Caprine Health Effect of Maintenance Diet Prebreeding on Subsequent Reproduction By Artificial Insemination in Alpine and Saanen Goats by L.A. Goonewardene, W. Whitmore, S. Jaeger, T,Borchert, E. Okine, O. Ashmawy and S. Emond |
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Several goat breeds have been developed and improved in Europe, SE Asia and Africa, and introduced to North America. Goats have been raised as pets and hobby animals in Alberta (Canada) for over 30 years, but their potential as a diversified species for milk and especially meat has only been recognized in recent years, due to significant changes in demographic profiles across Canada. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of two levels of prebreeding nutrition on reproduction in yearling does artificially inseminated (AI) by the intrauterine laparoscopic method. Forty-two does (Alpine = 22 and Saanen = 20 ) were randomly penned in groups of seven and fed one of two diets. The diets contained 3.2 Mcal DE/d (MAINT) and 3.5 Mcal DE/d (HIGH) which were 10 and 20% higher than the National Research Council recommendations for maintenance requirements. The does were on the two feed treatments for 8 weeks after which the MAINT group was switched to the HIGH group diet. A week later, they were fitted with Veramix® sponges to synchronize estrus. The sponges were removed from 22, 10 and 10 randomly picked does after 17, 22 and 23 days. All the does showed estrus within 48 h of removing the sponges. Previously frozen Alpine or Saanen semen (0.5 ml) was deposited in the uterus of does showing standing heat, after anaesthetizing them with Zylazine and Ketamine. Pure breeding was practised. All the does lost weight prior to breeding. Seventeen does (41%) conceived and kidded by AI while the rest returned to heat about 23 days later. A significant difference (P < 0.05) in kidding percentage was observed between the breeds (Alpine = 64% and Saanen = 16%) while kidding percentage between diets
What 'da ya mean...strange???? |
seven (41%) had singles, eight (47%) had twins, and one each had triplets and quadruplets. Average litter size (kids/doe kidding) by AI was 1.76. Although the does lost weight prior to breeding, this did not affect reproduction. These results indicate that NRC recommendations were not adequate to meet the nutrient requirements for maintenance and growth of pregnant does under Alberta winter conditions, although reproduction did not appear to be affected. Contact: Dr. Laki Goonewardene AAFRD 427-4545 Trait
Maint High Alpine Saanen Overall Gestation length
(d) 150+1 150+1 150+1 150+2 150+1 Birth
type Singles Twins Triplets Quads Kids born per doe kidding
(%) Average litter size
x Kids born per doe exposed
to AI (%) |
Table
1. Reproductive traits of does by diet and breed|
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