Abstract

RIVAS-MUNOZ, Raymundo et al. The undernourishment of alpine-french goats does not diminish reproductive outcomes, but does affect dynamics of offspring-growth. Rev. Chapingo ser. cienc. for. ambient [online]. 2011, vol.17, n.spe, pp.217-224. ISSN 2007-4018.  https://doi.org/10.5154/r.rchscfa.2010.09.082.

The aim of the present study was to determine whether undernourishment decreased the sexual response of Alpine-French goats, as well as to characterize both litter size and offspring-growth dynamics at weaning. Since April 1, 2007, a group of females (n = 10) received an experimental diet to provide 70 % of their maintenance requirements (T-70), while the other group (n = 10) received a diet to cover 100 % of their maintenance requirements (T-100). On October 1, both weight (42.4 ± 1.6 kg) and body condition (3.6 ± 0.1 units) of T-100 were higher (P<0.05) in the T-100 as compared with the T-70 group (28.7 ± 1.1 and 1.8 ± 0.2). On October 9, both groups of females were exposed to one male, which was changed every 12 h. Males remained in contact with females during 16 d. The number of estrous females was 100 % in both groups (P>0.05). Most of the females kidded in both groups (100 and 90 %, T-70 and T-100, respectively, P>0.05). However, the prolificity was higher in the T-100 compared with the T-70 group (1.8 ± 0.1 vs. 1.1 ± 0.1, respectively, P<0.01). Body weight of offspring at birth was similar (2.7 ± 0.1 vs. 2.4 ± 0.2, T-100 and T-70, respectively; P>0.05). However, there was a time by group interaction (P<0.05), final weight was also different (7.6 ± 0.4 vs. 6.1 ± 0.8, T-100 and T-70, respectively; P >0.05). These results suggest that, irrespective of nutritional level, reproductive outcomes of Alpine-French goats were similar. Nonetheless, both litter size and offspring growth dynamics at weaning favored the well-nourished female goats.

Keywords : goats; undernourishment; sexual activity.

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