VIEIRA, Marieta Maria Martins. Fisiologia, comportamento e produção de leite em genótipos caprinos sob pastejo em modelos de produção irrigados no semiárido brasileiro. 2013. 92 f. Tese (doutorado em zootecnia)- Universidade Federal do Ceará, Fortaleza-CE, 2013. / Submitted by Elineudson Ribeiro (elineudsonr@gmail.com) on 2016-04-22T17:39:36Z No. of bitstreams: 1 2013_tese_mmmvieira.pdf: 1675409 bytes, checksum: 2a85e97ba9c494e83a6b8546e67b458a (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by José Jairo Viana de Sousa (jairo@ufc.br) on 2016-05-27T17:46:06Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 2013_tese_mmmvieira.pdf: 1675409 bytes, checksum: 2a85e97ba9c494e83a6b8546e67b458a (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-05-27T17:46:06Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 2013_tese_mmmvieira.pdf: 1675409 bytes, checksum: 2a85e97ba9c494e83a6b8546e67b458a (MD5) Previous issue date: 2013 / This study aimed to assess the impact of genotype (Anglo-nubian and Saanen), type of grass (tanzania grass and tifton-85), the same management (intensive, moderate and mild) and time of year (dry, transition and wet) on physiological parameters, behavior, production and physico-chemical characteristics of goat milk kept in pasture in the semiarid region of Northeast Brazil. We used thirty-six goats than twice a week (morning or afternoon) had collected their physiological data (temperature fur, rectal temperature, respiratory rate, heart rate and sweat rate). Three collections were made of animal fur (the fur coat thickness, length, diameter and density of the hair). Environmental variables were recorded to calculate the Enthalpy of Comfort Index Animal. Analyses of the blood count, as well as measurements of cortisol, thyroxine and triiodothyronine. These goats yet had their behavior evaluated twice during the season and were also collected data their production and physicochemical characteristics for milk three times a week. Data were expressed as mean and standard error and evaluated by ANOVA and the means were compared by Tukey test (P>0.05). Milk production was analyzed by regression over the lactation. It was observed that in the transition period (morning and afternoon) and rainy (late) values of temperature and humidity were crucial to keep the goats out of the thermal comfort zone. The temperature was higher pelt for Anglo-nubian (36.7 °C), while respiratory rate (73.6 breaths.min-1) and heart (93.0 beats.min-1), length (1,85 cm) and diameter of the hair (0.048 μM) were higher for the Saanen and may indicate a condition of acclimatization or adaptation. Feeding behavior has changed with the season. As for milk production, Anglo-nubian goats produces better grazing tifton-85 or under intensive management in tanzânia grass under management moderate or mild. Already Saanen produces better grazing tanzânia grass under intensive management or tifton-85 moderate or mild under management. Other evaluations remained within the normal range. We conclude that dairy goats in semiarid environment homeothermy and maintain their milk supply with adequate physicochemical characteristics. / Objetivou-se avaliar o impacto do genótipo caprino (Anglo-nubiana e Saanen), tipo de gramínea (capim-tanzânia e capim-tifton 85), manejo da mesma (intensivo, moderado e leve) e época do ano (seca, transição e chuvosa) sobre os parâmetros anatomo-fisiológicos, o comportamento, a produção e as características físico-químicas do leite de cabras mantidas em diferentes modelos de produção em pasto cultivado e irrigado, na região Semiárida do Nordeste Brasileiro. Foram utilizadas trinta e seis cabras, que duas vezes por semana (manhã ou tarde) tiveram coletados os seus dados fisiológicos (temperatura do pelame, temperatura retal, frequência respiratória, frequência cardíaca e taxa de sudorese). Foram feitas três coletas do pelame dos animais (espessura da capa do pelame, comprimento, densidade e diâmetro dos pêlos). As variáveis ambientais foram registradas para o cálculo do Índice Entalpia de Conforto dos animais. Foram realizadas análises do hemograma, assim como dosagens de cortisol, triiodotironina e tiroxina. Estas cabras ainda tiveram seu comportamento avaliado durante duas vezes por época do ano e também tiveram coletados os seus dados de produção e características físico-químicas do leite durante três vezes por semana. Os dados foram expressos em média e erro padrão e avaliados por ANOVA, sendo as médias comparadas pelo teste de Tukey (P<0,05). A produção de leite foi analisada por meio de regressão ao longo da lactação. Observou-se que na época de transição (manhã e tarde) e chuvosa (tarde) os valores de temperatura e umidade foram determinantes para manterem os caprinos fora da zona de conforto térmico. A temperatura do pelame foi maior para a Anglo-nubiana (36,7 °C); enquanto que a frequência respiratória (73,6 resp.min-1) e cardíaca (93,0 bat.min-1), comprimento (1,85 cm) e diâmetro dos pêlos (0,048 μm) foram mais elevadas para a Saanen, podendo indicar condição de aclimatização ou adaptação das mesmas. O comportamento ingestivo foi alterado com a época do ano. Quanto à produção de leite, a Anglo-nubiana produz melhor em pastagem de capim-tifton 85 sob manejo intensivo ou em capim-tanzânia sob manejo moderado ou leve. Já a Saanen produz melhor em pastagem de capim-tanzânia sob manejo intensivo ou em capim-tifton 85 sob manejo moderado ou leve. As demais avaliações se mantiveram dentro dos limites considerados normais. Conclui-se que cabras leiteiras em ambiente semiárido conseguem manter sua homeotermia e produção de leite com características físico-químicas adequadas.

Samples of excrements for parasitological investigation were obtained in two year period 2011 and 2012 on three sheep farms and two goat farms in South Bohemia (a farm conventional, an organic and converting to an organic farming system). A total of 400 samples were examined using four parasitological methods. Thirteen species of gastrointestinal nematodes and one species of Protozoa were recovered. In farms Coccidia Eimeria spp. was the most diagnosed. Results revealed that goats were 1,8 times more often infected with parasites than sheep (x2 = 6,274; d. f. = 1; p = 0, 00576; OR = 1,82). Animals younger 6 months were 3 times more often infected with Eimeria than older ones (x2 = 17,174; d. f. = 1; p = 0,00003; OR = 3,16). Goats were 11 times more often infected with parasites in winter than sheep (x2 = 5,8174; d. f. = 1; p = 0,0050; OR = 10,78). Goats were 2 times more often infected with lungworm infection than sheep (x2 = 8,407; d. f. = 1; p = 0,0019; OR = 1,99). A statistically significant difference in infectious contamination between conventional and an organic system bred animals was not discovered (x2 = 0,0145; d. f. = 1; p = 0,452; OR = 1,05).

Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-11T19:28:21Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2011-02-16Bitstream added on 2014-06-13T20:18:01Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 boaventuraneto_o_me_jabo.pdf: 214994 bytes, checksum: 5d85c477b6d5ce4ed1965af46a9008a1 (MD5) / Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP) / O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar o efeito do sexo na composição corporal e exigência de proteína para mantença e ganho, em caprinos Saanen na fase inicial de crescimento. Foram realizados dois experimentos, em que no primeiro utilizou-se 40 animais (14 machos não castrados, 14 machos castrados e 12 fêmeas) com peso inicial de 4,93 ± 0,1 kg de peso corporal (PC), para determinar a exigência de proteína para mantença. Os animais de cada sexo foram aleatoriamente distribuídos em 3 níveis de restrição (0, 25 e 50% de restrição). Os animais 25 e 50% de restrição foram abatidos quando os animais 0% de restrição atingiram 15 kg PC. No segundo experimento, considerou-se para a estimativa da composição do ganho os animais alimentados à vontade (abate inicial, intermediário e final - 0% restrição), em que 6 machos não castrados e 6 fêmeas foram abatidos no começo do experimento (5 kg), 6 machos não castrados, 6 machos castrados e 6 fêmeas foram abatidos com 10 kg PC (abate intermediário) e o restante foi distribuído em 3 grupos alimentados à vontade e abatido aos 15 kg PC. Foi utilizado o método direto para determinação da composição corporal e o método fatorial para estimativa das exigências de proteína. A quantidade de água, proteína e cinzas não diferiu entre os sexos e diminuiu em 1%, 62% e 17% com a mudança do PC de 5 para 15 kg respectivamente. Já em relação ao conteúdo de gordura, conforme o PC variou de 5 para 15 kg, os machos não castrados e machos castrados aumentaram de 54,6 para 88,17 g/kg PCV e as fêmeas aumentaram de 45,1 para 117,67 g/kg PCV. Não houve efeito do sexo sobre a exigência de proteína para mantença e nem para ganho de peso. A exigência de proteína líquida e metabolizável para ganho diminuiu à medida que o PC variou de 5 para 15 kg. Cabritos Saanen... / The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of sex on body composition and nutritional requirement of protein for maintenance and gain in Saanen goats at early growth stages. There were two different experiments, the first was used 40 animals (14 non-castrated males, 14 castrated males and 12 females) with initial weight of 4.93 ± 0.1 kg body weight (BW), to determine the protein requirement for maintenance. The animals of each sex were randomly divided into three levels of restriction (0%, 25% and 50% restriction). Animals with 25% and 50% restriction were slaughtered when the animals who were feed with 0% restriction reached 15 kg BW. In the second experiment to estimate the composition of the gain was used animals feed ad libitum (initial slaughter, intermediate and final - 0% restriction), in which 6 non-castrated males and 6 females were slaughtered at the beginning of the experiment, 6 non-castrated males, 6 castrated males and 6 females were slaughtered at 10 kg BW (intermediary slaughter) and the remainder distributed in three groups feed ad libitum. Was used the comparative slaughter technique for obtaining the body composition and the factorial method for estimating protein requirements. The amount of water, protein and ash decreased by 1%, 62% and 17% with the change of PC from 5 to 15 kg and did not differ between the sexes. In relation to fat, as the PC ranged from 5 to 15 kg, non-castrated males and castrated males increased from 54.6 to 88.17 g / kg EBW and females increased from 45.1 to 117.67 g / kg EBW. No effect of sex in the protein requirement for maintenance and for gain. The net requirement for protein and metabolizable gain decreased as the PC ranged from 5 to 15 kg. Saanen goats non-castrated males, castrated males and females at early growth stages (5 to 15 kg BW), have the same nutritional requirement of protein for maintenance and gain

Orientador: Heraldo Cesar Gonçalves / Banca: Roberto de Oliveira Roça / Banca: Mauro Sartori Bueno / Resumo: O rebanho efetivo caprino, assim como a produção de carne tem crescido no Brasil, devido a maior demanda por carnes com baixo teor de gordura. Pensando neste mercado crescente, este trabalho foi realizado com objetivo de avaliar o efeito do grupo racial e do sexo no desempenho e características biométricas de caprinos jovens confinados. Foram utilizados 91 animais de cinco grupos raciais (Alpinos - A, ½Boer + ½Alpino - ½BA, ½Anglo Nubiano + ½Alpino - ½ANA, ¾Boer + ¼Alpino - ¾BA, ½Anglo Nubiano + ¼Boer + ¼Alpino - TC), avaliados o peso ao nascimento (PN), o peso em jejum antes do abate (PJ), o ganho de peso total (GPtotal), o ganho de peso médio diário (GMDtotal) e idade ao abate (IDADEABA), mensurado o consumo dos animais por baia e calculada a eficiência alimentar. No dia anterior ao abate foi medida largura da maçã do peito (MAPE), altura na cernelha (ALTCE), escore corporal (ECC), e profundidade de tecido entre a 3ª e 4ª esternébras (3- 4ESTU) e do lombo entre a 12ª e 13ª costelas (PROFLOMU), por meio do ultra-som. Observou-se influência do grupo racial na MAPE, ECC e 3-4ESTU maiores para os ¾BA e ALTCE maior para os A. Foi observada influencia do sexo (P<0,05) para as características: ALTCE e 3-4ESTU maiores para os machos e ECC para as fêmeas. Não foram encontradas diferenças (P>0,05) para as demais características avaliadas. A eficiência alimentar para os grupos raciais durante todo o período experimental, para os machos e fêmeas respectivamente, foi de 0,278 e 0,231 para Alpinos, 0,281 e 0,242 para ½ANA, 0,304 e 0,270 para ½BA, 0,370 e 0,299 para ¾BA, 0,280 e 0,279 para os TC, sendo observada melhor eficiência alimentar para ¾BA (9,95) e ½BA machos (13,32). Os gastos com a alimentação representaram um custo de R$ 8,77; 8,54; 8,54; 8,98 e 8,38 por quilograma de carcaça produzida... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: The goat effective flock, as well as the meat production has been growing in Brazil, because of the larger demand for low fat meat. Thinking about this rising business, this work was accomplished with the objective of evaluating the effect of racial and gender groups on performance and biometrics traits of confined kid goats. For such study, 91 animals of five racial groups were used (Alpine - A, ½Boer + ½Alpine - ½BA, ½ Nubian + ½Alpine - ½ ANA, ¾Boer + ¼Alpine -¾BA, ½ Nubian + ¼Boer + ¼Alpino -TC). The birth weight (BW), fasting weight on slaughter (FW), total weight gain (TAG), average daily gain (ADG), slaughter age (SA), were evaluated. The total intake of animals by pen was measured and the feed efficiency was calculated. On the day before the slaughter, the cheek chest (CC), wither height (WT), body score (BS), and tissue depth between 3rd and 4th sternum bone (3-4THC) and loin depth between 12th and 13th rib (LH), were measured by ultrasound. It was observed racial group influence on CC, BS and 3-4THC, higher to ¾ BA and a higher WT for A. Gender influence was observed on the traits: WT and 3-4THC higher to males and BS to females. There were no observed difference (P>0.05) to other traits. The racial group feed efficiency, respectively for males and females, was of 0.278 and 0.231 to Alpine; 0.281 e 0.242 to ½ANA, 0,304 and 0.270 to ½BA, 0,370 and 0.299 to ¾BA, 0.280 and 0.279 to TC, being observed a better feed efficiency for males ¾BA (9,95) and ½BA (13,32). The expenses with feeding represent costs around R$ 8.77, 8.54, 8.54, 8.98 and 8.38 per kilogram of carcass produced by A, ½BA, ½ANA, ¾BA and TC, respectively demonstrating that the costs on the feedlot system are high, and should be reviewed by the producer and are only justified in cases where the remuneration is above these values. On the point... (Complete abstract click electronic access below) / Mestre

Orientador: Heraldo Cesar Gonçalves / Banca: Claudete Regina Alcalde / Banca: Paulo Roberto de Lima Meirelles / Resumo: Foram utilizadas 60 cabras (20 Alpina, 17 Anglo-Nubiana e 23 mestiças Boer), com peso corporal médio de 49,33±1,41kg, mantidas em pastagem de Panicum maximum cv. Tobiatã e suplementadas com dois níveis de concentrado: 300 (NS30) e 600 g/kg (NS60) das exigências diárias, avaliadas desde a pré-estação de monta, até, em média 110 dias de lactação. O controle leiteiro foi realizado a cada 14 dias, estimandose as características da curva de produção: tempo para atingir o pico (TP), produção no pico (PP) e produção de leite até 110 dias de lactação (PL); os constituintes: gordura, proteína, lactose, sólidos totais (ST), extrato seco desengordurado (ESD), nitrogênio uréico (NU) e contagem de células somáticas (CCS); além da prolificidade das cabras e o peso ao nascer dos cabritos. O grupo racial influenciou a curva de lactação, sendo que as Alpinas e Anglo-Nubianas apresentaram maior TP, PP e PL. Os teores de proteína, ST e ESD foram influenciados pelo grupo racial, tendo as mestiças Boer apresentado maiores teores. Os teores de gordura, lactose e o log da CCS foram influenciados pelo tratamento, sendo o NS30 com maiores valores, e pelo grupo racial, tendo as mestiças Boer apresentado maiores valores para teores de gordura e log da CCS, e as mestiças Boer e as Alpinas maiores valores para a lactose. O NU foi influenciado pelo estádio da lactação. A prolificidade e o peso ao nascer foram influenciados pelo grupo racial e tratamento, sendo que as Anglo-Nubianas e mestiças Boer do NS60 apresentaram melhores resultados. Os cabritos de partos simples tiveram maiores pesos ao nascer. A raça Anglo-Nubiana pode ser indicada para esse sistema de produção, por apresentar boa produção de leite e melhor condição corporal. A suplementação NS60 favoreceu o peso ao nascer e a prolificidade / Abstract: Were used 60 goats (20 Alpine breed, 17 Anglo-Nubian breed and 23 crossbred Boer), with average body weight of 49.33 ± 1.41 kg, kept on pasture of Panicum maximum cv. Tobiatã and supplemented with two levels of concentrated: 300 (NS30) and 600 g/kg (NS60) of the daily requirements in relation to dry matter intake, evaluated from pre-breeding season, average 110 days of lactation. The milk recording was realized every 14 days, estimating the characteristics of the production curve: time to peak (TP), peak production (PP) and milk production until 110 days of lactation (MP) the constituents: fat, protein, lactose, total solids (TS), dry extract defatted (DED), urea nitrogen (UN) and somatic cell count (SCC), and the prolificacy of the goats and the birth weight of the kids. The racial group influenced the lactation curve, and Alpine goats and Anglo-Nubian showed higher TP, PP and MP. The levels of protein, TS and DED were influenced by the racial group, and crossbred Boer presented the highest levels. The levels of fat, lactose and the SCC log were influenced by the treatment, and the NS30 with the highest values, and by the racial group, the crossbred Boer presented the highest values for fat and SCC log, and the crossbred Boer and Alpines had the highest values for lactose. The UN was influenced by the stage of lactation. The prolificacy and the birth weight were influenced by racial group and the treatment, being that the Anglo-Nubian and crossbred Boer from NS presented best results. The kids of single birth had superior birth weights. The Anglo-Nubian breed can be indicated for this production system, by presenting good milk production and body condition. Supplementation NS60 favored the birth weight and prolificacy / Mestre

Objetivou-se avaliar o impacto do genÃtipo caprino (Anglo-nubiana e Saanen), tipo de gramÃnea (capim-tanzÃnia e capim-tifton 85), manejo da mesma (intensivo, moderado e leve) e Ãpoca do ano (seca, transiÃÃo e chuvosa) sobre os parÃmetros anatomo-fisiolÃgicos, o comportamento, a produÃÃo e as caracterÃsticas fÃsico-quÃmicas do leite de cabras mantidas em diferentes modelos de produÃÃo em pasto cultivado e irrigado, na regiÃo SemiÃrida do Nordeste Brasileiro. Foram utilizadas trinta e seis cabras, que duas vezes por semana (manhà ou tarde) tiveram coletados os seus dados fisiolÃgicos (temperatura do pelame, temperatura retal, frequÃncia respiratÃria, frequÃncia cardÃaca e taxa de sudorese). Foram feitas trÃs coletas do pelame dos animais (espessura da capa do pelame, comprimento, densidade e diÃmetro dos pÃlos). As variÃveis ambientais foram registradas para o cÃlculo do Ãndice Entalpia de Conforto dos animais. Foram realizadas anÃlises do hemograma, assim como dosagens de cortisol, triiodotironina e tiroxina. Estas cabras ainda tiveram seu comportamento avaliado durante duas vezes por Ãpoca do ano e tambÃm tiveram coletados os seus dados de produÃÃo e caracterÃsticas fÃsico-quÃmicas do leite durante trÃs vezes por semana. Os dados foram expressos em mÃdia e erro padrÃo e avaliados por ANOVA, sendo as mÃdias comparadas pelo teste de Tukey (P<0,05). A produÃÃo de leite foi analisada por meio de regressÃo ao longo da lactaÃÃo. Observou-se que na Ãpoca de transiÃÃo (manhà e tarde) e chuvosa (tarde) os valores de temperatura e umidade foram determinantes para manterem os caprinos fora da zona de conforto tÃrmico. A temperatura do pelame foi maior para a Anglo-nubiana (36,7 ÂC); enquanto que a frequÃncia respiratÃria (73,6 resp.min-1) e cardÃaca (93,0 bat.min-1), comprimento (1,85 cm) e diÃmetro dos pÃlos (0,048 &#956;m) foram mais elevadas para a Saanen, podendo indicar condiÃÃo de aclimatizaÃÃo ou adaptaÃÃo das mesmas. O comportamento ingestivo foi alterado com a Ãpoca do ano. Quanto à produÃÃo de leite, a Anglo-nubiana produz melhor em pastagem de capim-tifton 85 sob manejo intensivo ou em capim-tanzÃnia sob manejo moderado ou leve. Jà a Saanen produz melhor em pastagem de capim-tanzÃnia sob manejo intensivo ou em capim-tifton 85 sob manejo moderado ou leve. As demais avaliaÃÃes se mantiveram dentro dos limites considerados normais. Conclui-se que cabras leiteiras em ambiente semiÃrido conseguem manter sua homeotermia e produÃÃo de leite com caracterÃsticas fÃsico-quÃmicas adequadas / This study aimed to assess the impact of genotype (Anglo-nubian and Saanen), type of grass (tanzania grass and tifton-85), the same management (intensive, moderate and mild) and time of year (dry, transition and wet) on physiological parameters, behavior, production and physico-chemical characteristics of goat milk kept in pasture in the semiarid region of Northeast Brazil. We used thirty-six goats than twice a week (morning or afternoon) had collected their physiological data (temperature fur, rectal temperature, respiratory rate, heart rate and sweat rate). Three collections were made of animal fur (the fur coat thickness, length, diameter and density of the hair). Environmental variables were recorded to calculate the Enthalpy of Comfort Index Animal. Analyses of the blood count, as well as measurements of cortisol, thyroxine and triiodothyronine. These goats yet had their behavior evaluated twice during the season and were also collected data their production and physicochemical characteristics for milk three times a week. Data were expressed as mean and standard error and evaluated by ANOVA and the means were compared by Tukey test (P>0.05). Milk production was analyzed by regression over the lactation. It was observed that in the transition period (morning and afternoon) and rainy (late) values of temperature and humidity were crucial to keep the goats out of the thermal comfort zone. The temperature was higher pelt for Anglo-nubian (36.7 ÂC), while respiratory rate (73.6 breaths.min-1) and heart (93.0 beats.min-1), length (1,85 cm) and diameter of the hair (0.048 &#956;M) were higher for the Saanen and may indicate a condition of acclimatization or adaptation. Feeding behavior has changed with the season. As for milk production, Anglo-nubian goats produces better grazing tifton-85 or under intensive management in tanzÃnia grass under management moderate or mild. Already Saanen produces better grazing tanzÃnia grass under intensive management or tifton-85 moderate or mild under management. Other evaluations remained within the normal range. We conclude that dairy goats in semiarid environment homeothermy and maintain their milk supply with adequate physicochemical characteristics.

South Africa is currently the world leader in mohair production and emphasis is placed on mohair traits to ensure the production of a high quality clip. Accurate and complete pedigree information is a prerequisite for accurate selection and estimation of breeding values that in turn can improve the traits associated with fleece quality and yield. South African Angora goats are farmed under extensive breeding conditions in relatively large herds. As a result breeders make use of mating systems that tend to limit accurate parentage recording. Incorporation of genetic parentage testing into the breeding plan can improve the accuracy of pedigree records and lead to increased selection accuracy. Microsatellite markers were evaluated for inclusion into a parentage verification panel, to be applied in the South African Angora goat population. The panel of 18 microsatellite markers was constructed, optimized and tested in 200 South African Angora goats. These goats represented different family structures, including candidate parents alone as well as known and candidate parents. The microsatellite markers were evaluated based on the number of alleles, allele frequency, PIC, HE, HO and CPE of each individual marker and as a panel. Four microsatellite markers were excluded from the panel based on their poor performance for the above mentioned parameters. The panel of 14 markers allowed a cost effective panel with the highest exclusion power. The CPE1 of the 14 microsatellite marker panel was 99.73%. The use of molecular parentage verification may aid Angora goat breeders in improving the accuracy of the parentage records of their animals. Copyright / Dissertation (MSc (Agric))--University of Pretoria, 2010. / Animal and Wildlife Sciences / MSc(Agric) / Unrestricted

The lack of falcilities for veterinary services, such as analytical laboratories, which are distant from the field and at immense distances are aggravated by the constraint of transporting and preserving the samples. A method where a certain amount of the urine sample is absorbed onto filter paper, but dried in the field and then sent to the laboratory (Dried Filter Paper Method, DFPM), has been used in human medicine, but never applied in the veterinary field. The practice of expressing various urinary minerals/electrolytes relative to till' concentration of creatinine has recently become generally accepted. A single sample obviates the need for collection of urine over a 24-hour period. Fractional excretion (FE) of minerals and electrolytes (which is the mineral or electrolyte to creatinine ratio), is a simple, inexpensive measurement and a reasonable indicator of the renal clearance of minerals/electrolytes, using a single urine sample. The investigation was divided into two phases, The first was conducted entirely in vitro, using simulated urine (artificial and goat urine) dried on filter paper, manipulated in various ways under laboratory conditions, and the second phase was conducted in vivo and in vitro, using urine (collected from water-deprived goats) dried on filter paper and manipulated in various ways under laboratory conditions. Determination of mineral/electrolyte to creatinine ratios using the dried filter paper method consisted of Impregnating a specific filter paper with a specific volume of artificial/goat urine, diluted in a specific eluent, and then analysed for the analytes (creatinine, phosphate, chloride, magnesium, calcium, sodium, and potassium). Due to the wide range of filter papers, which could have been used for the trial, it was necessary to run an experiment to identify the best for the purpose. The experiment used filter papers from :2 different brands (Whatman® and Scheicher&Schuel filter papers). The following filter paper were compared: Whatman® no 2, 3, 5, 6, 42, 43, 44, and 542 and 860, 593, 595. 597, 598 for Schleicher&Schuell (very high quality). There were few significant differences. Whatman filter paper number 6, was chosen, because of the constant and uniform mineral/electrolyte to creatinine ratios. The very high variability of urine mineral/electrolyte concentrations in ruminants, and the limited linearity range of routine analytical equipment, constrains the routine use of laboratory analysers in urine mineral and electrolyte assessment. One of the approaches is to use a diluent, with a particular mineral/electrolyte concentration near to the lower end of the linear/standardised range. Therefore, "mixing" a small volume of urine with the diluent will result in a final mineral/electrolyte concentration, that falls into a linear and controlled/standard range for the particular mineral and electrolyte. A diluent was tested and the results for analytes show a high interclass correlation (R1 >0.75) between the expected and the calculated values of this ratio. The stability of mineral/electrolyte to creatinine ratio (B/Cr) in artificial and goat urine specimens using the dried filter paper method stored at 2 different temperatures during ten days was also evaluated experimently. While it has been found that P/Cr ratio, Mg/Cr ratio, K/Cr ratio are stable for the 10 days, the Cl/Cr ratio, Ca/Cr ratio, and Na/Cr were found to be less stable during the same period of time. The average results do not differ significantly from the control in either the artificial urine or the goat urine. Experiments were conducted to evaluate the reproducibility of artificial urine and artificial urine diluted 1:5 to simulate reproducibility of mineral/electrolyte to creatinine ratios with higher and lower concentrations, respectively. The results indicate a relatively good reproducibility of the method, because the variation, as measured by standard deviation, is small relative to the mean, except for Cl/Cr ratio and Ca/Cr ratio, where the results presented showed a relatively low reproducibility. In theory, since ratios can be obtained, and should be unchanged by taking measurements at different dilutions even if the amount of specimen is unknown, there should be no need to absorb a fixed amount of urine onto the filter paper when urine is collected, using this method. However, there appear to be limits to this in reality, dilution of urine below a 1: 10 dilution and/or the volume impregnated onto the filter paper below 0.525 ml on Whatman® number 6 filter paper. An experiment with goats on the relationship between the influence of water deprivation on minerallelectrulvte to creatinine ratio over a period of time demonstrated that concentrations and excretion of electrolytes vary from animal to animal, but the mineral/electrolyte to creatinine ratios by DFPM hardly vary, even if the goat is deprived of water. Using goat urine to determe mineral/electrolyte to creatinine ratio with the dried filter paper method gives high interclass correlation for mineral/electrolyte to creatinine ratio between the control (fresh urine sample, preserved in freezer) and the dried filter paper method on goats given water ad libitum. Interclass correlation agreement for the two methods was R1 >0.75. On the basis of the results, the method is robust for use as a urine sample preservation and transportation method for the determination of mineral/electrolyte to creatinine ratio with an added advantage of not needing either preservative or refrigeration. / Dissertation (MSc (Veterinary Science))--University of Pretoria, 2000. / Companion Animal Clinical Studies / unrestricted

The physiological effects of etorphine, and etorphine combined with xylazine and etorphine combined with azaperone on respiratory and cardiovascular function were determined in. Boer goats. The goats were habituated to the experimental procedures allowing the determination of respiratory and cardiovascular function while the animals stood quietly at rest. This resulted in the physiological changes induced by the three immobilizing drugs being measured and compared with those obtained prior to the administration of the immobilizing drugs. The: effectiveness of diprenorphine and atipamezole in antagonising the physiological changes induced by the immobilizing drug treatments was also determined. All three immobilizing drug treatments depressed respiratory function resulting in a decrease in PaO2and an increase in PaCO2. Etorphine caused limited changes to these blood gases as a result of decreases in respiratory minute volume and alveolar minute ventilation caused by a fall in respiratory rate. The administration of etorphine / azaperone did not decrease the efficiency of respiration more significantly than when etorphine was administered on its own. Etorphine injected in combination with xylazine resulted in a severe decrease in respiratory function. The decrease in PaO2 and the increase in PaCO2 were much greater than the changes to these two blood gases following the administration of either etorphine or etorphine in combination with azaperone. Compared to etorphine administered on its own, etorphine combined with xylazine caused more significant decreases in tidal volume and alveolar minute ventilation, and more significant elevations in both physiological shunt fraction and percentage dead space ventilation. The administration of etorphine, etorphine / xylazine and etorphine / azaperone caused three different sets of changes to cardiovascular function. The injection of etorphine resulted in significant increases in both total peripheral resistance and systemic mean arterial blood pressure, and a significant decease in cardiac output. The administration of etorphine / xylazine resulted in a rapid and significant decrease in the systemic mean arterial blood pressure, followed by a decrease in cardiac output. The peripheral resistance remained unchanged. Etorphine / azaperone caused a progressive decline in the total peripheral resistance. As the cardiac output did not change significantly, the systemic mean arterial blood pressure fell progressively. The administration of etorphine resulted in a gradual and limited decrease in the oxygen consumption index. Following the injection of etorphine / xylazine a rapid and significant decrease in the oxygen consumption index resulted, which was significantly lower, when compared to the goats immobilized with etorphine, at 5 and 35 minutes PDA. The injection of etorphine / azaperone resulted in a gradual decrease in the oxygen consumption index which reached a minimum value at 35 minutes PDA. At this time, the oxygen consumption index due to etorphine / xylazine was not significantly different from the value due to etorphine / azaperone. Diprenorphine effectively reversed the respiratory and cardiovascular effects due to etorphine. The physiological changes induced by the administration of etorphine / xylazine were partially and temporarily antagonised by the administration of diprenorphine, it was only following the injection of atipamezole that they return to the values measured in the goats prior to immobilization. Diprenorphine effectively reversed the respiratory depression induced by etorphine / azaperone, however a mild acidosis persisted until the end of the trial period. The cardiac output and systemic mean blood pressure improved dramatically following the injection of diprenorphine but there was no immediate change in total peripheral resistance. / Dissertation (MMedVet)--University of Pretoria, 2010. / Animal and Wildlife Sciences / unrestricted

The first experiment of this study was aimed at investigating the factors affecting the feeding behaviour and plant species selection of 3 free ranging Tswana (mean weight ± 37 kg) and 3 Boer (mean weight ± 36 kg) goat does in the False Thornveld of the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa. The feeding behaviour and plant species selection was observed and recorded during winter (cold-dry season) and summer (hot-wet season). Observations included the following categories: browsing, grazing and non-feeding activities. Non-feeding activities (NFA) include separate recordings of walking, standing, lying and drinking. Results showed goats spent 21.9 %, 44.65 % and 33.3 % of their day on browsing, grazing and non-feeding activities. Grass was clearly the preferred feed for goats both in the cold-dry season (54 %) and the hot-wet season (76 %) while browse consumption was higher in the cold-dry season (46 %) and lower in the hot-wet season (24 %). Goats spent more time on NFA in the cold-dry season (68.8 %) than the hot-wet season (31.9 %). Though diurnal variations were observed for both breeds and seasons in terms of browsing and non-feeding activities, no diurnal variations were found between the breeds. Goats selected a wide spectrum of woody-plant species. A total of thirteen woody plant species were encountered and selected by goats in the range. Scutia myrtina was the most frequently consumed (29.9 %) woody plant species in the range followed by Rhus refracta (16.3 %), Grewia occidentalis (14.0 %), Olea africana (10.8 %). These four woody-plant species accounted for 71 % of the woody plant selection by goats. Significant differences (P<0.001) were found in percentage time spent selecting the different woody-plant species by goats. The frequency of woody-plant species selection was higher in the cold-dry season than the hot-wet season. Woodyplant selection was higher in the morning followed by the afternoon and lower during midday. Percentage time spent by goats selecting woody plant species decreased with advancing period of occupation of a grazing/browsing camp. Browse was the preferred feed when feed availability was high, but when feed availability declined, the goats decreased their frequency of woody-plant selection and more grass was eaten. The second experiment was aimed at determining and comparing the nutritive value of forages selected by the same free ranging goats. Three (3) Tswana and 3 Boer goats equipped with remote controlled fistula valves were studied. Fistula valve samples were collected for 15 minutes during the day at 6 different times. All extrusa samples were kept on ice in the field and then stored in a deep freeze prior to drying and milling. Each sample was freeze-dried and hand separated into bush (woody species) and grass components (including forbs). These samples were analysed for nitrogen (N), neutral detergent fibre (NDF), acid detergent fibre (ADF) and acid detergent lignin (ADL). The diets selected by the goats differed in CP (cold-dry season: 5.39 % ± 0.15 and hot-wet season 9.48 % ± 0.15; P=0.001), NDF (cold-dry season 48.09 % ± 1.02 and hot-wet season 53.76 % ± 1.02; P=0.001) and ADF (cold-dry season 34.32 % ± 0.72 and hot-wet season 37.50 % ± 0.72) between the seasons, but the ADF content showed no change (cold-dry season 18.01 % ± 0.52 and hot-wet season 19.49 % ± 0.52 P>0.05). Goats selected diets higher in CP, NDF and ADF during hot-wet season compared to cold-dry season. Generally, there were diurnal variations in the NDF (P=0.04), ADF (P=0.02) and ADL (P=0.01) contents of forages selected by goats. Nutrient content of selected diets decreased in quality with advancing period of occupation of a camp. Knowledge of the nutritive value of the diet as selected by these animals is of primary importance in estimating the productivity of any rangeland. The third experiment was aimed at determining in sacco dry matter (DM) and crude protein degradation of woody plant species incubated in the rumen of Tswana and Boer goats. The ruminal degradability of the three most selected woody plant species by goats during the cold-dry season (G. occodentalis, O. africana and S. myrtina) and the hot-wet season (A. karroo, R. refracta and S. myrtina), were measured in situ, using in sacco digestion techniques. The nylon bag incubation revealed large differences in the rumen degradability of DM of the three woody plant species during both cold-dry season and hot-wet season. Ruminal degradation constants (a, b and a+b and c) varied significantly (P<0.001) between breeds and between goats within a breed. Thus, no breed difference in in sacco degradation of DM and CP was found between Tswana and Boer goats. There was a strong positive correlation between DMD, CPD and time of incubation in the rumen. The crude protein content of the woody plant species positively influenced the rumen digestion of dry matter because when CP increased DMD also increased. Both species preference and degradability of plant species are needed to estimate range suitability for browsing animals. Results from this study will help to develop strategies to optimise range resources for sustainable animal production. In order to improve production, the constraints limiting success should be identified. Tswana goats might be a more favoured breed in semi-arid savannah because of their smaller body size, absolute nutrient requirement and better reproductive performance when compared to Boer goats. However, when forage availability is not a limiting factor, Boer goats might yield better returns for the investment since they are superior in meat production. / Thesis (PhD)--University of Pretoria, 2010. / Anatomy and Physiology / Unrestricted