Effects of antioxidant‑rich Lactiplantibacillus plantarum inoculated alfalfa silage on rumen fermentation, antioxidant and immunity status, and mammary gland gene expression in dairy goats

Background Milk synthesis in lactating animals demands high energy metabolism,which results in an increased production of reactive oxygen metabolites(ROM)causing an imbalance between oxidants and antioxidants thereby inducing oxidative stress(OS)on the animals.To mitigate OS and postpartum disorders in dairy goats and gain insight into the impact of dietary choices on redox status during lactation,a feeding trial was conducted using alfalfa silage inoculated with a high-antioxidant strain of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum.Methods Twenty-four Guanzhong dairy goats(38.1±1.20 kg)were randomly assigned to two dietary treatments:one containing silage inoculated with L.plantarum MTD/1(RSMTD-1),and the other containing silage inoculated with high antioxidant activity L.plantarum 24-7(ES24-7).Results ES24-7-inoculated silage exhibited better fermentation quality and antioxidant activity compared to RSMTD-1.The ES24-7 diet elevated the total antioxidant capacity(T-AOC),superoxide dismutase(SOD),glutathione peroxi-dase(GSH-Px),and catalase(CAT)activities in milk,serum,and feces of lactating goats(with the exception of T-AOC in milk).Additionally,the diet containing ES24-7 inoculated silage enhanced casein yield,milk free fatty acid(FFA)content,and vitamin A level in the goats’milk.Furthermore,an increase of immunoglobulin(Ig)A,IgG,IgM,inter-leukin(IL)-4,and IL-10 concentrations were observed,coupled with a reduction in IL-1β,IL-2,IL-6,interferon(IFN)-γ,and tumor necrosis factor(TNF)-αconcentrations in the serum of lactating goats fed ES24-7.Higher concentrations of total volatile fatty acid(VFA),acetate,and propionate were observed in the rumen fluid of dairy goats fed ES24-7 inoculated silage.Moreover,the diet containing ES24-7 inoculated silage significantly upregulated the expression of nuclear factor erythroid 2 like 2(NFE2L2),beta-carotene oxygenase 1(BCO1),SOD1,SOD2,SOD3,GPX2,CAT,glu-tathione-disulfide reductase(GSR),and heme oxygenase 1(HMOX1)genes in the mammary gland,while decreased the levels of NADPH oxidase 4(NOX4),TNF,and interferon gamma(IFNG).Conclusions These findings indicated that feeding L.plantarum 24-7 inoculated alfalfa silage not only improved rumen fermentation and milk quality in lactating dairy goats but also boosted their immunity and antioxidant status by modulating the expression of several genes related to antioxidant and inflammation in the mammary gland.

Enhancing milk quality and modulating rectal microbiota of dairy goats in starch‑rich diet:the role of bile acid supplementation

Background Diets rich in starch have been shown to increase a risk of reducing milk fat content in dairy goats.While bile acids(BAs)have been used as a lipid emulsifier in monogastric and aquatic animals,their effect on ruminants is not well understood.This study aimed to investigate the impact of BAs supplementation on various aspects of dairy goat physiology,including milk composition,rumen fermentation,gut microbiota,and BA metabolism.Results We randomly divided eighteen healthy primiparity lactating dairy goats(days in milk=100±6 d)into two groups and supplemented them with 0 or 4 g/d of BAs undergoing 5 weeks of feeding on a starch-rich diet.The results showed that BAs supplementation positively influenced milk yield and improved the quality of fatty acids in goat milk.BAs supplementation led to a reduction in saturated fatty acids(C16:0)and an increase in monounsaturated fatty acids(cis-9 C18:1),resulting in a healthier milk fatty acid profile.We observed a significant increase in plasma total bile acid concentration while the proportion of rumen short-chain fatty acids was not affected.Furthermore,BAs supplementation induced significant changes in the composition of the gut microbiota,favoring the enrichment of specific bacterial groups and altering the balance of microbial populations.Correlation analysis revealed associations between specific bacterial groups(Bacillus and Christensenellaceae R-7 group)and BA types,suggesting a role for the gut microbiota in BA metabolism.Functional prediction analysis revealed notable changes in pathways associated with lipid metabolism,suggesting that BAs supplementation has the potential to modulate lipid-related processes.Conclusion These findings highlight the potential benefits of BAs supplementation in enhancing milk production,improving milk quality,and influencing metabolic pathways in dairy goats.Further research is warranted to elucidate the underlying mechanisms and explore the broader implications of these findings.

Pharmacokinetic Characterization of Xylazine in Goats with Simultaneous Anesthesia Studies

The aim was to study the pharmacokinetics of xylazine as a stable anesthetic in goats.In this study,goats were injected with xylazine at the rate of 0.3 mL·kg-1 intramusculally,and blood samples were collected at 1,3,5,10,20,30,45,60,90,120,180,and 240 min after administration,respectively.Xylazine was extracted by liquid-liquid extraction and separation method,and blood concentration was determined by high performance liquid chromatography(HPLC).The pharmacokinetic characteristics of xylazine in healthy goats were analyzed by pharmacokinetic software.The results showed that the chromatographic peak time of xylazine chromatography was 9-11 min.The specificity of the method was good.The linear correlation coefficient R2 of the standard curve was 0.9982 when the concentration of xylazine was in the range of 10-1×1000 ng.The pharmacokinetic model of xylazine in goats was a one-chamber model with first-order rate absorption,distribution half-life t1/2Ka was(0.49±0.041)min,elimination half-life t1/2Ke was(23.3±2.5)min,and the peak time(Tp)of the highest concentration was(2.8±0.2)min.The total drug clearance CL/F was(0.00016±0.000016)mg·kg-1·min-1(ng·mL-1),and the minimum effective blood concentration was 56.6 ng·mL-1,which was consistent with the clinical anesthetic effect.The results showed that xylazine had the characteristics of rapid absorption,wide distribution,short peak time,slow clearance rate,and long anesthetic time in goats,which could be used as the basic drug for the development of goat complex anesthetic preparation.

Cysticercus Tenuicollis in Visceral Organs of Goats and Sheep in Uganda: A Case Study in Lira Municipal Abattoir

Cysticercus tenuicollis is a metacestode stage of Taenia hydatigena residing in the visceral organs of small ruminants and its effects cause economic losses due to condemnation of visceral organs in slaughterhouses. This study reports on the prevalence of Cysticercus tenuicollis in small ruminants slaughtered in Lira Municipal Abattoir. A total of 70 sheep and 70 goats were sampled and examined after slaughter for the presence of Cysticercus tenuicollis in the visceral organs using standard meat inspection procedures. An abattoir data collection sheet was used to record data, which was then analysed in SPSS version 20. The study revealed 51.4% of goats and 68.6% of sheep to be infested with Cysticercus tenuicollis. Following the district of origin for the small ruminants, Otuke district had the highest prevalence of the parasite (82.6%), followed by Kole (72.4%), Alebtong (66.7%), Apac (59.4%) and Lira (31.4%). Cysticercus tenuicollis was more frequently seen in the intestines (57.8%) of sheep and goats than in any other visceral organs. The liver had a prevalence of 20.7%, the lungs 17.8%, the kidneys 3.5% and the fetal sac;(15.7%) in goats and (12.9%) in sheep. Cysticercus tenuicollis was detected in 68.8% of females and 58.8% of male small ruminants. It is recommended to routinely deworm goats and sheep by farmers most especially in districts with the highest prevalence of Cysticercus tenuicollis infestation. The sale of the condemned parts of sheep and goats and the feeding of dogs on these contaminated materials should be stopped forthwith. It is also being suggested that a national study be carried out to determine the prevalence and economic impact of Cysticercus tenuicollis in small ruminants.

Effects of dietary Clostridium butyricum and rumen protected fat on meat quality,oxidative stability,and chemical composition of finishing goats

Background Clostridium butyricum(CB)is a probiotic that can regulate intestinal microbial composition and improve meat quality.Rumen protected fat(RPF)has been shown to increase the dietary energy density and provide essential fatty acids.However,it is still unknown whether dietary supplementation with CB and RPF exerts beneficial effects on growth performance and nutritional value of goat meat.This study aimed to investigate the effects of dietary CB and RPF supplementation on growth performance,meat quality,oxidative stability,and meat nutritional value of finishing goats.Thirty-two goats(initial body weight,20.5±0.82 kg)were used in a completely randomized block design with a 2 RPF supplementation(0 vs.30 g/d)×2 CB supplementation(0 vs.1.0 g/d)factorial treatment arrangement.The experiment included a 14-d adaptation and 70-d data and sample collection period.The goats were fed a diet consisted of 400 g/kg peanut seedling and 600 g/kg corn-based concentrate(dry matter basis).Result Interaction between CB and RPF was rarely observed on the variables measured,except that shear force was reduced(P<0.05)by adding CB or RPF alone or their combination;the increased intramuscular fat(IMF)content with adding RPF was more pronounced(P<0.05)with CB than without CB addition.The pH24h(P=0.009),a*values(P=0.007),total antioxidant capacity(P=0.050),glutathione peroxidase activities(P=0.006),concentrations of 18:3(P<0.001),20:5(P=0.003)and total polyunsaturated fatty acids(P=0.048)were increased,whereas the L*values(P<0.001),shear force(P=0.050)and malondialdehyde content(P=0.044)were decreased by adding CB.Furthermore,CB supplementation increased essential amino acid(P=0.027),flavor amino acid(P=0.010)and total amino acid contents(P=0.024)as well as upregulated the expression of lipoprotein lipase(P=0.034)and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptorγ(PPARγ)(P=0.012),and downregulated the expression of stearoyl-CoA desaturase(SCD)(P=0.034).The RPF supplementation increased dry matter intake(P=0.005),averaged daily gain(trend,P=0.058),hot carcass weight(P=0.046),backfat thickness(P=0.006),concentrations of 16:0(P<0.001)and c9-18:1(P=0.002),and decreased the shear force(P<0.001),isoleucine(P=0.049)and lysine content(P=0.003)of meat.In addition,the expressions of acetyl-CoA carboxylase(P=0.003),fatty acid synthase(P=0.038),SCD(P<0.001)and PPARγ(P=0.022)were upregulated due to RPF supplementation,resulting in higher(P<0.001)content of IMF.Conclusions CB and RPF could be fed to goats for improving the growth performance,carcass traits and meat quality,and promote fat deposition by upregulating the expression of lipogenic genes of Longissimus thoracis muscle.

Slaughter Performance, Muscle Quality and Nutritional Composition of Duoluo Goats in Sichuan Province

[Objectives] This study was conducted to understand the biological characteristics of Duoluo goats. [Methods] With male and female Duoluo goats as the research object, related performance indexes were determined and analyzed after slaughter. [Results] The weights of one-year-old male and female Duoluo goats before slaughter were (25.68±2.37) and (24.51±1.97) kg, respectively;the dressing percentages were (43.55±3.24) % and (43.84±3.42) %, respectively;and the net meat percentages were (33.02±2.32) % and (34.19±2.46) %, respectively. (2) The cooked meat rates of male and female Duoluo goats were (65.49±1.42) % and (65.36±1.55) %, respectively;the shearing force was (5.48±1.24) and (5.65±1.02) N, respectively;and the loin-eye muscle areas were (8.95±1.72) and (8.82±1.15) cm 2, respectively. (3) The protein contents of male and female Duoluo goats were (20.07±0.42) and (19.47±1.22) g/100 g, respectively;and the fat contents were (1.30±0.80) % and (2.92±0.55) %, respectively;and the cholesterol contents were (71.76±11.47) and (74.83±2.68) mg/100 g, respectively;(4) The Ca contents of male and female Duoluo goats were (69.53±10.89) and (63.00±4.56) mg/kg, respectively;the Fe contents were (16.73±1.83) and (14.77±0.58) mg/kg, respectively;and the Zn contents were (38.47±3.68) and (31.83±2.22) mg/kg, respectively. (5) In the muscles of male and female Duoluo goats, the contents of essential amino acids were (7.44±0.24) and (7.26±0.41) g/100 g , respectively;the contents of non-essential amino acids were (11.81±0.33) and (11.42±0.67) g/100 g, respectively;and the contents of flavor amino acids were (8.79±0.27) and (8.42±0.57) g/100 g, respectively. [Conclusions] This study lays a foundation for the excavation and utilization of the resource, Duoluo goats.

Influence of Climate and Daylength on the Activity Budgets of Feral Goats (Capra hircus) on the Isle of Rum, Scotland

Daytime activity budgets of feral goats （ Capra hircus ） were studied in 1981, 1982 and 2000 on the Isle of Rum, northwest Scotland. This paper analyzes the influence of key weather variables （temperature and rainfall） and seasonal variations in daylength on daytime activity budgets. This study showed that the percentage of daytime spent in feeding by feral goats on Rum Island decreased with average monthly temperature, while the percentage of daytime spent in lying increased and rainfall had no significant effects on the percentage daytime spent in feeding or lying. The daylength varied greatly from January to December with the longest daylength being in June and July, and the shortest one in December and January. The amount of daytime spent feeding decreased from summer to winter, although the percentage of daytime spent feeding increased greatly from summer to winter. The seasonal variations in daylength seem to be an important factor in constraining feral goats＇ activity, especially in the cold and wet winters when forage biomass and quality are both at their lowest level. We discuss the influence of such constraining effects on the forage intake of these goats and their winter survival rate, as well as its implication for population regulation of these goats.

Overexpression of IGF2R and IGF1R mRNA in SCNT-produced Goats Survived to Adulthood

The procedure of somatic cell nuclear transfer （SCNT） is likely to affect the expression level of growth-related genes especially imprinting genes. In this study, expressions of growth-related genes including three imprinting genes （H19, IGF2, and IGF2R） and four non-imprinting genes （IGF1, IGFIR, GHR, and GHSR） in adult nuclear transferred （NT） goats were investigated by real-time PCR. The expressions of these genes in adult clones were found largely normal, but IGF2R and IGFIR were more highly expressed in cloned goats than in non-NT goats （P 〈 0.01）. Analysis on mono-allelic expression pattern of imprinting genes indicated that mono-allelic expression patterns of H19 and IGF2 in cloned goats were similar to that in non-NT goats. In addition, the sequence of goat IGF2 gene and the putative amino acid sequence were obtained. The 986 nucleotide cDNA of goat IGF2 gene contained an open-reading frame of 540 nucleotides coding for 179 amino acids. Both cDNA sequence and amino acid sequence of IGF2 in goat showed their higher homology with that in sheep than in cattle; the partial cDNA fragments of H19, IGF2R, GHSR, IGFIR, and GHR in goat were also cloned and sequenced, which shared higher sequence identities with those in sheep than in cattle.

Study on the Muscle Histological Characteristics of Haimen Goats

[Objective] The aim was to study the effect of the muscle histological characteristics of Haimen goats on meat quality.[Method] Twelve-month-old Haimen goats and Bore × Haimen F1（♂）were used as the materials to systematically research the muscle histological properties of different sexes and muscles.[Result] The results revealed that the muscle fiber area and myofibril diameter,sarcomere length,light band length,dark band length,hall band length of quadriceps femoris of Haimen female goats were extremely significantly higher than male goats（P〈0.01）;However,that of longissimus dorsi muscle was extremely significantly lower than male goats（P〈0.01）.There was significant difference（P〈0.05）or extremely significant difference（P〈0.01）between muscle microstructure and ultrastructure among the same sex and different muscles.There were a large number of mitochondria,glycogen granules and fat droplet within muscle fiber from Haimen male goats,which indicated that oxidative metabolism rate was high,water retention was good and the meat was tender,succulent and distinct.[Conclusion] The study provided theoretical basis for breeding,development and utilization of Haimen goats and variety evaluation of local goats in China.

The Relationship between Genetic Polymorphisms of Three Gene Loci and Growth Characters of Haimen Goats

[Objective] The paper aims to study the relationship between genetic polymorphisms of three gene loci and growth character of Haimen Goats to provide reference to promote Haimen Goat growth character and cultivate Haimen Goat new strain of fast-growth.[Method] We processed analysis and related statistical analysis on three gene loci of Haimen Goats with PCR-RFLP and PCR-SSCP.[Result] The results suggested that there were two genotypes in MSTN gene IntronⅡ,GH gene exonⅠ and GH gene exonⅡ in Haimen Goats.Different genotypes of these gene loci had different effects on relative growth character of Haimen Goats.[Conclusion] This study had a significant meaning about promoting Haimen Goat avoirdupois by marker assistant option.

Slaughter Performance, Muscle Quality and Nutritional Components of Twenty-four-month-old Tibetan Goats

[Objective] This study was conducted to understand goat germplasm char- acteristics. [Method] With some 24-month-old males and females Tibet goats as experimental materials, a slaughter experiment was carried out to determine their slaughter performance, muscle quality and muscle nutritional components. [Result] The body weights of males and females before slaughter were （20.16±1.26） and （19.33±4.86） kg, respectively; the dressing percentages of males and females were （43.86±1.74）% and （44.08±5.46）%, respectively; the meat percentages were （32.43± 1.52）% and （32.72±3.97）%, respectively; and the meat production rates of carcass were （73.28±0.09）% and （73.16±0.85）%, respectively. There were less differences in carcass measurements, carcass segmentation, muscle quality, muscle fiber charac- teristics, muscle nutritional components, muscle mineral contents and heavy metal contents between males and females, while eye muscle area and hind leg meat weight of males were significantly higher than those of females. In muscles of males and females, 18 amino acids were detected totally, EAA/TAA values were （39.23±0.24）% and （38.70±0.15）%, respectively, and EAA/NEAA values were （64.73± 0.65）% and （63.17±0.41）%, respectively. [Conclusion] This study lays a foundation for overall understanding of germplasm characteristics of Tibetan goats.

Cloning and Sequence Analysis of 5′ Flanking Region and Exon of Inhibin α Precursor Gene in Goats

[Objective] The aim of this study was to reveal the relationship between inihibin （INH） α precursor gene and seasonal reproduction of goats, and investigate the evolutionary conservation of INHα precursor gene. [ Method] Cloning and sequence analysis of 5＇ flanking region and exon of inihibinα （INHE） precursor gene in twenty ewes between non-seasonal estrous breed （Haimen goats） and seasonal estrous breed （Anhui white goats） was analyzed in this study. [ Result] Compared with Anhui white goats, INHα precursor gene in Haimen goats had three SNP but no amino acid change, while its nucleotide homology was 99.7% and amino acid homology was 100%. The nucleotide homology of INHα precursor gene in goat, cattle, pig, person, chicken, horse, rat and dog ranged from 12.7% to 96.5%. [ Conclusion] INHα precursor gene tends to be highly conserved in species, and any change of nucleotide and amino acid maybe directly influence the function of the whole gene coding and regulation.

Effects of fumaric acid supplementation on methane production and rumen fermentation in goats fed diets varying in forage and concentrate particle size

Background: In rumen fermentation, fumaric acid(FA) could competitively utilize hydrogen with methanogenesis to enhance propionate production and suppress methane emission, but both effects were diet-dependent. This study aimed to explore the effects of FA supplementation on methanogenesis and rumen fermentation in goats fed diets varying in forage and concentrate particle size.Methods: Four rumen-cannulated goats were used in a 4 × 4 Latin square design with a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement of treatments: low or high ratio of forage particle size: concentrate particle size(Fps:Cps), without or with FA supplementation(24 g/d). Fps:Cps was higher in the diet with chopped alfalfa hay plus ground corn than in that with ground alfalfa hay plus crushed corn.Results: Both increasing dietary Fps:Cps and FA supplementation shifted ruminal volatile fatty acid(VFA) patterns toward more propionate and less acetate in goats. An interaction between dietary Fps:Cps and FA supplementation was observed for the ratio of acetate to propionate(A:P), which was more predominant when FA was supplemented in the low-Fps:Cps diet. Methane production was reduced by FA, and the reduction was larger in the low-Fps:Cps diet(31.72%) than in the high-Fps:Cps diet(17.91%). Fumaric acid decreased ruminal total VFA concentration and increased ruminal p H. No difference was found in ruminal DM degradation of concentrate or alfalfa hay by dietary Fps:Cps or FA. Goats presented a lower ruminal methanogen abundance with FA supplementation and a higher B. fibrisolvens abundance with high dietary Fps:Cps.Conclusions: Adjusting dietary Fps:Cps is an alternative dietary model for studying diet-dependent effects without changing dietary chemical composition. Fumaric acid supplementation in the low-Fps:Cps diet showed greater responses in methane mitigation and propionate increase.

Effects of melatonin implantation on cashmere yield,fibre characteristics,duration of cashmere growth as well as growth and reproductive performance of Inner Mongolian cashmere goats

Background： Exogenous melatonin could induce cashmere growth. However, induced growth of cashmere fleece by melatonin implants cannot be combined with the typical growth, resulting in earlier shedding followed by another cycle of cashmere growth. To address this issue, we examine the effects on the cashmere yield, fibre characteristics, and the growth and reproductive performance of cashmere goats of planned administration of melatonin. Methods： Eighteen half-sib, female goats were assigned to two treatments （n = 9） including a control and a treatment where melatonin （2 mg/kg BW） was implanted at the end of April and end of June. Cashmere growth and shedding were observed for approximately ] year following implantation. Fibre samples were collected monthly to determine cumulative cashmere length. Initiation and cessation dates for cashmere growth as well as the rate of cashmere growth were calculated. Cashmere yield, weight gain of dam, kidding date, litter size, and birth weight were also recorded. Results： Melatonin implantation increased cashmere yield by 34.5 % （control 553.7 g vs. melatonin 745.0 g; P〈 0.01）, cashmere length by 21.3 % （control 95.2 mm vs. melatonin 115.4 mm; P 〈 0.01）, and decreased fibre diameter by 4.4 % （control 14.6 pm vs. melatonin 14.0 IJm; P 〈 0.03）. In melatonin-treated goats, the average initiation date was earlier than in control goats （May 18, 2013 vs. July 2, 20]3; P〈 0.01） but there was a similar cessation date （March 22, 2014 vs. March 27, 2014）. Consequently, the duration of cashmere growth was longer in melatonin-treated goats than in control goats （307 vs.270 days; P 〈 0.01）. The final BW, average daily gain, kidding date, litter size, and birth weight were not influenced by melatonin implantation. Conclusions： These data indicate that melatonin implantation （2 mg/kg BW） on two occasions （late April and June） increased cashmere yield by combining the induced growth of cashmere fleece with the typical growth and decreased the fibre diameter without changing dam growth rate or reproductive performance.

Effects of Increasing Non-Fiber Carbohydrate to Neutral Detergent Fiber Ratio on Rumen Fermentation and Microbiota in Goats

Six rumen-cannulated lactating Guanzhong goats were used to investigate changes in ruminal fermentation pattern and the microbiota following a subacute rtmainal acidosis （SARA） inducing procedure. Induction of SARA was performed by increasing dietary non-fiber carbohydrate （NFC） to neutral detergent fiber （NDF） ratio from 1.02 （stage 1） to 1.24 （stage 2）, 1.63 （stage 3） and 2.58 （stage 4）. A dynamic pH monitoring system, real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR and conventional anaerobic culture were used to assess changes in ruminal pH and microbiota. Results indicated that rumen fermentation patterns changed significantly with increased NFC：NDF ratio. The decline in ruminal pH was caused by increased ruminal total volatile fatty acids （TVFA）, which was mainly attributed to a significant increase in ruminal butyrate, rather than the accumulation of ruminal lactic acid. In addition, in the course of SARA, the number of rumen microoganisms altered significantly, with increases in ruminal amylolytic bacteria, Lactobacilli, Streptococcus bovis and Megasphaera elsdenii, the latter particularly dramatically indicating that it may be the main factor responsible for the increase in butyrate, and decrease in protozoa.

The community structure of Methanomassiliicoccales in the rumen of Chinese goats and its response to a highgrain diet

Background: The newly proposed methanogenic order ‘Methanomassiliicoccales' is the second largest archaeal population in the rumen, second only to the Methanobrevibacter population. However, information is limited regarding the community of this new order in the rumen.Methods: This study used real-time PCR and 454 pyrosequencing to explore the abundance and community composition of Methanomassiliicoccales in the rumen of Chinese goats fed a hay(0% grain, n = 5) or a high grain(65% grain, n = 5) diet.Results: Real-time PCR analysis showed that the relative abundance of Methanomassili coccales(% of total archaea) in the goat rumen was significantly lower in the high-grain-diet group(0.5% ± 0.2%) than that in the hay-diet group(8.2% ± 1.1%, P < 0.05). The pyrosequencing results showed that a total of 208 operational taxonomic units(OTUs) were formed from ten samples at 99% sequence identity. All the sequences were identified as Methanomassiliicoccaceae at the family level, and most of the sequences(96.82% ± 1.64%) were further classified as Group 8, 9, and 10 at the Methanomassiliicoccales genus level in each sample based on the RIM-DB database. No significant differences were observed in the number of OTUs or Chao1's, Shannon's or Pielou's evenness indexes between the hay-and high-grain-diet groups(P ≥ 0.05). PCoA analysis showed that diet altered the community of Methanomassiliicoccales.At the genus level, the relative abundances of Group 10(67.25 ± 12.76 vs. 38.13 ± 15.66, P = 0.012) and Group 4(2.07 ± 1.30 vs. 0.27 ± 0.30, P = 0.035) were significantly higher in the high-grain-diet group, while the relative abundance of Group9 was significantly higher in the hay-diet group(18.82 ± 6.20 vs. 47.14 ± 17.72, P = 0.020). At the species level, the relative abundance of Group 10 sp.(67.25 ± 12.76 vs. 38.13 ± 15.66, P = 0.012) and Group 4 sp. MpT 1(2.07 ± 1.30 vs. 0.27 ± 0.30,P = 0.035) were significantly higher in the high-grain-diet group, while the relative abundance of Group 9 sp. ISO4-G1 was significantly higher in the hay-diet group(12.83 ± 3.87 vs. 42.44 ± 18.47, P = 0.022).Conclusions: Only a few highly abundant phylogenetic groups dominated within the Methanomassiliicoccales community in the rumens of Chinese goats, and these were easily depressed by high-grain-diet feeding. The relatively low abundance suggests a small contribution on the part of Methanomassiliicoccales to the rumen methanogenesis of Chinese goats.

Effect of sex and rearing system on the quality and mineral content of fiber from raeini cashmere goats

The aim of this study was to compare the quality characteristics and mineral content of the fiber from male and female cashmere goats raised under different management systems. Male and female Raeini cashmere goats （〈1.5 years of age, n=48） were selected from flocks raised at a government breeding station or raised commercially under either rural or nomadic conditions. The staple length, cashmere fiber diameter, coefficient of variation for fiber diameter, percentage of cashmere in a fleece, percentage of guard hair in a fleece and cashmere tenacity averaged 4.6 ±0.1 cm, 18.0 ±0.1 um, 20.9±0.4%, 66.1 ± 1.5%, 33.8± 1.5% and 1.8±0.2 gf/tex, respectively. The sulfur, copper and zinc content of the cashmere averaged 2.8 ± 0.1%, 0.00065 ± 0.00002% and 0.01276 ± 0.00025%, respectively. Rearing method significantly affected staple length, coefficient of variation of fiber diameter, cashmere tenacity and copper content. Males had a higher coefficient of variation of fiber diameter and cashmere tenacity than females （P 〈 0.05）.

The effects of tannins-containing ground pine bark diet upon nutrient digestion,nitrogen balance,and mineral retention in meat goats

Background： Pine bark is a rich source of phytochemical compounds including tannins, phenolic acids, anthocyanins, and fatty acids. These phytochemicals have potential to significantly impact on animal health and animal production. The goal of this work is to measure the effects of tannins in ground pine bark as a partial feed replacement on feed intake, dietary apparent digestibility, nitrogen balance, and mineral retention in meat goats. Results： Eighteen Kiko cross goats （initial BW = 31.8 ± 1.49 kg） were randomly assigned to three treatment groups （n = 6）. Dietary treatments were tested： control （0 % pine bark powder （PB） and 30 % wheat straw （WS））; ] 5 % PB and 15 % WS, and 30 % PB and 0 % WS. Although dry matter （DM） intake and digestibility were not affected （P〉 0.10） by feeding PB, neutral detergent fiber （linear; P= 0.01）, acid detergent fiber （linear; P= 0.001） and lignin digestibility （linear; P= 0.01） decreased, and crude protein （CP） digestibility tended to decrease （P=0.09） as PB increased in the diet, apparent retention of Ca （P= 0.09）, P （P=0.03）, Mg （P= 0.01）, Mn （P= 0.01）, Zn （P= 0.01） and Fe （P= 0.09） also increased linearly. Nitrogen intake and fecal N excretion were not affected （P〉 0.05） by addition of PB in the diet, but N balance in the body was quadratically increased （P〈 0.01） in the 15 % PB diet compared to other diets. This may be due to more rumen escape protein and less excreted N in the urine with the 15 % PB diet. The study showed that a moderate level of tannin-containing pine bark supplementation could improve gastrointestinal nitrogen balance with the aim of improving animal performance. Conclusion： These results suggest that tannin-containing PB has negative impact on fiber, lignin, and protein digestibility, but positively impacted on N-balance.

Effects of melatonin implantation on carcass characteristics, meat quality and tissue levels of melatonin and prolactin in Inner Mongolian cashmere goats

Background: Implantation of goats with melatonin can induce cashmere growth and significantly increase cashmere production performance. However, the impact of melatonin implantation on the carcass characteristics,meat quality and related hormone levels in muscle and viscera of cashmere goats has not been studied. This experiment was conducted to determine the effects of melatonin implantation of cashmere goats during the nongrowing period on meat quality and related hormone levels in the tissues. It aimed to provide a theoretical basis for the practical application of melatonin in cashmere goat production systems.Results: Melatonin implantation(2 mg/kg live weight) had no influence(P > 0.05) on daily weight gain, carcass weight, dressing percentage, loin muscle area, or the p H, moisture level, crude fat(except for Gluteus muscle) and amino acid content of muscles of cashmere goats. After implantation for 1 month, shear force of Longissimus dorsi and water loss rate of Longissimus dorsi and Biceps femoris of cashmere goats were increased(P < 0.05), whereas the cooking yield of Gluteus muscle was reduced(P < 0.05). The melatonin treatment decreased(P < 0.05) muscle crude protein, Gluteus muscle crude fat and ∑n-3 PUFA content and decreased(P < 0.05) ∑n-6 PUFA content.However, after 2 months of implantation most of these effects had resolved. Melatonin implantation had no effect(P >0.05) on the melatonin or prolactin contents of kidney, heart, spleen, liver, Longissimus dorsi, Biceps femoris and Gluteus muscles. Melatonin content of lung tissue was lowered(P < 0.05) and that of prolactin was elevated(P < 0.05) by the melatonin implantation.Conclusion: This study has shown little impact of melatonin implantation of cashmere goats on carcass quality. A few meat quality indices i.e., shear force, water loss rate, ∑n-3 PUFA, ∑n-6 PUFA, and crude protein content of Longissimus dorsi;water loss rate, cooking yield and crude protein content of Biceps femoris;ether extract, crude protein content of Gluteus;were affected briefly(at 1 month of implantation) but these effects were not evident after 2 months of implantation.There was little effect of the melatonin treatments on tissue levels of melatonin or prolactin except in lung.

DNA Polymorphisms of 5′-Flanking Region of Insulin-Like Growth Factor 1 Gene and Their Association with Reproduction Traits in Goats

Research on the identity of genes and their relationship with traits of economic importance in farm animals could assist in the selection of livestock. In this study, the polymorphisms of insulin-like growth factor 1 （IGF1） gene in 561 goats of ten breeds were detected by polymerase chain reaction （PCR）-single strand conformation polymorphism （SSCP） and their association with litter size and birth weight in three breeds were investigated. The effects of IGF1 polymorphisms on the breeding value for litter size and birth weight were examined using least square methods. Two deletions （CA） were detected in the microsatellite and two mutations （A1637G, T1640C） were found in 5′-flanking regulatory region. No significant association between the polymorphisms in 5′-flanking region of IGF1 and birth weight was found in the three breeds of goats. In Gulin Ma goats, two polymorphisms were found to affect litter size traits. In Chuandong White goats and Guizhou White goats, no significant difference （P0.05） in litter size between goats carrying different genotypes was observed. Further evaluation and confirmation studies in more goat populations with larger sample sizes are necessary.