• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.33 no.6
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• pp.941-948
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• 2020

Objective: This study was carried out to determine the effects of elevated dietary cation and anion difference (DCAD) on dry matter intake (DMI) and ruminal fermentation pattern in lactating dairy goats under tropical conditions. Methods: Ten dairy goats were divided into two groups of five animals each. The groups received diets at different DCAD levels, either a control diet (22.81 mEq/100 g dry matter [DM], DCAD-23) or a DCAD-39 diet (39.08 mEq/100 g DM, DCAD-39). After parturition, DMI and water intake were recorded daily. Ruminal fluid and urine were collected, and nutrient digestibility measurements were carried out at 8th weeks postpartum (PP-8). Blood samples were collected at PP-4 and PP-8 to measure plasma leptin. Results: Dry matter intake/body weight (DMI/BW) at PP-8 of the animals fed the DCAD-39 diet was significantly higher than those fed with DCAD-23 diet (p<0.05). Animals fed with DCAD-39 consumed more water than those fed DCAD-23 over 24 h, particularly at night (p<0.05). Ruminal pH, acetate concentration, and urinary allantoin excretion increased with the DCAD-39 diet, whereas ruminal butyrate concentration was lower with the DCAD-39 diet. On the other hand, other ruminal parameters, such as total volatile fatty acid concentration, propionate molar proportion and acetate/propionate average ratio, were not affected by increased DCAD supplementation. Apparent digestibility was improved by increased DCAD supplementation. Plasma leptin concentration was higher with DCAD supplementation. Conclusion: When feeding goats with DCAD-39 under tropical conditions, an increase in DMI was associated with improved apparent digestibility of nutrients, ruminal fermentation and microbial protein synthesis. An increase in plasma leptin concentration could not explain the effect of high DCAD on DMI.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.327-332
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• 2016

The genetic relationships between different populations and breeds of exotic dairy goats in Thailand were studied using 12 microsatellite markers. Blood samples were obtained from 211 goats from Department of Livestock Development breeding and research farms: 29 Anglonubian (AN), 21 Alpine (AP), 23 Jamunapari (JAM), 50 Saanen (SN), and 88 Toggenburg (TG). Five of the 12 microsatellite markers were found to be polymorphic. A mean of 7.40 alleles per locus was found, with a range from 5 (SPS115 and ETH225) to 11 (TGLA122). We found 24, 27, 19, 32, and 24 alleles in the AN, AP, JAM, SN, and TG breeds, respectively; 37 alleles were present in all breeds. The mean number of alleles in each population ranged from 3.2 (ETH225 locus) to 7.6 (TGLA122 locus). Genetic variability within the breeds was moderate as evidenced by the mean expected heterozygosity of 0.539. The average observed heterozygosity across the 5 markers in all breeds was 0.529 with the maximum observed at the BM1818 locus (0.772) and the minimum at the ETH225 locus (0.248). The observed and expected heterozygosity for all breeds for the 5 microsatellite markers ranged from 0.419 to 0.772 and 0.227 to 0.792, respectively. On the basis of their means, the TGLA122 and BM1818 loci were the most suitable markers for distinguishing genetic diversity among the goats. The estimated average $F_{is}$ value for the breeds ranged from -0.044 (ETH225) to 0.180 (SPS115), while the estimated average $F_{st}$ value ranged from 0.021 (SPS115) to 0.104 (ETH10). These results indicated that TGLA122 and BM1818 markers are suitable to be used for aiding conservation and breeding improvement strategies of dairy.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.26 no.11
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• pp.1577-1582
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• 2013

The effects of dietary supplementation of selenium (Se), iodine (I), and a combination of both on the blood haematology, serum free thyroxine (FT4) and free triiodothyronine (FT3) hormones and glutathione peroxidase enzyme (GSH-Px) activity were examined on twenty four (7 to 8 months old, $22{\pm}1.17$ kg live weight) Kacang crossbred male goats. Animals were randomly assigned to four dietary treatments (6 animals in each group). Throughout 100 d of feeding trial, the animals of control group (CON) received a basal diet, while the other three groups were offered basal diet supplemented with 0.6 mg/kg diet DM Se (SS), or 0.6 mg/kg diet DM I (PI), or a combination of both Se and I, each at 0.6 mg/kg diet DM (SSPI). The haematological attributes which are haemoglobin (Hb), red blood cell (RBC), packed cell volume (PCV), mean cell volume (MCV), white blood cells (WBC), band neutrophils (B Neut), segmented neutrophils (S Neut), lymphocytes (Lymph), monocytes (Mono), eosinophils (Eosin) and basophils (Baso) were similar among the four treatment groups, while serum levels of Se and I increased significantly (p<0.05) in the supplemented groups. The combined dietary supplementation of Se and I (SSPI) significantly increased serum FT3 in the supplemented animals. Serum GSH-Px activity increased significantly in the animals of SS and SSPI groups. It is concluded that the dietary supplementation of inorganic Se and I at a level of 0.6 mg/kg DM increased serum Se and I concentration, FT3 hormone and GSH-Px activity of Kacang crossbred male goats.

• Food Science of Animal Resources
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• v.38 no.5
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• pp.1092-1100
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• 2018

The aim of this study was to determine meat quality characteristics and fatty acid composition of Korean native black goats (KNBG) finished on intensive feeding of alfalfa (ALF) and conventional feeding of commercial concentrate pellets (CCP) with low-energy common grasses. Ten KNBG (12 months old) were divided into two groups and subjected to either ALF or CCP treatments. The goats were slaughtered after 6 months of feeding with experimental diets to investigate meat quality characteristics and fatty acid compositions of longissimus lumborum muscle. There were no significant differences in proximate chemical composition, collagen, or myoglobin content between ALF and CCP groups of goats. Meat color, water-holding capacity, or tenderness was not significantly different between the two groups either. However, proportions of monounsaturated fatty acids and polyunsaturated fatty acids were significantly (p<0.05) different between the two groups. The proportion of oleic acid was significantly (p<0.05) higher in ALF goat whereas proportion of linoleic and arachidonic acids were significantly (p<0.05) higher in CCP goat. Results suggest that KNBG finished with intensive feeding of alfalfa could produce goat meat with desirable fatty acids for human diets.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.275-280
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• 1992

To investigate the age at puberty and the seasonal breeding in Korean native goats, progesterone concentrations were measured in blood. Blood samples were collected from 8 goats at 10 day intervals from 2 months of age until the first estrus after birth, and then every 5 days for a further estrous cycle and the seasonal breeding. The mean age and weight at puberty were $195{\pm}57$ days($mean{\pm}S.D.$, range : 107~260 days) and $11.1{\pm}0.9kg$(range : 9.8~12.0kg), respectively. The mean age at first pregnancy after birth was $241{\pm}109$ days(range : 107~273 days). The estrus was observed 47.6% from October to December, and was highest in fall(38.1%) and lowest in spring and summer(14.3%). However, the estrus was observed every season. About 67% of total conception occurred form October to January. The parturition occurred 41.7% in spring, 25.0% in summer and winter, and 8.3% in fall, respectively. These results suggest that Korean native goats do not have a breeding season, but the reproductive activity is influenced by the season.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.23 no.11
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• pp.1436-1444
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• 2010

The objectives of this study were to determine the highest inclusion of licury (Syagrus coronate) cake in the diet of growing Boer goats without adverse effects on intake and digestibility and to determine its effects on ingestive behavior and physiological responses. Twenty entire, one year old 3/4 Boer goats, 18.1 kg (DS = 2.2) average body weight (BW), were allocated to dietary treatments in a completely randomized design. Each animal was confined in a $1.0\;m^2$ pen with a suspended floor and given ad libitum access to clean, fresh water. Diets were formulated to meet NRC (2007) requirements and the ingredients were: 50% of Tifton-85 (Cynodon sp.) hay, corn meal, soybean meal, mineral and vitamin premix, and licury cake. The treatments were: i) no addition of licury cake to the diet, ii) 15% (DM basis) addition of licury cake, iii) 30% licury cake and, iv) 45% licury cake. The experiment lasted for 17 days; the first 10 days were used to adapt the animals to the diets and facilities. The inclusion of licury cake increased the fiber concentration of the diets; however, there was no effect on either dry matter (DM) or organic matter (OM) intake. There was a linear increase (p<0.05) in the EE content of the diet as the addition of licury cake increased; however, EE intake did not differ (p>0.05) between treatments. The digestibility of non-fibrous carbohydrates (NFC) decreased with increasing inclusion of licury cake, as did NFC intake. The efficiency of ingestion of DM and NDF presented a negative quadratic effect with the inclusion of licury cake. Results from this study indicate that licury cake can be fed to goats at up to 45% of the diet without adverse effects on either intake or digestibility.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.23 no.11
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• pp.1462-1468
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• 2010

The effects of vitamin C and vitamin E with selenium on acid-base balance and some stress hormones were evaluated during heat stress in goats. Goats, 1.5 years of age, were divided into control, heat stress and antioxidant treatment groups 1, 2 and 3. Except for the control, all groups were exposed to a temperature of $40{\pm}2^{\circ}C$ with a relative humidity of 30% for 5 h/d for 21 days in a psychrometric chamber. Rectal temperature and respiratory rates were recorded daily post exposure. Blood samples were collected on every 3rd day for estimation of plasma vitamins C and E, total antioxidant activity and hormones, and separate blood samples were taken to estimate acid-base status. The rectal temperature and respiratory rates were increased (p<0.05) in the heat stress group only. Except for pH and $pO_2$, which were increased significantly (p<0.05) other parameters of acid-base balance such as $pCO_2$, $HCO_3^-$, $TCO_2$, BEb, BEcef, PCV and Hb were significantly decreased (p<0.05) in the heat stress group. An improvement in acid-base status was noted in the antioxidant supplemented groups. Prolactin and cortisol levels were significantly (p<0.05) higher and free T3 and T4 levels were significantly (p<0.05) lower in the heat stress group. Levels of prolactin and cortisol were decreased and free T3 and T4 were increased in antioxidant treatment groups. Different levels of antioxidant supplementation resulted in similar protection against heat stress.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.14 no.6
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• pp.785-790
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• 2001

Twelve indigenous male goats, comprising of six intact and six castrated (2.5-3 years; $24.4{\pm}0.62kg$) were assigned evenly into two dietary treatments, viz. $I_0$ and $I_{100}$ and were used to study the effect of supplementation of iodine on the nutrient utilization when their diet contained Leucaena leaf meal. They were offered a conventional concentrate mixture along with Leucaena leucocephala leaf meal, the latter to meet 50% of their crude protein (CP) requirements, and supplemented with either no iodine ($I_0$) or 0.1 mg of iodine ($I_{100}$)/day/animal as potassium iodide for a period of 105 days. Wheat straw given ad libitum was the sole source of roughage. A metabolism trial of 8 days duration was conducted after 90 days of experimental feeding. It was observed that the overall dry matter (DM) intake during experimental period was higher (p<0.05) in $I_{100}$ group as compared to $I_0$ group (508.6 vs. $443.7g\;d^{-1}$). The intake of CP, digestible crude protein (DCP) and metabolisable energy (ME), although non-significant, tended to be higher in the iodine supplemented group, $I_{100}$. Digestibility of dry matter, organic matter (OM), CP, ether extract and crude fiber (CF) did not differ (p>0.05) between the treatments. However, nitrogen retention was higher (p<0.01) in $I_{100}$ than $I_0$ with the values being 2.63 and $1.70g\;d^{-1}$, respectively. No difference (p>0.05) was evident in the retention of calcium and phosphorus between the two groups. The castrated animal exhibited lower DM intake concurrent with higher digestibility of DM and crude fibre (p<0.05), and organic matter and total carbohydrates (p<0.01) when compared to intact ones. It was concluded that supplementation of iodine to leucaena based ration may help in improving the DM intake and nitrogen utilization by goats.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.163-169
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• 1995

This study was conducted 1) to compare the nutrient content and mineral composition of the Philoppine indigenous sheep and goats diets when grazed in common pasture during rainy season, 2) to determine the influence of sampling methods on nutrient content and mineral composition of upland (UP) and lowland (LP) native pastures, and 3) to compare these two pasture types in terms of nutrient and mineral composition. Experiment 1 used sis esophageally fistulated animals, three each for sheep and goats. Weekly extrusa collection was done for a period of three months. Experiment 2 was conducted in UP and LP; these were sampled thrice by three methods, plucking, clipping and use of three esophageally fistulated sheep. Results of Experiment 1 indicated that the diets of sheep were greater in crude protein(CP; p < 0.01) and ether extract(EE; p < 0.05) but lower in crude fiber (CF) and acid detergent lignin (ADL; p < 0.05) than that of goat diets. All other nutrient fractions including mineral composition were not significantly different from each other. Significant findings of Experiment 2 were: CP content of UP was in the order fistulated > plucked > clipped (p < 0.05); CP content of LP was greater (p <0 .05) in fistulated and plucked samples; and ash content was greater (p < 0.05) in fistulated samples of both pastures. The CP of UP was different (p < 0.05) from each sampling method but the CP of LP and ADL of both pastures were greater (p < 0.05) in clipped samples. Most minerals either macro or microminerals were greater in fistulated samples of both pastures. Pooled data of the two pastures showed that LP had better nutrient characteristics and greater mineral composition. Based from this study, there were few differences between the diets of indigenous sheep and goats when grazed in common pasture. Also, sampling methods influenced the nutrient composition of indigenous sheep diets.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.13 no.11
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• pp.1536-1541
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• 2000

The present study was carried out to measure changes of feed intake and thirst level caused by water deprivation in goats fed on dry feed and to elucidate the relationship between those two parameters. Water deprivation significantly (p<0.01) decreased cumulative feed intake and rate of eating at 30, 60, 90 and 120 min, respectively, after feed presentation. Cumulative feed intake, after completion of 2 h feeding, was reduced by about 20, 21 and 64 % due to water deprivation during feeding for 2 h (WD2), for 22 h (WD22) and for 46 h (WD46), respectively, compared to free access to water (FAW). Compared to the FAW, WD2, WD22 and WD46 increased thirst level by about 5, 5 and 9 times, respectively. Mean thirst level (X, g/30 min) was negatively correlated with cumulative feed intake (Y, g DM) after completion of 2h feeding (Y=1302-0.2 X, $r^2=0.97$, p<0.05). Water deprivation depressed plasma volume and there was a significant positive regression between plasma volume (X, ml) and cumulative feed intake (Y, g DM) after completion of 2h feeding (Y=-1003+0.6 X, $r^2=0.99$, p<0.01). Mean plasma osmolality (X, mOsmol/l) correlated significantly and negatively with cumulative feed intake (Y, g DM) after completion of 2h feeding (Y=27004-84.9 X, $r^2=0.95$, p<0.05). In conclusion, a decrease of feed intake during water deprivation is mainly due to an increase of thirst level quantitatively, and the act of feeding itself induces thirst more than the length of water-deprivation periods in goats fed on dry feeds. The present findings suggest that plasma osmolality and plasma volume which affect thirst level are involved in the decrease of feed intake in water-deprived goats.