Characterization of XR_311113.2 as a MicroRNA Sponge for Pre-ovulatory Ovarian Follicles of Goats via Long Noncoding RNA Profile and Bioinformatics Analysis

Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) were identified recently as a large class of noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs) with a length ≥200 base pairs (bp). The function and mechanism of lncRNAs have been reported in a growing number of species and tissues. In contrast, the regulatory mechanism of lncRNAs in the goat reproductive system has rarely been reported. In the present study, we sequenced and analyzed the lncRNAs using bioinformatics to identify their expression profiles. As a result, 895 lncRNAs were predicted in the pre-ovulatory ovarian follicles of goats. Eighty-eight lncRNAs were differentially expressed in the Macheng black goat when compared with Boer goat. In addition, the lncRNA XR_311113.2 acted as a sponge of chi-miR-424-5p, as assessed via a luciferase activity assay. Taken together, our findings demonstrate that lncRNAs have potential effects in the ovarian follicles of goats and may represent a promising new research field to understand follicular development.

Southern African Large Frame Indigenous Veld Goat and Boer Goat Wether and Buck Tenderness and Colour of Six Muscles

Meat tenderness, water holding capacity (WHC) and colour attributes of six muscles (Longissimus thoracis et lumborum (LTL), Semimembranosus (SM), Biceps femoris (BF), Supraspinatus (SS), Infraspinatus (IS), Semitendinosus (ST)) from large frame Indigenous Veld Goats (IVG) and Boer Goats (BG) were studied. Weaner male Boer Goats (BG; n = 18; 10 bucks and 8 wethers) and large frame Indigenous Veld Goats (IVG; n = 19; 9 bucks and 10 wethers) were raised on hay and natural grass, and on a commercial pelleted diet to a live weight of 30 - 35 kg. All goats were slaughtered at a commercial abattoir and the dressed carcasses chilled at 4°C within 1-hour post-mortem. The muscles were dissected from both sides 24-hours post-mortem and aged for 1-day and 4-days. Variations in meat characteristics such as ultimate pH, WHC, percentage purge, myofibril fragment length, intramuscular fat, connective tissue characteristics, and Warner-Bratzler shear force. Bucks had higher L* and Hue-angle values, whereas wethers had increased a* and Chroma values. The muscle baseline-data will allow informed decisions to support muscle-specific marketing strategies, which may be used to improve consumer acceptability of chevon.

Effect of milking time, lactation stage and udder traits on milk yield of Red Sokoto and Boer goats in semi-arid, Nigeria

The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of milking time, lactation stage and udder traits on milk yield of Red Sokoto and Boer goats at the farm of Centre for Dry-land Agriculture, Bayero University Kano, Nigeria. The first evaluation of milk yield was done at early stage of lactation starting after day seven of kidding to exclude colostrum. Daily collection of milk samples followed in the morning and evening until 10 weeks of lactation. The weeks were divided into 3 stages of lactation as early, mid and late lactation stages. Milk samples were measured using a 100 mL measuring cylinder and later converted into grammes. The external udder measurements were taken in cm after seven days post kidding and fortnightly for the period of lactation. The result obtained shows significant difference (p<0.05) in the total morning milk yield between the goats. The total morning milk yield was higher (2642.00 ± 3.18 g) in the Boer goats than in the Red Sokoto (2371.50± 3.18 g). However, the average daily milk yield, total milk yield and total evening milk yield were not significantly (p>0.05) affected by the breeds of goat. Mean milk yield was significantly (p<0.05) influenced by stage of lactation and time of milking. The milk yield was significantly higher (98.91 g) in the late lactation while the least was obtained in the mid stage of lactation (65.44 g). Moreover, the morning milk yield was significantly higher than the evening milk yield. A significant interaction effect (p<0.05) of lactation stage and milking time was similarly observed. The results indicated that breed significantly (p<0.05) influenced most of the udder traits except UC, UW and TFD. Significantly (p<0.05) higher values of UL, UW, TC, RTL, LTL, CH and TFD were recorded in the Red Sokoto. Furthermore, the Boer goat breed had significantly higher values of NT, UC and DBT. Le but de l'étude était d'évaluer l'effet de la traite de traite, de la phase de lactation et des traits de la piste sur le rendement du lait de Red Sokoto et des chèvres de Boer à la ferme du Centre d'agriculture à sec, de l'Université Bayero Kano, du Nigéria. La première évaluation du rendement en lait a été effectuée à un stade précoce de l'allaitement à partir de sept jours de blague pour exclure le colostrum. La collecte quotidienne d'échantillons de lait a suivi le matin et le soir jusqu'à 10 semaines de lactation. Les semaines ont été divisées en 3 étapes de la lactation comme des étapes de début et de lactation tardive. Les échantillons de lait ont été mesurés à l'aide d'un cylindre de mesure de 100 ml et convertis ultérieurement en grammes. Les mensurations externes de la mamelle ont été prises en cm après sept jours après la mise bas et tous les quinze jours pendant la période de lactation. Le résultat obtenu présente une différence significative (p <0,05) dans le rendement le lait total du matin entre les chèvres. Le rendement au lait total du matin était plus élevé (2642,00 ± 3,18 g) dans les chèvres Boer que dans le Sokoto rouge (2371.50 ± 3,18 g). Cependant, le rendement quotidien moyen quotidien, le rendement total du lait et le rendement au lait total de la soirée n'étaient pas significativement (p> 0,05) affectés par les races de chèvre. Le rendement en lait moyen était significativement (p <0,05) influencé par la phase de lactation et du temps de traite. Le rendement en lait était significativement plus élevé (98,91 g) à la fin de la lactation, tandis que le moindre a été obtenu au stade moyen de la lactation (65,44 g). De plus, le rendement au lait du matin était nettement supérieur au rendement le lait du soir. Un effet d'interaction significatif (P <0,05) de stade de lactation et de délai de traite a été observé de la même manière. Les résultats ont indiqué que la race de manière significative (p <0,05) a influencé la plupart des traits de pis de la piste, à l'exception des UC, UW et TFD. De manière significative (p <0,05) des valeurs plus élevées d'UL, UW, TC, RTL, LTL, CH et TFD ont été enregistrées dans le Red Sokoto. De plus, la race de chèvre Boer avait des valeurs significativement plus élevées de NT, UC et DBT.

Dam effect confirmation on weaning weight of Boer Goat crosses in Indonesia

This study aimed to confirm the present of dam effect on weaning weight trait of Boer goat crosses. A total of 1081 weaning weight records (standardized to 77 days) from 527 does and 16 bucks were analyzed. Data were derived from Boer, Boerja F1 (Boer 3 × Jawarandu ?), and Boerja F2 (Boer 3 × Boerja F1 ?). Two statistic models namely Model 1 and Model 2 were compared using F-test for overall significance. Model 1 is Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) which consist only fixed effect as factor, while Model 2 is mixed model which includes fixed effect as factor and dam as a random effect. The fixed effects in both models are buck, doe type, parity of the dam, sex of kid, birth type, and year of observation. Results showed that buck, doe type, sex, birth type, and observation year affect significantly (P<0.05) to weaning weight, while parity had no effect (P=0.53). Based on the model’s comparison, there was a significant difference (P<0.05) between Model 1 and Model 2. Therefore, it is confirmed the present of dam effect on the weaning weight trait of Boer goat crosses in the studied population.

PSXII-27 Effects of Sericea lespedeza on methane emission and health status in grazing Boer goat wethers

The objective was to determine effects of feeding 12 yearling Boer goat wethers Sericea lespedeza as supplemental pellets or grazed forage on ruminal methane emission and health status compared with grazing grass-based pasture and supplemental forage-concentrate pellets. There were 4 5-wk periods in the late spring and summer. Periods 1–3 were on a 0.7-ha native grass pasture and period 4 was on a 1.1-ha pasture of Sericea lespedeza. A forage-concentrate pellet was supplemented in period 1 (CON1), 3 (CON2), and 4 (SL-P), and pelleted Sericea lespedeza (Sims Brothers Inc., Union Springs, AL) was given in period 2 (SL-S). Pellets were supplemented and ruminal methane emission was measured with a small ruminant GreenFeed unit (C-Lock, Rapid City, SD). Pellets were dispensed up to 30 times daily, with 6 sessions of 5-9-g bait drops and a 2.5-h session interval. Body weight at the end of periods generally increased as period advanced (35.7, 38.8, 37.9 and 41.1 kg for CON1, SL-S, CON2, and SL-P, respectively; SEM=1.08). Sericea lespedeza decreased methane emission (P &lt; 0.05), with pasture grazing having greater effect than pellet supplementation (43.7, 36.2, 40.9, and 32.5 g/d for CON1, SL-S, CON2, and SL-P, respectively; SEM=0.84). Likewise, SL consumption decreased FAMACHA score (P &lt; 0.05), with a similar effect for both SL forms (3.28, 2.95, 3.21, and 2.86 for CON1, SL-S, CON2, and SL-P, respectively; SEM=0.061). Body condition score was similar among periods (2.65, 2.64, 2.68, and 2.67 for CON1, SL-S, CON2, and SL-P, respectively; SEM=0.022). In conclusion, the effect of consumption of SL on methane emission probably relates to condensed tannins and greater impact of SL-P could involve a higher dietary level. Similarly, inclusion of SL in meat goat diets has potential to decrease the parasite load and thereby improve health status, also presumably because of bioactive condensed tannins.

Quantitative and Qualitative Characteristics of Boer x Local Goats Crossbred

The Boercang goat is a crossbred between male Boer goat and local female goat. This study was aimed to analyze the production and physical performances of Boercang goats during the weaning up to the age of one year. Thirty nine males and 37 females goats aged 3 - 12 months were used in the study. Body weight, daily weight gain, coat colour pattern, horn, ears, nose shape and birth type were recorded during study. The data obtained were calculated for the means, standard deviation (SD), and coefficient of variation (CV) and the analysis was descriptive. Student t test was performed to compare differences between groups of age and between group of sex. Field observations showed that the qualitative characteristics of Boercang such as body colour, horns, ears, and nose shape were 50 % identical with the characteristics of male Boer. The average body weight of the male Boercang goats was 23.02±1.56 kg whereas the female Boercang goats was 21.86±1.63 kg. Body weight gain was affected by age and birth type. The conclusion is that the genetic superiority of the qualitative characteristics of the Boer goats is still expressed in the offspring although it varies; for the characteristics of horns, colour patterns and ears still contribute more than 50%. The appearance of superior quantitative traits from the male Boer goat during the period of weaning up to one year of age both based on the birth type and offspring sex tends to be higher than the appearance of local goat.

Growth performance of Boer goat in relation to sex and type of birth at the Goat Research Station in Nepal

This study was carried out at Goat Research Station, Bandipur, Tanahun, Nepal to evaluate the different factors affecting the growth performance of pure Boer goat since its arrival on 2015. A total of 225 kids of Boer goat born from 218 kidding does recorded between 2015 and 2019 were used for analysis of birth weight, weaning weight, eight month weight and yearling weight in response to sex and type of birth. The overall least square means for birth weight is 3.246 ± 0.056 kg, weaning weight is 17.86 ± 0.105 kg, eight month weight is 28.66 ± 0.2.6 kg and yearling weight is 45.10 ± 0.218 kg. The least square means across sex for birth weight, weaning weight, eight month weight and yearling weight were 3.368 ± 0.090 kg, 18.42 ± 0.226 kg, 31.69 ± 0.415 kg and 49.29 ± 0.707 kg for male and 3.136 ± 0.068 kg, 17.43 ±0.150 kg, 26.35 ± 0.378 kg and 42.18 ± 0.778 kg for female respectively. Sex and type of birth have significant effect on birth weight and weaning weight, while for eight month weight and yearling weight, sex have significant effect but no significant effect on type of birth. In conclusion, the overall growth performance of Boer goat in Goat Research Station was to the expectation and may increase on improvement of management and environmental effects. Bang. J. Anim. Sci. 2020. 49 (2): 166-169