EVALUATION OF UDDER TRAITS OF WEST AFRICAN DWARF (WAD) GOATS AND SHEEP IN OGUN STATE, NIGERIA

Udder traits of extensively managed 229 West African Dwarf (WAD) goats and 143 three West African Dwarf (WAD) sheep in Southwestern Nigeria were evaluated and factors affecting them were determined. Traits evaluated were udder and teat morphometrics including udder length (UL), udder width (UW), udder circumference (UC), distance between teats (DT), teat length (TL), teat width (TW) and teat circumference (TC). Udder and teat shapes and teat placement were also evaluated. In WAD goats, the average UL, UW, UC and DT were significantly (p<0.05) influenced by age, parity and physiological status (pregnancy and lactation status) but age alone significantly (p<0.05) influenced TL, TW and TC. In sheep, age, pregnancy and lactation status significantly (p<0.05) influenced TL and UC respectively. In both species, all udder and teat dimensions increased with age and parity while largest and smallest udder and teat dimensions were observed for lactating and non-lactating (dry) animals respectively. The average UL, UW, UC, DT, TL, TW and TC of WAD goats were 12.44 ± 0.15 cm, 8.81 ± 0.11 cm, 26.81 ± 0.32 cm, 8.27 ± 0.09 cm, 2.40 ± 0.02 cm, 1.22 ± 0.02 cm and 3.11 ± 0.03 cm respectively. The average UL, UW, UC, DT, TL, TW and TC of WAD sheep were 11.30 ± 0.15 cm, 8.78 ± 0.13 cm, 26.21 ± 0.36 cm, 9.02 ± 0.12 cm, 2.10 ± 0.02 cm, 1.19 ± 0.02 cm and 3.06 ± 0.03 cm respectively. It is evident that WAD goats had larger udder size than WAD sheep, thus, indicating greater milk production potentials. Udder shapes found in WAD goats and sheep were bowl, cylindrical and funnel with the latter not found in sheep. Bottle, cylindrical and funnel shaped teats were found in both species while vertical and oblique teat placements were recorded in both species. In both goats and sheep, bowl shaped udder was the most predominant with 57.20% and 83.92% occurrence respectively. Cylindrical shaped teat was most prevalent in both species with 64.43% and 83.91% occurrence respectively. Oblique (tilted) teat placement was the most frequent in both species with 77.73% and 95.10% occurrence respectively in goats.   High positive significant (p<0.05) phenotypic correlations were found between UL and UW (r = 0.68), UL and UC (r = 0.62), UL and DT (r = 0.42), UW and UC (r = 0.73), UW and DT (r = 0.59), UC and DT (r = 0.53). In sheep, high positive significant (p<0.05) phenotypic correlations were also found between UL and UW (r = 0.74), UL and UC (r = 0.65), UL and DT (r = 0.53), UW and UC (r = 0.72), UW and DT (r = 0.65), UC and DT (r = 0.54). In essence, this could be a basis for selecting udder traits of WAD goats and sheep as an indirect response in multiple traits selection programme especially for milk production . &nbsp

EVALUATION OF THE HAEMOLYMPH OF THE GIANT AFRICAN LAND SNAILS Achatina achatina AND Archachatina marginata FOR BACTERIA STERILITY AND INHIBITORY PROPERTIES

An experiment was conducted to examine bacteria sterility and bacteria inhibitory properties of haemolymph of two species of Giant African Land Snails. A total number of 18 A. achatina and A. marginata snails each were used for this experiment. The shell and foot of the snails were washed with distilled water for isolation of bacteria flora and bacteria load. The experiment was a 2 x 2 x 3 factorial arrangement with 3 replicates in a completely randomized design. To isolate bacteria, a sterile inoculating loop was used to pick a portion of each dissimilar colony and transferred into another appropriate fresh sterile medium in a culture plate and streaked in a quadrant streak plate method to obtain pure cultures of the isolates. The method was aimed at trimming down the microbial load to allow for isolates to grow in pure cultures. The plates were incubated at 37 0C for 24 hours, after which the pure isolates were observed and inoculated into McCartney bottles containing nutrient agar slants. The bottles were incubated for 24 hours at 37 0C and stored in the refrigerator for further biochemical analysis. Haemolymph of the two species studied was not sterile irrespective of the type of haemolymph. To test for haemolymph inhibitory properties, Haemolymph was collected from each snail into sterile and labeled containers in the laminar flow chamber. Microorganism was seeded into the agar plate, after the agar has solidified, holes were bored into the agar using a sterilized hole borer. One ml of the haemolymph collected was poured into each well in agar plates and incubated at 37 0C for 24 hours observing for zones inhibition. Equally, there was no evidence of bacteria inhibition by the haemolymph despite the three methods of bacteria inhibition used: agar diffusion method, disk diffusion method and serial diffusion method. It could be concluded from this study that the haemolymph of the two snail species did not exhibit bacteria sterility and inhibition.Â

SOIL MOISTURE AND SEASONAL EFFECTS ON THE MORPHOMETRY OF THE OVIDUCT, PENIS AND RETRACTOR MUSCLE OF THE GIANT AFRICAN LAND SNAILS, ARCHACHATINA MARGINATA AND ACHATINA ACHATINA

This study evaluated the effect of soil moisture and season on the morphometry of part of the reproductive tract of the Giant African Land snails, in a 2 x 2 x 4 factorial experiment with two species (Archachatina marginata and achatina achatina), soil moisture at two levels (low – 25ml of water/ week and high – 100ml water/week) and season at four levels (cold dry, hot dry, hot wet and cold wet) constituting the three factors. Result showed that season had a highly significant effect (P<0.001) on the dimension of oviduct, penis and the retractor muscle of A. achatina and A. marginata. Significant species effect (P<0.001) was observed in the dimension of oviduct, penis and the retractor muscle of A. achatina and A. marginata. Soil moisture level significantly affected the oviduct weight, penis length and retractor muscle (P<0.01) as well as the retractor muscle weight of A. achatina and A. marginata.  There was significant interactions between season and species for oviduct dimension (P<0.001), penis length and retractor muscle weight (P<0.001), penis weight and retractor muscle width (P<0.01), penis width and retractor muscle length (P<0.05).  There was interaction between season and soil moisture for oviduct length, penis length and retractor muscle weight (P<0.01); the weight of the oviduct and retractor muscle.  The interactive effect of species and soil moisture significantly affect the penis length and weight (P<0.05) and the width of penis and retractor muscle, while no interactive effect of species and soil moisture (P>0.05) was observed on the oviduct dimensions. There was no significant interaction (P>0.05) between season, species and soil moisture. However, the effect of snail liveweight was highly significant (P<0.001) on the oviduct, penis and retractor muscle dimension.     It is concluded that snails reared on high soil moisture condition had higher dimensional values for oviduct, penis and retractor muscle while the seasonal variation also affected the dimension of the organs measured in this study.Â

COMPARATIVE MORPHOLOGY OF HAEMOCYTE FROM TWO SPECIES OF GIANT AFRICAN LAND SNAILS (Archachatina marginata AND Achatina achatina)

A study was conducted to evaluate the presence and types of haemocytes inherent in haemolymph of two species of giant African land snails (Archachatina marginata and Achatina achatina). Haemolymph samples were obtained from three liveweight groups of snails (< 100 g, 101-150 g and >150 g) after removal of the first three whorls of the shell. Smears were made from thin layer of settled portion of the haemolymph after six hours. Staining was carried out after air drying at room temperature with MayGrünwald-Giemsa stain.  Four replicates per liveweight per species were used. Representative slides were selected after viewing under microscope. Dimensions of haemocytes identified were taken followed by photomicrograph. Results showed that four haemocyte types were present in the haemolymph of both species. Those haemocytes identified in Archachatina marginata had significantly (P<0.001) higher dimensions than those found in Achatina achatina. Morphologically, the haemocytes were different in terms of shapes, nucleus position and cytoplasm types. It can therefore be concluded from this study that four circulating haemocytes types are present in both Archachatina marginata and Achatina achatina. Furthermore, in terms of dimension, Archachatina marginata had higher values compared to Achatina achatina. Also, morphologically, those four haemocyte types are different from each other in both specie of giant African land snails.Â

EFFECTS OF ASCORBIC ACID SUPPLEMENTATION ON THE PERFORMANCE INDICES OF STARTER PULLETS IN A HOT - HUMID ENVIRONMENT

Two studies were conducted to evaluate the nutritional effects of supplementary ascorbic acid (AA) at levels of 0, 100, 200, and 300 mg/kg in the diets of starter pullets reared at different seasons (harmattan season and rainy season) in a hot humid environment. Two hundred and forty day-old Harco pullet chicks were used in each trial, they were randomly assigned to each of the four dietary treatments in three replications of twenty chicks per replicate. Each trial lasted 8 weeks during which data were collected and a 2 X 4 factorial arrangement was employed in the analysis of data collected.  Results showed significant (p<0.05) effect of treatments on feed conversion ratio of birds fed dietary treatments. Season of presentation of ascorbic acid significantly affected (p<0.05) feed intake with higher value obtained in the rainy season compared to the dry season (41.89g vs. 39.59). &nbsp

ESTIMATION OF OPTIMAL DOSE OF BOVINE SOMATOTROPIN FOR MAXIMUM MILK YIELD RESPONSE IN WEST AFRICAN DWARF GOATS

Optimal dose of bovine somatotropin (bST) in a sustained-delivery vehicle required for maximum milkyield response was estimated in twenty-four lactating West African Dwarf (WAD) goats in three 14-dayperiods using quadratic equation. The goats were divided equally into four treatment groups, eachcomprising six does. The first group (control, T0) received no bST while the other groups received bST(T1, 20 mg; T2, 40 mg; T3, 60 mg) injected at 2-week intervals commencing from the 7th week postpartumfor 6 weeks. Does were milked twice daily (7:30 am and 7:30 pm) and milk yield recorded daily.Daily milk yield response (DMY) to bST was significantly (p<0.001) influenced by bST dose, day frombST treatment and parity during the 2nd period of bST treatment but only bST dose and parity significantlyinfluenced (p<0.001) DMY during the 1st and 3rd periods of bST treatment. The mean relativeresponse of DMY of bST-treated goats exceeded the control by 48 – 78 % in the entire periods of bSTadministration. Highest predicted response of 80.5 % in the 3rd period and lowest response of 66.2 %in the 1st period of bST treatment (when compared to the control) were observed, thus indicating thatbST positively affected the shape of the lactation curve for possible higher yield in extended lactation.Although, the trend of observed and predicted optimal doses of bST needed for maximum DMY werewell-fitted by the Quadratic equation during the three periods of bST treatment, it varied inconsistentlywith periods of bST treatment (stages of lactation). Therefore, the uniform optimal dose of 50.71 mgper 2 weeks estimated by quadratic equations; Y = 141.318 + 4.097X – 0.041X2, R2 = 99.90), Y =100.912 + 2.926X – 0.030X2, R2 = 99.49 and Y = 5935.420 + 172.071X – 1.735X2, R2 = 99.49 andneeded for maximum DMY of 242.86 ml, relative DMY of 74 % and cumulative milk yield response of10214.29 ml respectively over the entire periods could be adopted in West African Dwarf goats in orderto reduce the complexity of differential injections administered with respect to stages of lactation

EFFECTS OF BOVINE SOMATOTROPIN ON CHANGES IN UDDER DIMENSIONS AFTER CESSATION OF MILKING IN WEST AFRICAN DWARF GOATS

A study was conducted to determine the effects of bovine somatotropin (bST) on changes in udder dimensions (UD) including udder length (UL), udder width (UW), udder circumference (UC) and distance between teats (DT) after cessation of milking in twelve West African Dwarf (WAD) goats, which were divided equally into four treatment groups, each comprising three does. The first group (control, T0) received no bST while the other groups received bST (T1, 20 mg; T2, 40 mg; T3, 60 mg) injected at 2-week intervals commencing from the 5th week postpartum for 8 weeks. Does were milked twice daily (7:30 am and 7:30 pm). Twenty four hours after the twelfth week, measurement of UD commenced for 35 days. The results revealed that UL, UW, UC and DT were significantly (p<0.05) influenced by bST dose, day after cessation of milking and parity and the UD increased with increased doses of bST.  There was maximal distension of udder by day 3 to 5 in treated goats than in the control which was on day 2 before declining progressively up to 35th day after cessation of milking. This showed a greater capacity to retain secretions as explained by the larger udder size. Therefore, the administration of bST to WAD goats during lactation extended its effects on mammary glands after cessation of milking and slowed down the rate of udder regression, thus, enabling the potential of bST treated goats for greater milk synthesis in the next lactation cycle. &nbsp

EFFECTS OF BOVINE SOMATOTROPIN ON THE PATTERN OF MILK YIELD WITHIN AND BETWEEN INJECTION INTERVALS IN WEST AFRICAN DWARF GOATS

Twenty-four West African Dwarf (WAD) goats were used to study the pattern of milk yield response torecombinant bovine somatotropin (rbST) administered in a sustained-delivery vehicle. The goats weredivided equally into four treatment groups, each comprising of six does. The first group (control, T0)received no rbST while the other groups received rbST (T1, 20 mg; T2, 40 mg; T3, 60 mg) injected at 2-week intervals commencing from the 7th week postpartum for 6 weeks. Pattern of milk yield responseto rbST was significantly (p<0.05) influenced by rbST dose, day from rbST treatment, order of rbSTtreatment and parity. Milk yield of treated goats increased from day 1 of treatment, peaked betweenday 5 and day 8 after treatment and progressively decreased until day 14 of treatment but that of thecontrol decreased progressively from day 1 till day 14 of treatment. The mean relative response ofDMY to rbST treatment for T1, T2 and T3 exceeded T0 by 50.36, 68.00 and 71.16 % respectively andsignificantly affected the shape of the lactation curve, thus, improving persistency of lactation. Thepatterns of DMY for T1, T2 and T3 were well-fitted by the Wood’s equations: Y = 16.628n1.728e-0.439n (R2= 63.1), Y = 25.198n0.836e-0.239n (R2 = 75.6) and Y = 0.008n9.081e-1.352n (R2 = 42.3) respectively. Theadministration of 40 mg dose of rbST appears to elicit DMY response that favoured milk yield persistency.But since highest DMY was observed with 60 mg dose of rbST, estimation of optimal dose thatwould elicit maximum DMY response may be required in order to validate the statement. Our findingssuggest that rbST administration to WAD goats after peak of lactation can enhance milk yield, galactopoiesisand persistency of lactation indicating higher milk yield in extended lactation

EFFECT OF FEED TYPE ON GROWTH, SPERMATOZOA PRODUCTION AND GONADO-SOMATIC INDEX IN GIANT AFRICAN LAND SNAIL (Archachatina marginata)

A study was conducted on the effect of feed type on growth, spermatozoa production and gonado-somatic index in giant African land snail (Archachatina marginata). Thirty snails (30) of weight range of 150 - 180g were used for this study. Ten snails (10) were assigned to each of the three feed types which included: Poultry layers mash (PLM), dried Pawpaw leaves (PL) and mixture of both Pawpaw leaves and Poultry layers mash (PLM+PL). Weight gain was monitored weekly. At the end of seven weeks, snails were dissected; visceral weight and ovo-testis were measured. Five (5) snails each per treatment were used for both histology and spermatozoa concentration estimation. Ovo-testis was processed for histology while little hermaphrodite duct was used for spermatozoa concentration. Results showed that feed type had significant (P<0.001) effect on sperm concentration. Snails fed on PL had higher sperm concentration, followed by those fed on PL+PLM while the least was found in PLM group. For live weight gain, those fed with PLM had the highest weight followed by those fed with PL+PLM while PL had least weight gain.  Results for gonado-somatic index showed that PL had the highest means while those fed on PLM and PL+PLM were not significantly different from each other. It was also found that snails fed with PL had high spermatogenic activity in the acini of snail ovo-testis while those fed with PLM+PL had medium activity and those fed with PLM had the least activity. The findings from this study suggest that pawpaw leaves have agents which promote spermatogenesis and can therefore be used as diet for breeding snails to enhance spermatogenesis.Â

Influence of crop residue ration supplementation on the attainment of puberty and postpartum reproductive activities of Red Sokoto goats

The general objective of this study was to come up with an appropriate, affordable and locally available crop residue supplementation package that would enhance reproductive performance in small ruminants. Specifically, 28 Red Sokoto weaner does between 3 and 4 months of age weighing between 2 and 3 kg were used in the first experiment to determine the influence of crop residue supplementation on age and weight at puberty as determined by blood progesterone levels. In the second experiment, another 28 adult does (equal to or greater than 2 years old) of the same breed in the same flock with lactation numbers between 1 and 3 were used to determine the length of postpartum acyclic period. In both experiments, a 3 x 2 factorial experimental design comprising three dietary supplements (A, B, C) at two feeding levels (1% and 2% of body weight) fed in addition to a basal diet of Digitaria smutsii hay and natural pasture ad libitum with an unsupplemented negative control group (D) and four goats per treatment was utilized. In ration A, a conventional concentrate supplement consisting of maize, wheat offal, cottonseed cake and bonemeal was utilized; in rations B and C, the supplement consisted of guinea-corn bran, cowpea husk and groundnut haulms; and maize offal, groundnut shells and groundnut haulms respectively. Unsupplemented (ration D) weaner does reached puberty at a later age and had lighter body weights than all the others. Weaner does on ration 2A (concentrate fed at 2% of body weight) attained puberty at the earliest age and heaviest body weight, although the age at puberty was not significantly different from those on rations 1A (concentrate fed at 1% body weight), 1C and 2C. Blood progesterone profiles before and after puberty ranged from 0.05 to 9.0 ng/ml, respectively, and was highest in does fed rations A and C and least in the unsupplemented does. The mean interval between kidding and initiation of ovarian activity was 54.28 plus or minus 17.61 days and the mean interval between kidding and conception was 63.04 plus or minus 25.34 days. Only 25% of the unsupplemented does conceived again during the period under study compared with 100% in rations 1A, 2A, 1C and 2C; 75% in ration 2B and 50% in ration 1B. It was concluded that implementation of supplementary feeding in the dry season improves reproductive performance in the Red Sokoto doe. Furthermore, ration C, a crop residue-based ration, was a suitable dry season supplementation alternative to the expensive conventional concentrate ration for the smallholder goat farmer in the subhumid tropics of Nigeria