SEARCH · Search PubMed

Results for “GOATS”

Search indexed PubMed citations on genomics, clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health. Explore titles, authors and supplied subject terms, then open the PubMed record.

SourceResearch connectionFrom yearThrough year

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 415 records · Page 23Linked to original sources

PubMedDate not supplied

[Experimental infection of goats with Brucella ovis. Bacteriological serological and histopathological studies].

The susceptibility of adult male goats to Brucella ovis infection was studied. Fifteen goats and fifteen rams both of ages ranging from 22 to 34 months were inoculated conjunctivally with 10(9) cells of B. ovis strain recently isolated from a case of ram epididymitis. Five goats and five rams were killed 78 days after inoculation and similar groups were killed at two month intervals thereafter. B. ovis was recovered from semen of a male goat, 33 and 61 days after inoculation. The five goats sacrificed 78 days after inoculation contained Brucella in their organs. The semen and the tissues of the two other groups remained culturally negative throughout the observation period. Seven cultures were obtained from the semen of 14 rams used comparatively as inoculated controls. Epididymitis was clinically observed only in one male goat although under six presented macroscopic lesions. Seven rams out of the 15 inoculated showed clinical symptoms of epididymitis. Antibodies detectable by complement fixation and immunodiffusion disappeared 80 days after inoculation in goats, while rams reacted during the 189 days period of observation. It is concluded that the B. ovis infection in male goats is transient and the role that they may play in the epizootiology of the disease is negligible.

Animals↗

PubMed1981

Sarcocystosis in goats: clinical signs and pathologic and hematologic findings.

Clinical sarcocystosis was studied in 37 goats after inoculation with graded doses of sporocysts of Sarcocystis capracanis. Eight uninoculated goats served as controls. Clinical response varied with the dose. Goats inoculated with 10-40 million sporocysts died between 11 and 13 days after inoculation (DAI), from interstitial pneumonia, vasculitis, and necrosis of mesenteric lymph nodes. All goats inoculated with 100,000 or 1 million sporocysts died between 19 and 23 DAI; clinical signs were anorexia, fever (40-41 C), anemia, and weight loss. Four of 4 goats inoculated with 50,000 sporocysts and 1 of 4 inoculated with 10,000 sporocysts died 24, 28, 39, 68, and 61 DAI, respectively. Goats inoculated with 1,000 sporocysts and uninoculated goats remained clinically normal. After day 18 and before day 68, packed cell volume and hemoglobin content decreased to as low as 11% and 3.6 g/dl, respectively. Alanine aminotransferase and lactic dehydrogenase activities were inconsistently increased. Blood urea nitrogen and bilirubin values were increased, reaching as high as 63 mg/dl and 10 mg/dl, respectively. Histologically, thymic atrophy, vasculitis, hepatitis, cholangitis, myocarditis, generalized myositis, and encephalomyelitis were the main microscopic findings. The cause of the anemia in goats that died after day 19 was not determined.

Animals↗

PubMed1977

Experimental infection of pregnant goats with Akabane virus.

Ten pregnant goats were inoculated intravenously with a newly isolated strain of Akabane virus. As a result, vertical infection and experimental reproduction of congenital morphological abnormality were accomplished. Fetuses were removed from two of them 10 days after inoculation and used for recovery of the virus. Clinically, the goats were free from any abnormal sign. Mild viremia was demonstrated in one of them inoculated with the virus at 30 days of pregnancy, but the fetus removed from this goat was negative for virus recovery. No viremia was demonstrated in the other one inoculated with the virus at 55 days of pregnancy, but two fetuses removed from it were positive for virus recovery. No abnormal clinical signs were observed in eight goats inoculated with the virus at 40 approximately 115 days of pregnancy, but leukopenia was noticed in five of these goats. Viremia was demonstrated in all the goats. It persisted for 2 to approximately 4 days. Seven goats were held under observation up to the time of spontaneous parturition. Ten neonatal kids were obtained. All of them were normal, except three which were particularly weak and one which was mummified fetus. When precolostral serum was examined, it contained neutralizing antibody against Akabane virus in five of eight neonatal kids. Two fetuses (120 days of intrauterine life) were removed from the remaining one pregnant goat 80 days after inoculation. Congenital morphological anomaly was reproduced in one of them. The other was a normal fetus. Serum collected from the umbilical cord was positive for neutralizing antibody against Akabane virus in both fetuses.

Animals↗

PubMed1997

Anesthetic effects of tiletamine-zolazepam, alone or in combination with butorphanol, in goats.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate anesthetic effects of tiletamine-zolazepam (TZ), alone or in combination with butorphanol, in goats undergoing laparotomy for embryo collection. DESIGN: Randomized clinical trial with crossover design. ANIMALS: 9 adult female goats. PROCEDURE: Goats were anesthetized twice: once with TZ (5.5 mg/kg [2.5 mg/lb] of body weight, i.v.) and once with tiletamine-zolazepam and butorphanol (0.1 mg/kg [0.045 mg/lb], i.v.). Additional doses of TZ (0.5 to 1.0 mg/kg [0.23 to 0.45 mg/lb], i.v.] were administered as needed to maintain a surgical anesthetic plane. Time to sternal recumbency was recorded, and quality of induction was scored. Arterial pressures, heart rate, respiratory rate, and rectal temperature were recorded every 5 minutes; arterial blood samples were collected every 30 minutes. Oxygen was insufflated if estimated saturation of hemoglobin in peripheral arterial blood with oxygen was < 90%; intermittent positive-pressure ventilation was performed if goats became apneic. Muscle relaxation, quality of anesthesia, and eye signs were scored every 15 minutes during anesthesia. Anesthesia time was recorded, and quality of recovery and degree of postoperative analgesia were scored. Plasma cortiso concentration was measured before induction, immediately after extubation, and 2 hours after extubation. RESULTS: Induction was rapid and smooth. Five goats regurgitated, 3 required supplemental oxygen, and 1 required intermittent positive-pressure ventilation, but none of the goats became hypotensive. Muscle relaxation and quality of anesthesia were adequate. Goats recovered from anesthesia without complications. We did not detect any significant differences between anesthetic regimens for any of the variables measured, except bicarbonate concentration and base excess. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: TZ at a dose of 5.5 mg/kg was satisfactory for anesthetic induction in goats; additional doses can be given to extend anesthesia time, but addition of butorphanol at a dose of 0.1 mg/kg to this regimen does not seem to provide any measurable benefit. An oxygen source and a means of assisting ventilation should be available.

Analgesics, Opioid↗

PubMed1988

Peripheral plasma prolactin and progesterone levels in pseudopregnant goats during bromocryptine treatment.

Persistence of luteal function and accumulation of fluid within the uterus (hydrometra) are characteristics of pseudopregnancy in goats. To study the luteotrophic role of prolactin in this condition, seven seudopregnant goats were treated with bromocryptine (1 mg subcutaneously, twice daily) for 6 to 10 d. Plasma progesterone (P4) and prolactin (PRL) were measured by radioimmunoassay (RIA) in samples taken twice daily by venipuncture. Ultrasound scanning took place at regular intervals to visualize the presence of fluid within the uterus. Bromocryptine treatment effectively reduced the plasma PRL concentration in six goats. In all seven goats, a gradual decrease of the plasma P4 concentration to levels < 1.8 ng/ml occured during treatment. After bromocryptine treatment, P4 concentrations reached basal levels (<0.1 ng/ml) in two animals. In four goats, P4 concentrations remained close to 1.0 ng/ml, or even temporarily rose above the 2.0 ng/ml level. Spontaneous discharge of uterine fluid took place during (two goats) or within 4 d after bromocryptine treatment (three goats). These results indicate that prolactin plays an important luteotrophic role during pseudopregnancy in goats.

Journal Article↗

PubMed2001

Effects of high copper supplements on performance, health, plasma copper and enzymes in goats.

Six growing female Nubian goats (average BW=34.8+/-0.55kg, 7-8 months of age) were randomly assigned to either a basal diet (BD, 10-15ppm Cu/DM), or to medium Cu (MC, BD+50mgCu), or to high Cu (HC, BD+100mgCu) diets for 9 weeks. This level would cause Cu toxicity in sheep, but none occurred in the goats. Therefore, Cu supplementation was then increased to 150 and 300mg per head per day, for the following 14 weeks; to 300 and 600mg per head per day, for the next 8 weeks; and to 600 and 1200mg per head per day, for an additional 4 weeks, in the MC and HC group, respectively. Body weight and vital signs were recorded and blood samples collected at different time intervals. Hematological parameters, plasma Cu, sorbitol dehydrogenase (SDH), glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (GOT), and gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) were determined. At the termination of the study, tissue Cu concentration in different organs was also determined. During first 23 weeks (<300mgCu per day) of the study there were no apparent signs of Cu toxicity. Cu supplementation at 600mg per head per day in young Nubian does, had no effect on respiration rate (RR), heart rate (HR), and decreased (P<0.05) rectal temperature (RT) in the HC group only. Leukocyte counts were positively correlated with Cu supplementation (r=+0.296, P<0.02) and negatively correlated (r=-0.254, P<0.05) with RT in the HC group. Plasma SDH increased (P<0.05) when Cu supplementation was >/=300mg per head per day, thus, SDH may serve as an early indicator of Cu toxicosis in goats. Increases (P<0.05) in GOT were noted when Cu intake was >/=600mg per head per day. Contrary to the results observed for SDH and GOT, feeding goats 50mgCu per day or more, resulted in an increased plasma GGT as compared to BD goats. Levels of SDH, GOT and GGT of the BD goats were within normal range. Plasma Cu was not indicative of Cu status of animals. Copper improved ADG by 28% at the 100-150ppm level in diet. No relationship between Cu intake and hair Cu was found in the present study. Highest concentration of Cu was found in liver, followed by duodenum, rumen and brain. Results of this study indicate that goats are more resistant to Cu toxicity than sheep. This is one of the first reports documenting significant differences in Cu requirements and tolerance between goats and sheep.

Journal Article↗

PubMed2000

The improved Boer goat.

The history, origin and characteristics of the South African Boer breed of goats are reviewed. The development was carried out by a handful of farmers in the Eastern Cape, particularly in the district of Somerset East. The prototype for the breed was selected from several existing breeds of goats in South Africa in order to achieve the present functional characteristics and type. The Boer goat is a hardy breed with great capacity for adaptation and an exceptional ability to withstand and resist diseases. The Boer goat is highly fertile, conception rate is about 90%, kidding rate about 189% and fecundity rate 210%. Weaning weight at 120 days averages 29kg. Boer doe produces enough milk to raise twins easily. Boer goat yields flavoursome, succulent, tender and tasty lean meat of high quality, particularly during the young stage. Boer goat is able to maintain a high level of production up to 10 years of age. Details on breed standards of the Boer goat are presented. Numerous countries had imported Boer goats from South Africa including USA, New Zealand, Australia, Germany, Israel, France and more recently China.

Journal Article↗

PubMed1996

Effect on breathing of ventral medullary surface cooling in neonatal goats.

The present study was designed to determine whether neurons near the ventral medullary surface (VMS) that are important to control of breathing in adult mammals are also important to control of breathing in neonates. In 7-day-old goats (n = 22), the VMS was surgically exposed under halothane anesthesia. Stainless steel thermodes (2 x 2 mm) were used to cool (20 degrees C) and thereby create neuronal dysfunction of discrete VMS sites. Bilateral cooling under anesthesia 0-2 or 2-4 mm lateral to the midline between the exit of cranial nerves VI and XII resulted in a reduction (P < 0.05) of breathing and most often in apnea. Cooling caudal or rostral to this area did not have a consistent effect on breathing. In 7-day-old goats (n = 8), 3 x 3-mm thermodes were chronically implanted bilaterally on the VMS surface between the exit of cranial nerves VI and XII. The goats recovered and were studied over several days thereafter. VMS cooling while the goats were awake caused breathing to decrease (P < 0.05), but apnea was never observed. The decrease was less (P < 0.05) than while the goats were anesthetized. After 10 s of cooling, the hypopnea while the goats were awake was uniform during eupnea, hypercapnia, hyperoxia, and hypoxia, but after 10 s of cooling, the decrease was relatively greater (P < 0.05) during hyperoxia and hypercapnia. These effects of VMS cooling are qualitatively the same as in adult goats; thus the data are consistent with mature VMS contribution to the control of breathing in neonatal goats.

Animals↗

PubMed1993

Ultrastructural characteristics of Fc epsilon R-positive basophils in the spleen and bone marrow of mice immunized with goat anti-mouse IgD antibody.

BACKGROUND: Previous work showed that injection of mice with goat anti-mouse IgD antibodies results in increased numbers of Fc epsilon R-positive, non-B, non-T cells in the spleen and Fc epsilon R-positive cells in the bone marrow, and that some of these cells had ultrastructural features of basophils. Fc epsilon R-positive, non-B, non-T cells express virtually all of the capacity of mouse splenic "non-B, non-T cells" to produce interleukin-4 in response to stimulation by cross-linking of Fc epsilon R or Fc gamma R, or by the calcium ionophore, ionomycin. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: The present study is a detailed ultrastructural analysis of Fc epsilon R-positive bone marrow cells or Fc epsilon R-positive splenic non-B, non-T cells sorted from mice injected with goat anti-mouse IgD antibody and of Fc epsilon R-positive bone marrow cells or spleen cells pooled from normal mice not injected with goat anti-IgD. RESULTS: Basophils represented the majority (90%) of the granulated cells present in the Fc epsilon R-positive splenic non-B, non-T cells or Fc epsilon R-positive bone marrow cells of goat anti-IgD-injected mice. In contrast, the cytoplasmic granule-containing Fc epsilon R-negative cells sorted from spleen or bone marrow of goat anti-IgD-injected animals contained predominantly a mixture of neutrophils, eosinophils, monocytes and their precursors. Both the Fc epsilon R-positive and -negative preparations contained rare (< 5%) cells with ultrastructural features of very immature mast cells. Basophils were also identified in Fc epsilon R-positive cells sorted from total bone marrow cells or spleen cells of normal mice not injected with goat anti-IgD. CONCLUSIONS: Taken together with data concerning the numbers of Fc epsilon R-positive, non-B, non-T cells in the spleen, and Fc epsilon R-positive B220-negative cells in the bone marrow, these ultrastructural findings indicate that injection of mice with goat anti-IgD results in increased numbers of basophils, particularly in the spleen, that exhibit an 8-fold increase in basophils as a result of injection of goat anti-IgD.

Animals↗

PubMed1997

Susceptibility of three breeds of Ugandan goats to experimental infection with Trypanosoma congolense.

This study has indicated that differences in susceptibility to Trypanosoma congolense infection exist among the 3 main breeds of goats in Uganda namely, Kigezi, Mubende and Small East African (SEA). The Kigezi goats appeared to be the most susceptible suffering more severe anaemia, greater retardation of growth and more deaths than the other 2 breeds following experimental infection with Try-panosoma congolense. The Small East African goats appeared to be least susceptible. Following treatment after 84 days of infection, the SEA goats responded much better than the other 2 breeds. By 4 weeks after treatment with diminazene aceturate, the packed red cell volumes of the treated SEA goats were similar to those of control SEA goats while those of the Mubende and Kigezi goats were still much lower than those of control animals.

Anemia↗

PubMed1995

The efficacy of Diflubenzuron against the body louse (Damalinia limbata) of Angora goats.

The efficacy of an insect growth regulator, Diflubenzuron, to control biting lice (Damalinia limbata) on Angora goats was investigated. Lice on goats which were dipped in a concentration of 625 g Diflubenzuron to 1,000 1 water and then kept in quarantine was eradicated after a single treatment. Nymphs remained present on these goats up to 4 weeks and adult lice up to 8 weeks post-treatment. A single treatment provided greater than 90% reduction in nymphal stages from Week 6 to Week 16 post-treatment in treated goats continuously exposed to reinfestation. The treatment reduced adult louse infestations on these goats by 78-94% through Weeks 6-16 post-treatment. At the end of the trial (24 weeks post-treatment), these goats had 88% fewer nymphs and 84% fewer adult lice compared with untreated control goats.

Animals↗

PubMed1996

Epidemiological aspects of lungworm infections of goats in Morocco.

The results of a survey of lungworm infections in goats in the Middle Atlas and Rabat areas in Morocco during 1990-1992 are reported. Five species were recorded: Dictyocaulus filaria, Protostrongylus rufescens, Cystocaulus ocreatus, Muellerius capillaris and Neostrongylus linearis. The parasitological profile of protostrongylid species was represented by Muellerius (69-78%), Protostrongylus (16-25%) and Cystocaulus (5-6%) in the Rabat and Middle Atlas areas. Neostrongylus was virtually non-existent (under 1%) in both regions. Multigeneric infection involving several species of lungworms reached 54% in Rabat and 88% in Middle Atlas. Dictyocaulus infection of goats does not appear to be a serious problem. Infection rates of 40% and 50%, and average worm burdens of three and five worms per kid and adult goat were recorded in autumn in the Rabat area. A similar pattern was noted in Middle Atlas. In contrast, the incidence of small lungworm infections in goats is widespread at levels likely to be of economic significance. The level of infection was considerably higher than the Dictyocaulus infection and the infection rate was virtually 100% in both age groups in the two areas. The overall worm burdens averaged 77.03 +/- 22.6 parasites per adult goat and 44.16 +/- 16.3 per kid in the Rabat area, whereas the corresponding figures in Middle Atlas were 51.48 +/- 16.65 and 34.06 +/- 2.69 worms. The periods of high risk of infection by small lungworms were autumn, early winter and late spring-early summer. However, the heaviest infection by adult worms and the highest larval excretion were observed in late autumn and winter when molluscs were heavily infected. The periparturient period seemed to exert a positive influence on protostrongylid larval production. The output of first stage larvae (L1) of lungworms was significantly higher in goats than in sheep. Thus, goats may play a greater role in pasture contamination. The epidemiological factors influencing the seasonal fluctuations of lungworms are discussed and a timetable of recommended treatments is suggested.

Animals↗

PubMed1996

Prevalence of dicrocoeliosis in sheep and goats in Himachal Pradesh, India.

A survey incorporating field and abattoir studies was carried out on the prevalence of Dicrocoelium dendriticum in sheep and goats in the Kangra valley of Himachal Pradesh (India). Coprological studies on these migratory animals revealed that 8.1% of sheep and 4.1% of goats were positive for dicrocoeliosis, with a mean number of eggs per gram of faeces (EPG) of 702.1 for sheep and 566.7 for goats. The necropsy liver examination of slaughtered animals revealed that 24.1% of sheep and 12.3% of goats were infected with D. dendriticum and they had mean fluke burdens of 247.2 (sheep) and 298.1 (goats). No significant differences in fluke burden, liver lesion score and EPG count were observed between sheep and goats. The seasonal distribution of dicrocoeliosis indicated a higher percentage of infection in autumn and winter as compared with spring and summer. The potential role of migratory sheep and goats in the epizootiology of dicrocoeliosis is discussed.

Animals↗

PubMed1996

Detection of antibodies of Fasciola hepatica excretory--secretory antigens in experimentally infected goats by enzyme immunosorbent assay.

An ELISA with excretory-secretory (ES) antigens has been evaluated as a technique for the early detection of specific antibodies in Fasciola hepatica infections in goats. Goats were experimentally infected with 100 or 200 metacercariae of bovine origin and serum samples were taken periodically over 365 days. The ELISA test was performed with ES antigens (10 micrograms mL-1), a single dilution of sera (1:800) and anti-goat IgG conjugate (1:1000). ES specific antigens were detected in all infected goats between 15 and 30 days postinfection (PI) and maximum antibody levels were reached at 90 days PI. Positive antibody levels (significantly different from those of controls) were still found at 365 days PI. No significant differences were observed between goats infected with 100 or 200 metacercariae. In all infected goats, eggs appeared in faeces between 60 and 90 days PI. ELISA with ES antigens could be a feasible method for the early diagnosis of goat fasciolosis.

Animals↗

PubMed2004

Transrectal ultrasonic diagnosis of ovarian follicular cysts in goats and treatment with GnRH.

Cystic ovarian disease is an important cause of reproductive failure. The objective of this study was to evaluate transrectal ultrasonography as a diagnostic tool and gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) as a therapeutic approach for ovarian follicular cysts in goats. Goats were considered to have a follicular cyst(s) if a non-echoic structure >10 mm in diameter was detected in the absence of corpora lutea (CL) in three ultrasonic examinations performed at 5-day intervals. After diagnosis (Day 0), goats with ovarian follicular cysts (n = 5) were treated with a single bolus injection of 10.5 microg synthetic GnRH followed by administration of 125 microg prostaglandin F2alpha (PGF2alpha) 10 days later. Five blood samples were collected at 5-day intervals for determination of progesterone and estradiol-17beta. For detection of LH surge, blood samples were collected every 2 h. Ovulation rate was determined and pregnancy was confirmed by transrectal ultrasonography. The results showed that transrectal ultrasonography is reliable for diagnosis of ovarian follicular cysts and the mean diameter of the follicular cysts was 12.6 +/- 0.4 mm. Plasma concentrations of progesterone and estradiol-17beta at the time of diagnosis of follicular cysts (Day 0) were 0.7 +/- 0.2 ng/ml and 12.7 +/- 0.9 pg/ml, respectively. The concentration of progesterone increased to 4.0 +/- 0.5 ng/ml 10 days after administration of GnRH indicating luteinization of the ovarian follicular cysts concomitant with a decrease in the concentration of estradiol-17beta (3.5 +/- 0.4 pg/ml). Administration of GnRH to cystic goats resulted in a surge of LH within 2 h of treatment. The interval from PGF2alpha injection to the preovulatory LH surge was 62.8 +/- 1.4 h. All goats exhibited estrus 55.2 +/- 2.3 h after PGF2alpha injection and four goats out of the five ovulated. The ovulation rate was 1.5 +/- 0.3. In conclusion, results of this study suggest that transrectal ultrasonography is a reliable tool for diagnosis of ovarian follicular cysts. In addition, GnRH can be used to effectively treat ovarian follicular cysts in goats with 80% success rate.

Animals↗

PubMed2005

Transmission of caprine herpesvirus 2 in domestic goats.

Caprine herpesvirus 2 (CpHV-2) is a recently recognized gammaherpesvirus that is endemic in domestic goats and has been observed to cause clinical malignant catarrhal fever (MCF) in certain species of deer. In this study, transmission of CpHV-2 in goats was examined. A total of 30 kids born to a CpHV-2 positive goat herd were selected and divided into two groups: group 1 (n=16) remained in the positive herd; group 2 (n=14) was separated from the herd at 1 week of age after obtaining colostrum. Peripheral blood samples from each kid were examined regularly by competitive ELISA for MCF viral antibody and by PCR for CpHV-2 DNA. Fifteen out of 16 goats (94%) that remained with the positive herd seroconverted and became PCR-positive for CpHV-2 by 10 months of age. In contrast, all kids (100%) that were separated from the positive herd at 1 week of age remained negative until termination of the experiment at 1 year of age. Additional transmission experiments revealed that all CpHV-2-free adult goats were susceptible to CpHV-2 or ovine herpesvirus 2 (OvHV-2) infection. The data indicate that the transmission pattern of CpHV-2 in goats is similar to the pattern of OvHV-2 in sheep and that CpHV-2-free goats can be established by early separation of kids from positive herds, which has significant implications for MCF control programs.

Animal Husbandry↗

PubMed2003

Efficacy of injectable and pour-on microdose ivermectin in the treatment of goat warble fly infestation by Przhevalskiana silenus (Diptera, Oestridae).

The prophylactic efficacy of microdoses of injectable and pour-on ivermectin formulations against larval stages of Przhevalskiana silenus was assessed in naturally infected goats in the region of Calabria (southern Italy).Sixty-eight goats from two goat farms were divided into five groups: one group remained untreated, while the other four groups were treated with microdoses of ivermectin (5 and 10 microg/kg injectable formulation and 10 and 20 microg/kg pour-on formulation). The microdoses of ivermectin were fully effective in the treatment of goat warble fly infestation (GWFI) as no larvae emerged from the warbles in the treated groups, while all the larvae emerged in the control groups. Irrespective of the type of formulation used, the difference between the treated groups and the control group was statistically significant (P< 0.001). By contrast, no statistical differences were found between the goats treated with the injectable formulation and those receiving the pour-on applications, and between the two doses of the injectable and pour-on formulations used. Given the plasma concentrations it attains at its lowest dose (0.052 - 0.042 ng/ml for the injectable formulation and 0.030 ng/ml for the pour-on) the injectable formulation seems to offer the most reliable route for the administration of ivermectin microdoses and it is acceptable for milk consumption. The introduction of ivermectin in the early eighties and the use of microdoses in some cases have made it possible to control cattle hypodermosis in large areas of Europe. As with cattle hypodermosis, the administration of ivermectin microdoses in goats is particularly interesting because of the low costs involved and the low levels of residues found in goat milk; it may thus constitute the basis for GWFI control campaigns in areas where the disease is prevalent.

Administration, Topical↗

PubMed2004

Variability in the resistance of the Nigerian West African Dwarf goat to abbreviated escalating trickle and challenge infections with Haemonchus contortus.

The West African Dwarf (WAD) goat is known to be relatively resistant to infection with Haemonchus contortus. An experiment was carried out to assess variability in resistance under escalating trickle and single pulse challenge infection protocols. Thirty two 7-8 month old goats were subjected to trickle infection beginning with a thrice weekly dose of 100 L3 and increasing to 500 L3 by week 5, the last dose being administered on D30. Infection was abbreviated with fenbendazole on D32 and the animals challenged with 4000 L3 (=404-741L3/kg body weight) on D46 and necropsied on D81. The goats exhibited marked individual variability in faecal egg counts (FEC) and worm burdens (Wb). For convenience, we arranged the goats into FEC classes 1, 2 and 3, corresponding to peak counts of <1000, 1000-2500 and >2500 epg and Wb classes 1, 2 and 3, with counts of <50, 50-100 and >100 worms, respectively, broadly reflecting relatively resistant, intermediate and poorly resistant response phenotypes. Wb classes broadly reflected the FEC phenotypes and although there were no significant differences between the Wb of the FEC classes at necropsy, significant differences in FEC were detected when analysis was carried out only on Wb classes. There was also a significant positive correlation between FEC class on each of the days of challenge (D67 to D80) and worm burden at necropsy. In general, the goats showed strong resistance/tolerance to challenge, with more than 80% having Wb not exceeding 5% of the challenge dose, and only in class three goats were weight loss and anaemia detected in some animals. PCV and weight changes also closely reflected the FEC and Wb classes, with a significant negative correlation between each and Wb. Infection level did not significantly affect the sizes of either male or female worms and no significant difference was detected between the levels of circulating eosinophils in any FEC or Wb class. Overall, the data are consistent with the existence of a range of response phenotypes, which reflect variations in resistance of WAD goats to H. contortus infection, the genetic basis of which will be explored in future experiments.

Animals↗