Characterization of Brazilian native goat types II. Evaluation of viscera

Abstract

An evaluation of viscera from adult does of the Marota, Moxotó and Non-descript (SRD) breed types was carried out. A group of 70 animals was maintained in confinement, and another group of 36 animals, in native pasture, for a period of 24 months. Confined animals received an average of 375 g/head/day of a mixture of corn grain and cotton meal (16% crude protein), and elephant grass Pennisetum purpureum "ad libitum". Both groups were given a 1:1 ratio of bone meal and sodium chloride "ad libitum". The type of breed effect was significant for the weights of pancreas and spleen, tongue, kidneys, metatarsi (P < 0.05), metacarpi (P < 0.01), heart (P < 0.0005) and empty small intestine (P <0.0001). For these parameters the Marota type showed superiority to the SRD type. However, it was not different from the Moxotó the exception being for empty small intestine. The Moxotó and SRD types were only showed differences for empty small intestine and pancreas and spleen weights. The interaction of main effects was significant (P < 0.05) for weights of fresh skin, lungs and trachea, tongue, and empty forestomachs. The corrected live weight covariable (live weight minus gastro-intestinal contents) showed significance (P < 0.0001) for all parameters analysed. It was found that 65% of the corrected live weight of an animal are destined to human consumption.