Detection of Human Genotype “B” Giardia lamblia in Ghanaian Cattle from Frafraha in Adentan Municipality of Ghana

Giardia duodenalis is a common intestinal parasite in humans, a wide range of domesticated and wild animals. There are human and animal specific, as well as zoonotic pathogenic gen­otypes. It is not clear whether livestock in close proximity to humans could be infected with human specific genotypes, and vice versa. In this study, Giardia-positive faecal samples were collected from both humans (n = 4) (from Maamobi Polyclinic in the Ayawaso Sub- Metro) and calves (n = 8) (from Animal Research Institute Farms, Adentan Municipality), in Ghana. Nested PCR amplification using Giardia-specific, Glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH) genes and Tri­osephosphate isomerase (TPI) gene primers for human and animal faecal samples respectively was carried out. Results showed that 100% of the calves carried the TPI-B genotype, which is a common pathogenic genotype in humans. This report is based on the unusual results obtained as Giardia duodenalis genotype B is known to occur in humans but is being observed in calves for the first time. This suggests that calves in close proximity to humans could be reservoirs and sources of human Giardia infections.

PENINGKATAN NILAI EKONOMI PADA RTM (Rumah Tangga Miskin) MELALUI PROGRAM BEKERJA KEMENTERIAN PERTANIAN

Almost all communities in Salopa Sub district are trying to raise livestock from native chickens, because free-range chicken is a very important component for people's lives. The purpose of the paper is to find out the increase in economic value of (poor households) RTM through the work program of the Ministry of Agriculture, IAARD, Animal Research Institute. The study used a survey of 54 RTM/farmer fard Mandalahayu Village 27 RTM/farmer and Mandalawangi Village 27 RTM/farmer. Primary data and secondary data are analyzed descriptively, quantitatively and economically. The results showed that the income of RTM/farmer in Mandalahayu Village was IDR.2.480.000/period with B/C ratio of 1.08 and in the village of Mandalawangi as much IDR.2.510.000/period with B/C ratio of 1.10. It can be said that the effort to enlarge DOC of chicken in RTM is not economically feasible. But if for a side business, savings and time fillers, it can be said to be feasible, because chickens can be sold as a source of sudden needs for farmers. The program works by the Ministry of Agriculture, expected to alleviate poverty, carry out agricultural development harmonization, so that farmers' income increases and poverty rates continue to be reduced or reduced

Evaluation of Pilgrim, Hungarian, Chinese, Synthetic and Embden strains of geese and their crosses for body weight

The Pilgrim, Hungarian, Chinese, Selected C hinese, Synthetic (developed from Pilgrim, Chinese and Hungarian), Selected Synthetic, Large Embden and Small Embden strains of geese raised from 1980 to 1988 at the Greenbelt farm of the Centre for Food and Animal Research (formerly Animal Research Centre, and Animal Research Institute) in Ottawa, Canada varied significantly in body weight at 9 and 16 wk of age. The Large Embden strain weighed more than the Small Embden strain in 1986, and both were heavier than the Pilgrim strain (P < 0.05). Significantly different body weights for the Large Embden, Small Embden and Pilgrim strains averaged over sexes were 5.03, 4.45 and 3.59 kg, respectively, at 9 wk, and 6.15, 5.49 and 4.33 kg, respectively, at 16 wk. The Pilgrim strain was similar to the Chinese and Synthetic strains in body weight, whereas the Hungarian weighed consistently less (P < 0.05). Body weights for the Pilgrim, Chinese, Synthetic and Hungarian strains averaged over sexes and years 1980, 1983 and 1986 were 3.70, 3.56, 3.70 and 3.37 kg, respectively, at 9 wk, and 4.65, 4.43, 4.53 and 4.17 kg, respectively, at 16 wk. From 1982 onwards, the Chinese and Synthetic strains were selected for four generations in order to increase egg production over a 24-wk laying period and body weight at 16 wk of age, and to simultaneously decrease total fat (abdominal and intestinal). These Selected Chinese and Synthetic strains not only weighed significantly more than their corresponding Chinese and Synthetic strains maintained as randombred populations, but were also heavier than the Pilgrim strain. Corresponding body weights for Selected Chinese, Selected Synthetic, Chinese and Synthetic strains averaged over sexes and years 1983–1988 were 3.72, 3.69, 3.47 and 3.59 kg, respectively, at 9 wk, and 4.69, 4.77, 4.26 an d 4.31 kg, respectively, at 16 wk. The range in heterosis estimates for specific strain cross combinations were as follows: -6 to 8% for the Large Embden × Selected Chinese, 2 to 6% for the Selected Chinese × Selected Synthetic, -2 to 3% for the Selected Synthetic × Selected Chinese, -8 to -9% for the Large Embden × Small Embden, -1 to 1% for the Small Embden × Selected Chinese, and 4 to 8% for the Small Embden × Selected Synthetic. The variability among heterosis estimates for body weight was specific to strain crosses and subject to sampling associated with low number of sires used to produce crossbred offspring as well as the absence of reciprocal crosses. Larger studies evaluating all possible cross combinations of strains for additive and non-additive effects are warranted. Although, the Selected Chinese and Synthetic strains achieved genetic superiority for body weight, the inherent potential in the Embden strain demonstrated considerable merit for use as a terminal sire in a crossbreeding program for commercial geese production. Key words: Embden, Pilgrim; Chinese, Synthetic, Hungarian geese, crosses

APPEARANCE OF OESTRONE SULPHATE IN THE ALLANTOIC FLUID OF THE COW

Reproductive Physiology Program, Animal Research Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, K1A 0C6 and * Department of Animal and Poultry Science, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada, N1G 2W1 (Received 15 May 1978) The ability of the conceptus to synthesize oestrogens during the early stages of pregnancy has recently been receiving increasing attention. Among the domesticated species, the day 12 blastocyst of the pig has been shown to be capable of synthesizing oestrogens (Perry, Heap & Amoroso, 1973; Gadsby, Burton, Heap & Perry, 1976) and oestrone sulphate, synthesized as a product of conception, has been shown to be present in the peripheral plasma of the pregnant pig as early as day 17 (Robertson & King, 1974; Robertson, King & Dyck, 1978). In the pregnant ewe, oestrone sulphate has been shown to be the predominant oestrogen in allantoic fluid and to be present in measurable concentrations as early as day 30 (Carnegie & Robertson,

Babesia bigemina in ticks grown on non-bovine hosts and its transmission to these hosts

The failure of Boophilus microplus to be cleansed of Babesia bigemina while the ticks were growing on non-bovine hosts, as well as the infection of the non-bovine hosts, was demonstrated in experiments in which infected ticks were released on a number of sheep, a goat and a horse.Seven of ten batches of ticks, collected from six non-bovine hosts, retained their babesia-infection.Blood subinoculated into cattle from seven of nine sheep and from the horse showed that these animals carried B. bigemina whilst the ticks were feeding on them. This suggested that ticks may have become reinfected from the non-bovine hosts, a possibility supported by the finding of B. bigemina in blood smears from two of the sheep.This work was performed at the Animal Research Institute, Yeerongpilly, and in the Department of Parasitology, University of Queensland, and supported by funds from both organizations. I am indebted to Mr G. D. Daly for technical assistance, to Professor J. F. A. Sprent and Dr H. M. D. Hoyte for their interest and help.