Grazing Behavior of the Endemic Lagune Cattle in the Sub-Humid Savannahs of Benin

The indigenous Lagune, a breed tolerant to trypanosomiasis, is an excellent candidate to meet the ongoing environmental changes sustainably. This cattle breed could be kept like small ruminants, tethered in grasslands, or free grazing. A study was conducted to assess the grazing behavior of Lagune cattle under the two grazing systems to identify the best systems for sustainable production and conservation of the breed. For this study, four Lagune cattle farms, 02 under free-roaming and 02 others in the tethered system, were selected in the original belt of the Lagune cattle, the agro-ecological (AEZ) zones of Valley and Pobe. The step-point method was used to assess plant species diversity in grazing lands. Three (03) cows per farm were monitored while grazing for 03 consecutive days. The grazing itinerary and grazing activities were registered to allow the calculation of grazing length and duration. The most consumed plant species were identified. Results showed that 133 plant species belonging to 27 families were recorded in the grazing lands in both studied AEZs. Animals walked longer per day (p \u3c 0.0001) in the free grazing system (7.07±1.26 km) than in the tethered system (1.77±0.59 km). On the contrary, grazing duration was higher (p\u3c0.0001) in the tethered system (7.88±1.31h). The Lagune diet consisted mainly of herbs; 23 forage species from 14 families were grazed. Most of the species belong to the families of Poaceaes (34.78%), Convolvulaceaes (8.7%), and Euphorbiaceaes (8.7%). The study suggests free grazing allows better utilization of the forage species available in grasslands. Further studies could investigate diet selection by the indigenous Lagune cattle and the nutritional balance of the animals

Evaluation of inoculant and NPN silage additives: a summary of 26 trials and 65 farm-scale silages

Results from 26 trials comparing fermentation, dry matter (DM) recovery, and effects on cattle performance of inoculated or nonprotein nitrogen (NPN)-treated silages vs. controls were summarized using paired t-test analysis. Inoculants consistently improved fermentation efficiency, DM recovery, feed conversion, and gain per ton of crop ensiled in both corn and forage sorghum silages. The use of NPN, particularly urea or anhydrous ammonia, adversely affected fermentation efficiency, DM recovery, avg daily gain, and gain per ton of crop ensiled, particularly for the higher moisture forage sorghums

Evaluation of inoculant-treated corn silages

Whole-plant corn silages treated with either Pioneer 1174® or Biotal® inoculants were preserved more efficiently than control silages. They had slightly higher dry matter (DM) recoveries; more lactic acid; higher lactic to acetic acid ratios; and less acetic acid, ethanol, and ammonia-nitrogen. Laboratory silo results showed that both inoculated silages produced lactic acid faster than control silages during the first 7 days and had more desirable fermentation profiles at the end of 90 days. Applying 5 or 10 times the recommended rate of Biotal inoculant had only a small and nonsignificant effect on rate and efficiency of fermentation. Yearling steers fed the two inoculated corn silages gained numerically but not significantly faster and more efficiently than steers fed control silages, so inoculated silages produced about 6.1 lb more steer gain per ton of crop ensiled than controls

Schistosoma haematobium infection modulates Plasmodium falciparum parasite density and antimalarial antibody responses

Aims Schistosomiasis and malaria are endemic in sub-Saharan Africa where Schistosoma haematobium (Sh) and Plasmodium falciparum (Pf) coinfections are thus frequent. We explored the effect of Sh infection on antibody responses directed to Pf merozoite antigens and on malaria susceptibility in Beninese children. Methods and results A total of 268 children were followed during a malaria transmission season. Detection of Pf infection was performed by microscopy and rapid diagnostic tests. Sh infection was determined in urine by microscopy. Antimalarial antibody, cytokine and HLA-G concentrations were quantified by ELISA. The expression of HLA-G receptors by immune cells was assessed by flow cytometry. Children infected by Sh had higher concentrations of IgG1 directed to MSP3 and GLURP(R0), IgG2 directed to GLURP(R0) and IgG3 directed to MSP3, GLURP(R0) and GLURP(R2) and have lower Pf densities than those uninfected by Sh. No difference in cytokine and HLA-G concentrations was observed between Sh egg carriers and non-carriers. Conclusion Schistosoma haematobium modulates host immune responses directed to Pf antigens. The absence of immune downregulation usually observed during helminth infections is surprising in our study. We hypothesize that the stage of Sh development could partly explain the immune pathways leading to increased antibody levels that favour better control of Pf parasitemia