An Artemisia cina n-hexane extract reduces the Haemonchus contortus and Teladorsagia circumcincta fecal egg count in naturally infected periparturient goats.

The objective of this study was to evaluate an n-hexane extract of Artemisia cina (Acn-h) as a natural anthelmintic treatment for periparturient goats naturally infected with the nematodes Haemonchus contortus and Teladorsagia circumcincta. A total of 200 periparturient Alpine and Nubian goats were used. Deworming criteria were based on the following parameters: fecal egg account (epg), ocular mucosa color (OMC), and body condition (BC). A previous analysis using coprocultures of the flock revealed the presence of H. contortus (80%) and T. circumcincta (20%). The Acn-h contained two new compounds identified by mass spectrometry data as isoguaiacin and norisoguaiacin at 284.14 and 315 m/z. The lethal effects of Acn-h at 0.5, 1, 2, and 4 mg/mL on H. contortus adult stages were 31.6, 66.5, 81.3, and 86.9%, respectively (p < 0.05), showing similar efficacy at 2 and 4 mg/mL with albendazole (positive control group). Then, two experimental groups, with 100 goats in peripartum in each, were distributed randomly and treated at day 0 as follows: group 1 = 4 mg/kg of Acn-h as single oral dose, and group 2 = control group, treated with water (as a placebo). The epg, OMC, and BC parameters were recorded at 0 (periparturient period), 7 (birth period), and 23 (postpartum) days and analyzed using a completely randomized design with Duncan's test for comparison of means and analysis of variance. The following epg reductions were recorded in the Acn-h-treated group as follows: 20.1 ± 34.4 and 31.7 ± 38.2% at days 7 and 23 compared to the control group. During the whole experiment, no significant differences in OMC or BC were observed in relation to the control group, excepting at day 23 (p < 0.05) for BC in the group treated with A. cina. Thus, Acn-h can be a useful natural alternative tool for the control of the nematodes H. contortus and T. circumcincta in periparturient goat flocks.

Comparative Analysis of the Protein Composition of Goat Milk from French Alpine, Nubian, and Creole Breeds and Holstein Friesian Cow Milk: Implications for Early Infant Nutrition.

Of the diversity of proteins and high digestibility, goat milk will be a food of significant value for infant nutrition. The genetic polymorphisms of milk proteins play an essential role in the different degrees of allergic reactions. This work aimed to identify the proteins and peptides in the composition of goat milk and compare them to those in cow's milk. The work was performed with goats French Alpine, Nubian, and Creole breeds and Holstein Friesian milking cows at the Universidad Autónoma de Querétaro, Amazcala. We investigated the relative abundance of goat and cow milk protein fractions by SDS-PAGE resolution and the densitometric analysis of gels. The protein alfa-casein was (17.67 ± 0.46) for Creole, (19.18 ± 0.88) French Alpine, (17.35 ± 0.49) Nubian, and (35.92 ± 1.96) Holstein cows. The relative abundance obtained from alfa-casein was statistically different between goats and cows, and this protein was vital because it is a protein related to allergies. On the other hand, the amino acid in position 67 of the beta-casein from three goat breeds is a Proline, so it is assumed that the beta-casein variant of goat milk is an A2-type. The latter has excellent relevance for infant nutrition and differs from cow milk.

Morphostructural Characterization of the Black Creole Goat Raised in Central Mexico, a Currently Threatened Zoogenetic Resource.

In order to evaluate the morphostructural variability of the Black Creole goat (BCG), the present study was carried out in a population of 226 animals from eight localities and 14 morphometric variables were taken. Descriptive statistics for the variables were obtained and 10 of these presented variation coefficients of less than 10%. The degree of harmony in the morphology of the population was determined by the number of positive correlations with significant differences (p < 0.05), including a correlation test using Spearman's method. In order to reduce the matrix of variables, a principal components analysis was performed, and it was evaluated based on Kaiser's criteria (eigenvalue > 1). Finally, a hierarchical analysis of conglomerates using Ward's method was performed using the Euclidean distance to evaluate the distances among localities. Morphometric variables were also included to visualize the relationship among the localities and their average per variable. The results showed that the animals evaluated presented a certain degree of homogeneity and maintained a highly harmonic model. The BCG population showed a high aptitude for milk production, which confirmed the zootechnical purpose of the breed. The BCG populations evaluated maintain similar morphostructural profiles specific to them that can distinguish this population from other animal breeds.

Tolerability assessment of a lectin fraction from Tepary bean seeds (Phaseolus acutifolius) orally administered to rats.

Our previous studies have shown that a lectin rich fraction (TBLF) extracted from Tepary bean seeds differentially inhibits cancer cells proliferation in vitro. Before testing the in vivo anticancer effect, the acute and subchronic toxicological assays in rats were conducted, where an oral dose of 50 mg/body weight kg was determined as the NOAEL. This study evaluated the resistance to digestion and complete blood count (CBC) after 24 h of the orally administered 50 mg/kg TBLF. The digestion resistance test showed lectins activity retention after 72 h and the CBC study showed a high level of eosinophils, suggesting an allergic-like response. Tolerability was assayed after 6 weeks of treatment by dosing with an intragastric cannula every third day per week. It was observed a transient reduction in food intake and body weight in the first weeks, resulting in body weight gain reduction of 10% respect to the control group at the end of the study. Additionally, organs weight, histopathological analysis and blood markers for nutritional status and for liver, pancreas and renal function were not affected. Our results suggest that 50 mg/kg TBLF administered by oral route, exhibit no toxicity in rats and it was well tolerated. Further studies will focus on long-term studies.