Proteomic characterization and comparison of milk fat globule membrane proteins of Saanen goat milk from 3 habitats in China using SWATH-MS technique.

Saanen goats are among the major dairy goats in China. In present study, variation of milk fat globule membrane proteins profile of Saanen goat milk caused by geographic location was investigated using sequential window acquisition of all theoretical fragment ions data-independent acquisition mass spectrometry based proteomic approach. A total of 1,001 proteins were quantified in goat milk collected from 3 habitats of China [Guangdong (GD); Inner Mongolia (IM); Shannxi (SX)]. Most of the proteins were found to act cellular process of biological process, cell of cellular component, binding of molecular function after Gene Ontology annotation and metabolic of pathway indicated by Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analysis. Differentially expressed proteins (DEP) for GD versus IM, GD versus SX, IM versus SX were identified to be 81, 91, and 44, respectively. Gene Ontology enrichment analysis showed that the greatest DEP for 3 groups (GD vs. IM, GD vs. SX, IM vs. SX) were cellular process, cellular process and organonitrogen compound biosynthetic process/immune system process for biological process. For cellular component, the largest number of DEP for 3 comparison groups were organelle, organelle and organelle/intracellular. For molecular function, DEP of the 3 comparison groups were expressed most in structural molecule activity, binding and anion binding, respectively. Pathways with the majority of DEP were ribosome, systemic lupus erythematosus and primary immunodeficiency/systemic lupus erythematosus/amoebiasis/PI3K-Akt signaling pathway for GD versus IM, GD versus SX and IM versus SX, severally. Protein-protein interaction network analysis showed that DEP interacted most were 40S ribosomal protein S5, fibronectin and Cytochrome b-c1 complex subunit 2, mitochondrial for GD versus IM, GD versus SX and IM versus SX, separately. Data may give useful information for goat milk selection and milk authenticity in China.

Effects of probiotic and yeast extract supplementation on oxidative stress, inflammatory response, and growth in weaning Saanen kids.

This study aimed to investigate the effects of probiotic and yeast extract supplementation on the metabolic, immune, and oxidative status of Sannen goat kids during the weaning challenge. Forty goat kids were randomly assigned to four groups: a probiotic group (Pr) (basal diet + mixture of Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus lechiniformis, Streptococcus Thermophilis, and Enterococcus faecium), a yeast cell wall extract group (YC) (basal diet + Saccharomyces cerevisiae), a probiotic and yeast cell wall extract group (Pr + YC) (basal diet + mixture of probiotic and yeast cell wall extract), and a control group (basal diet). Treatments were administered 21 days prior to weaning (80 ± 2 days of life) until 21 days post-weaning except for the control group. Blood samples were collected at four different time points, including 21 days before weaning, 2 days post-weaning (weaning time), 7 days post-weaning, and 21 days post-weaning. Average levels of triiodothyronine, thyroxine, total protein (TP), albumin, globulin, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), serum adenosine deaminase (ADA), nitric oxide (NO), ferritin, glucose, cortisol, triglyceride, non-esterified fatty acid (NEFA), Β-hydroxybutyric acid (BHBA), and body weight were measured. The average levels of cortisol tended to be higher in the Pr group in comparison to the control group (P = 0.07) and the Pr + YC group (P = 0.10). NEFA was found to be higher and tended to be higher in the control group compared to the Pr + YC group (P > 0.001) and Pr group (P = 0.10), respectively. Additionally, the BHBA concentration was higher in the control group compared to the Pr group (P > 0.001). No differences were observed in the concentration of other measured parameters among the treatments. The concentration of cortisol tended to be higher (P = 0.10) at the weaning time as compared to the third sampling time. Furthermore, the concentration of TAC was observed to be higher (P > 0.01) at the weaning time in comparison to the third and fourth sampling times. The concentration of NO was higher (P > 0.01) at the third sampling time when compared to the first sampling time. A reduction in NEFA and BHBA levels may suggest an improvement in the metabolic status of the supplemented animals during the weaning challenge. However, supplementation with probiotics and yeast cell wall extract did not appear to have an effect on the oxidative status of the animals. The increase in TAC and NO levels observed during the weaning time may indicate an increase in oxidative stress during this period.

Berberine supplementation modulates the somatotropic axis and ameliorates glucose tolerance in dairy goats during late gestation and early lactation.

BACKGROUND: Pregnancy, parturition, and the onset of lactation represent an enormous physiological and hormonal challenge to the homeostasis of dairy animals, being a risk for their health and reproduction. Thus, as a part of the homothetic changes in preparturition period, goats undergo a period of IR as well as uncoupled GH/IGF-1 axis. The objective for this study was to determine the effect of berberine (BBR) during the peripartal period on hormonal alteration and somatotropic axis in dairy goats as well as glucose and insulin kinetics during an intravenous glucose tolerance test (IVGTT). At 21 days before the expected kidding date, 24 primiparous Saanen goats were assigned randomly to 4 dietary treatments. Goats were fed a basal diet from wk. 3 antepartum (AP) until wk. 3 postpartum (PP) supplemented with 0 (CTRL), 1 (BBR1), 2 (BBR2), and 4 (BBR4) g/d BBR. Blood samples were collected on days - 21, - 14, - 7, 0, 7, 14, and 21 relative to the expected kidding date. An IVGTT was also performed on day 22 PP. RESULTS: Compared with CTRL, supplementation with either BBR2 or BBR4 increased DMI at kidding day and PP, as well as body conditional score (BCS) and milk production (p ≤ 0.05). On d 7 and 14 PP plasma glucose was higher in BBR2- and BBR4-treated than in CTRL. The glucagon concentration was not affected by BBR during the experimental period. However, supplemental BBR indicated a tendency to decrease in cortisol concentration on days 7 (p = 0.093) and 14 (p = 0.100) PP. Lower plasma GH was observed in BBR than in non-BBR goats (p ≤ 0.05). Plasma IGF-1 concentration was enhanced in both BBR2 and BBR4 at kidding and day 7 PP (p ≤ 0.05). During the IVGTT, glucose area under the curve (AUC), clearance rate (CR), T1/2, and Tbasal was lower (p ≤ 0.05) in both BBR2 and BBR4 goats as compared with CTRL. Likewise, the insulin CR was higher (p ≤ 0.05) in goats receiving either BBR2 or BBR4 which was accompanied by a lower insulin T1/2 and AUC. CONCLUSIONS: Altogether, our results indicated an improved glucose and insulin status along with the modulation of the somatotropic axis and glucose and insulin response to IVGTT in dairy goats supplemented with 2 and 4 g/d BBR.

Comparative analysis of caseins in Saanen goat milk from 3 different regions of China using quantitative proteomics.

A quantitative proteomic technique based on data-independent acquisition (DIA) was used to analyze differentially expressed caseins of Saanen goat milk samples collected from 3 regions in China (Guangdong, GD; Inner Mongolia, IM; Shaanxi, SX). A total of 345 proteins were quantified in each sample. Gene Ontology (GO) analysis showed that proteins were mainly involved in cellular process and cell and binding functions. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analysis indicated that proteins were mainly involved in metabolic pathways. Differentially expressed proteins (DEP) between goat milk from 3 comparison groups composed of paired regions were compared and analyzed. The number of DEP was 114, 69, and 79 for GD versus IM, GD versus SX, and IM versus SX, respectively. The GO enrichment analysis of the 3 comparison groups showed that differences were mainly related to the regulation of biological quality, biological regulation, and response to stimulus in terms of biological process; extracellular region for cellular component; and binding function for molecular function. Pathways in which DEP of GD versus IM, GD versus SX, and IM versus SX were mostly protein processing in endoplasmic reticulum for the first 2 groups and metabolic pathways for the last. Protein-protein interaction network analysis demonstrated that the most prominent DEP was heat shock protein 90 ß family member 1 for both the GD versus IM and the GD versus SX groups, and haptoglobin for the IM versus SX group. Data from this study may offer useful information for further investigation of the protein composition of Saanen goat milk and its application in the dairy industry.

Effect of parturition time and climatic conditions on milk productivity, milk quality and udder morphometry in Saanen goats in a semi-intensive system.

This study is the first report to investigate the relationships between time of parturition and milk productivity and quality, as well as indices related to udder measurements and meteorological variables, in Saanen goats raised under semi-intensive conditions. Goats giving birth in the hours of darkness had higher milk production than those that gave birth in the hours of daylight, while those giving birth during the evening hours had lower somatic cell count (SCC) than those with parturition during the daylight and night hours (P < 0.05). In addition, the time of parturition was associated with rear udder depth, udder circumference, and udder volume traits (P < 0.01). Parity and time of parturition × parity interaction had significant effects on lactation milk yield and lactation length, as well as milk fat, protein, lactose, total solids content and electrical conductivity (P < 0.05 to P < 0.01). The lactation stage, daily milk yield level and parity affected milk SCC (P < 0.05). Ambient temperature and daylight length had strong effects on daily milk yield (P < 0.05). These findings have practical implications for productivity, quality and health promotion efforts aimed at increasing Saanen goat dairy productivity consistently in the face of climatic changes in a semi-intensive system.

Proteomic analysis of differentially expressed whey proteins in Saanen goat milk from different provinces in China using a data-independent acquisition technique.

Whey proteins of Saanen goat milk samples from 3 provinces in China (Guangdong, GD; Inner Mongolia, IM; Shaanxi, SX) were characterized and compared using data-independent acquisition quantitative proteomics technique. A total of 550 proteins were quantified in all 3 samples. There were 44, 44, and 33 differentially expressed proteins (DEP) for GD versus IM, GD versus SX, and IM versus SX, respectively. Gene ontology annotation analysis showed that the largest number of DEP for the 3 comparisons were as follows: for biological processes: response to progesterone, glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate metabolic process, and negative regulation of megakaryocyte differentiation; for molecular functions: antioxidant activity, binding, and peroxiredoxin activity; and for cellular components: the same category of extracellular regions for the 3 comparisons, respectively. Pathways for the DEP of 3 comparisons were (1) disease; (2) synthesis and metabolism; and (3) synthesis, degradation, and metabolism. Protein-protein interaction network analysis showed that DEP for GD versus SX had the most interactions.

Using sequence variants of a QTL region improves the accuracy of genomic evaluation in French Saanen goats.

The enhanced availability of sequence data in livestock provides an opportunity for more accurate predictions in routine genomic evaluations. Such evaluations would therefore no longer rely only on the linkage disequilibrium between a chip marker and the causal mutation. The objective of this study was to assess the usefulness of sequence data in Saanen goats (n = 33) to better capture a quantitative trait locus (QTL) on chromosome 19 (CHI19) and improve the accuracy of predictions for 3 milk production traits, 5 type traits, and somatic cell scores. All 1,207 50K genotypes were imputed to the sequence level. Four scenarios, each using a subset of CHI19 imputed variants, were then tested. Sequence-derived information included all CHI19 variants (529,576), all variants in the QTL region (22,269), 178 variants selected in the QTL region and added to an updated chip, or 178 randomly selected variants on CHI19. Two genomic evaluation models were applied: single-step genomic BLUP and weighted single-step genomic BLUP. All scenarios were compared with single-step genomic BLUP using 50K genotypes. Best overall results were obtained using single-step genomic BLUP on 50K genotypes completed with all variants in the QTL region of chromosome 19 (6.2% average increase in accuracy for 9 traits) with the highest accuracy gain for fat yield (17.9%), significant increases for milk (13.7%) and protein yields (12.5%), and type traits associated with CHI19. Despite its association with the QTL region of chromosome 19, the somatic cell score showed decreased accuracy in every alternative scenario. Using all CHI19 variants led to an overall decrease of 4.8% in prediction accuracy. The updated chip was efficient and improved genomic evaluations by 3.1 to 6.4% on average, depending on the scenario. Indeed, information from only a few carefully selected variants increased accuracies for traits of interest when used in a single-step genomic BLUP model. In conclusion, using QTL region variants imputed from sequence data in single-step genomic evaluations represents a promising perspective for such evaluations in dairy goats. Furthermore, using only a limited number of selected variants in QTL regions, as available on SNP chip updates, significantly increases the accuracy for QTL-associated traits without deteriorating the evaluation accuracy for other traits. The latter approach is interesting, as it avoids time-consuming imputation and data formatting processes and provides reliable genotypes.

The effects of levamisole and albendazole on spermatological parameters, testosterone levels, and sperm DNA damage in Saanen bucks.

This study aimed to investigate the effect of levamisole and albendazole on spermatological parameters, testosterone levels, and sperm DNA damage in Saanen bucks. For this purpose, twenty-four Saanen bucks were divided into three groups as control, levamisole, and albendazole administration group. The control group received only water (20 ml, oral), the levamisole group received 7.5 mg/kg of levamisole (2 oral tablets once daily for 2 days) + water (20 ml, oral), and the albendazole group received 7.5 mg/kg of albendazole (1 oral tablet) + water (20 ml, oral). Semen and blood samples were collected from all animals, both before drug application (day 0) and within a 2-day interval after drug application between day 1 (day of the treatment) and day 11. Spermatological parameters were evaluated immediately after collection. Testosterone levels were also measured from the blood samples with ELISA. Sperm DNA damage was determined with comet assay. The present research showed that especially albendazole administration decreased spermatological parameters and levamisole administration decreased testosterone levels. Significant sperm DNA damage was seen after both albendazole and levamisole administration. As a result, albendazole and levamisole administration should be used carefully on Saanen bucks, especially during the breeding season.

Adverse effects of oxytetracycline and enrofloxacin on the fertility of Saanen bucks.

This study aimed to determine the adverse effects of oxytetracycline and enrofloxacin application on the fertility of Saanen bucks. For this purpose, twenty-four bucks were divided into three groups. Group I (control group) received only 5 ml of 0.9% NaCl for 7 days, group II was given a single dose of 20 mg/kg oxytetracycline and group III was given at a dose of 2.5 mg/kg per day for 7 days intramuscularly. Serum and semen samples were collected from the bucks at post-treatment 1, 3, 5, 7, and 9 days and examined spermatological parameters (quantity, motility, density, abnormal sperm ratio, and live-dead sperm ratio), serum testosterone levels (with ELISA) and sperm DNA parameters (with Comet assay). The results showed no change in sperm volume, abnormal sperm rate, and dead-live sperm ratio in group II and III following oxytetracycline and enrofloxacin administration. However, a decrease in sperm density, sperm motility, mass activity, and testosterone levels, and an increase in sperm DNA damage were detected. These spermatological parameters (density, motility, mass activity) and testosterone levels were less decreased and sperm DNA damage was less increased in group II than group III. The greater damage in group III may be attributed to the longer duration of enrofloxacin administration compared to oxytetracycline and the effect of enrofloxacin on DNA. The results obtained from this study suggest that usage of oxytetracycline and especially enrofloxacin should be restricted and antibiotics with fewer side effects on sperm should be preferred in Saanen bucks during the reproduction period.

Genome wide association analysis on semen volume and milk yield using different strategies of imputation to whole genome sequence in French dairy goats.

BACKGROUND: Goats were domesticated 10,500 years ago to supply humans with useful resources. Since then, specialized breeds that are adapted to their local environment have been developed and display specific genetic profiles. The VarGoats project is a 1000 genomes resequencing program designed to cover the genetic diversity of the Capra genus. In this study, our main objective was to assess the use of sequence data to detect genomic regions associated with traits of interest in French Alpine and Saanen breeds. RESULTS: Direct imputation from the GoatSNP50 BeadChip genotypes to sequence level was investigated in these breeds using FImpute and different reference panels: within-breed, all Capra hircus sequenced individuals, European goats and French mainland goats. The best results were obtained with the French goat panel with allele and genotype concordance rates reaching 0.86 and 0.75 in the Alpine and 0.86 and 0.73 in the Saanen breed respectively. Mean correlations tended to be low in both breeds due to the high proportion of variants with low frequencies. For association analysis, imputation was performed using FImpute for 1129 French Alpine and Saanen males using within-breed and French panels on 23,338,436 filtered variants. The association results of both imputation scenarios were then compared. In Saanen goats, a large region on chromosome 19 was significantly linked to semen volume and milk yield in both scenarios. Significant variants for milk yield were annotated for 91 genes on chromosome 19 in Saanen goats. For semen volume, the annotated genes include YBOX2 which is related to azoospermia or oligospermia in other species. New signals for milk yield were detected on chromosome 2 in Alpine goats and on chromosome 5 in Saanen goats when using a multi-breed panel. CONCLUSION: Even with very small reference populations, an acceptable imputation quality can be achieved in French dairy goats. GWAS on imputed sequences confirmed the existence of QTLs and identified new regions of interest in dairy goats. Adding identified candidates to a genotyping array and sequencing more individuals might corroborate the involvement of identified regions while removing potential imputation errors.

Validation of Brix refractometers and a hydrometer for measuring the quality of caprine colostrum.

On-farm assessment of caprine colostrum quality is important for goat farmers; the ability to quickly recognize whether colostrum is suitable to feed to kids helps achieve successful passive transfer of immunity. The study compared the use of optical and digital Brix refractometers and a hydrometer against the international gold standard radial immunodiffusion (RID), using both fresh and frozen samples. A locally available ELISA methodology was included for comparison. A total of 300 samples were collected from 2 farms (farm 1: n = 157, collected by research staff within 24 h of parturition; farm 2: n = 143, collected by the farmer within 12 h of parturition). Farm 1 provided doe age for a subset of samples (n = 86). Samples were tested fresh and then frozen for shipment and repeated testing. Specific gravity was measured using a hydrometer in a subset of samples (n = 22) from farm 2. Because no gold standard thresholds are currently available for caprine colostrum, RID-derived values of 30, 40, and 50 g/L IgG were used as potential "good quality" thresholds. Pearson (ρ) and Lin's concordance correlation coefficients (CCC) were calculated for comparison of methods. Optimum thresholds were established maximizing the Youden index and minimizing the "distance closest to the top left corner" of the receiver operator characteristic curves. Brix values were correlated with RID (optical Brix, fresh: ρ = 0.73; digital Brix, fresh: ρ = 0.71; digital Brix, frozen: ρ = 0.76) and with each other (range: ρ = 0.93 to 0.99; CCC = 0.91 to 0.99). Specific gravity measured by the hydrometer yielded a strong relationship with RID (ρ = 0.83) and with Brix values (range: ρ = 0.88 to 0.90). The ELISA method was not correlated with Brix methods (range: ρ = 0.02 to 0.09) or RID (ρ = 0.20). Depending on the colostrum IgG threshold, the hydrometer yielded high Youden indices (range: 0.78 to 0.93) and low distance closest to the top left corner criteria (0 to 0.05) at a threshold of 1.047 specific gravity. For all RID IgG thresholds, the best Brix threshold (regardless of type or whether the sample was fresh or frozen) was 18 or 19%, with the highest Youden indices (range: 0.47 to 0.61) and lowest distance to the top left corner criteria (range: 0.09 to 0.16); however, we recommend 19%, because this reduces the potential of feeding poor-quality colostrum. The ELISA method was the poorest predictor of colostrum concentration. Age was not found to affect colostrum quality; however, the sample size of this subset was small. Hydrometers are inexpensive and easy to use, whereas Brix methods use only a small amount of colostrum; we suggest that either method could be used on-farm.

Proteomic analysis of whey proteins in the colostrum and mature milk of Xinong Saanen goats.

Xinong Saanen goats are among the major dairy goats in China, and their milk is one of the major milk supplies for the Chinese dairy industry. To explore the whey proteome of Xinong Saanen goat milk, we analyzed the whey proteins of goat colostrum and mature milk using proteomic techniques. We identified a total of 314 and 524 proteins in goat colostrum and mature milk, respectively. Our data showed the first 3 functional categories of signal, disulfide bond, and secreted in both milk types. The most abundant Gene Ontology annotations in both milks were the biological process of positive regulation of extracellular regulated protein kinases (ERK)1 and ERK2 cascade; the cellular component of extracellular exosome; and the molecular function of calcium ion binding. Goat colostrum whey proteins showed more disease-related pathways, and mature milk showed more pathways associated with metabolism. Moreover, we observed several pathways involved in intestinal mucosal immunity only in colostrum. Protein-protein interaction network and module analysis revealed that complement and coagulation cascades and Staphylococcus aureus infection were significant in the whey proteins of both milks, and carbon metabolism was more common for mature milk than for colostrum. These findings could provide useful information for the use of goat milk whey proteins in the Chinese dairy industry.

Characterization of the milk fat globule membrane proteome in colostrum and mature milk of Xinong Saanen goats.

Xinong Saanen goat milk is a major source of milk in the Chinese dairy industry. Milk fat globule membrane (MFGM) proteomes of goat colostrum and mature milk were analyzed and compared using proteomic technology. A total of 543 and 585 proteins were identified in goat colostrum and mature milk, respectively. Functional category analyses revealed that most of the MFGM proteins in both colostrum and mature milk were related to phosphoprotein and acetylation. The biological process of translation, cellular component of extracellular exosome, and molecular function of poly(A) RNA binding were the main gene ontology annotations of both colostrum and mature milk. Pathways associated with disease and genetic information processing involved large number of proteins in colostrum and mature milk, and more metabolism-related pathways were observed in mature milk. Protein-protein interaction network analyses showed that ribosome was abundant in both colostrum and mature milk. Colostrum showed more functions associated with protein processing in the endoplasmic reticulum, whereas mature milk had more oxidative phosphorylation functions. The results could provide further understanding of the unique biological properties of MFGM proteins of goat colostrum and mature milk.

Goat semen cryopreservation with rainbow trout seminal plasma supplemented lecithin-based extenders.

The objective of this study was to determine the optimum concentrations of rainbow trout seminal plasma (RTS) supplemented extenders for goat semen quality at post-thaw and after incubation. Five sexually mature Saanen goat (Capra aegagrus hircus) were used for semen collection. Pooled semen was diluted with soybean lecithin-based extender without RTS (control) or supplemented with different concentrations of RTS (1%, 2%, 4% or 8%), at a final concentration of 150 × 106 spermatozoon/ml. Sperm motility, plasma membrane functional integrity (HOST), damaged acrosome (PSA-FITC), mitochondrial activity (rhodamine123) and DNA integrity (TUNEL) were evaluated. Spermatological parameters were evaluated at post-thaw and after 6 hr incubation. RTS8 group preserved sperm motility, acrosomal integrity, plasma membrane functional integrity and mitochondrial function better than the control group (p < .05). The study demonstrated that RTS supplemented lecithin-based extenders have useful effects on goat spermatozoa. In addition, the results of the current study represented the positive effect of using 8% RTS supplemented extender.

Volatile Profile in Yogurt Obtained from Saanen Goats Fed with Olive Leaves.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the development of volatile compounds in yogurt samples obtained from goats fed a dietary supplementation with olive leaves (OL). For this purpose, thirty Saanen goats were divided into two homogeneous groups of 15 goats each: a control group that received a standard diet (CG) and an experimental group whose diet was supplemented with olive leaves (OLG). The trial lasted 28 days, at the end of which the milk of each group was collected and used for yogurt production. Immediately after production, and after 7 days of storage at 4 °C in the absence of light, the yogurt samples were characterized in terms of fatty acid profile, oxidative stability and volatile compounds by the solid-phase microextraction (SPME)-GC/MS technique. Dietary OL supplementation positively affected the fatty acid composition, inducing a significant increase in the relative proportion of unsaturated fatty acids, mainly oleic acid (C18:1 cis9) and linolenic acid (C18:3). With regard to the volatile profile, both in fresh and yogurt samples stored for 7 days, the OL supplementation induced an increase in free fatty acids, probably due to an increase in lipolysis carried out by microbial and endogenous milk enzymes. Specifically, the largest variations were found for C6, C7, C8 and C10 free fatty acids. In the same samples, a significant decrease in aldehydes, mainly heptanal and nonanal, was also detected, supporting-at least in part-an improvement in the oxidative stability. Moreover, alcohols, esters and ketones appeared lower in OLG samples, while no significant variations were observed for lactones. These findings suggest the positive role of dietary OL supplementation in the production of goats' milk yogurt, with characteristics potentially indicative of an improvement in nutritional properties and flavor.

Protein digestion properties of Xinong Saanen goat colostrum and mature milk using in vitro digestion model.

BACKGROUND: Xinong Saanen goat milk is a raw material for goat milk-based infant formula production. This study aims to analyze digestion properties of Xinong Saanen goat colostrum and mature milk by simulating infant gastrointestinal digestion. Zeta potential, particles size, protein profile and peptides composition of these two kinds of milk during the digestion process were studied. RESULTS: Zeta-potential values of the digested colostrum were lower than those of mature milk through the whole digestion. Absolute zeta potential of colostrum duodenal digestion samples showed a decrease from 16.63 ± 2.08 to 11.80 ± 2.03 mV while that of mature milk decreased sharply and then increased (P < 0.05). Colostrum had a larger particle size than mature milk and both milks showed decreased particle size with increasing digestion time but an increase for the last 30 min. Colostrum showed more high molecular weight (MW) proteins which cannot be hydrolyzed completely compared with mature milk. Digested peptides (< 10 kDa) were characterized using liquid chromatography combined with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). The casein-derived peptides identified in digested colostrum and mature milk accounted for 76.67% and 59.53%, respectively. ß-Casein was the most abundant in colostrum while that in mature milk was αs1 -casein. Enterotoxin-binding glycoprotein PP20K, butyrophilin subfamily 1 member A1 (BTN1A1) and perilipin (PLIN) were only detected in digested mature milk. CONCLUSION: Differences in digestion properties between goat colostrum and mature milk were mainly shown in duodenal digestion phase. Data may provide useful information about utilization of goat milk for infant formula formulation. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry.

Identification of bovine viral diarrhea virus infection in Saanen goats in the Republic of Korea.

Bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) is one of the most important viral pathogens of livestock and causes substantial economic losses to the livestock industry worldwide. BVDV is not necessarily species specific and is known to infect domesticated and wild ruminants. In the present study, BVDV infection was identified in two Saanen goats from one farm, and two different viral subtypes were found, BVDV-1a and BVDV-2a. Each isolate was closely related to cattle isolates identified in the Republic of Korea. The two sequences obtained in this study were not consistent with border disease virus (BDV). The incidence of BVDV in this farm apparently occurred in the absence of contact with cattle and may be associated with grazing. This study demonstrates that BVDV infection may be possible to transmit among goats without exposure to cattle. Therefore, this result indicates that Saanen goats may act as natural reservoirs for BVDV. This is the first report of BVDV-1a infection in a Saanen goat.

Effects of Weaning and Spatial Enrichment on Behavior of Turkish Saanen Goat Kids.

As is in all economic activities, the highest yield per unit area is the main goal in animal production, while addressing the temperamental needs of animals often is ignored. Animal welfare is not only an ethical fact; it also has an economic value. Spatial environmental enrichment contributes positively to animal welfare by addressing their behavioral and mental requirements. The present study was conducted to determine the effects of weaning and spatial environmental arrangements on behaviors of goat-kids. Experimental groups were arranged in structured and unstructured spatial environments. Roughage feeder, semi-automatic concentrate feeder, bunk, bridge, and wood block were placed in the structured environment. No equipment was placed in the unstructured environment and paddock sides were enclosed with an iron sheet to prevent bipedal stance and to provide environmental isolation. In the study 10 male and 10 female Turkish Saanen goat kids were used in each group. Spatial environmental arrangements did not have significant impacts on the growth performance of kids (p>0.05). All objects in the structured group were accepted by the kids. Average use ratios of roughage feeder, semi-automatic concentrate feeder, bunk, bridge and wood block were observed as 19.3%, 14.0%, 12.6%, 3.8%, and 0.7%, respectively. There were significant differences between before- and after-weaning in use of all objects except for underneath bridge (p≤0.05). Concentrate feed consumption, locomotion, and resting behaviors in kids showed significant differences by structural group and growth period. Roughage consumption was similar between groups, while it differed by growth period (p≤0.05). Interaction frequency was significantly higher in structured group (p = 0.0023). Playing behavior significantly differentiated based on the growth period rather than on groups (p≤0.05). Playing behavior significantly decreased after weaning. Abnormal oral activity was significantly higher in the structured group before weaning (p≤0.05). Despite there being no installations facilitating climbing and bipedal stance, the kids of the unstructured group were able to exhibit 1/3 as much bipedal stance behavior as the kids of the structured group through leaning over slippery paddock wall or over their groupmates. Bipedal stance behavior of unstructured group was similar before and after weaning, while bipedal stance behavior before weaning was about 2 times that of after weaning in structured group. It was concluded that unstructured environmental arrangement limited the behavior repertoire of the goat kids.

Plasma disposition and faecal excretion of eprinomectin following subcutaneous administration in Saanen and Alpine goats.

Eprinomectin is extensively used in veterinary medicine, particularly in the treatment of internal and external parasites in livestock, including goats. The pharmacokinetic behavior of eprinomectin in plasma and faeces was studied after a single subcutaneous administration in two different goat breeds at a dose of 0.2 mg/kg body weight. The study was conducted on one-year-old female Saanen (n = 8) and Alpine (n = 8) goats in a parallel design. There were no significant differences between Saanen and Alpine goats on the peak plasma concentration (Cmax, 28.59 ± 7.46 ng/mL vs. 37.69 ± 14.89 ng/mL), area under the curve (AUC0-∞, 93.08 ± 11.66 ng.d/mL vs. 116.98 ± 48.36 ng.d/mL), area under the first moment curve (AUMC0-∞, 311.05 ± 67.23 ng.d2/mL vs. 348.25 ± 202.64 ng.d2/mL) and mean residence time (MRT, 3.24 ± 0.77 d vs. 2.74 ± 0.64 d) values. The plasma terminal half-life and the time to reach peak plasma concentration were significantly higher in Saanen goats (T1/2λz, 2.18 ± 0.43 d; Tmax, 1.21 ± 0.25 d) than in Alpine goats (T1/2λz, 1.66 ± 0.41 d; Tmax, 0.79 ± 0.25 d). The results revealed that the plasma concentration of eprinomectin did not differ depending on the breed in Saanen and Alpine goats. However, it was determined that the eprinomectin clearance from the body may vary depending on the breed in goats. The faecal eprinomectin concentration of Saanen and Alpine goats was 90 and 80 times higher than the plasma eprinomectin concentration, respectively. Although high faecal excretion of eprinomectin confers a high efficacy advantage against parasites in the gastrointestinal tract, it may pose an ecotoxicological risk to manure fauna and aquatic organisms with high susceptibility to this compound.

Evaluation of radiological and anatomical features of skull bones in adult Saanen goat.

BACKGROUND: Obtaining accurate knowledge of the anatomical structure of the skull helps in ontogenetic studies and determining sexual polymorphisms. OBJECTIVES: This study uses anatomical dissection and radiography to develop a size standard for the skull of the Saanen goat; information that will be applied to clinical evaluation and decision-making. METHODS: A total of 14 adult Saanen goat skulls (7 male and 7 female goats) were taken from the slaughterhouse and transferred to the clinic of the Faculty of Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital, Urmia University, Urmia, Iran. Radiographs of each skull were prepared in the dorsal-ventral, left and right lateral recumbency. These heads were then brought over to the anatomy department, where the chosen morphometric traits were assessed and their means recorded. RESULTS: According to the findings of this study, the dorsal view of the skull revealed an incisive raphe and a widespread foramen of the nose. In the ventral view, the incisive bones were observed in the most cranial region of the skull. The base of the occipital bone was relatively large, and the jugular process was well-developed. In the lateral view, the incisive bone was extended to the cranial and had a narrow process on the dorsal surface. Regarding infra-orbital foramen, it was visible in the maxillary bone. Moreover, the lacrimal bone was perceived as a distinct bone. CONCLUSION: The precise standards acquired in this study can be utilized to interpret the findings and make clinical decisions about the normal and abnormal size of the bones that make up the skulls of the Saanen goats.