Evaluation of fertility traits of Friesian X Bunaji dairy cows

Data from 13 primaparous and 47 multiparous Friesian-Bunaji (F1)  crossbred cows were used to evaluate the reproductive performance of Friesian x Bunaji dairy cows. Four fertility traits; days to first insemination (DFI), days open (DO), Non-return rate 56 days after first insemination (NRR56) and numbers of insemination per conception (NIC) were analysed . The results revealed that the average days to first insemination (DFI), days open (DO) , number of insemination per conception (NIC), and non- return rate 56 days after first insemination (NRR56) were 122.29 days, 171.18 days, 1.64, and 61%, respectively. These traits were highly variability (CV = 54.01-80.90%). The effects of sire and sex of calf on the reproductive characteristics were not significant (p>0.05). The dam body condition score (BCS) had significant effect on all the reproductive characteristics. The DFI, DO and NIC decreased with increase in BCS. Dams with BCS of < 2.50 had longer DFI and DO, and required higher numberof inseminations before conception (NIC), while those with BCS of >3.50 had shorter DFI and DO with minimum number of insemination per  conception (1.00). Dam parity had no significant effect (p>0.05) on the reproductive characteristics except on NRR56 and NIC. However, the heifer had longer days to first insemination (DFI), and days open (DO) andrequired higher number of inseminations per conception than the older cows. Season of calving had no significant effect (p>0.05) on the reproductive characteristics except on NRR56. The cows that calved during the wet seasons (early and late dry) had higher NRR56 (69 – 71%), than those of the dry (early and late wet) seasons (40 – 59%). The reproductiveperformance of the cows depreciated significantly (p<0.05) within the 3 years (2010 - 2012) of this study; DFI increased from 88.47 to 131.49 days, DO increased from 80.39 to 269.14 days, NIC increased from 1.01 to 2.72, while the percentage non-return rate (NRR56) decreased from 86% to 42%.The heritability (h2) estimates for fertility traits was very low ranging from 0.014 to 0.087. Dam body condition score, parity, season and year of calving are important sources of variation in fertility traits of dairy cows. These results illustrate that environmental effects makes larger contributions to the variability of fertility traits than direct genetic effects, thus reproductive health and feeding management are very importantdeterminant of reproductive performance of dairy cows.Keywords: Fertility, Friesian x Bunaji cows, Parity, Body condition score, Season, Yea

Genetic parameter estimates (full sib and half sib analysis) of fertility and hatchability in two strains of Rhode Island chickens

A study was conducted to estimate the genetic parameters of fertility and hatchability in two strains of Rhode Island Red (RIR) Chickens denoted as Strain A and Strain B respectively using the full-sib (sire +dam variance) and maternal half-sib (dam variance) components. The birds were obtained from the selected populations of RIR Chickens kept at the poultry breeding programme of National Animal Production Research Institute, Shika, Zaria, Nigeria. Settable eggs were collected from mating 28 cocks to 252 hens in a ratio of 1cock:9 hens from each strain. Eggs were pedigreed according to sire and dam. Results showed that values obtained for number of egg set (EGGSET), number of fertile eggs (NFERT), number of hatched chicks (NHATCH), percentage of chicks hatched from total eggs set (PHATCH) and percentage of chicks hatched from fertile eggs (PHATCHBL) were all higher in strain A than strain B. Heritability estimates obtained from the full-sib and maternal half-sib analysis ranged from medium to high for the two strains (0.24-0.96). The maternal half sib estimates were higher (0.40-0.96) than the estimates obtained from full sibs (0.24- 0.48). Genetic and phenotypic correlations obtained for both strains were positive and similar regardless of method of estimation. Genetic correlations between EGGSET and PFERT were low in strain A using both full-sib and maternal half-sib analyses (0.09-0.14). Phenotypic correlations between EGGSET and PFERT, PHATCH and PHATCHBL were also low in both strains and regardless of method of analyses. Moderate to high heritability estimates suggest that genetic improvement can be obtained by selection of these reproductive traits. The full-sib analysis for estimating heritability will be preferred since it is assumed that only additive genetic variance contributes to the covariance between family members. Keywords: Rhode Island Red Chickens, genetic parameters, fertility, hatchabilit

Effect of Genotype and Age on Some Morphometric, Body Linear Measurements and Semen Traits in Nigerian Indigenous Chickens

A population of 231 roosters of the Nigerian indigenous chickens of normal feathered frizzle feathered and naked neck genotypes was evaluated for the effect of genotype and age on some morphometric body linear measurements and semen characteristics of three Nigerian chicken genotypes. 20 roosters from each genotype were evaluated for semen characteristics at 24, 28 and 32 weeks of age in relation to body weights and linear body measurements at those ages. Data were obtained and analyzed for body weights, body linear measurements and for the semen characteristics. The analyzed data showed that all the body parameters were significantly (P<0.05) affected both by age and genotypes except wattle width (WW) comb length (CL) and comb height (CH) at 24 weeks of age. Semen characteristics revealed that both age and genotype had significant (P<0.05) effects though semen colour and pH were not significantly (P>0.05) affected at 24 and 28 weeks respectively with superiority in most of the trait in the normal feathered genotype. Correlation estimates showed most traits not significantly (P>0.05) correlated. It is concluded that some level of genetic variations exist in body weight, linear measurements and semen traits in roosters of three genotypes used in this study and they can be used for breeding and artificial insemination purposes for genetic improvement.Key words: Age, genotypes, indigenous chicken

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<0.01) from Hardy-Weinberg expectations

Chemical Analysis and Consumer Preference of Selected Poultry Egg Types in Zaria, Nigeria

The chemical composition, cholesterol content and consumer evaluation of eggs from Japanese quails, guinea fowls, local chickens, and exotic chickens (Isa Brown) were determined. A total of one hundred eggs, twenty five from each of species were used to determine the chemical composition, cholesterol content and sensory evaluation (Five eggs for chemical composition, cholesterol content and twenty for sensory). On a dry matter basis, the local chicken had a significantly (P<0.05) lower value of 23.20% than other species. The exotic chicken ranked highest with a mean value of 38.39%. The mean values recorded for ether extract showed no significant difference (P>0.05) amongst the four species. The ash content of the local chicken was significantly (P<0.05) lower (4.33%) than that of Japanese quails, guinea fowl and exotic chickens with values of 4.84, 4.87 and 5.15 per cent, respectively. Values obtained for the nitrogen free extract also showed the local chicken to be significantly (P<0.05) lower (47.54%) than the other species whose values ranged between 51.39 – 52.06%. The exotic chicken had a significantly higher cholesterol value of 243.8 mg/dl while the values for the guinea fowl and the local chicken did not significantly (P>0.05) differ while the Japanese quail eggs had the least cholesterol value of 80.60 mg/dl. Smell and texture were not significantly (P>0.05) influenced by egg type however the guinea fowl and local chicken eggs were the most preferred in terms of colour and the quail with respect to taste. The lower cholesterol content of quail eggs perhaps gave it the potential of topping the consumers list of preference and wider acceptability. It is also evident that consumer’s preference for one egg type over others might not be absolutely based on nutritional considerations but on psychological perceptions.Keywords: Chemical composition, cholesterol, consumer preference, poultry egg

Ensuring effective and sustainable radionuclide delivery and its impact on the development of nuclear medicine in the developing world with special reference to Nigeria

Recent activities of Boko Haram, a local extremist group in Nigeria, raise concerns about a nuclear terrorist attack. Whereas nuclear medicine (NM) relies on the timely delivery of radioactive sources, a robust security structure that assures public safety is the backbone for its beneficial use. NM radionuclides have short half-lives and carry an insignificant risk for acts of terrorism. Yet, their importation and delivery in Nigeria receive undue scrutiny in a bid to implement a strict nuclear security regime. These actions prevent timely delivery of radionuclides with direct consequences on quality and economic viability of nuclear medicine. There have been no accounts of terrorist acts accomplished with NM radionuclides. Thus, it is important the NM community question the current approach that has contributed to the loss of NM services in Nigeria and proposes a more logical strategy for securing their supply. We also highlight the need for developing local pragmatic solutions when implementing global recommendations in developing countries

Diallel Analysis for Bodyweight Involving Three Genotypes of Nigerian Indigenous Chickens

To evaluate heterosis, reciprocal effect, general and specific combining abilities for bodyweight, a diallel crossing experiment was conducted using three genotypes of Nigerian indigenous chickens: normal (N), frizzle (F) and naked-neck (Na). A total of 601 chicks was hatched from all possible matings between the three genotypes. The chicks used in this study were hatched from a foundation stock of 90 chickens comprising 25 hens and 5 cocks for each of the three genotypes. A mating ratio of 1 male : 5 females was employed. Furthermore, data on bodyweight were scrutinized with complete diallel analysis after they had been corrected for significant effects of hatch of birds using least squares constants. The results revealed that bodyweight (BWT) was significantly influenced by genetic groups with the frizzle-naked (FNa) having the best performance at all ages (4 - 20 weeks) except at hatch, with a mean final BWT of 1173 g at 20 weeks old. The next best performing was its reciprocal, the naked-frizzle (NaF), with a mean final BWT of 1162 g. Furthermore, the FNa gave the best estimates for heterosis and specific combining ability, while the F and NNa gave the best estimates for general combining ability and reciprocal effect, respectively. Therefore, the F genotype as sire and the Na as dam provided the most suitable combination for improved BWT. Furthermore, the use of the Na genotype as dam was more suitable owing to the significant reciprocal effect.Keywords: Combining Abilities, Frizzle-Feathered, Heterosis, Naked-Neck, Normal-Feathere