Impact of heat stress on follicular size, oestradiol concentration and oestrus expression in Nigerian Zebu cows

The study was conducted to evaluate the effect of heat stress on follicular size, oestradiol concentrations and oestrus expression in different seasons on Zebu cows. Twelve (n=12) matured, Zebu cows were utilized for over a year. The year was divided into 3 phases. Ambient temperature, relative humidity and rectal temperature were determined using. Cows were synchronized for oestrus. Ultrasonic follicular studies were carried out daily. Blood samples were collected after administration of a second dose of PFG2α to assess serum concentration of oestradiol. The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay technique was used to determine the concentration of oestradiol. Oestrus activities were monitored by visual observation. Follicle diameters at 24 hr were lower (P< 0.05) in the cold, dry season (6.34± 0.68 mm) than hot dry (8.09±0.52 mm) and the rainy season (8.62±0.9 mm). At 72 hr, follicular diameters were significantly higher P<0.05 in the hot, dry season (17.01±1.41 mm) than cold dry (12.90±1.22 mm) and the rainy season (12.08±0.82 mm). Time to peak of oestradiol concentrations was shorter P<0.05 in the cold, dry season (31.50±5.41 hr), followed by a hot, dry season (35.42±4.25 hr) and then rainy season (52.25±7.08 hr). The amplitude of oestradiol was higher P<0.05 in the cold, dry season (39.13±5.27 pg/mL) than hot dry (19.50±2.52 pg/mL) and rainy seasons (17.63±1.89 pg/mL). Durations of proestrus oestradiol surges were significantly higher P<0.05 in the rainy season (40.88±7.10 hr) followed by a hot, dry season (35.50±7.71 hr) and then cold dry season (24.25±3.27 hr.). The total number of mounting activities for two hr. was higher P<0.05 in the cold, dry season (7.6±0.93/hr) followed by rainy season (6.2±1.28/hr) and then hot dry season (4.4±0.81/hr). In conclusion, the study showed that heat stress affected oestrus expression by lowering the number of mounts per hour, increasing follicular size and reducing oestradiol concentration of these cows

Survey for Productive Performance of West African Dwarf (WAD) does and Savanna Brown Goat (SBG) does reared under traditional husbandry system

A study was conducted to evaluate the productive performance of West African Dwarf (WAD) does and Savanna Brown Goat (SBG) does reared under the traditional management system in Makurdi Benue State Nigeria, between March and June, 2015. Data on some productive indices such as age at first kidding, kid mortality rate, fecundity and kidding rate were collected by use of a questionnaire interview. Other parameters studied were types of feed supplement, medication and management system. A total of 60 WAD and 60 SBG farms were surveyed. Proximate analysis of feed supplement was carried out. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics which include numerical means, standard error of the means (SEM) and percentages. Kidding rates, mortality at birth and at weaning, age at first kidding and fecundity were analyzed using the Chi-square test. The result showed that kidding rate of WAD does (97.2%) was higher than that of Savanna Brown Goat (SBG) does (68.9%; p > 0.05). Similarly, age at first kidding for WAD (363 days) and SBG (360 days) were not significantly different (P>0.05) whereas kid mortality at birth and weaning were (4.4% and 3.4%) and (7.3% and 3.7%) for WAD and SBG does, respectively. These mortality rates at birth were significantly different (P<0.05). Furthermore, the fecundity of WAD does for singles (1.75±0.10), twins (5.45±0.32), triplets (8.46±0.70) and quadruplets (6.80±1.34) was higher than that of SBG does single (1.49±0.09), twins (4.77±0.33), triplets (5.28±0.47) and quadruplets (4.00±0.00). These differences were statistically not significant (P>0.05) except for triplet (P<0.05). In conclusion, the current study has shown that WAD goats under the traditional management system has higher fecundity (P<0.05) than SBG in Makurdi Benue State Nigeria and that SBG is gradually getting adapted to Middle belt zone.Keywords: West African Dwarf (WAD) does, Savanna Brown Goat (SBG) does, traditional management system, Benue state, Productive performanc

The effects and mechanisms of action of nutritional changes, differential suckling intensities and time postpartum in causing ovulation failure Ovarian acyclicity in beef cattle

SIGLEAvailable from British Library Document Supply Centre-DSC:DXN004188 / BLDSC - British Library Document Supply CentreGBUnited Kingdo

Effect of suckling on reproductive activities of Bunaji cows during the postpartum period

The effects of suckling on calving interval, intervals from calving to conception and pregnancy rate at 60 to 90 days postpartum are investigated. Forty-one cows were used, twelve of which were used to study serum concentrations during the postpartum period. The overall mean calving interval and interval from calving to conception for all cows were 426.7 and 146 days, respectively, with a conception rate of 48.8 percent. The serum progesterone concentrations of cows ranged from 0.1 to 6.9 ng/ml during the non-fertile cycle and 0.1 to 15 ng/ml at pregnancy. Suckling interfered with ovarian activities and thus conception during the postpartum period, resulting in a prolonged calving interval

The economic implication of foetal wastage in cattle, sheep and goat in Makurdi abattoirs, Benue State, Nigeria

No AbstractKeywords: cattle, economic implication, foetal wastage, goat, shee

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 (

Target capture sequencing for the first Nigerian genotype I ASFV genome

African swine fever (ASF) is a contagious viral disease that affects domestic pigs and wild boars, causing significant economic losses globally. After the first Nigerian outbreak in 1997, there have been frequent reports of ASF in pig-producing regions in the country. To facilitate control, it is important to understand the genotype and phylogenetic relationship of ASF viruses (ASFVs). Recent genetic analysis of Nigerian ASFV isolates has revealed the presence of both genotypes I and II; this is based on analysis of a few selected genes. Phylogenetic analysis of ASFV whole genomes highlights virus origins and evolution in greater depth. However, there is currently no information on the ASFV genome from Nigerian isolates. Two ASFV-positive samples were detected during a random survey of 150 Nigerian indigenous pig samples collected in 2016. We assembled near-complete genomes of the two ASFV-positive samples using in-solution hybrid capture sequencing. The genome-wide phylogenetic tree assigned these two genomes into p72 genotype I, particularly close to the virulent Benin 97/1 strain. The two ASFVs share 99.94 and 99.92 % genomic sequence identity to Benin97/1. This provides insight into the origin and relationship of ASFV strains from Nigeria and Italy. The study reports for the first time the determination of near-complete genomes of ASFV using in-solution hybrid capture sequencing, which represents an important advance in understanding the global evolutionary landscape of ASFVs