PGF2α induced estrus characteristics and reproductive performance of goats under traditional husbandry system in Benishangul-Gumuz region

PGF2α induced estrus characteristics and reproductive performance of free ranging goats were studied in six districts of Assosa and Metekel zones of the Benishangul-Gumuz region, Ethiopia. Structured questionnaire and a field survey were applied on a total of 200 randomly selected households. The entire goats (n=1073) owned by the households were clinically examined for the presence of any health problem. Records of animal identification, parameters of reproductive performance such as weaning age and age at puberty, litter size, kidding interval (KI), the type of management practice and clinical parameters were taken on pre-designed format. Further, 40 cycling local breed does were selected and randomly assigned into PGF2α treatment (n=20) and control (n=20) groups to study estrus characteristics. Age at puberty was 6.5±1.22 and 6.7±1.22 months for male and female goats, respectively. The mean (±sd) kidding interval was 252.35±31.46 days with a mean (±sd) litter size of 1.6±0.3. Annual reproductive rate was found to be 2.2 kids/year. The mean (±sd) weaning age was 4.74±0.7 months. The major production constraints as perceived by the goat producers were health problems (53%), poor genetic potential (20.43%) and shortage of feed (20.32%). Gynecological examination of 461 animals revealed 16.1% prevalence of reproductive diseases. In the experiment, estrus response after PGF2α injection was over 80% on Day 3 post injection, while the time to onset of estrus and duration of estrus were 48.6±4.3hrs and 47.9±4.5 hrs, respectively. Major signs of estrus included restlessness, inappetence, mounting, slight edema of the vulva and hyperaemia of its mucosa, tail  twitching, and frequent bleating. Management, especially health management and feeding regime were found to be the primary factors significantly affecting the reproductive parameters of goats. Kidding interval and weaning age were the most affected.Keywords: Estrus characteristics, Goat, Reproductive performance, Traditional husbandr

Assessment of factors affecting the performance of microfinance institutions: the case of Hawassa City

The role of MFIs in the development process is noteworthy. The major objective of this study is to assess the factors which affect the performance of microfinance institutions in Hawassa city. The research is descriptive in type and both probability and non probability sampling techniques were employed for this study. Employees and clients of MFIs were the major target groups of the study. From the total of 116 targeted employees, 74 employees were included in the sample. On the other hand, from the total of 8590 targeted clients, 199 were taken as a sample. Primary and secondary data were collected through well organized questionnaire for this study. In addition to this, the researchers conducted interview with managers of the institutions. Accordingly the researchers assessed different factors which affect the performance of microfinance institutions. The identified factors related to clients includes: problems related to the repayment, diversion of loan into non income generating activities, business condition of the borrowers and so on. On the other hand, institutional factors such as shortage of human resource, lack of cost effective technologies, shortage of loan capital and some others are identified. Political factors which are related to MFIs performance are also recognized in this study. Based on the analysis and the finding of the study, the researchers suggested some recommendations to improve the performance MFIs in Hawassa city. Implementation of different methods to improve women's participation in micro credit and saving services, usage of cost effective technologies to minimize operational cost, hiring an adequate number of employees in the institution are some of the recommendations suggested by the researchers to improve the performance of the institutions

Effect of Musculoskeletal Disorders on the Reproductive Performance of Holstein Zebu Cross Dairy Cows

Two farms with a relatively better record keeping practice were selected to study the effect of musculoskeletal disorder (MSD) on reproductive and lactation performance. The dairy cows found in these farms were categorized into positive or negative to any form of MSD based on their health record and clinical findings. Reproductive performance was measured from CI, CFS, CCI, DALC, NSPC and NSALC. Further, lactation performance was also measured from average daily milk yield, total milk yield and lactation length. Out of the 92 cows, 23.9% were found to be positive for one form of MSD. The mean (±SEM) for CI, CFS, CCI, DALC NSPC and NSALC for the positive cows were 560.9±37.87, 186.2±12.81, 383.3±59.69, 313.6±35.69, 4.30±0.52, and 3.3±0.27, respectively. There was a significant difference (p<0.05) in CI, CFS, CCI NSPC and NSALC between MSD positive and MSD negative cows. The average daily milk yield, total milk yield and lactation length were in the order of 9.7±0.5 L, 3890.7±249.3 L and 413.1±17.54 days, respectively with a significant difference (P<0.05) in milk production between  MSD positive MSD negative cows. Lactation length was unaffected by MSD. This study clearly showed MSD has a direct impact on the reproductive performance dairy cows and significantly influence milk production, which could be the reason for lack of improvement in the urban smallholder dairy industry in Ethiopia. Keywords: MSD, Reproductive performance, Dairy cow

Morphometrical study of the reproductive tract in Boran (Bos indicus) heifers in Ethiopia

Boran breed is the most suitable type of cattle breed for arid and semi-arid regions of Ethiopia due to their adaptive characteristics.  Understanding their reproductive anatomy is important for successful reproductive management and has many implications for the application of assisted reproductive technology, and interpretation of physiological changes at different stages of their reproductive cycle. In this study, data of the anatomical structures of the reproductive organs of 20 Boran heifers were measured and characterized at  different stages of reproduction. The mean (±SE) length (L) of the vagina, cervix, and body of uterus were 13.17±2.98 cm, 7.19±1.28 cm, and 6.70±1.08cm, respectively. The mean (±SE) length of the right uterine horn and oviduct was 18.47 ±2.54 and 18.17 ±1.27cm, respectively  and that of the left were 18.05±2.73 and 17.45±1.80 cm, respectively. The mean ±SE weight (W) of right and left ovaries were 2.44±1.51 gm and 2.44±1.51 gm, respectively. The mean ±SE Length x Width x Thickness of the right ovary was 2.10±0.59 x 1.75±0.35 x 0.83±0.36 and that of the left was 1.97±0.41 x 1.58±0.29 x 0.67±0.33 cm. The mean (±SE) weight of the whole reproductive organ (without the vulva) was 301.35±66.34gm. The ovarian size was influenced by the presence of the corpus luteum(CL) usually larger with its presence

Influence of breed on the quality of in vivo produced embryos from Boran and Holstein Friesian cross dairy breed in Ethiopia

The variation of the dairy breed can determine the success of bovine embryo transfer by influencing the quantity and quality of in vivo embryo production. In this experiment, output and quality of in vivo produced embryos using semen of progeny tested Holstein Friesian (HF) sire in Boran and HF*Boran F1 cross cows, and semen from purebred Boran sire in HF*Boran F1 cross and Boran cows were evaluated. Boran (n=18) and HF*Boran cross (n=18) breed donor dams were superovulated using a previously optimized follicular  stimulating hormone (FSH) (Pluset®) dose regimen: 650 IU for HF*Boran cross and 250 IU for Boran breeds. Each cow was flushed on  Day-7 post insemination and embryos were evaluated for their developmental stages and quality. Superovulatory response rates were 88.9% and 83.3%, respectively, for Boran and HF*Boran with no significant (P>0.05) breed differences. Total recovery rates were relatively lower (56.5%) in Boran compared to in HF*Boran (67.4%). The mean (±SE) embryo flush outputs were 6.5±0.8 for Boran and 6.9±0.7 forHF*Boran with no significant breed difference. Recovery of a transferrable embryo was significantly higher (68.0%; P<0.05) in HF*Boran dam inseminated with HF sire semen. Boran cows yielded a significantly higher (P<0.05) proportion of unfertilized ovum (57.6 %)  irrespective of the sire breeds. Comparatively, a higher number of degenerated embryos were produced by HF*Boran cows. This study demonstrated that the presence of breed-related differences in both the quality and quantity of in vivo produced Bovine embryos

Breeding soundness evaluation and reproductive management in Baldras sport horses

Morphometric characterization, breeding soundness evaluation and reproductive management of 33 sport horses (14 mares and 19 stallions) belonging to Palace Administration was carried out for 6 months from January to June/2014. Animals were also subjected to condition scoring, and detailed evaluation through ultrasonography, semen analysis and fertility test using AL The overall age, BCS and body weight were 15±5.7 years, 5.2±1.3 and 327.7±33.3 Kg, respectively. Stallions were significantly older than the mares while mares were heavier with relatively poorer BCS. Body weight was significantly correlated with girth both in mares (p<0.05; r=0.97) and stallions (p<0.05; r=0.68). Comparison of body morphometry among mares, studs and neutered stallions showed a significant difference (p<0.05) in loin length, front and hind leg height, and head length. BCS and scrotal circumference of the breeding stallions (n=12) were highly correlated (P<0.05; r=0.60). The length of estrous cycle and estrus in the breeding mares were 16.1±3.5 days and 7-12 days, respectively. There was a significant difference (P<0.05) in the total number of follicles among the mares. The mean (±SD) diameters of the first-largest and pre-ovulatory follicles were 24.3±9.23 mm and 29.4±9.19 mm, respectively. There was a significant difference (P<0.05) in the diameter of the preovulatory follicles among the breeding mares. Fresh semen was generally characterized by poor motility (<50%), small live percent (54.3%), high gel volume (>40%) and very poor freeze ability (<10% in total motility of frozen thawed semen) however, fertility of fresh semen was 50%. Poor performances are signs of inbreeding that also render the studs unfit for breeding. A proper reproductive management is required to mitigate further loss of performance and influence of inbreeding depression.Keywords: breeding soundness, morphometry, semen analysis, sporting horses, ultrasonograph