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Occupational allergic rhinoconjunctivitis and asthma to goat and cross-reactivity with cow epithelium.

BACKGROUND: The development of sensitization and symptoms after the inhalation of epithelial allergens is common. OBJECTIVES: To investigate the allergic response (in vivo and in vitro) of 3 individuals clinically sensitive and occupationally exposed to cow and goat and to evaluate the allergenic cross-reactivity between cow and goat epithelium extracts. METHODS: Three patients--a butcher and 2 doctors in veterinary medicine--were evaluated. These patients reported allergic respiratory symptoms after occupational exposure to goats and cows. Extracts were prepared from epithelia of both animals. All the patients underwent organ-specific allergen challenges with cow and goat extracts. Four nasal and 2 bronchial challenges were conducted following standardized procedures. RESULTS: All 3 patients had positive challenge results with the offending allergen extract. Specific IgE to goat allergens was detected in all patients. Several IgE-binding bands were detected. Inhibition assays (enzyme allergosorbent test and immunoblots) confirmed moderate-to-high cross-reactivity between goat and cow extracts. CONCLUSIONS: We confirm clinical sensitivity and specific IgE binding to goat and cow allergens in occupationally exposed individuals. There was good correlation among the clinical history, exposure, and the laboratory findings.

Adult↗

Circadian variations of plasma renin activity (PRA), aldosterone and electrolyte concentrations in plasma in pregnant and non-pregnant goats.

The aim of this study was to estimate and analyse circadian variations of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAA) activity in blood of goats and the influence of late pregnancy on the circadian variations of RAA system. The study was carried out on a group of 17 non-pregnant and 9 pregnant goats. The animals were kept in uniform environmental conditions, (9 h light/15 h darkness). Blood samples were collected seven times over a period of 24 h, every 4 h. Plasma renin activity (PRA), plasma aldosterone (PA), sodium, potassium and chloride concentrations were determined. PRA and PA of both groups changed during 24 h, with the highest values in the dark phase and with higher RAA system activity (especially during the night) in the pregnant goats. In the non-pregnant goats, no circadian changes in PRA and PA were observed. The circadian changes in PRA and PA found in pregnant goats had acrophases at 06:27 h and 01:13 h, respectively. Plasma electrolyte concentrations in both groups of goats also changed during 24 h. These results suggest that circadian changes of potassium concentration in plasma of goats during late pregnancy may be one of the main factors affecting the RAA system.

Aldosterone↗

Bromocriptine treatment of periparturient goats: long-term suppression of prolactin and lack of effect on lactation.

British Saanen dairy goats (n = 10) were treated with bromocriptine or vehicle from day 147 of pregnancy to day 4 post partum, a treatment duration of 8.8 +/- 1.7 d (mean +/- SEM). The periparturient prolactin surge was abolished by this treatment, but there were no significant effects on plasma growth hormone or insulin concentrations. Lactogenesis was delayed in the bromocriptine-treated goats, milk yields being significantly depressed (P < 0.01) for the first week of lactation. Yields had recovered to control values by day 10 when prolactin concentrations were still significantly depressed. Mammary gland biopsies were taken on day 4 post partum from five animals in each group. Using this tissue, no significant differences could be shown in mammary morphology or DNA synthesis, but the RNA:DNA ratio was significantly reduced (P < 0.05). After week 1, there were no significant differences between bromocriptine-treated and control goats in milk yield, milk composition, udder volume, time of peak yield or persistence. The goats given short-term bromocriptine treatment at parturition showed prolonged effects on prolactin secretion, their seasonal prolactin rise being severely blunted (P < 0.001). A normal lactation is therefore not prevented in goats by a delay in lactogenesis, suppression of prolactin at parturition or the resulting prolonged depression of circulating prolactin. Goats in established lactation given bromocriptine for 8 d showed, by contrast, a rapid recovery of plasma prolactin concentrations within 5 d post treatment. Milk yield declined significantly (P < 0.03) compared with pretreatment values during and for 1 week after bromocriptine but then began to recover, with no significant change in vehicle-treated goats.

Animals↗

Goats' milk of defective alpha(s1)-casein genotype decreases intestinal and systemic sensitization to beta-lactoglobulin in guinea pigs.

Contradictory results have been reported on the use of goats' milk in cows' milk allergy. In this study the hypothesis was tested, using a guinea pig model of cows' milk allergy, that these discrepancies could be due to the high genetic polymorphism of goats' milk proteins. Forty guinea pigs were fed over a 20 d period with pelleted diets containing one of the following: soyabean proteins (group S), cows' milk proteins (group CM), goats' milk proteins with high (group GM1) or low (group GM2) alpha(s1)-casein content. Parenteral sensitization to GM1 and GM2 proteins as also assessed. The sensitization was measured (1) by systemic IgG1 antibodies directed against bovine or caprine beta-lactoglobulin (beta-lg), alpha-lactalbumin (alpha-la) and whole caseins, and (2) by intestinal anaphylaxis measured in vitro in Ussing chambers, by the rise in short-circuit current (delta Isc) in response to milk proteins. Guinea pigs fed on CM and GM1 developed high titres (> 1500) of anti-beta-lg IgG1, with an important cross reactivity between goat and cow beta-lg. However, in guinea pigs fed on GM2, anti-goat beta-lg IgG1 antibodies were significantly decreased compared with GM1 guinea pigs (mean IgG1 titres were 546 and 2046 respectively), and the intestinal anaphylaxis was significantly decreased (3.5+/-4.5 microA/cm2) compared with that observed in GM1 guinea pigs (8.3+/-7.6 microA/cm2). Animals receiving GM1 or GM2 proteins via the parenteral route developed a marked sensitization. These results suggest that the discrepancies observed in the use of goats milk in cows' milk allergy could be due, at least in part, to the high genetic polymorphism of goats' milk proteins.

Anaphylaxis↗

Effects of dietary supplements of zinc-methionine on milk production, udder health and zinc metabolism in dairy goats.

Twenty-two Murciano-Granadina dairy goats were used to investigate the effects of organic Zn supplementation of a diet containing a high level of inorganic Zn. Goats were kept in pens, machine milked once a day throughout lactation and fed a diet based on a dehydrated mixture of whole-plant maize and alfalfa ad libitum, alfalfa pellets, barley grain and a concentrate mixture. Treatments were: (1) control, and (2) supplemented with 1 g/d Zn-Methionine (Zn-Met) included in the concentrate mixture. After parturition, goats were blocked in week 3 and dietary treatments were applied until week 23. From weeks 3-20, feed intake, milk yield, milk composition, milk somatic cell count (SCC), and udder health were measured. In week 21, all goats were injected intraperitoneally with 1 g/d DL-methionine for 5 d to establish the effects of methionine under the conditions of udder stress induced by hand milking on the second day. During weeks 22 and 23, diet digestibility, and N and Zn balance were determined. Dry matter intake, milk yield, and milk contents of total solids, fat, total and true protein, and casein did not differ between treatments, but whey protein and non-protein nitrogen contents were significantly lower for the Zn-Met group. Milk SCC tended to decrease as a result of Zn-Met supplementation but differences between treatments were not significant when halves with persistent infection were excluded. Hand milking increased SCC in both groups, but udders of supplemented goats showed a lower reaction. Apparent absorption of N significantly increased and Zn retention tended to increase in Zn-Met supplemented goats. We conclude that Zn-Met supplementation can enhance resistance to udder stress in dairy goats. Effects were attributed to the organic Zn and not to the methionine component. Zn retention and protein utilization were also improved by the Zn-Met supplement.

Amino Acids↗

Hammondia heydorni infection in sheep, goats, moose, dogs and coyotes.

The transmission of Hammondia heydorni among sheep, goats, cattle, dogs and coyotes is described. Oocysts of H. heydorni, obtained from dog faeces by feeding naturally infected goat meat, were fed to an experimental goat. After 312 days tissues from this animal were fed to 2 dogs. One dog, which received goat muscle, shed oocysts, whereas the other dog which received brain, spleen, kidneys, lungs and liver did not. Oocysts from the dog fed goat muscle were fed to an experimental sheep. After 73 days sheep tissues were fed to a dog and a coyote, both of which shed oocysts 5-8 days later. A second isolate of H. heydorni was obtained by feeding naturally infected beef to a coyote. These oocysts were fed to a single goat and sheep and after 71 days, muscle from these 2 animals was fed to 2 dogs and 2 coyotes, all of which shed oocysts 5-8 days later. None of the animals inoculated with H. heydorni became ill and no Hammondia-like organisms were found in tissue sections from the herbivores. Another dog shed H. heydorni-like occysts between 7 and 10 days after ingesting naturally infected muscles from a moose. These results indicate that H. heydorni infects goats, sheep, moose and coyotes in addition to cattle and dogs.

Animal Diseases↗

Human Escherichia coli O157:H7 infection associated with the consumption of unpasteurized goat's milk.

A cluster of four cases of haemolytic uraemic syndrome in children occurred in Northern Bohemia, Czech Republic, between 15 June and 7 July, 1995. All the cases had significantly elevated titres of anti-O157 lipopolysaccharide (LPS) antibodies as detected by the indirect haemagglutination assay. All but one of them had drunk unpasteurized goat's milk from the same farm within the week before the disease. Evidence of E. coli O157 infection was subsequently found in 5 of 15 regular drinkers of the farm's raw goat's milk; four of them were asymptomatic, 1 had mild diarrhoea at the end of June. Verocytotoxin 2-producing E. coli O157:H7 strains of phage type 2 and of identical pulsed-field gel electrophoresis patterns were isolated from 1 of 2 farm goats and from 1 of the asymptomatic goat's milk drinkers. The frequency of anti-O157 LPS antibodies found among regular drinkers of the farm's raw goat's milk (33%; 5 of 15) was significantly higher than that found in control population (0%; none of 45) (P = 0.0005; Fisher's exact test). Our findings indicate that goats may be a reservoir of E. coli O157:H7 and a source of the infection for humans; raw goat's milk may serve as a vehicle of the pathogen transmission.

Animals↗

The in vitro and in vivo development of goat embryos produced by intracytoplasmic sperm injection using tail-cut spermatozoa.

The objective of this study was to assess the efficacy of a novel intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) procedure, as well as the in vitro and in vivo developmental competence of goat embryos produced by ICSI. Oocyte-cumulus complexes recovered by LOPU from donors stimulated with gonadotrophins were matured in vitro. Fresh goat semen was used for ICSI following Percoll gradient washing. Tail-cut spermatozoa were microinjected into the ooplasm of goat oocytes using a piezo micropipette-driving system (PiezoDrill). In order to assess developmental competence, the ICSI-derived zygotes were cultured in one of two media systems (mTALP-mKSOM vs G1.3-G2.3) for in vitro development or were transferred into recipients for full-term development. The results suggest that cutting sperm tails using the oocyte-holding pipette coupled with the PiezoDrill is an efficient approach for goat ICSI in terms of oocyte survival, pronuclear development and initial cleavage. The mTALP-mKSOM culture system was more suitable for in vitro development of ICSI-derived goat embryos than G1.3-G2.3. This first report of full-term development of an ICSI-derived goat embryo suggests that ICSI can be applied to assisted reproduction in goats.

Animals↗

Use of browses (Terminalia serecia, Combretum apiculatum or Euclea schimperi) as a supplement for growing Tswana goats.

Twenty yearling male castrated Tswana goats were weighed and randomly divided into four groups of 5 animals. All the animals were fed buffel grass hay (Cenchrus ciliaris) as a basal diet, while lucerne (Medicago sativa) was fed to the control group as supplement. The other three groups were fed either Combretum apiculatum, Terminalia serecia or Euclea schimperi as a supplement. The basal diet comprised 60% of the ration, while the lucerne or the browses made up the remaining 40%. Water was provided daily. Leftover water and feed were measured daily. The goats were weigted every 2 weeks, prior to the morning feed. The data collected were subjected to analysis of variance. The average daily dry matter intake of the lucerne, C. apiculatum, T. serecia and E. schimperi supplements was 702.17, 769.91, 776.68 and 752.50 g, respectively, and was not significantly different between treatments (p > 0.05). The average daily water intake was significantly different (p < 0.05), with the goats fed lucerne drinking significantly more water (1270 +/- 31.62 ml) than the goats on T. serecia (1150 +/- 103.2 ml) but not significantly more than those on C. apiculatum (1166 +/- 52.25 ml) or E. schimperi (1184 +/- 100.15 ml). The average daily body weight gain was higher for the goats on lucerne at 78 g, compared to 77 g, 67 g and 64 g, for the C. apiculatum, E. schimperi and T. serecia supplements, respectively, but these were not significantly different (p > 0.05). Differences in feed conversion ratio were not significant (p > 0.05), but the ratio was lower for the goats on lucerne at 9.00 compared to 10.41, 11.98, and 11.23 for C. apiculatum, T. serecia and E. schimperi, respectively. The study demonstrated that these browses can be used to replace lucerne as a supplement for Tswana goats fed on buffel grass hay as the basal diet.

Animal Feed↗

Observations on haemoglobin types in three breeds of Omani goats.

Haemoglobin (Hb) types were studied in three breeds of Omani goats, Batinah (n = 22), Jebel Akhdar (n = 27) and Dhofari (n = 85). Type A was the only adult Hb observed in adult Batinah and Jebel Akhdar goats. In contrast, only 34% of the Dhofari goats were homozygous for Hb A, while 66% were heterozygous for Hb A and Hb B. Dhofari goats with type AB could further be differentiated into those with approximately 67% type A and 33% type B and those with approximately 33% type A and 67% type B. None of the goats was homozygous for type B. Seventeen kids observed from birth exhibited different levels of fetal Hb, dependent upon whether they developed the adult phenotype AA or AB. Kids that became homozygous for type A were born with approximately 90% Hb F and 10% Hb A. In contrast, goats that developed the heterozygous AB phenotype were born with only 30-60% Hb F, the remaining Hb being types A and B. These findings are not in accordance with previous reports that kids are born without any adult Hb. Hb F was no longer detectable in any of the three breeds of goats at 49 days of age. There was no evidence of Hb C, the pre-adult form of Hb.

Aging↗

Onset and sequence of RBA-band replication on the inactive X-chromosomes of cattle (Bos taurus L.), river buffalo (Bubalus bubalis L.) and goat (Capra hircus L.).

This study was undertaken to provide cytogenetic information about onset and sequence of RBA-band replication on the inactive X-chromosomes of cattle, river buffalo and goat. Blood cultures were synchronized overnight with thymidine after 48 hours of growth. The cell block was released with fresh medium and the cells allowed to grow in the presence of BrdU and H33258 for 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12 and 14 hours, including 20 minutes colcemide. Results show that: (a) the onset of RBA-banding replication was 12 hours before mitosis in cattle and river buffalo, 14 hours in the goat; (b) the replication process was still 'on' in cattle and river buffalo one hour before mitosis, whereas it was 'off' in the goat; consequently the length of the G2 phase was less than one hour in cattle and river buffalo and one hour or slightly longer in the goat; (c) the first band undergoing replication was identified as band Xq31 in cattle, homologous to band Xq34-36 in river buffalo and Xq24 in the goat; (d) the second replicating band was the Xp22 in cattle, homologous to band Xq21 in river buffalo and Xq34 in the goat, respectively; (e) the sequence of RBA-band replication was quite similar between cattle and river buffalo, but reversed in the goat, due to the wide chromosomal rearrangements which differentiated the X-chromosome of Caprinae from that of Bovinae.

Animals↗

Genetic diversity in Swiss goat breeds based on microsatellite analysis.

Genetic diversity in eight Swiss goat breeds was estimated using PCR amplification of 20 bovine microsatellites on 20-40 unrelated animals per breed. In addition, the Creole breed from the Caribbean and samples of Ibex and Bezoar goat were included. A total of 352 animals were tested. The bovine microsatellites chosen amplified well in goat. The average heterozygosity within population was higher in domestic goat (0.51-0.58) than in Ibex (0.17) and Bezoar goat (0.19). Twenty-seven per cent of the genetic diversity in the total population could be attributed to differences between the populations. However, with the exclusion of Ibex from the total population, this proportion dropped to 17%. Principal component analysis showed that all Swiss goat breeds are closely related, whereas the Creole breed, Ibex and Bezoar goat are clearly distinct from all eight Swiss breeds.

Animals↗

Comparative pharmacokinetics of ampicillin trihydrate, gentamicin sulphate and oxytetracycline hydrochloride in Nubian goats and desert sheep.

In this investigation the pharmacokinetics of three commonly used antibiotics, ampicillin trihydrate (10 mg/kg), gentamicin sulphate (3 mg/kg) and oxytetracycline hydrochloride (5 mg/kg), given intravenously, were each studied in five Nubian goats and five desert sheep. The pharmacokinetic parameters were described by a two-compartment open model. The results indicated that there were significant differences between the two species in some kinetic parameters of ampicillin and oxytetracycline but not gentamicin. Ampicillin elimination half life (t[1/2beta]) in goats (1.20 h) was shorter than that in sheep (2.48 h), and its clearance (Cl) significantly higher in goats (2921 mL/h x kg) compared to sheep (262 mL/h x kg) (P < 0.01). Ampicillin volume of distribution (Vd[area]) was found to be significantly larger in goats (5673 mL/kg) than in sheep (992 mL/kg) (P < 0.01). For oxytetracycline, the t(1/2beta) in goats (3.89 h) was significantly shorter than that in sheep (6.30 h) and the Cl value in goats (437 mL/h x kg) was significantly higher than in sheep (281 mL/h x kg). The results suggest that when treating sheep and goats, the pharmacokinetic differences between the two species must be considered in order to optimize the therapeutic doses of ampicillin and oxytetracycline.

Ampicillin↗

Comparative pharmacokinetics of theophylline in camels (Camelus dromedarius) and goats (Caprus hircus).

A comparative randomized crossover study was conducted to determine the pharmacokinetics of theophylline in male and female camels (Camelus dromedarius) and goats (Caprus hircus). Theophylline is an established 'probe drug' to evaluate the drug metabolizing enzyme activity of animals. It was administered by the intravenous (i.v.) route and then intramuscularly (i.m.) at a dose of 2 mg/kg. The concentration of the drug in plasma was measured using a high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) technique on samples collected at frequent intervals after administration. Following i.v. injection, the overall elimination rate constant (lambda z,) in goats was 0.006 +/- 0.00076/min and in camels was 0.0046 +/- 0.0008/min (P < 0.01). The elimination half-life (t 1/2 lambda z) in goats (112 .7 min) was lower than in camels (154.7 min) (P < 0.01). The apparent volume of distribution (Vz) and the total body clearance (Cl) in goats were 1440.1 +/- 166.6 ml/kg and 8.9 +/- 1.4 ml/min/kg, respectively. The corresponding values in camels were 1720.3 +/- 345.3 ml/kg and 6.1 +/- 1.0 ml/min/kg, respectively. After i.m. administration, theophylline reached a peak plasma concentration (Cmax) of 1.8 +/- 0.1 and 1.7 +/- 0.2 microg/ml at a post-injection time (Tmax) of 67.5 +/- 8.6 and 122.3 +/- 6.7 min in goats and camels, respectively. The mean bioavailability (T) in both goats and camels was 0.9 +/- 0.2. The above data suggest that camels eliminate theophylline at a slower rate than goats.

Animals↗

Oestrous behaviour and development of preovulatory follicles in goats induced to ovulate using the male effect with and without progesterone priming.

The objective of the current study was to examine follicular dynamics in goats induced to ovulate by using the male effect with or without progesterone pretreatment. Ten Murcian-Granadina goats were treated with a single dose of 25 mg of progesterone in olive oil on the day of male effect induction (Day 0), whereas ten does remained untreated. Changes in the ovarian follicular population and onset of oestrous behaviour were checked daily from Day 0 to the day on which ovulation was detected by ultrasonography. All of the treated goats and only 20% of control goats (P < 0.001) showed oestrous behaviour between 72 and 96 h after the introduction of bucks. Differences in follicle growth were found between the groups. The control goats exhibiting oestrous behaviour during the first 4 days of ovarian screening and all of the goats treated with progesterone had their preovulatory follicles in growing phase. However, the largest follicles in control does not showing oestrus in these first 4 days were in regressing phase, being necessary for the emergence of new preovulatory follicles from a new follicular wave between Days 6 and 7, for exhibition of oestrous behaviour and subsequent ovulation. In conclusion, the appearance of short luteal phases and delayed ovulation in goats treated with the male effect during seasonal anoestrous depends on the stage of follicle development at the time of buck introduction. A single injection of progesterone stimulates the emergence of a new follicular wave, able to grow and give adequate ovulation after induction of the male effect.

Animals↗

Nitrogen metabolism and urinary excretion of purines in goat kids.

1. In Expt 1 three male goat kids of the Swedish Landrace breed were bottle-fed on isoenergetic liquid diets composed of goat's milk alone or substituted with 200, 400, 600 and 800 ml of a nitrogen-free liquid diet/l. The goat kids were 3 weeks old at the start of the experiment and weighed on average 5.3 (SD 0.22) kg. The experiment lasted for 45 d divided into nine 5 d periods. The goat kids were kept individually in metabolism cages, and faeces and urine were collected daily. 2. In Expt 1 there was a significant (P less than 0.001) relation between N intake and N retention, with an estimated (extrapolation) basal N excretion of 211 mg N/kg metabolic live weight (W0.75). While the creatinine excretion remained fairly constant (19.9 mg/W0.75), there was a tendency for both the allantoin and uric acid excretions to change with N intakes. Hypoxanthine showed no consistent excretion pattern, and xanthine could not be detected. 3. In Expt 2 three male goat kids of the Swedish Landrace breed were used to study the effect of level of intake on N and purine metabolism. The first experimental period (period 1) started at 2 weeks of age (5.5 kg live weight) and the second experimental period (period 2) at 9 weeks of age (9.8 kg live weight). The goat kids were bottle-fed on goat milk at intended intakes of 400, 600, 800 and 1000 kJ gross energy/kg W0.75. Each treatment was given for 7 d with adaptation for 3 d and collections for 4 d. 4. In Expt 2 there were significant (P less than 0.001) increases in both live weight and N retention when level of intake was increased. With increasing N intakes both total N and urea-N excretions increased significantly (P less than 0.05). The proportions of urea-N and ammonia-N were fairly constant within periods, and were on average respectively 0.81 and 0.059 in period 1 and 0.84 and 0.068 in period 2. There was no significant effect of treatment on the urinary excretion of allantoin, hypoxanthine, xanthine and creatinine. In period 2 uric acid excretion was significantly (P less than 0.01) affected by the treatments. 5. From the presented findings it is concluded that the endogenous urinary excretion of purine derivatives in a young growing ruminant was only marginally affected by large variations in protein supply, and also by the level of intake of milk.

Animals↗

Antioxidative probiotic fermented goats' milk decreases oxidative stress-mediated atherogenicity in human subjects.

The increasing interest in a healthy diet is stimulating innovative development of novel scientific products in the food industry. The viable lactic acid bacteria in fermented milk products, such as yoghurt, have been associated with increased lactose tolerance, a well-balanced intestinal microflora, antimicrobial activity, stimulation of the immune system and antitumoural, anticholesterolaemic and antioxidative properties in human subjects. Recently, we have studied a human Lactobacillus spp. strain that possesses antioxidative activity. The aim of the present pilot study was to develop goats' milk fermented with the human antioxidative lactobacilli strain, Lactobacillus fermentum ME-3, and to test the effect of the fermented probiotic goats' milk on oxidative stress markers (including markers for atherosclerosis) in human blood and urine and on the gut microflora. Twenty-one healthy subjects were assigned to two treatment groups: goats' milk group and fermented goats' milk group (150 g/d) for a period of 21 d. Consumption of fermented goats' milk improved anti-atherogenicity in healthy subjects: it prolonged resistance of the lipoprotein fraction to oxidation, lowered levels of peroxidized lipoproteins, oxidized LDL, 8-isoprostanes and glutathione redox ratio, and enhanced total antioxidative activity. The consumption of fermented goats' milk also altered both the prevalence and proportion of lactic acid bacteria species in the gut microflora of the subjects. We conclude that the goats' milk fermented with our special antioxidative lactobacilli strain Lactobacillus fermentum ME-3 exhibits anti-atherogenic effects.

Adult↗

The incidence of Chorioptes bovis (Acarina: Psoroptidae) on the feet of horses, sheep, and goats in the Netherlands.

The feet of horses, sheep, and goats of different breeds and from many different localities were examined for Chorioptes bovis. In horses, mites were mainly found in the Belgian and Frisian breeds (40% and 62% infected, respectively). In sheep and goats, respectively 63% and 86% were infected. In horses as well as in sheep and goats, mange-lesions were rarely seen. A number of sheep and goats were examined for mites and lesions quantitatively. In sheep all mites were restricted to the region close to the accessory digits and the claws. In goats the average number of mites was higher than in sheep, and mites could be found on all locations of the feet at least as far as the carpal and tarsal joint. Both in sheep and goats the biggest density of mites was found just below the accessory digits. When crusts were present, they were generally small and hidden under the coat. In sheep, which were housed for a long period, crusts were seen more often and were more distinct than in pastured animals. A negative correlation between the number of mites and the presence and extensiveness of crusts was observed. A possible explanation for this phenomenon is suggested. From the results of this study it is clear that there is no necessity to list chorioptic mange in sheep and goats as a notifiable disease.

Animals↗