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

Effects of reducing postpartum re-mating time- period on reproductive performance of the doe

Rabbits being induced ovulators can be rebred within 24 hours after parturition. However, reproductive efficiency and the doe’s physiology can be affected by postpartum re-mating interval. This study evaluated the effects of reducing the re-mating interval after parturition on sexual activity, fertility, gestation, parturition and litter characteristics using 90 does. Three groups of crossbred (New Zealand White × Chinchilla) does were used in a randomized complete block design. Does were re-mated 1-9, 10-20 and 21-28 days after parturition in the dry and rainy seasons in Ayetoro, Ogun State, Nigeria. Acceptance of mating decreased with increasing postpartum re- mating interval. Conception rate was highest in the 21-28 days group (98.8%) and lowest in the 10- 20 days group (68.4%). Gestation length was significantly shorter (p<0.05) in the 10-20 days group (30.7 days), than 1-9 days group (31.6 days) and 21-28 days group (31.7 days). Litter size and weight at birth were not significantly affected. Kit’s mortality was lower (p<0.05) in the 21-28 days group (25.6%) compared to 10-20 days group (57.4%) and 1-9 days group (58.8%). Litter weight (total and alive at birth) was heavier (p<0.05) during the rains (295.9 and 294.9 g) than dry season (250.1 and 243.3 g). Reducing the re-mating interval after parturition enhanced sexual activity. Fertility was comparable in does re-mated 1-9 and 21-28 days after parturition.Les lapins étant des ovulateurs incités peuvent reprocréer en moins de 24 heures après la parturition. Cependant l’intervalle de récopulation postpartum peut influer sur el efficacité de reproduction et sur la physiologie de la lapine. Cette étude a évalué les effets de la réduction de l’intervalle de ré-accouplement après la naissance sur l’activité sexuelle, la fertilité, la gestation, la parturition et les caractéristiques des petits, en utilisant 90 lapines. Trois groupes de lapines de race croisée (New Zealand White × Chinchilla) ont été utilisés dans un bâtiment découpé en cabines de dimensions prises au hazard. Les lapines ont été ré-accouplées entre 1 à 9, 10 à 20, 21 à 28 jours après la parturition les saisons sèches et pluvieuse à Ayetoro, dans e’ Etat d’Ogun au Nigeria. L’acceptation de récopulation a décru avec l’accroissement de l’intervalle de récopulation postpartum. Le taux de conception était le plus élevé dans le groupe de 21 à 28 jours (98,8%) et le plus bas dans le groupe de 10 à 20 jours (68,4%). La durée de gestation était consi- dérablement plus courte (p<0,05) dans le groupe de 10 à 20 jours (30,7 jours) que dans le groupe de 1 à 9 jours (31,6 jours) et que dans le groupe de 21 à 28 jours (31,7 jours). La grosseur et le poids des petits à la naissance n’étaient pas pour autant affectés. La mortalité à la naissance était plus basse (p<0,05) dans le groupe de 21 à 28 jours (25,6%) par rapport aux groupes de 10 à 20 jours (57,4%) et de 1 à 9 jours (58,8%). Le poids des petits (total et vivants à la naissance) était plus lourd (p<0,05) pendant les pluies (295,9 et 294,9 g) que pendant la sécheresse (250,1 et 243,3 g). La réduction de l’intervalle de récopulation après parturition a augmenté l’activité sexuelle. La fertilité était comparable chez les lapines ré accouplées dans les groupes de 1 à 9 et de 21 à 28 jours après parturition

Strain characterization of West African Dwarf goats of Ogun State II

The West African Dwarf (WAD) goat presents variable coat colours, ranging from black, brown, gray, red and white and sometimes combinations of these variety of patterns. In this study, strains of West African Dwarf (WAD) goat were characterized using linear body measurement. The WAD goat included the chocolate, white, Swiss marking and Dalmatian of ages, 1, 2, 3 and 4 years. Most of the animals attained the highest live weight at age 4 years. The white WAD goat was found to be superior in live weight (21.25 ± 2.36kg) than the chocholate (18.67 ± 7.75kg). The Dalmatian was superior in live weight (17.08 ± 8.22kg) to the Swiss markings (14.6 ± 11.03kg). At age 3years, Face Length (Fal), Hip Width (HW), Fore Length (FL), Hind Limb Length (H) and Body Length (BL) is 5.72 ± 1.50in, 16.28 ± 4.32in, 9.82 ± 2.57in, 10.85 ± 2.86in, 16.38 ± 4.36in respectively in Dalmatian WAD goat. At age 4years, Height at Wither (HW), Heart Girth (HG), Fore Limb Length (FL), Hind Limb Length (HL) and Body Length (BL) is 17.05 ± 0.1in, 23.18 ± 1.02in, 10.38 ± 0.4in, 11.45 ± 0.53in, 18.3 ± 1.99in respectively in the white WAD goat. Live weight was positive and highly significantly correlated (p&lt;0.05) with all body parameters in the male and female goats measured. Highest correlation (p&lt;0.05) between live weight and body parameters corresponded to El (r=0.97), and HG (r = 0.95) in the male white WAD, BL (r = 0.85) and HG (r = 0.82) in the female white WAD, HL (r = 0.86) and HG (r = 0.82) in the male Dalmatian, Fal (r = 0.89) and EW (r = 0.88) in the female Dalmatian. The white WAD and Dalmatian WAD could be selected for an improvement programme because they exhibited superiority in most traits.Keywords: West African Dwarf, Strain, Body Parameters, Male, Femal

Strain characterization of West African Dwarf Goats of Ogun State I

Characterization of West African Dwarf goat is an approach to a sustainable use of its great potentials. In this study, strains of WAD goat were characterized using linear body measurement. The WAD goat included the gold (brown), black, buckskin and chaimose of ages 1, 2, 3 and 4 years,raised under extensive system of management. The quantitative traits measured included the face length (FaL), ear length (EL), ear width (EW), fore limb length (FL), hind limb length (HL), tail length (TL), height at wither (HW), hip width (HpW), body length (BL) and live weight (LW) of the animal. Attainment of highest live weight with age varied in this goat. At age 3 years, the chaimose (16.67 ± 3.35kg) was superior in live weight to the gold (14.88 ± 3.73kg).At age 4 years, the buckskin (19.23 ± 6.83kg) was superior in live weight to the black (16.69 + 7.79kg). At age 3 years, FL, HL, HW and HpW was 10.39 ± 0.57 inches, 11.43 ± 0.55 inches, 16.91 ± 0.89 inches, 5.42 ± 1.01 inches respectively in chaimose WAD goat. At age 4 years, FL, HL, HW, HpW was 9.89 ± 2.29 inches, 10.97 ± 2.49 inches, 16.8 ± 3.95 inches, 5.60 ± 1.53 inches respectively in buckskin WAD goat. Live weight was positive and highly significantly correlated (P&lt;0.05) with all body parameters in the male and female goats. Highest correlation (P&lt;0.05) between live weight and body parameters were HG (r = 0.913) and BL (r=0.909) in the male chaimose, HpW (r = 0.903) and HG (r = 0.894) in the female chaimose, HL (r = 0.710) and FL (r = 0.689) in the male buckskin, HpW (r= 909) and HG (r = 0.859) in the female buckskin. Chaimose and buckskin could be selected for an improvement programme because they exhibited superiority in most traits.Keywords: strain, live weight, male, female, chaimose, buckski