Rumen Fermentative Properties of Pregnant West African Dwarf Does Fed Diets Containing Algae Biomass

The study was conducted to investigate the effect of feeding algae biomass rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids at 0%, 1.5%, 3.0% and 4.5%, respectively, using Panicum maximum as basal feed, on rumen fermentative properties of pregnant West African Dwarf (WAD) does. A total of twenty (20) pregnant WAD does were grouped into four treatments containing five (5) animals per treatment and randomly allotted to the experimental diets. Rumen fluid were collected prior to mating and at the last trimester of pregnancy for determination of rumen fermentative properties. Data obtained were subjected to one way Analysis of Variance in a Completely Randomized Design. Inclusion of algae biomass up to 4.5% had no significant (p>0.05) effect on bacteria population in the rumen of the experimental does. The inclusion levels of algae biomass gave rise to the predominance of Eischeria coli (a gram negative bacterium) in the rumen of pregnant does fed the algae biomass diet. Results obtained showed a significant (p<0.05) decrease in the values obtained for ammonia nitrogen concentration in the rumen of the pregnant does when compared to the values recorded prior to mating. The total volatile fatty acid production and its molar proportion in the rumen fluid were not significantly (p>0.05) influenced by the inclusion of algae biomass.

Blood Count and Serum Biochemistry Profile in West African Dwarf Goats Fed Ensiled Mixtures of Cocoa Pod, Cassava Pulp and Acacia Leaf

This study investigated the effects of feeding ensiled graded combinations of cocoa pod, cassava pulp and Acacia leaf on haematological and serum biochemical of West African Dwarf goats. In the bid to control environmental pollution, the wastes of cocoa and cassava were applied as alternative feed ingredients for the goat in spite of its low nutrients’ quality and digestibility. A total of Twenty-eight (28) WAD goats (bucks), aged 4 to 5 months with average body weight of 7.00±0.2kg was used in a completely randomized design for a 45 days study to evaluate the blood profiles of goats fed diet combinations (0:60:40) to (60:0:40). The results revealed significant differences in some of the blood parameters measured among the treatments. The red blood cell, packed cell volume and haemoglobin ranged from 4.90-7.87x106/ul, 19.25-26.83% and 7.33-11.15g/L respectively. The concentrations of mean corpuscular volume, mean corpuscular haemoglobin and mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration varied significantly (p < 0.05), white blood cell (5.57-9.75x109L) were comparable and lymphocytes (%) ranged from 43.85-55.67. For serum biochemistry, values obtained for total protein and albumin with sodium followed the same trend while cholesterol, urea, creatinine and glucose followed the same trend. Alanine amino transferase, Aspartate aminotransferase and Alkaline phosphatase varied significantly (p<0.05) among the treatment groups. Since the parameters measured were within the normal range for goats’ blood profile, combinations of cocoa pod, cassava pulp with acacia leaves in the ratio of 0:60:40 to 20:40:40 as browse plants do not have any deleterious effect on the health of the animals.

Growth and Chevon Characteristics of Indigenous Breeds of Goat (Buck) in Nigeria

A trial was conducted at the Sheep and Goat Unit of Teaching and Research Farm of the University of Ibadan, Ibadan to evaluate the effect of breeds on growth, carcass characteristics and meat yield of indigenous goats (bucks) in Nigeria. Fifteen growing bucks: five each of Sahel bucks-SB, West African Dwarf bucks (WADB) and Red Sokoto bucks(RSB) weighing 9.8±0.2, 10.0±0.4 and 9.9±0.3, respectively were fed isocaloric diet for 90 days. The experiment was laid out in a complete randomized design. Final Body Weight (FBW), Average Daily Weight Gain (ADWG) and Feed Conversion Ratio (FCR) were measured using standard procedures. Three bucks per breed were thereafter sacrificed and Dressing Percentage (DP), Meat yield, Rib eye area (REA) and Water holding capacity (WHC) were determined. The Final Body Weight of 16.1kg in Sahel bucks and 17.5kg Red Sokoto bucks were similar but significantly lower than 20.3kg of West African Dwarf bucks. Also, the Feed Conversion Ratio of 10.4 for the Sahel bucks and 9.8 of Red Sokoto bucks were significantly higher than 7.3 of West African Dwarf bucks. The Dressing Percentage was highest in West African Dwarf bucks (46.6%) and least in Sahel bucks (33.5%). West African Dwarf bucks yielded more meat lean (67.4%) and were comparatively higher than Sahel bucks (60.1%) and Red Sokoto bucks (61.5%). The Rib eye area (cm2) was also higher in West African Dwarf bucks (1.4) compared to Sahel bucks (1.1) and Red Sokoto bucks (1.1).

Infection of West African Dwarf Rams With Trypanosoma Brucei Brucei and Trypanosoma Congolense Significantly Alter Serum Electrolytes, Redox Balance, Sperm Parameters, And Gonadal Morphology

Trypanotolerance of the West African dwarf (WAD) breeds may not rule out significant pathophysiological changes that may affect productivity. In this study, the effects of infection of WAD rams with Trypanosoma brucei brucei (Tbb) and Trypanosoma congolense (Tc) on their serum levels of electrolytes [calcium, phosphorus, sodium, potassium]; oxidative stress markers [superoxide dismutase (SOD), malondialdehyde (MDA)]; and sperm parameters [sperm count, motility, vitality, and morphology] were investigated. Fifteen WAD rams, assigned to 3 groups (A, B & C) of 5 rams each, were used for the study. Group A rams were infected with Tbb, while Group B rams were infected with Tc, both intraperitoneally, at the dose of 106 trypanosomes/animal. Group C rams served as the uninfected control. The infections were monitored for 70 days. Serum calcium levels were significantly (p < 0.05) lower in Tbb and Tc infected rams compared to the control throughout the study. Serum sodium was significantly (p < 0.05) higher in the Tb infected rams compared to the Tc infected and control rams on days 14 and 28 PI. Serum SOD activity decreased while MDA levels increased in both infected groups of rams. Tbb infected rams were azoospermic, while Tc infected rams had lower sperm motility, vitality and concentration and higher number of abnormal sperm cells compared to the control. Necrotic and inflammatory lesions occurred in the testis and epididymis of both infected rams. These results suggest that in spite of trypanotolerance, trypanosome infections in the WAD rams significantly impact on health and reproduction.

Morphological characteristics of goat breeds in Nigeria using discriminant analysis approach

Information on morphological characteristics is a prerequisite to sustainable breed classification and conservation for proper management and utilization. The present study aimed to identify morphological characteristics that best classify the Sahel, Sokoto Red and West African Dwarf goats of Nigeria. A total of 584 goats of both sexes; Sahel (N = 163), Sokoto Red (N = 171) and West African Dwarf (N = 250) were randomly sampled and used for this study. The body parameters measured included body weight (BWT), height at wither (HW), body length (BL), paunch girth (PG), heart girth (HG) and ear length (EL). Multivariate technique of discriminant analysis procedure of SPSS 20.0 statistical package was used to classify the Sahel, Sokoto Red and West African Dwarf goats into their original breed. Accuracy of the classification was checked using cross-validation (leave-one-out, jack-knife or split-sample) procedure. Results showed that the mean body weight (kg) of Sokoto Red was significantly (P<0.05) higher than those of Sahel and West African Dwarf goats (23.596, 17.117 and 14.800 respectively). Highest correlation values were recorded between body weight and height at withers (0.777) in Sahel, body weight and paunch girth (0.707) in Sokoto Red and body weight and heart girth (0.797) in West African Dwarf goats. The discriminant analysis on body weight and the linear body measurements revealed that paunch girth and height at withers were the most discriminating variables and clearly separated and classified the three goat breeds into their breeds of origin. The discriminant function obtained correctly classified 99.0% of individuals from the sample of known goat populations. The classification accuracy of the function was cross-validated using the split sample method, and indicated a 99.0% success rate (97.5%, 100.0% and 99.2% of Sahel, Sokoto Red and West African Dwarf goats respectively). It was concluded that there was a clear separation between Barcha and Atlas goats. It was concluded that discriminant tool may be used successfully in the field to classify Sahel, Sokoto Red and West African Dwarf in the field, however there is need to complement this with molecular characterization using DNA marker for better conservation and improvement programme of indigenous goat genetic resources. L'information sur les caractéristiques morphologiques est une condition préalable à la classification et à la conservation durables des races pour une gestion et une utilisation appropriées. Cet étude visait à identifier les caractéristiques morphologiques qui classent le mieux les chèvres sahéliennes, rouges de Sokoto et naines d'Afrique de l'Ouest du Nigeria. Un total de 584 chèvres des deux sexes ; Sahel (N = 163), Sokoto Red (N = 171) et West African Dwarf (N = 250) ont été échantillonnés au hasard et utilisés pour cette étude. Les paramètres corporels mesurés comprenaient le poids corporel (PC), la hauteur au garrot (HG), lalongueur du corps (BL), la circonférence de la panse (CP), la circonférence du cœur (CC) et la longueur des oreilles (LO). La technique multivariée de la procédure d'analyse discriminante du progiciel statistique SPSS 20.0 a été utilisée pour classer les chèvres sahéliennes, rouges de Sokoto et naines d'Afrique de l'Ouest dans leur race d'origine. L'exactitude de la classification a été vérifiée à l'aide d'une procédure de validation croisée (en laisser un, un couteau ou un échantillon divisé). Les résultats ont montré que le poids corporel moyen (kg) de Sokoto Red était significativement (P<0,05) supérieur à celui des chèvres naines du Sahel et d'Afrique de l'Ouest (23,596, 17,117 et 14,800 respectivement). Les valeurs de corrélation les plus élevées ont été enregistrées entre le poids corporel et la hauteur au garrot (0,777) au Sahel, le poids corporel et la circonférence de la panse (0,707) chez le Sokoto Red et le poids corporel et la circonférence cardiaque (0,797) chez les chèvres naines d'Afrique de l'Ouest. L'analyse discriminante sur le poids corporel et les mesures corporelles linéaires ont révélé que la circonférence de la panse et la hauteur au garrot étaient les variables les plus discriminantes et ont clairement séparé et classé les trois races caprines dans leurs races d'origine. La fonction discriminante obtenue a correctement classé 99,0 % des individus de l'échantillon de populations caprines connues. La précision de la classification de la fonction a été contre-validée à l'aide de la méthode de l'échantillon divisé et a indiqué un taux de réussite de 99,0 % (respectivement 97,5 %, 100,0 % et 99,2 % des chèvres sahéliennes, rouges de Sokoto et naines d'Afrique de l'Ouest). Il a été conclu qu'il y avait une nette séparation entre les chèvres Barcha et Atlas. Il a été conclu que l'outil discriminant peut être utilisé avec succès sur le terrain pour classer le Sahel, le rouge de Sokoto et le nain d'Afrique de l'Ouest sur le terrain, mais il est nécessaire de le compléter par une caractérisation moléculaire à l'aide d'un marqueur ADN pour une meilleure conservation et un programme d'amélioration de la génétique caprine indigène. Ressources.

Gross testicular morphometric parameters and sperm reserves in indigenous Ghanaian West African dwarf goats

The West African Dwarf (WAD) goat has genetic potentials that can be exploited for improved goat production. However, their testicular morphometric parameters and sperm reserves in Ghana are not well known. A cross-sectional study was conducted at the Sabtiu Musah abattoir in Kumasi, Ghana, to evaluate the gross testicular morphometric parameters and sperm reserves in 10 indigenous WAD goats. The samples were stored on an ice chest and transported to the Regional Veterinary Laboratory for analysis on the day of collection. In the laboratory, the testes and epididymis were separated by dissection and then freed of all connective tissue and the Tunica albuginea. The weight, length, width and volume of the testis were determined. A segment of testicular parenchyma was incised and homogenized in a 20 ml normal saline solution. The resulting homogenate was stored in the refrigerator overnight and a filtered aliquot used for estimating spermatid concentration and sperm reserves. The weight, length, width, volume of the testis and the gonadosomatic index were 70.09 ±14.19 gm, 7.46 ± 0.52 cm, 5.08 ± 0.62, cm, 102.40 ± 29.40 ml and 5.09 ± 0.07%, respectively. The sperm reserves per the whole testis, sperm reserves per gramme testis, Daily Sperm production (DSP), and DSP per gramme testis of Ghanaian WAD bucks were 146.0 ± 50.95, 2.2 ± 0.62, 41.01 ± 14.3 and 0.62 ± 0.17 x109 spermatozoa, respectively. Indigenous West African Draft goats have a high potential for sperm production. It is recommended that further research be conducted on the semen quality parameters of this breed.

Growth Response, Carcass Yield and Meat Quality of West African Dwarf Sheep Fed Graded Level of Shea Cake Meal

Growth response, carcass characteristics and meat quality of West African Dwarf (WAD) sheep fed Shea Cake Meal (SCM) supplement was investigated. A total of 24 WAD sheep of average body weight ranges from 11-12.65 kg comprising of twelve (12) males and twelve (12) females were randomly allotted to four dietary treatments with six animals per treatment in a completely randomized design in a twelve (12) weeks experimental period. Treatment 1 was control and had no inclusion of SCM. Treatments 2, 3 and 4 had 10%, 15% and 20% inclusion of SCM. Results were significantly different (P<0.05) across treatments. Average weight gain ranged from 10.0 kg (SCM-10) to 13.12 kg (SCM-15). T3 recorded highest values for average feed intake (AFI) at a record value of 63.50 kg. T2 had the least feed conversion ratio of 4.81. The carcass quality and sensory evaluation were significantly affected (P<0.05) across the treatments. Hot carcass weight (HCW) ranged from 18.90 kg (SCM-10) to 20.85 kg (SCM-15). Cold carcass weight was recorded 18.05 kg (SCM-10) and 19.95 kg (SCM-20), respectively. Minimum chilling loss of 3.96% was recorded at SCM-15 inclusion level. Animals on SCM-15 inclusion recorded the highest value of 7.55, 7.25 and 7.25 respectively for appearance, tenderness and overall acceptability. SCM-20 had highest value of 7.50 for juiciness compared to SCM-10 and SCM-15 with recorded values of 6.80 and 7.20, respectively. The study showed that all the dietary inclusion was satisfactory as feed for small ruminants without any deleterious effect on their performance as well as on carcass yield and meat quality. Inclusion level of SCM-15 supplement had highest overall performance when fed to (WAD) sheep.