Phenotypic Characterization and Temporal Evolution of Cattle Breed Diversity in Djidja, Benin

The duration of the drought in northern Benin favours the transhumance of cattle to central and southern Benin, resulting in the sedentarization of some transhumant pastoralists. The objective of the study was to characterize the different bovine breeds phenotypically and to evaluate the evolution of the diversity of these breeds in Djidja, between 1996 and 2016. A survey was performed on 58 farmers from the 5th of January to the 22nd of February, 2017. The reared breeds and the introduced breeds have been identified and described. It appeared from this study that all breeders used zebus and zebus-taurine crossbred animals. The zebus used were the Yakana (96.5%), Goudali (32.8%), M'Bororo (5.2%) and Djeli (3.4%). The taurines used by some breeders were Borgou (8.6%) and Lagune (5.2%). The breeds that existed 20 years ago were Lagune, Yakana, Borgou, Goudali, Djeli and M'Bororo. The most widely used breeds at that time were the Lagune and Yakana breeds and the least used were the Borgou, Djeli, Goudali and M'Bororo breeds. The breeds most introduced into the herds in the last 20 years were the Goudali breed, the Yakana breed and the M'Bororo breed, then the less introduced breed is the Djeli breed. These breeds were introduced to improve the milk and meat performance of animals. The Goudali, Yakana and M'Bororo breeds have been introduced from Nigeria and Niger. As for Djeli, the breeders imported it from Niger (91.3%) and Burkina (8.7%). The disappeared breed is mainly the Lagune breed and it is necessary to implement conservation strategies for this breed in the farms

Reproductive performances of the Borgou cow inseminated on natural or induced estrus with semen from Gir and Girolando at the Okpara Breeding Farm

Aim: The current study aims to evaluate the reproductive performances of the Borgou cow inseminated on natural or induced estrus with semen from Gir and Girolando at the Okpara Breeding Farm. Materials and Methods: Semen from exotic breeds was used to inseminate 70 Borgou cows on induced estrus with the norgestomet implant and 285 others on natural estrous. Data on the reproductive performances of inseminated cows were collected. Results: In inseminated cows on induced estrus, the pregnancy rate was 30% and that of abortion was 9.52%. The fertility rate was 28.57% and those of live births and mortality were, respectively, 105.26% and 5% in these cows. As for inseminated cows on natural estrus, the pregnancy rate was 75.79% and the one of calving was 88.89%. The fertility rate recorded with natural estrous was 66.67% and was significantly higher than the one recorded with insemination on induced estrus. The live births and the birth-weaning mortality rates were, respectively, 98.96% and 11.58% in inseminated cows on natural estrus. Conclusion: Reproductive performances are better in Borgou cows inseminated on natural estrus than in those inseminated on induced estrus

Etat des lieux sur l’insémination artificielle animale dans les pays de l’Afrique de l’Ouest

L’insémination artificielle est une technique de fécondation sans intervention directe du mâle, par dépôt de sperme dans les voies génitales de la femelle. Elle est utilisée pour la diffusion du progrès génétique et permet à l’éleveur de gagner du temps dans l’exploitation. Elle est également un outil de contrôle des pathologies vénériennes de contact. Cet article fait le point des travaux réalisés en Afrique de l’Ouest sur l’insémination artificielle. Après la présentation des techniques de collecte de sperme par espèce, les caractéristiques macroscopiques et microscopiques du sperme sont abordées. Les dilueurs utilisés pour la cryoconservation et la conservation à l’état frais sont rapportés. Les protocoles et hormones utilisés pour la synchronisation des chaleurs pour faciliter l’insémination artificielle sont ensuite présentés. Enfin, les résultats des inséminations artificielles sont présentés. L’insémination artificielle est plus pratiquée en élevage bovin. Les travaux réalisés sur les autres espèces se sont limités aux caractéristiques du sperme. Pour une meilleure utilisation de cet outil, des efforts doivent être poursuivis pour la production des doses de qualité chez les autres espèces animales notamment les porcs et les volailles.Mots clés : Insémination artificielle, synchronisation de chaleurs, semence animale, dilueurEnglish Title:  State of animal artificial insemination in West African countries. A review Artificial insemination is a fertilization technique without direct male intervention, by depositing semen in the female's genital tract. It is used for the dissemination of genetic material and saves the farmer time on the farm. It is also use to control livestock veneral and contact diseases. After the presentation of semen collection techniques by species, the macroscopic and microscopic characteristics of semen are discussed. Extenders used for cryopreservation and fresh preservation are reported. The protocols and hormones used for estrus synchronization to facilitate artificial insemination are then presented. Finally, the results of artificial insemination are presented. Artificial insemination is more practiced in cattle breeding. Work on other species was limited to sperm characteristics. In order to make better use of this tool, efforts must be continued for the production of quality doses in other animal species including pigs and poultry.Keywords : artificial insemination, estrus synchronization, animal semen, extende

Zootechnical performance of Girolando cattle at Kpinnou Breeding Farm, South-West of Benin Republic

Objective: The aim of the study was to assess the weight and reproductive performances of Girolando cattle at Kpinnou Breeding Farm (KBF) in the south western of Benin Republic. Materials and methods: The weight performance and body measurements were taken on a total of 150 Girolando cattle. The study of the reproductive traits was based on the recorded demographic indicators between 2012-2013 of 67 cows. Results: From calving to the age of 3 months, the monthly average weight of calves did not vary with the season of calving (P>0.05). Between the 4th and 9th month, the weight varied with the birth seasons and the sex of the calf. Beyond 9th month, the calf’s average weight was the same regardless the calving season. At the age of 24 months, the highest weight (393.33 kg) was obtained during the long rainy season. The highest average weight was 398.22 Kg for males against 364.25 Kg for females at 24 months. The fertility rates ranged from 91.18% to 100% and the fecundity rate ranged from 85.29% to 103% during the study period. The apparent fertility rate was 91.18%. As for the calving and abortion rates, they were 93.55% and 6.45%, respectively. The mortality rate before weaning was 6.90% while the weaning viability was 93.10%. Calving occurred from January to June and from August to December. Conclusion: In overall, the Girolando performances are satisfactory and show a good adaptation at KBF