Effect of feeding level during the prepubertal phase on mammary gland development in female goat kids

Abstract

The experiment reported in this research communication aimed to determine the effects of post-weaning feeding level after early weaning on mammary parenchyma development in Alpine goats. Thirty Alpine female goat kids were weaned early (at around 9.8 kg and 32 d of age) and fed different levels of concentrate: Control (C, 730 g DM/d, n = 10), Low (L, 365 g DM/d, n = 10) or High (H, 1090 g DM/d, n = 10) until 235 d of age with ad libitum hay and water. Half of the goat kids were slaughtered before puberty (at around 208 d of age) and half at midgestation (at around 308 d of age and 70 d of gestation) for mammary parenchyma sampling. A histological analysis, Western blot and DNA quantification were performed. Blood samples were taken before puberty and at midgestation to determine plasma levels of IGF-I and prolactin. The mammary gland weights before puberty and at midgestation were positively and significantly associated with concentrate level. However, the organization of the mammary parenchyma and protein expression and quantity of DNA in the parenchyma were similar among the three groups. Before puberty, prolactin and IGF-I concentrations were significantly increased by the feeding level. In conclusion, feeding level after early weaning did not impact mammary parenchyma structure although it modified the weight of the mammary gland. The establishment of the mammary gland was not impacted by rearing management before puberty. Hence, increasing the feeding level during the rearing period could be an interesting way to increase the body development of goats without impairing mammary development whilst having a positive impact on reproductive parameters such as litter weight.

Morphophysiological Responses of the Goat Mammary Gland to Water Scarcity in Arid and Semi-Arid Environments: Are They Enough to Generate Adaptation to New Climatic Challenges?

“…Prepuberal goats feeding ad libitum increased the proportion of connective and fatty tissue, while those under a dietary restriction had a greater development of secretory tissue [65]. A similar outcome was obtained in prepubertal goats with a higher proportion of concentrate in the diet since the concentration of prolactin was increased up to three times, generating an increase in the development and maturation of the mammary parenchyma [72]. In prepubertal and pregnant goats, a difference of up to 56% has been observed between those that received diets with low and high energy concentrations [72].…”

Effect of Feeding Level on Growth and Slaughter Performance, and Allometric Growth of Tissues and Organs in Female Growing Saanen Dairy Goats

“…A balanced nutritional feed has been found to promote the growth and development of dairy goats, improving their milk production performance during lactation [ 4 ]. Adequate protein intake also enhances their growth rate and muscle development [ 5 , 6 ]. Research on organ development in dairy goats has primarily focused on the mammary gland and digestive system [ 7 ].…”

“…Research on organ development in dairy goats has primarily focused on the mammary gland and digestive system [ 7 ]. Proper diet and high-nutrition feed can promote the development of the mammary gland, resulting in increased milk production and improved milk quality [ 6 ]. Furthermore, the development of the digestive system plays a crucial role in the food digestion, absorption, and growth of dairy goats [ 8 ].…”

Impact of pre-breeding feeding practices on rabbit mammary gland development at mid-pregnancy

“…In the same way, feeding restriction was associated with modification of mammary epithelial tissue and milk properties in cattle farming (Stumpf et al, 2013). Finally, the increase of the feeding level during the post-weaning rearing period could be an interesting way in goat breeding, to enhance body development without impairing mammary gland development whilst having a positive impact on reproductive parameters such as litter weight (Panzuti et al, 2019).…”