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At least 199 records · Page 11Linked to original sources
PubMed1991

Efficacy of clorsulon for the treatment of experimentally induced infections of Fasciola hepatica in goats.

A dose titration study was undertaken to determine the efficacy of clorsulon against the adult stage of Fasciola hepatica in goats. Thirty-nine goats were experimentally infected with metacercariae of F hepatica. At 14 weeks after infection, each goat was assigned randomly to 1 of 5 groups. Goats in groups 1 to 4 received a single oral administration of clorsulon at dosages of 3.5, 7, 11, and 15 mg/kg of body weight, respectively. The fifth group of goats (control group) was infected with F hepatica, but were not treated with clorsulon. Postmortem examination of goats at 3 weeks after treatment revealed mean reductions in numbers of flukes of 83, 98, 99, and 100% for groups 1 to 4, respectively. Mean percentage of reduction in eggs following treatment of groups was 82, 98, 100, and 100%, respectively. The clinical effects of clorsulon in 24 goats that were not infected with F hepatica were studied. Goats in groups 1 to 3 received a single oral administration of clorsulon at dosages of 7, 21, and 35 mg/kg, respectively, every other day for a total of 3 doses/goat. Group-4 goats (control group) received a vehicle placebo. Goats in group 3 were subject to postmortem examination at 14 days after dosing. Abnormal signs or lesions that could be attributed to clorsulon were not found in any goat.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

Disposition kinetics of cephradine in normal and Escherichia coli infected goats.

The pharmacokinetics of cephradine was studied following single and repeated intramuscular injections in normal and Escherichia coli infected goats. Bioavailability of cephradine was determined in normal goats after a single intramuscular dose. The serum concentrations of cephradine following a single and repeated intramuscular administration of 10 mg/kg b.wt. twice daily for five consecutive days, peaked 2 hours after each intramuscular dose with a lower significant value recorded in E. coli infected goats than in normal goats. The absorption half-lives (t0.5(ab)) following a single intramuscular injection of cephradine was significantly higher in E. coli infected goats (1.18 h) than in normal goats (0.64 h). The elimination half-lives (t0.5(beta)) of cephradine were significantly higher in E. coli infected goats than in normal goats following the administration of fifth and ninth doses. The urine and milk concentrations of cephradine were significantly lower in E. coli infected goats than in normal goats. The mean systemic bioavailability of cephradine following a single intramuscular injection in normal goats was 73.9%.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

[Iodine deficiency in goats as a cause of congenital goiter in kids].

The objective of the paper was to assess the occurrence of congenital struma in kids in relation to the clinical and biochemical finding in their mothers. Observations involved 46 imported goats of Saanen and Alpine breeds in the course of kidding and their kids. Thyroid gland hypertrophy (39 goats) and somewhat worse or even bad state of nutrition were dominant clinical findings in pregnant goats and in goats after kidding. Abortions in the last month of pregnancy were recorded in 14 goats, and 14 goats delivered stillborn kids. Eighteen goats delivered 26 liveborn kids, but 18 out of them died within 12 to 24 hours after birth. Dead kids were hairless, they had skin edema, and very shortened thoracic as well as pelvic limbs. The thyroid gland was well visible and palpable. Surviving kids lagged behind in their growth and often suffered from bronchopneumonia as an additional disease. Iodine concentration in the blood serum of goats (5.58 +/- 2.14 mumol/l) was significantly lower (P < 0.01) in comparison with kids (133.4 +/- 15.61 mumol/l). This state was characterized by adequate T3 and T4 concentrations in the blood serum of goats (1.78 +/- 0.59 and 4.53 +/- 4.44 nmol/l, resp.) and of kids (4.66 +/- 2.26 and 182.93 +/- 2.59 nmol/l, resp.). Iodine content in the thyroid gland of the seven kids that died was 1.86 +/- 0.96 mg/kg fresh tissue. Examination of indicators of the internal environment in the blood serum showed alternate statistical differences (P < 0.01) between adult goats and their kids in erythrocyte counts, hemoglobin, hematocrit value, leucocyte counts, activities of aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase, alkaline phosphatase, concentrations of total protein, albumin, total immunoglobulins, total lipids, cholesterol, phosphorus, copper, iron and zinc, while the explicit relation to disorders of iodine metabolism and thyroid hormones was not confirmed. The average content of iodine in the examined samples of soil (14.67 mg/kg) and alfalfa hay (0.1 mg/kg) demonstrated that primary deficiency of iodine in goats was the cause of congenital struma in kids.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

Pharmacokinetics of diminazene in plasma and lymph of goats.

OBJECTIVE: To characterize the pharmacokinetics of diminazene in plasma and pseudo-afferent lymph of East Africa X Galla goats. DESIGN: The efferent prescapular lymphatic duct of 3 goats was cannulated 8 weeks after surgical removal of the lymph node. Thereafter, 3.5 mg of diminazene base/ kg of body weight was administered to these goats and to 3 noncannulated goats. PROCEDURE: Using high-performance liquid chromatography, concentration of diminazene was determined in plasma and lymph collected up to 96 hours after treatment. RESULTS: Maximal concentrations of diminazene in plasma of noncannulated goats (median [range], 4.30 [4.28 to 5.01] micrograms/ml), plasma of cannulated goats (3.94 [2.94 to 4.06] micrograms/ml), and lymph (1.06¿0.73 to 1.86] micrograms/ml) were significantly different (P < 0.05); values in lymph were considerably lower than those in plasma from noncannulated and cannulated animals. Time to reach maximal concentration did not differ significantly between lymph and plasma of noncannulated and cannulated goats. Over the first 24 hours after drug administration, concentration of diminazene in plasma of noncannulated goats was generally higher than that in lymph, but thereafter was similar. Apparent volume of distribution of diminazene in the plasma of noncannulated (2.57 [1.93 to 2.60] L/kg) and cannulated (2.30 [1.04 to 2.40] L/kg goats did not differ significantly. Penetration ratio of diminazene into lymph, compared with plasma, of cannulated goats was 1.69:1. CONCLUSIONS: Disposition of diminazene in goats is characterized by higher concentration in plasma than in lymph. However, the drug persists longer in lymph than in plasma. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The longer persistence of diminazene in lymph than in plasma may account for the enhanced therapeutic efficacy of diminazene in the early stage, compared with later stages, of a tsetse fly-transmitted trypanosome infection.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Impact of the cellular concentration of milk in goats on its production and its composition].

Using records from the Milk Registration Organization for 254 dairy-goat farms located in western France, the economical impact of mammary gland inflammation on milk yield and composition was measured after 200 days of lactation. This assessment was performed in groups of goats belonging to the same farm and the same breed and having the same parity. Three levels of somatic cell count (SCC) were defined in order to discriminate goats on the basis of the intensity of inflammatory reaction of their udder: < 750,000 cells/mL (CCI1), between 750,000 and 1,750,000 cells/mL (CCI2), > 1,750,000 cells/mL (CCI3). From 404 groups characterized by an average number of 12,4 CCI1 goats and 14,2 (CCI2 + CCI3) goats, the average milk yield of the goats whose SCC was superior to 750,000 cells/mL was inferior to that of the CCI1 goats in 79.2% of the groups. In a sub-sample of 366 groups, the average loss of milk production for the CCI2 goats compared to the CCI1 ones was 55 kg. In an other sub-sample of 41 groups, the milk production average loss of the CCI3 goats reached 132 kg. For all of the 404 groups, (CCI2 + CCI3) goats had a lower fat content of 0.3 g/kg and in contrast a higher protein content of 0.6 g/kg. A second evaluation using a multidimensional variance analysis model in a population of 20796 goats showed the same results.

Animals↗
PubMed1987

Microbiology of the genitalia of nulliparous and postpartum Savanna brown goats.

A study of the bacterial flora of the genitalia of nulliparous Savanna Brown does was carried out both before breeding and at different intervals postpartum to investigate the type of microbial organisms that could be present in the uterus, cervix and the vagina respectively. Of 29 pre-breeding vaginal swabs, Staphylococcus sp. was isolated from 20 goats, Streptococcus sp. from 15 goats and Micrococcus sp. from four goats. Mycoplasma agalactiae was isolated from five goats. The postpartum vagina did not show any appreciable change in the microbial flora, except that Escherichia coli was encountered in two cases. The uterus yielded E. coli from the goats slaughtered 2 days postpartum; Micrococcus sp. from goats slaughtered 12 days postpartum; Staph. aureus from goats slaughtered 16 days postpartum and Staph. aureus from goats slaughtered 24 days postpartum. Also in these two cases-a goat slaughtered at two days postpartum (dpp) and a goat slaughtered 16 dpp-E. coli was present in the uterus. Other isolates from the uteri of slaughtered goats were Micrococcus sp. (12 dpp), Staph. aureus and Micrococcus sp. (16 dpp) and Staph. aureus (24 dpp).

Animals↗
PubMed1992

The comparative haematology of cross-bred and indigenous east African goats of Tanzania and breeds reared in Denmark.

Erythrocyte counts, haematocrit, haemoglobin concentration, red blood cell indices, total and differential leukocyte counts were determined in 202 cross-bred and 14 indigenous East African goats aged 6-12 months and also in 59 Norwegian dairy goats, of which 24 were 15-45 days old, 8 were 8 months old and 27 were over 3 years and pregnant. These were reared in Tanzania. Comparisons were made with 24 Dwarf and 57 Danish Landrace goats at 6-12 months of age and 76 adult pregnant Danish Landrace goats reared in Denmark. The purpose was to determine reference ranges for cross-bred and indigenous East African goats and to compare these with those of other breeds. The haemoglobin concentration, haematocrit, erythrocyte and white blood cells were lowest in the Norwegian kids. The highest values were observed in 6-12-month-old goats in all the breeds, whereafter they decreased to relatively constant adult levels. The mean corpuscular volumes were highest in kids followed by adult pregnant Norwegian and Danish Landrace goats, and lowest in 6-12 months old goats. East African and cross-bred goats had the smallest mean corpuscular volumes. The haemoglobin concentration, erythrocyte and leukocyte counts were highest in indigenous East African, followed by young Norwegian and cross-bred goats. The mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration was highest in the cross-breds, while the mean corpuscular haemoglobin was higher in pregnant than in other goats. The age and breed differences were statistically significant.

Animals↗
PubMed2006

Role of species diversity and secondary compound complementarity on diet selection of Mediterranean shrubs by goats.

Goats foraging on Mediterranean shrubs containing secondary compounds (toxins) may consume a variety of shrubs that contain different phytotoxins, thereby increasing shrub intake and avoiding toxicosis. We conducted eight experiments to examine whether goats offered different mixtures of shrubs containing different phytotoxins (tannins and saponins) would consume more shrub biomass than goats offered one shrub a single phytotoxin (tannin or saponin). In the first three experiments, goats fed a mixture of three tannin-rich shrubs (Quercus ilex, Arbutus unedo, and Pistacia lentiscus) ate more foliage than goats offered only one shrub (23.2 vs. 10.7 g/kg BW; 25.2 vs. 13.4 g/kg BW, and 27.9 vs. 7.9 g/kg BW), regardless of tannin concentration in individual shrub species. Goats also consumed more foliage when offered the same three tannin-rich shrubs than when offered the saponin-rich shrub Hedera helix (25.4 vs. 8.0 g/kg BW). However, goats offered a mixture of the same three tannin-rich shrubs consumed less foliage than goats offered a mixture of two shrubs containing tannins and saponins: Quercus and Hedera (21.6 vs. 27.1 g/kg BW), Arbutus and Hedera (21.8 vs. 27.1 g/kg BW), and Pistacia and Hedera (19.7 vs. 22.0 g/kg BW). Comparison of intake of shrubs containing only tannins or saponins to intake of shrubs containing both tannins and saponins indicated that goats consumed more total biomass when fed with shrubs with both classes of compounds than with either tannins or saponins alone. Our results suggest that goats can increase intake of Mediterranean shrubs high in secondary compounds by selecting those with different classes of phytotoxins. Simultaneous ingestion of shrubs containing tannins and saponins may promote chemical interactions that inhibit toxic effects of these phytotoxins in the intestinal tract. In addition to complementary interactions between tannins and saponins, biological diversity within Mediterranean maquis vegetation also plays a positive role in increasing shrub intake by goats.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

Influence of pregnancy, lactation and environment on some clinical chemical reference values in Danish landrace dairy goats (Capra hircus) of different parity--II. Plasma urea, creatinine, bilirubin, cholesterol, glucose and total serum proteins.

1. Plasma urea, creatinine, bilirubin, glucose, cholesterol and total serum proteins were determined in Danish landrace goats from five herds in early and late gestation, during lactation and in dry goats. The purpose was to determine if there are sustained alterations in the levels of these parameters due to pregnancy and lactation and whether the changes are dependent on age, parity and environment. 2. Urea, creatinine and bilirubin were higher in young non-pregnant goats than in others. Urea decreased in goats at early and mid-lactation directly proportional to parity so that the higher the parity the more the decrease. 3. Creatinine was higher in young and adult non-pregnant goats than in others. There was an increase in late lactation that was greater in goats of higher parity than in others. 4. Bilirubin was higher in the mid-lactation stage, much more in goats of higher parity than in others. 5. Glucose concentration was lower in pregnant than in lactating goats and increased during lactation. The decrease during pregnancy was greater in higher parity goats than in others. 6. Plasma cholesterol and total serum proteins increased during lactation directly proportional to parity. 7. There were significant differences in biochemical parameters between goats from different herds (within similar physiological states). 8. Sustained alterations of these biochemical parameters occur during pregnancy and lactation in goats; the magnitude of changes depends on age and parity, and varies between herds.

Animals↗
PubMed2005

Pregnancy increases plasma leptin in nulliparous but not primiparous goats while lactation depresses it.

Most dairy ruminants are still lactating during early pregnancy, which could induce hormonal adaptations different from those observed during pregnancy alone. The incidence of concomitant lactation and pregnancy on plasma leptin has not been studied, and physiological factors involved in its regulation have not been addressed in goats. We assayed leptinemia throughout the pregnancy-lactation cycle in nulliparous and primiparous goats, starting 165 days prior to parturition and finishing 59 days after. During the first half of pregnancy, primiparous goats were lactating. Lactating non-pregnant primiparous goats were studied in parallel. Plasma leptin increased (+49%) up to mid-pregnancy in nulliparous, but not in primiparous goats. Furthermore, leptinemia was similar between pregnant and non-pregnant lactating primiparous goats, suggesting a strong leptinemia down-regulation by late lactation. Plasma leptin decreased from mid-pregnancy to parturition, more markedly in nulliparous goats, and remained depressed during early lactation at a similar level in both female types. It was lower, at 130 days of pregnancy, in goats carrying two fetuses. The leptinemia down-regulation by late pregnancy was highlighted by the lack of plasma leptin increase after drying-off late-pregnant primiparous goats, while it strongly increased in non-pregnant goats. The observation of leptinemia increase only in nulliparous goats suggests that it is not an essential endocrine adaptation during early pregnancy. By contrast, in both female types, the low leptinemia during transition from late pregnancy to lactation, and during late lactation, may be important for the adaptations that occur during lactation such as the partitioning of energy and nutrients towards essential functions and/or hyperphagia.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

Effect of high progesterone concentrations during the early luteal phase on the length of the ovulatory cycle of goats.

The effect of exogenous progesterone exposure early in the oestrous cycle on the duration of the interovulatory interval was studied in dairy goats. A controlled intravaginal drug release (CIDR-G) device was inserted for 5 days starting at day 0 (D0 group, n=6) or day 3 (D3 group, n=5) postovulation. A third group was composed of untreated control goats (control group, n=7). Daily transrectal ultrasound was carried out during the interovulatory interval to assess the ovarian dynamics. Oestrous behaviour was checked twice a day and serum progesterone levels were assayed in daily jugular blood samples. Treated goats showed two different responses. In three D0 goats and one D3 goat, progesterone concentrations fell immediately after CIDR withdrawal and this was followed by oestrus and ovulation between days 8 and 11 (short cycles). In the other three D0 goats and in four D3 goats the treatment significantly reduced the interovulatory interval (18.3+/-0.3 and 18.5+/-0.3 days, respectively) (shortened cycles) compared with the control group (20.0+/-0.2 days; P<0.05), but the intervals with progesterone concentrations over 1 ng/ml were not different (15.7+/-0.3, 15.8+/-0.7 and 16.0+/-0.5 days for D0, D3 and control goats, respectively). In all D0 goats with a short cycle response, the ovulatory follicle arose from the first follicular wave but in the D3 goat with a short cycle it arose from the second follicular wave. These results showed that premature progesterone exposure early in the ovulatory cycle of the goat affected its length inducing short or shortened cycles. The effect of progesterone could either affect luteotropic support of the corpus luteum (CL) and/or stimulate a premature release of the luteolysin.

Animals↗
PubMed1988

Susceptibility of goats to tsetse-transmitted challenge with Trypanosoma vivax from East and West Africa.

To determine if, as is the case with Trypanosoma brucei and T. congolense, serodemes of T. vivax could be distinguished on the basis of immunity to the metacyclic stages of the parasite, attempts were made to immunize goats by infection with infected tsetse, followed by chemotherapy or eventual 'self-cure'. Thirty goats were infected by tsetse with either clones or stocks of T. vivax from East or West Africa. Twenty-four goats were treated with diminazene aceturate (Berenil, Hoechst A.G.) 2-6 weeks after infection and 6 goats were allowed to self-cure. Infection, followed by treatment, induced immunity to a first homologous challenge by infected tsetse in only 2 of 24 goats (one immune to the East African stock, and the other to a clone of the West African stock). Immunity to a clone of the East African stock was induced in 3 or 4 animals after a second infection and treatment and in the fourth animal of the group following a third infection and treatment. One of 2 goats infected with the clone of the East African stock was immune to challenge at 16 weeks, following self-cure without treatment, and 1 of 4 goats infected with the parent stock was similarly immune when challenged at 40 weeks post-infection. Goats susceptible to infection with East African T. vivax showed evidence of partial immunity by delayed pre-patent periods and depressed parasitaemias after challenge. Goats infected with the relatively more virulent West African T. vivax were, however, completely susceptible to infection after homologous challenge, and showed only a slight delay in pre-patent period. A similar result was obtained in a further 8 goats primed and challenged by large numbers of tsetse (20 or 100 infected tsetse/goat) with the West African T. vivax. In further experiments using a very short treatment interval, infections following challenge were clearly shown to be the result of a lack of immunity rather than relapse following treatment. Lytic antibody activity to cultured metacyclic trypanosomes could not be detected during infection but such activity against bloodstream forms was detected after 2 weeks of infection. It is suggested that the primary reason for the erratic induction of immunity to T. vivax employing this methodology is the low number of metacyclics transmitted by infected tsetse, and thus poor antigenic stimulus encountered by goats upon tsetse challenge.

Africa, Eastern↗
PubMed2005

Microtubule and microfilament organization in immature, in vitro matured and in vitro fertilized prepubertal goat oocytes.

The aim of our study was to analyse the cytoskeletal organization of prepubertal goat oocytes. Microtubule and microfilament organization during in vitro maturation of prepubertal and adult goat oocytes and presumptive zygotes of in vitro matured-in vitro fertilized (IVM-IVF) prepubertal goat oocytes were analysed. Oocytes were matured in M-199 with hormones and serum and inseminated with frozen-thawed sermatozoa. Oocytes and presumptive zygotes were treated with anti-alpha-tubulin antibody and fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-labelled goat anti-mouse antibody to stain the microtubules. Microfilaments were localized by means of phalloidin 5 microg/ml conjugated with fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC-phalloidin). DNA was stained with propidium iodide. Stained oocytes were observed under a confocal laser scanning microscope. At the germinal vesicle nuclear stage, microfilaments were distributed at the cortex of the oocytes. After in vitro maturation, 91.7% of metaphase II (MII) oocytes from adult goats displayed microfilaments in the cortex and within the polar body and were characterized by the presence of a microfilament thickening at the cortical region over the meiotic spindle. In prepubertal goat MII oocytes only 5.7% of oocytes displayed microfilaments at the cortex and within the polar body. After insemination, most of the zygotes displayed microfilaments distributed at the cortex. An undefined microtubular network was observed in adult and prepubertal goat oocytes at the germinal vesicle stage. After in vitro maturation, 100% of MII oocytes from adult goats displayed microtubules on the meiotic spindle and within the polar body. This pattern of distribution was observed in 71.6% of prepubertal goat oocytes. Undefined microtubule networks were present in most of the zygotes analysed. In conclusion, cytoskeletal differences were found between prepubertal and adult goat MII oocytes. Furthermore, most of the zygotes from IVM-IVF prepubertal goat oocytes displayed cytoskeletal anomalies.

Actin Cytoskeleton↗
PubMed1983

[Factors altering allantoin excretion by sheep and goats].

We have studied the factors of variation of the urinary allantoin excretion with sheep billy goats and goats during digestibility trials. The urinary excretion of nitrogen allantoin (Nal) is highly correlated with the intake of digestible organic matter (DOM) and soluble nitrogen (Ns) for the sheeps billy goats and goats. By multiple regression we have estimated the daily endogenous excretion of Nal at 160 mg (goats) and 60 mg (sheeps and billy goats) respectively 8.5 and 2.6 mg/kg W0.75. The differences observed between sheeps and billy goats (Nal = 27.3 +/- 11.3 and 32.2 +/- 9.4 mg/kg W0.75) agree with the differences observed in the DOM and Ns intakes. The dairy goats eat more than the billy goats (69.5 against 52.0 DOM/kg W0.75 and 412 against 315 mg Ns/kg W0.75) but they excrete less Nal (36.3 mg against 42.3/kg W0.75). During the first two weeks of lactation the goats with negative N balance excrete more Nal than the goats with positive N balance (78 mg Nal against 57 mg/100 g DOM). Although large variations of DOM and Ns, the amount of Nal excreted before and after kidding doesn't vary. In these last conditions the general relation between Nal and intake of DOM and Ns no longer holds. Since the disponible energy (MOD) and soluble nitrogen intake supplies for the rumen microorganisms influence the amount of synthetised microbials protein (and so the amount of nucleic acids entering the duodenum) our regressions confirm the assumption that the excretion of Nal is related with the nucleic acids metabolism. However when Nal is utilised as an index of the nucleic acids catabolism, the factors that are able to create the variations either in the endogenous production of allantoin (uterine involution, bodily mobilisation, foetus growth, mammary gland development) or in the nucleic acids valorization must be taken into account.

Allantoin↗
PubMed1994

A comparative study of nutrient digestibility, kinetics of digestion and passage and rumen fermentation pattern in goats and sheep offered medium quality forages at the maintenance level of feeding.

The in vivo digestibility and the rates of degradation and passage of alfalfa hay (AH) and vetch straw (VS) were compared in three Granadina goats and three Segureña wethers fed at approximately maintenance level, using a change over design. The nylon bag technique was used to estimate the fractional rate of degradation of the feeds in the rumen. The fractional outflow rate of hay and straw particles was determined with chromium as a marker. No significant differences in the digestibility coefficients of nutrients between animal species were found. Nitrogen retention expressed as coefficients of both nitrogen intake and digested nitrogen was lower (P < 0.01) in goats than in sheep when VS was offered. There was no significant difference between goats and sheep in the effective degradability (measured at outflow rates in the range of 0.027 to 0.032 h-1) of dry matter (DM) for either forage. However, the effective degradabilities of the neutral detergent fibre (NDF) and crude protein (CP) of VS were lower (P < 0.01 and P < 0.001, respectively), in goats than in sheep. The degradation rates of DM, NDF and CP were not significantly different (P > 0.05) between goats and sheep. Also, the fractional rate of passage of particles from the rumen was not different (P = 0.056) between species, although there was a tendency for an increased outflow rate in goats. In a second experiment the effects of animal species, type of diet and frequency of feeding on rumen fermentation pattern were studied following a factorial design. Four goats and four wethers were used. They were randomly allocated to three dietary treatments: AH, VS or a 50:50 mixture of AH and VS (AH/VS). Rations were offered in two or three meals daily and samples of rumen content were obtained at 09.00, 11.00, 13.00, 15.00, 17.00 and 19.00 h. No difference in rumen pH was found between goats and sheep. Total volatile fatty acids and ammonia concentrations were higher (P < 0.001) in sheep than in goats. The molar proportions of acetate and isovalerate were higher (P < 0.01 and P < 0.001, respectively) in goats than in sheep, whereas the opposite was true for the molar proportion of n-butyrate. Feeding frequency had a slight effect on the rumen parameters measured. It is concluded that only minor differences in the digestive capacity and rumen activity of sheep and goats can be expected when they are fed on medium quality forages.

Animal Feed↗
PubMed2006

Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli and enteropathogenic Escherichia coli in healthy goats in India: occurrence and virulence properties.

AIMS: To describe the occurrence and virulence gene pattern of shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) and enteropathogenic E. coli (EPEC) in healthy goats of Jammu and Kashmir, India. METHODS AND RESULTS: A total of 220 E. coli strains belonging to 60 different 'O' serogroups was isolated from 206 local (nonmigratory) and 69 migratory goats. All the 220 strains were screened for the presence of stx(1), stx(2), eaeA and hlyA genes. Twenty-eight E. coli (75.6%) strains from local and nine (24.3%) strains from migratory goats belonging to 18 different serogroups showed at least presence of one virulence gene studied. Twenty-eight strains (16.47%) (belonging to 13 different serogroups) from local goats carried stx(1) gene alone or in combination with stx(2) gene, while as only one strain (2%) from migratory goats possessed stx(2) gene alone. Interestingly in the present study none of the STEC strains carried eaeA gene. Similarly, none of the strains from local goats possessed eaeA and none of the migratory goats possessed stx(1) gene. Eight strains (16%) (belonging to four different serogroups) from migratory goats carried eaeA gene. Twenty-five (14.7%) and seven (14%) strains from local and migratory goats harboured hlyA gene respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Healthy goats of Jammu and Kashmir state serve as a reservoir of STEC and EPEC. Further studies in this direction are needed to work out whether or not they are transmitted to humans in this part of world. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: This study is the first report of isolation of STEC and EPEC strains from healthy goats in Jammu and Kashmir State of India, which could be a source of infection to humans.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

Clorsulon pharmacokinetics in sheep and goats following oral and intravenous administration.

Clorsulon was measured in plasma and urine of sheep and goats after administration of a single intravenous (i.v.) and after a single oral dose of 7 mg/kg. A three-compartment model with elimination occurring from the central compartment was determined to best describe the i.v. data, whereas a one-compartment model with a single exponential absorption phase best described the oral plasma data. The bioavailability of orally administered clorsulon was approximately 55% in goats and 60% in sheep. Peak plasma concentrations occurred at 14 h and 15 h after oral administration in goats and sheep, respectively. Absorption from the gastro-intestinal tract effectively prolonged the elimination of clorsulon by increasing the elimination half-life from 17 to 28 h in sheep and from 12 to 23 h in goats for the i.v. and oral routes, respectively. In both goats and sheep, approximately 50% of the i.v. dose was recovered in urine as parent drug at 48 h after administration, whereas 41% and 30% of the dose was recovered after oral administration for goats and sheep, respectively. The elimination rate constant (kel) in goats was nearly twice as large as the value determined in sheep, and the urea under the i.v. plasma curve in goats was only 63% of the value in sheep indicating that goats are more effective in their capacity to eliminate clorsulon than are sheep. These differences in drug disposition between sheep and goats may account for the reduced efficacy of clorsulon reported in goats.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed1982

Effects of water deprivation and hyperhydration in pregnant and lactating goats.

The response to 30 h water deprivation was studied in 7 goats during the last month of pregnancy and during lactation with anestrus as the control period. Plasma osmolality and plasma Na concentration increased by about 4% in pregnant and lactating goats and by about 2% in anestral goats. Plasma AVP concentration rose by about 7 pg/ml in pregnant and lactating goats, but only by about 3 pg/ml during anestrus. PRA was elevated in pregnant animals, but dehydration caused only a minor further rise. Total plasma protein concentration was low in pregnant goats and did not increase during water deprivation, but it did so in lactating animals. Neither the hematocrit nor the plasma K concentration changed in response to dehydration. GFR fell by about 24% in pregnant goats and by 22% in lactating animals, but remained unchanged during anestrus. ERPF fell by 20% in lactating animals, but no consistent effect of the dehydration was seen during pregnancy and anestrus. Urine flow decreased by about 75% during pregnancy, 55% during lactation and 65% during anestrus with the highest urine osmolality observed during anestrus. Milk production was only slightly reduced, but the milk osmolality increased in parallel with that of the blood plasma. When allowed to drink at the end of the water deprivation period, pregnant goats immediately drank 2.5 +/- 0.5 litres, lactating goats 3.3 +/- 0.9 litres and anestral goats 1.1 +/- 0.3 litres. When hyperhydrated, pregnant goats excreted the excessive water more readily and showed less response to exogenous AVP than lactating and anestral animals. In conclusion, pregnant and lactating goats are obviously more susceptible to a shortage of water supply than anestral animals but can easily excrete an excess of water.

Animals↗