Udder morphometry and its relationship with intramammary infections and somatic cell count in Serrana Goats

The present study aimed to characterize the external morphological traits of the mammary gland and their relationships with the presence of intramammary infection and the somatic cell count (SCC) of Serrana goats, Transmontano ecotype. Bifurcated pendular udders, with vertical loose teats and located close to each other, are more likely to have intramammary infection, and have the highest SCC. The udder shape, symmetry, degree of suspension and degree of separation parameters have shown to be significantly different depending on SCC.This work was funded by the project UID/CVT/00772/2019 supported by the Portuguese Science and Technology Foundation (FCT).info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

The effects of reproductive disorders, parity and litter size on milk yield of Serrana goats

Several reproductive factors may a ect milk yield in goats. The main aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of reproductive disorders, parity, and litter size, and their interactions on the 150-day standardized milk yield (SMY150) of low-producing dairy goats extensively raised. A total of 148,084 lactations between 1993 and 2015 were obtained from data of the Genpro pedigree records of the Transmontano ecotype of Serrana goat breed. The presence or absence of reproductive disorders (RD) from late (>half) pregnancy (abortions followed by lactation) or at kidding, number of fetuses (single vs. multiple), and parity (primiparous vs. multiparous) of the Transmontano ecotype of Serrana goat were used as fixed e ects to fit a general linear model for a SMY150 output. A significant e ect (p < 0.001) of all factors on SMY150, as well as three-way interactions, were observed. The SMY150 reduction subsequent to RD was 3.7% for multiparous and 9.6% for primiparous goats carrying singletons, and 14.1% for multiparous and 18.8% primiparous goats carrying multiple fetuses. It was concluded that a new lactation following abortion occurrence is viable for production purpose in low-producing dairy goats under pastoralism. Nevertheless, the impact of RD on SMY150 varied according to the number of fetuses and the parity of the Transmontano ecotype of Serrana goats. This information should be used in decision-making practices regarding reproductive and herd health management.This work was funded by the project UID/CVT/00772/2019 supported by the Portuguese Science and Technology Foundation (FCT).info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Infectious and non-infectious factors affecting somatic cell count and new diagnostic approaches of intramammary infections in dairy goats: a review

Intramammary infections constitute major animal health and economic problem in commercial dairy goat farms, being responsible for decreases in milk yield, alter milk composition, and lower milk quality. This paper reviews the published literature during the last three decades, highlighting the of non-infectious and infectious factors that influence somatic cell count (SCC). Besides that, it intends to contribute to understanding the conventional diagnostic methods and their limitations, and supports the implementation of new technologies for efficient mastitis control, in- cluding the use of infrared thermography and ultrasonography.This work was funded by the project UID/CVT/00772/2019 supported by the Portuguese Science and Technology Foundation (FCT).info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

The Effects of Reproductive Disorders, Parity, and Litter Size on Milk Yield of Serrana Goats

Several reproductive factors may affect milk yield in goats. The main aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of reproductive disorders, parity, and litter size, and their interactions on the 150-day standardized milk yield (SMY150) of low-producing dairy goats extensively raised. A total of 148,084 lactations between 1993 and 2015 were obtained from data of the Genpro pedigree records of the Transmontano ecotype of Serrana goat breed. The presence or absence of reproductive disorders (RD) from late (&gt;half) pregnancy (abortions followed by lactation) or at kidding, number of fetuses (single vs. multiple), and parity (primiparous vs. multiparous) of the Transmontano ecotype of Serrana goat were used as fixed effects to fit a general linear model for a SMY150 output. A significant effect (p &lt; 0.001) of all factors on SMY150, as well as three-way interactions, were observed. The SMY150 reduction subsequent to RD was 3.7% for multiparous and 9.6% for primiparous goats carrying singletons, and 14.1% for multiparous and 18.8% primiparous goats carrying multiple fetuses. It was concluded that a new lactation following abortion occurrence is viable for production purpose in low-producing dairy goats under pastoralism. Nevertheless, the impact of RD on SMY150 varied according to the number of fetuses and the parity of the Transmontano ecotype of Serrana goats. This information should be used in decision-making practices regarding reproductive and herd health management

Understanding mastitis in goats (i): etiopathophysiological particularities

Mastitis represents one major constraint in dairy goat farms implicating adverse effects on milk yield and composition and, in some cases, public health constraints. Intramammary infection, the principal cause of mastitis, can reach high prevalence in dairy goat herds, commonly more than 30%. Coagulase-negative staphylococci and coagulase-positive staphylococci, with emphasis for Staphylococcus aureus, are the major bacterial species related with in intramammary infection. Milk pathogens overtake anatomical, physiological, and immunological local defenses of the mammary glands. However, some enzootic systemic disease, such as contagious agalaxia, among others, with systemic tropism for the mammary gland, can have a significant impact on the milk production and quality. At immune level, neutrophils play a major role in the healthy and infected mammary gland representing 45–75% of total leucocyte counts in milk. Apparently, the threshold for significant neutrophils increase is 700,000 cells/ml. Moreover, the continuous renewal of epithelial cells from apocrine glands, which have phagocytosis cytokine production properties, improves significantly the somatic cells in milk. All these topics are discussed in the present chapter providing key points to improve the udder health status in goats.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Control biológico : introducción de una especie alóctona para control de plagas /

Treball presentat a l'assignatura de Deontologia i Veterinària Legal (21223

Udder health indicators of serrana goats breed used for Milk production of the “transmontano goat cheese”

“Transmontano goat cheese” is a traditional Portuguese protected designation of origin cheese produced with raw milk from goats of different herds in the region of Trás-os-Montes. Maintaining high quality standard is essential and depends mainly on the health of the herd and milk quality. Intramammary infections are the main cause for milk composition changes, decrease in milk quality and quantity, leading to high economic losses. In order to make a first approach of the udder health status and make management improvements, somatic cells count from the bulk tank of each farm was evaluated along with other parameters such as fat content, protein and lactose, and total bacterial count to determinate their relationship. High somatic cells count (SCC) were observed. The percentage of fat content and lactose was negatively correlated with log10 SCC and indicated severe udder health problems. The negative correlation value of the total bacterial count in the present model suggests environmental contamination and cooling problems in milk storage. Results show the need for continued investigation and udder health control programs in Serrana goat herds.O queijo de cabra transmontano é um queijo de denominação de origem protegida produzido com leite cru de cabra de diferentes explorações na região de Trás-os-Montes. Manter os padrões de elevada qualidade é essencial e depende em grande parte da saúde do rebanho e da qualidade do leite. As infeções intramamárias são a principal causa para mudanças na composição do leite, diminuição da qualidade e quantidade, levando a elevadas perdas económicas. A fim de realizar uma primeira aproximação ao estado sanitário do úbere e melhorar o maneio, procedeu-se à contagem de células somáticas do tanque de cada exploração juntamente com os parâmetros teor butiroso, proteína e lactose, e número de microrganismos totais para se entender a relação existente entre eles. Foram encontradas elevadas contagens de células somáticas (CCS), percentagem do teor butiroso e de lactose negativamente correlacionados com o log10 CCS indicaram significativos problemas de saúde do úbere nos rebanhos em estudo. O valor negativo do número de microrganismos totais presente neste modelo sugere a contaminação ambiental e problemas de refrigeração no armazenamento do leite. Os resultados mostram a necessidade de prossecução de investigação e instauração de programas de controlo da saúde do úbere nos nossos efetivos caprinos da raça Serrana.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Indicadores de saúde do úbere de cabras da Raça Serrana usadas para produção de leite do “queijo de cabra transmontano”

Entre janeiro e julho de 2015 foram recolhidas semanalmente amostras de leite do tanque de mistura em 40 explorações totalizando 806 amostras. Foram avaliados a CCS (Fotossomatic), teor butiroso (%), proteína (%), lactose (%) e a contagem total de coliformes (*1000 por ml) de cada amostra. A média geométrica da CCS foi de 2196*103 células por ml. Os percentis 2,5%, 10%, 25%, 50%, 75%, 90% and 99,5% da CCS foram 703, 1108, 1558, 2275, 3151, 4074 e 7014*103 células por ml. Observou-se uma coeficiente de correlação r=0,43 e um coeficiente de regressão ajustado R2=0,18 (P<0,001) para a equação de correlação múltipla log10 (SCC) = 7.54 -0.8*teor butiroso +0.33*proteína -0.42*lactose -3*10-5*n.o de coliformes totais. Para além das elevadas CCS, a percentagem do teor butiroso e de lactose negativamente correlacionados com o log10 (CCS) indicam graves problemas de saúde do úbere nos rebanhos em estudo. O valor negativo da contagem total de coliforme presente na equação sugere a contaminação ambiental e problemas de refrigeração no armazenamento do leite nas próprias explorações.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Control biológico : introducción de una especie alóctona para control de plagas /

Treball presentat a l'assignatura de Deontologia i Veterinària Legal (21223

Understanding mastitis in goats (II): microbiological diagnosis and somatic cells count

Mastitis control plans include not only mastitis treatment but particularly intramammary infection diagnosis mainly caused by bacteria. Microbiological diagnosis and SCC should be used together, representing the best practice for a proper diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of mastitis. The detection and identification of bacteria are done by bacterial cultures and complemented by detection of specific bacterial DNA fragments using the more recent PCR techniques. Both methods show intrinsic advantages and limitations regarding the milk sample techniques and the bacterial species present in the mammary gland. So, SCC, as a tool of indirect mastitis detection measuring inflammation indicators, acquires a great importance. However, goats produce a more physiological number of somatic cells than other domestic ruminant species. Other than an inflammatory response to milk pathogens, SCC varies according to several noninflammatory intrinsic (e.g., lactation phase and parity of females) and extrinsic (e.g., milking procedures) factors. Consequently, a SCC threshold differentiating infected from noninfected goats should be taken into account and carefully used and interpreted for udder health management in farms. This chapter describes all these aspects and the laboratorial and field particularities that should be taken into consideration to diagnosis mastitis in goats properly.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio