Obtención de cachemira por administración de extracto natural con mimosina y malla de contención como método de cosecha

Abstract

Cashmere is obtained through combing, which, due to the variation in shedding patterns among animals, requires up to three repetitions and is difficult to optimize. Shearing must be done before the spring molt, and the goats are sensitive to low temperatures. A method of synchronized, uniform harvesting with animal welfare is needed. To modify the molting of cashmere goats, there are no available physiological techniques, except for the use of mimosine, which must be applied according to the seasonal follicular cycle of the skin, with appropriate means. The objective was to analyze the method of administering Leucaena leucocephala extract with mimosine and a covering mesh for cashmere production. Creole adult
goats at 35° S, in a semi-extensive system in La Pampa, Argentina, were treated with a single dose of 500 mg of mimosine/kg of live weight, orally, and with a containment mesh. In this way, mimosine has an effect lasting no more than 24 hours, causing total shedding of fine fiber without significantly affecting the coarse fiber; no clinically detectable toxic effects were observed. The mesh is fundamental for the viability of the method, and the obtained fiber has textile suitability and superior discard behavior compared to other harvesting methods.