ABSTRACT
Milk production of transgenic does was evaluated by ultrasound measurements of the mammary gland. Two Canindé goats, which were nine months of age were used in the trial, one non-transgenic or other transgenic for hG-CSF. For hormone-induced lactation, animals were given estradiol (0.25mg/kg, IM), progesterone (0.75mg/kg, IM), and prednisolone (0.4mg/kg, IM). Ultrasonographic exams were carried out during milking, using a Falcon 100 ultrasound equipment with a 5MHz convex probe and were performed by the same operator. The results were expressed as mean±standard error. The maximum greater length and shorter length of the cistern were respectively 5.14cm and 1.36cm for the transgenic animal and 7.28cm and 2.25cm for non-transgenic, which is consistent with the maximum milk volume produced. The relationship between the average area of cisterns and milk yield was expressed as a linear correlation curve, with a correlation coefficient significantly positive for both transgenic (Y=-1.1314+10.8538*x; r=0.97) and non-transgenic (Y=-21.7551+18.3634*x; r=0.97) animals. In conclusion, the ultrasound is a practice and appropriate technique to evaluate the cisterns in ruminant udders in transgenic animal.