Mother-Kid Bonding in Goats: A Very Important Issue for Kids’ Survival and Performance Dilip Kumar Mandal* , Ajoy Das, Asish Debbarma and S

Abstract

Mother-offspring attachment is a crucial determinant for the survival of offspring. These relationships are supported by various factors such as hormone, olfaction cues, chemosensory stimuli, acoustic recognition etc. during early phase of bonding. Bonding occurs at various stages, in numerous brain structures, and the release of certain hormone allows the development of early learning and recognition abilities between mother and kid. It is evident that a selective and exclusive attachment forms between the mother and kids within few hours of parturition. Oxytocin and prolactin are two major hormones play key roles in expression of maternal behaviors and bond formation. Smelling, licking and grooming are vital activities in the establishment of unique olfactory memory in the mother for her offspring. Primiparous goats may delay nursing to neonates with aggressive/rejection behavior when compared to multiparous. Human meddling, drug and other stimulations from the natural environment are the causal factors for breakdown of connections between the mother and kids. During the first week of life, interruptions in mother’s care, maternal selectivity, and failure in mutual recognition may have a negative impact on the newborn’s survival and future performance.