The Effects of Reproductive Disorders, Parity, and Litter Size on Milk Yield of Serrana Goats

Abstract

Simple SummaryThis study aimed to evaluate the effects of reproductive disorders, parity, and litter size on a 150-day standardized milk yield of the Transmontano ecotype of the Serrana goat breed (a dual purpose breed) over a three decade period. The 150-day standardized milk yield was significantly influenced by all studied factors and their interactions. The milk yield reduction due to reproductive disorders was more intense in primiparous than multiparous goats, and in primiparous or multiparous goats of the Transmontano ecotype presenting multiple fetuses, than in those presenting singletons. This milk production pattern proves that the lactation following abortion is viable for production purposes and an improvement of production system management can play an important role in mitigating milk yield losses.AbstractSeveral reproductive factors may affect milk yield in goats. The main aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of reproductive disorders, parity, and litter size, and their interactions on the 150-day standardized milk yield (SMY150) of low-producing dairy goats extensively raised. A total of 148,084 lactations between 1993 and 2015 were obtained from data of the Genpro pedigree records of the Transmontano ecotype of Serrana goat breed. The presence or absence of reproductive disorders (RD) from late (>half) pregnancy (abortions followed by lactation) or at kidding, number of fetuses (single vs. multiple), and parity (primiparous vs. multiparous) of the Transmontano ecotype of Serrana goat were used as fixed effects to fit a general linear model for a SMY150 output. A significant effect (p < 0.001) of all factors on SMY150, as well as three-way interactions, were observed. The SMY150 reduction subsequent to RD was 3.7% for multiparous and 9.6% for primiparous goats carrying singletons, and 14.1% for multiparous and 18.8% primiparous goats carrying multiple fetuses. It was concluded that a new lactation following abortion occurrence is viable for production purpose in low-producing dairy goats under pastoralism. Nevertheless, the impact of RD on SMY150 varied according to the number of fetuses and the parity of the Transmontano ecotype of Serrana goats. This information should be used in decision-making practices regarding reproductive and herd health management.

The Prolific Variation, Body Morphometrics, and Breeding Value of Indonesian Local Etawah Goat Based in East Java

“…showed that the does with a calving rate at least twice had an average number of calving of 1.72 kids/doe, the highest value of 2.12 kids/doe, and the lowest value of 1.42 kids/doe and the medium category. The number of kids per calving from ILEG is higher than that of goats in Romania, with average kids per calving of 1.30 kids/doe (Pascal and Zaharia, 2016) and 1.43 kids/doe of Serrana goat (Margatho et al, 2019), 1.63 kids/doe of Begait goat (Abraham et al, 2018). It was almost the same as the average number of kids at German Improved Fawn goats with the kids per calving around1.70 kids/doe (Samardzija et al, 2013), and the ordinary calving of Saanen goats were 1.74 kids/doe (Kasap et al, 2013).…”

The Portuguese Serrana goat breed: a review

“…The gestation period can be influenced by season of the year, parity, age of the dam, sex and number of kids at birth (Solaiman 2010). Ribatejano and Transmontano are furthermore the most prolific ecotypes with 1.43 to 1.63 kids per kidding (ANCRAS 2020; Margatho et al 2019). Breed fertility is high varying between 90 and 95% and prolificity rates are between 170 and 180% (ANCRAS 2020), presenting frequently twin births (Pereira 2015).…”

Serological investigation of brucellosis and its association with abortion in sheep and goats in selected districts of Jimma zone, southwestern Ethiop

“…The number of sheep and goats farmers own was categorized as small (<7 sheep/ goats), medium (8-12 sheep/goats) and large (>12 sheep/goats) flock sizes. Parity number was categorized as nulliparous (zero parity), monoparous (parity one) and pluriparous (≥ two parities) (Margatho et al, 2019). Management systems were classified as extensive and semi-intensive based on the criteria adopted by Gizaw et al (2015).…”

“…8) guidelines for body condition scoring and for all sheep and goats under the study their body condition grouped into three groups (poor, medium and good). Abortion was defined as loss of fetus or fetuses before 140 days of pregnancy (Margatho et al, 2019). The gestation stage of abortion was categorized as first trimester (<50 days), second trimester (51-100 days) and third trimester (101-154 days) (Bokko, 2011).…”