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Wudpecker Journal of Agricultural Research Vol. 1(8), pp. 341 - 345, September 2012
Available online at http://www.wudpeckerresearchjournals.org
2012 Wudpecker Research Journals
ISSN 2315-7259
Full Length Research Paper
Colostrum composition and performance of Damascus
goats raised under Sudan conditions
Mahmoud, N. M. A.; El Zubeir, I. E. M and Fadlelmoula A. A.
1
School of Animal Production, Faculty of Agricultural Technology and Fish Science, University of Al Neelain, Khartoum,
Sudan.
2
Department of Dairy Production, Faculty of Animal Production, University of Khartoum, P. O. Box 32, Postal code
13314, Khartoum North, Sudan.
3
Department of Animal Breeding and Genetics, Faculty of Animal Production, University of Khartoum, P. O. Box 32,
Postal code 13314, Khartoum North, Sudan.
Accepted 08 August 2012
The present study was conducted to evaluate colostrum composition and performance of Damascus
goats raised under climate of Sudan. Thirteen Damascus goats at their first parity were selected from a
flock owned by the Mamlakat El-Nahal farm in Jabal Awlia, Khartoum state. The traits recorded for the
study were age and body weight of dams at first mating and kidding, birth weight and body weight of
kids at 2nd and 3rd months of age. The average age of the does at first mating and kidding were 10 and
16.5 months, respectively. Meanwhile the average body weight of the does at first kidding was 56 kg.
The average birth weights (kg) of male and female kids were 3.63± 0.03 and 3.47±0.024, respectively.
Colostrum was collected daily and the composition was analyzed. The colostral constituents viz.
protein, protein fractions, total solids and ash were significantly (P< 0.05) higher in the first day and
then decreased sharply in the second day, whereas fat content was found to be stable. The βlactoglobulin content of colostrum was significantly (P<0.05) higher on the day of kidding (2.01±0.02
mg/ kg) and decreased sharply on the second day (0.45±0.02 mg/ kg). However, all the constituents
were significantly (P<0.05) higher in colostrum as compared to milk. Further the concentration of milk
constituents were found to decrease as lactation progressed. Moreover all chemical constituents
showed significantly (P<0.05) higher levels in the colostrum compared to milk samples and they
reduced with the progress of lactation. The present study concluded that Damascus goats can thrive
with suitable milk production efficiency in Sudan. Further research is required with respect to the effect
of different parity, nutrition and general heath of milking goat under the harsh climate of Sudan.
Key words: Colostrum composition, Damascus goats, performance, kidding, Sudan.
INTRODUCTION
Goats are widespread worldwide due to their nutritional
and environmental adaptability (Cannas et al., 2008). The
Technical Consultation of FAO/ UNEB on Animal Genetic
Resources, Conservation and Management has
prioritized Damascus goat due to its quality attributes.
Besides, this is a popular goat breed in Lebanon, Syria
and Cyprus (Mavrogenis et al., 2006). Epstein
and
Herz (1964) reported that Damascus goat has provided
the parent stock of the Zaraibi of Egypt and Nubian goat
of the Sudan and also the breed has ancestors in India.
*Corresponding author E-mail: [email protected]
The Shami or Damascus goat that is considered to be the
most important goat breed in Middle East due to their
milk quality and production potentiality as well as
prolificacy
is
a
seasonal
polyestrous
breed
(Papachristoforou et al., 2000). Fertility has been
reported to be medium to high (80% to 90%) that is a
common characteristic of most goat breeds with high milk
production potentiality (Mavrogenis et al., 2006).
Colostrum, the first milk that is consumed by a newborn, is formed and stored in the mammary gland during
late pregnancy. The concentrations of protein, sodium
and chloride are higher, while potassium and lactose
concentrations are proportionately lesser in colostrum as
compared to milk secreted during established lactation
Mahmoud et al.
(Linzell and Peaker, 1974). Besides colostrum also
contains high concentrations of immunoglobulins that
confer maternal immunity to the neonates (Rook and
Wheelock, 1967 and Linzell and Peaker, 1971).
In goats like other ruminants, the neonates are
agammaglobulinemic at birth as the epithelichoerial
placentation impedes transfer of maternal Ig to the fetus
in uterus (Constant et al., 1994 and Arguello et al., 2004).
Hence consumption of colostrum by the kids during first
hours of life is most essential for acquisition of passive
immunity as colostrum is the principal Ig G source during
the first month of life (Vihan, 1988 and Arguello et al.,
2004). Caja et al. (2006) reported that goats without dryoff after parturition kids had smaller birth weight than the
others. Hence the objective of this study is to estimate
their performance and survival and to evaluate the
changes of composition for colostrums during the first
three days of Damascus goats in the first kidding and to
compare it with normal milk.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
342
protein nitrogen and β-lactoglobulin nitrogen were done as the
standard protocol of International Dairy Federation (1962). The milk
constituents of fat, protein, lactose and solids not fat were
determined by milk analyzer using milk analyzer Lactoscan 90
according to the manufacturer instructions (Aple Industries
services- La Roche Sur Foron, France; Abd Elrahman et al., 2009).
Statistical analysis
The data were analyzed by SAS program. The means were
separated using Duncan Multiple results.
RESULTS
Body weight of kids
The average birth weights (kg) of male and female kids
were 3.63±0.03 (3.25 to 4.03kg) and 3.47±0.024 (2.93 to
4.00kg) respectively. The body weights (kg) of the kids
recorded subsequently at the end of second and third month
were 14.98±0.41, 23.25±0.85 for male and 14.41±0.40,
22±0.84 for female kids respectively (Table 1).
Experimental animals
This study was carried out from March to November 2009 at the
Mamlakat Elnahal farm located in Jabal Awlia, Khartoum state. The
flock was established as a model Damascus goat farm for
producing improved cross bred does and bucks. Thirteen
Damascus does weighing between 54 to 58 kg and aging
between15 to 18 months in their first kidding were selected for the
study. The animals were group raised in a pen with a floor space of
14.5 × 5.25 ×1.16 meters and height of 2.85 meters. The roof of the
shed was constructed with corrugated galvanized zinc sheets and
the floor was concrete. There were secured metal buckets for
watering and feeding inside the pen. Concentrate mixture was
offered at 8.00 a.m. in the morning at 600g/animal. Besides Bersem
(Medicago sativa), groundnut straw (Groundnut haums), Abu 70
and water was offered ad libitum.
Data collection
Body weight record
The body weights (kg) of does and kids were recorded immediately
after parturition. a Subsequently the body weights of the kids were
recorded at two and three months of age.
Colostrum and milk samples
The colostrum was obtained during the first three days after
parturition and then the milk samples were obtained.
Chemical analysis of colostrum and milk samples
The total solids, ash and total nitrogen concentrations in the
colostrum and milk samples were determined respectively by forced
draft oven method, gravimetric method and Kjeldahl method as
described by Bradley et al. (1992). The casein and whey protein
content were also analyzed by Kjeldahl method as described by
Rowland (1938a,b). Determination of albumin nitrogen plus non
Reproductive traits of does
The reproductive traits recorded for does under the
present study were age at first mating as well as age and
body weight at first kidding. The average age at first
mating and kidding recorded in does were 10 and 16.5
months, respectively. Meanwhile the average body
weight of the does at first kidding was 56kg (Table1).
Colostrum composition of Domescus goats
Significantly (P<0.05) higher mean (±S.E) was obtained
for the protein content of the colostrum of Damascus
goats at day 1 (7.63±0.030%). Then it decreased at day 2
and day 3 to reach 5.41±0.08% and 4.07± 0.04%,
respectively (Table 2 and Table 3). The means (±S.E) of
casein content of the colostrums of Damascus goat in
day 1 was 4.50±0.05%, which was significantly higher
(P<0.05) than the level estimated at day 2 (4.10±0.06%)
and day 3 (3.20±0.04%) as shown in Table 2 and 3.
The whey protein of colostrum of Damascus goat showed
significantly (P<0.05) higher mean level in day 1
(3.11±0.02%) and then gradual decrease in day 2 and
day 3 (1.31±0.03% and 0.86± 0.01%, respectively) as
shown in Table 2 and Table 3. Similarly the albumin
content of colostrum of Damascus goat showed significantly
(P<0.05) higher means level during day 1 (0.550±0.01
mg/kg) then a decrease in day 2 and day 3 (0.401±0.01
and 0.206±0.01 mg/kg, respectively) as shown in Table 2
and Table 3. The β-lactoglobulin content of colostrum of
Damascus goat revealed significantly (P< 0.05) higher
mean in day 1 (2.01±0.02 mg/kg) then a sharp decrease
343
Wudpecker J. Agric. Res.
Table 1. Performance of Damascus goat and their offspring under Sudan conditions
Traits
Male
Female
Mean
3.63
3.47
Range
3.25-4.03
2.93-4.00
Body weight age 2 month (kg)
Male
Female
14.98
14.41
14.25-15.7
14.00-14.82
Body weight age 3 month (kg)
Male
Female
23.25
22.00
22.00-24.50
20.00-24.00
Age (month)
1 Matting
st
1 Kidding
10.5
16.5
56.0
240.0
9-11
15-18
54-58
210-270
Birth weight (kg)
Kids
Dams
st
st
Body weight at 1 kidding (kg)
Lactation length (days)
Table 2. Means± SE. of chemical composition of colostrum of Damascus goats during the first parity.
Variables
Protein (%)
Casein (%)
Whey protein (%)
Albumin (mg/1000g)
β-globulin (mg/kg)
Fat (%)
T.S (%)
Ash (%)
Day 1
7.63±0.03
4.50±0.05
3.11±0.02
0.55±0.01
2.01±0.02
5.13±0.81
22.23±0.84
1.58±0.02
Day 2
5.41±0.08
4.10±0.06
1.31±0.08
0.401±0.01
0.45±0.01
4.87±0.64
18.23±0.66
1.20±0.02
Day 3
4.07±0.04
3.20±0.04
0.86±0.02
0.21±0.01
0.36±0.01
4.68±0.42
14.91±0.40
0.86±0.01
Over all means
5..91±0.05
3..93±0.05
1.76±0.02
0.39±0.01
0.94±0.01
4.89±0.62
18.46±0.63
1.21±0.02
Table 3. Variation of colostroum chemical composition of Damascus goats under Sudan conditions during the first kidding using Duncan
Multiple Range (Animal =7).
Variables
Days
1
2
3
Total Protein
(%)
a
7.63
b
5.45
c
4.06
Casein
(%)
a
5.13
a
4.88
a
4.68
Whey
(%)
protein
Albumin
(mg/1000g)
a
2.01
b
0.45
c
0.36
β-lacto-globulin
(mg/1000g)
a
0.55
b
0.40
c
0.21
a
3.11
b
1.31
c
0.86
Fat
(%)
Total solids
(%)
a
4.49
b
4.10
c
3.20
a
1.58
b
1.18
c
0.86
Ash
(%)
a
22.23
b
18.23
c
14.91
*Abbreviation key: S.E= Standard Error.
Means bearing different letters in a column are ignorantly different (P< 0.05)
in day 2 and day 3 was evident (0.446±0.007 and
0.364±0.007 mg/kg, respectively) as shown in Table 2
and Table 3. The means (±S.E) of fat of the colostrum of
Damascus goat were 5.13±0.81% in day 1, 4.87±0.64%
in day 2 and 4.68±0.42% for day 3. The obtained data
showed non-significant (P>0.05) variations (Table 2 and
Table 3). The total solids content of the colostrum of
Damascus goat were significantly (P<0.05) higher in day
1 (22.23±0.84%) than day 2 and day 3 (18.23±0.66 and
14.91±0.41%), respectively (Table 2 and Table 3). The
ash values of the colostrum of Damascus goat were
significantly (P<0.05) higher in day 1
(1.58±0.02%) compared to the values estimated during
the second and third day (1.20±0.017% and 0.86±
0.014%, respectively) as shown in Table 2 and Table 3).
The colostrum was found to be rich in its composition
compared to the milk of the does (Table 4).
DISCUSSION
The mean birth weight recorded in male (3.63 kg) as well
as female (3.47kg) kids in the present study was
comparable to that reported by Awgichew and Abegaz
(2009) for Damascus goats (3 to 4.2 kg). Mavrogenis et
al. (2006) reported that the average birth weights of
males were heavier (4.4±0.7kg) than females (3.9±0.7
kg). Kid's birth weights range from 3.5kg to 5.5kg
Mahmoud et al.
344
Table 4. Variations of the chemical composition of colostrum and milk of Damascus
goats at first kidding
Variables
Protein (%)
Casein (%)
Whey protein (%)
Albumin(mg/100g)
B-globulin(mg/100g)
Fat (%)
T.S (%)
Ash (%)
Colostrum
a
5.70
a
3.93
a
1.761
a
0.692
a
0.941
a
4.894
a
18.46
a
1.214
Milk
b
3.42
b
2.73
b
0.683
b
0.425
b
0.255
b
4.318
b
13.08
b
0.682
Means bearing different letters in a raw differ (P< 0.05
depending on the type of birth and sex (Mavrogenis et al.,
1985; Constantinou, 1989 and Mavrogenis and
Papachristoforou, 2000). Moreover Keskin and Bicer
(2002) reported the birth weight was 3.5±0.10 kg
(suckling group) and 3.7±0.09 kg (milk replacer group).
Gall (1996) reported the average body weight at birth
4.2±0.5 kg and range between 3.1 and 3.4 kg. Similarly
the value was in accord to Keskin and Bicer (2002) for
Damascus kids (suckling and fed on milk replacer) and
Khazaal (2009). Abd El Gadir and El Zubeir (2005)
reported an average birth weight of 3.56 ± 1.0283 for kg
for Saanen × Nubian goats raised under Sudan
conditions. Moreover slightly higher values were obtained
for kids during the second and third months of lactation
by Mavrogenis et al. (2006) and Khazaal (2009).
The differences might be attributed to low fed intake
and/or due to the differences in dam's weights. The does
in the present study was in the first kidding and have low
body weight (Table 1). As higher average body weight
(kg) of shami does at kidding (67.4 kg) was reported
(Khazaal, 2009). The age at first kidding (15-18 months)
was in agreement of Gall (1996) who reported that the
average age at first kidding was 15.1 months. Also
Awgichew and Abegaz (2009) reported age at first
kidding of 15 to 24 months, mature body weight for
Damascus goats as 35-65 kg and lactation periods
ranged from 155 to 300 days.
The study of the composition of the first milk or
colostrum and gradual transition to normal milk (during
first three days) is of considerable interest from several
points of view. The colostrum or the first milk is
characterized by high total protein, protein fraction, total
solids, fat, and ash during the first three days following
parturition compared to milk (Table 2 and Table 3). These
data indicates that a drop in several of the constituents
occurred on the second day, with exception of fat content
which was more stable. Bergman and Turner (1936)
indicated the drop in several of the constituents occurred
on the second day and that the milk tends to approach
normality between third and fourth days. They added that
the only constituent showing a slight increase during this
period was lactose. The levels of protein and total IgG
contents dropped quickly from the time of birth to 132
hours postpartum, whereas fat and lactose content
increased from birth to 24 hours postpartum and
subsequently decreased until 132 hours postpartum
(Arguello et al., 2004))
The decrease reported for the total protein content of
the colostrum was similar to that reported by Castro et al.
(2006). The gradual decline in the albumin content
indicated that the higher amount of total protein in the
colostrum of goat, immediately after parturition is due to
the globulin rather than the albumin (Bergman and
Turner, 1936). The most rapid change of colostrum in this
study in the β-lactoglobulin, which was 2.014 on the first
day, 0.446 on the second day, then gradually declined to
0.364 mg/100g on the third day.
The colostrum was found to be rich in its composition
compared to milk of the does (Table 4). This is in accord
to Egbowon et al. (2005) who obtained similar higher
values for total solids; protein and fat in colostrum
compared to the milk of West African dwarf and Red
Sokoto goats. The total protein and protein fractions
(casein, whey protein, albumin and β-lacotglobulin)
contents of colostrum are more than that of milk.
Egbowon et al. (2005) reported the protein content of
colostrum is more than that of milk. Also they added that
colostrum is rich in antibodies which are protein, this may
account for the higher protein levels recorded in
colostrum over milk. Feeding of high quality colostrum is
the most effective way to obtain sufficient immunoglobulin
and failure of transfer of passive immunity is a major
cause of increased susceptibility to infectious agents in
newborn kids (Constant et al., 1994).
This study concluded that there were no major
differences between colostrum composition and
performances of Damascus goats under Sudan
conditions and Damascus goats raised under other
conditions as reported in the literature. All constituents of
colostrum were decreased rapidly in the second day, with
exception of fat which was more stable. The globulin
decreases very rapidly while only a moderate decline in
albumin occurs. The first milking was quite high in
globulin with a marked drop at the second milking. Hence
it was recommended that Damascus goats can be raised
in Sudan with acceptable production. Further research is
345
Wudpecker J. Agric. Res.
needed concerning different parities, nutritional needs
and general heath under Sudan conditions.
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