Dissertations / Theses on the topic 'Goats Goats Sheep Benin'

The objective of the present work was to elucidate some of the possible choice determinants involved in diet selection by sheep and goats. The first experiment investigated the ingestive and digestive responses of these two species to a range of forage chemical composition attributes (i.e. nitrogen and fibre content). Forage DM intake was positively associated with their nutritive quality. Goats had higher voluntary DM intakes (P<0.05) and lower apparent digestibility coefficients (P<0.001) for any given forage than sheep, but the intake of digestible DM was similar for the two species. When forages were offered in pairs in a preference trial, the two species ranked forages similarly by favouring those of higher nutritive quality. The second experiment investigated the effects of different staple lengths of a single hay on the ingestive and digestive responses of sheep and goats. Goats had higher voluntary DM intakes (P<0.05) and lower apparent digestibility coefficients (P<0.001) for any given length than sheep, but the intake of digestible DM was similar for the two species. Goats allocated less time (P<0.001) than sheep to chewing the feed consumed and the mean retention time of the undigested residues in the animals' digestive tract was significantly shorter (P<0.01) for goats than sheep. When staple lengths of the grass hay were offered in pairs none of them was favoured and the choices were not significantly different between goats and sheep. In a third experiment a new method of feed presentation was developed and compared with conventional feed-bins. Goats had higher voluntary intakes than sheep (P<0.05), whereas there was no effect of the feed presentation method on DM intake.

Measurements of energy expenditures for domestic animals are used as a basis to determine the total energy requirements for maintenance and for production. Most studies on energy metabolism have been conducted under controlled, confinement conditions, and the results extrapolated to free - ranging animals. Such approaches do not always represent the real energy costs of free existence in the range or pasture environment. This study compared energy expenditures of sheep and goats under free-grazing conditions and assessed the accuracy of the carbon dioxide entry rate technique (CERT) as compared to the oxygen consumption method. In addition, 24-hour activity budgets were used to construct energy budgets for both animal species. These estimates were compared to CERT measurements. Dietary organic matter, crude protein, gross energy, digestible protein, and digestible energy intakes, as well as the apparent digestibility coefficients for crude protein and gross energy were compared for both species in one of the grazing trials. The validation of CERT yielded the linear regression equation: Y = 0.878 + 5.333 ER where Y energy expenditure in Kcal·min-1, and ER is the C02 entry rate in grams of C02 carbon·min-1. The coefficient of determination (r2) was 0.979, and the residual standard deviation of ± 0.12 Kcal·min-1. Daily energy expenditure of goats was higher (P<.OS) than that of sheep in all grazing experiments. The overall means were 127.1 and 88.4 Kcal·Bw-.75.d-1 for goats and sheep, respectively. High ambient temperatures during one of the grazing trials apparently caused heat stress to the grazing animals. Both species responded to this situation by using behavioral adaptations and avoidance mechanisms. The energy budget method over-estimated energy expenditures of sheep by 9 percent, and grossly underestimated the energy expenditures of goats by 39 percent. The nutritive value of the diets selected by both species was similar . However, goats had higher (P< .OS) organic matter, crude protein, gross energy, digestible protein and digestible energy intakes. The apparent crude protein digestibility coefficient for goats was 20 percent higher (P<.OS) than that for sheep. On the other hand, gross energy digestibility coefficients were similar for both species. Goats appeared to have an edge in meeting their dietary protein requirements under free- ranging conditions. CERT can predict energy expenditures within ± 8 percent of the mean. It is a feasible technique for assessing energy expenditures of small ruminants under range conditions. The energy budget method was not reliable for estimating energy costs in small ruminants, especially goats.

Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis (Map) infects macrophages and causes severe lesions of chronic granulomatous enteritis in sheep and other ruminants (Johne's disease). In this study, ovine paratuberculosis cases were examined histologically, and the presence of two distinct forms of intestinal pathology confirmed, characterised by either multibacillary lesions which exhibited a positive correlation with the presence of a marked macrophage infiltrate (lepromatous cases), or paucibacillary lesions which showed correlation with a cellular infiltrate which was lymphocytic in nature (tuberculoid cases). The presence of acid-fast bacteria was also found to correlate with evidence of serum antibody. Genomic DNA was extracted from the ileum of infected sheep and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) performed using IS900 primers to confirm Map infection. Immunoperoxidase staining of ileum demonstrated that the lymphocyte populations differed in density and relative percentages between both histological groups. The tuberculoid group had higher densities of CD4+, CD8+ and γδTCR+ subsets, and the lepromatous group lower densities of CD4+ and CD8+ subsets, when compared with control animals. Tuberculoid cases were associated with an increase in the relative percentage of CD4+ lymphocytes, whereas lepromatous cases had an increased relative percentage of γδTCR+ cells. Flow cytometry of lamina propria lymphocytes (LPL) isolated from the ileum of infected and control animals confirmed increased percentages of γδTCR+ cells in lepromatous cases than in controls, and higher percentages of CD8+ and γδTCR+ cells than in tuberculoid cases, which had correspondingly higher percentages of CD4+ cells. Higher percentages of γδTCR+ cells were also noted in mesenteric lymph node lymphocytes (MLNL) from lepromatous cases compared with control animals. Peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) of infected animals had increased percentages of B cells, and an associated increase in the percentage of MHC Class II positive cells compared with normal controls. The findings of this study suggest that ovine paratuberculosis is a disease with an immunological spectrum broadly comparable with that described for leprosy, with an apparent Thl like response in the tuberculoid form and a Th2 like response in the lepromatous form.

Two experiments were conducted on sown grass/clover swards (Lolium perenne - Trifolium repens) to study the effect of domestic animal species (sheep, goats and cattle) on sward canopy structure and diet selection and animal performance of a subsequent grazing species. In Experiment 1, the effects of continuous grazing by sheep, goats or cattle at a sward surface height of 6 cm from mid-May to late July (Phase 1) were assessed. From late July until the end of August (Phase 2) swards were continuously grazed at 6 cm by sheep or goats. Sward composition and structure were measured by a stratified clipping technique taking account of short, medium and tall areas on the basis of their mean sward surface heights and separated into grass and clover morphological components. In Phase 2 the diet selected by oesophageally fistulated goats and sheep was measured. Swards previously grazed by cattle tended to have a higher percentage of clover than those previously grazed by sheep and by goats both in the whole sward and on the sward surface at the end of Phase 1 (sward: 11.8% versus 9.5% and 8.8% respectively; sward surface: 18.2% versus 11.1% and 7.60% respectively). This was particularly related to higher amounts of clover in short and tall areas. During Phase 2 sheep ingested a significantly higher percentage clover from cattle-grazed swards (cattle: 29.7%, sheep: 13.3% and goats: 12.6%; p<0.001) whereas the diet of the goats contained 17.3%, 14.0% and 18.9% from cattle, sheep and goats-grazed swards respectively. Furthermore, during Phase 2, there was a greater overall increase in the clover percentage on swards grazed by goats than in those grazed by sheep. Both sheep and goats ingested more clover from tall areas of the sward with 32.2% and 20.1% of the variation in the percentage of clover in their diets respectively attributed to the percentage of clover present in these areas.

A cell synchronization technique was used that consistently yielded numerous elongated chromosomes, which are necessary for producing high-resolution G-banding. The prometaphase stage of contraction was determined to have the greatest utility for detailed comparative analysis and, therefore, was used in the preparation of the proposed standard high-re solution karyotypes and idiogram. A proposed standard high-resolution G-band karyotype of the domestic sheep and goat is presented, along with a high-resolution G-band idiogram of the goat. The karyotypes presented contain considerably more bands than contemporary karyotypes and provide much greater resolution for linear differentiation. The X chromosome of the sheep is acrocentric, rather than having a minute p arm as recently reported. A side -by-side comparison of high-resolution G-band sheep and goat chromosomes indicates identical equivalence of banding patterns. Of special note is the homology of banding patterns for the six acrocentric autosomes of the goat and the respective three submetacentric autosomes of the sheep, reinforcing the evidence that the goat is representative of the ancestral karyotype. C-bands and NORs of the sheep and goat are also presented. When C-banded, the centromeric regions of the sheep and goat acrocentric autosomes were found to be densely stained. The centromeric regions of the X and Y, however, were not stained differently from the chromosome arms. In the sheep submetacentrics, chromosomes 1 and 3 showed weak C-bands while chromosome 2 showed stronger bands. In the sheep and goat, 10 NORs located terminally on five chromosomes pairs were found. Sheep NORs occurred on the three pairs of submetacentric autosomes and on one large and one small pair of acrocentric autosomes. Goat NORs occurred on four large and one small pair of acrocentric autosomes. Sine the banding patterns obtained when staining for NORs do not permit individual identification of each chromosome, duplicate G-banding and silver staining of elongated chromosomes of both sheep and goat would need to be conducted to identify specific NOR-bearing chromosomes.

Small-ruminant production is an important part of the agricultural economy of northeastern Brazil. However, mild-to-severe undernutrition of livestock is an annual occurrence. Goats can tolerate the marginal forage conditions better than sheep, but the mechanisms underlying their superior tolerance are not understood. An analysis of animal liveweights at the end of the year-long study indicated that reproducing mixed-race goats gained nearly twice (P<.05) the weight of reproducing hair-sheep of the Santa Ynez breed, and non-reproducing goats gained about 1.2 times more (P<.05) weight than non-reproducing sheep. Daily weight gains of lambs were less (P<.10) than those of Kids for their first 80 days of life. In the wet season, reproducing sheep and goats gained similar (P>.05) weight, while non-reproducing sheep gained more (P~.05) than non-reproducing goats. Non-reproducing goats had greater (P<.05) forage organic matter intake (OMI) than the corresponding sheep in the two wet periods. In the late-wet period, non-reproducing goats had greater (P<.05) digestible energy intake (DEI) than corresponding sheep did but had similar (P>.05) digestible protein intake (DPI) as sheep. In the dry season, reproducing sheep and goats lost similarbn(P> . 05) weight but only the five better performing sheep were weighed at the end of the dry season. The five poorer performers were removed from the study and given supplemental feed to keep them alive. The non-reproducing sheep lost weight during the dry season, while the non-reproducing goats gained weight . Non-reproducing sheep and goats had similar (P>.05) OMI and DEI during the dry periods. In the late-dry period when forage quality was lowest, the animals experienced their greatest weight loss, and both species had greatly reduced DPI; the goats had 83 percent greater (P<.05) DPI than the sheep. Digestion trials were conducted with actual diet samples selected by free-ranging animals. Goats had greater (P<.05) crude protein apparent digestibility than sheep in the late-dry period trial. This difference may be a key aspect explaining their responses to the dry season.

Brucellosis is a constraint to livestock production in Moçambique. Reproductive failure due to brucellosis has been reported in the country and abortions occur in cattle, sheep and goats on many of the farms in Maputo Province of Moçambique. Brucellosis is an infectious disease affecting mainly sexually mature animals and is caused by organisms of the genus Brucella. Brucella abortus is the species that mainly affects cattle throughout the world, while Brucella melitensis affects mainly goats and sheep. Control of bovine brucellosis using B. abortus S19 vaccine was undertaken before the civil war in Moçambique which started in 1978 and ended in 1992. During this period the vaccination status of animals was not known. The diagnosis of brucellosis is mainly based on serological surveys and conflicting results obtained previously emphasized the need for additional studies. The aims of this research were to determine the prevalence of brucellosis in cattle, goats and sheep due to B. abortus and B. melitensis in five districts of Maputo Province based on serology, and to assess the relationship between abortions and reproductive failure occurring in the study area by isolation of Brucella organisms or nucleic acid detection. A total of 971 adult beef and dairy cattle, 752 goats and 260 sheep from the study area were tested for Brucella antibodies using the Rose Bengal test (RBT), indirect ELISA and complement fixation test (CFT). Milk from 85 dairy cows and tissue samples from 32 cows and bulls from Gaza and Inhambane provinces slaughtered in Maputo municipal abattoir and Machava abattoir, and an aborted foetus were also examined. All serological test results for small stock were negative. An overall apparent prevalence of 14.0% (n=971) was found in beef and dairy cattle in the study area based on a 95% confidence interval. The highest prevalence was observed in Manhiça District (27.4% (n=180)) with a significant difference compared to other districts (p<0.05). The lowest prevalence was observed in Magude District (7.1% (n=241)). The prevalence in the remaining districts were 14.5% (n=138) in Matutuine, 8.7% (n=173) in Moamba and 14.6% (n=239) in Boane. Apparent prevalences of 15.5% (n=161) in small, 14.0% (n=578) in medium and 12.9% (n=232) in large livestock production sectors where found in the study area with no significant differences (p>0.05) between them. B. abortus was isolated from the spleen of an aborted foetus. A PCR amplification product of 600bp was generated from this isolate 584/05 and from the organs of five slaughtered cows using primers ISP1 and ISP2 for Brucella genus-specific sequences. The isolate 584/05 was confirmed as a B. abortus field strain when fragments of 498bp and 178bp were generated using a PCR assay for differentiation of B. abortus field strains and vaccine strains 19 and RB51. A correlation was made between the 584/05 isolate and serum from the cow that aborted. The results confirmed that the isolate was not a vaccine strain. The results from this study will supplement existing epidemiological data and aid brucellosis control programmes in Moçambique. Copyright
Dissertation (MSc)--University of Pretoria, 2009.
Veterinary Tropical Diseases
unrestricted

Peste des petits ruminants virus (PPRV) belongs to the family Paramyxoviridae and genus morbillivirus. It is a highly contagious, fatal and economically important viral disease of small ruminants that is still endemic and militate against the production of sheep and goats in Nigeria. It is a notifiable disease according to the World Organization for Animal Health (Office International des Epizooties). In this study, a molecular analysis of PPRV from sheep and goats from recent outbreaks across the different regions of Nigeria was carried out. The aim was to describe the viral strains and the movement of the virus within the country compared to other endemic areas of the world. This was carried out through tissue and swab samples collected from sheep and goats in various agro-ecological zones of Nigeria.The evolution and relationship of earlier PPRV strains/isolates and those circulating and causing recent outbreaks was determined by sequencing of the nucleoprotein (N)-gene. Twenty tissue and swab samples from apparently healthy and sick sheep and goats were collected randomly from each of three states of each of the six agro-ecological zones visited. A total of 360 samples were collected. A total of 35 samples of 360 (9.7 %) tested positive by RT-PCR, of which 25 were from oculo-nasal swabs and 10 were from tissue samples (Table 4.2). Phylogenetic analysis was carried out using the N-gene sequences of the PPRV amplicons. Alignment of the sequences and related sequences from GenBank and neighbor-joining phylogenetic analysis using PAUP identified four different lineages, i.e. lineages I, II, III and IV. Interestingly, the Nigerian strains described in this study grouped in two separate major lineages i.e. lineages II and IV. Strains from Sokoto, Oyo, Plateau and Ondo states grouped according to the historical distribution of PPRV together with the Nigerian 75/1 strain of lineage II, while other strains from Sokoto, Oyo, Plateau, Akwa-Ibom, Adamawa, Kaduna, Lagos, Bauchi, Niger and Kano states grouped together with the East-African and Asian strains of lineage IV. This finding suggests that both lineages II and IV strains of PPRVs are circulating presently in Nigeria, contrary to an earlier publication which indicated that only strains of lineage II were circulating in the country (Shamaki, 2002).
Dissertation (MSc)--University of Pretoria, 2013.
gm2014
Veterinary Tropical Diseases
unrestricted

Peste-des-petits-ruminants (PPR), caused by the peste-des-petits ruminants virus (PPRV) is endemic in Nigeria and is a major constraint to the improvement of small ruminant production, thereby affecting the rural poor who depends on these livestock species as their source of livelihoods. The major objectives of this work were: 1) to conduct a seroprevalence of PPRV in camels, sheep and goats in Nigeria; 2) to isolate PPRV from naturally infected animals; and 3) to characterize the isolates using molecular techniques and compare the profile of the current isolates with the worldwide vaccine (Nig75/1) and other existing strains from other parts of the world. The major contribution of this work to current knowledge were: finding that more than one lineage of PPRV was circulating in Nigeria, the emerging Asian lineage IV gradually replacing the traditional lineage II in the country; the isolation in cell cultures and full genome sequencing of current field viruses which was last done in 1976; the unique amino acid residues in the individual proteins of the various lineages of PPRV were identified and used to develop a lineage-specific diagnostic test for the virus; and the current seroprevalence report of PPR in camels, sheep and goats from all the agro-ecological zones of the country. This work has also increased the sequences of PPRV available in GenBank. A total of 6,065 field serum samples from camels (1,517), goats (3,489) and sheep (1,059) were collected from all the six agro-ecological zones of Nigeria. The study subjects cut across all ages and sexes. The samples were subjected to both the N and H protein based c-ELISA. In addition, 140 clinical samples from 16 sheep and 63 goats with symptoms suggestive of PPRV infection were collected from different (15) states of Nigeria during a four year period (2010 2013). Published primers were used to amplify a 351 bp segment of the PPRV nucleoprotein (N) gene and a 370 bp segment of the fusion (F) gene. Monkey CV 1 cell line expressing the sheep-goat SLAM protein was used to isolate PPRV from RT-PCR positive samples. Thirty primer pairs were used to amplify and sequence two full genome isolates of the current circulating PPRV in Nigeria. Primer express software was used to develop a lineage-specific real time PCR for PPRV. The overall prevalence estimate of serum positive results for PPRV in sheep and goats was 23.16 % (n = 1,018/4,548, 95 % confidence interval [CI]: 21.79 - 24.57. There were significant differences in prevalences between the states (p = 0.001), zones (p = 0.058) and age (p = 0.032). Taraba State had the highest seroprevalence rate of 27.97 % while the lowest rate of 14.76 % was observed in Cross River State. There were no significant differences in the PPRV prevalences between male and female animals (p = 0.571) and between species (p = 0.639). The overall prevalence in camels was 3.36 % (51/1517, 95 % CI: 2.51 4.39). There were no significant differences in prevalences between states (p = 0.892) and between male and female camels (p = 0.742). The prevalence differed significantly (p < 0.001) by body condition scores - camels with poor body condition score have a higher (16.67 %) antibody seroprevalences to PPRV compared to those with fair and good body condition scores. There was a statistically significant difference between camels aged ? 5 years and those > 5 years (p = 0.004). The clinical samples subjected to RT-PCR showed that 33 (42 %) animals were positive for PPRV nucleic acid, which included two sheep (13 %) and 31 goats (49 %). The amplicons were sequenced and phylogenetic analysis using the neighbour joining, maximum parsimony and Bayesian analysis of the sequences with those available in GenBank showed that isolates from the current study belonged to lineage II and lineage IV. The lineage II viruses from this study grouped into two clades, one closely related to the vaccine virus (Nigeria75/1) and the other clade group with other wild-type viruses from Mali, Senegal and Sierra Leone. The lineage IV isolates also grouped into two sub-clades, one closely related to a 2011 strain from Gabon and the other closely related to a 1997 strain from Cameroon. Analysis of two full genomes of PPRV from Nigeria representing the two lineages of the virus circulating currently in the country showed that the lineage II representative isolated in 2012 has an identity of 96 % at the nucleotide level with the lineage II Nigeria75/1 virus isolated in 1975 and used as a vaccine. The lineage IV representative isolated in 2013 revealed an identity of 96 % with Sungri/96 from India. The unique amino acid residues in the individual proteins of the various lineages of PPRV were identified and used to develop a one-step TaqMan® real-time RT-PCR assay targeting the H gene of PPRV. This study reports for the first time, the presence of PPRV lineage IV, the Asian lineage in Nigeria. As part of the study, a lineage-specific assay was also developed, which once validated, could be included in the panel of assays recommended by the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE). The seroprevalence studies showed occasional transient PPRV infection of camels and the current antibody seroprevalence to PPRV in the small ruminants population in Nigeria. There is the need to include camels among species to be studied in elucidating the epidemiology of the disease in sheep and goats. The seroprevalence studies may be helpful in reaching a decision on the vaccination strategy for the control of the disease in the country.
Thesis (PhD)--University of Pretoria, 2015.
tm2016
Veterinary Tropical Diseases
PhD

Thesis (MScAgric)--University of Stellenbosch, 2001.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: One of the reasons why meat supply does not meet human demand is that man has concentrated on utilising relatively few animal species as a source of meat. Development of unconventional livestock, such as goats, is advocated as a means of increasing global meat production and consumption. Although South Africa possesses large numbers of domestic ruminants, meat consumption has been limited mainly to sheep and cattle. Goats are used to a lesser extent. This is partly attributed to a general belief that goat meat is inferior to mutton and beef. Numerous contradictions regarding comparative goat and sheep growth, carcass characteristics and meat composition exist in literature. Concepts involved with most of the contradictions includes average daHy gain (ADG), dressing percentage, carcass weight distribution and organoleptic characteristics, especially tenderness, juiciness and flavour, particularly as pertaining to animals reared/grown under intensive/feedlot conditions. Therefore this project was undertaken to obtain more information on the growth, carcass and organoleptic characteristics, as well as meat chemical compositions of Boer goat (BG) kids in comparison with South African Mutton merino (MM) lambs, reared under feedlot conditions. Thirty-two BG kids and 32 MM lambs were used for this investigation. All the animals were castrated and weaned before entering the feedlot. Two pelleted diets (fed to 16 animals/species) with either a low (LE; 8.9 MJ/kg OM) or a high (HE, 10.9 MJ/kg OM) metabolisabie energy level were fed individually, ad lib for either 28 or 56 days. Feed and water intake, ADG and feed conversion efficiencies (FCE) were monitored. During the last week of the feeding trial, 12 BG kids and 12 MM lambs were used to evaluate the digestibility of the two diets. After either 28 or 56 days, the animals were slaughtered and the carcasses dissected into South African commercial cuts. The m. semimembranosus and 8-9-10-rib cut of each carcass was dissected for determination of chemical composition, drip loss, cooking loss, shear force values and colour measurement. The m. gracilis was dissected from the hind leg of the carcass and used for sensory evaluation. MM's had significantly higher AOG's than BG's (e.g. MMHE56: 0.281; BGHE56: 0.162 kg/day). Within a diet there was no difference (P>0.05) in FCE between BG's and MM's and only the MM's FCE differed between the LE and HE diet (e.g. BGLE28: 7.65; BGHE28: 6.37; MMLE28: 8.73; MMHE28: 5.56 kg feed/kg weight gain). BGLE digested dry matter (OM), crude protein (CP) and energy more efficiently and had a higher energy retention than MMLE. The two diets had the same ME-value for the goats, which confirms that goats perform equally well on a lower quality feed as their contemporaries on a higher quality feed. Neither species, nor diet affected nitrogen retention. The BG had a 49 % lower (P<0.01) water intake per kg weight gain than the MM on both the high and low energy diets. Both species had a lower (P<0.01) water intake on the high than on the low energy diet. Furthermore, the BG had a daily water intake of only 171 ml/kgo.75 compared to the 302 ml/kgo.75 of the MM. The weight of the liver, empty stomach, head and feet (as a percentage of empty body weight) were higher in goats than in sheep. The MM's had significantly heavier skins, probably due to wool growth. Both kidney fat and gastro-intestinal tract (GIT) fat increased with age. The animals slaughtered after 56 days in the feedlot had significantly longer and deeper carcasses than their contemporaries slaughtered after 28 days. Within a diet and slaughter age, the MM had significantly broader and deeper carcasses than the BG's. BG's had significantly less weight per unit carcass length, and thus more slender carcasses than MM's. Diet had no significant influence on the carcass weight distribution of the goats. However, MM's had heavier carcasses (LE: 19.87 vs. 15.28 kg; HE: 24.01 vs. 17.05 kg) and proportionally heavier ribs and buttocks than BG's. Neither diet nor slaughter age influenced the proximate analysis of the m. semimembranosus, but MM's had significantly lower moisture values than BG's. In the 8-9-10-rib cuts BG's had significantly more moisture and protein and lower fat and energy values than MM's. OM, fat and energy values increased with an increase in slaughter age in both species. BG's had significantly higher concentrations of 11 of the 18 measured essential amino acids in their 8-9- 10-rib cuts than the MM's. Gaat carcasses had higher Ca, K, Mg, Na and P-Ievels than sheep carcasses, regardless of the diet fed. There was a tendency for goat's m. semimembranosus to have a lower Fe-content than that of sheep. BG carcasses had a lower carcass cholesterol content than that of lamb (66.77 vs. 99.28 mg/100g, respectively). Palmitic (C16:0), stearic (C18:0) and oleic (C18:1 n9) acid comprised the greatest proportions of fatty acids in both the m. semimembranosus and 8-9-10-rib cut for both species. On a LE-diet there was no significant difference between the saturated fatty acid (SFA) to unsaturated fatty acid (UFA) ratio of goat meat and lamb. However, on the HEdiet, lamb had a significantly higher SFA:UFA ratio than chevon (m. semimembranosus: 0.842 vs. 0.689; 8-9-10-rib cut: 1.407 vs. 0.892). Organoleptically, a difference was noted between chevon and lamb. Each has a specific species flavour, which was not influenced by energy level of the diet. BG meat was perceived to be stringier than that of the MM, but there was no significant difference in Warner-Bratzler shear force values. Tenderness declined with age in both species and there was also a tendency for goat meat to be less juicy than lamb. Chevon had a more pronounced aftertaste than lamb. No objective differences could be distinguished between the colour of the cooked chevon and lamb. There was a tendency for fresh lamb to have a higher a*-value (redness) than chevon. Although diet did not influence drip loss, drip loss increased with an increase in slaughter age. Only after 56 days did the MM's m. semimembranosus have a significantly higher drip loss than the BG's (LE: 4.84 vs. 3.43%; HE: 4.72 vs. 3.32%). In the m. semimembranosus of both species, cooking loss increased with an increase in slaughter age. Since diet did not influence the growth, carcass weight distribution, water holding capacity, colour, shear force values or organoleptic qualities of chevon, BG's may be finished on a diet with a lower ME-value than that usually formulated for sheep, without a reduction in performance. This may render a direct economic advantage for BG feedlot finishing. Meat from young feedlot goats is not inferior to that of lamb and it has a higher protein percentage and lower fat percentage. Therefore, it can be considered as a healthy food commodity, especially among low-income groups or people wishing to consume a low calorie diet.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: 'n Vergelykende analise van nutriëntverbruik en vleiskwaliteisparameters van Boerbokke en Suid-Afrikaanse Vleismerino's: Een van die hoofredes waarom die vraag na vleis die aanbod oorskrei, is die feit dat die mens tot op hede net op 'n paar dierspesies as bron van vleis gekonsentreer het. Benutting van niekonvensionele spesies, soos bokke, kan aanbeveel word ten einde die globale vleisproduksie en -verbruik te verhoog. Ten spyte van die feit dat Suid-Afrika oor baie gedomestikeerde herkouerspesies beskik, is vleisverbruik in die verlede tot hoofsaaklik skape en beeste beperk. Bokke is tot 'n mindere mate gebruik. Dit kan gedeeltelik toegeskryf word aan die algemene siening dat bokvleis ondergeskik aan skaap- en beesvleis is. Verskeie teenstrydighede ten opsigte van vergelykings tussen bokke en skape se groei, karkaseienskappe en vleissamestelling bestaan in die literatuur. Teenstrydige resultate ten bpsigte van gemiddelde daaglikse toename (GOT), uitslagpersentasie, karkasgewigverspreiding en organoleptiese eienskappe (veral taaiheid, sappigheid en geur) van diere afgerond onder intensiewe/voerkraal-toestande, kom veral voor. Hierdie projek is vervolgens uitgevoer ten einde meer inligting ten opsigte van die groei, karkas- en organoleptiese eienskappe, sowel as die chemiese samestelling van die vleis van Boerbok (BB) lammers in vergelyking met Suid-Afrikaanse Vleismerino (VM) lammers, onder voerkraal-toestande grootgemaak, te verkry. Twee-en-dertig BB lammers en 32 VM lammers is vir hierdie studie gebruik. AI die diere is gekastreer en gespeen voor hulle in die voerkraal geplaas is. Twee verpilde diëte (gevoer aan 16 diere/spesie) met óf 'n lae (LE, 8.9 MJ/kg DM) óf 'n hoë (HE, 10.9 MJ/kg DM) metaboliseerbare energievlak is individueel, ad lib, vir óf 28 óf 56 dae aan die diere gevoer. Voer- en waterinname, GOT en voeromsettingsdoeltreffendheid (VOD) is gemonitor. Gedurende die laaste week van die voedingsproef is 12 BB'e en 12 VM's gebruik ten einde die verteerbaarheid van die twee diëte te bepaal. Na 28 of 56 dae is die diere geslag en die karkasse in Suid-Afrikaanse kommersiële snitte verdeel. Die m. semimembranosus en 8-9-10-rib snit van elke karkas is verwyder vir bepaling van chemiese samestelling, drupverlies, kookverlies, skeurwaardes en kleurbepaling. Die m. gracilis is uit die agterbeen uitgehaal en vir sensoriese evaluering gebruik. VM's het betekenisvolle hoër GOT's as BB'e (bv. VMHE56: 0.281; BBHE56: 0.162 kg/dag) gehad. Binne 'n dieet was daar geen verskille (P>0.05) in VOD tussen BB'e en VM's nie en net die VM's se VOD het tussen die LE- en HE-dieet verskil (bv. BBLE28: 7.65; BBHE28: 6.37; VMLE28: 8.73; VMHE28: 5.56 kg voer/kg gewigstoename). BBLE het die droë materiaal (DM), ruproteïen (RP) en energie meer effektief verteer en het 'n hoër energieretensie as VMLE gehad. Die twee diëte het dieselfde ME-waarde vir die bokke gehad, wat bevestig dat bokke net so goed op 'n laer kwaliteit voer presteer as op 'n dieet van 'n hoër kwaliteit. Stikstofretensie is nie deur spesie of dieet beïnvloed nie. Die BB het 'n 49% laer (P<0.01) waterinname per kg massatoename op beide die HE- en LE-dieet gehad. Beide spesies het 'n laer (P<0.01) waterinname op die hoë as die lae energie dieet gehad. Verder het die BB ook 'n daaglikse waterinname van slegs 171 ml/kg075 gehad in vergelyking met die 302 ml/kgO.75van die VM. Die gewig van die lewer, leë pens, kop en pote (as persentasie van leë liggaamsgewig) was hoër vir bokke as vir skape. Die VM's se velle was betekenisvol swaarder, waarskynlik as gevolg van wolgroei. Beide niervet en kanaalvet het toegeneem met 'n toename in slagouderdom. Die diere wat na 56 dae in die voerkraal geslag is, het betekensivol langer en dieper karkasse gehad as dié na 28 dae. Binne 'n dieet en slagouderdom, het die skape breër en dieper (P<0.05) karkasse as die bokke gehad. BB'e het betekenisvol minder gewig per eenheid karkaslengte en dus maerder karkasse as VM's gehad. Dieet-energievlak het geen betekenisvolle effek op die verspreiding van karkasgewig by bokke gehad nie. VM's het egter swaarder karkasse (LE: 19.87 vs. 15.28 kg; HE: 24.01 vs. 17.05 kg) en proporsioneel swaarder ribbes en boude as BB'e gehad. Dieet of slagouderdom het nie 'n betekenisvolle effek op die chemiese samestelling (vog, vet, proteïen en as) van die m. semimembransous gehad nie, maar VM's het laer (P<0.05) vogwaardes as BB'e gehad. In die 8-9-10-rib snit het BB'e betekenisvolle hoër vog en proteïen, maar laer vet- en energiewaardes as VM's gehad. In beide spesies het DM, vet en energiewaardes toegeneem met 'n toename in slagouderdom. BG'e het 'n betekenisvolle hoër konsentrasie in 11 van die 18 gemete essensiële aminosure in hul 8-9-10-rib snitte gehad in vergelyking met VM's. Bokkarkasse het ook hoër Ca, K, Mg, N en P-vlakke as skaapkarkasse gehad, ongeag die dieet. Daar was 'n neiging vir die bok m. semimembranosus om 'n laer Fe-inhoud as dié van die skaap te hê. BB-karkasse het 'n laer cholesterol-inhoud as skaapkarkasse (66.77 vs. 99.28 mg/100g, onderskeidelik) gehad. Palmitiensuur (C16:0), steariensuur (C18:0) en oleïensuur (C18:1n9) het die grootste proporsies van die vetsure in beide die m. semimembranosus en 8-9-10-rib snit van beide spesies uitgemaak. Op 'n LE-dieet was daar geen verskil tussen die versadigde (SFA) tot onversadigde (UFA) vetsuur-verhouding van bok- en skaapvleis nie. Op 'n HE-dieet het skaapvleis egter 'n betekenisvol hoër SFA:UFA-verhouding as bokvleis gehad (m. semimembranosus: 0.842 vs. 0.689; 8-9-10-rib snit: 1.40 vs. 0.892, onderskeidelik). Organolepties is 'n verskil tussen bok- en skaapvleis gevind. Elkeen het 'n spesifieke spesiegeur, wat onafhanklik van die dieet was. Bokvleis is waargeneem as meer veselrig as skaapvleis, maar daar was geen verskil in Warner-Bratzler skeurwaardes nie. In beide spesies het sagtheid afgeneem met 'n toename in ouderdom en daar was 'n neiging vir bokvleis om minder sappig as lamsvleis te wees. Bokvleis het ook 'n meer pertinente nasmaak as lam gehad. Geen objektiewe verskil kon tussen die kleur van gekookte skaapen bokvleis onderskei word nie. Daar was egter 'n tendens vir vars lamsvleis om 'n hoër a*- waarde (rooiheid) as bokvleis te hê. Alhoewel dieet nie 'n invloed op drupverlies gehad het nie, het drupverlies toegeneem met 'n toename in slagouderdom. Slegs na 56 dae het die VM se m. semimembranosus 'n hoër (P>0.05) drupverlies as dié van die BB getoon (LE: 4.84 vs. 3.43%; HE: 4.72 vs. 3.32%, onderskeidelik). In die m. semimembranosus van beide spesies het kookverlies toegeneem met 'n toename in slagouderdom. Aangesien dieet nie 'n effek op die groei, karkasgewig-verspreiding, waterhouvermoë, kleur, skeurwaardes of organoleptiese eienskappe van bokvleis gehad het nie, kan BB'e op 'n dieet met 'n laer ME-waarde as wat normaalweg vir skape geformuleer word, afgerond word, sonder om 'n verlaging in produksie te verwag. Dit mag 'n direkte ekonomiese voordeel vir afronding van BB'e in die voerkraal inhou. Vleis van jong voerkraalbokke is nie minderwaardig teenoor die van skape nie e-n dit het 'n hoër proteren- en laer vetpersentasie. Dus kan bokvleis as 'n gesonde voedselbron gesien word, veralonder lae-inkomste groepe of mense wat 'n lae kalorie-dieet wil inneem.

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The analysis of the supply of goats and sheep by farmers in the municipality of Parnamirim - PE was structured in this research, the reasons for the identification of the determinants of sales of animals and how these variables relate. The weather proved to be the main reason for holding the Sheep and Goat Farming, with most families having vast experience in the activity, average of fifteen to twenty years of operation. The credit and technical assistance support figured as the highest political level of efficiency by the perception of farmers, though still not comprehensive. The use of real estate ventures to explorers for these animals was marked by the presence of owners and leaseholders having equity relative weights among the other types of use. Old and recurring problem is still present, lack of regularization of land in the municipality. Family agriculture and the Sheep and Goat Farming have peculiar characteristics that are vital to show the adequacy of models for exploration and development of policies to support the activity.
A anÃlise da oferta de caprinos e ovinos por agricultores familiares no municÃpio de Parnamirim â PE foi estruturada, nesta pesquisa, fundamentando-se na identificaÃÃo dos fatores determinantes das vendas dos animais e como estas variÃveis se relacionam. As condiÃÃes climÃticas se mostraram o principal motivo para exploraÃÃo da ovinocaprinocultura, com a maior parte das famÃlias possuindo vasta experiÃncia na atividade, mÃdia de quinze a vinte anos de exploraÃÃo. O crÃdito e a assistÃncia tÃcnica figuraram como politicas de apoio de maior grau de eficÃcia pela percepÃÃo dos agricultores, entretanto ainda pouco abrangente. O uso dos imÃveis destinados aos empreendimentos exploradores destes animais ficou marcado pela presenÃa de proprietÃrios e posseiros possuindo equidade de pesos relativos entre os demais tipos de uso. Problema antigo e recorrente ainda se faz presente, falta de regularizaÃÃo fundiÃria das terras do municÃpio. A agricultura familiar e a ovinocaprinocultura possuem caracterÃsticas peculiares que se mostram vitais para adequaÃÃo de modelos de exploraÃÃo e para elaboraÃÃo de politicas de apoio a atividade.

Animals are sentient beings, capable of experiencing emotions. Being able to assess emotional states in farm animals is crucial to improving their welfare. Although the function of emotion is not primarily for communication, the outward expression of an emotional state involves changes in posture, vocalisations, odours and facial expressions. These changes can be perceived and used as indicators of emotional state by other animals. Since emotions can be perceived between conspecifics, understanding how emotions are identified and how they can spread within a social group could have a major impact on improving the welfare of farmed species, which are mostly reared in groups. A recently developed method for the evaluation of emotions in animals is based on cognitive biases such as judgment biases, i.e. an individual in a negative emotional state will show pessimistic judgments while and individual in a positive emotional state will show optimistic judgments. The aims of this project were to (A) establish whether sheep and goats can discriminate between images of faces of familiar conspecifics taken in different positive and negative situations, (B) establish whether sheep and goats perceive the valence (positive of negative) of the emotion expressed by the animal on the image, (C) validate the use of images of faces in cognitive bias studies. The use of images of faces of conspecifics as emotional stimuli was first validated, using a discrimination task in a two-armed maze. A new methodology was then developed across a series of experiments to assess spontaneous reactions of animals exposed to video clips or to images of faces of familiar conspecifics. Detailed observations of ear postures were used as the main behavioural indicator. Individual characteristics (dominance status within the herd, dominance pairwise relationships and humananimal relationship) were also recorded during preliminary tests and included in the analyses. The impact of a low-mood state on the perception of emotions was assessed in sheep after subjecting half of the animals to unpredictable negative housing conditions and keeping the other half in good standard housing conditions. Sheep were then presented with videos of conspecifics filmed in situations of varying valence. Reactions to ambiguous stimuli were evaluated by presenting goats with images of morphed faces. Goats were also presented with images of faces of familiar conspecifics taken situations of varying emotional intensity. Sheep could discriminate images of faces of conspecifics taken either in a negative or in a neutral situation and their learning process of the discrimination task was affected by the type of emotion displayed. Sheep reacted differently depending on the valence of the video clips (P < 0.05); however, there was no difference between the control and the low-mood groups (P > 0.05). Goats also showed different behavioural reactions to images of faces photographed in different situations (P < 0.05), indicating that they perceived the images as different. Responses to morphed images were not necessarily intermediate to responses to negative and positive images and not gradual either, which poses a major problem to the potential use of facial images in cognitive bias experiments. Overall, animals were more attentive towards images or videos of conspecifics in negative situations, i.e., presumably, in a negative emotional state. This suggests that sheep and goats are able to perceive the valence of the emotional state. The identity of the individual on the photo also affected the animals’ spontaneous reaction to the images. Social relationships such as dominance, but also affinity between the tested and photographed individual seem to influence emotion perception.

Thesis (MScAgric (Animal Sciences))--University of Stellenbosch, 2010.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The objective of this study was to evaluate Dohne Merino sheep and Boer goats in terms of the degradable parameters of a high-fibre diet, a low-fibre diet and two vegetable protein sources commonly used in South Africa. Differences between species were evaluated following the potential differences within species. The feedstuffs used were those for the following diets: low-fibre diet (LF); high-fibre diet (HF); sunflower meal (SFM) oilcake; and soybean meal (SBM) oilcake. In the first trial, the digestible characteristics of the HF and LF diets were determined by means of a digestibility study. A 6 × 6 Latin square design was used to determine whether Dohne Merino sheep or Boer goat wethers differ regarding the digestibility characteristics of low- and high-fibre diets. The diets were fed once daily at 1.24 kg to all the wethers, which had ad libitum access to fresh water. Each period consisted of 10 days of adaptation and seven days of faecal and urinary sampling. The results indicated that the intake and digestibility characteristics of nutrients did not differ between sheep and goats. However, the different diets differed in terms of the nutrient intake and digestibility range of sheep and goats. The second trial was an in sacco degradability trial to determine the dry matter (DM) and crude protein (CP) degradability of the LF, HF, SBM and SFM diets. Six Dohne Merino and six Boer goat wethers were fitted with rumen cannulae so that they could be used in the trial. All wethers received the same basal diet. The samples were incubated in the rumen in polyester Dacron bags, with the bags being removed at intervals of 0h, 3h, 9h, 12h, 24h, 48h, 72h, and 96h for the LF and HF diets. All the oilcake was removed at intervals of 0h, 2h, 4h, 8h, 12h, 16h, 24h, 36h and 48h. The sheep and goats were found not to differ from one another in terms of effective degradability of any of the feedstuffs concerned. However, within species differences were observed. To establish a fully integrated outcome of degradability, the study described in the current thesis was structured in such a way that the in vitro trial ran parallel with the in sacco trial, being performed with the aid of a Daisy Incubator (ANKOM Technology Corp., Fairport, NY). Such a procedure was only adopted in relation to the SFM and SBM diets in order to evaluate their in vitro data in relation to the in sacco data. The same oilcake was tested in the case of both trials, with the composite sample of rumen liquid of four sheep or goats, which was used in the in sacco trial, also being used in the in vitro study. In the study, DM disappearance values were determined and fitted to a single-compartment model by means of an iterative least-square procedure in order to determine the DM and CP degradability parameters. The DM used in vitro or in sacco was compared, using the actual values obtained after 8h incubation, due to only a limited amount of residue being left after incubation. In the study, the in vitro method overestimated the digestibility of SBM by 37% to 39% and the digestibility of SFM by 17% to 20% compared with that found to occur in the in sacco method. In vitro DM disappearance values for all SBM samples were found to be higher than those that were detected in the SFM samples. The percentage of in vitro true digestibility parameters was also calculated. No significant differences were found between species for effective degradability, though differences were observed within species between the two substrates concerned. In conclusion, the sheep and goats used in the study were not found to differ in terms of digestion parameters when they were compared on different types of roughage or protein sources. However, within species differences were, indeed, found to occur. Sheep and goats digested the SBM better than they did the SFM.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die doel van hierdie studie was om te bepaal of Dohne Merino skape verskil van Boerbokke in terme van degradeerbaarheidsparameters van ‘n hoë vesel-, ‘n lae veseldieët en twee plantaardige proteïenbronne wat algemeen in Suid-Afrika gebruik word. Die verskille tussen spesies is ge-evalueer en daarna die potensiële verskille binne spesies. Die volgende grondstowwe is geëvalueer: ‘n laevesel-dieët (LF), ‘n hoëvesel-dieët (HF), sonneblom-oliekoekmeel (SFM) en sojaboon-oliekoekmeel (SBM). In die eerste proef is die degradeerbaarheidsparameters van die HF dieët en die LF dieët met behulp van ‘n verteerbaarheidstudie bepaal. Dohne Merino hamels of Boerbok kapaters was gebruik om te bepaal of skape en bokke verskil in terme van inname en degradeerbaarheid van voedingstowwe wanneer hul hoë- en lae vesel voere gevoer word. Al die hamels en kapaters het ad libitum toegang tot vars water gehad en hul was een keer per dag (1.24 kg) gevoer. Elke periode het bestaan uit ‘n 10 dag aanpassingsperiode en ‘n toegelate 7 dae vir mis- en urienmonster versameling. Die resultate het aangedui dat die inname- en degradeerbaarheidsparameters van nutriënte beinvloed word deur verskillende diëte binne spesies. Geen verskille is gevind tussen spesies wanneer daar hoë- en lae kwaliteit voere gevoer is nie. Die tweede proef was ‘n in sacco-degradeerbaarheidsstudie om te bepaal wat die droë materiaal (DM) en ruproteïen (RP) verteerbaarheidsparameters van die HF dieët, die LF dieët, die SBM en die SFM is. Ses Dohne Merino’s en ses Boer bokke met rumen kanullas is in die studie gebruik en al die diere het dieselfde basale dieët ontvang. Die monsters is in die rumen geïnkubeer in poliester dakronsakkies en die sakkies is verwyder na onderskeidelik 0 uur, 3 uur, 9 uur, 12 uur, 24 uur, 48 uur, 72 uur en 96 uur intervalle. Laasgenoemde intervalle was geldig vir die lae vesel- en hoëveseldieët. Die oliekoeke se intervalle het verskil en is verwyder na 0 uur, 2 uur, 4 uur, 8 uur, 12 uur, 16 uur, 24 uur, 36 uur en 48 uur. Daar was geen verskille tussen spesies in effektiewe degradeerbaarheid nie, alhoewel verskille voorgekom het binne spesies. Skape verteer veselagtige grondstowwe meer effektief terwyl bokke weer hoë proteïn bevattende grondstowwe beter verteer. Om ‘n volkome geïntegreede uitkoms van degradeerbaarheid te bewerkstellig is die in vitro proef en die in sacco proef gelyktydig gedoen. Die in vitro-degradeerbareheidstudie is met behulp van ‘n ANKOM Daisy Inkubeerder uitgevoer (ANKOM Tegnologie Korp., Fairport, NY) vir net die oliekoek behandelings. Gedurende die studie is dieselfde oliekoeke gebruik. ‘n Saamgestelde monster van die rumenvloeistof van vier van die skape of bokke wat vir die in sacco-studie gebruik was, is gebruik vir die in vitro-inkubasie van die monsters. DM verdwyningparameters is bereken en dan met ‘n interaktiewe kleinste kwadraat prosedure op ‘n een-kompartement model gepas om die in sacco DMdegradeerbaarheidsparameters te bepaal. Die DM verdwyning, na 8h inkubasie, was gebruik om die in vitro en die in sacco metodes met mekaar te vergelyk, weens ‘n beperkte residu na die afloop van die elke inkubasiestudie. Tydens die studie het die in vitro metode degradering oorskat in vergelyking met die in sacco metode. DM verdwyningswaardes vir al die SBM monsters was hoër in vitro as die SFM monsters. In die studie is die persentasie in vitro ware degradeerbaarheidswaardes bereken. Geen verskille is opgemerk tussen spesies vir effektiewe degradeerbaarheid nie. Daar was wel verskille binne spesies. Om af te sluit het dit voorgekom dat skape en bokke nie verskil aan degradeerbaarheidswaardes wanneer daar ‘n vergelyking was tussen verskillende vesels- en proteϊenbronne nie, alhoewel verskille voorgekom het binne spesies. Skape en bokke het SBM effektief beter verteer as SFM.

Merino sheep are the most numerous domestic livestock in Australia and feral goats are wide-spread and locally abundant in many of the regions where sheep are grazed. Foot and mouth disease (FMD) is a disease of ungulates that causes severe economic hardship to countries where outbreaks occur or where it has become endemic. In India, Africa, Greece and recently the United Kingdom and Eire, sheep and goats have been implicated in the spread and maintenance of FMD. In Australia, there are contingency plans (AUSVETPLANS) for dealing with an outbreak of FMD. Included in those plans are strategies for control of the disease in feral ungulates including feral pigs and feral goats. Modelling has provided assistance in developing strategies to combat outbreaks in feral pigs and for controlling outbreaks in domestic livestock. No models have been constructed to aid decisions about controlling FMD in feral goats where they co-occur with merino sheep. In Australia, the greatest densities of free-ranging feral goats and domestic livestock occur in the high rainfall zone (> 500 mm mean annual rainfall) along the eastern tablelands and adjacent slopes of the Great Dividing Range. Previous studies of feral goat biology, population dynamics and behaviour in Australia have concentrated on arid and semi-arid zones or on islands. Interactions between free ranging feral goats and merino sheep have not previously been studied in the high rainfall zone. My study investigated the ecological and behavioural characteristics of feral goats and their interactions with sympatric merino sheep at a high rainfall site in central eastern New South Wales. The population dynamics, biological and behavioural parameters of feral goats and sheep were then used to model FMD in such an environment. Deterministic temporal models and a new spatial stochastic model were used. Of particular interest were the rates of contact within and between subgroups of feral goats (termed herds and mobs), within and between subgroups of merino sheep (termed flocks and mobs), and between subgroups of the two species. Feral goats at the study site were found to be numerous (mean density = 34.94 goats km-2, from aerial surveys), in good condition, fecund and had high adult survival and low annual adult mortality (survival= 0.81�1.00) in the absence of harvesting and hunting. They had an observed instantaneous rate of increase of 0.112 per year. Annual rate of increase was similar to other sites in Australia without sustained harvesting pressure. Home ranges were small for both males (3.754 km², s.e. = 0.232, n = 116 goats) and females (2.369 km², s.e. = 0.088, n = 241 goats). From this and other Australasian studies, an inverse power function was found to be an excellent descriptor of the relationship between mean annual rainfall and female home range size. A resource selection function was fitted in a geographic information system to observational data of feral goats. The habitat selection of feral goats included a preference for wooded vegetation on eastern and north eastern aspects at higher elevations. The resource selection function was also used to set the probabilities of occurrence of feral goats in 1 ha areas of the landscape and these probabilities were used to generate heterogeneity in a spatial model of foot and mouth disease virus (FMDV) transmission. Daily per capita contact rates were estimated from observed contacts in the field where a contact between individuals was recognised when one approached within 1 body length ([approx] 1m) of another. The contacts between feral goats within herds were frequent and occurred at a rate of 6.96 (s.e. = 1.27) goat�goat contacts day-1. Sheep to sheep contacts were slightly less frequent (4.22 sheep�sheep contacts day-1, s.e. = 0.65) but both estimates were most likely negatively biased because of observer errors in estimating the number of individual animals coming in contact with observation subject (focal) animals. Contacts between herds of feral goats were not common and those between adjacent populations were fewer than 1 per year. In sheep, flock to flock contact was largely governed by husbandry practices and occurred at a mean daily rate of 0.0014 flock�flock contacts. Contacts between sheep and feral goats were less frequent but nonetheless common (2.82 goat�sheep contacts day-1, s.e. = 0.40). In feral goats the size of the mob in which focal goats were observed was found to be the most important factor in determining contact rates between individuals and a counter-intuitive inverse relationship was identified. Contacts were heterogeneous and density was not an important determinant of contact rates implying that, because of the uniformly high densities at the site, saturation had occurred. The temporal models of FMDV transmission showed that the rate of contact within and between species was such that FMD was predicted to spread rapidly throughout an infected herd or flock. Control strategies of intense culling of feral goats at the population level were predicted to allow the disease to persist at low prevalence, with a small peak corresponding to the annual lambing pulse in sheep. However, the same level of control (>90% reduction) at the herd level was predicted to eliminate FMD and allow the safe reintroduction of sheep. Extreme control that left very small groups (<3 individuals) may be counter productive because such small groups are likely to join the reintroduced sheep in an effort by the goats to meet gregarious urges. The spatial model was more reassuring. It predicted that FMD would die out in a mixed sheep and feral goat population in less than 90 days because of the low rate of herd to herd contact and herd to flock contact. For similar environments, the contingency planning consequences are that an outbreak of FMD introduced into feral goats from sympatric sheep is likely to be containable by removing all the sheep, determining the extent and likely range of the feral goats, then removing a substantial proportion of or eradicating each herd. Feral goats, being relatively sedentary, are unlikely to spread to adjacent populations and the disease will die out through lack of contact between herds and populations. Because feral goat home ranges overlap and are centred on one or two small catchments, a containment ring of feral goat control, set to encompass the home range of a target herd and that of adjacent herds, should be adequate to limit spread of FMD.

This study is an extension of the author's previous thesis (Theorell 2013) and focus on the analysed tibia, the humerus and the proximal and distal part of the radius of sheep bones from Gotland and goat bones from City of Falun. Methods for bone elements assessed in this study are compiled and evaluated by Zeder and Lapham (2010). The bones were then geneticallyspecies identified and the results were compared. Seven of thirteen criteria for both sheep and goat reached 100% of correct identification.Best performing criteria were on humerus and distal radius for both sheep and goats. The results for the complete bone assessments divided for the species showed best performance ongoats. Worst performing bone is the tibia. High performing criteria were found on all thetypes of bones used in this study which can be used to distinguish between sheep and goats.
Föreliggande studie är en utökning av författarens tidigare magisteruppsats (Theorell 2013) och fokuserar på att analysera skenben, överarmsben samt proximal och distal del av strålbenet från fårben från Gotland och getben från Falun. Metoder för benslagen som används i denna studie har samlats och utvärderats av Zeder och Lapham (2010). Efter osteologisk analys har benen genetiskt artidentifierats och resultaten från bägge analyser har jämförts. Sju av tretton kriterier för både får och getter visade 100% korrekt bedömning. Kriterier med bäst resultat fanns på överarmsben och distalt på strålben. Sett till bedömning av komplett benslag skilt mellan får och getter visade att metoderna presterade bäst på getter. Sämst resultat uppvisades på skenbenet. Generellt uppvisade samtliga benslag kriterier som är möjliga att använda för att särskilja mellan får och getter.

The dams' physiological status (gestational stages, lactation, and dry period) is crucial in utilising minerals. The mechanisms controlling the utilisation of minerals during pregnancy are inadequately understood. Unsuitable nutrition, especially from mid to late pregnancy in ewes, affects mammary development, milk production potential, the birth weight, health and survival of the offspring. This study aimed to review knowledge from studies in Africa on mineral status intake and its impact on performance and health of pregnant ewes or does and on the health and survival of their offspring. The study aimed to establish areas where information lacks, identifying extensive management systems on minerals used to meet the needs of the pregnant dam and their offspring within African conditions. Twelve Web of Science databases were used and cohort, cross sectional, case control and analytical studies were considered. Global (4132) articles, comprising 431 African studies, were identified during the review. The number was reduced to 10, fulfilling the selection criteria indicated in a Prisma flow graph. These selected studies covered a 40-year period (1975 to 2015). The minerals investigated were: Iodine (I), selenium (Se), zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), calcium (Ca), manganese (Mn), magnesium (Mg), chromium (Cr), cadmium (Cd), molybdenum (Mo) and lead (Pb). Most studies conducted globally on this topic, focused on Ca, Mg and Se, followed by Cu, I, P and Zn. Studies conducted in Africa focussed on Se and Zn. Adequate Zn, Se and Cu supplementation indicated improved survival and weight gain in the offspring. Selenium plasma levels were higher, and Zn and Cu levels were lower in pregnant ewes and does. Cu levels increased in older goats. Zn plasma levels were higher in kids, aged four to six months, than those of nine to twelve months. Supplementation of I increased lambing but not kidding rates. Half of the studies were conducted in areas with mineral deficiencies (Se and I) or holding known high soil Na levels. Previous studies investigated normal plasma levels in pregnant and lactating ewes and does. More recent studies on sheep, offered more comprehensive information, whilst those on goats mostly inclined to be significantly neglected, focussing on baseline values of minerals at various life stages. Small stock farming in Africa is mainly extensive. These African studies were predominantly conducted under intensive or semi-intensive conditions. A need for specific studies within the continent was identified. These should be based on the unique nature of each region and its influence on the dam and offspring, to adequately provide for mineral requirements in optimal growth and health of the kid and lamb. This is especially important for the significant number of goats across the African continent, as inadequate research data are available.
Dissertation (MSc)--University of Pretoria, 2019.
Production Animal Studies
MSc
Unrestricted

Thesis (PhD(Agric) (Animal Sciences))--University of Stellenbosch, 2005.
As most researchers have foreseen, and many breeders have hoped, the in vivo and in vitro production of livestock embryos and the birth of subsequent offspring never really replaced artificial insemination during the past 30 years. This was, to a large extent, due to very variable and unreliable numbers of embryos produced using these two methods. The present study was therefore undertaken to investigate certain aspects of assisted reproductive techniques (ART) to try and solve some of these difficulties. Problems addressed were the management of follicular development on the ovary by controlling the dominant follicle, and investigating alternative and more cost-effective culture media and conditions for embryo culture. A method to control the development of the dominant follicle in a cohort of follicles as well as the waves of follicular development in the ovaries of sheep, goats and cows with an estrogenic product was investigated. Estradiol cypionate (ECP) was used for this purpose, injected intramuscularly after the insertion of the progesterone or progestagen implant. ECP has a negative feedback effect on the secretion of pituitary FSH, and therefore follicular development. The animals of the three different species were randomly divided into two groups each, the ECP-group receiving the estradiol cypionate injection, and the control group receiving a saline injection. Five days after the ECP injection a program of follicular multi-stimulation with FSH hormone was initiated. The females of the different species were bred by either natural service (goats) or inseminated by laparoscopy (sheep) or trans-cervically (cows) to fertilize the ovulated ova. Embryos and unfertilized ova were collected surgically at the 8 to 16- cell stage 3 to 4 d after breeding in the sheep and goats, and trans-cervically in the cows. Significantly more CL formed, and a total number of ova and embryos, as well as transferable embryos, were collected from the ECP-group of sheep ewes and goat does compared to the control group that received no ECP (p<0.01). There was, however, no difference in the average number of unfertilized ova that were collected in the two sheep or goat groups. In the cows the number of CL counted, the total number of embryos and ova and of transferable embryos collected, were significantly greater (p<0.05) in the group that were injected with ECP compared to the group that received no ECP. The control group also had a significantly larger number of unfertilized ova than the ECP-group (p<0.05). It could therefore be concluded that more reliable numbers of embryos can be produced in vivo if the development of the dominant follicle as well as the subordinate follicles is controlled with estradiol cypionate. Since more than half a century ago, attempts have been made to culture cells and embryos outside the body (in vitro or ex vivo). This was done with different culture media and in various "incubators". Chapter 2 deals with two different culture media used: a standard TCM-199 culture medium and first trimester amniotic fluid (BAF) collected sterilely from pregnant cows after slaughter. Two different culture conditions were also investigated, the standard laboratory CO2 incubator versus culturing bovine embryos in the vagina of a goat doe. Two experiments were done: Firstly the permeability of different receptacles to CO2 gas was analyzed for possible culture in the vagina. Four-well plates and straws were used to incubate TCM-199 and BAF for a period of 120 h in the presence or absence of 5% CO2 gas. The pH values were measured every 24 h and recorded. In the second experiment pre-compacted morula stage bovine embryos were incubated in the above culture media in sealed 0.25 mL straws in a standard laboratory incubator and in the vagina of a goat doe. Evaluation was done on (1) stage of development and (2) number of blastomeres after 96 h of culture. In experiment one it was shown that the CO2 gas diffused out of the 4-well plate as well as the straws in the absence of CO2 gas, while in the presence of CO2, the pH of both media stabilized between 7.3 and 7.5. This meant that the semen straws were permeable to CO2 gas and could therefore be used as receptacles for culturing early stage bovine embryos. In the second experiment no statistical differences (p>0.05) were found in the number of Grade 1 pre-compacted bovine embryos that developed to the blastocyst stage, or the hatched blastocyst stage, neither for the culture medium used, or the method of culturing in the two incubators. Neither was there any difference (p>0.05) in the number of blastomeres that developed at the blastocyst stage between the two types of incubators used. Embryos tended to develop more blastomeres when cultured in BAF than when cultured in TCM-199 in both the standard laboratory incubator and when using the vagina of a goat doe as an incubator (p<0.05). After the collection of in vivo produced livestock embryos, they are evaluated under high magnification (minimum of 80X) with the aid of an inverted or stereo microscope. The Grade 1 embryos will give the best conception results when transferred to synchronized recipient female animals, while the Grade 3 embryos will give the worst results. The aim of the next experiment was to culture all three quality grades of in vivo produced pre-compacted morula-stage embryos of sheep, goats and cows in two different culture media and then compare the development of the embryos by evaluating the number of embryos reaching the hatched blastocyst stage. The results have shown that there were no significant differences between the development of the Grade 1 and the Grade 2 embryos from any of the three species when either cultured in TCM- 199 or heat inactivated early pregnancy-stage (<60 d) bovine amniotic fluid (BAF) were used as culture media. Significantly more in vivo produced Grade 3 pre-compacted morula-stage sheep, goat and cow embryos, however, developed to the hatched blastocyst stage when cultured in BAF with 10% FBS and antibiotics, compared to culture in TCM-199 with 10% FBS and antibiotics (p<0.05). The effect of co-culture on the survival of caprine embryos post transfer to a synchronized recipient female goat was also assessed. A total of 120 Kashmir embryos at the blastocyst stage were divided into three groups after thawing and reconstitution in four steps in glycerol and sucrose medium. The first group of embryos (G1, n=40) was individually transferred semi laparoscopically in D-PBS with 10% FBS and antibiotics to the ipsilateral horn of the CL over a period of 3 d. The second group of caprine blastocysts (G2, n=40) was similarly transferred in TCM-199 with FBS and antibiotics. The third group of frozen-thawed caprine blastocyst-stage embryos (G3, n=40) were first co-cultured for ~24 h in TCM-199 with serum and antibiotics in groups of up to five embryos inside a ~50 mm length of a semen straw in a cylindrical sponge in the anterior part of the vagina of a goat doe in her luteal phase. After the culture period these embryos were transferred in a similar way in TCM-199 without the co-culture as in G1 and G2. Ultrasound scanning showed that significantly more of the blastocyst embryos that were cocultured in the vagina (G3) before transfer developed to a pregnancy compared with the embryos transferred in D-PBS (G1). The co-culture Group 3 blastocyst-stage caprine embryos produced significantly more offspring than the non-cultured embryos transferred in both D-PBS (G1) and TCM-199 (G2) (p<0.05). The maturation of bovine oocytes to allow the oocyte to resume meiosis, is the first step in in vitro fertilization to produce IVMFC embryos. The composition of the maturation medium plays an important role in the success achieved with maturation. An investigation was therefore launched to evaluate the maturation ability of first trimester bovine amniotic fluid (BAF) to mature prophase I oocytes collected from abattoir ovaries to metaphase II oocytes, compared to a standard maturation medium such as TCM-199. In the first experiment three groups of ~100 oocytes each were matured in TCM-199 with estrus cow serum (ECS). The first group of oocytes was matured in a 50 μL micro-drop in an incubator, while the other two groups were matured in semen straws, one group in an incubator and the other group in the vagina of a goat doe in di-estrus. Six further groups of ~100 oocytes each, with BAF as maturation medium, three groups with ECS and three without ECS, were matured in the same receptacles and under the same conditions as with the TCM-199. No significant differences in number of oocytes reaching the metaphase II stage could be found for any of the nine treatment groups. In the ...

Master of Science
Department of Animal Science and Industry
David M. Grieger
Controlling reproductive cycles during active cyclicity and seasonal anestrous in small ruminants is critical for profitability. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect on estrous response and interval to estrus of two CIDR protocols in sheep and goats during breeding and non-breeding seasons. In experiment 1, 133 ewes were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 treatments during the breeding season. In the CIDR-7 group, ewes received a CIDR insert for 7 d. In the CIDR-7 + PGF treatment, ewes received a CIDR insert for 7 d and 20 mg of prostaglandin-F[subscript]2[subscript]α (PGF[subscript]2[subscript]α) upon CIDR removal. Ewes in the CIDR-14 treatment received a CIDR insert for 14 d. Following CIDR removal all ewes were exposed to a ram every 12 h until breeding. There was a shorter interval from CIDR removal to estrus in the CIDR-14 treatment compared to the CIDR-7 and CIDR-7 + PGF treatments (P<0.05). There was no difference in number of ewes per treatment displaying estrus. In experiment 2, 54 ewes were randomly assigned to one of two treatment groups during the anestrous season. Ewes in CIDR-7 and CIDR-14 treatments received a CIDR insert for 7 d and 14 d, respectively. Upon CIDR removal ewes were exposed to a ram every 12 h until breeding. There was a significantly shorter interval from CIDR removal to estrus in CIDR-14 ewes when compared with CIDR-7 ewes (P<0.05). For experiment 3, 37 Boer does were randomly assigned to one of two treatments. In the CIDR-10 treatment, does received a CIDR insert for 10 d and 20 mg of PGF[subscript]2[subscript]α at time of CIDR removal. In the CIDR-19 treatment, does received a CIDR insert for 19 d. Upon CIDR removal, does were exposed to a buck fitted with a marking harness and chalk marks were recorded every 12 h. The number of does displaying estrus was not different (CIDR-7, 85%; CIDR-14, 95%). There was no difference in interval from CIDR removal to estrus between treatments. Results from experiments 1 and 2 supported the hypothesis that long-term protocols yield a shorter interval to estrus when compared with short-term protocols.

Dissertação de Mestrado Integrado em Medicina Veterinária
Infections caused by gastrointestinal parasites have been described as one of the most important issues regarding small ruminant production. They induce major losses, causing a reduction in weight gain, poor feed utilization and consequently a decreased productivity. They can also be fatal, so their control measures mean a lot of investment. The main objectives of this study were to characterize the presence and level of parasitism of small ruminants in nine farms located in the region of Lisbon and Tagus Valley, as well as, the presence and level of anthelmintic resistance cases in five of the nine farms. The farms had different types of production and deworming systems, giving a generalized assessment of the current parasitological situation regarding small ruminants in that region. The anthelmintic efficacy study was performed in a dairy goats’ farm using eprinomectin (Eprinex® Pour-on), in two mixed (both sheep and goats) farms using fenbendazole (Panacur® 2,5%) and in two sheep flocks using an association of closantel and mebendazole (Seponver® Plus). The overall presence of gastrointestinal parasites in the nine farms was 89%. All farms were found to have positive animals to at least one type of gastrointestinal parasite, which pronounces a widespread infection with gastrointestinal parasites in the region. The most frequent encountered eggs were from strongyle type, followed by oocysts of Eimeria spp., eggs from Strongyloides papillosus and Moniezia expansa. Regarding the ranking of the parasitism level based on the eggs per gram (EPG) counts, five farms had more than 50% of the animals ranked in the low level of infection category (with less than 500 EPG), three farms had all three types of classifications with similar proportions (about 35%) and one farm had 75% of the animals ranked in the high level of infection category, with more than 1500 eggs per gram. Regarding the anthelmintic efficacy study, four out of five farms where the study was conducted presented anthelmintic resistance: two farms against fenbendazole and two farms concerning the association of closantel and mebendazole. The present study shows that even though there was a generalized infection by gastrointestinal parasites in the region, this infection appeared not to have fatal repercussions when at low levels. However, when anthelmintic efficacy was required it was not at the levels as it was supposed to be, according to the literature the first one to be reported in in the region of Lisbon and Tagus Valley, which announces an increase of anthelmintic resistant nematode strains in small ruminant production in our country.
ABSTRACT - As infeções provocadas por parasitas gastrointestinais têm sido descritas como um dos fatores mais importantes relacionados com a produção de pequenos ruminantes. Estas provocam graves prejuízos, reduzindo o ganho médio diário e a utilização dos alimentos, levando uma menor produtividade. Estas infeções podem também tornar-se fatais, pelo que as suas medidas de controlo exigem grandes investimentos. Uma das condutas mais comuns para ultrapassar esta situação prende-se com o uso frequente e desnecessário dos anti-helmínticos, sem avaliar a real necessidade da sua aplicação. Todavia, uma vez que esta atividade leva ao aparecimento e aumento das resistências por parte dos parasitas, esta prática requer uma avaliação e consequente alteração. Por forma a adequar a abordagem ao seu controlo, torna-se imperativo o conhecimento dos parasitas gastrointestinais mais comuns na produção dos pequenos ruminantes. Estes consistem em protozoários do Filo Apicomplexa, helmintes da Classe Trematoda, da Classe Cestoda e do Filo Nematoda. No Filo Apicomplexa temos Eimeria spp., um género de coccídia transmitido através da contaminação fecal de comida e água. Trata se de um parasita intracelular, que destrói as células do seu hospedeiro e que provoca doença sobretudo em animais jovens ou debilitados. Cryptosporidium sp., também pertencente ao Filo Apicomplexa, trata-se de um parasita que infeta as células epiteliais do trato gastrointestinal de mamíferos, aves, répteis e peixes. Algumas espécies podem ser zoonóticas, o que aumenta a sua importância quando se lida com animais potencialmente infetados ou com águas potencialmente contaminadas. A Classe Trematoda compreende duas subclasses principais: Monogena e Digenea. Na subclasse Digenea, encontramos parasitas com um estilo de vida heteroxeno, ou seja, que requerem um hospedeiro intermediário (moluscos) e que apenas parasitam vertebrados. É o caso da Fasciola hepatica, de distribuição cosmopolita e que pode ser encontrado no fígado e ductos biliares de mamíferos herbívoros e de humanos. Os seus ovos são eliminados com a bílis para o lúmen intestinal e para o exterior através das fezes. Dicrocoelium dendriticum também se trata de um trematode encontrado nos ductos biliares de ruminantes, camelídeos, coelhos e outros mamíferos. Na Classe Cestoda encontramos parasitas achatados e segmentados, cujas formas adultas são hermafroditas. Nesta Classe inclui-se o género Moniezia, de distribuição cosmopolita e cujo ciclo de vida se inicia com a ingestão pelo hospedeiro intermediário de fezes contaminadas com ovos de Moniezia spp. Por fim, no Filo Nematoda, encontramos predominantemente parasitas de corpo cilíndrico e com um ciclo de vida direto. Neste Filo inserem-se os géneros Haemonchus, Teladorsagia, Trichostrongylus, Cooperia, Nematodirus, Chabertia, Oesophagostomum, Bunostomum, Trichuris e Strongyloides. Atualmente existem três principais grupos de anti-helmínticos utilizados no tratamento das helmintoses nos pequenos ruminantes: os benzimidazóis, como o febendazol, albendazol e mebendazol; as lactonas macrocíclicas como a ivermectina, eprinomectina e moxidectina e os Imidazotiazóis como o levamisol. Existe ainda o grupo das Salicinalinidas e fenóis substitutos onde se insere o closantel. Não obstante, o seu uso indiscriminado tem levado ao desenvolvimento de resistências aos anti-helmínticos, que tem vindo a ser reportado a nível mundial, sobretudo no grupo dos benzimidazóis e das lactonas macrocíclicas; estas estirpes resistentes de nematodes gastrointestinais têm sido encontradas nos Estados Unidos da América, no Brasil, em África, na Austrália, Nova Zelândia e Europa. Para o aparecimento das resistências contribui o facto de que, embora sejam vistos e tratados como semelhantes, os ovinos e os caprinos diferem entre si de diversas formas, sendo que os caprinos possuem uma taxa metabólica superior e requerem, portanto, doses superiores no que diz respeito à administração de fármacos. A maioria dos anti helmínticos não se encontram licenciados para esta espécie e as doses apropriadas para a mesma são raramente conhecidas. Os caprinos geralmente requerem doses 1.5 a 2 vezes superior à dos ovinos, contudo, uma vez que são tratados conjuntamente e de acordo com a dose recomendada para estes últimos, acabam por receber uma dose inferior à necessária, promovendo o aparecimento da resistência anti-helmíntica. O aparecimento de estirpes de nematodes resistentes aos anti-helmínticos tem sido frequentemente reportado em pequenos ruminantes, o que levou à necessidade de criar novas abordagens no controlo e tratamento das parasitoses. Um ponto fundamental para o combate à resistência anti-helmíntica trata-se da manutenção da população em refúgio, constituída pelos parasitas presentes em animais não tratados, pelas suas fases de vida livre (por exemplo, na pastagem) e pelos seus estádios não afetados pelo tratamento. Sugere-se então que um produtor, aquando da passagem dos animais para o pasto, deverá deixar os animais mais saudáveis por tratar, para que os parasitas suscetíveis possam sobreviver e reproduzir-se com parasitas resistentes, propagando assim os genes suscetíveis e atrasando o desenvolvimento da resistência aos anti helmínticos. Além da manutenção da população em refúgio, outras medidas deverão ser implementadas, tais como: a aplicação do método FAMACHA©, suplementação com proteína por forma a aumentar a resistência e resiliência ao parasitismo, a introdução de fungos nematófagos na alimentação, formulação de vacinas, o uso de plantas com propriedades anti-helmínticas e a seleção de animais resistentes ao parasitismo. A situação de resistência aos anti-helmínticos na produção de pequenos ruminantes em Portugal é desconhecida, pelo que os principais objetivos deste estudo foram caracterizar a presença e o nível de parasitismo de pequenos ruminantes em nove explorações localizadas na região de Lisboa e Vale do Tejo, assim como avaliar a presença e o nível de resistência anti-helmíntica em cinco das nove explorações. As explorações selecionadas possuíam diferentes sistemas de produção e desparasitação, por forma a demonstrar de uma forma generalizada o estatuto parasitário dos pequenos ruminantes na região. Uma exploração encontrava-se localizada no distrito de Lisboa, uma no distrito de Setúbal e sete no distrito de Santarém. Quatro das explorações encontravam-se em regime intensivo e cinco em regime extensivo, sendo que das primeiras, duas eram constituídas apenas por caprinos, uma por ovinos e uma por ambas as espécies, ou seja, mista. As explorações extensivas eram constituídas por três rebanhos de ovinos e dois rebanhos mistos. As idades dos animais estavam compreendidas entre os seis meses e os nove anos e as colheitas foram efetuadas entre Setembro de 2018 e Janeiro de 2020. As fezes foram colhidas diretamente da ampola retal dos animais e identificadas e analisadas individualmente, por forma a averiguar o nível de parasitismo através da contagem de ovos por grama pela técnica de McMaster. Foram também realizadas coproculturas para averiguar os géneros de estrôngilos gastrointestinais predominantes. O estudo da eficácia anti-helmíntica foi realizado numa exploração de cabras leiteiras recorrendo à eprinomectina (Eprinex® Pour-on), em duas explorações mistas recorrendo ao uso de febendazol (Panacur® 2,5%) e em duas explorações de ovinos usando uma associação de closantel e mebendazol (Seponver® Plus). A presença geral de parasitas gastrointestinais nas nove explorações foi de 89.27%, com uma diferença significativa entre ovinos e caprinos (76.85% e 92.78%, respetivamente). Todas as explorações demonstraram ter animais positivos a pelo menos um tipo de parasita gastrointestinal, o que revela uma infeção generalizada por parasitas gastrointestinais na região. Os ovos detetados com maior frequência foram os do tipo estrongilídeo (88.88%), seguido de oocistos de Eimeria spp. (66.66%), ovos de Strongyloides papillosus (55.55%) e de Moniezia expansa (11.11%). A média da contagem de ovos por grama (OPG) nos ovinos foi de 2029, com contagens com valores entre 0 e 21300. Nos caprinos, a média de OPG foi de 606 com contagens com valores entre 0 e 5850. Em relação à contagem dos oocistos por grama (OOPG), foram encontradas médias de 47 OOPG, com valores entre 0 e 2500, e 109 OOPG, com valores entre 0 e 850, respetivamente. Na classificação do nível de parasitismo baseado na contagem de OPG, cinco explorações tiveram mais de 50% dos seus animais classificados no nível baixo de infeção (menos de 500 OPG), três explorações tiveram os três tipos de classificação em proporções idênticas e uma exploração teve 75% dos seus animais classificados no nível alto de infeção, com mais de 1500 OPG. Por fim, no estudo da eficácia dos anti-helmínticos, quatro das cinco explorações apresentaram resistência: duas ao febendazol e duas à associação de closantel e mebendazol. O presente estudo demonstrou que embora se tenha observado uma infeção generalizada por parasitas gastrointestinais na região, esta infeção não revelou ter repercussões fatais quando se encontrava em níveis baixos. Contudo, quando foi necessária a eficácia dos anti-helmínticos, esta não se encontrou aos níveis esperados, e segundo a literatura, a primeira a ser reportada na região de Lisboa e Vale do Tejo, o que sugere um aumento de estirpes de nematodes resistentes aos desparasitantes no nosso País.
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FUMDES
Listeriosis is a disease caused by bacteria of the genus Listeria spp, especially Listeria monocytogenes, the nervous form is the most important and frequent manifestation, characterized by a fatal meningoencephalitis, which mainly affects ruminants. We describe the epidemiological data, clinical signs and lesions of 27 outbreaks of listeriosis nerve in sheep and two in goats, diagnosed in the Laboratory of Animal Pathology (LAPA/CAV) between january 2007 and november 2015, in Santa Catarina. During this period, the disease occurred in the regions of Planalto Serrano, Alto Vale do Itajaí, North, Midwest, West and Florianópolis region. The animals affected were evaluated clinically and after worsening the clinical condition, were euthanized and necropsied with subsequent evaluation of macroscopic lesions, collection of viscera samples for histopathological examination and submission of refrigerated central nervous system samples for bacterial isolation. Silage samples from the properties where the outbreaks occurred were also sent with the same purpose. Sheep and goats presented clinical neurological signs such as incoordination, tournament, torticollis, salivation, protrusion and flaccidity of the tongue, unilateral palpebral, atrial and labial ptosis, as well as congestion of ocular mucosa and hyperthermia. The clinical condition varied from 5 to 10 days. All animals died even treated with antibiotics. At necropsy, small areas of dark and/or yellowish color were observed in the midbrain and hyperemia of the piamater. Histological lesions were characterized by perivascular mononuclear infiltrate and multifocal neutrophils in the central nervous system. The bacterial isolation was positive for the species Listeria monocytogenes, Listeria innocua, Listeria welshimeri and Listeria grayi
Listeriose é uma enfermidade provocada por bactérias do gênero Listeria spp, especialmente Listeria monocytogenes, sendo a forma nervosa a manifestação mais importante e frequente, caracterizada por um quadro de meningoencefalite fatal, que acomete principalmente ruminantes. Descrevem-se os dados epidemiológicos, sinais clínicos e lesões de 27 surtos de listeriose nervosa em ovinos e dois em caprinos, diagnosticados no Laboratório de Patologia Animal (LAPA/CAV) no período entre janeiro de 2007 a novembro de 2015, no estado de Santa Catarina. Durante este período, a doença ocorreu nas regiões do Planalto Serrano, Alto Vale do Itajaí, Norte, Oeste, Meio Oeste e Grande Florianópolis. Os animais acometidos foram avaliados clinicamente e após agravamento do quadro clínico, foram eutanasiados e necropsiados com posterior avaliação das lesões macroscópicas, coleta de amostras de vísceras para processamento histopatológico e envio de amostras refrigeradas de sistema nervoso central para isolamento bacteriano. Amostras de silagem provenientes das propriedades onde ocorreram os surtos também foram enviadas com a mesma finalidade. Os ovinos e caprinos apresentaram sinais clínicos neurológicos como incoordenação, torneio, torcicolo, salivação, protrusão e flacidez de língua, ptose palpebral, auricular e labial unilaterais, além de congestão de mucosa ocular e hipertermia. O quadro clínico variou de 5 a 10 dias. Todos os animais morreram mesmo tratados com antibióticos. Na necropsia foram observadas pequenas áreas de coloração escura e/ou amareladas no mesencéfalo e hiperemia da piamáter. As lesões histológicas foram caracterizadas por infiltrado mononuclear perivascular e de neutrófilos, multifocal, no sistema nervoso central. O isolamento bacteriano foi positivo para as espécies Listeria monocytogenes, Listeria innocua, Listeria welshimeri e Listeria grayi

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The sheep and goats are gaining prominence in Brazil, making it an attractive alternative investment. This study aimed to assess the prevalence and risks associated with leptospirosis in sheep and goat flocks in the State of Espírito Santo, in a total of 24 herds with 737 animals. The technique used to determine the seroprevalence was the microscopic agglutination test (MAT), and the serovar Icterohaemorrhagiae was found in higher prevalence in both goats (97%) and sheep (78.26%). Aspects related to the creation were statistically analyzed using the Chi Square test in order to obtain the association between the variables. Factors such as the presence of wetlands, miscarriages and premature births were directly associated with the presence of leptospirosis in herds. There was found in the results that leptospirosis is present in the State of Espírito Santo, and is mainly associated with the breeding system and the frequency of abortions, interventions are needed to provide improvements in the sanitary control of livestock, contributing to the improvement of production in Espírito Santo goats and sheep
A produção ovina e caprina vêm ganhando destaque no Brasil, tornando-se um atrativo investimento alternativo. Esse trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar a soroprevalência e os riscos associados à leptospirose em rebanhos caprinos e

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The aim of this research was to identify the gastrointestinal parasites and evaluate the infection with strongyles in dairy goats and sheep in the Metropolitan Region of Recife - PE, through parasitologic fecal exams, Famacha tests and proteinogram. Animals were used from four farms, and two with concomitant goats breeding and sheep farm identified as 1 (G1) and farm 2 (G2), a only goats breeding (G3) and one only sheep breeding (G4).The research was conducted from September 2009 until July 2010. Flocks G1, G3 and G4 were studied for 10 months and Flock G2 for 8 months. The animals were examined by Famacha technique, packed cell volume and total protein plasma concentration. It was performed egg count (EPG), oocyst count (OoPG) and larvae count (LPG) per gram of feces, e animals were classified according a prior established convention to evaluating parameters values, using reference data for OPG, Hematocrit, and Famacha test to resistant, resilient and sick animals. Parasitism was observed in all study period in goats and sheep, identifying type Strongyloidea eggs, Strongyloides sp., Trichuris sp., Moniezia spp. and oocysts of Eimeria spp. The sheep had a better response to parasitism at studied region, ranking mostly of them as resistant and resilient, while most of the goats were framed as sick.
Objetivou-se, com este trabalho, identificar o parasitismo gastrintestinal e avaliar a resposta à infecção por estrongilídeos em rebanhos caprinos e ovinos da Região Metropolitana de Recife – PE, por meio de exames coproparasitológicos, do método famacha e proteinograma . Foram utilizados animais pertencentes a quatro propriedades, sendo duas com criação concomitante de caprinos e ovinos, identificadas como granja 1 (G1) e granja 2 (G2), uma com criação apenas de caprinos (G3) e outra com criação apenas de ovinos (G4). A pesquisa foi desenvolvida entre os meses de setembro de 2009 e julho de 2010. Os rebanhos G1, G3 e G4 foram acompanhados por 10 meses e o rebanho G2 por 8 meses. Os animais foram examinados pela técnica Famacha, determinação do volume globular e da concentração plasmática de proteína total. Foi realizada a contagem de ovos (OPG), contagem de oocistos (OoPG) e larvas (LPG) por grama de fezes, e os animais caracterizados de acordo com classificação convencionada para os valores dos parâmetros avaliados, utilizando-se os dados de referência para OPG, Hematócrito e Famacha em resistentes, resilientes e doentes. O parasitismo foi constatado em todo período de estudo em caprinos e ovinos, identificando-se ovos tipo Strongyloidea, Strongyloides sp., Trichuris sp., Moniezia spp. e oocistos de Eimeria spp. Os ovinos apresentaram melhor resposta ao parasitismo na região estudada, classificando-se em sua maioria como resistentes e resilientes, enquanto a maior parte dos caprinos foi classificada como doentes.

[EN] The main objective of this Thesis was to study the energy metabolism in small ruminants under different nutrition sceneries. As methodology we utilized indirect calorimetry instead of direct calorimetry or feeding trials. Within indirect calorimetry we worked with a portable open circuit gas exchange system with a head hood. This open circuit respiration system permitted completed the whole energy balance and evaluate the efficiency of utilization of the energy of the diet for different physiological circumstances as milk production in dairy goats or maintenance in sheep. Besides, we could quantify in each trial some of the wastes related to environmental pollution as CH4 emissions and excretion of nitrogen in feces and urine. In this thesis three experiments were designed, two in dairy goats and other in sheep as we described below. In the first experiment, digestibility, energy balance, carbon and nitrogen balance, milk performance, rumen parameters and milk fatty acids and metabolites were obtained. Metabolic cages and open circuit indirect calorimetry system were the methods applied. Treatments consist in two mixed diets with alfalfa as forage. Within the concentrate, oat grain was replaced with rice bran. No significant differences were found for metabolizable energy intake (MEI), 1254kJ/kg of BW0.75 on average, and heat production (HP); 640 kJ/kg of BW0.75 on average. No differences were obtained for milk production (2.2 kg/d on average) and milk fat was greater in the rice bran diet (6.9% vs. 5.3% for rice bran and oat diets, respectively). Energy balance was positive and milk metabolites correlated these found. Regards to CH4 emissions, determined in vivo by gas exchange indirect calorimetry, goats fed the rice bran significantly reduced methane production (23.2 g/d vs 30.1 g/d). In the second experiment, we also used two types of diets, but in this case we substituted the forage and maintained the same concentrate; in one of the diets a grass (Maralfafa [Pennisetum sp.]- M diet) was used as forage and in the other an extensively used leguminous (Alfalfa [Medicago sativa]- A diet). Methods and analysis were the same that in Experiment 1, and here we include metabolites in urine and blood plasma. The dry matter intake was higher for diet A (1.8 vs 1.6 kg/d, respectively) and digestibility coefficients were higher for diet M. However, no significant differences were shown in MEI (1089 kJ/kg of BW0.75, on average) and HP (639 kJ/kg of BW0.75on average). Higher milk yield was observed in A diet than M diet (1.8 vs. 1.7 kg/d, respectively) and metabolites in urine, plasma and milk indicated better use of diet A than M, while no differences in milk composition were found (5% of fat and 4.3% of protein). Methane production was higher for A diet (28.5 g/d) than M diet (25.9 g/d), although these differences were not statistically significant. In the third experiment, energy partition was compared in two sheep breeds (Manchega vs. Guirra) fed above maintenance. We fed again with mixed diets and metabolic cages, indirect calorimetry, nitrogen balance and integral calculus were the tools used for these energy partitioning approach. An approximation of division of heat production was done. ME for maintenence was estimated at 354 kJ/kg of BW0.75and day, on average for the two breeds. Basal metabolic rate was different between breeds; 270 vs. 247 kJ/kg of BW0.75for Guirra and Manchega, respectively.
[ES] El objetivo principal de esta tesis fue estudiar el metabolismo energético en pequeños rumiantes bajo diferentes escenarios de nutrición. Como metodología se utilizó la calorimetría indirecta en vez de calorimetría directa o pruebas de alimentación. Dentro de la calorimetría indirecta trabajamos con un sistema portátil de circuito abierto de intercambio de gases con una "urna" (Heat hood). Este sistema de circuito abierto de respiración nos permitió completar todo el balance energético y evaluar la eficiencia de la utilización de la energía de la dieta para diferentes estados fisiológicos como producción de leche en cabras u oveja en mantenimiento. Además fue posible cuantificar en cada ensayo algunas perdidas relacionadas con la contaminación ambiental como emisiones de CH4 y la excreción de nitrógeno en heces y orina. En esta tesis se diseñaron tres experimentos, dos en cabras en lactación y otro en ovejas como describimos a continuación. En el primer experimento se han determinado, digestibilidad, balance energético, balance carbono nitrógeno, producción de leche, parámetros ruminales, ácidos grasos y metabolitos en leche. Jaulas metabólicas y un sistema de circuito abierto de calorimetría indirecta fue el método aplicado. Los tratamientos consistieron en dos dietas mixtas con alfalfa como forraje y dentro del concentrado el grano de avena fue reemplazado por cilindro de arroz. No se encontraron diferencias significativas en la energía metabolizable ingerida (MEI) de 1254 kJ/kg PV0.75 en promedio y una producción de calor (HP) de 640 kJ/kg PV0.75 en promedio. La producción de leche no presentó diferencias significativas entre las dos dietas, (2,2 kg/den promedio), la grasa de la leche fue mayor en la dieta de cilindro de arroz (6,9% vs. 5,3% para cilindro de arroz y avena respectivamente). El balance energético fue positivo y correlacionado a los metabolitos en leche determinados. En cuanto a las emisiones de CH4, determinadas en vivo mediante el intercambio de gases por calorimetría indirecta, las cabras alimentadas con el subproducto redujeron significativamente la producción de metano (23,2 g / d vs 30,1 g / d.). En el segundo experimento, también utilizamos dos tipos de dietas, pero en este caso sustituimos los forrajes y mantuvimos el mismo pienso; en una de las dietas se utilizó como forraje una gramínea (Maralfafa [Pennisetum sp.] - dieta M) y en el otro una leguminosa de uso extendido (Alfalfa [Medicago sativa] - dieta A). Los métodos de análisis y análisis fueron los mismos que los utilizados en el Experimento 1, y se incluyeron además análisis de metabolitos en orina y plasma. La materia seca ingerida fue mayor para dieta A (1,8 vs 1,6 kg/d, respectivamente), los coeficientes de digestibilidad fueron mayores para la dieta M. Sin embargo, no se encontraron diferencias significativas en MEI (1089 kJ/kg PV0.75, en promedio) y HP 639 kJ/kg PV0.75, en promedio). La producción de leche fue mayor en la dieta A que la dieta M, (1,8 vs. 1,7 kg/d, respectively) y los metabolitos en orina, plasma y leche indican un mejor aprovechamiento de la dieta A. No se presentaron diferencias en la composición de la leche (5% de grasa and 4.3% de proteína). La producción de metano fue mayor para la dieta A (28,5 g/d) que para la dieta M (25,9 g/d), aunque estas diferencias no fueron estadísticamente significativas. En el tercer experimento se compararon la partición energética en dos razas de ovejas (Manchega vs. Guirra) en mantenimiento. Fueron alimentadas con dietas mixtas en jaulas metabólicas, calorimetría indirecta, balance carbono nitrógeno y cálculos integrales fueron las herramientas utilizadas para un aproximación de la partición energética. Se realizó una aproximación de división de producción de calor. El ME para mantenimiento se estimó en 354 kJ/kg PV0.75/ día, en promedio para las dos razas. Las diferencias en la tasa metabólica basal entre las razas fu
[CAT] El principal objectiu d'aquesta tesi va ser estudiar el metabolism energètic en xicotets ruminants baix diferents escenaris de nutrició. Com a metodologia es va utilitzar la calorimetria indirecta en compte de calorimetria directa o proves d'alimentació. Dins de la calorimetria indirecta treballarem amb un sistema portatil de circuit obert d'intercanvi de gasos amb "urna" (Heat hood). Aquest sistema de respiració de circuit obert ens va permetre completar tot el balanç energètic i avaluar l'eficiència de la utilització de l'energia de la dieta per a diferents circumstàncies fisiològiques com produccion de llet en cabres o manteniment en ovelles. A més va ser possible quantificar en cada assaig algunes perdues relacionades amb la contaminacion ambiental com a emissions de CH4 i l'excreció de nitrogen en femta i orina. En aquesta tesi es van dissenyar tres experiments, dos en cabres en lactación i un altre en ovelles com vam descriure a continuació. En el primer experiment s'han determinat,digestibilidad, balanç energètic, balanç carboni nitrogen, producció de llet, paràmetres ruminales, àcids grassos i metabòlits en llet. Gàbies metabòliques i un sistema de circuit obert de calorimetria indirecta va ser el mètode aplicat. Els tractaments van consistir en dues dietes mixtes amb alfals com a farratge i dins del concentrat el gra de civada va ser reemplaçat per cilindre d'arròs. No es van trobar diferències significatives en l'energia metabolizable ingerida (MEI) de 1254 kJ/kg PV0.75 en mitjana i una producció de calor (HP) de 640 kJ/kg PV0.75 en mitjana. La producció de llet no va presentar diferències significatives entre les dues dietes, (2.2 kg/donen mitjana), el greix de la llet va ser major en la dieta de cilindre d'arròs (6.9% vs. 5.3% per a cilindre d'arròs i civada respectivament). El balanç energètic va ser positiu i correlacionat als metabòlits en llet determinats. Quant a les emissions de CH4, determinades en viu mitjançant l'intercanvi de gasos per calorimetria indirecta, les cabres alimentades amb el subproducte van reduir significativament la producció de metà (23.2 g / d vs 30.1 g / d.).En el segon experiment, també utilitzem dos tipus de dietes, però en aquest cas substituïm els farratges i vam mantenir el mateix pinso; en una de les dietes es va utilitzar com a farratge una gramínea (Maralfafa [Pennisetum sp.] - dieta M) i en l'altre una **leguminosa d'ús estès (Alfals [Medicago sativa] - dieta A). Els mètodes d'anàlisis i anàlisis van ser els mateixos que els utilitzats en l'Experiment 1, i es van incloure a més anàlisi de metabòlits en orina i plasma. La matèria seca ingerida va ser major per a dieta A (1,8 vs 1,6 kg/d, respectivament), els coeficients de digestibilidad van ser majors per a la dieta M. No obstant açò no es van trobar diferències significatives en MEI (1089 kJ/kg PV0.75, en mitjana) i HP 639 kJ/kg PV0.75, en mitjana). La producció de llet va ser major en la dieta Al fet que la dieta M, (1,8 vs. 1,7 kg/d, respectively) i els metabòlits en orina, plasma i llet indiquen un millor aprofitament de la dieta A. No es van presentar diferències en la composició de la llet (5% de greix i 4.3% de proteïna). La producció de metà va ser major per a la dieta A (28,5 g/d) que per a la dieta M (25,9 g/d), encara que aquestes diferències no van anar estadísticament significatives. En el tercer experiment es van comparar la partició energètica en dues races d'ovelles (Manxega vs. Guirra) en manteniment. Van ser alimentades amb dietes mixtes en gàbies metabòliques, calorimetria indirecta, balanç carboni nitrogen i càlculs integrals van ser les eines utilitzades per a un aproximació de la partició energètica. Es va realitzar una aproximació de divisió de producció de calor. L'EM para manteniment es va estimar en 354 kJ/kg PV0.75 / dia, en mitjana per a les dues races. Les diferències en la taxa metabòlica basal entre les races va ser de 2
Criscioni Ferreira, PF. (2016). Application of an open circuit indirect calorimetry system for gaseous exchange measurements in small ruminant nutrition [Tesis doctoral no publicada]. Universitat Politècnica de València. https://doi.org/10.4995/Thesis/10251/64069
TESIS

La fièvre Q est une zoonose de répartition mondiale due à une bactérie intracellulaire stricte, Coxiella burnetii. Les ruminants domestiques contaminent l’environnement en excrétant la bactérie principalement dans les produits de parturition, le mucus vaginal et les fèces. L’Homme et l’animal s’infectent ensuite par inhalation de pseudo-spores circulantes dans l’environnement. Des enjeux de santé publique et vétérinaires ont ainsi motivés la mise en place de ce projet de thèse afin de mieux maîtriser les infections par C. burnetii dans les élevages. Les objectifs de ce travail étaient de produire des connaissances épidémiologiques descriptives sur : (a) la dynamique de circulation de C. burnetii en élevage ovin naturellement infecté ; (b) la diversité génotypique des souches de C. burnetii circulantes dans les élevages de ruminants domestiques en France ; (c) la diversité phénotypique de ces souches via l’utilisation de deux modèles de virulence, un in vivo et un in vitro ; et (d) l’implication du cheval dans l’épidémiologie de la fièvre Q, en étudiant son exposition à C. burnetii ainsi qu’une potentielle symptomatologie.Le suivi longitudinal réalisé en élevage ovin a permis de fournir des indicateurs pertinents à utiliser pour évaluer rapidement le risque de transmission de C. burnetii en contexte infectieux, en termes de lots d’animaux, d’outils diagnostics ou encore de périodes d’échantillonnage à privilégier. Par ailleurs, nous avons également identifié trois grands clusters génotypiques de souches circulantes dans les élevages de ruminants domestiques en contexte d’avortement fièvre Q en France. Deux clusters génotypiques regroupent majoritairement les petits ruminants, dont un principalement les ovins et l’autre les caprins. Le troisième cluster génotypique est composé quasi-exclusivement de bovins. Nous avons montré que le gène IS1111 impacte significativement la diversité génotypique MLVA observée. Nous avons également montré qu’en plus d’une spécificité d’espèce, les génotypes circulants en France sont stables d’un point de vue spatio-temporel. Pour l’étude phénotypique, nous avons mis au point deux modèles d’infection, l’un in vivo par inoculation dans le coussinet plantaire de souris mâle CD1 et l’autre in vitro par infection de deux lignées cellulaires macrophagiques : l’une bovine (SV40) et l’autre ovine (MoCl4). Ces modèles nous ont permis d’identifier 4 clusters phénotypiques, qui n’étaient pas systématiquement corrélés aux trois clusters génotypiques, identifiés in vivo à partir de l’analyse de la charge bactérienne dans la rate de souris, ni aux cinétiques de multiplication de C. burnetii observés in vitro. Enfin, les séroprévalences obtenues chez le cheval dans une zone considérée hyperendémique pour l’Homme (Camargue et Plaine de La Crau) suggèrent que les chevaux sont exposés à la fièvre Q dans cette région et pourrait éventuellement être utilisés comme des indicateurs pertinents du risque zoonotique. Néanmoins, nos résultats ne nous permettent pas de conclure sur les formes cliniques potentiellement associées à la fièvre Q chez le cheval. À l’avenir, les résultats obtenus dans ce travail de thèse permettront une meilleure compréhension de la dynamique de circulation et des conséquences de l’infection par C. burnetii en élevages de ruminants domestiques et de chevaux. Ces données permettront in fine d’améliorer la surveillance, le diagnostic ainsi que la mise en œuvre de mesures de gestion sanitaire de la fièvre Q en santé publique et vétérinaire
Q fever is a worldwide zoonosis, due to a strict intracellular bacterium: Coxiella burnetii. Domestic ruminants mainly shed the bacteria in parturition products, vaginal mucus and feces. Humans and animals infect by inhalation of circulating pseudo-spores into the environment.Public and veterinary health issues therefore motivated the implementation of this PhD project in order to better control C. burnetii infections on farms. The objectives of this thesis were to provide descriptive epidemiological findings about: (a) circulation dynamics of C. burnetii in a naturally infected flock of sheep; (b) the genotypic diversity of circulating C. burnetii strains on domestic ruminant farms in France; (c) the phenotypic diversity of these strains as demonstrated by the use of two virulence models, one in vivo and one in vitro; and (d) the involvement of horses in the epidemiology of C. burnetii, by studying their exposure and a potential symptomatology.Longitudinal follow-up in a flock of sheep provided relevant tools to rapidly assess the risk of C. burnetii transmission when a flock was identified as infected, in terms of animal pens, diagnostic tools, or sampling periods to be preferred. We also identified three main genotypic groups of circulating strains in domestic ruminant farms in France where Q fever abortion were recorded. Two genotypic groups mainly included small ruminants, with one group mainly composed of sheep and the other mainly composed of goats. The third genotypic group was comprised almost exclusively of cattle. We have shown that the IS1111 gene significantly impacts the genotypic MLVA diversity observed. In addition to this species specificity, we have shown that the circulating genotypes in France were also spatiotemporally stable. We then developed two models of infection, one in vivo by inoculating CD1 male mice in the footpad of and one in vitro by infecting two macrophage cell lines: one bovine (SV40) and one ovine (MoCl4). These two models allowed us to show that the genotypic clusters were not systematically correlated with both the four phenotypic clusters identified in vivo from the analysis of the bacterial load in the mouse spleens and the analysis in vitro of the C. burnetii multiplication kinetics.Finally, the seroprevalence observed in horses within hyperendemic areas for Q fever in humans (Camargue and Plain of La Crau) suggests that horses are exposed to the bacteria in the area and that they may be a relevant indicator of the zoonotic risk. Nevertheless, our results were inconclusive on the clinical forms associated with Q fever in horses.In the future, the findings found in our work will allow a global understanding of the circulation dynamics of C. burnetii on domestic ruminant farms as well as in others animal species. Thus, all these data will ultimately improve surveillance, diagnosis and management of Q fever in public and veterinary health

A novel clinical assay for the assessment and subsequent treatment of Haemonchus infection in sheep to slow down the development of anthelmintic resistance – the FAMACHA
Dissertation (MSc)--University of Pretoria, 2001.
Veterinary Tropical Diseases
unrestricted

L’objectif général du projet de thèse était de produire des connaissances pour contribuer au développement de bonnes pratiques d’alimentation des caprins, ovins et bovins des régions chaudes. La méthodologie utilisée dans ce projet a croisé des méta-analyses à une approche expérimentale. Les besoins énergétiques d’entretien des caprins, ovins et bovins des régions chaudes seraient plus élevés que ceux des ruminants des régions tempérées. Ces différences ont été partiellement attribuées à la capacité des génotypes animaux de ces régions de mobiliser une fraction des nutriments ingérés à des fonctions non productives dont l’adaptation aux stress et le coût énergétique de l’ingestion et la digestion de rations plus fibreuses. Des besoins énergétiques pour la production du même ordre de grandeur que ceux des génotypes des régions tempérées ont été estimés. Nos estimations des besoins protéiques d’entretien et de production indiquent que ceux-ci sont plus élevés avec les génotypes tropicaux comparativement aux génotypes tempérés.La hiérarchie des besoins entre espèces varie avec leurs modalités d’expressions (expression du poids métabolique).Le système d’unité d’alimentation énergétique et protéique de l’INRA, basé sur une approche mécaniste de l’utilisation des aliments, conduit potentiellement à une bonne évaluation des ressources alimentaires. Cependant, certains coefficients doivent être révisés pour tenir compte de la composition spécifique des ressources fourragères disponibles en régions chaudes
The overall aim of the thesis project was to generate knowledge to contribute to the development of good feeding practices for sheep goats and cattle in warm regions. The methodology used in this project crossed meta-analysis to an experimental approach. The maintenance energy requirements of goats, sheep and cattle in warm regions are higher than those of ruminants in temperate regions. These differences were partly attributed to the capacity of livestock genotypes of these regions to mobilize a fraction of the nutrients ingested for unproductive functions adaptation to stress and the energy cost of ingestion and digestion of more fibrous diets. The estimation for the energy requirements for production was the same order of magnitude as the genotypes of temperate regions. Our estimates of protein requirements for maintenance and production show that they are higher with tropical genotypes compared to temperate genotypes.The hierarchy of needs between species varies with their modes of expression (expression of metabolic weight).The energy and protein supply unit system of INRA, based on a mechanistic approach to the use of feed, potentially leads to a good assessment of food resources. However, some factors must be revised to reflect the specific composition of forage resources in warm regions

Os objetivos deste experimento foram avaliar os efeitos da substituição do milho e do feno de coastcross pela casca de soja (CS) no desempenho e comportamento ingestivo de cabras em lactação e na digestibilidade dos nutrientes das rações e parâmetros ruminais de borregos Santa Inês. Foram realizados quatro experimentos. Experimento 1: Oito cabras foram alojadas em baias tipo tie stall e distribuídas em um delineamento de quadrado latino duplo 4x4, com duração de cada período de 16 dias, sendo 12 dias para adaptação às rações experimentais e quatro dias para colheita das amostras. Os animais foram alimentados com dietas compostas por 40% de volumoso e 60% de concentrado. A CS substituiu o milho em 0, 20, 40 e 60%, da matéria seca (MS). Não houve efeito (P>0,05) no consumo de MS, produção de leite e no comportamento ingestivo, contudo, o teor de gordura no leite aumentou (P<0,05) com a inclusão da CS na ração. Experimento 2: Quatro borregos foram alojados em gaiolas metálicas para ensaio de metabolismo e distribuídos em delineamento experimental quadrado latino 4x4. Os períodos foram de 14 dias, sendo 10 dias para a adaptação dos animais às rações experimentais e 4 dias para colheita das amostras. Os tratamentos e as dietas foram semelhantes ao Experimento 1. Não houve efeito (P>0,05) da substituição do milho pela CS para o consumo e digestibilidade da MS. No entanto, ocorreu diminuição (P<0,05) da concentração de propionato no rúmen e aumento (P<0,05) da digestibilidade da fibra em detergente neutro (FDN), do pH ruminal e da concentração de acetato. Experimento 3: Trinta e seis cabras foram alojadas em baias tipo tie stall e distribuídas em delineamento experimental de blocos completos casualizados pelo período de oito semanas. As cabras foram alimentadas com dietas compostas por 50% de volumoso e 50% de concentrado e com o mesmo teor de FDN. A CS substituiu o feno de coastcross em 0, 33, 67 ou 100% da MS. O consumo de MS e FDN apresentaram efeito quadrático (P<0,05). A produção de leite e a variação do peso corporal não foram alteradas (P>0,05), porém a concentração de gordura aumentou (P<0,05) e os tempos gastos com ruminação e mastigação decresceram (P<0,05) com a inclusão da CS na dieta. Experimento 4: Dezesseis borregos foram alojados em gaiolas metálicas para ensaio de metabolismo e distribuídos em delineamento experimental blocos completos casualizados. O experimento teve duração de 14 dias, sendo 10 dias para a adaptação dos animais às rações experimentais e 4 dias para colheita das amostras. Os tratamentos e as dietas foram semelhantes ao Experimento 3. O consumo de MS e FDN apresentaram efeito quadrático (P<0,05) quando foi adicionada CS na dieta. Entretanto, observou-se aumento (P<0,05) da digestibilidade da MS e FDN, enquanto a concentração de ácidos graxos de cadeia curta, acetato e propionato não se alteraram (P>0,05) e o pH ruminal diminuiu (P<0,05). A CS pode substituir parcialmente o milho ou o feno de coastcross sem prejudicar o desempenho ou o metabolismo dos nutrientes de pequenos ruminantes.
The objectives of this experiment were to determine the effects of replacing corn and coastcross hay by soybean hulls (SH) on performance and ingestive behavior in lactating goats and nutrient apparent digestibility and ruminal measures in ram lambs. Experiment 1: Eight goats were housed in a tie stall and used in a two 4 x4 Latin square design conducted concurrently. Each experimental period consisted of 16 d; the first 12 d were used to adapt the goats to the treatments and the remaining 4 d were used for data collection. Animals were fed a 40:60 (concentrate:roughage ratio). Soybean hulls replaced corn by 0%, 20%, 40% or 60% on a dry matter (DM) basis. Dry matter ground intake (DMI), milk yield and ingestive behavior were not affected (P>0.05) by replacing corn by soybean hulls. However, milk fat concentration increased (P<0.05) with soybean hulls inclusion. Experiment 2: Four ram lambs were placed individually in metabolism crates and assigned to a 4 x 4 Latin square design. The experimental period consisted of 14 d; the first 10 d were used to adapt the lambs to the treatments and the remaining 4 d were used for data collection. The treatments and diets were the same as in Experiment 1. Dry matter intake and digestibility were not affected (P>0.05) by replacing ground corn by soybean hulls. Nevertheless, propionate concentration decreased (P<0.05) while neutral detergent fiber (NDF) intake and digestibility, ruminal pH and acetate concentration increased (P<0.05) with soybean hulls inclusion. Experiment 3: Thirty-six goats were assigned to a complete randomized block design and housed in a tie stall for a period of 8 weeks. Goats were fed a 50:50 (concentrate:roughage ratio) with similar amount of NDF. Soybean hulls replaced hay by 0%, 33%, 67% or 100% on a DM basis. Dry matter and NDF intake showed a quadratic response (P>0.05). Milk yield and body weight change didnt differ (P<0.05), however milk fat concentration increased (P>0.05) while time spent with rumination and chewing decreased (P>0.05), when SH were added to the diet. Experiment 4: Sixteen ram lambs were housed individually in metabolism crates and assigned to a complete randomized block design. The experimental period consisted of 14 d; the first 10 d were used to adapt the lambs to the treatments and the remaining 4 d were used for data collection. The treatments and diets were the same used in Experiment 4. DMI and NDF intake showed a quadratic effect (P<0.05) when SH were added to the diet. However, DM and NDF digestibility increased (P<0.05) while short-chain fatty acids, acetate and propionate concentration, didnt change (P>0.05) and ruminal pH decreased (P<0.05). SH can partially replace corn or coastcross hay with no detrimental effects on performance or nutrient metabolism in small ruminants.

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Until recently, osteological studies into ancient diet and health have primarily focused upon human remains. As a result, these areas of research are still in their infancy in the field zoo-archaeology. Animals have paid a heavy price for many major human advances, such as those in agriculture and transport. This use (and often abuse) of animals has left many tell-tale signs in their teeth and bones. Along with the many advantages in animal exploitation have also come major problems for humans. Thus, infectious diseases passed from animals to humans must have long played a significant evolutionary role in the development of society. The zooarchaeological record could provide an extremely important temporal framework for exploring and understanding past and current issues of human health and animal welfare. This volume provides one of the first contributions to the field, and may stimulate many more.