Some Aspects of Reproductive Performance of Red Sokoto Goat Does Post Synchronization with Prostaglandin F2-Alpha And Progesterone Sponges

A study on reproduction of 52 Red Sokoto Goat (RSG) does was conducted to evaluate some aspects of their reproductive performance for clinical application and as an update. Does were randomly divided into 18, 18 and 16 as prostaglandin F2-alpha (PGF2α),  progesterone sponges (P4S) and control groups respectively. Double injection protocol of PGF2α, 12-days apart, and P4S inserted for 12-days were used to synchronize oestrus, while the control group received no treatment. Thirteen bucks were used, seven as breeders and six as heat detectors. Oestrus detection employed visual observation and apronisation. Standing to be mounted was the cardinal  sign of oestrus. Breeding was by hand-mating and at detected oestrus. Results indicated heterosexual and homosexual mounting, thin stringy clear mucous discharge and standing-to-be-mounted as signs of oestrus. Oestrus response rate was 100 %, 94.4 % and 75.0 %  for PGF2α, P4S and Control respectively; P4S retention rate was 94%. Effect of synchronization agent on on-set of oestrus was 15.86 + 0.73 h (PGF2α), 15.08 + 0.84 h (P4S) and 17.73 + 0.85 h (Control), while parity on on-set of oestrus was 12.12 + 1.87 h (first), 17.77 + 0.77  h (second) and 18.79 + 1.95 h (third). Effect of synchronization agent on duration of oestrus was 44.76 + 2.13 h, 45.78 + 2.46 h and 42.40 + 2.50 h for PGF2Α P4S and Control respectively, while parity on duration of oestrus was 42.26 + 5.48 h (first), 45.02 + 2.27 h (second) and 45.67 + 5.73 h (third). There were no significant differences (P > 0.05) for oestrus on-set and duration. Overall pregnancy and  conception rates were 65.4 % and 72.3 % respectively, kidding rate was 76.5 %, abortion rate was 23.5 % and late embryonic mortality rate was 26.5 %. Mean gestation were 146.29 + 1.59 and 146.63 + 1.64 for single and twin births respectively. Age, parity and body condition score of dam had significant effect on litter size (P < 0.05). It was concluded that some aspects of the reproductive  performance of the RSG does studied following oestrus synchronization with PGF2α and P4S had clinical application, good and acceptable. Key Words: Reproductive, Red Sokoto, Does, Prostaglandin F2-alpha and Progesterone

Oestrus synchronisation in Red Sokoto does treated with prostaglandin F2α and progesterone pessaries

Comparative oestrus synchronisation was carried out in 52 Red Sokoto does with the aim of evaluating the effectiveness and tightness of synchrony of prostaglandin F2- alpha (PGF2α) and progesterone pessaries for clinical application. Does were randomly divided into PGF2α treated (n = 18), progesterone pessaries treated (n = 18) and control (n = 16) groups. A double injection protocol of PGF2α, 12-days apart, and progesterone pessaries inserted for 12-days were used to synchronise oestrus, with no treatment to the Control group. Six sexually active bucks were used as heat detectors. Intensive and non-intensive oestrus detections were employed using visual observation and apronisation. Standing to be mounted was used as the main sign of oestrus. Oestrus response rate was 88.9 %, 33.3 % and 37.5 % for PGF2α, progesterone pessaries and Control groups respectively. Tightness of oestrus synchrony for PGF2α was within four days, while that of progesterone pessaries was within three days. Progesterone pessaries retention rate was 94.4 %. It was concluded that PGF2α double injection, 12-days apart, synchronised oestrus in Red Sokoto doe was more effective with a tighter synchrony and recommended for clinical use than progesterone pessaries inserted for 12-days.Keywords: Oestrus, Progesterone, Prostaglandin F2-alpha, Red Sokoto doe, Synchronisatio

Progesterone profile of red Sokoto does treated with prostaglandin F2-alpha and progesterone sponges for clinical application

Progesterone profiles of Red Sokoto does were evaluated for clinical application. Fiftyone Red Sokoto goats does were assigned into three groups: (a) prostaglandin F2-alpha (n = 17), and given double injection of prostaglandin F2-alpha at 12-days interval; (b) progesterone sponges (n = 17), and administered progesterone sponges, inserted for 12-days; and (c) control (n = 17), no treatment. Blood samples were collected from all groups from day 0 to 6, day 9, day 12 to 15, day 19, and day 21 to 23 for progesterone profile. Group A had four profiles: 1) does in luteal phase at first and second injections; 2) does in luteal phase at first injection but insensitive at second; 3) does in follicular phase at first injection but luteal phase at second; 4) does, insensitive at first and second injections. Group B profile were: 1) does in luteal phase at sponge insertion; 2) does in luteal phase with decreased progesterone concentration; 3) does in follicular phase at sponge insertion; 4) does with insensitive corpus luteum at sponge insertion. It was concluded that progesterone profile assisted in describing exhibitions and nonexhibitions of behavioural oestrus in Red Sokoto does

The effect of some environmental and disease factors on testicular and epididymal functions of zebu bulls and their friesian crosses. The influence of season on ejaculate characteristic on A.I. bulls

The study was conducted to determine the influence of season on ejaculate characteristics and semen quality of artificial insemination bulls at NAPRI i.e bulls made up of charolis, Bunaji, Sokoto Gudali, Friesian and FRx Bunaji bulls, over a 2 year period. Semen was collected twice weekly and evaluated for volume, colour, PH concentration, motility, presence or absence of foreign materials, live-dead counts and sperm abnormalities. While there were no significant seasonal differences in percentage sperm motility (P>0.05), semen volume, sperm concentrations, morphological sperm defects and sperm live-dead counts were significantly influenced by season (

Fertility of N'dama and Bunaji cattle to artificial insemination following oestrus synchronization with PRID and PGF2a in the hot humid zone of Nigeria

A study was undertaken to determine the effectiveness of a progesterone-releasing intravaginal device (PRID) and prostaglandin F2 alpha (PGF2a) in synchronizing oestrus in N'dama and Bunaji cows and heifers and the fertility following artificial insemination at the synchronized oestrus. A total of 116 cows and heifers (58 N'dama and 58 Bunaji) were used in two separate trials. In the first trial, oestrus was synchronized using a PRID, which was inserted for 12 days; in the second trial, oestrus was synchronized by giving two injections of PGF2a 13 days apart. Only animals that did not respond to the first injection were given the second injection. At the end of each treatment period, the animals were observed for oestrus for 7 days and inseminated approximately 12 h following detection of oestrus. Standing to be mounted was the single criterion used to judge an animal to have been in oestrus. PGF2a and PRID were both effective in synchronizing oestrus in N'dama and Bunaji cows and heifers. The respective oestrus response rates, pregnancy rate and conception rates for PRID and PGF2a were 85.7%, 53.6% and 62.5% for PRID, and 91.7%, 68.3% and 74.6% for PGF2a. N'dama cattle showed significantly (p<0.05) better oestrus response rate, pregnancy rate and conception rate than Bunaji cattle following both PRID and PGF2a treatments. The pregnancy rate and conception rate following PGF2a treatment were better (p<0.05) than for PRID, although the oestrus response rate did not differ. It is concluded that both PRID and PGF2a are effective in synchronizing oestrus in N'dama and Bunaji cattle in the hot humid zone of Nigeria and the fertility to artificial insemination at the synchronized oestrus was normal and acceptable. Thus, PRID and PGF2a can effectively be used in intensive breeding programmes for the rapid multiplication and distribution of both cattle breeds, especially the N'dama, which is a unique and beneficial animal genetic resource for the tsetse infested hot humid zone of Nigeria

Northern Nigeria: Sheep and goat production in the traditional Fulani agropastoral sector

Data are presented on the performance of Yankasa sheep and Red Sokoto goats kept by Fulani pastoralistst in a traditional agropastoral system in north Nigeria. Some comparisons are made with data from other studies in Nigeria and various West African countries. It is evident that small ruminant, especially goats, are important in providing ready cash for small household requirements. Management, nutrition and pre-weaning mortality are the main constraints to increased productivity, and efforts should be made to develop low-cost, low technology assistance in these areas

Assessing the nutritional status of Bunaji bulls fattened on varying inclusions of groundnut haulms and maize offal using some blood metabolites

An experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of inclusion levels of groundnut haulms (GH) and maize offal (MO) on some blood metabolites from twenty Bunaji bulls. The bulls were divided into four groups in a completely randomized design. They were fed signal grass (Brachiaria decumbens) hay ad libitum and concentrate diets containing groundnut haulms (GH) and maize offal (MO): 80:20% GH: MO, 60:40% GH: MO, 40:60% GH: MO and 20:80% GH: MO, respectively. The animals were fed the diets over a period of 90 days and their nutritional status ascertained from the serum metabolic profile.Keywords: Groundnut haulms, maize offal, packed cell volume, blood metabolites, bunaji bull