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

Pregnancy rates following cattle artificial insemination: The toll of late return to estrus, clarion call for reproductive health screening and possibly more

Artificial insemination is an assisted reproduction technique that has been used for decades as a management tool to maximize reproductive efficiency and reduce the risk of disease spread in livestock production. The ensuing pregnancy rate, often used as a yardstick of successful insemination has not been consistent, variation occurring from farm to farm due to the multifactorial aetiologies of infertility. We report our observations, following artificial insemination of seventy-five apparently healthy cows from three different farms (n=25/farm) - FMA, FMB and FMC, that were subjected to ovulation synchronization protocol, along with the physical presence of owners on the farms (PPOF). Cows were treated using 100 μg Lecirelin® (i/m on d0, d9) with 25 mg Lutalyse® (i/m on d7) and were inseminated at 8th and 16th hours after all treatments. A 60-day non-return to estrus was used as a tentative diagnosis of pregnancy which was confirmed via rectal examination on day 90 post-insemination. Between days 36 and 47 post-insemination, 36%, 100% and 20% of cows returned to estrus at FMA, FMB and FMC while 64%, 0% and 80% were pregnant at day 90, respectively. The differences between the proportions of cows that returned to estrus and pregnancy rates on FMA, FMB and FMC were significant (P<0.05). The difference between cows that returned to estrus (52%) and those pregnant (48%) in the study was not significant (P>0.05). The differences in PPOF in the study i.e. FMA (50%), FMB (25%) and FMC (100%) were significant (P<0.05). Findings indicate comparability and competitiveness between the incidence of late return to estrus and pregnancy rate suggesting the need for pre-breeding and prenatal reproductive health screening, and possibly more factors, even in apparently healthy cows, in order to improve pregnancy rate in livestock husbandry

Haemoparasites in Cattle at Gbele Reserve, Upper West Region, Ghana

Haemoparasitic diseases is one of the major challenges that hamper cattle production in Africa with their effect usually manifested in production losses, late maturity, weight loss, still birth and increased susceptibility to other diseases. Information on the burden of some haemoparasites in wildlife/livestock interface in Ghana is scanty in literature. This study was carried out to determine the prevalence of haemoparasites in cattle at Gbele Reserve wildlife/livestock interface, Upper west region of Ghana. A total of 143 blood samples collected from four selected fringe communities namely Desima, Gbele, Wahabu and Sakalu were transported to Central Veterinary Laboratory at Pong-Tamale for analysis. Giemsa stained thin blood smears were examined for haemoparasites, and packed cell volume (PCV) for each sample was determined using Haematocrit method. Mean PCV value was 25% and 42% for infected and non-infected cattle respectively. An overall prevalence of haemoparasites was 2.8% for all samples examined. Village specific prevalence of 0.7%, 1.4%, 0.0% and 0.7% was recorded in cattle infected in Gbele, Desima, Sakalu and Wahabu respectively. The low prevalence of haemoparasites recorded was attributed to the earlier intervention by Pan-African Tsetse and Trypanosomosis Eradication campaign (PATTEC) project and the quarterly treatment regime employed by farmers. Babesia bovis and Anaplasma marginale were identified with prevalence of 2.1% and 0.7% respectively. The distribution of parasite based on sex was 2.1% for cows and 0.7% for bulls. Polymerase chain reaction and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays are recommended alongside with thin blood smear examination in future studies for better sensitivity and identification of the haemoparasites to species level