Genotype, gestation length, season, parity and sex effects on growth traits of two rabbit breeds and their crosses

One hundred and thirty rabbits were used to evaluate the effect of genotype, gestation length, season, parity and sex on growth traits of two breeds of rabbit and their crosses. The rabbit used for the experiment were breeds of the New Zealand White (NZW) and Chinchilla (CH) breed. Six breeding bucks (three/breed) and eighteen breeding does (nine/breed) served as the foundation stock. Traits measured include: body weight (BW), nose to shoulder length (NTS), shoulder to tail length (STL), heart girth (HG), trunk length (TL) and length of ear (LE). Results revealed that, BW of the rabbits were influenced (p0.05) on BW, NTS, STL, HG, TL and LE. It was concluded that genotype, gestation length and season influenced BW and body dimensions of the two breeds of rabbit and their crosses while parity and sex had no effect

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

Influence of strain and sex on estimation of within-age-group body weight of Nigerian Maradi goats from their linear body measurements

The influence of strain and sex on body weight (BW) and linear body measurements [body length (BL), height-at-withers (HW), and heart girth (HG)] and their relationships in sex groups (1-6, 7-12, 13-18, 19-24, 25-30, and 31-36 months) were studied in 720 smallholder Maradi goats of Nigeria. Sex significantly (P < 0.05) influenced BW, BL, HW, and HG at 25-30 and 31-36 months; 7-12 months; 7-12, 25-30, and 31-36 months; and 25-30 and 31-36 months, respectively. Males weighed heavier and had wider HG than females at maturity, but females had longer and higher BL and HW, respectively, at 7-12 months. Strain significantly (P < 0.05) influenced BW, BL, HW, and HG, except at 7-12 and 13-18 months; 13-18 months; 25-30 and 31-36 months; and 7-12 and 13-18 months, respectively. Brown and light brown goats were predominantly heavier in BW and had higher HW. Body weight was significantly (P < 0.01, p < 0.001) and positively correlated with BL (0.74, 0.63, 0.60, 0.63, and 0.65), HW (0.79, 0.60, 0.51, 0.47, and 0.46) and HG (0.72, 0.57, 0.76, 0.72, and 0.75). Based on the magnitude of the correlations, HG and BL could be used to estimate BW of Maradi goats across all ages

Characterization of young donkeys in north west Nigeria using morphometric traits

Morphometric traits were used to determine the relationship among Red (Auraki), Black (Duni), White (Fari), Brown (Idabari) and Brown-white (Idabari-fari) for young donkeys. A total of 210 young donkeys were used for the study. Morphometric measures taken were head length, head width, ear length, neck length, neck circumference, shoulder width, height at withers, heart girth, body length and tail length. Data obtained were subjected to statistical analysis to determine the distribution of phenotypic traits across classes based on morphometric traits. The effect of strain, sex, location and interaction on certain linear body  measurements were estimated using the GLM procedure of the statistics analysis software SAS statistical package. There were variations in the morphometric traits of the donkeys due to strain, sex and location effects with white donkeys exhibited the  heaviest  body weight (126.78kg) for young donkeys from Kaduna state while the least body weight (98.89±6.68cm) was  recorded in Fari strain of donkey from Katsina state. The coefficient of variation was fairly uniform at the young stage except   shoulder width (13.0%) and tail length (14.8%) which were moderate. Sexual dimorphism  exist in the body size measures of  donkeys with females having heavier body weight (120.7kg) and larger heart girth (106.2cm). Zoometric phenotypic  differentiations exist among the observed strains of donkeys in the Northwestern Nigeria. Further studies should be carried out on molecular studies for determination of diversity that exists among young donkey strains.Key words: Donkey, morphometric, characterization, traits, young and body measuremen

Relationships among egg quality traits in Japanese quails over three generations of selection for egg production

The study was carried out to evaluate the relationships among egg quality traits over three generations of selection for egg production. Eggs were obtained at the 9th week from 300, 450 and 320 adult quails in Generation zero (G0), one (G1) and two (G2), respectively. There were significant (p&lt;0.05-0.01) positive and negative correlations among egg quality traits as generation of selection increased. The high positive relationships between egg weight and shell weight, shell thickness and albumen weight could be maximized in designing a selection program for egg quality traits in quails.Key words: Egg, quality, Relationships, Generation, Selection, and Quail

Phenotypic and genotypic variability between two Nigerian indigenous goat population

In order to estimate the future breeding potential of a livestock breed, it is necessary to estimate the level of genetic diversity within the breed. Thus, this study was conducted to determine the phenotypic and genotypic variability within the West African dwarf (WAD) goats and a non-descript goat population. The WAD goats were obtained from Bodija market Ibadan, Oyo state, while the non-descript goats were obtained from the Animal Science Departmental Farm in Zaria, Kaduna State. Random collection of tissue samples was carried out on each goat population using an all flex ear punch tissue sample collector and aliquoted into plastic tubes containing the all flex preservative. DNA extraction, amplification and sequencing were carried out at the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), Nairobi, Kenya. DNA was extracted from the tissue cells using the Pure Link™ Genomic DNA-minikit according to the manufacturer's specifications and protocol and 25 microsatellite markers as recommended by FAO/ISAG were used for genotyping. Twenty three of the 25 microsatellite markers used in this analysis had four or more alleles. The mean Shannon index (I), observed (Ho) and expected heterozygosity (He) and inbreeding coefficient (Fis) for the WAD goats were 1.568, 0.584, 0.679 and 0.167, is respectively. For the non-descript goats, the mean Shannon index, observed and expected heterozygosity and inbreeding coefficient (Fis) were 1.607, 0.678, 0.721 and 0.041, is respectively. The microsatellite markers used in this study showed their suitability for analysis of genetic variability in this population as demonstrated by the high mean Shannon index. This study has shown that these two goat populations are significantly different phenotypically and genetically. Also, both populations showed significant deviations (P&lt;0.01) from Hardy-Weinberg expectations

Length-weight relationship and condition factor of Clariid fish species in Kano Rivers, Kano State, Nigeria

Fish found in natural tropical and sub-tropical water system&nbsp; experience frequent growth fluctuations. The study was conducted to determine the length-weight relationship and condition factor of Clariid species (Clarias gariepinus, Heterobranchus longifilis and Synodontis clarias) in Kano state of Nigeria. About 177 fish samples were collected from six rivers (Thomas, Ghari, Tiga, Duddurun-Gaya, Karaye and Bagwai) across the length and breadth of Kano state. Body weight (BW=248.48g), total length (TL=32.74cm) and standard length (SL=26.16cm) were determined. The length-weight relationship and condition factors were also determined. The condition factors showed varying degree of well-being of fish sampled from their habitat, and ranged from K = 0.37 to 0.89. The equation for the lengthweight relationship for the three strains is: C. gariepinus = -329.86+17.56TL, H. longifilis = -241.49+14.28TL and C. clarias = -428.51+22.72TL. Body weight and length had positive and significant relationship (r = 0.73 TL; r = 0.75 SL). Keywords: Length-weight relationship, condition factor (Ponderal index), Clariid specie

Influence of baobab (Adansonia digitata) fruit pulp meal on semen characteristics and morphology of rabbit buck during hot season in Nigeria

The objective of the study was to evaluate the effect of baobab fruit pulp meal on semen characteristics and morphology of rabbit bucks during hot season in Nigeria. A total of 25 bucks of 10-12 months old were used. There were five (5) rabbits per group grouped as follows; T (control) and T -T (Diets with graded levels of baobab fruit pulp meal BFPM at 1 2 5 2.5, 3.5, 4.5 and 5.5% inclusion levels). The experiment lasted for nine weeks. All managerial practices were duly observed. Semen was collected with the help of artificial vagina, and the semen samples were evaluated for  ejaculate volume (ml), semen pH, semen colour, sperm motility (%) and sperm concentration (x 106 /ml). Sperm morphological parameters evaluated were live cells, dead cells, normal sperm, free tail and coil tail. It was observed from this study that 4.5% inclusion of baobab fruit pulp meal significantly (P&lt;0.05) influenced semen volume, colour, motility, pH and concentration compared to 5.5% inclusion level and was similar to 2.5% and 3.5% inclusion levels, respectively. The treatment with 4.5% BFPM also significantly (P&lt;0.05) improved the number of live cells (74.38%), reduceddead cells (25.62%) and increased number of normal cells (77.71%) compared to 65.67, 34.33, and 60.67% recorded by the control for live cells, dead cells and normal cells, respectively. This study revealed that 4.5% inclusion of BFPM improved semen quality during hot season.Keywords: Baobab fruit pulp; heat stress; semen qualit

Exploratory principal components analysis of growth traits in Red Sokoto goats

Growth traits of Red Sokoto goats were evaluated using 387records generated from goats raised under semi-intensive system of management at National Animal Production Research Institute (NAPRI), Shika, Zaria, Nigeria. Sex, type of birth, birth weight (BWT), weaning weight (WWT),12-month weight (WT12), adjusted weaning weight, season of birth and weaning were subjected to multivariate factor analysis with varimax rotation using IBM® SPSS® Version 21. Season of birth and weaning were classed into Season 1 (January-June) and season 2 (July-December). The factor scores and growth traits were subjected to stepwise regression procedure of SAS. The variables WWT, CWT, WT12 and sex combined to form the first principal component (PC1). Birth weight and season of birth formed the second component (PC2). Weaning season was the only outstanding variable in the third component. Predicted BWT of kids is expected to increase with increasing PC1 and PC2, but decrease with increasing PC3. Similar prediction pattern is obtained for CWT. However, predicted WT12 is expected to increase with increasing PC1, PC2 and PC3. Variability of growth traits of Red Sokoto goats at birth and thereafter up to 12 month of age are closely linked with season at which goats were given birth and weaned, respectively. The similarity of intercepts of regression equations and those of average values for growth traits in this study indicated the possibility of improvement of goat stocks through the principal components. Goat farmers and breeders are advised to increase efforts in improving the environmental conditions of their stocks because birth season is highly correlated with PC2 (birth characteristics). Also, weaning season (PC3) should be controlled to favour improved weaning weight of Red Sokoto goats.Keywords: Exploratory PCA, Red Sokoto goats, growth traits, prediction equation