COVID-19 in children and adolescents: MIS(-C)-taken diagnoses.

Multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) is an inflammatory condition associated with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). It is characterized by fever, gastro-intestinal symptoms, cardiovascular complications, conjunctivitis, skin involvement, elevated inflammatory markers, and coagulation abnormalities. The current ongoing COVID-19 pandemic causes an increased alertness to MIS-C. In combination with the heterogeneous clinical spectrum, this could potentially lead to diagnostic blindness, misdiagnosis of MIS-C, and overtreatment with expensive IVIG treatment. This report demonstrates the challenge of accurately distinguishing MIS-C from other more common inflammatory pediatric diseases, and the need to act with caution to avoid misdiagnoses in the current pandemic. We present a case series of 11 patients suspected of MIS-C based on the current definitions. Three of them were eventually diagnosed with a different disease. CONCLUSION: Current definitions and diagnostic criteria lack specificity which potentially leads to misdiagnosis and overtreatment of MIS-C. We emphasize the need to act with caution in order to avoid MIS(-C)-taken diagnoses in the current pandemic. WHAT IS KNOWN: • A pediatric multisystem inflammatory disease associated with SARS-CoV-2 has been described (MIS-C). • There are three definitions being used for MIS-C, all including fever for at least 24 h, laboratory evidence of inflammation, clinically severe illness with multi-organ (≥ 2) involvement, and no alternative plausible diagnosis. WHAT IS NEW: • MIS-C has a heterogeneous clinical spectrum without distinctive features compared to more common childhood diseases. Current definitions and diagnostic criteria for MIS-C lack specificity which leads to misdiagnosis and overtreatment. • Amid the current excessive attention to COVID-19 and MIS-C, pediatricians should remain vigilant to avoid mistaken diagnoses.

An international multidisciplinary consensus statement on fasting before procedural sedation in adults and children.

The multidisciplinary International Committee for the Advancement of Procedural Sedation presents the first fasting and aspiration prevention recommendations specific to procedural sedation, based on an extensive review of the literature. These were developed using Delphi methodology and assessment of the robustness of the available evidence. The literature evidence is clear that fasting, as currently practiced, often substantially exceeds recommended time thresholds and has known adverse consequences, for example, irritability, dehydration and hypoglycaemia. Fasting does not guarantee an empty stomach, and there is no observed association between aspiration and compliance with common fasting guidelines. The probability of clinically important aspiration during procedural sedation is negligible. In the post-1984 literature there are no published reports of aspiration-associated mortality in children, no reports of death in healthy adults (ASA physical status 1 or 2) and just nine reported deaths in adults of ASA physical status 3 or above. Current concerns about aspiration are out of proportion to the actual risk. Given the lower observed frequency of aspiration and mortality than during general anaesthesia, and the theoretical basis for assuming a lesser risk, fasting strategies in procedural sedation can reasonably be less restrictive. We present a consensus-derived algorithm in which each patient is first risk-stratified during their pre-sedation assessment, using evidence-based factors relating to patient characteristics, comorbidities, the nature of the procedure and the nature of the anticipated sedation technique. Graded fasting precautions for liquids and solids are then recommended for elective procedures based upon this categorisation of negligible, mild or moderate aspiration risk. This consensus statement can serve as a resource to practitioners and policymakers who perform and oversee procedural sedation in patients of all ages, worldwide.

Tracking and Reporting Outcomes Of Procedural Sedation (TROOPS): Standardized Quality Improvement and Research Tools from the International Committee for the Advancement of Procedural Sedation.

Many hospitals, and medical and dental clinics and offices, routinely monitor their procedural-sedation practices-tracking adverse events, outcomes, and efficacy in order to optimize the sedation delivery and practice. Currently, there exist substantial differences between settings in the content, collection, definition, and interpretation of such sedation outcomes, with resulting widespread reporting variation. With the objective of reducing such disparities, the International Committee for the Advancement of Procedural Sedation has herein developed a multidisciplinary, consensus-based, standardized tool intended to be applicable for all types of sedation providers in all locations worldwide. This tool is amenable for inclusion in either a paper or an electronic medical record. An additional, parallel research tool is presented to promote consistency and standardized data collection for procedural-sedation investigations.

Comparison of milk fatty acid profiles measured on Kouri cows near Lake Chad and on dairy cattle as reported by meta-analytical data.

Kouri (Bos taurus) is a breed aboriginal from Lake Chad and threatened with extinction. This study aimed to compare milk fatty acid profiles measured on Kouri cows and on high-yielding dairy cattle in Europe and elsewhere as reported by meta-analytical data (22 experimentations). Milk samples were collected from 14 Kouri dairy cows in dry season (March to June) and fatty acids (FA) were determined by gas chromatography. Overall, 32 FA have been identified. Kouri showed lower values (P < 0.001) in the sum of saturated FA (SFA, -10.9 pts), cis-9, cis-12 18:2 (-1.00 pt) (P < 0.01, higher values (P < 0.001) in the sum of monounsaturated FA (MUFA, +15.3 pts), C18:0) (+3.5 pts), cis-9, trans-11 C18:2-CLA (+1.00 pts), trans-11 18:1 (+1.4 pts) and (P < 0.01) in cis-9, C18:1 (+3.00 pts) acids. The differences between the milk FA profile of the Kouri cows and that obtained from meta-analytical data could be the possible consequence of the use of particular lake pastures by Kouri cows.

Pediatric delirium in the pediatric intensive care unit: a systematic review and an update on key issues and research questions.

There was a dearth in awareness and knowledge regarding pediatric delirium (PD) at the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU). The aim of this study is to highlight the most recent and up-to-date findings of current literature -by means of a systematic review (SR) method-, and to present the key issues and research questions. A SR of the literature published between 24 March 2009 and 10 March 2011. Eight new articles were identified which included (literature) reviews, journal commentaries, and observational studies. There still is a dearth of literature on PD, with also a variable level of evidence (1b - 5), especially in relation to critical illness. To be able to further clarify PD in the PICU, additional research questions are provided for future research.

Adherence to safety guidelines on paediatric procedural sedation: the results of a nationwide survey under general paediatricians in The Netherlands.

OBJECTIVES: Following two fatal accidents during paediatric procedural sedation (PS), the authors investigated the level of adherence to established safety standards on PS in a nationwide cohort of fully trained general paediatricians, entrusted with PS. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Sample survey Safety guidelines on PS were split into four domains ("Presedation Assessment", "Monitoring during PS", "Recovery after PS" and "Facilities and Competences for Emergencies and Rescue"). Each domain was operationalised into sub-domains and items. Items were presented within a questionnaire list as procedural points of attention on which respondents could give their personal adherence score. Percentages of full adherence were calculated. Non-adherence was defined as gradual deviation from full adherence. After factor and reliability analysis, observed scores were summed up to scales, and results were transformed to a 0-10 report mark (RM). An RM of ≥9 is considered as a satisfactory level of adherence while an RM <6 is considered as unacceptably low. RESULTS: Full adherence was rare. For most (sub) domains, only a minority of respondents achieved a satisfactory level of adherence. Large numbers of respondents had scores below 6. CONCLUSIONS: Potentially unsafe PS practices are common under Dutch general paediatricians, despite the availability of guidelines. The design of guidelines should include a goal-directed plan for implementation including training, initiatives for continuous quality assurance and improvement and repeated measurements of adherence to guidelines.

Procedural sedation and analgesia in children by non-anesthesiologists in an emergency department.

Procedural sedation and analgesia (PSA) is a standard of care for the management of acute procedural pain and anxiety in the emergency department (ED). However, there is evidence that PSA practice is still ineffective and potentially unsafe in many pediatric settings. PSA has to be regarded as a separate medical act that should be provided only by well-trained and credentialized professionals, within a context of transparency, registration and ongoing quality control. Only by maintaining strict criteria regarding professional competences, safety precautions, monitoring, recovery and rescue facilities an optimal patient safety can be guaranteed. Besides, ED professionals have a duty to deliver effective PSA, not only from a procedural point of view (i.e. guaranteeing predictable procedural success and timing) but also from a patient's perspective (i.e. achieving optimal procedural comfort). An effective PSA program on a pediatric ED means that a professional is easily available at all times who is trained in the safe use of highly controllable drugs that match the sedation need and guarantee an optimal level of comfort without the need for forced immobilization or restraint. A high-quality PSA service includes the adequate use of local or topical anesthesia, the systematic application of non-pharmacologic techniques, the availability of effective PSA drugs and the possibility of rescue anesthesia in case PSA is unsuccessful or is expected to be ineffective or unsafe in a given patient. PSA for children, including deep sedation, should be formally incorporated in the training program for emergency physicians.

Comparison of non-linear growth models to describe the growth curve in West African Dwarf sheep.

The objectives of this study were to compare the goodness of fit of four non-linear growth models, i.e. Brody, Gompertz, Logistic and Von Bertalanffy, in West African Dwarf (WAD) sheep. A total of 5274 monthly weight records from birth up to 180 days of age from 889 lambs, collected during 2001 to 2004 in Betecoucou breeding farm in Benin were used. In the preliminary analysis, the General Linear Model Procedure of the Statistical Analysis Systems Institute was applied to the dataset to identify the significant effects of the sex of lamb (male and female), type of birth (single and twin), season of birth (rainy season and dry season), parity of dam (1, 2 and 3) and year of birth (2001, 2002, 2003 and 2004) on the observed birth weight and monthly weight up to 6 months of age. The models parameters (A, B and k), coefficient of determination (R2), mean square error (MSE) were calculated using language of technical computing package Matlab®, 2006. The mean values of A, B and k were substituted into each model to calculate the corresponding Akaike's Information Criterion (AIC). Among the four growth functions, the Brody model has been selected for its accuracy of fit according to the higher R2, lower MSE and AIC. Finally, the parameters A, B and k were adjusted in Matlab®, 2006 for the sex of lamb, year of birth, season of birth, birth type and the parity of ewe, providing a specific slope of the Brody growth curve. The results of this study suggest that Brody model can be useful for WAD sheep breeding in Betecoucou farm conditions through growth monitoring.

Indigenous Muscovy ducks in Congo-Brazzaville. 1. A survey of indigenous Muscovy duck management in households in Dolisie City.

A cross-sectional study by means of a questionnaire with open-ended questions and multiple-choice questions was used to collect data on the profile of duck keepers, husbandry practices, and performances, opportunities and constraints of Muscovy duck breeding in households (n = 88) in Dolisie city (Congo-Brazzaville). The study confirmed the common observations on traditional poultry keeping such as scavenging during the day and housing overnight. The flock size (7.7 +/- 3 ducks per unit) showed no specialization of husbandry (100% of surveyed flocks were kept for simultaneous production of ducklings, meat and eggs) and a high drake-to-duck ratio (1:3). The hatchability was close to 80.5% +/- 13%, whereas the average number of eggs was 13.2 +/- 5 per clutch. In addition, a high mortality (80%) was observed in ducklings, which was due to poor feeding, lack of veterinary care and housing conditions. Eggs and live ducks were sold by duck farmers in response to the family needs rather than market price. The three most important findings were as follows: (1) duck keepers were mainly men (80% versus 20% of women); (2) there was no evidence of taboo; and (3) the duck as an exotic bird was not proscribed by cultural beliefs, and therefore development of the Muscovy duck in Congo Brazzaville should be unhindered.

Indigenous Muscovy ducks in Congo Brazzaville. 2. Preliminary observations on indigenous Muscovy ducks reared under moderate inputs in Congolese conditions.

To evaluate the potential of the native Muscovy ducks in Congo, a trial was conducted with closed housing, commercial feeding and veterinary care. The characterization included reproductive performance, daily weight gain, live body weight, feed conversion ratio, body live weight productivity, and meat productivity. The experimental genetic stock was bred under natural mating and natural incubation. The number of eggs recorded per female and per clutch was 14.6 +/- 3 eggs with 2 clutches per year. The average (+/-SD) hatchability was 75% +/- 3% and the average egg weight was 72 +/- 8 g. The sexual dimorphism for body weight appeared after 3 weeks (p < 0.05). The maximum daily weight gain in males reached 55 +/- 8 g/day and occurred at 5 weeks, whereas in females it occurred at 4 weeks and reached 35 +/- 5 g/day. The carcass yield was 70% +/- 5% and 51 +/- 8% in males and females, respectively. The meat productivity was 26.7 and 11.5 kg/m2 per year in males and females, respectively. From these findings, it can be concluded that the incubation by mother duck is preferred in the small farming duck and that males should be raised for meat and females for egg production. Further studies including local poultry-related issues are needed to optimize the performance of the native Muscovy duck in Congo-Brazzaville.

[Delirium in critically ill children in a paediatric intensive care unit]. / Delier bij kritisch zieke jonge kinderen op een pediatrische intensivecareafdeling.

Two critically ill girls, aged 2.3 years and 3.5 years respectively, developed delirium in the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU). The first child, admitted with meningococcal meningitis and septic shock with respiratory failure, suffered from hyperactive delirium which started 2 hours post-extubation. The second child, admitted due to an exacerbation of cystic fibrosis with the threat of respiratory failure, suffered from hypoactive delirium with regression, inconsolability, dyspraxia and dysphasia. Both patients responded well to a single intravenous dose of haloperidol. Although delirium occurs in critically ill children, it often goes unrecognized, particularly in its hypoactive form. It should nevertheless be considered as a medical emergency, particularly in a PICU setting, and should be treated accordingly. Physicians are generally reluctant to consider psychopharmacological treatment of childhood delirium. Haloperidol is considered as the drug of choice, but risperidone can also be used successfully.

Examination of non-genetic factors affecting the growth performance of djallonke sheep in soudanian zone at the Okpara breeding farm of Benin.

A study was carried out at the Okpara breeding farm in Benin. Records on 558 lambs of the Djallonke sheep breed, born from 1997 to 2000, were used to determine the weekly growth curve from birth up to 119 days of age. Non-genetic factors affecting lamb weights at birth and at 30, 60, 90 and 120 days and average daily gains from 0 to 30 days, from 0 to 60 days, from 0 to 90 days and from 0 to 120 days were investigated. A linear model comprising the fixed effects of birth season, birth year, parity number of ewe and sex of lambs was used for analysis of variance by least squares. All fixed effects were significant for weight at 30 and 60 days and average daily gains at 30 days, with the exception of the parity of the ewe for birth weight, weight and average daily gain at 90 days. All fixed effects tended to cancel out for weight and average daily gains by 120 days. Lambs born in the dry season were the heaviest. Single lambs and male lambs were heavier than twins and females. Lambs from ewes of 3rd and 4th parity were heavier, with higher, average daily gains.

[An unsuspected imported disease: meningo-encephalitis contracted in Spain]. / Een niet-vermoede importziekte: meningo-encefalitis opgelopen in Spanje.

A 13-year-old boy consulted a doctor during a holiday in Spain because of high fever, headache and exanthema. A local physician prescribed josamycin, but the medication was lost due to vomiting. A few days later, shortly after returning to the Netherlands, he was hospitalised with a life-threatening neurologic and multi-organ failure. It took two weeks before the diagnosis 'Mediterranean spotted fever' was made and an appropriate antibiotic treatment was started. The patient made a slow but successful recovery. Rereading the hand-written Spanish medical report revealed that it had mentioned a correct diagnosis and adequate treatment. An apparently safe holiday destination thus does not exclude an imported disease. Knowledge of local epidemiology and good communication with the locally consulted medical system are essential for a correct diagnosis and therefore for appropriate treatment and a good prognosis.

Spirometric performance in Belgian Blue calves: II. Analysis of environmental factors and estimation of genetic parameters.

Genetic parameters and environmental effects for spirometric variables (SV) in calves were estimated using 734 Belgian Blue calves (15 to 297 d of age), sired by 20 AI bulls. For each calf, the following SV were measured: 1) the average ventilation (l/min) recorded during the 15 s of maximal ventilatory changes induced by lobeline administration (0.25 mg/kg, i.v.) (15-s MV(L)); 2) the vital capacity, and the maximal peak expiratory and inspiratory flows recorded after lobeline administration; and 3) the ventilatory reserve (15-s MV(L) - ventilation at rest). Analysis of environmental factors showed age of calf, herd, sex, and vaccination status had significant effects on SV. A sire model and a multiple-trait derivative-free REML procedure were used to estimate genetic parameters for SV, body weight, and muscling score. Heritabilities for SV ranged from 0.28 +/- 0.11 to 0.44 +/- 0.16. Genetic correlations among SV varied from 0.76 to 0.98 and environmental correlations from 0.69 to 0.80. Genetic correlations of SV with body weight (0.25 to 0.56) and with muscling score (0.21 to 0.76) were positive, as were environmental correlations of SV with body weight (0.44 to 0.70) and muscling score (0.09 to 0.25). These results suggest that selection may improve SV without impairing other traits of economic importance.

Spirometric performance in Belgian Blue calves: I. Effects on economic losses due to the bovine respiratory disease complex.

The aim of this study was to determine whether high spirometric performances in calves are associated with low economic losses due to the bovine respiratory disease complex (BRDC). Five spirometric variables (SV) were measured in 909 double-muscled Belgian Blue calves from 15 to 60 d of age. Afterward, calves were monitored for 6 mo to determine whether they developed BRDC and to determine the costs due to BRDC (i.e., medicine costs and veterinarians' fees, plus estimated financial losses due to mortality in case of death). To analyze the effects of spirometric performances on BRDC cost, a fixed linear model was used for each SV. In addition to SV, each model included the effects of sex, dam's parity, vaccination status, muscular development score, herd-period, and BW. Only herd-period and the maximal ventilation and the vital capacity had significant effects on costs due to BRDC, indicating that these two SV are major physiological determinants of economic losses associated with BRDC. Accordingly, it is assumed that an amelioration of maximal ventilation and vital capacity could result in increased resistance to BRDC in calves.

Application of a mixed normal mixture model for the estimation of Mastitis-related parameters.

The current methodology for estimating genetic parameters for SCC (SCS) does not account for the difference in SCS between healthy cows and cows with an intramammary infection (IMI). We propose a two-component finite mixed normal mixture model to estimate IMI prevalence, separate SCS subpopulation means, individual posterior probabilities of IMI, and SCS variance components. The theory is presented and the expectation-conditional maximization algorithm is utilized to compute maximum likelihood estimates. The methodology is illustrated on two simulated data sets based on the current knowledge of SCS parameters. Maximum likelihood estimates of IMI prevalence and SCS subpopulation means were close to simulated values, except for the estimate of IMI prevalence when both subpopulations were almost confounded. Individual posterior probabilities of IMI were always higher among infected than among healthy cows. Error and additive variance components obtained under the mixture model were closer to simulated values than restricted maximum likelihood estimates obtained assuming a homogeneous SCS distribution, especially when subpopulations were completely separated and when mixing proportion was highest. Convergence was linear and rapid when priors were chosen with caution. The advantages of the methodology are demonstrated, and its feasibility for large data sets is discussed.

Note on age and body weight at puberty in Mehraban Iranian fat-tailed ewe lambs.

Data on 436 Mehraban fat-tailed ewe lambs collected during 1985 to 1988 were analysed. A 4-year study of factors affecting age and body weight at puberty in Mehraban ewe lambs showed that the year of birth did not affect age at puberty but body weight at puberty. Sires significantly influenced age and body weight at puberty with body weight being more important than age. Sire-group correlation of age at puberty between years was low while that of body weight was relatively high. Date of birth within the year had a significant effect on age and body weight at puberty. Ewe lambs born late in the lambing season were lighter and younger at puberty. High pre-weaning growth rate and heavy weaning weight were associated with early puberty and heavy body weight at puberty. Age and body weight at puberty averaged 244.7 (s.d. 13.9) days and 44.1 (s.d. 2.4) kg respectively. Heritability estimates for age and body weight at puberty were 0.14 and 0.37 respectively.

Effects of parity, breed, herd-year, age, and month of kidding on the milk yield and composition of dairy goats in Belgium.

SUMMARY: Lactation records, collected from 1989 to 1995, for Belgian dairy goats were examined for effects of parity, breed, herd-year, age at kidding, and month of kidding on milk, fat and protein yields, and on fat and protein percentages. Total lactation yields were computed from test-day yields, using Fleischmann's method. For lactations longer than 250 days, yields were truncated at 250 days. Partial lactations (25 days minimum) were extended to 250 days, and fat and protein percentages were deducted from the yields. After editing a total of 2997 lactation records of 2562 does remained. The parity classifications were first and second or greater; kidding seasons were defined as December, January, February, March, April to July, and August to November. The breed groups were Anglo-Nubian, Chamoisee, Saanen, and crossbreeds. The data were analysed within parity with a fixed-effect model that included effects of herd-year, breed, month of kidding, and age at Kidding. All effects in the model were significant on the traits measured for parities, except the age effects on fat percentage and of month of kidding on protein percentage at first parity. Saanen had the highest milk yield at first parity; at later parities, the Chamoisee produced most. Yield increases were large between first and later parities. Does freshening in February produced more milk than those that freshened at other months. Monthly variations in fat and protein percentages across parities, although mostly significant, were small. Yields increased with age at first parity; for later parities, they increased until 25-30 months for milk and until 40 months for fat and protein, and then decreased. Fat and protein percentages increased up to 15-17 months of age, and then decreased to the lowest values around 25 months; this was followed by an increase around 32 months, which tended to stabilize until 50 months. The ranges of R(2) associated with effects were: for herd-year, 43-52% and 22-36%; for breed, 3-11% and 4-12%; for month of kidding 6-10% and 2-5%; for age at kidding 3-7% and 1-17%-for first and second, and later parities, respectively. RÉSUMÉ: L'influence des effets numéro de lactation, race, troupeau-année, mois et âge à la mise bas a été étudiée sur la production des chèvres laitières de Belgique, enregistrées de 1989 à 1995. Les productions totales réalisées ont été calculées à partir des résultats aux contrôles. Pour les lactations supérieures à 250 j, les productions ont été tronquées à 250 j. Les lactations partielles (minimum 25 j) ont été extrapolées à 250 j. Au total, 2997 lactations à 250 jours étaient disponibles, pour 2562 chèvres des races Anglo-nubienne, Chamoisée, Saanen et croisées. Les données ont été réparties en 2 parités (1 et ≥ 2), 6 mois de mise bas (décembre, janvier, février, mars, avril à juillet et août à novembre). Le modèle d'analyse intra-parité comprenait les effets fixes troupeau-année, race, mois et âge à la mise bas. Tous les effets ont été significatifs sur les paramètres étudiès à l'exception de l'effet de l'âge sur les taux de matière grasse et de l'effet du mois de mise bas sur les taux de protéine, en parité 1. En première lactation, les Saanen ont enregistré les plus hautes productions de lait tandis qu'en seconde lactation, ce furent les Chamoisées. L'accroissement des productions a été important entre première et seconde lactation. Les mises bas de février ont enregistré les productions les plus élevées. Les taux de matières grasse et protéique ont accusé de faibles variations saisonnières. A l'exception de la parité 1 oú elles augmentaient, les productions de lait, matière grasse et protéine tendaient à diminuer avec l'âge. Une diminution des taux avec l'âge a été observée. Les données ont permis d'établir de nettes différences de production entre la première et la seconde parité à âges identiques; cependant leur nombre encore limité n'a pas permis d'apprécier les effets d'intéractions âge × parité, âge × mois de mise bas on troupeau-année × mois de mise bas. Les valeurs de R(2) associées aux effets ont été: pour troupeau-année 43 à 52% et 22 à 36%, pour race 3 à 11% et 4 à 12%, pour mois de mise bas 6 à 10% et 2 à 5%, et pour l'âge à la mise bas 3 à 7% et 1 à 17%, respectivement pour les primipares et les multipares. ZUSAMMENFASSUNG: Einfluss von Laktationsnummer, Rasse, Herde-Jahr, Wurfmonat und -jahr auf Milch-, Fett- und Proteinertag und Fett- und Milchprozente bei belgischen Milchziegen Die Gesamtlaktationsleistungen wurden aus den Stichtagsleistungen mit der Methode von Fleischmann berechnet. Laktationsleistungen von mehr als 250 Tagen Dauer wurden auf 250 Tage standardisiert, Teillaktationen (Minimum 25 Tage) auf 250 Tage extrapoliert und Fett- und Proteingehalte aus den Leistungen abgeleitet. Von 2562 Ziegen der Rassen Anglo-Nubier, Gemsfarbige Gebirgsziege, Saanen sowie Kreuzungen standen Daten von 2997 Laktationen zu 250 Tagen zur Verfügung. Die Daten wurden in erste und folgende Laktationen sowie nach Wurfmonat (Dezember, Januar, Februar, März, April bis Juli, August bis November) gruppiert. Die Analyse der Daten wurde mit einem Modell fixer Effekte vorgenommen, das Herde-Jahr, Rasse, Wurfmonat und- alter beinhaltete. Ausser den Effekten des Wurfalters auf Fettprozente und des Wurfmonats auf Proteinprozente in der ersten Laktation waren alle untersuchten Parameter signifikant. In der ersten Laktation erzielten die Saanenziegen, in den folgenden Laktationen die Gemsfarbigen die höchste Milchleistung. Zwischen der ersten und den folgenden Laktationen stieg die Milchleistung stark an. Würfe im Februar verzeichneten die höchste Milchleistung. Monatliche Variationen in Fett- und Proteinprozenten über alle Laktationen waren zwar meist signifikant, aber von geringem Ausmass. Die Leistungen erhöhten sich in der ersten Laktation mit steigendem Alter. In den folgenden Laktationen stiegen die Milchleistung bis zum Alter von 25 bis 30 Monaten und die Fett- und Proteinerträge bis 40 Monate; danach nahmen die Leistungen ab. Fett- und Proteinprozente erhöhten sich bis zu einem Alter von 15 bis 17 Monaten und nahmen dann ab, um bei 25 Monaten die tiefsten Werte zu erreichen. In der Folge nahmen die Werte ab 32 Monaten wieder zu, um sich bei 50 Monaten zu stabilisieren. Die Bereiche der R(2) der verschiedenen Effekte lagen für Herde-Jahr bei 43 bis 52%, die Rasse bei 3 bis 11%, den Wurfmonat bei 6 bis 10% bzw. 2 bis 5% (erste und folgende Laktationen) und das Wurfalter bei 3 bis 7% bzw, 1 bis 17%.