Gene frequencies of ABO and Rh(D) blood group alleles in Lagos, South-West Nigeria

Background: It has been well documented that the ABO and Rhesus remain clinically the most significant blood group systems. There is limited information on the gene frequency of the ABO and Rhesus blood groups from Lagos, South-West Nigeria. Data from this study will be of immense use to the geneticists, biologists, blood transfusion services policy maker and clinicians.Aim of this study: This study aims to provide descriptive information on the genetic composition and variation of population in Lagos State, Nigeria, with respect to blood group and Rhesus factor contributing to the existing knowledge.Subjects and methods: This study investigated the gene frequencies for the ABO and Rh(D) alleles in a population consisting of different ages in Lagos, Nigeria, over a period spanning 12 years (1998–2009). The 23,832 and 23,764 individuals were typed for ABO and Rh blood groups, respectively. We analyzed the genotypic and allelic frequencies based on Hardy–Weinberg equations. Chi-square goodness-of-fit statistic was calculated to compare observed and expected frequencies and to investigate heterogeneity between years.Results: 5504 (23.1%), 5072 (21.3%), 647 (2.7%) and 12,609 (52.9%) were blood groups A, B, AB and O, respectively. Over the period of this study, we observed an overall trend of ABO blood group was O> B > A> AB in both males and females. We also observed that blood group O was the most encountered phenotype while group AB was the least phenotype encountered among the studied population in both genders. This distribution differs significantly (p<0.05) from those expected under the Hardy–Weinberg law. With regard to the Rh blood group, individuals with Rh positive (DD and Dd) were 0.69 and 0.28. Rh negative (dd) was 0.03. This also showed that Rh(D) positive was the most phenotype observed in this study. This distribution do not differ significantly (p>0.05) from those expected under the Hardy–Weinberg law.Conclusion: Our results demonstrate that there exist genetic variability and polymorphism as regards ABO and Rh blood group among the population sampled. These findings would be useful to geneticists and clinicians when planning to address future health challenges relating blood transfusion and marriage counseling.Keywords: Blood groups; Gene frequencies; Rhesus; Allele

Frequency of twinning in Kwara State, North-Central Nigeria

Background: Twin birth prevalence varies widely among the world population. Several factors such as genetic, maternal, socio-economic and environmental have been implicated in its incidence. Although these factors are still the subject of a number of investigations variations doexist in the reported incidence of twinning across the world. There is limited information on the frequency of twinning in Kwara state, North Central Nigeria.Aims: This study aims to determine the frequency and prevalence of twinning in Kwara state of the North Central Nigeria. We wish to update the current knowledge on the trend and frequency of twinning in North-Central Nigeria and thereby contributing to the demographic studies in thecountry.Subjects and methods: We carried out an 11-year retrospective study on the incidence of twin births between 1998 and 2008. Data were collected from the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, Ilorin (UITH), Omosebi Hospital, Ilorin (OHI) and Erinle General Hospital, Erinle (EGHE) all inKwara state, North-Central Nigeria. These data were pooled together and analyzed by year and maternal age groups of 15–19, 20–24, 25–29, 30–34, 35–39, 40–44, and 45–49 years according to the standard method.Results: Frequencies of twin births of 37.60, 35.01, and 35.9 per 1000 deliveries were recorded for UITH, OHI and EGHE respectively. The overall average frequency of 37.4 per 1000 deliveries for the three hospitals was recorded in the study. The maternal age group of 25–29 years had the highest occurrence of twin births (35.33%), while the lowest was recorded in the 45–49 years age group (1.32%).Conclusion: This study shows that there is an increase in twinning rate in the Kwara state when compared with previous reports on this subject matter. This is probably due to an increase in awareness and use of ovulation stimulating drugs or multiple embryo transfers among women

Relationship Between Gestation Length and Birth Weight in Nigerian Sheep and Their Crosses

Effect of genotype and birth weight on gestation length was evaluated using Nigerian breeds of sheep and their crosses. The study was carried out at the Sheep Project Unit of Small Ruminant Research Programme (SRRP) of National Animal Production Research Institute (NAPRI), Ahmadu Bello University, Shika-Zaria. The sheep breeds used were Balami, Uda and Yankasa. Heat (estrus) detection was carried out twice daily; in the morning (07:00-08:00 hours); and in the evening (16:00-17:00 hours) using apron fitted rams to pick does on heat. A total of 56 lambs were used for this study. The data obtained were subjected to analysis of variance using General Linear Model and Correlation Procedure of SAS. All the genotypes had similar gestation length with values between 150.3±0.61 days and 153.3±0.60 days, except for Balami pure breed (BAL X BAL) lambs that recorded a shorter gestation length (137.1±0.81 days). There was a wide variation in the birth weight of lambs with the crosses between Balami rams and Yankasa ewes recording a distinct birth weight of 3.5±0.08 kg while the crosses obtained using Yankasa rams on Uda and Balami ewes gave the lowest birth weights (1.7±0.19 and 1.4±0.18, respectively). Sex and litter type have no significant effect (P>0.05) on gestation length. Birth weight was however affected by sex of lambs and their litter type. Litter type was negatively correlated with birth weight (-0.372). Gestation length had a low and non-significant relationship with birth weight; litter type and lamb genotype. Lamb genotype does not have a significant relationship with litter type. Genetic improvement of Nigeria sheep breed is possible if the resources of within and between breed is exploited. Selection for a reduction in gestation length may indirectly increase prolificacy. (Animal Production 12(3): 135-138 (2010)Key Words : gestation length, birth weight, Nigerian Shee

Relationship Between Gestation Length and Birth Weight in Nigerian Sheep and Their Crosses

Effect of genotype and birth weight on gestation length was evaluated using Nigerian breeds of sheep and their crosses. The study was carried out at the Sheep Project Unit of Small Ruminant Research Programme (SRRP) of National Animal Production Research Institute (NAPRI), Ahmadu Bello University, Shika-Zaria. The sheep breeds used were Balami, Uda and Yankasa. Heat (estrus) detection was carried out twice daily; in the morning (07:00-08:00 hours); and in the evening (16:00-17:00 hours) using apron fitted rams to pick does on heat. A total of 56 lambs were used for this study. The data obtained were subjected to analysis of variance using General Linear Model and Correlation Procedure of SAS. All the genotypes had similar gestation length with values between 150.3±0.61 days and 153.3±0.60 days, except for Balami pure breed (BAL X BAL) lambs that recorded a shorter gestation length (137.1±0.81 days). There was a wide variation in the birth weight of lambs with the crosses between Balami rams and Yankasa ewes recording a distinct birth weight of 3.5±0.08 kg while the crosses obtained using Yankasa rams on Uda and Balami ewes gave the lowest birth weights (1.7±0.19 and 1.4±0.18, respectively). Sex and litter type have no significant effect (P>0.05) on gestation length. Birth weight was however affected by sex of lambs and their litter type. Litter type was negatively correlated with birth weight (-0.372). Gestation length had a low and non-significant relationship with birth weight; litter type and lamb genotype. Lamb genotype does not have a significant relationship with litter type. Genetic improvement of Nigeria sheep breed is possible if the resources of within and between breed is exploited. Selection for a reduction in gestation length may indirectly increase prolificacy. (Animal Production 12(3): 135-138 (2010

Neighbourhood Acceptability of Poultry Farms Located in Residential Areas in Nigerian Metropolis

This study was conducted to evaluate the environmental effect of poultry farms located among residents of some metropolitan town of Nigeria. Data were collected using structured questionnaires to interview 90 farmers and 270 residents in the neighbourhood of the poultry farms in the ratio 1:3 in each of the selected agro-ecological zones. The study was conducted in three agro-ecological zones in igeria. Sabon Gari Local Government of Kaduna State, Jos South Local Government of Plateau State and Ibadan Municipal Local Government of Oyo State were purposively chosen in the orth West, orth central and South West agroecological zones, respectively for the study because of high volume of poultry production enterprises in these locations. Questionnaires were administered to neighbours within 200 m2 radius of poultry farms. Issues focused included: socio-economic characteristics of the respondents, level of acceptability of poultry production by the neighbours and environmental implication of poultry production. Descriptive statistics such as frequency counts and percentage were used to analyze the socio-economic characteristics of the respondents while Pearson correlation was used to establish the relationships between mode of waste disposal and neighbours’ acceptability of poultry farm location in their neighbourhood. A large percentage (74.1%) of the residents found the activities of poultry production in their neighbourhood very repulsive. Air (64.4%), oise (31.1%) and water (4.4%) pollution were indicated by the neighbours as the major problems encountered. Adoption of technologies that can keep poultry litters dry and odourless was low (24.4%) among poultry farmers. There was great discomfort experienced by residents due to poultry production in their neighbourhood. It was recommended that farmers should be encouraged to adopt technologies that can keep poultry litters dry and odourless. In addition, poultry farm locations should be sited far away from residential areas.Keywords: Poultry Farms, Acceptability, Waste management, Residents, Nigerian Metropoli

Relationship Between Gestation Length and Birth Weight in Nigerian Sheep and Their Crosses

Effect of genotype and birth weight on gestation length was evaluated using Nigerian breeds of sheep and their crosses. The study was carried out at the Sheep Project Unit of Small Ruminant Research Programme (SRRP) of National Animal Production Research Institute (NAPRI), Ahmadu Bello University, Shika-Zaria. The sheep breeds used were Balami, Uda and Yankasa. Heat (estrus) detection was carried out twice daily; in the morning (07:00-08:00 hours); and in the evening (16:00-17:00 hours) using apron fitted rams to pick does on heat. A total of 56 lambs were used for this study. The data obtained were subjected to analysis of variance using General Linear Model and Correlation Procedure of SAS. All the genotypes had similar gestation length with values between 150.3±0.61 days and 153.3±0.60 days, except for Balami pure breed (BAL X BAL) lambs that recorded a shorter gestation length (137.1±0.81 days). There was a wide variation in the birth weight of lambs with the crosses between Balami rams and Yankasa ewes recording a distinct birth weight of 3.5±0.08 kg while the crosses obtained using Yankasa rams on Uda and Balami ewes gave the lowest birth weights (1.7±0.19 and 1.4±0.18, respectively). Sex and litter type have no significant effect (P>0.05) on gestation length. Birth weight was however affected by sex of lambs and their litter type. Litter type was negatively correlated with birth weight (-0.372). Gestation length had a low and non-significant relationship with birth weight; litter type and lamb genotype. Lamb genotype does not have a significant relationship with litter type. Genetic improvement of Nigeria sheep breed is possible if the resources of within and between breed is exploited. Selection for a reduction in gestation length may indirectly increase prolificacy. (Animal Production 12(3): 135-138 (2010)Key Words : gestation length, birth weight, Nigerian Shee

Evaluation of Crop-Livestock Integration Systems among Farm Families at Adopted Villages of the National Agricultural Extension and Research Liaison Services

This study evaluated the level of access to knowledge, farm assets and inputs utilization in crop-livestock integration systems (CLIS) among rural farm families at NAERLS adopted villages. A total of 120 farm families were interviewed through structured questionnaire. Forty farm families were randomly chosen from two adopted villages each in South West, North Central and North West zones of NAERLS. The data obtained were analysed by frequency counts, percentages, means and standard error of the means. The results showed, among others, that 95.8% of farmers interviewed were aware of CLIS. Mixed cropping (70%) was majorly practiced. Cereals were cultivated at higher rates (88.3%) in all the agro-ecological zones. Poultry ranked highest (54.2%) among all the livestock being kept by the farmers. Farmers at NAERLS adopted villages practiced CLIS at subsistent level based on their indigenous knowledge and technology. The existing practices of CLIS by farmers at NAERLS adopted villages should be packaged into a model that can encourage profitability and sustainability of integration of crops and livestock.Keywords: Crop-livestock integration systems, adopted village, farm family