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PubMed1999

The negative effect of repeated equine chorionic gonadotropin treatment on subsequent fertility in Alpine goats is due to a humoral immune response involving the major histocompatibility complex.

In dairy goats, the use of eCG as a convenient hormone for the induction of ovulation is necessary for out-of-season breeding and artificial insemination. However, repeated eCG treatments are followed by decreased fertility in goats inseminated at a fixed time after treatment. In this report, we show the presence of anti-eCG antibodies in plasma of treated goats. A 500 IU eCG injection induces a humoral response, with variable concentrations of anti-eCG antibody being produced in individual goats. The analysis of successive anti-eCG immune responses over several years has demonstrated the existence of different populations of goats, defined as low, medium, and high responders. By the use of two caprine microsatellites located inside (OLADRB) and outside (BM1258) the major histocompatibility complex (MHC), a significant association (p < 0.05) between the anti-eCG antibody response and some MHC-DRB alleles was found. Goats with high antibody concentrations at the time of eCG injection (> 2.5 microg/ml) exhibited a much lower kidding rate than did other females (41.3% vs. 66.7%). Lower fertility of these goats, inseminated at a fixed time after eCG treatment, might be due to the observed delay in estrus occurrence and the preovulatory LH surge.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

Testosterone-dependent primer pheromone production in the sebaceous gland of male goat.

To test the hypothesis that the primer pheromone responsible for inducing the "male effect" is produced in the sebaceous gland androgen dependently, we examined the correlation between morphological changes of sebaceous glands and the pheromone activity in skin samples taken from castrated goats that had been treated with testosterone. Five castrated goats were implanted s.c. with testosterone capsules to maintain physiological levels of plasma testosterone for four weeks. Skin samples were obtained from the head region on Day 0 (the day of testosterone implant), Day 7, Day 14, Day 28 (the day of testosterone removal), Day 36, Day 42, and Day 56. Matched blood samples were also collected for measurement of testosterone concentration. The pheromone activity of the ether-extracts of the upper dermal layer containing sebaceous glands was assessed by its stimulatory effect on the hypothalamic GnRH pulse generator, which was monitored for changes of specific multiple unit activity (MUA) in ovariectomized estradiol-primed goats as described previously. The sebaceous gland enlarged during the testosterone treatment but reduced in size after testosterone removal. The pheromone activity first appeared in 2 out of 5 goats on Day 7 and in all the 5 goats by Day 28. Fourteen days after testosterone removal (Day 42), the pheromone activity was no longer detectable in any of the 5 goats. In short, the sebaceous gland size and the pheromone activity shifted almost in parallel. The present results provide strong support for the view that the primer pheromone is produced testosterone dependently in the sebaceous gland of the male goat.

Animals↗
PubMed2003

Experimental scoliosis in an immature goat model: a method that creates idiopathic-type deformity with minimal violation of the spinal elements along the curve.

STUDY DESIGN: Experimental scoliosis was created in an immature goat model. OBJECTIVES: To create a progressive, structural, idiopathic-type, lordoscoliotic curve convex to the right in the thoracic spine of the immature goat while maintaining the anterior and posterior elements of the spine along the maximal curve in a pristine state. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Progressive scoliotic curves in a small animal model have been created using a posterior asymmetric tether. However, attempts in larger animal models have had less success and typically required violation of the spinal elements. METHODS: Scoliosis was created in 40 Spanish Cross X female goats (age 1-2 months, weight 8-12 kg) using a left posterior asymmetric tether from T5 to L1. Convex rib resection and concave rib tethering from T8 to T13 were performed before compression across the rigid construct. Goats were followed over a 6- to 15-week period with serial radiographs to document progression of the deformity. RESULTS: Of the 40 goats that underwent posterior assymetric tethering with rib procedures, 7 (18%) encountered substantial complications (five deaths and two neurologic injuries). Of the 33 available for analysis, 27 goats (82%) developed progressive, structural, idiopathic-type, lordoscoliotic curves in convex to the right in the thoracic spine. All curves demonstrated characteristic radiographic features of idiopathic scoliosis including significant displacement of the apical vertebra from the midline, wedging of both the vertebral bodies and discs, rotation, and decreased flexibility. Initial scoliosis after posterior asymmetric tethering measured 42 degrees on average (range 33-50 degrees ) and progressed to 60 degrees on average (range 44-73 degrees ) over 6 to 15 weeks. The average progression of +18 degrees (range 6-37 degrees ) was statistically significant (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: This study establishes an experimental model for scoliosis that creates progressive, structural, idiopathic-type, lordoscoliotic curves convex to the right in the thoracic spine of the immature goat with high statistical significance (P < 0.001). In addition, this method of experimental scoliosis creation avoids violation of the spinal elements throughout the maximal portion of the curve providing an ideal opportunity subsequent study of the deformity.

Animals↗
PubMed1987

Effects of acute haemorrhagic hypotension during pregnancy and lactation in conscious goats.

Effects of acute, short-lasting haemorrhage have been studied in six goats. The experiments were made 55 +/- 3 days (mid-pregnancy = MP), and 24 +/- 2 days (late pregnancy = LP) before parturition, in lactation weeks 3-8, and in the non-pregnant, non-lactating (= control) period. The room temperature was kept at 20 +/- 1 degrees C, except during one experimental series in lactating goats, which was performed at +30 degrees C. Approximately the same volume of blood had been removed in all periods, when the mean arterial blood pressure (MAP) fell. At this moment bleeding was stopped. The volume loss, calculated as per cent of total blood volume, was significantly smaller during pregnancy and lactation than in the control period. The fastest heart rate, both at rest and during haemorrhage, was observed in LP goats. The respiratory frequency of the LP goats increased markedly in response to haemorrhage, but the most rapid respiratory rate was observed in lactating goats bled at the room temperature +30 degrees C. The increase in plasma vasopressin (AVP) concentration coincided with the fall in MAP. The AVP rise seen during late pregnancy was significantly higher than in all the other periods. The plasma noradrenaline (NA) concentration increased by about five times in LP goats, but did not change significantly in the other periods. Plasma renin activity did not rise, with the exception of a small increase in lactating goats bled at +30 degrees C. The plasma aldosterone concentration rose, but there was no difference between periods.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Aldosterone↗
PubMed1984

Studies on the influence of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs upon trypanosomiasis in goats and sheep.

The non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) flurbiprofen caused a rise in parasitaemia in goats infected with Trypanosoma vivax, Trypanosoma congolense and Trypanosoma brucei. All trypanosome-infected goats treated with flurbiprofen showed many dividing trypanosomes. This also included the short-stumpy forms of T. brucei. In T. vivax-infected goats flurbiprofen treatment resulted in 100% mortality in the acute and chronic stages of the infection. The increase in parasitaemia of T. brucei infected goats, treated with flurbiprofen, was not associated with an increase in mortality. The increase in parasitaemia of T. congolense-infected goats, treated with flurbiprofen, tended to be associated with a somewhat higher mortality but this was statistically not significant. The significant rise in parasitaemia could be reproduced in T. brucei-infected sheep without, however, killing the animals. Two other NSAIDs were also studied. Suprofen caused a rise in parasitaemia and 100% mortality when given to goats in the acute stage of T. vivax infection. Results with flunixin meglumine, when tested in T. brucei infected goats, were not conclusive.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed2005

Responsiveness to progestagen-eCG-cloprostenol treatment in goat food restricted for long period and refed.

For 6 months, 10 adult Saanen crossbred goats were fed undernutrition diet (70% maintenance), and finally five goats were refed for 6 weeks with 150% maintenance. In all animals oestrus was synchronized using 45 mg FGA vaginal sponge for 11 days, 300 IU eCG and 50 microg cloprostenol 48 h prior to sponge removal. From oestrus onset, during a 24-h period, blood samples were collected for oestradiol and NEFA assay. Ovulation was verified by laparoscopy 3 days after sponge removal. Body mass loss was 18.62 +/- 3.03% of initial weight and in refed goats body weight recovery was 90.63 +/- 3.56%. NEFA level was higher in restricted goats (p < 0.05). Fifty per cent of underfed goats (2/4) and all refed goats (4/4) exhibited oestrus and ovulation. Significant relationship (p < 0.05) was found between weight loss and the interval sponge removal-oestrus onset (r = 0.91) or ovulation rate (r = 0.70). Only in the refed group was the ovulation rate related to the oestradiol amount (r = 0.99) (p < 0.05). Collectively results showed that a short period of improved feeding re-established the responsiveness of oestrus synchronization in chronically fasted goats.

Animal Feed↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Detomidine-butorphanol-propofol for carotid artery translocation and castration or ovariectomy in goats.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the safety and efficacy of propofol, after detomidine-butorphanol premedication, for induction and anesthetic maintenance for carotid artery translocation and castration or ovariectomy in goats. STUDY DESIGN: Case series. ANIMALS: Nine 4-month-old Spanish goats (17.1 +/- 2.6 kg) were used to evaluate propofol anesthesia for carotid artery translocation and castration or ovariectomy. METHODS: Goats were premedicated with detomidine (10 micrograms/kg intramuscularly [i.m.]) and butorphanol (0.1 mg/kg i.m.) and induced with an initial bolus of propofol (3 to 4 mg/kg intravenously [i.v.]). If necessary for intubation, additional propofol was given in 5-mg (i.v.) increments. Propofol infusion (0.3 mg/kg/min i.v.) was used to maintain anesthesia, and oxygen was insufflated (5 L/min). The infusion rate was adjusted to maintain an acceptable anesthetic plane as determined by movement, muscle relaxation, ocular signs, response to surgery, and cardiopulmonary responses. Systolic (SAP), mean (MAP) and diastolic (DAP) arterial pressures, heart rate (HR), ECG, respiratory rate (RR), SpO2, and rectal temperature (T) were recorded every 5 minutes postinduction; arterial blood gas samples were collected every 15 minutes. Normally distributed data are represented as mean +/- SD; other data are medians (range). RESULTS: Propofol (4.3 +/- 0.9 mg/kg/min i.v.) produced smooth, rapid (15.2 +/- 6 sec) sternal recumbency. Propofol infusion (0.52 +/- 0.11 mg/kg/min i.v.) maintained anesthesia. Mean anesthesia time was 83 +/- 15 minutes. Muscle relaxation was good; eye signs indicated surgical anesthesia; two goats moved before surgery began; one goat moved twice during laparotomy. Means are reported over the course of the data collection period. Means during the anesthesia for pHa (arterial PH), PaCO2, PaO2, HCO3-, and BE (base excess) ranged from 7.233 +/- 0.067 to 7.319 +/- 0.026, 54.1 +/- 4.6 to 65.3 +/- 12.0 mm Hg, 133.1 +/- 45.4 to 183.8 +/- 75.1 mm Hg, 26.9 +/- 2.6 to 28.2 +/- 2.1 mEq/L, and -0.8 +/- 2.9 to 1.4 +/- 2.2 mEq/L. Means over time for MAP were 53 +/- 12 to 85 +/- 21 mm Hg. Mean HR varied over time from 81 +/- 6 to 91 +/- 11 beats/minute; mean RR, from 9 +/- 8 to 15 +/- 5 breaths/minute; SpO2 from 97 +/- 3% to 98 +/- 3%; mean T, from 36.0 +/- 0.6 degrees C to 39.1 +/- 0.7 degrees C. Over time, SpO2 and SaO2 did not change significantly; HR, RR, T, and PaCO2 decreased significantly; SAP, DAP, MAP, pHa, PaO2, and BE increased significantly. HCO3- concentrations increased significantly, peaking at 45 minutes. Recoveries were smooth and rapid; the time from the end of propofol infusion to extubation was 7.3 +/- 3 minutes, to sternal was 9.2 +/- 5 minutes, and to standing was 17.7 +/- 4 minutes. Median number of attempts to stand was two (range of one to four). Postoperative pain was mild to moderate. CONCLUSIONS: Detomidine-butorphanol-propofol provided good anesthesia for carotid artery translocation and neutering in goats. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Detomidine-butorphanol-propofol anesthesia with oxygen insufflation may be safely used for surgical intervention in healthy goats.

Analgesics↗
PubMed1986

Effects of timed melatonin infusion on prolactin secretion in pineal denervated goat.

The effects of timed melatonin infusion on prolactin secretion were examined in the pineal denervated goat. Ovariectomized Shiba goats (n = 5) were subjected to bilateral superior cervical ganglionectomy (SCGX); this procedure resulted in complete abolition of endogenous melatonin release during the dark phase. SCGX goats failed to coordinate their prolactin secretion with the prevailing photoperiod. Melatonin was infused (20 micrograms/h, s.c.) daily into these goats either for 8 h (the long-day-type infusion) or for 16 h (the short-day-type infusion) to mimic the nocturnal profile of plasma melatonin under long days or short days, respectively. The long-day-type melatonin infusion for 9 days, in comparison with control saline infusion, accelerated prolactin secretion, inducing a nocturnal rise in plasma prolactin; this was comparable to that seen in the pineal intact goats under long photoperiods. On the other hand, the short-day-type melatonin infusion suppressed prolactin secretion throughout the day as the short-day treatment did in intact goats. The prevailing photoperiod appeared to have no distinct effect on these prolactin responses to exogenous melatonin, which were indistinguishable under 16L8D and 8L16D conditions. The results indicate that the information about external light-dark cycles is converted by the pineal gland into the endocrine signal as a daily pattern of melatonin secretion, which eventually regulates prolactin secretion from the pituitary gland of the goat.

Animals↗
PubMed1982

A serial study of fluid balance during pregnancy, lactation and anestrus in goats.

Water and salt balance was studied in the same goats during pregnancy, lactation and anestrus. All goats increased their water intake during the course of pregnancy, but individual differences were large. In general, twin pregnant (TP) goats drank more water than single pregnant (SP) animals (3.4 +/- 0.4; N = 11 as compared to 2.5 +/- 0.3 litres/day; N = 5) during the last weeks of pregnancy. During lactation the high water intake TP goats persisted and the SP animals increased their intake to the same level as the TP goats. The water intake was reduced to about 2 1/day in both categories of animals during anestrus. Urine volume largely followed the changes in water intake in the individual animal. A continuous decrease in urine osmolality during the course of pregnancy occurred, but during lactation urine osmolality increased towards anestrus levels. TP goats generally retained more sodium than SP animals during pregnancy and during anestrus, whereas the figures were similar during lactation. Plasma Na, K and osmolality remained unchanged during pregnancy, lactation and anestrus, but a large fall in total plasma proteins and a moderate fall in hematocrit were observed during the course of pregnancy. Glomerular filtration rate of TP goats was elevated by about 35% during the 4th month of pregnancy, but did not differ from anestrus levels during the 3rd and 5th month or during lactation. Effective renal plasma flow was highest during the 3rd pregnancy month and then fell to reach lactation and anestrus levels during the 4th month of pregnancy. A few hours before parturition the animals became markedly dehydrated as shown by sudden increases in plasma Na, K, osmolality, total proteins and hematocrit. This water deficit was replenished within 26 h post-partum.

Anestrus↗
PubMed1987

Blood pressure response to angiotensin II in pregnant and lactating goats maintained on high or low sodium intake.

Goats were kept on either high (274 mmol day-1) or low (68 mmol day-1) sodium intake during pregnancy, lactation, and anoestrus. High salt (HS) animals had about three times greater renal Na excretion than low salt (LS) animals, but the differences in plasma volume, protein concentration, and haematocrit were generally not significant. Angiotensin II (AII) was infused intravenously for 28-min periods in doses of 0.30, 0.75, or 1.00 nmol min-1. The increase in mean arterial blood pressure (MAP) during AII infusions was greater in HS than in LS goats, but became attenuated in all animals during the course of the pregnancy. In LS goats the MAP rise was smaller in late pregnancy than during lactation and anoestrus. In HS goats the rise in MAP was exaggerated in early pregnancy and was similar to lactation and anoestrus values in late pregnancy. During lactation and anoestrus the goats showed similar MAP increase in response to AII infusions. The pulse pressure was greater during AII infusions performed in early pregnancy, lactation and anoestrus than in late pregnancy. Cardiac arrhythmias were noted during AII infusions, most frequently during lactation and in HS goats in early pregnancy. The results show that a moderately elevated sodium intake causes a significantly higher MAP increase in response to AII infusions during pregnancy. This abolishes the reduction of the MAP increase to AII infusions during late pregnancy as compared to anoestrus; a phenomenon which is observed in goats on a low sodium intake.

Anestrus↗
PubMed1989

Fluid balance and arterial blood pressure during intracarotid infusions of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) in water-deprived goats.

The aim of this study was to investigate if atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) plays a role in the control of water balance in goats and whether ANP affects the increase in mean arterial blood pressure (MAP) which accompanies drinking in water-deprived animals. Bilateral intracarotid infusions were made in female adult goats deprived of water for 48 h. ANP (1.5 micrograms min-1, n = 5, or 4.75 micrograms min-1, n = 5) was infused for 40 min. In control experiments isotonic saline (n = 7) was infused. The goats got access to water 35 min after the start of the infusions. During saline infusions they drank 2.9 +/- 0.4 litres, during the low dose of ANP 1.9 +/- 0.6 litres (n.s. vs saline), and during the high dose of ANP 0.6 +/- 0.2 litres (P less than 0.01 vs saline). Plasma vasopressin concentration did not change during saline infusions until after drinking, when it decreased. The vasopressin concentration increased in one goat after infusion of the low dose of ANP and in two goats after the high dose of ANP. The low dose of ANP caused no change in MAP in four goats, but MAP dropped in the one in which vasopressin concentration increased. MAP fell in all goats infused with the high dose (P less than 0.01), with the largest changes occurring in animals showing increased vasopressin concentration. During the act of drinking a temporary increase of MAP was observed when saline or the low dose of ANP was infused, but this response was attenuated during infusions of the high dose.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗
PubMed1981

Caseous lymphadenitis in goats.

Two dairy goat stud herds were surveyed for Corynebacterium ovis infection by clinical examination and serum tests using both the haemolysis inhibition and double immunodiffusion techniques for detection of C. ovis antitoxin. In one herd, of 53 goats 11 had abscesses from which C. ovis was recorded; 33 and 29 goats were positive to the haemolysis inhibition and double immunodiffusion tests respectively. Serums from 10 and 9 of 23 kids gave reactions positive to the respective tests with 19 of 23 kids having been born to does with demonstrable antibody. In a second herd of 57 goats 16 had superficial abscesses containing C. ovis; serums from 34 and 45 goats gave positive reactions to the haemolysis inhibition and double immunodiffusion tests respectively. The prevalence of caseous lymphadenitis in these stud herds was a cause of economic loss to the owners through euthanasia of severely affected goats, reduced milk production and emaciation, the cost of labour and drugs for treatment, jeopardisation of income from boarding or mating with outside stock and the appearance of goats at stud shows, and sale of valuable breeding stock to local and export markets.

Animals↗
PubMed1981

Salmonellosis in transported feral goats.

An outbreak of acute diarrhoea and deaths was investigated in a group of 1,016 feral goats of varying ages, on a 400 hectare Gippsland pine plantation. The goats had recently been captured in north western New South Wales and transported by truck to Melbourne, Victoria, a journey of 20 to 25 hours, and maintained in holding yards for up to 10 days. They were then transported for a further 3 hours, and released in the Gippsland plantation. Within 1 to 2 weeks of release many goats developed acute, severe diarrhoea, weakness and recumbency. Thirty-eight percent of all goats died in the first 2 months on the farm. Autopsy findings were characteristic of salmonellosis in 13 (43%) of the 30 goats examined and Salmonella sp were cultured from these and one other goat (47%). Four different serotypes of Salmonella were represented (S. adelaide, S. typhimurium, S. muenchen, S. singapore). The findings support the view that stress due to transport and intensive handling caused carriers of Salmonella to develop into active excretors with high cross infection to susceptible goats.

Animals↗
PubMed1983

Effect of colostrum deprivation of goat kids on the natural transmission of caprine retrovirus infection.

An investigation was conducted to determine if depriving goat kids of colostrum and rearing them away from the herd would prevent transmission of caprine retrovirus infection. Twenty-four newborn goat kids were deprived of colostrum and reared on cow's milk away from their dams from an endemically infected goat herd. Twenty-three colostrum-deprived kids had no evidence of retrovirus infection at birth. One kid had sucked briefly and obtained some colostrum resulting in passive transfer of antibody but it did not develop evidence of infection. Nineteen showed no serological evidence of infection over the 370 days of the study. One colostrum-deprived, segregated goat was subsequently found to be infected and developed arthritis-synovitis. Three had doubtful positive response in one or 2 serological tests during the period but no evidence of infection in leucocyte co-cultures. Cells centrifuged from colostrum of infected goats were co-cultivated with foetal goat synovial membrane cultures. Caprine retrovirus was isolated from cells in the colostrum from the 3 goats examined.

Animals↗
PubMed1967

The effect of infusions of glucose, acetate and amino acids on hourly milk yield in fed, fasted and insulin-treated goats.

1. Experiments have been carried out in lactating goats milked hourly to assess the value of this technique in studies of milk secretion.2. On refeeding 24 hr-fasted goats there was an increase in arterial concentration and mammary uptake of volatile fatty acids within an hour, but little increase in hourly milk and lactose yield until the mammary uptake of glucose had also increased (after 2-3 hr).3. Intravascular infusions of acetate had no effect on milk secretion in 24 hr-fasted goats but glucose infusions increased milk yield by 62 +/- 5% and lactose yield by 87 +/- 12% within 3 hr, with no effect on fat secretion. The addition of acetate or acetate plus amino acids had no more effect than glucose alone.4. The yield of milk and lactose could be reduced within an hour by insulin (2 u./kg I.V.) and this was prevented or reversed by injecting glucose. In one goat, where in spite of a fall in blood sugar, mammary arteriovenous difference and blood flow did not fall, there was little or no fall in milk yield.5. In fasted or insulin treated goats an increase in milk and lactose secretion could be obtained within an hour by infusing glucose into the artery of one gland autotransplanted to the neck, which responded before the control gland in situ, thus showing that the effect of glucose is directly on the mammary tissue.6. In two normally fed goats with a low blood sugar, glucose infusions increased the milk or lactose yield by 30% within 3 hr.7. It is concluded that frequent milking, using minimal doses of oxytocin, is a valid method of studying factors controlling milk secretion and that, in the lactating goat, the availability of glucose to the mammary gland can be a limiting factor for maximum milk secretion.

Acetates↗
PubMed1983

The luteotrophic complex in hysterectomized and pregnant goats.

The pituitary hormones responsible for the maintenance of progesterone secretion by the corpus luteum have been determined by replacement therapy in hysterectomized-hypophysectomized goats and in goats hypophysectomized on day 40 of pregnancy. Progesterone concentrations were 7.2 +/- 0.81 ng/ml plasma (mean +/- S.E. of mean) in intact goats during the luteal phase of the cycle and were 5.9 +/- 0.56 ng/ml plasma after hysterectomy. After hypophysectomy of hysterectomized goats, treatment with 25 or 150 i.u. prolactin/day failed to maintain the corpora lutea, and progesterone concentrations fell to below 1.0 ng/ml plasma. Treatment with 1.0 mg luteinizing hormone (LH)/day after hypophysectomy maintained progesterone concentrations at 2.5 +/- 0.48 ng/ml and treatment with 1.0 mg LH and 150 i.u. prolactin/day resulted in increased peripheral concentrations of 12.9 +/- 1.66 ng progesterone/ml plasma. In goats hypophysectomized on day 40 of pregnancy treatment with 1.0 mg LH/day or 1.0 mg LH and 150 i.u. prolactin/day resulted in maintenance of the pregnancy and maintenance of high peripheral concentrations of 15.0 +/- 1.77 ng progesterone/ml plasma, with no difference between the two treatments. The results show that LH is the pituitary hormone primarily responsible for the maintenance of progesterone secretion by the corpora lutea in the goat and that prolactin is synergistic with LH in stimulating this function. The difference in the pituitary luteotrophic complex between non-pregnant and pregnant animals may be explained if placental lactogen can substitute for prolactin in the luteotrophic complex of pregnant goats.

Animals↗
PubMed1984

Transmission of louping-ill virus in goat milk.

The course of louping-ill virus infection was examined in lactating goats. Seven goats were inoculated subcutaneously and titres of virus in blood and milk were monitored. All goats became viraemic with maximum titres of between 10(1.6) and 10(4.0) plaque forming units (pfu)/0.2 ml. Virus was also detected in the milk of all goats at maximum titres of between 10(0.6) and 10(5.7) pfu/0.2 ml. Only one of these goats exhibited clinical signs which were transient. In contrast, five of the 13 kids sucking these goats became infected and all showed marked clinical signs and one died and two were killed in extremis. It is considered that goats do not represent an efficient maintenance host for louping-ill virus but the excretion of virus in milk could represent a public health hazard.

Animals↗
PubMed1985

Control of paratuberculosis (Johne's disease) in goats by vaccination.

After several years of unsuccessful efforts to eradicate paratuberculosis in goats in Norway by conventional methods such as general hygienic precautions and the isolation and slaughtering of clinically affected and serologically positive animals, a vaccination programme was initiated in 1967. The vaccine used consists of two live attenuated strains of Mycobacterium paratuberculosis suspended in a mixture of liquid paraffin, olive oil and pumice powder. The vaccine may be stored at 4 degrees C for two weeks, the dose is 1 ml and the goat kids are vaccinated at the age of two to four weeks. The efficacy of the vaccine has been judged mainly by post mortem examination of vaccinated and unvaccinated goats in the period 1967-82. During this period about 131,000 goats were vaccinated and, based on the post mortem examination of 15,219 goats, the infection rate was reduced from 53 to 1 per cent. Moreover, infection occurred almost exclusively in goats which for some reason or other had not been vaccinated or which had been too old when vaccinated. The results of these examinations showed that the adjuvanted vaccine with live M paratuberculosis bacteria offers a high degree of protection against paratuberculosis in goats.

Animals↗