Background and Aim: Hematological parameters are critical indicators of health and physiological status in goats. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of location, feeding regimen, age, and body condition score (BCS) on hematological parameters in Creole goats reared under extensive systems on the southern coast of Peru and to establish context-specific reference values. Materials and Methods: A total of 111 multiparous goats from nine herds were assessed. Red blood cell (RBC) (RBC, hematocrit, hemoglobin [HGB], mean corpuscular volume [MCV], mean corpuscular hemoglobin [MCH], and MCH concentration [MCHC]) and white blood cell (WBC) (WBC, lymphocytes, monocytes [MON], neutrophils [NEU], and eosinophils [EOS]) parameters were determined using a veterinary hematology analyzer. Robust linear regression models with MM-estimation were applied, with model selection based on Akaike information criterion, Bayesian information criterion, and root mean square error. Correlation analyses and hierarchical clustering were also performed to explore inter-parameter relationships. Results: Significant interindividual variation was noted, particularly among leukocyte indices (EOS, MON, NEU; coefficient of variation >50%). In contrast, MCH and MCV exhibited low variability. The geographic location was not statistically significant, suggesting environmental homogeneity across the sites. Dietary composition and BCS significantly influenced several hematological indices. Goats with higher BCS and mixed alfalfa-residue diets exhibited increased HGB and RBC counts, whereas younger goats showed higher MCHC values. Predictive equations were generated to estimate hematological values under specific management conditions. Conclusion: This study highlights the relevance of age, nutritional status, and body condition in modulating hematological values in Creole goats. The derived models and reference values can inform localized diagnostic criteria and enhance decision-making in goat health management under extensive systems. Future studies should incorporate seasonal, sex-based, and longitudinal analyses to refine predictive accuracy. Keywords: body condition score, creole goat, extensive production system, feeding regimen, hematological parameters, Peru, robust regression.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of supplementation of multi nutritional blocks (MNB) for growing goats on their productive and economic performance in an intensive system, on the central Peruvian coast. For this, 51 Saanen goats at two months of age and 9.7±1.4kg live weight on average were randomly distributed in three treatments: T0 = control; T1 = MNB supplementation with 24% crude protein (CP), and T2 = MNB supplementation with 29% CP, for a period of two months. Initial live weight (ILW, kg), final live weight (FLW, kg), weight gain (WG, kg), survival rate (SR, %) and economic retribution (ER, S/) were evaluated, using SPSS v. 27. Values of 16.17±1.65 and 6.52±1.44kg were obtained for FLW and WG, respectively, and the SR was 100% for all groups. On the other hand, MNB supplementation had a highly significant effect (p = 0.000) on FLW and WG, and a higher SR was observed when MNB was supplied with 24% CP. In conclusion, MNB supplementation with 24% CP for growing goats, under an intensive production system, significantly improves their productive performance and would achieve a higher economic return.

Background and Aim: Neosporosis, caused by Neospora caninum, is an important infectious cause of reproductive failure in ruminants, yet its epidemiological role in goats from hyper-arid coastal ecosystems remains poorly understood. In southern Peru, Creole goat production is predominantly extensive, with limited sanitary control and frequent dog–livestock interactions, which may facilitate parasite transmission. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of N. caninum and evaluate its association with reproductive problems in Creole goats, considering age and agroecological zone within a Bayesian mediation framework. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional analytical study was conducted between March and June 2025 in the Ica region of southern Peru. A total of 182 female goats from 28 herds with a history of reproductive disorders were included. Serum samples were analyzed using a competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay to determine N. caninum serostatus. Reproductive problems, defined as abortion or the birth of weak offspring, were considered the outcome variable. Associations among age, geographic zone, infection status, and reproductive problems were assessed using a Bayesian mediation model to estimate direct, indirect, and total effects. Results: The prevalence of N. caninum was higher in Zone 1 (25.78%; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 18.57–33.58) than in Zone 2 (11.11%; 95% CI: 4.08–20.38). Seropositive goats exhibited a significantly higher likelihood of reproductive problems (odds ratio = 6.49; 95% highest posterior density: 1.76–16.11). Reproductive disorders were more frequent in Zone 2 despite its lower seroprevalence, indicating the influence of non-infectious factors. Age showed a significant positive association with reproductive problems, reflecting cumulative physiological and environmental stress. Mediation analysis revealed that N. caninum acted as a direct risk factor rather than a significant mediator of age- or zone-related effects. Conclusion: N. caninum infection is strongly associated with reproductive problems in Creole goats from southern Peru and primarily functions as an individual-level risk factor. Geographic and age-related effects appear to operate largely through direct pathways independent of infection status. These findings highlight the multifactorial nature of reproductive disorders and underscore the importance of integrating infection control with nutritional and management strategies in extensive goat production systems. Keywords: agroecological zones, Bayesian mediation, Creole goats, Neospora caninum, prevalence, reproductive disorders, risk factors, southern Peru.