Environmental factors affecting litter size and gestation length of three breeds of rabbits

Data consisting of 303 records on three different breeds of rabbits ((New Zealand White (NZW), Californian White (CW) and Chinchilla (CH)) were subjected to least squares analysis to ascertain the effects of breed, parity, season and year of breeding on gestation length (GL), litter size at parturition (LSP), alive (LSA) and at weaning (LSW). Least squares means ± SE for GL, LSP, LSA, LSW were 32.4 ± 0.32, 4.7 ± 0.19, 3.7 ± 0.16 respectively. GL was significantly (P<0.01) affected by breed, parity, season and year of breeding, while LSP and LSW were significantly (P<0.01) affected by breed, parity, season and year of breeding. LSA was however, affected by parity and season of breeding only (P<0.001)

Survivability of lambs in relation to their dam's haemoglobin variants

A total of 65 Yankasa, 23 Uda and 16 Balami ewes were mated to 4 Yankasa, 3 Uda and 3 Balami rams in a diallel breeding pattern to produce 192 lambs within 9 genotypes, which were used to study survivability of lambs in relation to their dam's haemoglobin variants. Blood samples (5ml) were collected from 104 ewes and 10 rams through jugular venepuncture. Electrophoresis was carried out in a Shandon electrophoresis tank on cellulose acetate strips.Each of the 9 lamb genotypes had very high proportion of HbAB. The dam's haemoglobin type BB (HbBB) were only found in YK X YK, UD X UD, YK X UD, BL X YK and BL X UD lambs at birth and 90-Day. Survivability of lamb that were given birth to by dams with haemoglobin type AB (HbAB) is highest in the studied populations from birth to 360-Day. Lambs with HbAB should be selected for improved survivability of sheep in Northern Nigeria

Effects of N-Butanol and Aqueous Fractions of Khaya senegalensis, Guiera senegalensis and Tamarindus Indica Leaves Extracts on Eimeria tenella Oocyst Sporulation in Vitro

The in vitro anti coccidial activities of n-butanol and aqueous fractions of Khaya senegalensis, Gueira senegalensis and Tamarindus indica leaves extracts on Eimeria tenella parasite was studied by observing the effects of the plant extracts on the sporulation of the Eimeria tenella oocysts. Drug resistance and consumer demanding decrease in the use of drugs in animals have generated interest in alternative strategies to control the avian disease one of which is herbal intervention studies. Fresh faecal samples were collected from infected birds and their oocysts load determined. Dilutions of the extracts (100mg, 250mg, 400mg, 550mg, 700mg and 850mg per ml) in distilled water were prepared and placed in separate well labelled petri dishes. 100 oocysts were added to each petri dish and the set up was left at ambient temperature on the laboratory table and monitored twice daily (9.00am and 3.00pm) to observe the sporulation of the oocysts over a 72 hours period. Laboratory sporulation medium (2.5% Potassium dichromate) and Amprolium were used for comparison. The phytochemical result implied that the active ingredients were present mainly in the n-butanol and crude extract&nbsp; fractions with the nbutanol fraction of the Khaya senegalensis extract containing phenols and flavonoids which have antioxidant effects. The in vitro study showed that the n-butanol fraction of K senegalensis (100mg/ml) and the aqueous fraction of Tamarindus indica (100mg/ml) extracts had similar effects to those obtained using Amprolium which was considered as the standard by inhibiting the sporulation of Eimeria tenella oocysts. It is therefore recommended that more work needs to be done to determine the anti&nbsp; coccidial activities of these extracts in vivo. Key words: Eimeria tenella, sporulation, in vitro, extract

Phenotypic and genotypic variability between two Nigerian indigenous goat population

In order to estimate the future breeding potential of a livestock breed, it is necessary to estimate the level of genetic diversity within the breed. Thus, this study was conducted to determine the phenotypic and genotypic variability within the West African dwarf (WAD) goats and a non-descript goat population. The WAD goats were obtained from Bodija market Ibadan, Oyo state, while the non-descript goats were obtained from the Animal Science Departmental Farm in Zaria, Kaduna State. Random collection of tissue samples was carried out on each goat population using an all flex ear punch tissue sample collector and aliquoted into plastic tubes containing the all flex preservative. DNA extraction, amplification and sequencing were carried out at the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), Nairobi, Kenya. DNA was extracted from the tissue cells using the Pure Link™ Genomic DNA-minikit according to the manufacturer's specifications and protocol and 25 microsatellite markers as recommended by FAO/ISAG were used for genotyping. Twenty three of the 25 microsatellite markers used in this analysis had four or more alleles. The mean Shannon index (I), observed (Ho) and expected heterozygosity (He) and inbreeding coefficient (Fis) for the WAD goats were 1.568, 0.584, 0.679 and 0.167, is respectively. For the non-descript goats, the mean Shannon index, observed and expected heterozygosity and inbreeding coefficient (Fis) were 1.607, 0.678, 0.721 and 0.041, is respectively. The microsatellite markers used in this study showed their suitability for analysis of genetic variability in this population as demonstrated by the high mean Shannon index. This study has shown that these two goat populations are significantly different phenotypically and genetically. Also, both populations showed significant deviations (P&lt;0.01) from Hardy-Weinberg expectations

Exploratory principal components analysis of growth traits in Red Sokoto goats

Growth traits of Red Sokoto goats were evaluated using 387records generated from goats raised under semi-intensive system of management at National Animal Production Research Institute (NAPRI), Shika, Zaria, Nigeria. Sex, type of birth, birth weight (BWT), weaning weight (WWT),12-month weight (WT12), adjusted weaning weight, season of birth and weaning were subjected to multivariate factor analysis with varimax rotation using IBM® SPSS® Version 21. Season of birth and weaning were classed into Season 1 (January-June) and season 2 (July-December). The factor scores and growth traits were subjected to stepwise regression procedure of SAS. The variables WWT, CWT, WT12 and sex combined to form the first principal component (PC1). Birth weight and season of birth formed the second component (PC2). Weaning season was the only outstanding variable in the third component. Predicted BWT of kids is expected to increase with increasing PC1 and PC2, but decrease with increasing PC3. Similar prediction pattern is obtained for CWT. However, predicted WT12 is expected to increase with increasing PC1, PC2 and PC3. Variability of growth traits of Red Sokoto goats at birth and thereafter up to 12 month of age are closely linked with season at which goats were given birth and weaned, respectively. The similarity of intercepts of regression equations and those of average values for growth traits in this study indicated the possibility of improvement of goat stocks through the principal components. Goat farmers and breeders are advised to increase efforts in improving the environmental conditions of their stocks because birth season is highly correlated with PC2 (birth characteristics). Also, weaning season (PC3) should be controlled to favour improved weaning weight of Red Sokoto goats.Keywords: Exploratory PCA, Red Sokoto goats, growth traits, prediction equation

Measures of daily weight gain in Friesian-Bunaji crossbred heifers and their relationship with first lactation milk yield

This study was conducted to ascertain the relationship between Birth weight, Average Daily Gain (ADG) at 3, 6, 9 and 12 month of age and their first lactation milk yield in Friesian Friesian-Bunaji crossbred heifers. The effects of non-genetic factors such as season, parity and year of calving on the measured characteristics were also investigated. The average daily gains were computed from the monthly weight data. Other variable collected was milk production at first lactation. A total of 585 lactation records were used for the analysis. The average birth weight, ADG at 3, 6, 9 and 12 months and first lactation milk yield (FLMYD) were 26+0.4 kg, 0.39±0.03 kg, 0.43±0.05 kg, 0.4±0.4 kg and 945 kg. Average daily gains were significantly (p< 0.05) affected by season of the year and the effect of calving year was highly significant (p< 0.01). FLMYD was significantly affected by season (p< 0.05) and calving year (p< 0.01). There were positive genetic correlations between growth at 3, 6, 9 and 12 month and FLMYD. The environmental and phenotypic correlations between them were also positive. The heritability estimate was 0.21±0.09, 0.17±0.06, 0.17±0.08 and 0.13±0.01, for ADG at 3, 6, 9 and 12 months, respectively. The results of this study demonstrate that heifers with high genetic growth potentials would reach puberty earlier and would likely be bred and calve at an earlier age with high milk yielding ability

Oocysts Output of Broilers Experimentally Infected with Eimeria tenella And Treated with N- Butanol Leaf Extract of Khaya senegalensis

A study to determine the anticoccidial efficacy of Khaya senegalensis in relation to oocyst shedding by broilers experimentally infected with Eimeria tenella was conducted. The development of drug- resistant field strains of Eimeria species has prompted the exploitation of alternative methods for controlling coccidiosis and there is an increasing use of medicinal plants as alternatives to orthodox medicine. Fresh leaves of Khaya senegalensis (KS) were collected dried under shade and the extract prepared using the maceration method in 70% methanol. The dried crude extract was partitioned into petroleum ether, chloroform, n-butanol and aqueous portions, dried with phytochemical analysis conducted on them. One hundred and twenty birds reared under standard management practice were divided into six groups (A, B, C, D, E and F). All the groups except group F (uninfected untreated group) were infected at four weeks old with sporulated Eimeria tenella oocysts (1.0 x 105 sporulated oocysts / ml / bird) obtained locally from the intestinal scrapings of experimentally infected broilers. Groups A, B and C were given calculated three dose levels of 11mg/kg, 33mg/kg, 99mg/kg respectively of the prepared n-butanol methanol extract twice daily for 5 days, group D was given Amprolium while E and F were each given 0.2ml water. Faecal samples were collected daily for 4 weeks into clean well labelled polythene bags and analysed in the laboratory for oocyst count using the McMaster counting chamber and were expressed as oocysts count per gramme of faeces. The birds were observed for pathological lesions grossly and histopathologically and the survival rates were determined. Data collected were analysed using analysis of variance and chi square. Results from the Phytochemical studies showed the presence of phenolic compounds in Khaya senegalensis. Post-infection faecal examination revealed oocyst load of +++ in all the infected pens (A-E) on the 6th day. Comparison of the groups with time showed statistical significance (P˂0.05). High mean oocyst production (A; 156060 ± 67020, B; 261590 ± 144310, C; 211620 ± 114280, D; 276930 ± 233650 and E; 159230 ± 100970) among the infected groups one week post infection as well as irregular oocyst production were observed in the course of this study. The higher mean oocysts count obtained in the infected untreated group (1748849 ± 40869) than the extract treated groups in the first week post treatment indicated that the extract had some inhibitory effects on oocyst production. This however, was dose dependent. Among the extract treated group, the 99mg/kg had lower mean oocyst production 2 weeks post treatment (9720 ± 3180) and this was comparable to the group treated with normal dose of the conventional drug Amprolium (8600 ± 40). This was therefore seen as the effective dose. Grossly, the extract had a beneficial effect in alleviating the damages to the caecal epithelium of the infected treated groups compared to the shrunken caeca of the infected untreated groups. The survival percentage was higher in the treated groups compared to the infected un treated group (55%) though Amprolium was more efficacious in the in vivo study with the highest survival rate of 90%. The histopathological lesions observed in the infected birds in this study were consistent with those associated with E tenella infection in which the parasite induced very severe lesions including severe villous atrophy and fusion. The anticoccidial efficacy of Khaya senegalensis promises greater areas for research as it relates to drug development and it is recommended that Khaya senegalensis should be exploited further for its anticoccidial properties using other parts of the plant. Key words: Broiler chickens, Eimeria tenella, oocyst production, Khaya senegalensis, in viv