Background and Objective: Goat milk plays a crucial nutritional role in developing countries, particularly in rural areas where most goats are raised.Research suggested that addressing protein deficiency in these regions could be achieved by promoting goat farming, which offers both meat and milk.Therefore, harnessing the genetic diversity of indigenous goat breeds could enhance milk production potential through selective breeding.This study was conducted to evaluate milk yield and conformation traits in West African dwarf goats as well as the phenotypic correlation between milk yield and conformation traits.Materials and Methods: A total of twenty-four West African Dwarf lactating does from eight herds were studied.Body conformation traits studied were body length (BL), height at wither (HW), hearth girth (HG), stature (ST) and body depth (BD).Body weight (BWT) of the does was also evaluated.Milk yield traits studied were average daily yield (ADY), initial yield (IY), total yield (TY), peak yield, peak day (PD) and lactation length (LL).Correlation between milk yield and conformation traits was established using Pearson correlation analysis of SPSS.Results: The result obtained indicated that milk yield traits were 252.96±15.21g, 135.80±9.51g, 12.66±0.86kg, 28.15±0.41days, 412.46±23.10g and 50.60±2.65days for ADY, IY, TY, PD, PY and LL, respectively.The body weight and the conformation traits were 20.25±1.08 kg, 57.24±1.57,24.64±0.73,51.22±1.45,24.64±0.73,51.22±1.45,71.88±1.08 and 56.49±1.40cm for BWT, RH, BD, HW, HG and BL, respectively.The phenotypic correlation established between investigated milk traits and body conformation traits was positive (r = 0.011-0.893)except for the relationship with PD which was negative (r = -0.002to-0.121).The correlation coefficient established between all the conformation traits with ADY, TY and PY were positive and significant (p<0.01).Conclusion: The findings from this study indicate a positive relationship between body conformation traits and milk yield traits and this suggests a level of dependency between these traits.Therefore, any impairment in any one of these traits would elicit a correlated response in the others indicating that these conformation traits can be used as selection criteria in the improvement of milk yield traits in West African Dwarf goats.
Background and Objective: Coccidiosis is one of the pathogenic diseases of economic importance to broiler chickens in the tropics.The aim of this study was to investigate the variation in body weight and immune response of FUNAAB Alpha and exotic broiler chickens inoculated with attenuated Eimera tenella vaccine.Materials and Methods: The experiment was laid out in a completely randomized design for a period of 8 weeks.The experimental birds consist of 200 broilers of 2 breeds namely: Three strains of FUNAAB Alpha (normal feather, frizzle feather and naked neck) and one breed of exotic chicken (Arbor Acre).The body weight, haematological parameters and lesion counts were collected and analyzed for the effects of genotype pre and post-inoculation.Results: The Arbor Acre broiler chickens had significantly (p<0.05)heaviest body weight at days 0, 6 and 15.There is variation in haematological responses to E. tenella challenged among the four broiler genotypes with the highest (p<0.05)values of haematological parameters recorded in FUNAAB Alpha broilers.The oocyte counts, caecal and mucosa lesions were higher (p<0.05) in Arbor Acre broilers.Conclusion: Therefore, the FUNAAB Alpha broilers can be selected against coccidiosis diseases for the development of broiler chickens or meat free from protozoan contamination in Nigeria.
Background and Objective: Selenium, being a micro-mineral has been used by researchers to fortify poultry meat due to the increased demand for safer and increased animal protein by consumers.This is because it is well known for its role in chicken growth and immune competence.This study examined the effects of supplementing varying levels of dietary nano-selenium on growth performance and immunological parameters of broiler chickens.Materials and Methods: A total of 200 1-day old Arbor acre broiler chickens were used for the study and distributed into five treatments, four replicates with 10 birds each using a completely randomised design.Data on growth performance and immunological parameters were taken and analysed using a one-way analysis of variance and Duncan's multiple range Test was used to separate the means.Results: The supplementing dietary nano-selenium to broiler chickens significantly improved (p<0.05) growth performance (body weight gain 2115.72,2182.98,2171.64 and 2262.84 at NSe 0.10 , NSe 0.15 , NSe 0.20 and NSe 0.25 , respectively), apparent nutrient digestibility (dry matter 89.02 and 87.20% at NSe 0.20 and NSe 0.25 , respectively at the starter phase and crude fibre 89.54 at NSe 0.25 during the finisher phase) and immunological parameters (immunoglobulin A 1.82 at NSe 0.20 ) measured. Conclusion:The present study showed that both growth performance and immunity of broiler chickens can be improved when fed nano selenium supplemented diets.
Background and Objective: Clinical examination and other diagnostic procedures, including enzymatic and hormonal assays, are important in equine medicine for disease diagnosis, assessing the extent of damage and monitoring the response to therapy.The study sought to establish the baseline data for some clinical, enzymatic and hormonal parameters and compare them between different ages, breeds and sexes.Materials and Methods: A total of 40 apparently healthy polo horses were sampled in Ibadan, Oyo State.Clinical parameters were recorded, blood was drawn through the jugular vein and serum was analysed for enzyme and hormone profiles.The student's t-test was used to compare these parameters and significance was taken at p = 0.05.Results: The results revealed more crossbred, female and adult horses in Ibadan, Nigeria.Significantly higher respiratory rate in crossbred horses compared to Sudanese breeds with (31.20±5.93)and (27.20±2.70)was observed, respectively.The respiratory rate was also significantly higher in young horses (34.00±8.49)compared to adult horse sand the adult (27.56±3.03).The values of prolactin, progesterone and oestrogen were significantly higher in female horses compared to males.Conclusion: There was a higher population of crossbred, female and adult horses in Ibadan.There were variations in the clinical, enzyme and hormonal values among different ages, sexes and breeds of horses, especially the enzymatic parameters, which seem to be proportionally increasing with the increase in the age of horses in Ibadan, Nigeria.
Background and Objective: Gastrointestinal GI parasitic infection is a serious concern to cattle breeding and affects the meat yield after slaughter in various tropical regions of the world, especially in Nigeria, where animal health issues are not given needed attention.This study aimed to assess gastrointestinal parasite's occurrence in cattle slaughtered at the Central Abattoir of Katsina.Materials and Methods: Faecal samples were collected directly from the rectum of 373 sampled freshly slaughtered cattle at the abattoir and examined microscopically following standard procedures.The occurrence of GI parasites was analyzed concerning the sex, age, breed and body condition scores of the cattle.Occurrence is expressed in percentage and its association is tested using Chi-square analysis, at a p = 0.05 level of significance.Results: Out of the 373 sampled cattle examined, there was an occurrence of gastrointestinal parasites in 224 (60.1%).Regarding the sex, age group, breed of cattle and condition of body scores, female cattle (75.00%),Adamawa Gudali (66.67%) and poor body condition score (75.47%) had the highest occurrence.Chi-square analysis revealed that the occurrence of gastrointestinal parasites in cattle is not significantly associated with the sex and breeds of cattle (p>0.05),while, it is significantly associated with the age and body condition scores of the cattle (p<0.05).Fasciola hepatica had the highest occurrence (13.7%) while Nematodirus spp., had the lowest occurrence (0.5%) among the species recorded.Conclusion: In conclusion, there is a high occurrence of gastrointestinal parasites among cattle slaughtered in Katsina Central Abattoir and Fasciola hepatica is the most common gastrointestinal parasite found.
Background and Objective: In veterinary hospitals in Nigeria's North Central Region, serological testing for brucellosis is Not a Common Practice (NCN).As a result, this study was carried out to find out how common brucellosis is in dogs in NCN.Materials and Methods: A total of 550 sera samples were collected from dogs presented to the veterinary clinics, dog kennels and dog breeder homes.The samples were analyzed using the Rose Bengal Plate Test (RBPT) which gave a prevalence of 239 (43.46%). Results:The result indicated the highest seroprevalence of 125 (56.82%) by RBPT for dogs 12 months old and above.This was followed by dogs aged 6-11 months with a rate of 79 (41.58%).The lowest seroprevalence 35 (25.00%) was recorded amongst dogs aged 0-6 months.Sex distribution of Brucella abortus among dogs in NCN indicated that female dogs had the highest seroprevalence of 185 (44.58%), while male dogs had the least percentage rate of 54 (40.00%).The seasonal distribution of Brucella abortus among dogs in NCN indicated that the highest seroprevalence of 165 (68.75%) was recorded in the wet season.The least percentage prevalence rates of 74 (23.87%) were recorded in the dry season.The result indicated the highest seroprevalence of 142 (59.66%) for local breeds of dogs.Mix-bred dogs had the least rate of 60 (26%).Exotic breeds of dogs however had a seroprevalence of 37 (43.53%).Based on management systems, the highest seroprevalence of 190 (53.37%) was recorded in dogs reared extensively and the least rates of 49 (25.26%) were recorded in dogs reared intensively.Conclusion: A cost-effective federal government policy on the control and eradication of this important zoonotic disease is indicated.
Background and Objective: The widespread occurrence of antimicrobial drug-resistance in pathogens is an imminent problem.The herbal antimicrobials have shown promising potential and are often relied upon as a potential alternative to antibiotics.The present study aimed at determining drug resistance trends and evaluates the potential of herbal antimicrobials to combat multi-drug-resistant bacterial infections.Materials and Methods: The 11 year (2009-2019) data available at Clinical Epidemiology Laboratory of Indian VeterinaryResearch Institute, Izatnagar on susceptibility for antibiotics (70) and herbal antimicrobials (26) for 6171 bacteria from clinical (3515) and non-clinical (2656) samples were analyzed to estimate the efficacy of antibiotics and herbal antimicrobials and their correlations.Results: The analysis revealed an upward trend of resistance against almost all antibiotics except ampicillin.Antimicrobial resistance towards carbapenems was more often detected in bacteria isolated from clinical cases than those from non-clinical samples.The efficacy of herbal antimicrobials on multiple drug-resistant strains was limited.The zone of bacterial growth inhibition around antibiotic and herbal antimicrobial discs had a positive correlation (r > 0.027, p < 0.01) between the two.Multiple antibiotic resistance indices and multiple herbal antimicrobial resistance indices also had a strong correlation (r > 0.048, p < 0.01).Conclusion: Analysis indicated that herbal drug antimicrobial resistance and antibiotic resistance might go hand in hand.Thus, herbal antimicrobials may not be seen as an alternative to antibiotics for the treatment of infections caused by multiple-drug-resistant bacteria in animals.However, herbal antimicrobials may be alternatives to antibiotics as antibiotics are alternatives to each other.
Background and Objective: Coccidiosis caused by protozoans of the Eimeria genus is a serious problem for the health of rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) and their production.This study was therefore carried out in order to scientifically validate the use of Pentaclethra macrophylla in fighting against Coccidiosis.Materials and Methods: A total of 48 domestic rabbits (60 days old and about 1.5-2 kg b.wt.) and free from coccidia infection were used.All groups except group 6 were infected with 1000 sporulated Eimeria intestinalis oocysts.Faecal samples were collected and examined starting on day 1 post-inoculation until Day 9 post-inoculation, during which oocysts appeared in faeces.For quantitative analysis or determination of the number of oocysts per gram (OPG) of faeces, the Mc Master technique was used.Serum was used for determination of biochemical parameters related to oxidative stress such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), peroxidase (POD), malondialdehyde (MDA), nitric oxide (NO) and glutathione using standardized diagnostic kits and a spectrophotometer.Results: The highest oocyst count reduction rate was 95% in the group which received the standard anti-coccidial drug.Among the groups that received the plant extract, the highest oocyst reduction rate was 69.41% at a dose of 500 mg kgG 1 and reduced in a dose-dependent manner from 58.92% (250 mg kgG 1 ) and then 55.01% (125 mg kgG 1 ).The result showed a significant decrease in tissues and serum catalase and peroxidase and a significant increase in NO, MDA and GLU levels in negative control animals.Treatment resulted in a significant normalization of the levels of the above markers when compared with the neutral control group.Conclusion: Our findings, therefore scientifically validate the use of P. macrophylla in fighting against Coccidiosis.
Bovine mastitis is one of economically important disease affecting livestock and causing economic losses to dairy farmers in India.Coagulase Negative Staphylococcus (CNS) species also infects the mammary glands of animals and leads to persistent or subclinical mastitis.The prevalence of CNS mastitis in various parts of the world were 6-72 and 6-30% in subclinical and clinical mastitis cases, respectively.Epidemiology of CNS species causing mastitis in animals gives the newer approaches for preventing the occurrence of CNS species mastitis.The CNS species predominantly isolated from milk were S. chromogenes, S. epidermidis, S. haemolyticus, S. simulans, S. warneri, S. hominis, S. saprophyticus, S. xylosus, S. hyicus, S. sciuri and S. intermedius.The S. epidermidis intramammary infections were found in multiparous cow and S. chromogenes in primiparous cows.The CNS mastitis shows only mild clinical signs and cause persistent infections, resulting in increased milk SCC, which affects milk quality and may be related to decreased milk production.The clinical signs, diagnosis and treatment of CNS mastitis are necessary for effective control and prevention.There was emergence of CNS species as an important mastitis causing pathogen in subclinical mastitis and persistence infection of udder in dairy animals of India and world.In conclusion, there is need to further identify the CNS at species level and also systematic experimental study of various CNS species in dairy animals is required for better understanding the occurrence of CNS mastitis in livestock of India.Further, comparative study of CNS mastitis with organisms causing severe mastitis in various animal models to know the basic mechanisms of host pathogen interaction using advance molecular biology tools is necessary.
Background: Cattle oocytes were collected from live animals by Ovum Pick Up (OPU) or from Slaughter House Ovaries (SHO) by aspiration using needle.The in vitro fertilization (IVF) technique consists of in vitro maturation (IVM) of oocytes, fertilization and in vitro cultures (IVC) of the embryos.Mature oocytes are cultured with sperm for fertilization resulting in zygotes formation.Those zygotes are cultured for cleavage till reach the blastocyst stages.Those embryos are transferred to recipients directly or cryopreserved.Materials and Methods: This study presents the characteristics of OPU-embryo growth from alive Japanese black cattle (n = 635) and those originated from SHO (n = 10,147).The ova were processed for selection, cleavage, maturation and fertilization parallel to handling of good spermatozoa used for fertilization.Our methods were commonly used with slight modifications.Differences between OPU and SHO-originated embryos at each growth rate were tested by statistical significance by chi-square.Results: Cleavage rates by 48 h after the IVF of the oocytes were 76.1 and 81.7% for the OPU and SHO, respectively.However, the embryo growth to the blastocyst by 6-9 days later was 38.6 and 28.5%, respectively.The percentage of blastocysts (day 9) is lower than expected because the development of some embryos is arrested at earlier stages in particular those originated from the SHO.Conclusion: The growth results of an OPU origin ovum and those of a SHO origin ovum are almost the same.The growth rate to the blastocyst of an OPU origin ovum is strongly subject to the influence of a sire and donor cow and its variation is large.This study presents a simple lab technique for cattle IVF and recommends the slaughter house ovaries (SHO)-originated oocytes, not risky and easily applied, than those originated by ovum-picking up (OPU) from alive animals.Future studies are required to improve the oocyte maturation percent into blastocyst.
Background and Objective: Many hormones are known to take part in the control of osmoregulatory processes.One of them is oestradiol, but its role in water and electrolyte balance has not been studied much in the vertebrates.This study determined the effects of low doses of oestradiol on plasma sodium, potassium and chloride concentrations in laying hens and effects of serial blood sampling.Materials and Methods: Hens were given an intramuscular injection of 0.6 mg (n = 12) or 0.06 mg (n = 12) oestradiol dipropionate and the control laying hens (n = 12) were given an intramuscular injection of sterile saline.Blood samples were taken from the vena basilica immediately before the oestradiol or saline injection and then 1, 2, 3, 24 and 96 h after treatment to determine the concentration of ions.The variations of ion concentrations were examined by one-way ANOVA.Results: No significant differences of sodium levels were established.Concentrations of potassium decreased significantly 24 h after injection of 0.06 mg oestradiol (p<0.04) and saline treatment (p<0.03) and 96 h after injection of 0.6 mg oestradiol (p<0.03).Concentrations of chloride increased markedly 2 h after injection of 0.06 mg oestradiol (p<0.002) and saline treatment (p<0.006) and 24 h after injection of 0.6 mg oestradiol (p<0.03).A fall in the chloride levels were recorded 96 h after oestradiol (p<0.005) as well as saline treatment (p<0.005).Conclusion: It was concluded that, oestradiol significantly decreased the plasma potassium level 96 h after treatment (p<0.03) and increased the plasma chloride levels 24 h after treatment (p<0.03), but did not affect plasma sodium levels.
The present study attempts to examine the existing buffalo genetic resources and their conservation in Bangladesh.The buffalo plays a very important role in the South Asia which constitutes 73.77% of world buffalo population.This region has a great biodiversity of buffalo germplasm, including the world famous buffaloes Murrah and Nili-Ravi.The South Asian countries share 93.19% of world buffalo milk production where India and Pakistan contributes 67.99 and 23.96%, respectively.About 71.4% of world buffalo meat is produced in South Asian countries.Although buffalo is an essential part of livestock in South Asian countries, it has never been addressed in Bangladesh and always neglected despite their important role in the national economy.In Bangladesh, the total buffalo population are 1.457 million heads that are managed in household subsistance farming and extensive Bathan farming in saline coastal region that are used as a draught animal and partially for milk and meat production.The buffaloes of Bangladesh are mainly indigenous in origin and their productivity is low.So, far their genotypes need to be improved through appropriate breeding program to meet the future demand of the country and the germplasm of such native breeds constitute a valuable genetic resource which needs to be conserved on priority basis.This review has tried to unreath the present scenario of buffalo genetic resources, their production and reproduction performances and their conservation in Bangladesh.This study has also explored the further development of buffalo in Bangladesh.
Faffa Malan Chart (FAMACHA © ) is a practical on-farm system designed as selective deworming tool for Haemonchus contortus infection control.While system is becoming very popular it is not adopted in Ethiopia.Thus, the objective of this study was to validate FAMACHA © in detecting clinical anemia in sheep and goats at field level.The study was conducted in Jigjiga zone of Somali Regional State, Ethiopia from December 2011 to April 2012 on sheep (n = 192) and goats (n = 192) of various age and sex.Highly significant correlation between eye color and fecal egg count (p = 0.001) for goats and sheep (p = 0.043) was observed.There was also highly significant association between eye color and Packed Cell Volume (PCV) in sheep (p = 0.00) and goats (p = 0.005).The sensitivity of FAMACHA in detecting anemic animals was 66% for sheep and 71.43% for goats using eye scores 4 and 5 were considered as anemic at PCV <24% for sheep and <20% for goats.The present study indicated that the application of FAMACHA system for treatment protocol was promising both in goats and sheep.Therefore, the technique should be introduced as integrated diagnostic tool at field level in Ethiopia.
