• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.9 no.4
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• pp.381-387
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• 1996

An experiment was carried out for 12 weeks to study the feeding behaviour, growth and carcass characteristics of cross-bred goats. Nine bucks with an average live weight of $18.02{\pm}0.9kg$ were allocated in a completely randomized block design arrangement, consisting of three feeding regimes and three blocks. The feeding regimes consisted of 100% natural grass (Treatment A), 100% gliricidia leaf (Treatment B) and 100% ficus leaf (Treatment C). Frequency of turning-over and sniffing the feed and duration and frequency of ruminating, defaecating, and urination of goats in treatment B were longer, while duration of masticating and jaw movement of chewing one bolus was shorter than those of goats in treatments C and A (p < 0.05). Furthermore, goats in treatment B gained more live weight, consumed more feed, consumed less water and was more efficient in utilizing the feed than goats in treatments C or A (p < 0.05). The dressing percentage, carcass length and carcass fat of goats in treatment B were higher and their bone percentages were lower than those in treatments C and A (p < 0.05). There is an indication that feeding gliricidia and ficus leaves during the dry season could not only increase the body weight and improve carcass quality of the goat but also save water for household needs.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.21 no.7
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• pp.936-940
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• 2008

The PCR-amplified prion protein (PrP) gene was sequenced to determine the frequency of scrapie-associated as well as novel PrP genotypes in 72 healthy goats representing five breeds. A total of six genotypes were detected, resulting from the three reported 143 (H/R), 154 (R/H) and 240 (S/P) and the two novel 39 (S/R) and 185 (I/F) amino acid polymorphisms. Of the four silent mutations 42 (a$\rightarrow$g), 138 (c$\rightarrow$t), 231 (c$\rightarrow$a) and 237 (g$\rightarrow$c) detected in this study, 237 (g$\rightarrow$c) is novel. A genotype (SIP/RFP) harboring three amino acid polymorphisms 39 (S/R), 185 (I/F) and 240 (S/P) was found in few goats. Although both scrapie-associated genotypes with 143 (H/R) and 154 (R/H) polymorphisms and others with 39 (S/R), 185 (I/F) and 240 (S/P) polymorphisms were present in the studied Pakistani goats, their frequency was lower than that of the wild-type genotype SHRIS/SHRIS (34.7%). These results emphasize the need for further sequencing of the PrP gene in a large number of goats representing the five studied breeds, so that overall PrP variability can be assessed in these breeds in research addressing future concerns about scrapie.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.19 no.11
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• pp.1524-1528
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• 2006

A total of 437 animals, comprising lambs aged between 3 and 12 months and adults of either sex of Muzaffarnagari sheep maintained at the Central Institute for Research on Goats, Makhdoom, Farah, Mathura, India were screened to assess the prevalence of Haemonchus contortus infection following natural infection and to identify the various factors affecting faecal egg count (FEC) and packed cell volume (PCV) of ewes and their genetic control. The relationships between FEC, PCV and body weight were also estimated. The prevalence rate for H. contortus infection in the flock under study was 15.7% indicating much lower occurrence of worm infection in lambs up to one year of age. On the other hand, a large proportion i.e., 67.7% of sheep was refractive to natural H. contortus infection. The random effect of sire significantly contributed (p<0.01) variation in log-transformed FEC (LFEC) of ewes. The season of birth had a significant (p<0.01) effect on LFEC of ewes. The lactating ewes had significantly (p<0.01) higher faecal egg counts compared to dry and pregnant ewes. The linear regression effects of the age of ewes on LFEC of animals were significant (p<0.01) in the present study. The heritabilities of LFEC, PCV and body weights of ewes during the course of infection were moderate to high in magnitude and ranged from 0.24 to 0.47. The LFEC of ewes was significantly (p<0.05) and negatively correlated with PCV at both genetic and phenotypic level. The genetic and phenotypic relationships between LFEC and body weights of ewes were -0.26 and -0.06 for this breed. The genetic correlation of PCV and body weight of ewes was positive and high (0.58) and statistically significant (p<0.05) but it was negatively correlated (-0.01) with body weight at the phenotypic level.

• Korean Journal of Animal Reproduction
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.373-379
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• 1997

This study was carried out to determine the hormone treatment scheme for an efficient superovulation and optimal recovery time for obtaining pronuclear embryos suitable for DNA injection in Korean native goats. For a superovulation, FSH(5.6mg) was given over four days in twice daily injections with (FSH/hCG group) or without(FSH group) hCG(100 IU) co-injection at the time of 7th FSH injection. Estrus cycle was synchronized by norgestomet ear-implantation for 11 days and its removal at the time of 6th FSH injection. Among the treated goats, the percentage of ovulated goats, which were examined at 70 to 76 h following implant removal, was greater in FSH/hCG group than in FSH group (100% vs 36.4%) but there was no significant difference in the mean numbers of ovulation points and fertilization rates between the two groups. To optimize hCG treatment scheme and recovery time, we injected hCG at the time of 7th (FSH/hCGa) or 8th(FSH/hCGb) FSH injection and then examined the developmental stage of the embryos recovered at different times after implant removal. In FSH/hCGa group, significant portions(31 to 44%) were beyond 1-cell stage, which was non-injectable, irrespective of their recovery time. However, in FSH/hCGb group recovered at 70 to 76 h after implant removal, great portions(69%) were fertilized and most of them(96.6%) were injectable 1-cell stage. Considering together the fertilization rate and developmental stage of recovered embryos, it is recommendable to administrate hCG at the time of final 8th FSH injection and collect the embryos at 70 to 76 h after implant removal to obtain injectable embryos as many as possible in Korean native goats.

• Korean Journal of Animal Reproduction
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.119-127
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• 1995

These studies were carried out to examine the estradiol-17$\beta$ levelsin plasma and ovarian tissues, as well as the contents of collagen and catecholamines in the uterus, and to determine the effects of GnRH administrations of uterine involution in postpartum Korean native goats. Plasma concentrations of estradiol-17$\beta$ were 63.81$\pm$8.00 pg/ml at day 1 of kidding, declined to 36.78$\pm$22.90 ng/ml at day 24 and decreased progressively to 27.81$\pm$17.06 and 12.46$\pm$8.13 pg/ml at days 30 and 36 postpartum, respectively. In ovarian tissues, the concentrations of estaiol-17$\beta$ were increased just before parturition and decreased immediately after parturition. The plasma estradiol-17$\beta$ levels were slightly higher on days 12 and then decreased gradually after parturition. The concentraitons of estradiol-17$\beta$ in the ovaries of postpartum goats were increased at day 36 after treatments with GnRH. The total hydroxyproline contents in the uterus was slightly higher prior to parturition and decreased gradually with the postpartum intervals after parturition. Hydroxyproline concentraitons in the uterus were decreased at days 24 and 36 postpartum after treatments with GnRH. The norepinephrine concentrations in myometrium from the pregnant and postpartum goats were correspondingly low both immediately before and after partuition. Norepinephrine concentrations in the pregnant horn of the uterus were increased from days 12 to 36 of postpartum and those levels of the non-pregnant horn were also increased from days 24 to 36 postpartum. Slightly higher concentrations were present in the non-pregnant horn in comparison to the pregnant horn but these differences were not significant. Postpartum, the uterine norepinephrine concentration was slightly increased at day 36 after treatments with GnRH. Dopamine concentrations were greater than those of norepinephrine. The concentrations of dopamine in the uterus of pregnant goats was not significantly different from that in the postpartum animals. Dopamine concentraitons of pregnant horn in postpartum goats were increased at day 24 after treatments with GnRH.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.1-18
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• 2013

The elements that determine the success of development projects on goats and the prerequisites for ensuring this are discussed in the context of the bewildering diversity of goat genetic resources, production systems, multifunctionality, and opportunities for responding to constraints for productivity enhancement. Key determinants for the success of pro-poor projects are the imperatives of realistic project design, resolution of priorities and positive impacts to increase investments and spur agricultural growth, and appropriate policy. Throughout the developing world, there exist 97% of the total world population of 921 million goats across all agroecological zones (AEZs), including 570 breeds and 64% share of the breeds. They occupy a very important biological and socioeconomic niche in farming systems making significant multifunctional contributions especially to food, nutrition and financial security, stability of farm households, and survival of the poor in the rural areas. Definitions are given of successful and failed projects. The analyses highlighted in successful projects the value of strong participatory efforts with farmers and climate change. Climate change effects on goats are inevitable and are mediated through heat stress, type of AEZ, water availability, quantity and quality of the available feed resources and type of production system. Within the prevailing production systems, improved integrated tree crops - ruminant systems are underestimated and are an important pathway to enhance C sequestration. Key development strategies and opportunities for research and development (R and D) are enormous, and include inter alia defining a policy framework, resolution of priority constraints using systems perspectives and community-based participatory activities, application of yield-enhancing technologies, intensification, scaling up, and impacts. The priority for development concerns the rainfed areas with large concentrations of ruminants in which goats, with a capacity to cope with heat tolerance, can be the entry point for development. Networks and networking are very important for the diffusion of information and can add value to R and D. Well formulated projects with clear priority setting and participatory R and D ensure success and the realisation of food security, improved livelihoods and self-reliance in the future.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.259-265
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• 1992

A study was conducted to improve the reproductive performance of Korean native goats. The length of estrous cycle and plasma progesterone concentrations during each cycles were determined by both radioimmunoassay and estrus behaviours, and the results were used in the early pregnancy diagnosis. The estrous cycles were classified into the short(l8 days or shorter, average 16.7 days), normal(19 to 22 days, average 20.9 days) and long(23 days and longer, average 23.8 days)cycle. The average length of the 19 estrous cycles was 20.8 days. Plasma progesterone concentrations in 12 normal cycles were the lowest(0.10 ng/ml) at estrus, remained high from 6 to 16 days(range : 4.43~7.93 ng/ml) and drastically decreased thereafter to reach minimal concentrations at the next estrus. Plasma progesterone concentrations were measured for early pregnancy diagnosis at 0, 10 and 20 days after mating in the 12 Korean native goats. Plasma progesterone concentrations in the pregnant goats at 20 days after mating were significantly higher than in the non-pregnant goats(p<0.001). Of the 12 goats, 10 were confirmed pregnancy by both progesterone concentrations and kidding. The accuracy of the pregnancy diagnosis based on plasma progesterone concentrations was 100% for positive as well as for negative.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.23 no.6
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• pp.1057-1066
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• 1990

The possible relationship between pulmonary vascular pathologic changes and an increased pulmonary blood flow and pulmonary blood pressure has been the subject of investigation for many years. In an attempts to study the effects of increased pulmonary blood flow. long-term observations have been made in neonatal goats in which the total pulmonary vascular bed was restricted by means of ligation of left pulmonary artery, thereby diverting the total right ventricular output through the right lung. The left pulmonary artery and patent ductus arteriosus were ligated in 6 neonatal goats of under 3 weeks of age, and the goats were put to death at interval between 1 and 7 months of age. Pulmonary arterial development in both right and left lungs was studied by applying quantitative morphometric techniques, and compared with control group of goats between 1 and 6 months of age. The axial pulmonary artery and its branches were larger in the right lung than in the control group in all animals, and they were abnormally small in the left lung. In the right lung, arteries smaller than 50\ulcornerm showed abnormal increase in `% wall thickness’ in postoperative 2,3,5 and 6th months[p<0.05]. The proportion of non-muscular arteries was over 50% at postoperative 1st month in both right and left lungs, but an increase in proportion of partially muscular and wholly muscular arteries occurred thereafter. The ratio of alveoli/arteries was lower than normal in the right lung of postoperative 1st month[p<0.05], but was elevated thereafter. The failure to perfuse one pulmonary artery in neonatal goats changed growth and development of both lungs.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.15 no.11
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• pp.1585-1590
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• 2002

Thirty female goats of local breed (mature weight 28 kg), weighing 11 to 18 kg, were used in a growth experiment with the objectives to evaluate the effect of different levels of Gliricidia sepium leaves in a diet of Guinea grass (Panicum maximum) on feed intake, weight gain and apparent digestibility. The goats were allotted to five treatments, consisting of 5 levels, 0 (GL-0), 20 (GL-20), 30 (GL-30), 40 (GL-40) and 50% (GL-50) of Gliricidia sepium leaves in the diet based on the energy requirements of the goats. Another six female goats were used to study the digestibility of three dietary treatments, GL-0, GL-30 and GL-50, according to a double $3{\times}3$ Latin square arrangement. The crude protein (CP) content in Gliricidia was higher and the neutral detergent fibre (NDF) and acid detergent fibre (ADF) lower than in the Guinea grass. Increasing the amount of Gliricidia leaves resulted in similar intake of total dry matter (DM), organic matter (OM), NDF and ADF among treatments, but CP intake increased with increasing Gliricidia in the diet. The highest total DM intake was 3.0% of body weight in the GL-20 diet. The highest daily live weight gain was 43 g/day in the GL-30 diet. Inclusion of 30% of Gliricidia leaves improved the apparent DM, OM and CP digestibility compared to 0% or 50% inclusion. NDF and ADF digestibility declined with increasing levels of Gliricidia leaves in the diet.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.61-65
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• 2002

The experiment was conducted to find out the effect of four feeding systems namely; stall feeding, tethering, restricted grazing and grazing on carcass characteristics of Black Bengal goat. Twenty four does of approximately 1 year of age were randomly selected for four treatments of feeding systems having 6 replications in each. Stall fed goats were kept into house all time and adequate amount of natural grass were supplied for ad libitum feeding. Goats of tethering group were tethered for eating natural grass from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and were transferred after one hour interval for changing the grazing place. Goats of restricted grazing group were allowed for grazing from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Goats of grazing group were grazed for 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. Goats were slaughtered after the experiment of 219 days. Body length and height at wither were significantly higher in stall feeding group than others. Average dressing percentage were 42.18, 39.0, 36.79 and 34.0 for stall feeding, tethering, restricted grazing and grazing groups, respectively. Dressing percentage varied significantly (p<0.05) among feeding groups. Caul fat and empty gut weight differed significantly (p<0.05) in all of the feeding systems but others non-carcass parameters did not differ significantly. Percentage of dry matter and ether extract were also significantly (p<0.05) higher in stall fed groups. In conclusion, among four treatment groups, performance of stall fed goats were most satisfactory and then tethering showed better performance than any other groups.