Hatch-Out Analysis and Repeatability Estimates of Common Hatchability Problems in Issa-Brown Breeder Stock

Six thousand and three hundred (6,300) sampled hatchable eggs (from a total of 68,130 eggs) produced in two commercial farms were used to evaluate hatchout performance and repeatability of some common hatchability problems in 38-41 weeks old Isa-Brown hens. Fertility, hatchability of total egg set and hatchability of fertile eggs were generally high (>80%) for eggs from the two farms. There was significant difference (p<0.05) between the two farms in the magnitude of hatchability problems at the early (1-7 days) and late (15-17 days) stages of embryonic development. Hatchability problems were higher for eggs obtained from farm AB (16.89%) than for eggs obtained from farm AA (11.87%). The trio of early post fertility mortality, piped, and dead-in-shell were the most important hatchability problems in the two farms. The estimates of repeatability of hatchability problems were generally high (66-98%). Repeatability estimates obtained for early and late embryonic stages were higher than that obtained for the mid-embryonic stage. Results obtained from this study showed that farms source of hatchable eggs has effect on the type and magnitude of reproductive failures that occurred during incubation. The high repeatability of hatchability problems at the early and late embryonic stages suggest a high probability of reproductive failure at the early and late stages of embryonic development in the future except corrective breeding and management strategies are put in place.Keywords: Hatch-Out Analysis, Repeatability, Fertility, Mortality and Hatchabilit

Heterosis and Reciprocal Effect For Body Weight and Leather Properties in Hybrid Goats

Identification and evaluation of economically important traits in livestock is central to genetic improvement. The objective of this study was to evaluate heterosis and reciprocal effects for bodyweight and leather properties among progenies of pure and reciprocal crossing of West African Dwarf (WAD) and Red Sokoto (RS) goats. Bodyweights of 96 kids were recorded at birth, weaning and yearling. Skins collected from slaughtered goats at yearling were processed to leather using vegetable tanning approach. The leathers were subjected to physical analysis to determine Thickness, Percentage Elongation (PE), Surface Area, weight and grain properties comprising Load at Crack, Load at Tear, Distension at Crack and Distension at Tear.  Heterotic effect for bodyweight was negative at birth (-8.99%) and weaning (-11.15%) but positive at yearling (6.64%). Specific heterosis for bodyweight at yearling was higher for progenies of WAD does serviced with RS bucks. General and specific heterosis were positive for all the leather traits except PE. Specific heterosis was higher when RS does were serviced with WAD bucks. Reciprocal effects for bodyweight reduces with increase in goats’ age (Birth Weaning Yearling: 9.88 6.28 5.62).Reciprocal effects for grain properties were generally higher than other leather traits. This study concluded that WAD and RS goats are dissimilar in leather traits and bodyweight at different ages, and that choice of sire or dam for successful crossbreeding programme is trait dependen

Subdural empyema following lumbar facet joint injection: An exceeding rare complication

Chronic low back pain is extremely common with a life time prevalence estimated at greater than 70% [1]. Facet joint arthrosis is thought to be the causative aetiological substrate in approximately 25% of chronic low back pain cases [2]. Facet joint injection is a routine intervention in the armamentarium for both the diagnostic and therapeutic management of chronic low back pain. In fact, a study by Carrino et al. reported in excess of 94,000 facet joint injection procedures were carried out in the US in 1999 [3]. Although generally considered safe, the procedure is not entirely without risk. Complications including bleeding, infection, exacerbation of pain, dural puncture headache, and pneumothorax have been described. We report a rare case of a 47-year-old female patient who developed a left L4/5 facet septic arthrosis with an associated subdural empyema and meningitis following facet joint injection. This case is unique, as to the best of our knowledge no other case of subdural empyema following facet joint injection has been reported in the literature. Furthermore this case serves to highlight the potential serious adverse sequelae of a routine and apparently innocuous intervention. The need for medical practitioners to be alert to and respond rapidly to the infective complications of facet joint injection cannot be understated

Temperature humidity index: influence on milk yield and milk composition of multiparous west african dwarf does

This study examined the influence of ambient temperature (AT), relative humidity (RH) and temperature-humidity index (THI) on milk yield (MY) and milk compositions (MC) of West African Dwarf (WAD) goats using a total of thirty-six (36) lactating does. The goats were milked twice daily for twelve (12) weeks during which, AT and RH were monitored. The AT and RH data were used to generate THI. The milk collected at every milking was quantified and also analysed for MC, The AT, RH and THI during each milking period were categorized into low, medium and high ranges, under which the corresponding MY and MC were fixed. The data generated were subjected to Analysis of Variance of a Completely Randomized Design. The result revealed that the highest MY (350.28 mL), recorded during low AT range, was not significantly different from 329.43 mL obtained during medium AT, while high RH range (70-99%) facilitates higher MY (364.30 mL) compare to low and medium ranges. AT exerted no significant difference on all the MCs except protein. Milk fat was highest (7.34%) at low THI, while the lactose (11.30%) at high THI range was significantly higher compared to other ranges. A relatively higher MY (324.35 mL) and milk density (1034.94 kg/m3) was obtained within medium THI range (75.6-85.6). It is concluded that, AT and RH exhibit a synergistic effect on MY and some of the MCs.It is recommended that thermo-comfort THI for dairy WAD goats is between 75.6 and 85.6

Litter growth and waning characteristics in two generations of straightbred and cross bred rabbits

No Abstract.Nigerian Journal of Genetics Vol. 18 2003: pp. 68-7

Effects of dietary dehulled, sundried mango seed kernel meal on growth and carcass characteristics of Fryer Rabbit

No Abstract. JARD Vol. 3 2004: pp. 129-14

Correlation between some weaning traits in domestic rabbit in Nigeria

No Abstract.Nigerian Journal of Genetics Vol. 18 2003: pp. 63-6

Effects of Heterosis and Direction of Crossing on Production Performance of F 1 Offspring of Dominant Black Strain and Fulani Ecotype Chickens.

The objectives of this study were to determine the mode of gene action of determinants of performance (i.e. positive or negative heterosis) in F chickens produced by mating  Fulani Ecotype (FE) and Dominant Black strain (DB) chickens, and whether the direction of crossing (DBxFE or FExDB) influenced the mode of gene action. Analysis of all F data  irrespective of cross direction (combined) showed that the effect of 1percentage heterosis was positive but weak for Weight Gain (WG) = 0.04, Feed Intake (FI) = 3.83, Body Weight at First egg (BWF) = 0.76, Egg Weight (EW) = 11.28, and 0 for Egg Number (EN) and Mortality (M) during the laying period. The combined heterotic effects were negative for Hen Day Production (HDP), Feed efficiency (FEf), Age at Sexual Maturity (ASM), and mortality from day old to 21 weeks of age (-0.16, -4.33, -9.15 and -67.74% respectively). Positive but low heterosis was obtained for BWF (0.76), and EW (11.28) and WG, FEf, EN, ASM, HDP and M showed negative heterosis (-100.00 to - 0.28) in the DBXFE cross bred. The mean performance of the FEXDB showed positive heterosis ranging from 1.08 to 100% in WG, FI, BWF, EW, EN, HDP and M during the laying period, while negative heterosis; -67.74, -4.54 and -8.22 was observed for M (0- 21days), FEf and ASM. The reciprocal effects showed F FEXDB were superior in ASM, 1 BWF and EW, while F DBxFE were superior in EN, HDP and M. 1Key words: Exotic laying strain, Fulani Ecotype chicken, Heterosis, Reciprocal effects

Milk Yield and Quality of Holstein and Jersey Breeds of Cattle in Kwara State, Nigeria

About 1660 randomly collected milk yield records of 450 Jersey and 15 Holstein-Friesian cows were used to evaluate the effects of breed, month of lactation and milking time on the milk yield and quality of commercial dairy cows under the tropical climate of Nigeria. Mean milk yield and milk protein were significantly higher (P<0.05) in Holstein Friesian than in Jersey but Jersey breed had significantly higher (P<0.05) milk fat, solid non-fat, total solid, lactose, and titerable acidity. Milk yield in the month of January (4.96Kg) was significantly higher(P<0.05) compared with milk yield in the months of September and December (4.16Kg and 4.26Kg respectively). The milking of cows in the morning gave a significantly higher (P<0.05) quantity of milk than evening milking. There were significant (P<0.05) interraction effects of Breed x Time, Breed x Month, Time x Month, and Breed x Time x Month. The present study showed that Holstein-Friesian and Jersey breeds have potentials for milk production traits in the tropics and these could be harnessed to develop the Nigerian commercial dairy industry. However, the performance of the two breeds is subject to environmental factors such as time and month of milking.  Key words: Milk yield, Milk quality, Jersey, Holstein/Freisia