Improved acceptance of Chromonaela odorata by goat kids after weaning is triggered by in utero exposure but not consumption of milk

Exposure to a novel feedstuff by goat dams during pregnancy and lactation versus pregnancy alone does not further improve post‐weaning acceptance of this feedstuff by their kids

“…The higher acceptance to COLM after weaning of goat kids with in utero exposure of COLM is consistent with the outcome of our previous studies . It is believed that flavours from the mother's diet are transmitted to the amniotic fluid and swallowed by the foetus .…”

“…This observation proved that there is no indirect transfer of the flavour preferences via body reserves of the dam. 8 The present experiment shows that there is also no direct transfer via the milk and corroborated earlier finding. The kids exposed to COLM during pregnancy had a significantly lower latency to eat.…”

“…The present result is in line with the findings in a cross-fostering experiment, 8 showing that the consumption of milk without exposure during pregnancy does not improve the intake of COLM by the kids after weaning. This observation proved that there is no indirect transfer of the flavour preferences via body reserves of the dam.…”

“…As such, introduction of a novel feedstuff during pregnancy, may improve the intake of this feedstuff by the offspring after weaning. This mechanism in goats as shown by our earlier work clearly demonstrates an improved acceptance of Chromoneala odorata by weaned goat kids after prenatal exposure to this feedstuff. In these studies, C. odorata was used as a test feedstuff because goats are reluctant to consume it voluntarily.…”

Effect of offering a multiple choice among Brazilian woody plants on intake and feeding behavior of experienced and inexperienced Santa Inês lambs

“…Accordingly, certain flavors in milk during the suckling period can lead to a higher preference for feeds with these flavors after weaning (Nolte and Provenza, 1991). Even the diet selected by the mothers during pregnancy might have an influence on the later diet selection of their offspring ('in utero learning', Hai et al, 2012Hai et al, , 2013. In the present study, the lambs were kept in individual pens and thus were confronted with the test plants without being able to learn from other animals.…”