Comparative study of some biochemical and physiological profile among Nigerian sheep

Physiological and biochemical data of the four breeds of sheep were collected from Bauchi, Kastina, Nasarawa and Anambra States for Balami, Uda, Yankasa and West Africa Dwarf sheep, respectively using a multi-stage sampling method. A total of 46 Balami (18 males and 28 females), 30 Uda (5males and 25 females), 36 Yankasa (9 males and 27 females) and 37 WAD (7 males and 30 females) were sampled. Sampling was done from the selected States based on distance from one another and an abundance of sheep. Data were collected during the hottest season of November to March. Blood samples were collected from 60 adult sheep out of the entire population for the study. Blood samples were collected from jugular vein puncture using a 5ml syringe, and the samples were then transferred into well-labelled ethylene diamine tetra acetate (EDTA) bottles. Data collected for the study were analyzed using the General Linear Model Procedure of SAS using the fixed-effect model that incorporated breed, sex and age of the sheep. The pulse rate of adult Balami sheep was higher than what was obtained from the other three breeds (P<0.01). The pulse rate for Balami sheep was 94.33±6.50 beats per minute as against those of WAD, Uda and Yakasa (77.42±8.38, 76.85±8.38 and 72.80±7.84 beats per minute, respectively). Adult WAD, Yankasa and Balami had similar (p>0.05) respiratory rate (73.92±8.73, 71.20±7.73, 69.33±6.40 breath per minute, respectively). The values for the three breeds were higher than 67.76±8.16 breath per minute obtained for Uda sheep. The rectal temperature of adult Balami (39.29±0.21oC) and Yankasa (39.21±0.25oC) were similar but differed from the values obtained for adult WAD sheep (38.40±0.29oC). Malondialdehyde (MDA) is not a good marker for monitoring heat stress among breeds of sheep in Nigeria because breeds did affect (p>0.05) the activity level of MDA. Metabolic markers like thyroid, cortisol hormones level and glucose could also be used in the future. Pulse rate had a high and positive correlation (0.452; P<0.01) with an atmospheric temperature of Balami sheep. Moderate and positive correlations (0.265, 0.221; P<0.05) were obtained between pulse rate and temperature of Uda sheep and WAD, respectively. Molecular markers of biochemical and heat stress such as like heat shock protein (HSP) should be used to study the diversity of sheep breeds in Nigeria. Keywords: Biochemical, Nigeria, physiological profile, sheep, heat stress

Assessment of Broiler Breeder Cocks Under Selection for Semen Quality as Influenced by Age and Body weight Changes

The study was conducted to assess the semen quality characteristics of broiler breeder cocks under selection at young (22 - 29weeks) and adult (30 - 40weeks) ages in a pedigreed population. Data were collected on a weekly interval for body weight and semen quality characteristics (sperm volume, semen colour, sperm motility, semen pH, sperm concentration and live cell) and semen morphological defects (detached head, coiled tail, bent tail and full head) and were analyzed using the SAS statistical package. Sequel to semen collection, body weights of each cock were taken and recorded. Results obtained for body weight at the two age groups showed a significant (p <0.05) difference with the adult cocks been heavier as the age advanced. The semen quality showed a highly significantly (p<0.01) difference at all ages with the exception of live cells for the adult breeder cocks’ group where the trait showed no significant (p>0.05) difference across weeks. The semen morphological defect of young breeder cocks showed a progressive significant (p<0.01) increase with the highest defect of 21.20% at 27 weeks, while for the adult cocks, the highest defect was recorded at 30 weeks with 23% defect. It can therefore be recommended that for optimum reproductive performance of the broiler breeder cocks under selection, cocks should be introduced into hen pens or used for artificial insemination at about 26weeks of age under favourable conditions that promote optimum quality semen, which can enhance fertility and hatchability for pedigree hatchin

Survivability of lambs in relation to their dam's haemoglobin variants

A total of 65 Yankasa, 23 Uda and 16 Balami ewes were mated to 4 Yankasa, 3 Uda and 3 Balami rams in a diallel breeding pattern to produce 192 lambs within 9 genotypes, which were used to study survivability of lambs in relation to their dam's haemoglobin variants. Blood samples (5ml) were collected from 104 ewes and 10 rams through jugular venepuncture. Electrophoresis was carried out in a Shandon electrophoresis tank on cellulose acetate strips.Each of the 9 lamb genotypes had very high proportion of HbAB. The dam's haemoglobin type BB (HbBB) were only found in YK X YK, UD X UD, YK X UD, BL X YK and BL X UD lambs at birth and 90-Day. Survivability of lamb that were given birth to by dams with haemoglobin type AB (HbAB) is highest in the studied populations from birth to 360-Day. Lambs with HbAB should be selected for improved survivability of sheep in Northern Nigeria

Effects of N-Butanol and Aqueous Fractions of Khaya senegalensis, Guiera senegalensis and Tamarindus Indica Leaves Extracts on Eimeria tenella Oocyst Sporulation in Vitro

The in vitro anti coccidial activities of n-butanol and aqueous fractions of Khaya senegalensis, Gueira senegalensis and Tamarindus indica leaves extracts on Eimeria tenella parasite was studied by observing the effects of the plant extracts on the sporulation of the Eimeria tenella oocysts. Drug resistance and consumer demanding decrease in the use of drugs in animals have generated interest in alternative strategies to control the avian disease one of which is herbal intervention studies. Fresh faecal samples were collected from infected birds and their oocysts load determined. Dilutions of the extracts (100mg, 250mg, 400mg, 550mg, 700mg and 850mg per ml) in distilled water were prepared and placed in separate well labelled petri dishes. 100 oocysts were added to each petri dish and the set up was left at ambient temperature on the laboratory table and monitored twice daily (9.00am and 3.00pm) to observe the sporulation of the oocysts over a 72 hours period. Laboratory sporulation medium (2.5% Potassium dichromate) and Amprolium were used for comparison. The phytochemical result implied that the active ingredients were present mainly in the n-butanol and crude extract  fractions with the nbutanol fraction of the Khaya senegalensis extract containing phenols and flavonoids which have antioxidant effects. The in vitro study showed that the n-butanol fraction of K senegalensis (100mg/ml) and the aqueous fraction of Tamarindus indica (100mg/ml) extracts had similar effects to those obtained using Amprolium which was considered as the standard by inhibiting the sporulation of Eimeria tenella oocysts. It is therefore recommended that more work needs to be done to determine the anti  coccidial activities of these extracts in vivo. Key words: Eimeria tenella, sporulation, in vitro, extract

Effect of egg size and lines on hatching performance of chicks from broiler breeders under selection

The study was conducted with the objective of evaluating the effect of egg size (small, medium and large) and lines on egg and hatch weight, fertility, hatchability, embryonic mortality and infertile eggs of broiler breeders under selection. A total of 120 broiler chicks were hatched from three different egg sizes (40 chicks per egg size as indicated) from breeder parents at 40 weeks of age. The broiler breeders were mated in a ratio of 1:6. Data obtained were subjected to analysis of variance in a complete randomized design. The result showed that significant (p<0.05) egg weight loss in incubator were recorded with the large egg size group having the minimum loss of 10.85%. The hatch weight was significant (p<0.05) and increased from the small to the large (36.24, 36.73 and 40.22g) egg size group. Line had significant effect (p<0.05) only on the medium egg size: egg weight (sire = 57.50g; dam = 55.00g) and hatch weights (sire = 39.71g; dam = 36.10g). The fertility (94.02, 93.01 and 78.01%), hatchability (87.42, 88.20 and 62.41%) and embryonic mortality (6.58, 9.80 and 15.6%) had significant (p<0.05) differences with the small egg size group performing better excluding the average egg weight, which was then followed closely by medium egg size group. It can be concluded that for higher hatch weight target, the large egg size should be selected but for the purpose of better fertility and hatchability, the medium and small egg sizes should be selected

Influence of genotype on post-weaning growth performance of domestic rabbits

Data on 48 weaned New Zealand White (NZ), Chinchilla (CH) and Dutch (DU) breeds of rabbits and their crosses obtained from 6 to 14 weeks were used for this study. The genotypes were New Zealand White × New Zealand White (NZ×NZ), Chinchilla×Chinchilla (CH×CH), Dutch×Dutch (DU×DU), New Zealand White × Chinchilla (NZ×CH), New Zealand White × Dutch (NZ×DU) and Chinchilla × Dutch (CH×DU). Traits studied were body weight (BW), body length (BL), chest girth (CG), head-to-shoulder (HS), shoulder-to-tail drop (ST), length of hind leg (LHL), ear length (EL) and, height at withers (HTW). There were significant (P<0.05) differences among the genotypes at different ages. CH×CH was superior over other genotypes for most of the post-weaning growth traits studied at different ages (480.0g, 650.0g, 941.3g, 1206.0g and 1401.8g mean body weights at week 6, 8, 10, 12 and 14, respectively). This was followed by CH×DU (476.3g, 601.3g, 751.0g, 910.0g and 1086.3g for the same parameters. The results indicated that CH×CH and CH×DU genotypes could be most suitable for optimum genetic improvement. It can be concluded that CH×CH genotype performed better in most of the post-weaning growth traits. Therefore, CH×CH is recommended for higher body weight and linear body measurement after weaning.Keywords: Genotype, Post-weaning, Growth performance, Domestic rabbit

Relationships between milk yield, post-partum body weight and reproductive performance in Friesian x Bunaji cattle

The data consisted of 369 lactation records for calvings over a sixteen-year period (1972-1987) and included only cows that had normal milk records. The data were analysed using a linear model containing the fixed effects of parity, year of calving and season of calving. The least squares means S.E. were 1,273 58.4 kg for milk yield, and for post-partum body weight (kg) at 2, 3 and 4 months after calving were 343.40 3.96, 346.10 4.10 and 352.54 4.26, respectively. With the exception of season of calving, the effects of parity and year of calving were significant (p<0.01) on the performance of the animals. Thus, the mean milk yields 1162, 1351 and 1350, were similar for pre-, peak- and post rainy seasons, respectively. On the other hand, as parity increased from 1 to 3, milk yield also increased, but thereafter, there was a gradual decline in milk yield. Similarly, post-partum body weight also increased with parity. However, no consistent pattern for year effect was observed which probably was a reflection of the variation in climatic conditions, or forage quality and/or availability. The phenotypic correlations between milk yield and post-partum body weights were negative and small (ranging from -0.01 to -0.08). However, high milk production in cows was associated with longer calving interval. The implications from the phenotypic correlations are suggestive of one or two possibilities. Firstly, selection for increased body weight may actually result in decreased milk yield. Also, a substantial genetic antagonism may exist between milk yield and fertility in the crossbred cows. Therefore, it is important that selection to improve milk production should take into consideration the reproductive performance of the cows

Fertility and hatchability potentials of ShikaBrown® chickens and effect of body weight and age of chicken on egg quality traits in southwestern, Nigeria

The study was conducted to assess the reproductive performance and the effect of body weight and age on external egg quality  traits of ShikaBrown® (SS-98, SG-98 and SB-98) chickens. Six hundred ShikaBrown® chickens fertile eggs were sourced, incubated and 21 weeks old ShikaBrown® layers were used for studying some external egg quality traits. Data collected were  subjected to Analysis of Variance (SAS 9); Univariate was applied to test the effects of age and body weight on  external egg  quality traits of the birds; where significant differences occurred, the means were separated by Duncan Multiple Range test. The dam (SS-98) parent stock had higher fertility (95.9%) while ShikaBrown® (SB-98) commercial layers had highest hatchability (89.9%). There was significant effect of age and body weight on all the external egg quality traits (p&lt;0.05) considered in this  study except egg shape index, which was not significantly affected (p&gt;0.05) by body weight. The external egg quality traits  progressed with corresponding increase in the age and body weight of the ShikaBrown® (SB-98) layers. On the basis of the  recorded high values for both reproduction and egg quality traits, the ShikaBrown® parent lines and commercial layers should be made readily available to the commercial poultry farms.Keywords: Egg, Hatchability, Fertility, External quality traits, ShikaBrown® chicken genotypes (SS-98, SG-98, SB-98)