Tag Archives: Goat

Evaluation of Some Methods Used for The Diagnosis of Subclinical Mastitis in Damascus Goats, Syria

Mohamad Roukbi(1), Abdelnaser Omar(2),Zuhair Salam(3)& Khaled Bebeh(3)

(1). Humeimeh Research Station, Aleppo Scientific Sgricultural Center, P.O Box 4195, Syria.
(2). Hama Agricultural research center, Syria.
(3). Animal livestock research Directorate, General Commission for Agricultural Research, Damascus, Syria.

(Corresponding author: Dr. Mohamad Roukbi: Humeimeh Research Station, Aleppo Scientific Agricultural Center, P.O Box 4195, Syria. E-mail:roukbi2008@yahoo.com).

                 Received: 14 / 09 / 2014                     Accepted: 30 / 11 / 2014

Abstract

The study was conducted to evaluate California mastitis test, electrical conductivity measurement and lactose content as markers for subclinical-intramammary infection (IMI) in goats. It was performed at Humeimeh Research Station of Damascus Goats, General Commission for Scientific Agricultural Research (GCSAR) from January to March 2011 on dairy goats aged 2 to 6 years. Milk samples were taken from 134 dairy goats during morning milking according to habitual procedure and screened for evidence of subclinical mastitis by California Mastitis Test (CMT), electrical conductivity measurement (EC) and lactose content (LC) of milk. Positive (+1&+3) CMT and /or high electrical conductivity milk samples were subjected to bacteriological examination to distinguish between healthy (absence of mastitis agents) and infected (presence of contagious or environmental mastitis agents). The overall prevalence of subclinical mastitis was 24.6%. Percentage of positive (+1& +3), suspected and negative CMT reactions were 76.85%, 8.95% and 14.2%, respectively. The values of electrical conductivity of negative, suspected and positive (+1, +2 and+3) CMT milk samples were: 3.93±0.64 ms/cm, 4.47±0.61 ms/cm, 4.68±0.72 ms/cm, 4.81±0.76 ms/cm and 6.56±0.85 ms/cm respectively. T-test has been shown statistical differences in California mastitis test reactions and electrical conductivity readings, and not statistically for milk lactose content, between positive and negative results for bacterial growth. Intramammary infection was found in 40.9% milk samples caused by Staphylococcus (75%), alone E. coli (16.6%) or associated with streptococci (8.3%). Correlation coefficient between CMT reactions with electrical conductivity readings was (r=0.494). Higher Pearson’s correlation coefficient for electrical conductivity measurement and Kappa agreement index (r=0.491 and 0.42 respectively) with positive bacterial growth milk samples than for CMT (r=0.35 and 0.12 respectively) make the electrical conductivity measurement more compatible with the results of bacteriological analysis than CMT.

Key words: Californiamastitis test, Damascus goats, Electrical conductivity, Subclinical mastitis, Lactose content in milk.

Full paper in Arabic:

تقييم بعض الطرائق المستخدمة في تشخيص التهاب الضرع تحت السريري لدى الماعز الشامي،سورية

Determination of Hemoglobin Level and Hematocrit Rate in The Offspring of Jabali and Crossbred Goats (50% F3)

Al-Moutassem Bellah Aldaker(1), Mansour Ahmad(1), Faisal Alhanafi(1), Hounada Alerksousi(1), Ali Alhawarin(2)& Gawad Sharaf(2)

(1). Animal Wealth Research Administration, General Commission for Scientific Agricultural Research, P. O. Box 113,Doma, Damascus, Syria.
(2). Scientific Agricultural Research Center of Swidaa, Ura Station for Improving the Mountain Goats, Swidaa, Syria.

(Corresponding author: Dr. Al-Moutassem Bellah Aldaker: Animal Wealth Research Administration, General Commission for Scientific Agricultural Research, P. O. Box 113, Doma, Damascus, Syria, e-mail: aldakermb@gmail.com).

Received: 17 / 07 / 2014           Accepted: 04 / 11 / 2014

Abstract

The present work was carried out at Swidaa, Syria, Ura Station for Improving the Mountain Goats, Animal Wealth Research Administration, General Commission for Scientific Agricultural Research, to determine the natural levels of hemoglobin (Hb), hematocrit (HCT) in the Jabali and crossbred offspring. The results could be useful in predicting the occurrence of health or nutrition disorders in the new born goats, consequently reducing the rate of death. Fifty (25 males and 25 females) from both breeds, similar in age and weight were used. Monthly blood samples were taken from weaning for a period of 6 months, and levels of (Hb) and (HCT) in the Jabali and crossbred offspring were determined. Results indicated that the levels of Hb ranged between 8 and 13 g/dl in males and females in both breeds, with no significant difference between males and females within the same breed, whereas, there was a significant difference (P<0.001) in the Hb level with advancing age in males and females in both breeds. Results also showed that the rates of HCT were between 27 and 32% during the study, taking into account that the statistical differences were identical to the differences in Hb levels related to the level changes in males and females and between the 2 breeds, and with advancing age. Hereby, a table containing Hb level and HCT rate with advancing age was made. With this table, we could predict any disorder concerning the two parameters and weather the parameters were health or nutrition-related reason to conduct the needed treatments to avoid the death of new born animals.

Keywords: Capra hircus, offspring, blood parameters, hemoglobin, hematocrit.

Full paper in Arabic: تحديد مستوى خضاب الدم ونسبة الرسابة في مواليد الماعز الجبلي والهجين