The performance, potentials and limitations of the West African Dwarf goat for meat production in the forest belt of Ghana

Production records (1970-1989) for a flock of West African Dwarf (WAD) goats kept on the farm of the University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, in the forest belt of Ghana were analysed. The mean age at first kidding and the mean kidding interval were 543.18 and 284.26 days, respectively. The month of kidding did not (P < 0.05) affect kidding interval. The prolificacy of the does was 185.5%. Type of birth affected (P<0.01) birthweight (1.207, 1.145, 1.008 and 0.847 kg for singles, twins, triples and quadruplets, respectively) and weaning weight(5.49, 5.30, 4.86 and 4.34 kg for singles, twins, triplets and quadruplets, respectively). Pre-weaning growth rate (39.6,33.1,31.6 and 29.0 g/day for singles, twins, triplets and quadruplets, respectively) was not (P<0.05) affected by type of birth. Pre-weaning mortality rate was affected (P<0.01) by type of birth (34.92, 34.78, 36.25 and 55.56% for singles, twins, triplets and quadruplets, respectively).The breed has good qualities such as adaptation to the environment, trypanotolerance, high prolificacy and good kidding interval but growth rate is low

Spermatogenesis and cellular associations in the seminiferous epithelium of Guinea cock (Numida meleagris)

The study describes the steps of spermiogenesis and stages of seminiferous epithelial cycle in breeding guinea cocks. Epoxy resin embedded sections were employed for the determination of the stages of seminiferous epithelial cycle in the guinea fowl. Acrosomic granules aided in identifying the initial steps of spermiogenesis, while nuclear morphological changes facilitated the identification of subsequent stages. Eleven steps of spermiogenesis and 9 stages of seminiferous epithelium were recognised in the guinea fowl testis. Three spermatogonial types, namely, spermatogonial A, B and intermediate types were identified in the guinea fowl seminiferous epithelium. Spermatogonial A and preleptotene spermatocytes had the largest (pThe accepted manuscript in pdf format is listed with the files at the bottom of this page. The presentation of the authors' names and (or) special characters in the title of the manuscript may differ slightly between what is listed on this page and what is listed in the pdf file of the accepted manuscript; that in the pdf file of the accepted manuscript is what was submitted by the author

Effects of season on the reproductive organ and plasma testosterone concentrations in guinea cocks (Numida meleagris)

The physiological basis of seasonal breeding in the guinea fowl (Numida meleagris) still remains unknown, despite the socioeconomic importance of these birds, particularly in Ghana. A study involving a total of 50 local guinea cocks was conducted, and documented gross anatomical and histological differences in the reproductive organs of breeding and non-breeding male guinea fowls. The study also compared peripheral testosterone concentrations in breeding and non-breeding cocks. Seasonal differences in variables measured were determined using two-tailed t-test/Mann-Whitney U-test. All comparisons were made at 5% level of significance. Breeding males had significantly (P = 0.000) higher anatomical biometric parameters than their non-breeding counterparts. Also, breeding birds had thicker (P = 0.000) phalli than their non-breeding counterparts. Histologically, regressing testis was characterized by the presence of sloughed off cells and increased debris in the tubular lumen and within the excurrent duct system, collapsed tubules and reduction in tubular lumen. Germ and Sertoli cell populations and nuclear diameters and actual seminiferous tubular diameter and length in regressing testes were significantly (P = 0.000) lower than in active testes. Leydig cell nuclear diameters and populations were also significantly (P = 0.000) reduced. Relative volume of seminiferous tubules in the testis, testicular sperm production/mg testis and per testis and peripheral testosterone concentrations were all higher (P &#60; 0.05) in breeding than non-breeding testis. The ducts in the epididymal region also saw significant (P &#60; 0.05) reductions in luminal diameters in non-breeding birds. Significant regression in anatomical and histological structures of the guinea cock reproductive tract occurred during the non-breeding season, and lower peripheral testosterone concentrations may be responsible for this phenomenon

Effects of season on the reproductive organs and steroid hormone profiles in guinea hens (Numida meleagris)

1. The study documented gross anatomical and histological differences in the reproductive organs of 28 breeding and non-breeding female guinea fowls. Peripheral progesterone and 17β-oestradiol concentrations were also compared in breeding and non-breeding hens. 2. In non-breeding females, all ovarian and oviducal gross anatomical features had significantly regressed. Histologically, some of the changes in a regressing oviduct include systematic changes in height and size of all epithelial cells in all regions of the duct, absence/sparse ciliation of portions of surface epithelium in the magnum, isthmian and uterine regions, general loss of cytoplasmic mass, reduction in size and degeneration of tubular glands. Mucosal folds in all regions of the oviduct except the infundibular lip were higher in breeding females. 3. No difference was found between the two groups in plasma progesterone concentrations. Breeding females, however, had higher peripheral oestradiol concentrations than non-breeding females. About 2 h prior to oviposition, plasma oestradiol concentrations peaked at 2.4-fold (230 pg/ml) compared with baseline concentration and plasma progesterone concentrations by nearly 9-fold (5.29 ng/ml) of baseline. 4. Significant regression and changes in the histological structure of the ovary and oviduct had occurred in non-breeding females, and lower peripheral oestrogen concentrations may be responsible for this phenomenon

The performance of Djallonke sheep fed on diets containing various proportions of cocoa pod husk and 5 percent NaOH-treated maize cobs

In three experiments five diets which contained O, 150, 300, 450 and 600 g kg-1 of cocoa pod husk (CPH) and 600, 450, 300, 150 and 0 g kg-1 of treated maize cobs were evaluated. The other ingredients were wheatbran, cotton seed cake, dicalcium phosphate, NaCl and a trace mineral and vitamin premix. The ingredients were milled through a 6 mm sieve. In the first experiment (growth rate studies) 50 yearling Djallonke females weighing 5-13 kg were allocated randomly to the five diets, and dry matter intake, body-weight gain and feed conversion efficiency were determined. In a second experiment (metabolism studies) five young weaned Djallonke ram lambs weighing 5-11 kg were fed on each of the five diets in a Latin-square design. Feed intake, apparent digestibility coefficients of dry matter and organic matter and digestible dry matter and digestible organic matter intakes were measured. In a third experiment, the diets were also given to five fistulated adult wethers (Djallonke X Sahel) in a Latin-square design, and rumen pH was measured from 1 to 12 h and also 24 h after feeding. In the growth rate studies, dry matter intake significantly increased from 73 g kg-1 W0.75 to a maximum of 101 g kg-1 W0.75 as the proportion of CPH increased from 0 to 600 g kg-1 diet, but growth rates (ranging from 37 to 55 g per day) and feed conversion efficiency were not significantly affected by dietary treatments. In the metabolism studies, feed intake increased with increasing levels of CPH in the diet, but intakes of digestibile dry matter and degestible organic matter were not significantly affected by the dietary treatments. The apparent digestibility coefficients of dry matter and organic matter were significantly affcted by the dietary treatments, with increase in COH level reducing the values. The rumen pH, although low perhaps because of the grinding of the ingredients, was not the cause of the low digestibility of the CPH-containing diets