31 research outputs found
Polymorphism of IGF-1 Promoter and the UTR Regions of Nigerian Locally Adapted Chickens
No full textGrowth traits which are controlled by many genes are important economic traits in the poultry industry. The insulin-like growth factor gene (IGF-I) is a candidate gene for growth, body composition and metabolism, skeletal characteristics and growth of adipose tissue and fat deposition in chickens. The promoter and the untranslated region (UTR) of Insulin growth factor I gene was investigated to identify single nucleotide polymorphism, their genetic diversity and evolutionary relationship among six locally adapted strains of chicken in Nigerian. In this study, blood samples were collected and a specific primer pair was designed for amplifying a fragment of IGF-1 gene using polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The PCR products were sequenced while nucleotide sequences generated were edited and aligned using Mega v6.0 software. Nucleotide polymorphisms within each strain were detected using DNAsp v5 software. A total of eight SNPs were identified across the populations studied which were different already published SNPs associated with growth rate in chicken. Naked Neck chicken showed the highest genetic diversity from others with the highest number of polymorphic site, haplotype diversity and nucleotide diversity while the least were observed in Frizzle Feathered chicken. The phylogenic tree showed that small genetic differentiation exists among the chicken populations in this region. We reported the first genetic data from the promoter and the UTR regions of IGF-I gene in Nigerian native chickens and established baseline information regarding variation in insulin growth factor I which should inform continued investigations into production potentials of these chickens and formulation of appropriate selection and breeding programs Keywords: SNPs, Genetic diversity, IGF-1, Chicke
Nucleotide sequence variability analysis of Major Histocompatibility Complex Class II DQA1 gene in Nigerian goats
No full textMajor Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) molecules loaded with peptides derived
from invading pathogens are recognised by the immune system to produce a
highly effective and specific response against foreign pathogens. A 310-bp
fragment of exon 2 of the MHC Class II DQA1 gene was amplified in 27 animals
made up of three major Nigerian goat breeds [West African Dwarf (WAD), Red
Sokoto (RS) and Sahel (SH)]. Twenty amino acid polymorphic sites were found
in Nigerian goats. Comparison of predicted amino acid residues of DQA1 exon
2 alleles of Nigerian goats with similar alleles from other caprine species
revealed considerable congruence in amino acid substitution pattern. A
significant positive selection signature was detected at the DQA1 locus of
Nigerian goats in that non-synonymous substitutions occurred at a faster
rate compared to synonymous substitutions (dN:dS ratio = 1.28 ;
Z-Statistics= 1.634; P<0.05). The evolutionary tree constructed using UPGMA,
revealed that the southern WAD goat appeared to be more related to the
northern RS than SH goat at the DQA1 locus. It will be interesting
therefore, for future studies to investigate the association of the genetic
variants in DQA1 gene of Nigerian goats with resistance/susceptiblity to
diseases in order to conserve these precious animal genetic resources.</jats:p
Genetic Diversity and Gene Flow among Three Chicken Populations in Nigeria Using Microsatellite Markers
No full textTo understand the level of genetic diversity among and within three improved locally adapted chicken populations in Nigeria, six microsatellite markers were used with 100 genomic DNA from Shika Brown (SB = 34), FUNAAB Alpha (FA = 33), and Noiler (NL = 33). The allelic and genotypic profiles of each representative from each population were determined through polymerase chain reaction amplification of the repeat region. Genetic diversity, genetic distance, level of inbreeding, polymorphism information content, and combined exclusion probabilities of markers (CPE/CPF) were analyzed using Microsoft Excel microsatellite toolkit, GenAlex, Microsatellite Analyser, FSTAT, and Poptree2. 416 alleles with 18.99% rare and 81.01% fixed alleles were observed across populations. The mean number of alleles was 23.111 ± 0.43, mean effective number of alleles was 16.975 ± 0.75, the expected heterozygosity was 0.940 ± 0.00, observed heterozygosity was 0.396 ± 0.02, mean PIC value was 0.937, and mean gene flow rate was 10.874 ± 0.817. The mean FIS was 0.579 ± 0.037 and the global FST was 0.023 ± 0.002. Nei’s genetic distance revealed that Shika Brown and the Noiler chicken populations were related (0.6985). The combined exclusion probability (CPE) across markers and populations was 0.999 (excluding a parent) and CPF was 1.000 (excluding both parents). The PIC/marker values across populations were greater than the minimum value of 0.5. High FIS and low FST value indicated a high inbreeding level within and low degree of genetic differentiation among the chicken populations. In conclusion, the microsatellite markers used are highly polymorphic and suitable for parentage analysis, control inbreeding, and could be used as baseline genetic information in conservation programs
Influence of Different Cryoprotocols and Strains on the Sperm Viability of FUNAAB Alpha Chickens
No full textSemen preservation is an essential tool used for a successful application of artificial insemination in livestock industry. Studies on semen quality characteristics on poultry breeds and strains after cryopreservation have been carried out but none has been reported for Nigeria FUNAAB alpha chickens. Three studies were carried out to evaluate the different cryoprotocols on viability of cryopreserved spermatozoa of FUNAAB alpha chickens.
Thirty cocks 25-30 weeks old of normal feather, naked neck and frizzle feather of FUNAAB alpha chickens were used for this experiment. The semen samples were diluted in Tris-based extender. The semen samples were divided into 2 parts. One part washed with normal saline water by centrifuging at 500xg once for 5 minutes in order to remove seminal plasma while the second part was unwashed. Washed and unwashed semen samples were cryopreserved using slow and rapid cryoprotocols, thereafter samples were evaluated for sperm viability. The experiment was laid out in 3x2x2 factorial arrangement. Data obtained were subjected to two-way ANOVA. Higher (p<0.05) motility was observed in washed spermatozoa from Frizzled Feather (FF) subjected to slow freezing (SF) compared to others strains either washed or unwashed, SF or RF protocols. Lower (p<0.05) motility of washed spermatozoa from Normal Feather (NF), Naked Neck (NN) and Frizzled Feather (FF) subjected to rapid freezing (RF) were comparable with washed spermatozoa from NN and unwashed NN subjected to SF and RF. Results for livability, acrosome integrity, seminal Leukocytes and MDA concentration were comparable (p>0.05) for unwashed and washed spermatozoa from NN, NF and FF, subjected to slow and rapid freezing cryoprotocols.
The study concluded that slow and rapid freezing cryoprotocols had a deleterious effect on the spermatozoa of NF, NN, FF and removal of seminal plasma through centrifugation did not improve the viability of the spermatozoa
Behaviour of Nigerian indigenous chickens
No full textNigerian indigenous chickens (NICs) have undergone several years of natural selection and still maintain their natural behavioural repertoire close to that of the red jungle fowl. The three common genotypes of the NICs are normal, frizzle and naked neck, with the normal feather closest to the red jungle fowl and consisting of >90% of the population. Currently, there is scanty information on the behaviour of NIC. This review will focus on various behaviours of NICs such as feeding/foraging, sexual, nesting, egg-laying, brooding, maternal care, vocalization, and sleeping. Special behavioural cases such as cock-hen preference and mixed brooding are also discussed. We also present here for the first time some preliminary vocalization characteristics of NICs. Comparisons of the behaviours of NICs, their ancestor red jungle fowl, and other native chickens are also made. The information obtained from this review will help chicken farmers to manage their birds better. Also, information obtained from this review contributes to the field of chicken behavioural science, since behaviours are linked with welfare issues in chickens.90% of the population. Currently, there is scanty information on the behaviour of NIC. This review will focus on various behaviours of NICs such as feeding/foraging, sexual, nesting, egg-laying, brooding, maternal care, vocalization, and sleeping. Special behavioural cases such as cock-hen preference and mixed brooding are also discussed. We also present here for the first time some preliminary vocalization characteristics of NICs. Comparisons of the behaviours of NICs, their ancestor red jungle fowl, and other native chickens are also made. The information obtained from this review will help chicken farmers to manage their birds better. Also, information obtained from this review contributes to the field of chicken behavioural science, since behaviours are linked with welfare issues in chickens
Effect of Age, Parity, Breed and their Interactions on Litter Size in Nigerian Indigenous Goat Breeds
No full textThe objective of this study was to investigate the effects of age, parity, breed and their interactions on litter size in Nigerian indigenous goat breeds. One hundred and eighty-five animal records: 87 West African Dwarf, 70 Red Sokoto and 28 Sahel goats from 2013 to 2019 collected on three farms were used for this study. Analysis of variance was used to analyse litter size variation in observed goat breeds. The average litter size for all studied indigenous breeds was 1.52. Breed and age significantly (P 0.05) affect litter size. West African Dwarf and Red Sokoto breeds had a higher number of kids than Sahel breed. The results show a significant difference (P < 0.05) in litter size among does of different ages. Older does had larger litter sizes than younger does. With the findings of this study, it could be concluded that Nigerian indigenous goat breeds have good prolificacy and achieve high kidding rates. More conscious efforts should be made to include them in well-structured breeding programmes for conservation and multiplication purposes
Semen quality and sperm characteristics in broiler breeder cockerels fed vitamin E during hot season
No full textABSTRACT. Thirty-two Arbor Acres (AA) cockerels aged 27 weeks were used to determine the effect of vitamin E (VE) on the semen characteristics and sperm quality during hot season. The birds were fed diets containing 0, 50, 100 and 150mg VE kg-1 feed. There were 4 replicates and two birds per replicate. Semen collection was done thrice a week for three weeks in all birds. Dietary vitamin E significantly (p </div
Fertility, Hatchability, and Prediction of Egg Weight from Egg Quality Indices of Nigerian Indigenous and Exotic Helmeted Guinea Fowls
No full textThis study was conducted to compare the fertility and hatchability performance of the Nigerian indigenous and exotic helmeted guinea fowls and predict egg weight from egg indices in Nigeria. A total of 300 randomly selected 8-month-old guinea fowls, comprising 150 indigenous (30 males and 120 females) and 150 exotic birds (30 males and 120 females), were utilized in this study. Consequently, a total of 240 randomly selected eggs (120 per genotype) were used separately for the reproductive and egg quality assessments. The fertility and hatchability parameters were subjected to descriptive statistics (numbers and percentages), while the 17 egg quality parameters were analyzed using a T-test, phenotypic correlation, principal component analysis, multiple linear regression, and a CHAID decision tree. Percentages of fertility (90.0 and 73.3%) and hatchability (66.7 and 56.8%) were higher in the exotic birds compared to their indigenous counterparts. The egg quality parameters of the exotic birds were higher (p < 0.05) than those of the indigenous birds, with the exception of egg shell index (18.88 ± 0.79 versus 16.41 ± 0.69) and Haugh unit (92.37 ± 3.13 versus 91.09 ± 3.22). However, the mean yolk/albumen ratio was similar (p > 0.05). The phenotypic correlation coefficients between egg weight and egg quality indices in both genetic groups ranged from low to high values [−0.05–0.95 (indigenous); −0.19–0.96 (exotic birds)]. Three principal components sufficiently accounted for the variations in the egg quality traits of both genetic groups. The CHAID algorithm was more consistent in egg weight prediction, with egg width as the primary explanatory variable. The present information may guide breeding and management strategies geared towards the improvement of the reproductive and egg quality traits of the helmeted guinea fowls
Behaviour and reproductive performance of Nigerian native chickens subjected to different mating ratios for a short term
No full text
