Some Aspects of Reproductive Performance of Red Sokoto Goat Does Post Synchronization with Prostaglandin F2-Alpha And Progesterone Sponges

A study on reproduction of 52 Red Sokoto Goat (RSG) does was conducted to evaluate some aspects of their reproductive performance for clinical application and as an update. Does were randomly divided into 18, 18 and 16 as prostaglandin F2-alpha (PGF2α), progesterone sponges (P4S) and control groups respectively. Double injection protocol of PGF2α, 12-days apart, and P4S inserted for 12-days were used to synchronize oestrus, while the control group received no treatment. Thirteen bucks were used, seven as breeders and six as heat detectors. Oestrus detection employed visual observation and apronisation. Standing to be mounted was the cardinal sign of oestrus. Breeding was by hand-mating and at detected oestrus. Results indicated heterosexual and homosexual mounting, thin stringy clear mucous discharge and standing-to-be-mounted as signs of oestrus. Oestrus response rate was 100 %, 94.4 % and 75.0 % for PGF2α, P4S and Control respectively; P4S retention rate was 94%. Effect of synchronization agent on on-set of oestrus was 15.86 + 0.73 h (PGF2α), 15.08 + 0.84 h (P4S) and 17.73 + 0.85 h (Control), while parity on on-set of oestrus was 12.12 + 1.87 h (first), 17.77 + 0.77 h (second) and 18.79 + 1.95 h (third). Effect of synchronization agent on duration of oestrus was 44.76 + 2.13 h, 45.78 + 2.46 h and 42.40 + 2.50 h for PGF2Α P4S and Control respectively, while parity on duration of oestrus was 42.26 + 5.48 h (first), 45.02 + 2.27 h (second) and 45.67 + 5.73 h (third). There were no significant differences (P > 0.05) for oestrus on-set and duration. Overall pregnancy and conception rates were 65.4 % and 72.3 % respectively, kidding rate was 76.5 %, abortion rate was 23.5 % and late embryonic mortality rate was 26.5 %. Mean gestation were 146.29 + 1.59 and 146.63 + 1.64 for single and twin births respectively. Age, parity and body condition score of dam had significant effect on litter size (P < 0.05). It was concluded that some aspects of the reproductive performance of the RSG does studied following oestrus synchronization with PGF2α and P4S had clinical application, good and acceptable. Key Words: Reproductive, Red Sokoto, Does, Prostaglandin F2-alpha and Progesterone.

Performance of Red Sokoto goat fed graded level of Ziziphus mauritiana (Magarya) leaves as milk enhancer

The study conducted to investigate the performance of Red Sokoto goat fed graded level of Ziziphus mauritiana (Magarya) leaves as milk enhancer. Ziziphus mauritiana is widely distributed and evergreen plant of the study area; perhaps it could play an important role as fodder. A Feeding trail for 12 weeks was carried out to determined weight gain, milk yield by Red sokoto goats fed graded level of Ziziphus mauritiana. Twenty Red Sokoto goats were randomly allotted to five treatments as A (Negative control), B (0%,C (10%), D (20%) and E C (30%) of four replicates. The four experimental diets formulated were designate as B (0%,C (10%), D (20%) and E C (30%) inclusion levels of the test ingredient, Parameters measured were does and kids weight changes, milk yield, total solid, protein, fat, solid not fat, pH and ash. The result showed that the ash content of the experimental diets varied significantly (P< 0.05) across the treatments, with 0% inclusion level having the highest ash content (12.29%) followed by 10% inclusion level (11.83%) while 30% inclusion level had the least (09.22%). The crude protein (CP) content was higher in 30% inclusion level (16.11%) , while EE and CF were however higher in 30% inclusion level 6.33% and 30.75%) respectively. Milk yield was estimated by the weigh-suckle-weigh method. The result revealed that milk yield, total solid, SNF, fat and ash varied significantly (P<0.05) among the treatments. Treatment D was superior to other treatments in the average milk yield (0.43Kg/day), fat (4.41%) and protein (3.54 %) content. Furthermore, Weight Changes of Kids showed treatment D at nine week had the higher weight gain followed by treatments E. It is therefore, concluded that supplementation of lactating Does with treatment D (20% level as supplement) throughout trial, positively improves lactation performance of the does and kids weight changes. Therefore, it is however, suggested that further investigation on the anti- nutritional factors of the plant. L'étude menée pour étudier la performance de la chèvre Rouge Sokoto nourrie des feuilles de Ziziphus mauritiana (Magarya) feuilles comme exhausteur de lait. Ziziphus mauritiana est largement répandu et plante à feuilles persistantes de la zone d'étude; peut-être qu'il pourrait jouer un rôle important en tant que fourrage. Une piste d'alimentation pendant 12 semaines a été effectuée pour déterminer le gain de poids, le rendement laitier par les chèvres sokoto rouges nourries niveau classé de Ziziphus mauritiana. Vingt chèvres Sokoto rouges ont été attribuées au hasard à cinq traitements comme A (contrôle négatif), B (0%, C (10%), D(20%) et E C (30 %) de quatre répliques. Les quatre régimes expérimentaux formulés ont été désignés comme B (0%, C (10%), D (20%) et E C (30%) niveaux d'inclusion de l'ingrédient d'essai, Paramètres mesurés ont été fait et les enfants changements de poids, le rendement du lait, total solide, protéines, gras, solide pas gras, pH et cendres. Le résultat a montré que la teneur en cendres des régimes expérimentaux variait considérablement (P< 0.05) entre les traitements, le taux d'inclusion de 0 % ayant la teneur en cendres la plus élevée (12.29 %) suivi d'un taux d'inclusion de 10 % (11.83 %) tandis que le niveau d'inclusion de 30 % était le moins élevé (0.,22 %). La teneur en protéines brutes (CP) était plus élevée dans le niveau d'inclusion de 30 % (16.11 %), tandis que l'EE et les FC étaient toutefois plus élevés dans le niveau d'inclusion de 30 % 6.33 % et 30.75 %) respectivement. Le rendement du lait a été estimé par la méthode de pesée-lait-pesée. Le résultat a révélé que le rendement laitier, le solide total, le SNF, la graisse et les cendres variaient considérablement (P<0.05) parmi les traitements. Le traitement D était supérieur à d'autres traitements dans le rendement laitier moyen (0.43 kg/jour), la graisse (6.41 %) protéines (3.54 %) Contenu. En outre, les changements de poids des enfants ont montré le traitement D à neuf semaines a eu le gain de poids plus élevé suivi des traitements E. Il est donc conclu que la supplémentation de la lactation ne avec le traitement D (20% niveau comme supplément) tout au long de l'essai, améliore positivement la performance de lactation des changements de poids ne et les enfants. Par conséquent, il est toutefois suggéré que des enquêtes plus approfondies sur les facteurs antinutrit nutritionnels de la plante.

Rumen Cannulation of the Red Sokoto (Maradi) Goats for Nutritional Studies in Nigeria

TWO techniques for cannulating the rumen of the Red Sokoto goat of Nigeria are described. Stump type cannulae made of rigidblack., vulcathene1 material with screwable corks were found to be more suitable than the flexible cannulae made of plastisol2. They appeared to be well tolerated and remained in situ inspite of the animals’ nervous temperament and somewhat flabby abdominal wall. Experiences with some forty five of such cannulations performed between October 1970 and January 1975 are reported. These showed that although the double abdominal wall incision approach offered a better technique for cannulae implantation into the rumen of goats, strict routine post-operative attention was essential to avoid a range of post cannulation problems, such as pericannulae necrosis and infection, excessive leakage of the rumen liquor and partial or complete rejection of feed by the cannulated animals consequent upon such complications.

SOME CARCASS TRAITS OF RED SOKOTO GOAT OF NIGERIA

A study was conducted to investigate the meat producing potential of the Red Sokoto goat of Nigeria. The twelve Red Sokoto male goats used were slaughtered at an average age of 3 years and liveweight of 27.63kg. The dressing out percentage was 49.3%. The bone to meat ratio of the leg and loin cuts was 0.28. The longissimus dorsi muscle was 10.53 cm2. It is concluded that the Red Sokoto goat has a good potential for meat production. More detailed studies are, howeverneeded in order to exploit the fattening ability of the breed under range and feedlot conditions.

THE HERD STRUCTURE OF BREEDING DOES OF SMALL HOLDER RED SOKOTO GOAT

A study to ascertain the heard structure of breeding does of small holder goat production system was conducted in Kano using l5 goat herds selected at random in 3 villages.A total of 250 breeding does were involved. The results indicate that parity of does in the observed herds ranged from one to ten.Twelve percent of the does within the age range, 5-25 months were yet to kid for the first time.In the herds, does that did not kid at least once, up to the age of 25 months were culled. However, majorities of the does were in their 2nd and 3rd parities and within the age range of 12-25 months. Twinning was common at 1st parity, irrespective of the age of does. Parity and litter size of does were the major determining factors on the observed herd structure for the breeding does.The observed structure indicates that <12 months does constitute 20% of the herd; 12-25 months 48%; 26-39months 11.2% and; > 40months 20.8%.Breeding does leave the herds starting from the 25th month of age at parity 2,4, 7 and 10, respectively.

MORPHOLOGICAL CHANGES IN EPIDIDYMAL SPERMATOZOA OF RED SOKOTO (MARADI) BUCKS

Morphological changes in the caput, corpus and cauda epididymides were studied in this experiment. The objective was to study morphological changes in goat spermatozoa using the Red Sokoto goat. Progressive motile spermatozoa were first observed in the caput epididymis (5-7%) and was highest at the cauda epididymis (60%). Progressive motility for the corpus epididymis ranged between 20-30%. Cytoplasmic droplets were lost as the spermatozoa moved up the epididymis. Proximal cytoplasmic droplet was significantly (P<0.05) lowest at the cauda epididymis. Other morphological changes did not follow a particular trend.

Effects of body condition on the reproductive performance of Red Sokoto goats.

Effects of the body condition on the litter size, birth weight and kids survival of Red Sokoto goat were examined using seventy eight does aged 1-3 years. The does were flushed by grazing on cultivated pastures in the morning, and when indoor, they were served 500gm of concentrate ration per head per day. Their body conditions were assessed. All does used in this study fell within the body condition 1 with a mean body weight of 20.7kg and the body condition 2 with a mean weight of 24.1kg on a condition scale where 1 is poor and 2 is fair. They were randomly assigned to six sire groups and making lasted ten weeks. All does were reared as a group before and after parturition until the kids were weaned at 12 weeks. Does on condition score 2 significantly higher litter size (1.74) reared more kids to weaning (0.68) and were superior to does on condition score 1in overall productivity measured as number of kids weaned (89.21 vs 45.85%) or weight of kids weaned per doe kidding (4.92 vs 2.40kg). Does on the condition score 2 were twice condition score 1. The large difference in productivity would seem to justify investments in nutrition to breeding does prior to mating

Sexual dimorphism in morphological characteristics of two Nigerian indigenous goat breeds

Themorphological traits of 594 indigenous goats comprised of 316 and 279 Red Sokoto goat (RSG) and West African dwarf (WAD) goats, respectively, were measured to determine the presence or otherwise of sexual dimorphism in the morphological characteristics of the two indigenous goats. The morphological traitsmeasured were body length (BL), withers height (WH), rumps height (RH), heart girth (HG), body depth (BD), tail length (TL), head length (HL), head width (HW), ear length (EL), and horn length (HL). Also recorded were body weight (BW) and sex of each animal.The data collected were analysed using descriptive statistics and analysis of variance of fixed effect of sex on themorphological characteristics. The result revealed the presence of marked sexual dimorphism in morphological characteristics of both the RSG and WAD goats. The adult females were significantly (P< 0.05-0.01) heavier and larger in size than the males. The respective coefficients of variation (CV) between breeds were high in most of the morphological traits suggesting high heterogeneity, an indication of the amount of opportunity available for improving the breeds through selection.