Gross testicular morphometric parameters and sperm reserves in indigenous Ghanaian West African dwarf goats

The West African Dwarf (WAD) goat has genetic potentials that can be exploited for improved goat production. However, their testicular morphometric parameters and sperm reserves in Ghana are not well known. A cross-sectional study was conducted at the Sabtiu Musah abattoir in Kumasi, Ghana, to evaluate the gross testicular morphometric parameters and sperm reserves in 10 indigenous WAD goats. The samples were stored on an ice chest and transported to the Regional Veterinary Laboratory for analysis on the day of collection. In the laboratory, the testes and epididymis were separated by dissection and then freed of all connective tissue and the Tunica albuginea. The weight, length, width and volume of the testis were determined. A segment of testicular parenchyma was incised and homogenized in a 20 ml normal saline solution. The resulting homogenate was stored in the refrigerator overnight and a filtered aliquot used for estimating spermatid concentration and sperm reserves. The weight, length, width, volume of the testis and the gonadosomatic index were 70.09 ±14.19 gm, 7.46 ± 0.52 cm, 5.08 ± 0.62, cm, 102.40 ± 29.40 ml and 5.09 ± 0.07%, respectively. The sperm reserves per the whole testis, sperm reserves per gramme testis, Daily Sperm production (DSP), and DSP per gramme testis of Ghanaian WAD bucks were 146.0 ± 50.95, 2.2 ± 0.62, 41.01 ± 14.3 and 0.62 ± 0.17 x109 spermatozoa, respectively. Indigenous West African Draft goats have a high potential for sperm production. It is recommended that further research be conducted on the semen quality parameters of this breed

Preference for grasscutter offal by some consumers in the Greater Accra and Ashanti regions of Ghana

The objective of this study was to assess the preference for grasscutter offal among consumers in the Greater Accra and Ashanti regions of Ghana. The stratified three-stage random sampling was adopted for the selection of respondents. A total of 140 respondents (120 consumers; 20 operators) were used in this study. In the Ashanti region, 93 consumers and 13 chop bar operators were considered. Within the Greater Accra region, only one market was selected (Agbogbloshie market), where 27 consumers and seven chop bar operators were considered. Relevant information was collected through the administration of well-structured questionnaires. Results obtained showed a relatively higher offal preference by consumers in the Ashanti region (91.4%) as compared to the Greater Accra region (81.5%). Most consumers preferred the intestines and intestinal contents in both represented areas 60% from the Ashanti region and 45.6% from the Greater Accra region. 90.6% and 81.8% of the consumers from the Ashanti and Greater Accra regions, respectively preferred cooked offal to either smoked or roasted. These regional differences were not statistically significant. The rate of offal consumption was higher in the Ashanti region (i.e., on a weekly basis) as compared to the Greater Accra region (i.e., occasionally), represented by 63.5% and 68.2%, respectively. This difference was statistically significant (p<0.05). The taste was considered the most significant, relevant and important factor affecting consumer preference for grasscutter offal consumption in both regions. It is concluded in this study that the grasscutter offal has relatively high patronage by the respondents in this study. Further studies should be focused on the possible health implication of offal consumption on consumers as the intestines, and their contents might contain some parasites and other bacteria which can be harmful to humans. Further studies should be carried out to obtain a nationwide view of grasscutter offal consumption

Detection of Tritrichomonas foetus in cattle at the Kumasi abattoir

The study was conducted to determine the prevalence of Tritrichomonas foetus in slaughtered cattle at the Kumasi abattoir. A total of one hundred (100) slaughtered cattle were sampled randomly (60-bulls and 40 cows) with preputial wash and vaginal lavage collected after slaughter for laboratory analysis using Wet-mount technique. Data obtained were analyzed by descriptive statistics using MS Excel and the results expressed in percentages and graphs. The prevalence of bovine Tritrichomoniasis was 34% with the cows recording 20% and the bulls 14% of the sampled population. Out of the cows sampled, twenty (20) were positive representing 50% and out of the bulls sampled, fourteen (14) were positive representing 23.3%. This clearly shows that cows had the highest prevalence compared to the bulls, therefore sex has a significant effect on the infection, since p˂0.05. The WASH and the Zebu cattle had relatively higher % positivity of 41.7% and 40.7%. N’dama cattle recorded 28.6% positivity which was same as the 28.6% positivity in the White Fulani, while the Sanga breed recorded the least positivity (21.4%) of the infection. Breed of cattle however had no significant effect on infection (p>0.05). The highest prevalence of Tritrichomonas infection was 47.2% in adult cattle of 4 years old whiles adult cattle of 3 years old had a prevalence rate of 28.6% whereas cattle of 2 years of age recorded the lowest prevalence rate of 22.7%. However, age had no significant effect (p>0.05) on the infection. Further studies should be conducted to ascertain the rate of infection in the country by using a larger sample size. In order to reduce the level of infection it is advisable to screen all breeding bulls and cull the affected ones