Animal and Veterinary Research Centre

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The effects of reproductive disorders, parity and litter size on milk yield of serrana goats

Publication . Margatho, Gisele; Rodriguez-Estevez, Vicente; Quintas, Helder; Simões, João

Several 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.

2019Journal article

Restricted access

Infectious and non-infectious factors affecting somatic cell count and new diagnostic approaches of intramammary infections in dairy goats: a review

Publication . Margatho, Gisele; Quintas, Helder; Rodríguez-Estévez, Vicente; Simóes, João

Intramammary infections constitute major animal health and economic problem in commercial dairy goat farms, being responsible for decreases in milk yield, alter milk composition, and lower milk quality. This paper reviews the published literature during the last three decades, highlighting the of non-infectious and infectious factors that influence somatic cell count (SCC). Besides that, it intends to contribute to understanding the conventional diagnostic methods and their limitations, and supports the implementation of new technologies for efficient mastitis control, in- cluding the use of infrared thermography and ultrasonography.

2021Journal article

Open access