Earticle

In order to generate transgenic goats expressing human growth hormone (hGH) in their mammary glands, goat β-casein/hGH hybrid gene was introduced into goat zygotes by pronuclear microinjection. DNA-injected embryos were transferred to the oviduct of recipients at 2-cell stage or to the uterus at morula/blastocyst stage after cultivation in glutathione-supplemented mSOF medium in vitro. Pregnancy and survival rate were not significantly different between 2-cell embryos and morula/blastocysts transferred to oviduct and uterus, respectively. One transgenic female goat was generated from 153 embryos survived from DNA injection. Southern blot analysis revealed that the transgenic goat harbored single-copy transgene with a partial deletion in its sequences. Despite of the partial sequence deletion, the transgene was successfully expressed hGH at the level of 72.1±15.1 μg/ml in milk throughout lactation period, suggesting that the sequence deletion had occurred in non-essential part of the transgene for the transgene expression. Unfortunately, however, the transgene was not transmitted to her offspring during three successive breeding seasons. These results demonstrated that goat β-casein/hGH gene was integrated into the transgenic goat genome in a mosaic fashion with a partial sequence deletion, which could result in a low level expression of hGH and a failure of transgene transmission.

Depletion of endogenous germ cells in the recipient model is the key process for successful SSC transplantation. The main objectives of this study are 1) to evaluate the effect of local irradiation or testicular infusion of 70% glycerin on depletion of germ cells, 2) to evaluate germ cell transplantation in the goat testes using ultrasound guided rete-testis transplantation technique. The testes of two recipient goats were treated with irradiation with does of 10 or 15 Gy, respectively. Testicular tissue biopsy was performed to analyze patterns of spermatogenesis at 6 weeks after treatment. Fifteen milliters of 70% glycerin was infused into the core of each testes at 1 cc/min. After 4 weeks, germ cells (500×106) stained with PKH-26 dye were transplanted using ultrasound guided rete testis injection technique. Testes were castrated at 2 weeks after transplantation and seminiferous tubules were isolated to monitor the presence of PKH-26 positive germ cells. Spermatogenesis patterns in cross section of seminiferous tubules at each dose of 10 and 15 Gy were categorized and quantified as following; normal (5.1 and 25.3%), Sertoli cell only (35.3 and 11.3%), and destroyed (59.4 and 63.3%). However, abnomal testicular tissue condition was noticed; tissue was not as firm as normal testes as well as effusion was evidenced. The testes treated with 70% glycerin also showed 3 different patterns of normal (19.6%), destroyed (72.8%), and Sertoli cell only (7.6%). In this testis, the severe inflammation area was evidenced. Germ cells stained with PKH-26 were successfully identified within seminiferous tubules. In conclusion, the local radiation and testicular infusion of 70% glycerin are not ideal method for the depletion of endogenous germ cells in the goat testes. The ultrasound guided rete-testis transplantation technique can be utilized.

The nutrient balances originated from livestock manure in Korea has not being include minor livestock species (e.g., horse, deer, and goat) since their manure excretion unit (MEU), nutrient excretion unit (NEU), and nutrient loading coefficient (NLC) are not known yet. In the present research work, the primary focus had laid therefore on securing domestic MEU for the specified minor livestock species which provides the basis for the computation of NEU and NLC. Moreover, the nutrient potential and economic value of composted manure from minor livestock was assessed on the basis of contents in the inorganic fertilizers such as Urea, (46% N) and Fused superphosphate (20% phosphorus pentoxide). The obtained MEU was found to be 10.52±5.48, 4.07±1.69, and 0.843±0.1 kg/head/day for horse, deer, and goat, respectively. In addition, the measured NLCs of horse, deer, and goat were [N, 0.7; P, 0.9], [N, 0.7; P, 0.6] (Both deer and goat were the same.), respectively. Consequently, the horse, deer, and goat manure have a potential of 3,840.1 ton N/year and 9,390.2 ton P/year as an inorganic fertilizer of urea and fused superphosphate. These findings may facilitate the development of more accurate nutrient budget taking into account both major and minor livestock and improve the manure management measures for land application.

This study aimed to investigate the effect of Liriope platyphylla and organic acids on enteric methane mitigation in goats using an open-circuit simplified respiration chamber system. Methane recovery was evaluated by injecting 3% standard methane gas for 30 min at 3 L/min. The percentage of methane recovery from the four chambers was 99±5.4%. Following the recovery test, an animal experiment was conducted using eight castrated Boer goats (body weight 46.6±7.77 kg) using a 2×2 crossover design. Experimental diets were as follows: 1) Control (CON), commercial concentrate and tall fescue, and 2) Treatment (MIX), concentrate supplemented with L. platyphylla and organic acids and tall fescue. Goats were offered feed at 2% of body weight (dry matter basis) in equal portions twice daily at 8:00 and 15:30. The goats were adapted to the feed and methane chamber for 10 and 3 days, respectively. Methane emission was measured one day per goat using tunable diode laser absorption spectroscopy, and temperature and airflow measurements were used to estimate methane emissions. Dry matter intake (DMI), body weight, and methane emission were measured during each period. Methane production with CON and MIX was 24.48 and 22.68 g/d, respectively, and 26.81 and 24.83 g/kg DMI, respectively. Although the differences were not significant, the use of supplements resulted in a numerical reduction in methane in MIX compared with CON. Collaboration with experts in other areas, including various engineering departments, is imperative to measure methane emissions using a chamber system accurately.

Elderly people avoid eating red meat and dried meat product due to its texture and stiffness; they deprive them of rich sources of nutrients. In addition, food-related diseases are exponentially increasing due to using synthetic additives in food products. Therefore, this research aimed to develop semi-dried goat meat jerky considering geriatric preferences by using natural tenderizers and nitrate. Four treatments were formulated negative control (NC [synthetic nitrite without tenderizers]), positive control (PC [Swiss chard without tenderizers]), T1 (Swiss chard with pineapple powder), and T2 (Swiss chard with pineapple and tomato powder). T1 and T2 had higher processing yield, and rehydration capacity compared with NC and PC. The fat content of T1 and T2 was lower than the control groups. Moisture was significantly higher in T1, NC, and T2 than in PC (p < 0.05). T2 showed the lowest water activity (0.87), lowest shear force (4.82 kgf), and lowest total plate count (TPC). The lowest pH and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) were observed in T1 and T2. T1 showed the lowest lightness and the maximum redness (p < 0.05) while PC showed the lowest yellowness. During the storage period, moisture and pH decreased, and TPC and TBARS significantly increased whereas water activity is stable regardless of the treatment. The results of the myofibrillar fragmentation index (MFI) and sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel revealed that T1 and T2 more effectively converted protein to polypeptides. In addition, tenderizers positively affected thrombogenicity, atherogenicity, and hypocholesterolemic/hypercholesterolemic indices. T2 observed the highest overall sensory acceptance by reducing goaty flavor. Overall, jerky treated with tenderizers is easily chewable and digestible for the elderly due to its tenderness and essential fatty acids that would be senior-friendly food.

Presently, there is an increased demand for livestock products all over the world which has led to more devotion on improving livestock population. Although goats have been bred for a long time in Korea, but there is not much research conducted on traditional Korean black goat (Capra hircus coreanae) compared to other livestock populations. Mutton consumption has been dramatically changing from medicinal use to edible meat and this trend directs the black goat populations declining and also mutton import quantities are increasing consistently. The present study introduced a new estrus synchronizing technique with subsequent artificial insemination (AI) for Korean black goats to enable crossbreeding with non-native breeds for the small or subsistent farmers. Our data highlighted that, the percentage of motile sperm from the electro-ejaculated samples declined significantly after freezing and melting. In addition, the sperm motility significantly declined with regard to sperm incubation period (0, 5, 60, and 120 min at 37℃) and was negatively correlated (64.2 ± 7.9%, 63.3 ± 5.8%, 49.9 ± 6.3%, and 35.9 ± 7.6%, respectively) in frozen-thawed sperm samples. Moreover, the E2 levels were unchanged even 24 h after controlled internal drug releas (CIDR) withdrawal. But, 48 h and 72 h after CIDR removal, E2 levels increased significantly. These data helps us to consider the two time points for AI; CIDR removal after 24 h, at which E2 decreases, and after 48 h, as the time at which progesterone increases. Additionally, the AI after 48 h of CIDR removal group exhibited significantly higher pregnancy and parturition rates (42.9%) compared to AI after 24 h after CIDR removal 28.6% group. In conclusion, these studies will propose an optimal estrus synchronisation process with subsequent timing of AI and also will promote the Korean black goat breeding industry.

The blood-epididymis barrier (BEB) forms a unique microenvironment that is crucial for the maturation, protection, transport, and storage of spermatozoa in the epididymis. To characterize the function of tight junctions (TJs), which are constitutive components of the BEB, we determined the expression and localization of TJ proteins such as zonula occludens (ZO)-1, 2, and 3, occludin, and claudin3 (Cldn3) during postnatal development in the goat epididymis. To assess the expression patterns of TJ proteins in immature (3 months of age) and mature (14 months of age) goat epididymides, two different experimental methods were used including immunofluorescence labeling and western blotting. We show that, ZO-1, 2, and 3, and occludin, were strictly expressed and localized to the TJs of the goat epididymis, whereas Cldn3 was present in basolateral membranes as well as TJs. All TJ proteins examined were more highly expressed in the immature epididymis compared to levels in mature tissue. In conclusion, our study indicates that at least five TJ proteins, namely ZO-1, ZO-2, ZO-3, occludin, and Cldn3, are present in TJs, and the expression strength and pattern of TJ proteins tend to be age dependent in the goat epididymis. Together, these data suggest that the distinct expression patterns of TJ proteins are essential for regulating components of the luminal contents in the epididymal epithelium and for forming adequate luminal conditions that are necessary for the maturation, protection, transport, and storage of spermatozoa in the goat epididymis.

Background: The physiologic characteristics of the cashmere trait and many of the differentially expressed genes relevant to hair cycling have been extensively studied, whereas genes involved in the prenatal development of hair follicles have been poorly investigated in cashmere goats. The aim of this study, therefore, was to quantify the time-course changes in the expressions of TRα and CRABPII genes in the fetal skin of Chinese cashmere goats at the multiple embryonic days (E70, E75, E80, E90, E100, E120 and E130) using real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR). Results: RT-qPCR showed that TRα was expressed at E70 with relatively high level and then slightly decreased (E75, E80, and E90). The highest expression of TRα mRNA was revealed at E130 (P > 0.05). The expression pattern of CRABPII mRNA showed an ‘up-down-up’ trend, which revealed a significantly highest expression at E75 (P < 0.05) and was down-regulated during E80 to E120 (P < 0.05) and mildly increased at E130, subsequently. Conclusion: This study demonstrated that TRα and CRABPII genes expressed in different levels during prenatal development of cashmere. The present study will be helpful to provide the comprehensive understanding of TRα and CRABPII genes expressions during cashmere formation and lay the ground for further studies on their roles in regulation of cashmere growth in goats.

The supplementation effects of sea tangle powders were determined for the meat quality in Korean native black goats. A total 90 castrated male black goats at 3-month age were divided into 3 dietary treatment groups: control (basal diet + mineral block), T1 (0.3% sea tangle feeding with the basal diet), T2 (0.9% sea tangle feeding with the basal diet). At 9-months feeding, 10 goats per treatment group were slaughtered, and the longissimus dorsi muscle samples were vacuum-packed, and subsequently analyzed for physicochemical evaluations. Analysis revealed decrease in the shear force and TBARS values of meat in the sea tangle dietary groups (p < 0.05). The T2 group exhibited increased levels of unsaturated fatty acids such as C16:1, C18:1, C18:2, and C20:4 (p < 0.05). The content of free amino acids with desirable taste such as aspartic acid, glutamic acid, glycine, histidine, and serine were higher in T2, whereas alanine content was higher in both sea tangle dietary groups, as compared to control (p < 0.05). These data indicate that feeding dietary sea tangle as an alternative mineral source results in an improvement in the physicochemical profiles of goat meat.

Mohair, an important source of fiber, is only obtained from Angora goats. The important characteristics that determine the economic value of mohair are fiber diameter and quantity. In countries where mohair is produced, efforts are made to improve these characteristics. It is stated that hair follicle characteristics and/or genetic regulation mechanisms that form animal fibers directly affect fiber production and quality. In this study, it was aimed to determine the genes affecting mohair development in two varieties of Angora goat and the molecular mechanisms affecting these genes. The biopsy samples were collected during three distinct phases of the hair growth cycle: anagen (active growth, September), catagen (transition, January), and telogen (resting, March). The specific timing and location of the biopsies suggest a potential influence of seasonality or a controlled experimental design. RNA was isolated from these biopsy samples, and differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and the pathways affected by these genes were evaluated using the RNA sequencing method. It has been observed that the expression of KRTAP8-1, KRTAP16.4, and KRTAP21-1 genes was quite high in the group in which catagen and telogen phases were compared in Eskisehir variety females. Interestingly, the KRTAP21-1 gene was found to be expressed in four different protein isoforms. Interestingly, the analysis revealed a cluster of keratin-associated protein genes (KRT40, KRT72, KRTAP10) solely differentially expressed (DE) in the male Eskisehir versus Lalahan comparison. This suggests potential sex-specific regulatory mechanisms involving keratinocyte differentiation during the catagen phase, which might be unique to the Eskisehir variety. In the Eskisehir variety, unlike the Lalahan variety, DEGs identified in the anagen-catagen comparison in males were significantly enriched in the Reactome mediated keratinization pathway, and these genes were down regulated. The results showed that KRT and KRTAP genes are highly functional and have different expression patterns between males and females, in addition to being different between the Eskisehir and Lalahan varieties. This study provides valuable insights into the genetic regulation of mohair development, potentially paving the way for targeted breeding strategies to improve mohair quality and production.

This study examined the effects of different wet-aging times on the physicochemical characteristics and microbial profile of longissimus lumborum (LL) and biceps femoris (BF) muscles from Korean native black goat (KNBG) meat. The water holding capacity (WHC), pH, cooking loss, shear force, meat color, free amino acid, total bacteria, and coliform count of KNGB meat were analyzed at 0, 5, 10, and 15 days of wet-aging at 4℃ under vacuum packaging. The results showed that different wet-aging times led to significant pH variations between the muscles throughout the aging period. The wet-aging time did not affect the WHC and cooking loss in meat from the LL muscle. In the BF muscle, however, meat wet-aged for five days had a significantly higher WHC and less cooking loss than meat aged for 0, 10, and 15 days. The meat from the LL muscle wet-aged for five days produced tenderer meat (low shear force value) than the unaged meat (p < 0.05). Moreover, the color was similar in the LL muscle regardless of the number of aging days. In the BF muscle, the redness (a*) was higher in the meat wet-aged for 15 days compared to that aged for 0, 5, and 10 days (p < 0.05). Regardless of the muscles, an increase in wet-aging time led to an increase in the total free amino acids contents in both muscles (p < 0.05). On the other hand, the tasty/bitter amino acid ratio was significantly higher for five days of wet-aged meat than 10 and 15 days of aging from the BF muscle. In addition, regardless of the muscles, the total bacteria and coliform counts were significantly lower for five days of wet-aged meat than 10 and 15 days of aging (p < 0.05). Therefore, chevon wet-aged for five days is an optimal aging period under vacuum packaging that fortifies meat quality with a minimal microbial negative defect.

Background: Despite the widespread use of dexamethasone in veterinary and human medicine, it is reported to cause some severe pregnancy related side effects like abortion in some animals. The mechanism of the response is not clear but seems to be related to interspecies and/or breed difference in response which may involve alterations in the concentrations of some reproductive hormones. Methods: Twenty Sahel goats comprising 18 does and 2 bucks were used for this study. Pregnancies were achieved by natural mating after synchronization. Repeated dexamethasone injections were given at 0.25 mg/kg body weight. Blood samples were collected biweekly for hormonal assay. Uterine biopsies were harvested at days 28 and day 78 of gestation through caesarean section for immunohistochemical analysis using 3 pregnant does randomly selected from each group at each instant. Data were expressed as Means ± Standard Deviations and analyzed using statistical soft ware package, GraphPad Instant, version 3.0 (2003) and progesterone receptor (PR) were scored semi-quantitatively. Results: Dexamethasone treatments had no significant (p > 0.05) effect on progesterone and estrogen concentrations in pregnant Sahel goats but up regulated PR from 2+ to 3+ in second trimester. Conclusion: As dexamethasone adverse effect on placenta is an established fact, the lack of effect on progesterone level in this study may be due to the fact that unlike other species whose progesterone production during pregnancy is placenta ? dependent, in goats is corpus luteum - dependent. Consequently dexamethasone adverse effect on placenta reported in literatures did not influence progesterone levels during pregnancy in Sahel goat. The up regulation of progesterone receptor (PR) in Sahel goat gravid uterus is a beneficial effects and that dexamethasone can safely be used in corpus luteum ? dependent progesterone secreting pregnant animal species like Sahel goat and camel. Therefore source of progesterone secretions during pregnancy should be considered in clinical application of dexamethasone in pregnancy.

In a journey exploring the influence of two external zeitgebers and their interaction on the biophysiological and productive performance of goat kids exposed to heat stress, 15 healthy Aardi male kids (6 months of age and 22.56 ± 1.13 kg) individually housed in climatic chambers were allocated into three groups (5 kids/group). Kids in the first group (the control group, C) were placed under a normal light : dark (12L : 12D) cycle and fed in the morning. Kids in the second group (T1) were fed in the morning but placed under a reversed 12D : 12L cycle. Kids in the third group (T2) were placed under a reversed 12D : 12L cycle and fed in the evening. During the experimental period (~5 weeks), kids were exposed to a hot condition (as manifest by the temperature-humidity index) using a biometeorologically simulated environment with a daily ambient temperature cycle of 25℃ to 45℃, and multiple data (i.e., meteorology, biophysiology, and performance) were obtained. Reversing the lighting cycle alone (T1) and/ or the simultaneous shifting of both the lighting cycle and feeding time protocol (T2) under hot climatic conditions had no influence on body rectal and skin temperatures as well as plasma concentrations of albumin and glucose. Kids in both treatments showed (p < 0.05) higher coat temperature and respiratory rate as well as plasma concentrations of triacylglycerol compared to the C group kids. Moreover, it was clearly evident that kids in T2 had (p < 0.05) reduced kids daily feed intake (DFI), increased (p < 0.05) their average daily body gain (ADG), which subsequently had been reflected on having (p < 0.05) better feed conversion (FCR) compared to kids in other groups. Collectively, this would suggest that using such chrono-physiological management protocol had desynchronized the heat load emerging from the combined effects of both thermal stress and post-prandial metabolism. Compared to other protocols, our findings point out that simultaneous shifting of both lighting cycle and feeding time protocol might be suitable in enhancing the production performance of growing heat-stressed goats.

The present study was conducted in a goat farm for pregnancy diagnosis by using vaginal cytology and B-mode real time ultrasound using 5 MHz probe by transabdominal method. Seventeen pregnant does were used for this study. The objective of the study was to determine the earliest day of pregnancy and describe the chronological characteristics of pregnancy from day 22 to day 40 for vaginal cytology and day 25 to day 60 for ultrasonography of gestation. The differences among the average percentage of cell value in different age of pregnancy were significant (p < 0.05). The average percentage of intermediate cells (81.12%) was also significantly (p < 0.05) higher than superficial (9.41%), keratinized (7.10%) and neutrophil (2.61%) on 22-40th days of pregnancy. In case of real time B-mode ultrasonography, the gestational sac was observed only in three does out of seventeen (17.6 %) at 25-30 days whereas the placentomes and heart beat of the foetus were first detected at 31-35 days in six does (35.3%). The foetal leg buds were first visualized at 36-40 days in four does (23.5%) whereas the foetal vertebral column was first observed at 36-40 days of gestation in only three does (17.6%). In conclusion, vaginal cytology and trans-abdominal ultrasonography can be used for detection of early pregnancy in does.