Trends in goat research, a review

Abstract

The present review covers the main topics related to goats for the last two years. The main topics were pathology, reproduction, milk and cheese production and quality, production systems, nutrition, hair production, drugs knowledge and meat production. Especially energy use by goats in different conditions and the role of somatic cell count in intramammary infections and milk and cheese quality are discussed. Goat research needs progress rapidly to reach the level of knowledge of other species like cattle or sheep, especially in milk and meat production.

Effects of levels of crude protein and ground corn cobs in total mixed ration on intake, rumen fermentation and milk production in crossbred Holstein Friesian lactating dairy cows

“…Broderick and Reynal (2009) reported that increased dietary protein levels increased dry matter (DM) digestibility in lactating cows fed at high levels of intake. Increasing the CP content of dairy cow diets may result not only in greater milk production, but also in increased concentrations of ruminal ammonia and blood urea N (BUN; Orskov 1994;Hristov et al 2004;Argüello 2011). However, diets containing an excess of protein are considered undesirable because the excess N is excreted, resulting in a net loss of N (Broderick 2003;Cherdthong et al 2011aCherdthong et al , 2011b.…”

Effects of pistachio by-products in replacement of alfalfa hay on ruminal fermentation, blood metabolites, and milk fatty acid composition in Saanen dairy goats fed a diet containing fish oil

“…The use of locally available feed resources has great potential for improving goat production in developing countries (Argu¨ello 2011). Iran is considered to be the largest producer of pistachio worldwide, with an annual production of approximately 500,000 tons of fresh pistachio by-products (PBP; Shakeri et al 2012).…”

Effects of breed and milking frequency on udder histological structures in dairy goats

“…In the same sense, Wilde et al (1987) observed, after 37 weeks, greater amounts of RNA, DNA and several key enzymes in thrice-daily milking glands compared with twice-daily milking glands. In contrast, Stelwagen et al (1994) described that after 36 h of milk accumulation, mammary tight junctions (TJ) had become disrupted, reducing synthetic activity and inducing apoptosis (Chedly et al 2010;Argu¨ello 2011). In dairy cows, several studies support the concept that serotonin (5-HT) is a feedback inhibitor of lactation (Hernandez et al 2008).…”