and occurrence of naturally occurring enterotoxaemia in Black Bengal goats. Sixteen goats of different age and sex died in different seasons with sigh associated with enterotoxaemia made the materials of this study. Accidental access to large amount of concentrate was noted as one of the predisposing factors although few cases were reported to occur without known diet change. Younger animals(50%) and males(62.50%) were found more prone to the disease and it was likely to be more prevalent during winter(50%) followed by at rainy season(31.25%) and summer(18.75%). Diarrhoea(81.25%), dullness(56.25%), drooping of the ears(50%), anorexia(43.75%) were recorded as major clinical signs whereas enterocolitis(100%), lung edema(87.50%), fluid filled intestines(87.50%), enlarged mesenteric lymph nodes(56.52%) etc. were most common post mortem lesions found. A few cases showed lesions on heart(31.25%), brain(25%) and/or liver/spleen(18.75%) but no lesion was found on kidney. Thus the so called 'pulpy kidney' lesion was absent. Intestinal contents were subjected to conventional bacteriological culture based methods to identify the causal agents. Based on the morphological, cultural and biochemical properties the causal agent was identified as Clostridium perfringens. Despite the study was carried out at certain area it showed a clear picture of goat enterotoxaemia in terms of etiology, clinical signs, postmortem lesions and occurrence of goat enterotoxaemia in Bangladesh.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.477-484
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• 2002

Ninety pre-puberal (6-7 months) female and 15 pre-puberal male Black Bengal goats were collected on the basis of their phenotypic characteristics from different parts of Bangladesh. Goats were reared under semi-intensive management, in permanent house. The animals were vaccinated against Peste Des Petits Ruminants (PPR), drenched with anthelmentics and deeped in 0.5% Melathion solution. They were allowed to graze 6-7 h along with supplemental concentrate and green forages. Concentrates were supplied either 200-300 g/d (low level feeding) or quantity that supply NRC (1981) recommended nutrient (high level of feeding). Different physiological, productive and reproductive characteristics of the breed were recorded. At noon (temperature=$95^{\circ}F$ and light intensity=60480 LUX) rectal temperature and respiration rate of adult male and female increased from 100.8 to $104.8^{\circ}F$ and 35 to 115 breath/min, indicated a heat stress situation. Young female attain puberty at an average age and weight of 7.2$\pm$0.18 months and 8.89$\pm$0.33 kg respectively. Mean age and weight at 1st kidding were 13.5$\pm$0.49 months and 15.3$\pm$0.44 kg respectively. It required 1.24-1.68 services per conception with an average gestation length of 146 days. At low level of feeding the postpartum estrus interval was 37$\pm$2.6 days, which reduced (p<0.05) with high feeding level to 21$\pm$6.9 days. Kidding interval also reduced (p<0.05) from 192 d at low feeding level to 177 d at high feeding level. On an average there were two kiddings/doe/year. Average litter sizes in the 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th parity were 1.29, 1.71, 1.87 and 2.17 respectively. Birth weights of male and female kids were 1.24 and 1.20 kg respectively, which increased (p<0.05) with better feeding. Although kid mortality was affected (p<0.05) by dam's weight at kidding, birth weight of kid, milk yield of dam, parity of kidding, season of birth, but pre-netal dam's nutrition found to be the most important factor. Kid mortality reduced from 35% at low level of feeding to 6.5% at high level of feeding of dam during gestation. Apparently, this was due to high (p<0.05) average daily milk yield (334 vs. 556 g/d) and heavier and stronger kid at birth at high feeding level.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.27 no.5
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• pp.628-634
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• 2014

Data on age and body weight at breeding, parity, previous litter size, days open and some descriptive body linear traits from 389 meat-type, prolific Black Bengal goats in Tripura State of India, were collected for 3 and 1/2 years (2007 to 2010) and analyzed using logistic regression model. The objectives of the study were i) to evaluate the effect of age and body weight at breeding, parity, previous litter size and days open on litter size of does; and ii) to investigate if body linear type traits influenced litter size in meat-type, prolific goats. The incidence of 68.39% multiple births with a prolificacy rate of 175.07% was recorded. Higher age (>2.69 year), higher parity order (>2.31), more body weight at breeding (>20.5 kg) and larger previous litter size (>1.65) showed an increase likelihood of multiple litter size when compared to single litter size. There was a strong, positive relationship between litter size and various body linear type traits like neck length (>22.78 cm), body length (>54.86 cm), withers height (>48.85 cm), croup height (>50.67 cm), distance between tuber coxae bones (>11.38 cm) and distance between tuber ischii bones (>4.56 cm) for discriminating the goats bearing multiple fetuses from those bearing a single fetus.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.16 no.12
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• pp.1711-1715
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• 2003

The experiment was designed on 42 non pregnant Black Bengal goat. Out of which 18 were subjected to a superovulatory treatment comprising of eCG and hCG for embryo transfer study. The remaining 24 goats received no treatment and served as control for parameter studied as well as recipient for embryo transfer studies. Important biochemical constituents such as acid and alkaline phosphatase, total protein and cholesterol and inorganic phosphorus were estimated in the follicular fluid of control and treated group and the values were separately recorded for small medium and large size follicle. The results indicated a significant effect on acid phosphotase activity due to size of follicle. The value increased progressively from small to medium and from medium to large follicles. Alkaline phosphotase activity showed reverse trend. Alkaline phosphotase decreased progressively as size increased. The concentration of inorganic phosphorus did not reveal any significant difference between the control and treatment groups and also between the different size follicles. The concentration of protein decreased significantly from small to medium and from medium to large, although no difference was observed between the control and treatment groups. The concentration of Cholesterol in the follicular fluid indicated a significant increase from small to medium and to large follicle. Here also no difference was observed due to treatment. Similar in the composition of follicular fluid in the respect of above mentioned constituents indicated no of super ovulatory treatment on follicular fluid composition.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.91-100
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• 2002

The experiment was divided into two phases. In phase-I fresh embryos were transferred and in Phase-II frozen embryos were transferred. Embryos were collected by using Dulbecco's phosphate buffered saline. In phase-I total of 65 ova were collected out of 107 ovulation in 18 goats. Recovery of ova was 60.74％, of which 51 (78.46％) was fertilized. Sixteen embryos were transferred to 10 recipient goats and kidding was observed in 6 goats, that produced 10 kids. Thus, 62.50％ embryo survival and 60％ kidding were achieved in phase-I. In phase-II of the experiment, 17 regular cyclic Black Bengal goats were used. The main purpose was to study the viability of caprine embryos after cryopreservation. In this phase the embryos were collected and frozen using Bio-cool freezers. A two step addition of cryoprotectants (5％ glycerol and 10％ glycerol) and three-step dilution of cryoprotectants with 1mole (M) sucrose was used. Embryos were preserved for 10 to 45 days. Out of 27 embryos preserved, 18 were recovered after freezing and thawing (37$^{\circ}C$ water bath) with 33.33％ embryonic loss. Seventeen frozen and thawed embryos were transferred in 9 recipient goats, out of which kidding was observed in 6 goats and 7 kids were produced, giving a 66.66％ kidding and embryo survival of 41.17％. The technique utilized for fresh and frozen embryo transfer can be successfully utilized to produce goats of superior genetic merits. The protocol used for addition of cryoprotectant, freezing, thawing and dilution was found suitable for caprine embryo freezing.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.149-153
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• 1996

In the first step, birth weights and weights at 9 and 12 months were analysed and their variability were studied. Birth weight of kids had large within breed variation ranging from 0.50 to 1.60 kg. There were more than 100 kids with birth weights ranging from 1.2 to 1.6 kg. The birth weight of kids increased with the increase of kidding weight of dams. The weights of kids at 9 and 12 months also showed large within variation ranging from 5.0 to 18.0 kg and 16.0 to 19.0 kg respectively. In the second step, these existing large within breed variations were exploited selecting best animals for further mating. The birth weight of selected group($1.13{\pm}0.2kg$) was significantly(p<0.01) higher than the random group($0.93{\pm}0.05kg$). The weights in selected group for 3 and 6 months were $4.94{\pm}0.04$ and $8.40{\pm}0.05kg$ and that of random group was $3.99 {\pm}0.08$ and $7.07{\pm}0.11kg$ respectively and differences wee significant. Significantly higher average daily gains were noticed for selected group ($42.7{\pm}0.43g/day$) as against random group($33.3{\pm}0.81g/day$). From the results it may be concluded that selection and mating of best performing animals have some effect on the improvement of growth performance of kids which may be exploited for future planning and development in the field of goat production.