Studies on Innate Immune Characteristics of Baylis and Low Country Spanish Goats on Pasture

The objective of this study was to evaluate resilience to parasites in Baylis and Low Country Spanish goat bloodlines. Spanish goats have adapted to the Southeastern United States. They are known for their meat, abilities to thrive on forage and clear brush in harsh environments, and good fertility. About 8,000 purebred Spanish goats from 15 blood lines have been reported in the United States. This unique genetic resource has not been characterized. The Baylis and Low Country bloodlines are originally from the southeast and are considered parasite resistant. Eight adult female goats, four each from the Low Country and Baylis lines were monitored on pasture at the North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University farm. Blood and fecal samples were collected monthly for lab analysis. The average of data collected is presented during the three summer months, June, July, and August. Body weight, body condition score, and FAMACHA scores were determined. The packed cell volume (PCV) and total cell count were determined. Parasite eggs per gram (EPG) was determined using the Modified McMaster technique. Low Country had a higher Haemonchus contortus egg count during the summer season. The average coccidia oocyte count was about the same overall between the two bloodlines. On average, Baylis had a higher body weight (+5.4 kg), a slightly higher body condition score (+0.25), a higher PCV (+2.75%), and less Haemonchus contortus (-45.84 EPG) compared to the Low Country line. The Low Country goats had a PCV of 36.88%, a total cell count of 3.35E+06 and a H. contortus count of 116.67 EPG, respectively. FAMACHA scores were the same for both lines with 1.7. Both lines had low parasite burdens for animals maintained on pasture. However, under the same management conditions, the Baylis bloodline tended to show higher resilience to H. contortus as indicated by PCV, body weight and body condition score, when compared to the Low Country Line. Further studies using a larger population is needed to determine the impact of genetic variation and breed effects for parasite susceptibility.