Thesis (MA. Agricultural Management (Animal Production)) -- University of Limpopo, 2014. / Body measurements have been used in animals to estimate body weight especially in rural areas where scales are not readily available. The study was conducted in Sekhukhune District of the Limpopo province, South Africa where the goats between the ages of 20 and 30 months were used. Body weight and four morphological traits were taken on each goat in the morning before they were released for grazing in a total of 613 indigenous goats of both sexes (62 male and 551 female). Body weight was measured in kilogram (kg) using a balance scale, hip height and shoulder height measurement (cm) were done using a graduated measuring stick and the body length and heart girth were measured in centimetre (cm) using a tape rule. Means, standard deviations (SD) and coefficients of variation (CV) of body weight and morphological traits were calculated. Pair wise correlations among body weight and morphological traits were also determined and range from 0.81-0.91 for male and 0.72-0.89 for female goats, respectively and were significant (P<0.01). The direct effect of heart girth on body weight was the strongest in both sexes (path coefficient of 0.58 and 0.62 in males and females, respectively). Body length (males) and body length and hip height (females) also positively (P<0.05) influenced body weight. The direct effects of other linear type traits on body weight in both sexes were non-significant as revealed by t-test. These traits were indirectly realized mostly via heart girth. Thus, they were removed from the final regression equations to obtain much more simplified prediction models. The optimum multiple regression equation for male goats included heart girth and body length, In female goats, however, the v variables included in the final prediction model were heart girth, body length and shoulder height. The forecast indices obtained in this study could aid in weight estimation, selection and breeding programmes

Thesis (MSc)--Stellenbosch University, 2004. / Full text to be digitised and attached to bibliographic record. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Different synchronization and superovulation treatments were evaluated in the South African Boer goat (n = 367). Two progestagen implants, Synchro-Mate-B (SMB)/Crestar™ and Controlled Internal Drug Releases (CIDR), containing 3mg norgestomet and 0.33gm of natural progesterone, respectively, were used in the synchronization treatments. A luteolytic agent, Estrumate (Cloprostenol) 125)lg, was administered 12h before progestagen withdrawal. Synchronization treatment groups were: 1) 5MB x 1 (n = 123), one dose of 5MB for 13 to 17 days; 2) 5MB x 2 (n = 32), two doses of 5MB implanted for 10then 17 days; 3) CIDR x 1 (n = 187), one dose of CIDR; 4) CIDR x 2 (n = 25), two doses of CIDR, inserted for 9 to 17 days. On day 1 of the treatment, 0.5mg of estradiol cypionate (ECP) was administered to a group of randomly chosen goats (n = 112). Superovulation treatments consisted of Ovagen ™ or Embryo-STM. An additional single dose (300 UI) of Pregnant Mare Serum Gonadotropin (PMSG) was administered to a group of randomly chosen does. Superovulation treatment groups were: 1) OV alone (n = 147), Ovagen 9 mg every 12h, 8 times starting 72h prior to progestagen removal; 2) OV + PMSG (n = 164), same treatment as 1 plus 300 ru ofPMSG once 48h prior to progestagen removal; 3) E-S alone (n=16), Embryo-S 25 units twice a day, 8 times starting 72h before progestagen removal; 4) E-S + PMSG (n=40), same treatment as 3 plus 300 ru of PMSG once 48h prior to progestagen removal. Most does were naturally bred to bucks. Embryos were collected using the surgicallaparascopic procedure on day 6 and corpora lutea counted. Data were not normally distributed and therefore analyzed using a nonparametrie test (Wilcoxon, 1945 and Kruskal- Wallis, 1952) with outcome variable using the Mixed Procedure of SAS and the Tukey test. Differences were considered significant at p<0.05. Slightly more CL were on the left (52%) than on the right (48%) ovary. Superovulation treatment was significantly associated (p<O.OOl) while synchronization treatment was only marginally associated (p=0.06) with ovulation rate. Ovagen alone and Ovagen + PMSG were significantly more effective (p<0.05) than Embryo-S alone or Embryo-S + PMSG in influencing ovulation. Only synchronization treatment with 2 doses of CIDR was significantly more (p=0.04) effective in producing a high ovulation rate. Superovulation treatment was significantly (p=0.02) associated with the number of transferable embryos while synchronization treatment was not. Ovagen + PMSG was significantly (p=0.02) effective in producing more transferable embryos than Embryo-S + PMSG. Both superovulation and synchronization treatments were significantly (p<0.05) associated with producing unfertilized oocytes. Effectiveness of addition of ECP was shown in its association (p=0.05) with better quality embryos in univaraete analysis, though it did not have significant effect in the multivariate model. Though there was apparent advantage of CIDR over 5MB, no significant difference in ovulation rate or embryo quality was associated with synchronization treatments. Effectiveness of Ovagen over Embryo-S was demonstrated and addition ofPMSG improved embryo quality. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Verskillende sinkronisasie en multi-ovulasie behandelings is ge-evalueer in die Suid-Afrikaans Boerbok (n= 367). Twee progestagene, Synchro-Mate-B (SMB)/Crestar™ en Controlled Internal Drug Releases (CIDR), bevattende 3mg norgestomet en 0.33gm natuurlike progesteroon, respektiewelik, is gebruik tydens die sinkronisasiebehandelings. 'n Luteolitiese middel, Estrumate (Cloprostenol) 125J.lg, is toegedien 12 h voor progestageen verwydering. Sinkronisasie behandelings groepe was: 1) 5MB x 1 (n = 123), een dosis 5MB vir 13 tot 17 dae; 2) 5MB x 2 (n = 32), twee dosisse 5MB implante vir 10 tot 17 dae; 3) CIDR x 1 (n = 187), een CIDR vir die hele periode; 4) CIDR x 2 (n = 25), twee CIDRs, vir 9 tot 17 dae. Op dag 1 van die behandeling is 0.5mg estradiol cypionate (ECP) aan 'n willekeurige groep bokooie toegedien (n = 112). Multi-ovulasie behandelings het bestaan uit Ovagen™ of Embryo-S™. 'n Bykomstige dosis (300 UI) Dragtige Merrie Serum Gonadotrofien (PMSG) is toegedien aan 'n willekeurige groep ooie. Multi-ovulasie behandelingsgroepe was: 1) OV alleen (n = 147), Ovagen 9 mg elke 12h, 8 keer beginende 72 h voor progestageen verwydering; 2) OV + PMSG (n = 164), selfde behandeling as in (1) plus 300 IV PMSG eenmalig 48h voor progestageen verwydering; 3) E-S alleen (n=16), Embryo-S 25 eenhede tweemaal per dag, ag inspuitings beginende 72h voor progestageen verwydering; 4) E-S + PMSG (n=40), selfde behandeling as in (3) plus 300 IV PMSG eenmalig 48h voor progestageen verwydering. Die meerderheid ooie is natuurlik deur ramme gedek. Embrio's is gekollekteer deur gebruik te maak van die chirurgieslaparoskopiese metode op dag 6 en die aantal corpora lutea getel en aangeteken. Aangesien die data nie 'n eweredige verspreiding gehad het nie, is dit geanaliseer deur gebruik te maak van 'n nie-parametriese toets (Wilcoxon, 1945 en Kruskal-Wallis, 1952) met variërende uitkomste deur die Gemengde Prosedure Toets van SAS en die Tukey toets. Verskille is as beduidend aanvaar met 'n P-waarde van <0.05. Onbeduidend meer CLs is op die linker (52%) as op die regter (48%) ovarium opgemerk. Multi-ovuasie behandelings was beduidend geassosieer (p<0.001) met ovulasietempo, terwyl sinkronisasie behandelings net marginaal geassosieer was (p=0.06) met ovulasietempo. Ovagen alleen en Ovagen + PMSG was beduidend meer effektief (p<0.05) as Embryo-S alleen of Embryo-S + PMSG om ovulasie te beïnvloed. Slegs die sinkronisasie behandeling met 2 dosisse CIDR was beduidend meer (p=0.04) effektief om 'n hoër ovulasietempo te veroorsaak. Multi-ovulasie behandeling was beduidend geassosieer met die aantal oordraagbare embrio's, terwyl sinkronisasie nie dieselfde tendens gewys het nie. Ovagen + PMSG het beduidend meer (p=0.02) oordraagbare embrio's opgelewer as Embryo-S + PMSG. Beide multi-ovulasie en sinkronisasie behandelings was beduidend geassosieer (p<0.05) met onbevrugte oosiete. Die rol van die byvoeging van ECP is getoon in die assosiasie daarvan (p=0.05) met beter kwaliteit embrio's in 'n eenvariante analiese, alhoewel dit nie 'n beduidende effek op die multi-variante model gehad het nie. Alhoewel dit blyk dat CIDR 'n beter reaksie as 5MB gee, kon geen beduidende verskil in die ovulasietempo of embriokwaliteit opgewys word nie. Die groter effektiwiteit van Ovagen oor Embryo-S is gedemonstreer, terwyl die byvoeging van PMSG embriokwaliteit verbeter het.

No description available.

Thesis (MSc. (Veterinary Tropical Diseases Veterinary Science))--University of Pretoria, 2009. / Includes bibliographical references. Also available in print format.

In vitro production of embryos from oocytes recovered by laparoscopic oocyte pick-up (LOPU) offers great potential for the propagation of genetically valuable animals. In turn, the application of these techniques to prepubertal animals presents added benefits in that prepubertal animals may supply a greater number of oocytes than adult animals. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the developmental competence of prepubertal and adult goat oocytes cultured in semi-defined media. The follicular response and recovery of oocytes via LOPU from hormonally stimulated prepubertal and adult goats were also assessed. / Oocytes were collected over a 15-wk period from prepubertal goats, ranging in age between 3--7 mo, and adult controls, ranging in age between 2--4 yr, randomly divided into 10 collection groups. Oocytes from six of the ten collections were matured for 26 h. Four collections were not completed due to technical difficulties. Following insemination, zygotes were cultured for 4 d in G1.2 followed by 4 d in G2.2. Morulae and blastocysts were scored via light microscopy on Days 7 and 9, followed by fluorescent staining on Day 9 for cell counts. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)

Photocopy of typescript. / Digitized by Kansas Correctional Industries

Abstract Seventeen Boer goat does were used in this study to compare the effect of an intramuscular or subcutaneous route of administrating a superovulation treatment during the natural breeding season (autumn). The oestrous cycles of all does were synchronised for 17 days using CIDR dispensers and superovulated with pFSH administered in 7 dosages, at 12 h intervals—initiated 48 h prior to CIDR removal. Does were teased to test for the onset of oestrus at 8 h intervals, starting at CIDR removal. All does were cervically inseminated with fresh undiluted Boer goat semen at a fixed time (36 h and 48 h), following CIDR withdrawal. Embryos were surgically flushed on day 6 following the second AI, evaluated and classified according to their morphological appearance. The route of gonadotrophin (pFSH) administration had no effect on the response to oestrous synchronisation. The number of ovulations, structures and embryos recovered and fertilisation rate were also similar via both routes of gonadotrophin administration. The number of unfertilised ova per donor on the other hand, was significantly higher in does administered pFSH using the intramuscular (3.3±4.8), rather than the subcutaneous route (0.3±0.8). However, the number of degenerated embryos was higher when pFSH was administered subcutaneously (5.9±4.5), compared to intramuscularly (2.6±2.3). The overall number of transferable embryos was not affected by the route of gonadotrophin administration. The subcutaneous route of gonadotrophin administration led to a lower number of unfertilised ova, this beneficial effect was negated by an increase in the number of degenerate embryos—resulting in both routes of administration leading to a similar number of transferable embryos. Although no significant differences were found between subcutaneous and intramuscular routes of gonadotrophin administration regarding the number of transferable embryos, the subcutaneous route resulted in lower variances which may indicate a more predictable response.

No description available.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of orally administered ammonium chloride (NH4CL) on pH and specific gravity of urine, overall gain, and water consumption in mature wethers on a grower/finisher ration. Obstructive urolithiasis, or urinary calculi, is a common problem in sheep and goat production systems utilizing a high grain diet, particularly one high in magnesium. Maintaining animals on a 70 to 90% concentrate ration is most conducive to the formation of urinary calculi. Boer cross wethers (n = 24) were stratified by body weight and randomly assigned within strata to one of three treatment groups. Wethers were placed on a common diet containing 2% NH4Cl during the three week collection period. Treatment consisted of daily oral dosages of 0g NH4CL (CON), 5.85 g NH4CL (TRT 1), or 13.8g NH4CL (TRT 2). Urine collected from TRT2 tested more acidic on the second and fourth collections before coming back linear constant with both the control (CON) and TRT1 . There was no effect of treatment (P < 0.001) on specific gravity of urine. Weight gain was greater (P < 0.01) in TRT1 (4.15 kg) and TRT2 (4.48 kg) as compared to CON wethers (2.95 kg). Water consumption was the most variable of all investigated objectives; all groups began with a linear increase for the first 4 d. Treatment 2 (P < 0.001) then showed significant increase at collections 2 and 4. Treatment 1 stayed more linear with the control with minimal increases (P < 0.001) occurring at periods of more acidic urine. This study indicates that administration of NA4Cl had minimal effect on urine pH, water consumption, and overall gain, but no effect on specific gravity.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Queensland,2001. / Includes bibliographical references.