The introduction of sexually active bucks at different moments of the oestrous cycle does not modify the NEFAs or the IGF-1 concentrations

Non-esterified fatty acids (NEFAs) and Insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-1) concentrations are modified after the induction of a "male effect". The present study examined the effect of the introduction of males into a group of females that were previously isolated from males, during different phases of the sexual cycle, to determine the changes to the NEFAs and IGF-1 concentrations. Sixty-four does were divided into six groups. The males were introduced with the females at different points after sponge removal. Introduction was carried out 48 h (n=10, Group 48H), 72 h (n=12, Group 72H), 4 days (n=10, Group 4 D), 13 days (n=10, Group 13 D) or 18 days after sponge removal (n=10, Group 18 D), and a control group was implemented that had no contact with males (n=12, Control Group). Plasma samples were taken every day to determine daily progesterone (P4) and NEFAs concentrations, and every second day for IGF-1 determination. No effects from the experimental groups were observed on the mean NEFAs or IGF-1 concentrations (p>.05). No differences between the time before male introduction and after male introduction were observed on the NEFAs concentrations (p>.05) or IGF-1 concentrations (p>.05). On the whole, only differences were observed in the NEFAs concentrations between the follicular and the luteal phases (9.48 ± 0.38 vs 8.15 ± 0.15mg/dL for follicular and luteal phases, respectively, p<.01). The results of the present experiment demonstrated that the introduction of sexually active males at different moments of the oestrous cycle does not modify the NEFAs or the IGF-1 concentrations.This study was funded by Grant [AGL2016-75848-R] from MINECO-AEI-FEDER (Spain)

Using dried orange pulp in the diet of dairy goats: effects on milk yield and composition and blood parameters of dams and growth performance and carcass quality of kids

Although dried orange pulp (DOP) may conveniently replace cereals in ruminant diets, few studies have considered similar diet substitution for goats. We hypothesised that DOP could replace cereal-based concentrate in goat diets without detrimental effects on growth performance and carcass quality of suckling kids and milk performance and blood biochemical parameters of dams in early lactation. We also hypothesised that DOP substitution may increase the levels of antioxidants, such as phenolic compounds and vitamin E, in milk and improve its total antioxidant capacity (TAC). Therefore, 44 primiparous Payoya dairy goats were allocated to three experimental groups, each fed a different diet: control (CD, n = 14) based on a commercial concentrate with alfalfa hay as forage; and DOP40 (n = 16) in which 40% and DOP80 (n = 14) in which 80% of the cereal in the concentrate were replaced by DOP. The experiment lasted from the final month of pregnancy to 55 days postpartum. The DOP diets did not affect suckling kids’ carcass quality, but at 28 days, led to improvement in live weight (LW) and average daily gain (ADG) from birth, although no differences were found between DOP40 and DOP80 (for CD, DOP40 and DOP80, LW at 28 days was 8.00, 8.58 and 8.34 kg and ADG was 184, 199 and 195 g/day, respectively). Diet had no significant effect on milk yield (average daily milk yield and total yield at 55 days were 1.66 l/day and 90.6 l, respectively) and commercial and fatty acid composition. Nevertheless, α-tocopherol, total phenolic compound (TPC) and TAC concentration in milk increased with substitution of cereals by DOP (for CD, DOP40 and DOP80, concentration of α-tocopherol was 21.7, 32.8 and 42.3 μg/100 g, TPCs was 63.5, 84.1 and 102 mg gallic acid equivalents/l, and TAC was 6.63, 11.1 and 12.8 μmol Trolox equivalents/ml, respectively). Every plasma biochemistry parameter considered was within reference values for healthy goats; therefore, no pathological effect was detected for these variables due to dietary treatment. However, DOP diets caused a reduction in plasmatic creatine kinase and aspartate aminotransferase, implying reduced oxidative damage to muscles. In conclusion, DOP may be an interesting alternative to cereals in early lactation goat diets for increasing farmers’ income and the healthy antioxidant capacity of milk

Effect of the Production System in the Fatty Acid Profile of Payoya Goat Kids

The importance of organic livestock production is increasing in Spain and especially in Andalucía, but nevertheless still exist reduced number of studies about the quality of these products. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of management system (conventional vs organic) on the fatty acid profile (with special reference on the conjugated linoleic acids, CLA) in the meat of Payoya goat kids. Twenty-four male kids (12 from a farm with conventional system and 12 from a farm with organic system) were used. The farms were located in the Sierra Norte of Cádiz (Andalucía, Southern Spain) and were fed in a grazing-based management, ranging mainly between semi-extensive and semi-intensive systems. Kids in both groups were born from twin births. They were raised with natural milk and slaughtered at same average live weight (8.4±0.31 kg). After 24 hours of chilling, carcasses were splitted along the dorsal midline and Longissimus thoracis muscle was obtained, packed to the emptiness and preserved at -20ºC up to analysis. There were no significant differences in a high number of the studied fatty acids according to production system, except for C14:0, C18:1, C20:0, C21:0, and C22:5n3 (with higher percentage in organic kids, P<0.05) and of C15:1 and C18:0 (higher percentage in conventional kids, P<0.01). In relation to calculated indexes, organic kids have showed highest values in the ∆ 9C18 desaturase activity index and in atherogenicity index (P<0.05). In conclusion, no significant differences were found in the fatty acid composition of meat from kids raising in organic and conventional systems.L’importance de l’élevage biologique est de plus en plus importante en Espagne et surtout en Andalousie, mais il existe un nombre réduit d’études sur la qualité des produits obtenus dans ce système et encore moins réalisées sur des races autochtones de chèvre comme la Payoya. L’objectif de cette étude a été d’évaluer l’effet du système d´élevage (biologique vs traditionnel) sur le profil des acides gras (avec une référence particulière aux acides linoléiques conjugués, CLA) de la viande des chevreaux de race Payoya. Vingt-quatre chevreaux mâles (12 animaux par système d’élevage) ont été utilisés. Les fermes se trouvaient dans la Sierra Norte de Cádiz (Andalousie, sud de l’Espagne) et l’alimentation provenait principalement de pâturages, entre semi-extensifs et semi-intensifs. Tous les chevreaux sont nés de mises bas gémellaires. Ils ont été élevés avec du lait et abattus à poids vif moyen de 8,4 ± 0,31 kg. Après 24 heures de refroidissement, les carcasses ont été découpées le long de la ligne médiane dorsale et le muscle Longissimus thoracis a été prélevé, emballé sous vide et conservé à -20 ºC jusqu’à l’analyse. Il n’y avait pas de différences significatives sur la plupart des acides gras étudiés en fonction du système de production, à l’exception du C14: 0, C18: 1, C20: 0, C21: 0 et C22: 5n3 (avec un pourcentage plus élevé chez les chevreaux biologiques, P <0,05) et du C15: 1 et C18: 0 (pourcentage plus élevé chez les chevreaux du système traditionnel, P<0,01). En ce qui concerne le calcul des différents index, les chevreaux biologiques ont présenté des valeurs plus élevées de l’index d’activité de ∆ 9C18 désaturase et de l’index d’atherogénicité (P<0,05). En conclusion, aucune différence significative n’a été trouvée dans la composition en acides gras de la viande provenant des chevreaux élevés dans les systèmes biologiques et conventionnel

Supplementing the Diet of Dairy Goats with Dried Orange Pulp throughout Lactation: II Effect on Milk Fatty Acids Profile, Phenolic Compounds, Fat-Soluble Vitamins and Antioxidant Capacity

Although dried orange pulp (DOP) as a short-term dietary supplementation has been proven an effective substitute for cereals in goat diets–without impairing milk quality–there have been no studies considering its use over the full lactation period. This study evaluated replacing cereal with DOP in goat diets for the full 180-day lactation period on milk’s fatty acid (FA) and antioxidant composition. Payoya goats were assigned to three diet groups: a control group consuming a commercial concentrate with alfalfa hay as forage; a DOP40 or DOP80 group, wherein 40% or 80% of the cereal in the concentrate was replaced by DOP. The -tocopherol and phenolic compounds levels and the antioxidant capacity in the milk increased as the DOP percentage increased. Including DOP might improve the FA indices of milk in the context of human health, especially when included at the end of lactation because it contributes to reducing the thrombogenicity index and increasing both the monounsaturated/saturated FA and polyunsaturated/saturated FA indices and the amounts of indispensables -C18:3 n-3 and C18:2 n-6 cis. Ultimately, DOP presents a plausible alternative to cereals in the diet of goats throughout lactation to improve the nutritional milk quality, especially the healthy antioxidant capacity.Excma. Diputación Provincial de Huelva, Spain and the University of Huelva entitled “Aprovechamiento de Subproductos de las Empresas Agroalimentarias para Alimentación del Ganado”

Exposure male goat kids from subtropical regions to artificial long days, stimulate a higher growth rate, better body development and increased glycemia

Antecedentes. Los pequeños rumiantes de regiones subtropicales son sensibles y responden fisiológicamente a los cambios en el fotoperiodo. En algunos sistemas de producción caprina del subtrópico, como los que existen en áreas semi-áridas de México, el principal objetivo es obtener, en el menor tiempo posible, machos con un adecuado peso y desarrollo corporal para la venta. Objetivo. Investigar si en cabritos machos, la exposición a días largos artificiales resulta en un mayor incremento de peso corporal y de la glucemia que en los animales mantenidos en fotoperiodo natural corto. Iniciando a finales de septiembre, 21 cabritos macho (13 ± 0.1 semanas de edad; promedio ± EEP) fueron asignados a uno de 2 grupos experimentales. En el grupo días cortos naturales, los machos fueron mantenidos bajo los días cortos del otoño-invierno (GDC, n =10). En el grupo días lagos artificiales, los machos fueron expuestos a un fotoperiodo de días largos artificiales que consistió de 16 h luz y 8 h de oscuridad (GDL, n = 11). El estudio duró hasta que los machos alcanzaran 35 semanas de edad y fueron alimentados en acuerdo a sus requerimientos nutricionales. Resultados. Durante el estudio, el peso corporal de los machos del GDL fue mayor que el de los machos del GDC (P 0.05). Sin embargo, el total de altura a la cruz ganada durante el estudio fue significativamente mayor en los machos del GDL que en los machos del GDC (P 0.05). However, the total height at the withers gained during the study was significantly higher in the GDL males than in the GDC males (P < 0.01). Under fasting conditions, GDL males had higher levels (P < 0.05) of blood glucose in some periods than GDC males. Implications. The present study demonstrate that artificial long days stimulates growth in goats as occurs in other ruminants. Conclusion. Exposure of the male goat kids from subtropical regions to artificial long days, promotes a higher growth rate, better body development and increased glycemia compared to kids maintained under natural short-day photoperiods

The use of photoperiod-treated bucks to induce a “male effect” does not compensate for the negative effects of nutritional restriction of the females in Mediterranean goats

This work examined the effect of acute nutritional restriction or supplementation one week before male introduction on the reproductive performances of the “male effect” when using photostimulated or control males in goats. On 22 March, 84 anoestrous does were placed with photostimulated bucks or with bucks which had received no treatments. One week before male introduction, the females were provided with different nutritional regimes: Supplemented, restricted or control females. The non-esterified fatty acids (NEFAs) and Insulin Growth Factor-1 (IGF-1) concentrations were measured in the same samples. Fecundity, fertility, prolificacy and productivity were also determined. No interaction between both sources of variation was observed in any of the reproductive variables studied. Treatment of the bucks increased the percentage of females expressing behavioural oestrous associated with ovulation (71% vs 90% for Natural and Photo groups, respectively, P < 0.05). The Supplemented females showed higher ovulation rate than Restricted females (1.77 ± 0.13 vs 1.05 ± 0.05, P < 0.001), fecundity (71% vs 43%, P < 0.05); fertility (76% vs 29%, P < 0.05) and productivity (1.00 ± 0.15 vs 0.29 ± 0.11 kids per female, P < 0.01). In the Supplemented females, the higher reproductive results could be due to the lower NEFAs and higher IGF-1 concentrations at ovulation and at the time of oestrus compared to the Restricted females. Thus, the present experiment results demonstrate that nutrition is an important factor in the response to the “male effect” at Mediterranean latitudes, and its negative effect cannot be counterbalanced by using photostimulated bucks.This study was funded by Grant AGL2016-75848-R from MINECO- AEI-FEDER (Spain).The authors wish to thank the farm staff of Huelva University for their technical support. Funding for open access charge: Universidad de Huelva/CBUA

Carcase and meat quality of Blanca Andaluza kids fed exclusively with milk from their dams under organic and conventional grazing-based management systems

The number of organic farms is growing, but switching from conventional to organic production requires farms continue to produce high quality products. This study compares the carcase and meat quality of Blanca Andaluza goat suckling kids raised under organic and conventional grazing-based stock raising production systems. Twenty-four twin kids (12 males, 12 females) were selected from representative farms of each system. Body weight, dressing percentage, carcase linear measurements, non-carcase components, primary carcase and minor cuts, tissue composition, chemical composition and rheological variables, pH and colorimetric variables, were examined. No significant differences were seen between the production systems or sex with respect to most of the variables studied. However, some non-carcase components and colorimetric variables were affected, with the organic kids’ meat returning lower values for lightness, yellow index, chroma and Hue angle. Indeed, some of the meat colour variables examined easily discriminated between the animals raised under the different production systems. These results show that conventional grazing–based farms raising these goats could easily turn to organic production without carcase or meat quality being affected

Fatty acid composition of muscle and internal fat depots of organic and conventional Payoya goat kids

Interest in the preservation of autochthonous breeds such as the Payoya goat (dairy breed), raised using extensive or semi-extensive grazing, has also recently increased among Spanish farmers. A study of the possibilities of transformation to organic production needs to analyze the quality of their products, specially the suckled kids. The objective of this study was to evaluate the fatty acid (FA) composition of Payoya goat kids under organic and conventional grazing�based management system. Forty-eight goat kids were selected (12 males and 12 females from each management system). The FA profile was determined in the Longissimus thoracis muscle, kidney and pelvic fat. Few gender differences were observed in the muscle and in the fat depots. The ratios of C14:0, C18:1 trans-11-(VA), and several n-3 FA were higher in organic kid meat than in conventionally reared kid meat. Conventional kid fat depots have presented higher percentage of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), lower CLA desaturase index, lower percentage of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty-acid (PUFA) and, consequently, higher n6:n3 PUFA ratio than organic kids. In conclusion, significant differences were found only in some FA percentages of muscle and adipose tissues of suckling kids raised in organic and conventional livestock production systems, probably due because the dams, in both experimental farms, were raised with similar semi-extensive system based on the grazing of natural pastures. Due to this reason, conventional grazing�based management farms could easily be transformed into organic production facilities

Artificial long days in addition to exogenous melatonin and daily contact with bucks stimulate the ovarian and oestrous activity in Mediterranean goat females

One experiment was conducted to determine whether the treatment with artificial long days and exogenous melatonin can induce reproductive activity during spring (seasonal anoestrus) in Mediterranean goats that are in daily contact with bucks and whether this treatment causes a variation in the reactivation of the reproductive activity in the normal breeding season. The experiment started on 4 November 2005 and finished on 27 October 2006. Thirty-four adult and barren does were used, distributed into two groups balanced according to their live weight (LW) and body condition score (BCS). Seventeen females were exposed to long days (16 h of light/day) from 14 November 2005 to 20 February 2006. On 20 February, they received one s.c. melatonin implant (LD-M group) and were exposed to natural photoperiodic changes in an open shed. The other females during the experiment were placed in an open shed under natural photoperiod and remained as the control group (C group). The C and LD-M groups were keeping in contact with males during the whole experiment. During the experiment, the LW, BCS and plasma progesterone concentrations were measured weekly, oestrous activity was tested daily using entire aproned bucks, and ovulation rate was evaluated by laparoscopy 7 days after positive identification of the oestrus. A clear treatment–time interaction was observed for plasma progesterone concentrations ( P,0.001), with a period of high progesterone concentrations during the natural seasonal anoestrus in the LD-M group. Although 94.1% of females in the LD-M group presented ovarian activity during this period, no female in group C did. Resumption of ovarian activity in the subsequent natural breeding season was 2 weeks later in the LD-M group in comparison with group C ( P,0.05). We can conclude that in Mediterranean goat breeding systems, when females are in daily contact with bucks, the treatment with 3 months of long days and melatonin implant at the end of the light photoperiodic treatment can induce ovarian and oestrous activity during the seasonal anoestrus. Finally, this treatment causes a short delay in the subsequent reactivation of ovarian activity in the natural breeding season

Parámetros de calidad de la canal y la carne de cabritos lechales de raza payoya en sistema de explotación convencional

En el trabajo se han elegido 24 cabritos pertenecientes a la raza Payoya, 12 machos y 12 hembras con el objeto de comparar los parámetros de la calidad de la canal y de la carne. Los resultados nos muestran que aunque existen algunas diferencias en algunas medidas de calidad de la carne (pH, CRA, L*, a*, b*, C y Hº), el resto de los parámetros estudiados no presentaron diferencias significativas entre los dos sexos