Assessment of Demand and Supply of Biotechnology of Reproduction for Cattle Breeding in the Northern Regions of Cameroon

The present study was conducted in pre-selected cattle farms on genetic improvement programs through artificial insemination (AI) in the northern regions of Cameroon. The main objective was to assess the demand and supply of biotechnology for cattle breeding. It was carried out on the basis of a survey of 54 breeders and six (06) service providers of reproductive biotechnologies. It consisted of interviews with each operating manager and service provider, while collecting information on the basis of a questionnaire. From this study, it appears that farmers opted for the improvement of dairy genes (79.6%) and chose AI (50%) as a tool to achieve this goal rather than natural mating (48.1%). The low success rate and the prohibitive cost of this technique were the main constraints discouraging farmers from adopting it. The subvention and the zoo-sanitary follow-up were the accompanying measures desired by the breeders. As for the supply, AI on induced estrus was the only technique offered and only one provider (veterinary doctor) has been trained in a specialized institution. The main constraints identified by reproductive biotechnology service providers were semen conservation (100%), breeders’ neglect (100%) and unavailability of semen (50%). Four support measures were desired by the service providers, namely a training center in biotechnology of reproduction (100%), grants (83.3%), establishment of a quality control laboratory for semen (50%) and the creation of a semen collection center (33.3%)

Context-Aware Security for 6G Wireless The Role of Physical Layer Security

Sixth generation systems are expected to face new security challenges, while opening up new frontiers towards context awareness in the wireless edge. The workhorse behind this projected technological leap will be a whole new set of sensing capabilities predicted for 6G devices, in addition to the ability to achieve high precision localization. The combination of these enhanced traits can give rise to a new breed of context-aware security protocols, following the quality of security (QoSec) paradigm. In this framework, physical layer security solutions emerge as competitive candidates for low complexity, low-delay and low-footprint, adaptive, flexible and context aware security schemes, leveraging the physical layer of the communications in genuinely cross-layer protocols, for the first time.Comment: arXiv admin note: text overlap with arXiv:2011.0732

“Silent” circulation of Trypanosoma spp. in Tabanids (Diptera: Tabanidae) and Cattle in a Tsetse free Range land of Ngaoundere (Adamawa-Cameroon)

The Adamawa region falls within the tsetse belt of Cameroon but harbours isolated pockets of tsetse free range lands like Ngaoundere. There is no report on the occurrence of tsetse and bovine trypanosomosis in Ngaoundere. To provide information on this subject, two Vavoua traps were used to trap vectors of bovine trypanosomiasis and at the same time, blood was collected from cattle. Genomic DNA was extracted from buffy coat of cattle blood (n=42) and biting flies (n=53). The nested PCR was used to screen the samples for Trypanosoma spp. During the 14 days of trapping in November and December 2017 in Ngaoundere, 127 flies were documented and classified under two taxa: Tabanidae and Stomoxyini. Three Trypanosoma spp. DNA was isolated from tabanid (18.9%) samples and identified as T. theileri, T. vivax and T. evansi and two of them that is T. theileri (4%) and T. vivax (3%) were also detected in cattle (7%). There was no case of trypanosome DNA isolated from all the screened Stomoxyini. This result indicates the “silent” transmission of T. theileri and T. vivax by tabanids in the absence of glossines in Ngaoundere.Keywords: Trypanosomes, tabanids, stomoxyini, PCR, Ngaoundere, Adamawa-Cameroon

Effect of different catalase concentrations on chilled Holstein bull’s semen

Abstract This study aimed to investigate the effect of catalase (CAT)concentrations on the Holstein bull semen diluted in egg yolk-citrate (EYC) extender and stored at 5oC. Characteristics evaluated were progressive motility (PM), plasma membrane integrity (PMI), viability and total abnormal sperm (TAS) percentages. Six ejaculates (each considered a replicate) were collected from a bull using an artificial vagina method twice a week for 3 weeks. An aliquot of the semen from each ejaculate was evaluated pre-extension. The remainder semen was extended in EYC containing 0 U/ml of CAT (T1), 50 U/ml (T2), 100 U/ml (T3), 150 U/ml (T4), 200 U/ml (T5), 250 U/ml (T6), and 300 U/ml (T7) of CAT, and stored at 5oC. Characteristics were evaluated every day until viability reached zero. The addition of CAT into EYC improved viability, PM, PMI and decreased the total abnormal sperm cells. Non-significant differences between T1 and other treatments were observed concerning PM and PMI, but significant (P< 0.05) differencesexisted between T1 and other treatments for viability, and TAS. Based on this study, the addition of catalase at an optimal concentration of 200U/ml to the chilled bull semen diluted in EYC extender and stored at 5oC was advantageous in improving the semen quality of Holstein bulls. This semen can be satisfactorily used in artificial insemination programs a week after its collection. Key words: bull, catalase, extender, semen qualitycharacteristic

Epidemiology of African Swine Fever in piggeries in the Center, South and South-West of Cameroon

African Swine Fever (ASF) is enzootic in Cameroon. A cross-sectional study was conducted in the center, south and south-west regions of Cameroon in order to determine: the knowledge, skills and practices at risk of pig breeders; the prevalence of the disease in piggeries; the genome of the circulating virus. A total of 684 blood samples were collected in 209 farms for RT-PCR and ELISA analyses at the National Veterinary Laboratory (LANAVET) annex in Yaoundé. Prevalences of 15.2% (95CI: 12.5-17.9%) by ELISA, 23.8% (95CI: 20.6-27.0%) by RT-PCR, and 15.2% (95CI: 12.5-17.9%) by ELISA-PCR, were recorded. Of the farmers surveyed, 90% knew about the ASF and 55.3% have already experienced it. The 47.4% of them would not be able to recognize ASF if it occurred and, according to them, the risk of the disease introduction in farms would be 32% linked to the animal health personnel who work on farms. Molecular characterization revealed that only ASF genotype-I variable 19T-RSs is circulating. ASF is still hovering at a risky rate over the pig sector of Cameroon. The control of ASF needs an epidemiological surveillance, a better involvement of all stakeholders, sensitization of breeders and an effective State support for producers

Effects of body conformation and udder morphology on milk yield of zebu cows in North region of Cameroon

Aim: The aim of the study was to assess the effect of udder morphological characteristics on milk yield in zebu cows of Cameroon. Materials and Methods: The diameter and height of the udder, length and diameter of the teat, and the milk yield were measured in 29 Djafun (Red Mbororo) and 19 Aku (White Fulani) cows in Lougguere zootechnical station in the North region of Cameroon. Results: Overall, strong positive correlation (rp=0.60) between the diameter (240.21±28.58 mm) and height (131.12±23.64 mm) of udders (p<0.001) and between length (39.51±6.44 mm) and diameter (19.85±3.08 mm) of teats (rp=0.78) were found in the zebu cows. Udder morphologic characteristics varied significantly (p<0.005) according to breed, lactation stage and parity, and height at whiters. There was significant (p<0.001) correlations between udder diameter (rp=0.541) and height (rp=0.549) with milk yield. Conclusion: This study ascertained udder morphological characteristics values in local zebu cows, and showed that udder size is strong and positively correlated to milk yield. The findings are useful in genetic improvement programs of zebu cows

Protective rate against <i>G</i>. <i>p</i>. <i>gambiensis</i> blood meal since the initial treatment (in days).

<p>Protective rate against <i>G</i>. <i>p</i>. <i>gambiensis</i> blood meal since the initial treatment (in days).</p

Number of exposure sessions to tsetse flies for each animal by treatment.

<p>Two cattle (B29 and B36) were used alternatively as negative controls during the first replication and as treated animals during the second to reduce the importance of any potential individual effect.</p

Coefficients of the linear mixed-effects model of ticks infestation for the two groups of cattle in Sarkimata (Adamaoua region, Cameroon).

<p>Coefficients of the linear mixed-effects model of ticks infestation for the two groups of cattle in Sarkimata (Adamaoua region, Cameroon).</p