Feeding corn during the last 12 days of gestation improved colostrum production and neonatal activity in goats grazing subtropical semi-arid rangeland1

Abstract

The objectives were to investigate if partial substitution of a grazing diet with a supplemental high-starch feed during the last 12 d of gestation improved colostrum yield and neonatal activity in goat does grazing semi-arid rangeland. For the first objective, 25 pregnant does were randomly assigned to 1 of 2 treatments: 1) grazing only (control; n = 11), and 2) grazing plus 0.6 kg/d of supplemental corn (as fed), a high starch feed, during the last 12 ± 1.0 d before parturition (SC; n = 14). Colostrum was collected at parturition and again at 1, 3, 6, and 10 h postpartum for yield and composition. In all goats, blood concentrations of glucose and plasma progesterone were determined. Total colostrum yield/10 h was greater (P = 0.002) in the SC does (1,102 ± 144 g) than in control does (405 ± 50 g). From 6 to 10 h postpartum, contents of colostrum protein and solids not fat were less (P ≤ 0.012) whereas lactose contents were greater (P = 0.035) in the SC does than in control does. Concentration of glucose in the blood at parturition was greater (P = 0.037) in the SC does (160 ± 13 mg/dL) than in control does (115 ± 12 mg/dL). A significant decrease (P = 0.001) in plasma progesterone concentrations occurred 1 d before parturition in control does, whereas the decrease (P = 0.008) occurred 3 d before parturition in SC does. For the second objective, 20 does (10 per group) and their single kids were randomly assigned to the same treatments as above for evaluation of dietary treatment on neonatal activity. Kid activity was assessed using videos recorded during the first 90 min after birth. Frequency of low-pitched bleats was greater (P < 0.001) in kids of SC does than in kids of controls. Frequencies and durations of teat seeking from 30 to 90 min after birth and of suckling activity were greater (P ≤ 0.015) in kids of SC does than in kids of controls. Duration of parturition was longer (P = 0.001) in control does (58 ± 10.2 min) than in SC does (21 ± 2.8 min). Finally, percentage of fetal malpresentation was greater (P = 0.036) in control does (33.3%) than in SC does (9.0%). We conclude that partial substitution of the grazing diet with a high-starch feed, corn, during the last 12 d of gestation improved colostrum yield and neonatal activity in goats grazing subtropical semi-arid rangeland.

Inclusion of maize in the grazing diet of goats during the last 12 days of gestation reinforces the expression of maternal behaviour and selectivity during the sensitive period

“…Improvement in the maternal behaviour in mothers in the maize group of this study may be partially due to the level of neonatal activity displayed by their kids. In fact, feeding maize during late pregnancy in goats that graze extensively improved neonatal activity (high frequency for udder seeking, sucking, and LPB emission) after birth (Ramírez-Vera et al, 2012). This improved kid behaviour could make them more attractive for mothers, thus reinforcing the display of maternal care towards more active neonates, as proposed by Klopfer and Klopfer (1977).…”

“…Under these conditions, many lambs die of starvation as they do not receive adequate colostrum, but supplementing these females with maize during late gestation increased the amount of colostrum available for the newborn at birth (Banchero et al, 2004a,b;Murphy et al, 1996). Recently we have reported that feeding corn during the late gestation improved colostrum production and neonatal activity in goats grazing subtropical semi-arid rangeland (Ramírez-Vera et al, 2012). Therefore, in parturient goats under poor grazing conditions this increase of colostrum production and the improved kid activity due to the inclusion of maize in the diet probably promote the early formation of mother-young bond.…”

“…Pregnant ewes and goats, kept under poor grazing conditions mobilise their body reserves during the last 6 week of gestation due to fast foetal growth and colostrum yield which diminish their body condition score (BCS; Hussain et al, 1996;Meyer et al, 2011). However, when an energetic supplementation using maize was provided to the grazing goats during the late gestation the BCS at birth was higher than in non-supplemented goats (Ramírez-Vera et al, 2012). Moreover, in goats as in ewes, the addition of maize in the grazing diet during late gestation increased the blood glucose concentrations, which in turn, increased lactose synthesis and thus, quantity of colostrum available at parturition (Banchero et al, 2004a(Banchero et al, ,b, 2007Landau et al, 1999).…”

Alternative methods for control of reproduction in small ruminants: A focus on the needs of grazing industries

“…In addition to the nutritional and immunological benefits, colostrum in the gut improves the ability of the newborn to recognize its mother and thus contributes to the establishment of the mother-young bond (Goursaud and Nowak, 1999;Ramírez-Vera et al, 2012a). With the implementation of restricted, brief mating periods and ultrasound assessment of pregnancy, focus feeding can be used in the last week of gestation to increase greatly the amount of colostrum available at birth (review: Banchero et al, 2006) and improve neonatal survival (Goodwin and Norton, 2004;Ramirez-Vera et al, 2012b).…”

The Opuntia Effect Improves Dam-Kid Metabolic Markers, Augments Colostrum Quality and Enhances Kid-To-Dam Behavioral Interactions in Crossbred Goats and their Offspring under Semiarid-Rangeland Conditions

“…In turn, not only milk production and offspring development will be compromised [10], but also an increased offspring mortality rate would be expected [1,2,11]. Furthermore, such a depressed physiological scenario will also negatively affect the doe-offspring behavioral interactions and bonding while it will depress the newborn strength [5,12]. To overcome such a physiological demanding scenario is not only essential for kid survival but also to safeguard the newborn cognitive competence and recognizing ability [5,13].…”