Effect of tanniniferous browse meal on nematode faecal egg counts and internal parasite burdens in sheep and goats

The effect of tanniniferous browse meal on faecal egg counts (FEC) and intestinal worm burdens was investigated in sheep and goats infested experimentally with gastrointestinal nematodes. Initially, leaves of different browse tree species were assayed for condensed tannin (CT) content using a colorimetric method to determine concentration and seasonal variations. The level of CT in the leaves ranged between 58 – 283 g/kg dry matter. Seasonal changes in CT levels were influenced by stage of leaf maturity with peak levels after the wet season in June. Leaves of Acacia polyacantha had the highest tannin concentration and were used to test their anthelmintic effect in goats and sheep infested with the nematodes in two separate feeding trials. In Trial 1 an acacia leaf meal supplement (AMS) was offered at 100 – 130 g/animal/day for 20 days to growing Small East African goats to investigate its effect on FEC and worm burden. Mean FEC and worm burden of the AMS-fed group were respectively 27% and 13% lower than in the control group. Trial 2 was similar to Trial 1 except that AMS was offered for 30 days to growing Black Head Persian sheep at 170 g/animal/day. The sheep receiving AMS showed a slight reduction in FEC (on average 19% lower than the control group) but had no effect on worm burden. The current results substantiated previous reports of a suppressing effect of CT on gastrointestinal nematodes of small ruminants. Although the observed anthelmintic activity of AMS was less than expected, such reductions can have practical epidemiological implications in reducing pasture larval contamination. Further studies are needed under field conditions to evaluate the feasibility of using locally available tanniniferous browse as an alternative to synthetic anthelmintics in reducing worm infestations in small ruminants. South African Journal of Animal Science Vol. 37 (2) 2007: pp. 97-10

Engaging diverse communities participating in clinical trials: case examples from across Africa

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>In the advent of increasing international collaborative research involving participants drawn from populations with diverse cultural backgrounds, community engagement becomes very critical for the smooth conduction of the research. The African Malaria Network Trust (AMANET) is a pan-African non-governmental organization that sponsors and technically supports malaria vaccine trials in various African countries.</p> <p>Case description</p> <p>AMANET sponsored phase Ib or IIb clinical trials of several malaria vaccine candidates in various Africa countries. In Burkina Faso, Mali and Tanzania trials of the merozoite surface protein 3 -- in its Long Synthetic Peptide configuration (MSP3 LSP) -- were conducted. In Mali, the apical membrane antigen 1 (AMA1) was tested, while a hybrid of glutamate rich protein (GLURP) and MSP3 (GMZ2) was tested in Gabon. AMANET recognizes the importance of engaging with the communities from which trial participants are drawn, hence community engagement was given priority in all project activities conducted in the various countries.</p> <p>Discussion and evaluation</p> <p>Existing local social systems were used to engage the communities from which clinical trial participants were drawn. This article focuses on community engagement activities employed at various AMANET-supported clinical trial sites in different countries, highlighting subtle differences in the approaches used. The paper also gives some general pros and cons of community engagement.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Community engagement enables two-way sharing of accurate information and ideas between researchers and researched communities, which helps to create an environment conducive to smooth research activities with enhanced sense of research ownership by the communities.</p

Data resource profile: network for analysing longitudinal population-based HIV/AIDS data on Africa (ALPHA Network)

The Network for Analysing Longitudinal Population-based HIV/AIDS data on Africa (ALPHA Network, http://alpha.lshtm.ac.uk/) brings together ten population-based HIV surveillance sites in eastern and southern Africa, and is coordinated by the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM). It was established in 2005 and aims to (i) broaden the evidence base on HIV epidemiology for informing policy, (ii) strengthen the analytical capacity for HIV research, and (iii) foster collaboration between network members. All study sites, some starting in the late 1980s and early 1990s, conduct demographic surveillance in populations that range from approximately 20 to 220 thousand individuals. In addition, they conduct population-based surveys with HIV testing, and verbal autopsy interviews with relatives of deceased residents. ALPHA Network datasets have been used for studying HIV incidence, sexual behaviour and the effects of HIV on mortality, fertility, and household composition. One of the network’s substantive focus areas is the monitoring of AIDS mortality and HIV services coverage in the era of antiretroviral therapy. Service use data are retrospectively recorded in interviews and supplemented by information from record linkage with medical facilities in the surveillance areas. Data access is at the discretion of each of the participating sites, but can be coordinated by the network

Muscle distribution in farm animals: comparison between goats and other farm animals

Tanzania Journal of Agriculture Science, 1998 Vol 1(1) : PP 37-41Eight,male goats w,ere 'slaf.lghtered at. 36 kg, live weight (approximately two thirds of mature weight) and dissected, into individual anatomic m'((s(;les. Weights of individual muscles were then grouped into 8 functional units and compared with published data on bulls, rams and boars.' There was a wide species d(tference;in "size index'~ musGles..· Abdominal wall index was highest !'n boars followed by goats, bulls and'rams, the values being 108, 1.00, 91 m:zd 90 resp.ectivety. 9,o(lts had. higher i!ldices ill four;functional units: agility, locomotion, supporting muscles 'and specialised funCtionai mu~cles.· Muscle data .. o/ goa~s indicated that goats are most aggressive followed by bulls, rams and pigs

Muscle distribution in farm animals: comparison between goats and other farm animals

Tanzania Journal of Agriculture Science, 1998 Vol 1(1) : PP 37-41Eight,male goats w,ere 'slaf.lghtered at. 36 kg, live weight (approximately two thirds of mature weight) and dissected, into individual anatomic m'((s(;les. Weights of individual muscles were then grouped into 8 functional units and compared with published data on bulls, rams and boars.' There was a wide species d(tference;in "size index'~ musGles..· Abdominal wall index was highest !'n boars followed by goats, bulls and'rams, the values being 108, 1.00, 91 m:zd 90 resp.ectivety. 9,o(lts had. higher i!ldices ill four;functional units: agility, locomotion, supporting muscles 'and specialised funCtionai mu~cles.· Muscle data .. o/ goa~s indicated that goats are most aggressive followed by bulls, rams and pigs

Effect of level of inclusion of Lablab meal in diet on Carcass Chanlcteristi of blackhead Persian Sheep

Tanzania Journal of Agriculture Science 1998, Vol. 1(2): pp149-156Twenty four Black Head Persian (BHP) castrate lambs weighing 14.1 ± 2.7 kg were randomly allotted to four dietary treatments . Animals on treatment A (control) were fed Rhodes (Chloris gayana) hay, ad libitum as basal diet, plus 3BO-g maize bran daily. Animals on treatments B, C and D were fed 'basal diet plus 3BO g of "maize bran and lablab meal" mixture at a ratio of 2.B:1, 0.9:1 and 0.27:1, respectively daily. Four animals from each treatment were selected for slaughter at the end of 99th day of feeding. The level of inclusion of lablab in the lambs' diet had no significant effect on all killing-out characteristics. However, the increase in dietary lablab level in supplement increased the hot carcass weight (HCW) and empty body weight (EBW). The mean HCWfortreatmentsA, B, C, andD were B.O, B.B, 9.2 and 9. 7 kg, respectively, while the respective mean EBWs were 15.3, 16.9, 17.B and 1B.2 kg. Dressing percentage showed no definite pattern. Regression of HCW on EBW and on slaughter weight showed high correlation coefficients (r = 0.91 and r = 0.90, respectively). Lean tissue weight increased with increasing lablab level in the supplement diet, while fat tissue decreased with increased dietary lablab levels (P < 0.10). Differences among treatments in carcass fat were however small and statistically non-significant. Although bone tissue did not show any defined trend, animals on treatment Chad heavier (B30 vs 716 g) carcass bone than animals on treatment A (P< 0.10). Expr,essed as percentages of the carcass, the weights of lean, fat and bone showed no significant treatment effects. However, the trend was an increase in percentage of lean tissue and a decrease in percentage offat tissue with increasing level of lablab in the supplement diet (60.9,51.3, 61.1 and 63% lean and 19.1,20.2, 1B.4and 17.5%fat,for treatments A, B, C and D, respectively)

Effect of level of inclusion of Lablab meal in diet on Carcass Chanlcteristi of blackhead Persian Sheep

Tanzania Journal of Agriculture Science 1998, Vol. 1(2): pp149-156Twenty four Black Head Persian (BHP) castrate lambs weighing 14.1 ± 2.7 kg were randomly allotted to four dietary treatments . Animals on treatment A (control) were fed Rhodes (Chloris gayana) hay, ad libitum as basal diet, plus 3BO-g maize bran daily. Animals on treatments B, C and D were fed 'basal diet plus 3BO g of "maize bran and lablab meal" mixture at a ratio of 2.B:1, 0.9:1 and 0.27:1, respectively daily. Four animals from each treatment were selected for slaughter at the end of 99th day of feeding. The level of inclusion of lablab in the lambs' diet had no significant effect on all killing-out characteristics. However, the increase in dietary lablab level in supplement increased the hot carcass weight (HCW) and empty body weight (EBW). The mean HCWfortreatmentsA, B, C, andD were B.O, B.B, 9.2 and 9. 7 kg, respectively, while the respective mean EBWs were 15.3, 16.9, 17.B and 1B.2 kg. Dressing percentage showed no definite pattern. Regression of HCW on EBW and on slaughter weight showed high correlation coefficients (r = 0.91 and r = 0.90, respectively). Lean tissue weight increased with increasing lablab level in the supplement diet, while fat tissue decreased with increased dietary lablab levels (P < 0.10). Differences among treatments in carcass fat were however small and statistically non-significant. Although bone tissue did not show any defined trend, animals on treatment Chad heavier (B30 vs 716 g) carcass bone than animals on treatment A (P< 0.10). Expr,essed as percentages of the carcass, the weights of lean, fat and bone showed no significant treatment effects. However, the trend was an increase in percentage of lean tissue and a decrease in percentage offat tissue with increasing level of lablab in the supplement diet (60.9,51.3, 61.1 and 63% lean and 19.1,20.2, 1B.4and 17.5%fat,for treatments A, B, C and D, respectively)

The estimate of genetic correlation and heritability of various traits in small East African goats

Tanzania Journal of Agricultural Sciences 2002, Vol.5(1) : 59-64This study was done on three strains of East African goats namely, Dodoma. Kigoma and Mtwara with the aim of estimating heritability for pre-weaning (4 months), post-weaning (8 months) and yearling (12 months) growth rates. Other heritability parameters measured were for weight at birth, 4, 8, and 12 months of age and helminth resistance traits (faecal egg count or FEC and packed cell volume or PCV) at six and twelve months of age. Genetic correlations were also determined between FEC. PCV and growth rate at six and twelve months of age. Genetic correlation and heritability were estimated using the Restricted Maximum likelihood (RFML) of the variance component (Var Comp) procedure of the Statistical Analysis System (SAS) package. Most of the traits were observed to have moderate heritability ranging from 0.32 to 0.39, with exception of weight at weaning (4 months). 8 months, one year of age and PCV, which had high heritability (0.4-0. 44) estimates. Negative genetic correlations were observed between FEC and growth rate at six months (rg = -0.69 ± 0.042), and twelve months of age (rg = -0.8 ± 0.011), whereas, PCV-showed positive genetic correlations with growth rate within the same periods rg = 0.59± 0.010 and rg = 0.45 ± 0.022, respectively. It was concluded that the moderate and high heritabilities obtained for growth rates, weights at different age FEC in this study indicate that improvement of growth rate, body size and genetic resistance to helminthosis could be improved through selection and manipulation of both the additive genetic action and non genetic (ienvironmental) components for tropical goat improvement. It was also recommended that genetic manipulation at molecular level should be employed in identifying and isolating quantitative and qualitative trait loci (QTL) linked to economic and desirable traits which will enable development of goats suitable for different ecological zones