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Research Projects
and Grants
Objectives: Objective 1: To study patterns of oxygen consumption and nutrient flux across the PDV and liver during different stages of pregnancy (early, mid and late) in goats with single or multiple fetuses consuming diets with three levels of poultry fat (0, 7, and 15%) at two levels of feeding (ad lib vs restricted). Objective 2: Determine the effects of dietary fat levels (0, 7, and 15%) on growth, body composition, GIT and liver mass and composition (DNA, RNA, and protein)in goat wethers slaughtered at different ages (120 vs 240 d after weaning). Objective 3: Determine net flux of oxygen and nutrients across the PDV and liver in growing goats consuming diets with 0, 7, and 15% poultry fat at two levels of feeding (ad lib vs restricted). Objective 4: Determine net flux of oxygen and nutrients across the PDV and liver in growing goats consuming diets containing 14, 16, and 18% crude protein for each level of dietary poultry fat (ad lib vs restricted).&& Approach: This project is designed to assess the effects of energy density and protein levels alone, or in combination, on body composition, gastrointestinal tract and liver characteristics, and to determine net flux of oxygen and nutrients across the portal-drained viscera (PDV)of various classes of goats. In experiment one, twenty four yearling does will be surgically fitted with chronic indwelling catheters in hepatic vein, portal vein, and a mesenteric vein and artery to assess the pattern of oxygen consumption and nutrient flux across the PDV and liver before and during different stages of pregnancy in goats, with single or multiple fetuses, fed diets with ncreasing energy density (0, 7, and 15%fat) at two levels of consumption (ad lib vs restricted). Uptake and (or) release of nutrients by the PDV and liver before breeding, and at 103, 82, 62, 39 19, and 6 days before and 15 days after parturition will be correlated with energy intake. In experiment two, thirty growing goats will be fed the three experimental diets as in experiment one. Body composition will be monitored at monthly intervals using an ultrasonic device, starting 30 days after the initiation of the experiment. Fifteen animals will be sacrificed at 120 and 240 d. At slaughter, splanchnic tissue samples will be collected for RNA, DNA and protein analyses. In the third and the fourth experiments, twelve growing (8 months old) goats will be fitted with catheters as in experiment 1 and fed the same 3 experimental diets to measure net flux of oxygen and nutrients across the PDV and liver. Experiments 5 through 10 will consist of diets containing three levels of protein (14, 16, and 18%) for each level of dietary fat (0, 7, 15%). These series of experiments will result in a much better understanding of protein, and energy requirements of goats for maintenance, growth, lactation, and pregnancy. 
HI All You Sable Breeders!!!! |
Nontech Summary: Feed accounts for more than 50% of production cost, hence the need to understand nutrient needs of small ruminants. Producers will be able to formulate economical but nutritious feeds for animals provided that their daily nutrient needs are known. This project examines the proportion of nutrient going into useful products like: milk, meat, etc. The purpose of this project is to understand the partitioning of protein and energy consumed by the animal into bodycomponents.
1. To determine the most efficacious strain and dose level of locally-isolated or commercially-available nematode-trapping fungi (Duddingtonia flagrans) against parasitic nematodes of goats. 2. To determine the potential of nematode-trapping fungi as a biological control agent for gastrointestinal nematodes (GINs) in goats in field trials. Approach: Objective 1. This work will involve isolation, identification, and culturing of an indigenous strain of Duddingtonia flagrans, and in vivo tests with this strain and commercially-available isolates to determine the optimum strain for controlling goat GINs in the Southeast. Objective 2. In this study, feeding nematode-trapping fungi to grazing goats will be compared with anthelmintic treatment for effects on goat GIN larvae survival on pasture, GIN burdens in the abomasum and small intestine, and goat performance under grazing.&& Nontech Summary: Goats are very susceptible to infection with internal parasites (worms), which can cause reduced productivity or death. Resistance of worms to anthelmintic drugs is a major problem. Alternative control methods are needed. This project will test the usefulness of a biological agent, nematode-trapping fungi, as an environmentally-friendly method of controlling parasitic worms in goats.
Mercy Owned by Klisse Goodey |
Assessement
of energy and protein requirements of different classes
of goats |
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