Reproductive history of cane rat: a review of the reproduction and reproductive performance

This study evaluates in a review the reproduction and reproductive performance of cane rat. Breeding time in cane rat depends on which part of Africa the Animal is found and the weather. In the wild, cane rat lives in groups of males and females during the breeding season. The wet season of the year is the usual breeding season. Cane rat lives in groups of males and females during the breeding season. The wet season of the year is the usual breeding season. The doe when sexually ready or estrus present a perforated vaginal membrane which is sealed or open with a thin membrane. During this period, the vaginal mucus is colourless and the buck mates the doe. When the doe is not sexually ready or in estrus, it may present a closed membrane and the buck do not mate the doe. In captivity, cane rat breed all year round. Immediately after weaning the kits at four weeks, the vulva is still opened and the male is introduced to mate the female. Once there is mating, the doe’s vulva starts to close 5 – 7 days later. The mating ages in males is between 7 – 9 months and females 5 – 7 months with a mating ratio of 1 male to 4 females. Most farmers rely on the shapes and size of the head to differentiate sexes but ano-genital distance is the most popular method of sex determination. Gestation period in cane rat is 132-172 days. At birth, offspring birth weight is between 70 – 130 grammes. The litter size is 4 – 9. Cane rat is an hystricomorphic rodent. Most rodent species have flexible mating system that can vary between monogamy polygyny and promiscuity

Genetic Similarity of Yoruba Ecotype Indigenous Chickens Using Polyacrylamide Gel Electrophoresis

The study investigated genetic similarity of Yoruba Ecotype Indigenous chicken at four protein Loci: Globulin (95SkDa), Transferrin (66kDa), Albumin (36kDa) and post albumin (29kDa) using Sodium Do decyl Sulphate Polyacrylamide Gel electrophoresis (SDS PAGE) following the procedure of Bio rad resource centre. Dendogram was plotted from data generated using PAST (Palenthological statistics) soft ware for each of the protein. Similarity indices were; Transferrin (58%), Albumin (19%), Globulin (18%) and post albumin (40%).  The population is genetically similar at Transferrin locus and varied widely at Albumin, Globulin and Post Albumin loci. Conclusively, the population is still under the control of natural selection. Further research should be extended to more protein loci and DNA characterisatio

Prostate specific antigen and relative prostate weight data on effect of Tetracarpidium conophorum leaf extract on testosterone-induced benign prostatic hyperplasia

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is a common urological disorder of men, characterized by prostatic enlargement and urethral obstruction. In this study, BPH was induced in experimental groups by daily subcutaneous injections of testosterone propionate (TP) for 3 weeks. Tetracarpidium conophorum was administered daily by oral gavage at a dose of 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg BW of extract for three weeks, along with the TP injections and 5mg/kg of finasteride for comparison. On day 21, the animals were sacrificed after anesthesia. Prostate were excised, weighed and used to determine relative prostate weight. Quantitative and qualitative phytochemical screening was also done and it showed the presence of flavonoids (0.370mg/ml), tannins (0.458mg/ml), phenols (0.508mg/ml) and steroids (0.257mg/ml). The prostate specific antigen level was evaluated, the result showed the data for extract group 200mg/kg, 400mg/kg, finasteride control group and BPH control group to be 0.186±0.0023 ng/ml, 0.153 ±0.005 ng/ml, 0.119±0.0125ng/ml and 0.332±0.004 ng/ml respectively

OPTIMISATION OF OVEN-DRYING OF BAOBAB LEAVES USING A CENTRAL COMPOSITE DESIGN

Baobab ( Adansonia digitata ) leaves represent a key nutritional resource; although their consumption is apparently restricted to local communities, mainly as a sticky sauce, cosmetics and a variety of purposes. Ready-to-use powder of oven-dried baobab leaves can improve the availability of the product on markets, and hence its utilisation and shelf life. This study was carried out to optimise the oven-drying temperature and duration for the best conservation of baobab leaf powder and its sustainable availability for multipurpose uses. Different combinations of values of temperature and drying duration were generated, using a central composite design, in response surface methodology framework. Findings showed that dry matter, hue, chroma and lightness were significantly influenced by oven-drying temperature and duration; while the least gelation concentration was significantly influenced by the temperature. Based on leaf dry matter, hue and chroma models, the optimal oven drying conditions for baobab leaves for good preservation leading to human consumption and other purposes are set at 45 \ub0C for 23.5 hours.Les feuilles de baobab ( Adansonia digitata ) repr\ue9sentent une resource nutritionnelle principal; bien que leur consommation soit apparemment limit\ue9e aux communaut\ue9s locales, principalement sous forme de sauce collante, de cosm\ue9tiques et \ue0 diverses fins. La poudre de feuilles de baobab qui est s\ue9ch\ue9e dans le four et qui est pr\ueate \ue0 \ueatre utilis\ue9e peut am\ue9liorer la disponibilit\ue9 du produit sur les march\ue9s, son utilisation et sa dur\ue9e de conservation. Cette \ue9tude a \ue9t\ue9 r\ue9alis\ue9e afin d\u2019optimiser la temp\ue9rature et la dur\ue9e de s\ue9chage dans le four pour la meilleure conservation de la poudre de feuilles de baobab et sa disponibilit\ue9 durable pour des usages polyvalents. Les diff\ue9rentes combinaisons de valeurs de temp\ue9rature et de dur\ue9e de s\ue9chage ont \ue9t\ue9 g\ue9n\ue9r\ue9es, en utilisant une conception composite centrale, dans le cadre de la m\ue9thodologie de surface de r\ue9ponse. Les r\ue9sultats ont montr\ue9 que la mati\ue8re s\ue8che, la teinte, la chrominance et la l\ue9g\ue8ret\ue9 \ue9taient significativement influenc\ue9es par la temp\ue9rature et la dur\ue9e de s\ue9chage dans le four four; tandis que la moindre concentration de g\ue9lification \ue9tait significativement influenc\ue9e par la temp\ue9rature. En se basant sur des mod\ue8les de mati\ue8re s\ue8che, de teinte et de chrominance des feuilles, les conditions optimales de s\ue9chage au four des feuilles de baobab pour une bonne conservation conduisant \ue0 la consommation humaine et \ue0 d\u2019autres fins sont fix\ue9es \ue0 45 \ub0 C pendant 23,5 heures

Status and utilisation of Moringa oleifera Lam: A review

Moringa oleifera (Moringaceae) is a medium-size agroforestry tree that originated from south Asia, but has become naturalised in many countries globally. Moringa oleifera has gained importance due to its multipurpose uses and good adaptability to both humid and dry climates. Almost all parts of the plant are used. The species is considered as a neglected and underutilised as its potential is still not well economically known and valued. This review presents the status and factors responsible for underutilisation of this, otherwise important crop as a basis for formulation of viable development strategies of knowledge on taxonomy, distribution, diverse utilisations, nutritional value, socioeconomic importance, morphological and genetic diversity, domestication, propagation and management of M. oleifera. Knowledge gaps, and research and development avenues are suggested and discussed for improved valorisation. To that purpose, articles were searched in Google Scholar, Web of Science and BioMed Central database with relevant keywords on M. oleifera. All the articles found, including reviews and peer-reviewed articles were critically read and analysed for inclusion in this review. Findings revealed that the species is one of the most studied and used species with various uses stretching from food and medicinal uses to water purification, biopesticide and production of biodiesel. Findings also highlight high morphological and genetic diversity of the species, which may become a resource for the conservation and the selection of germplasm. However, many aspects of the species are still waiting for further research.Moringa oleifera (Moringaceae) est un arbre de taille moyenne originaire du sud de l\u2019Asie, mais naturalis\ue9 dans de nombreux pays d\u2019Afrique, d\u2019Asie, d\u2019Am\ue9rique et d\u2019Australie. M. oleifera jouit d\u2019une grande importance en raison de ses multiples usages et de sa bonne adaptabilit\ue9 aux climats humides et secs. Les feuilles du Moringa sont parmi les l\ue9gumes \ue0 feuilles les plus promus pour assurer la s\ue9curit\ue9 alimentaire et nutritionnelle des m\ue8res et des nourrissons dans les pays en d\ue9veloppement. Presque toutes les parties de la plante sont utilis\ue9es en m\ue9decine. Jusqu\u2019\ue0 pr\ue9sent, l\u2019esp\ue8ce est consid\ue9r\ue9e comme n\ue9glig\ue9e et sous-utilis\ue9e car son potentiel n\u2019est toujours pas bien valoris\ue9. Cet article r\ue9sume l\u2019\ue9tat actuel des connaissances sur la taxonomie, la distribution, les utilisations diverses, la valeur nutritionnelle, l\u2019importance socio\ue9conomique, la diversit\ue9 morphologique et g\ue9n\ue9tique, la domestication, la propagation et la gestion de M. oleifera. Les gaps en termes de connaissances sur l\u2019esp\ue8ce ont \ue9t\ue9 identifi\ue9es et des axes de recherche-d\ue9veloppement ont \ue9t\ue9 propos\ue9s et discut\ue9s pour am\ue9liorer sa valorisation. A cet effet, des articles ont \ue9t\ue9 recherch\ue9s dans les bases de donn\ue9es Google Scholar, Web of Science et BioMed Central avec des mots-cl\ue9s pertinents sur l\u2019esp\ue8ce. Tous les articles trouv\ue9s, y compris les revues et les articles \ue9valu\ue9s, ont \ue9t\ue9 lus et analys\ue9s de mani\ue8re critique pour leur inclusion dans cet article. Les r\ue9sultats ont r\ue9v\ue9l\ue9 que le Moringa est l\u2019une des esp\ue8ces les plus \ue9tudi\ue9es et utilis\ue9es au monde avec de multiples usages allant de l\u2019alimentation et la m\ue9decine \ue0 la purification de l\u2019eau, au biopesticide and \ue0 la production de biodiesel. Les r\ue9sultats ont \ue9galement r\ue9v\ue9l\ue9 une grande variabilit\ue9 morphologique et g\ue9n\ue9tique de l\u2019esp\ue8ce, qui peut \ueatre une ressource pour la conservation et l\u2019am\ue9lioration g\ue9n\ue9tique de l\u2019esp\ue8ce. Cependant, beaucoup d\u2019autres aspects de l\u2019esp\ue8ce n\ue9cessitent encore des investigations

STATUS OF VEGETATIVE PROPAGATION OF BAOBAB: A REVIEW

The African baobab ( Adansonia digitata L.) is a large tree of great socio-economic and cultural importance in Africa, with almost all the parts of the species used for various purposes. A major concern about baobab fruit pulp production is the long time it takes for first fruiting (about 15 years). Vegetative propagation offers several advantages with regard to consumers\u2019 preferences and precociousness of fructification. The objective of this study was to synthesise existent knowledge related to vegetative propagation methods of baobab and examine future prospects for improving the species propagation. This will ultimately contribute to better integrate baobab-based agroforestry systems into the diversification and poverty alleviation programmes. It is clear that cutting, grafting and in vitro multiplication are the vegetative propagation methods already tested on baobab. The success of grafting methods ranges from 10 to 89%, depending on the technique used. The Murashige and Skoog environment, supplemented with or without growth regulator hormones is by far the best condition for the in vitro reactivity of baobab explants, regardless of their types. With regards to cuttings, the average success rates stand around 30% when Indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) hormone is used. Other approaches such as marcotting techniques are yet to be tested and data on fruit production using these techniques are still needed in order to determine the best promising method for rapid and efficient vegetative propagation of baobab.Adansonia digitata L. est un grand arbre d\u2019importance socio-\ue9conomique et culturelle en Afrique. Toutes les parties de l\u2019arbre sont utilis\ue9es \ue0 diverses fins. L\u2019une des principales pr\ue9occupations concernant la pulpe de baobab est le temps n\ue9cessaire \ue0 la premi\ue8re fructification de l\u2019arbre (environ 15 ans). La multiplication v\ue9g\ue9tative pr\ue9sente plusieurs avantages en ce qui concerne les pr\ue9f\ue9rences des consommateurs et permet la pr\ue9cocit\ue9 de fructification. Ce travail a synth\ue9tis\ue9 les connaissances actuelles sur les m\ue9thodes de propagation v\ue9g\ue9tative du baobab et a discut\ue9 des perspectives futures pour l\u2019int\ue9gration des syst\ue8mes agroforestiers \ue0 base de baobab dans les programmes de diversification agricole et de r\ue9duction de la pauvret\ue9. Les r\ue9sultats ont montr\ue9 que le bouturage, le greffage et la multiplication in vitro sont les m\ue9thodes de multiplication v\ue9g\ue9tative d\ue9j\ue0 test\ue9es sur le baobab \ue0 ce jour. Le succ\ue8s du greffage varie de 10 \ue0 89% selon la technique de greffage utilis\ue9e. L\u2019environnement Murashige and Skoog compl\ue9t\ue9 avec ou sans phytohormones de croissance est \ue0 l\u2019heure actuelle la meilleure condition pour la r\ue9activit\ue9 in vitro des explants de baobab, quels que soient leurs types. En ce qui concerne le bouturage, le taux de r\ue9ussite moyen s\u2019\ue9levait \ue0 30% avec utilisation de l\u2019hormone Acide Indole-3-butyrique (IBA). D\u2019autres approches telles que la technique du marcottage a\ue9rien devront \ueatre test\ue9es. Aussi, les donn\ue9es sur la production de fruits issus de ces techniques sont n\ue9cessaires. Ces informations permettront de d\ue9terminer la meilleure m\ue9thode \ue0 recommander pour une propagation v\ue9g\ue9tative rapide et efficace du baobab

The evolving SARS-CoV-2 epidemic in Africa: Insights from rapidly expanding genomic surveillance

INTRODUCTION Investment in Africa over the past year with regard to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) sequencing has led to a massive increase in the number of sequences, which, to date, exceeds 100,000 sequences generated to track the pandemic on the continent. These sequences have profoundly affected how public health officials in Africa have navigated the COVID-19 pandemic. RATIONALE We demonstrate how the first 100,000 SARS-CoV-2 sequences from Africa have helped monitor the epidemic on the continent, how genomic surveillance expanded over the course of the pandemic, and how we adapted our sequencing methods to deal with an evolving virus. Finally, we also examine how viral lineages have spread across the continent in a phylogeographic framework to gain insights into the underlying temporal and spatial transmission dynamics for several variants of concern (VOCs). RESULTS Our results indicate that the number of countries in Africa that can sequence the virus within their own borders is growing and that this is coupled with a shorter turnaround time from the time of sampling to sequence submission. Ongoing evolution necessitated the continual updating of primer sets, and, as a result, eight primer sets were designed in tandem with viral evolution and used to ensure effective sequencing of the virus. The pandemic unfolded through multiple waves of infection that were each driven by distinct genetic lineages, with B.1-like ancestral strains associated with the first pandemic wave of infections in 2020. Successive waves on the continent were fueled by different VOCs, with Alpha and Beta cocirculating in distinct spatial patterns during the second wave and Delta and Omicron affecting the whole continent during the third and fourth waves, respectively. Phylogeographic reconstruction points toward distinct differences in viral importation and exportation patterns associated with the Alpha, Beta, Delta, and Omicron variants and subvariants, when considering both Africa versus the rest of the world and viral dissemination within the continent. Our epidemiological and phylogenetic inferences therefore underscore the heterogeneous nature of the pandemic on the continent and highlight key insights and challenges, for instance, recognizing the limitations of low testing proportions. We also highlight the early warning capacity that genomic surveillance in Africa has had for the rest of the world with the detection of new lineages and variants, the most recent being the characterization of various Omicron subvariants. CONCLUSION Sustained investment for diagnostics and genomic surveillance in Africa is needed as the virus continues to evolve. This is important not only to help combat SARS-CoV-2 on the continent but also because it can be used as a platform to help address the many emerging and reemerging infectious disease threats in Africa. In particular, capacity building for local sequencing within countries or within the continent should be prioritized because this is generally associated with shorter turnaround times, providing the most benefit to local public health authorities tasked with pandemic response and mitigation and allowing for the fastest reaction to localized outbreaks. These investments are crucial for pandemic preparedness and response and will serve the health of the continent well into the 21st century

Predicting the effects of non-synonymous amino acid variants on protein function in prolactin receptor of cattle and chicken using the MEGA-MD algorithm

Prolactin receptor (PRLR) is a single transmembrane protein belonging to the  cytokine receptor super family through which prolactin plays a wide variety of  physiological roles such as mammary gland development, milk production,  reproduction and immune function in vertebrates. Many non synonymous single nucleotide polymorphisms (nsSNPs) at the PRLR locus in  vertebrates are suspected to impact protein function. This study, therefore, aimed at predicting the likelihood of non synonymous (amino acid change) coding SNPs to cause functional impact on protein at the PRLR locus of cattle and chicken using the MEGA MD bioinformatics tool. In cattle, sixteen out of the first twenty non synonymous amino substitutions obtained: V5A, T9V, T12I, N18S, T19V, C20S, L26S, E32K, F34V, R49E, T52A, S61T, R66K, M72I, I79K and H87Y were beneficial, one was likely neutral, two were deleterious while one was likely deleterious. However, in chicken, L131V, E132N, A134T, V135L, I157A and T161S mutations were found harmless, three were likely neutral, eight were deleterious while three were likely deleterious. This was  substantiated by the Evod (–10.70 65.32 versus 0.00-80.03), PolyPhen 2 (0.000- 0.859 versus 0.000-0.990) and SIFT  (0.16-1.00 versus 0.00-1.00) values in cattle and chicken, respectively. Theoretically, the harmful amino acid substitutions  would result in altered spatial structure and functions of the PRLR molecules. Further studies, however, are required to determine whether the beneficial amino acid substitutions obtained will affect the milk yield, reproductive and immune  functions of Nigerian livestock species.Keywords: prolactin receptor; non-synonymous substitutions; bioinformatics tool; protein function; livestock

Genetic diversity between exotic and Nigerian indigenous Turkey at different structural loci

Poultry genetic resources in general are considered to be the most endangered and under-conserved, detailed attention is therefore needed on the existing genetic resources to reduce or prevent the increasing genetic erosion of local livestock. This study was conducted to characterize and estimate genetic diversity in Nigerian indigenous turkey and exotic turkey using blood proteins (Haemoglobin, Transferrin and Albumin) and enzyme (Carbonic Anhydrase and Esterase 1) markers. A total of 110 turkeys comprising 50 Nigerian indigenous turkeys and 60 exotic turkeys were used for the analysis. Separation of blood protein genotypes was achieved using cellulose acetate electrophoresis. The populations were characterized for their genetic variability using allele frequencies, observed heterozygosity, F-statistics (FIT, FIS, FST), test for Hardy-Weinberg and Genetic distance. Eleven variants were found at the five loci studied, two co-dominant allele A and B controlling three genotypes AA, AB, and BB were observed at Haemoglobin, Carbonic Anhydrase, Albumin and Esterase1 loci for both indigenous and exotic turkey breeds, a third allele C was observed in Transferrin locus. Allele A was the most frequency at the Hb, CA, Alb and Es1 locus in Nigerian indigenous turkey with frequencies 0.541, 0.541, 0.520, and 0.520 respectively and exotic turkey at Hb, Alb, and Es1 with frequencies 0.508, 0.617, and 0.508 respectively. Chi Square result indicated deviations from Hardy Weinberg equilibrium in the two populations. The average heterozygosity values were 0.56 and 0.477 indicating high genetic variability, heterozygote excess FIT was estimated at -0.050 while within breed excess as evaluated by FIS ranged from 0.370 to -0.336. The fixation index FST revealed that genetic diversity within the studied population was slightly differentiated. Genetic distance among the populations quantified through calculation of Nei’s Genetic distance was 0.008 while the identity was 0.992. Similarity in the estimated genetic variability parameters between the breeds indicates that the populations are closely related and there were no appreciable differences among them. This result obtained may be used as an initial guide in defining objectives for further investigations of genetic diversity and developing conservation strategies.Keywords: Electrophesis; Genetic distance; Polymorphism; Structural loc

Varimax rotated principal component factor analysis of the zoometrical traits of uda sheep

A study was conducted to determine the interdependence among the conformation traits of 359 Uda rams using principal component factor analysis. The body measurements were withers height, body length, heart girth, rump height, rump width, rump length, face length, foreleg length and shoulder width. Age group of animals was a significant (p<0.05) source of variation for the studied traits. The various constituent parts of the body developed at varying rates. From the factor analysis, with varimax rotation of the transfor- mation matrix, two principal components were extracted, which accounted for 86.3% of the total variance. The first principal component alone explained 80.8% of the variation, and tended to describe general size, while the second principal component had its loadings for meat traits (rump width, shoulder width and rump length). The two extracted principal components could be considered in selection programmes to obtain animals with better conformation using fewer measurements