15 research outputs found
Assessment of Breeding Practice and Statues of Estrus Synchronization and Mass Insemination of Dairy Cattle in North Shewa Zone, Amhara Region, Ethiopia
No full textThe general objective of this study was to assess breeding practice, and status of OSMI of dairy cattle. Data were analyzed using SPSS (version.20) and Ms-Excel (2010). Milk yield, breeding ability, body weight, fertility, and udder size are the major traits perceived by farmers. 92.6% of the respondents reared all cattle categories together except higher Holstein Friesian cross breeds and lactating cows. Conception rate (CR) and number of service per conception (NSPC) were affected (p<0.05) by year, breed and districts. Majority (67.1%) of the respondents were not satisfied with the results of the estrus synchronization and mass insemination (OSMI) program as the conception rate was low. There was better perception of farmers to OSMI technology in Angolelanatera (50%) compared to the two district. There were better opportunities for the application of OSMI technologies in Angolelanatera and Basonaworena districts due to availability of improved breed and milk receiver union. In conclusion the status of OSMI in the study area was increasing starting 2013-2015as shown in table 26. The main reason for farmers’ dissatisfaction on OSMI program was low conception rate of dairy cows.. In addition procurement of the necessary facilities should be in place before implementing an estrus synchronization program. Keywords: Breeding practice, Estrus synchronization and mass insemination. DOI: 10.7176/JBAH/14-1-01 Publication date: January 31st 202
Transcriptome analysis of bovine day 16 conceptus derived after transfer of blastocyst from somatic cell nuclear transfer or in vitro production
No full textIn vitro embryo production (IVP) and somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) have been used as tools of assisted reproductive technology to produce bovine pre-implantation embryos independent of the maternal environment. However, the embryonic and fetal losses after transfer of SCNT and IVP derived embryos is higher compared to the in vivo (AI) counterparts. This may be associated with the alterations in the molecular signatures and pathways at any stage of embryonic and /or fetal development. Therefore, to identify the molecular changes that could occur at day 16 SCNT and IVP derived embryos, large scale transcriptomic analysis was performed using Affymetrix-Bovine Genome Array. For this, day 7 blastocysts derived from SCNT, IVP and AI were transferred to oestrus synchronized Simmental heifers. Recipients were then slaughtered at day 16 of gestation and conceptuses were retrieved. Following morphological examination, filamentous embryos with visible embryonic disc were subjected to global tanscriptome analysis. The result demonstrated comparable in vivo development rate in SCNT (72.7%), IVP (62.2%) and AI (77.3%) embryo groups. However, considerable reduction in the trophoblast elongation size was observed in SCNT (93.3mm) compared to IVP (186.6mm) and AI (196.3mm) derived embryos. In addition, more than 20% of SCNT (10.7 mm ± 1.08) and IVP (20.1 mm ± 0.15) conceptuses had tubular shape, suggesting a delay in recapitulating filamentous morphology. Gene expression profiling analysis revealed that the transcript levels of 477 genes, which are involved in various pathways including arginine and proline, glycerolipid and fatty acid metabolism, were significantly altered in SCNT embryos compared to AI. Similarly, 365 genes were differentially expressed in IVP embryos compared to AI. Thus, several canonical pathways including TNRF-1 and tight junction signalling pathways were affected in IVP derived conceptuses. To predict whether the altered transcripts were associated with pre-elongation in vitro culture environment or errors in transcriptional reprogramming, unique or commonly differentially expressed genes were analyzed in SCNT and IVP embryos compared to AI or donor cells (fibroblast). Accordingly, 71 transcripts including (FOLR1, MYO1B, RCN2, H2AFJ, HSPB1 and GATM) were found to be not transcriptionally reprogrammed as their expression resembled more the donor cells than AI embryos. The remaining transcripts were either partially or incompletely reprogrammed. In addition, quantitative real time PCR (qPCR) based expression profiling of candidate transcripts in developmentally delayed SCNT or IVP embryos showed low mRNA levels of IFNt, FGFR2, CLDN1 and ARHGEF2 in developmentally lagging IVP and SCNT embryos compared to their respective elongated counterparts. In conclusion, the present study identified deviation in elongation size, gene expression and the corresponding molecular pathways in day 16 SCNT and IVP conceptuses compared to their AI counterparts which may subsequently be associated with fetal development.Transkriptom-analyse von bovinen 16 Tage alten Embryonen, gewonnen durch den Transfer von Blastozysten aus klonierten somatischen Zellen sowie der in vitro Produktion In vitro Embryo Produktion (IVP) und somatischer Kerntransfer (SCNT) sind Werkzeuge der assistierten Reproduktionstechnologien und finden ihren Einsatz um bovine Präimplantations- embryonen unabhängig von der mütterlichen Umwelt zu erzeugen. Allerdings sind embryonale und fetale Verluste nach dem Transfer von SCNT und IVP gewonnenen Embryonen höher im Vergleich zu in vivo (AI) erzeugten Embryonen. Dies kann mit den Veränderungen der molekularen Signaturen sowie Signalwegen in den unterschiedlichen Stadien der embryonalen und/oder fetalen Entwicklung zusammenhängen. Um molekulare Veränderungen zu identifizieren, die am Tag 16 von SCNT und IVP gewonnene Embryonen auftreten können, wurde mit Affymetrix-Bovine Genome Arrays eine Transkriptomanalyse durchgeführt. Hierzu wurden Tag 7 Blastozysten von SCNT, IVP und AI erzeugten Embryonen in Östrus synchronisierte Fleckviehfärsen übertragen. Am Tag 16 der Trächtigkeit wurden die Rezipienten geschlachtet und die Embryonen entnommen. Nach morphologischen Untersuchungen wurden filamentöse Embryonen mit sichtbarer Keimscheibe einer globale Tanskriptomanalyse unterzogen. Das Ergebnis zeigte in den verschiedenen Embryogruppen SCNT (72,7%), IVP (62,2%) und AI (77,3%) eine vergleichbare in vivo Entwicklung. Allerdings konnte eine erhebliche Verringerung in der Größe der Trophoblasten Elongation in SCNT (93,3 mm) im Vergleich zu IVP (186,6 mm) und AI (196,3 mm) Embryonen beobachtet werden. Darüber hinaus wiesen mehr als 20% der SCNT (10,7 mm ± 1,08) und IVP (20,1 mm ± 0,15) Embryonen eine Röhrenform auf, was auf eine verzögerte rekapitulierte filamentöse Morphologie hindeutet. Die Auswertung der Transkriptomanalyse zeigte beim Vergleich von SCNT mit AI 477 signifikant unterschiedlich expremierte Gene, die in verschiedenen Signalwegen beteiligt sind, einschließlich Arginin und Prolin, Glycerolipid und Fettsäure-Metabolismus. Des Weiteren wurden 365 signifikant unterschiedlich exprimierte Gene beim Vergleich von IVP Embryonen mit AI Embryonen identifiziert. Relevante Signalwege dieser Gene waren unter anderem TNRF-1 und Tight-Junction Signalisierung. Um festzustellen, ob die veränderten Transkripte mit der in in vitro Kultur bedingten Präelongation oder mit Fehlern der transkriptionellen Reprogrammierung assoziiert sind, wurden einzigartige oder häufig unterschiedlich exprimierte Gene in SCNT und IVP Embryonen gegenüber AI oder Donorzellen (Fibroblasten) analysiert. Dementsprechend zeigten 71 Transkripte einschließlich FOLR1, MYO1B, RCN2, H2AFJ, HSPB1 und GATM keine transkriptionelle Reprogrammierung, da deren Expressionprofil mehr dem der Donorzellen als dem der AI Embryonen ähnelte. Die restlichen Transkripte waren entweder teilweise oder vollständig reprogrammiert. Zusätzlich, zeigten auf quantitative Real Time PCR (qPCR) basierende Kandidatengenexpressionsprofile in entwicklungsverzögerten SCNT oder IVP Embryonen niedrigere mRNA Spiegel in IFNtau, FGFR2, CLDN1 und ARHGEF2 im Vergleich zu ihren elongierten Gegenstücken. Schlussfolgernd konnten mit dieser Studie Abweichungen in den Elongationsgrößen, den Expressionsprofilen und den entsprechenden molekularen Signalwegen in Tag 16 SCNT und IVP produzierten Embryonen im Vergleich zu AI produzierten Embryonen beobachtet werden. Diese Ergebnisse könnten in Zusammenhang mit den weiteren fötalen Entwicklung gebracht werden
Genetic improvement approaches of indigenous cattle breeds for adaptation, conservation and sustainable utilization to changing climate in Ethiopia
No full textThis paper attempts to review the cattle genetic improvement approaches for sustainable utilization, adaptation, and conservation in the face of changing climatic conditions. Livestock production is affected by climate change, which poses a greater threat to populations that rely on them for their overall food security. Climate change negatively affects cattle production directly through its impact on animal physiology, behavior, and health and indirectly through its effect on feed and water availability, quality and quantity of pasture, forage crops, and rangeland due to increased temperature droughts. Improvement of cattle genetic resources that are efficient and well adapted to extreme temperatures, low-quality diets, and disease challenges is critical to effectively cope with climate change. Designing suitable breeding strategies will facilitate improving the performance of cattle breeds and enhance their tolerance to the dynamics of climate change. Replacement of local cattle breeds with exotic ones and unplanned crossbreeding with them without enough consideration of environmental conditions are among the major factors contributing to the loss of locally adapted breeds that possess certain adaptive traits. Maintenance of indigenous cattle’s genetic diversity, which underpins resistance to environmental stresses is a viable strategy to mitigate the possible effects of future climatic challenges. In contrast to the traditional selection, genomic selection increases the accuracy of selection with the largest genetic gain, for the low heritability traits such as adaptability and longevity. In conclusion, any breeding strategies should be relevant in terms of breed suitability, performance, and adaptability in the given production environment to sustain cattle production
Assessing the genetic diversity of Ethiopian indigenous goat ecotypes at the hemoglobin locus and its associations with morphometric traits
No full textPhenotypic diversity of indigenous goats across three agroecological zones in southeastern Ethiopia
No full textThe study aimed to evaluate the phenotypic diversity of indigenous goats reared in three agroecological zones of southeastern Ethiopia based on their morphometric traits. Multi-stage purposive and random sampling methods were applied to select the study areas and the goats. A total of 601 (463 female and 138 male) goats were randomly sampled, measured and described using 16 morphometric traits. Data collected were analyzed using univariate and multivariate statistical procedures in SAS version 9.4. Univariate analysis revealed significant variations of all morphometric traits across the agroecological zones. The goats in the lowland agroecological zone were larger (p < 0.05) than those reared in other agroecological zones. Goats reared in the highland agroecological zone were smaller and lighter in size, while those from the midland agroecological zone showed intermediate body size and weight. Multivariate analysis (i.e. canonical discriminant and cluster analysis) showed that the goats in the three agroecological zones were different in terms of their morphology, with the largest Mahalanobis distance (42.3%) being observed between lowland and highland goat populations. Discriminant analysis correctly assigned 86% of goats to their source populations. These results indicate the existence of morphological diversity among goat populations in the three agroecological zones of southeastern Ethiopia and suggest the need to develop conservation and breeding strategies aimed at retaining the observed diversity at the phenotypic level. Further studies using molecular tools are needed to elucidate the observed diversity at the phenotypic level and to design appropriate strategies for the sustainable management of these animal genetic resources
Characterization of the Indigenous Goat Populations of South Gonder Based on their Morphometric Traits and Body Indices
No full text
አህፅሮት
በዳሰሳ ላይ የተደገፈ ጥናት በደቡብ ጎንደር ዞን የሞርፎሜትሪክ ባህሪያት እና የአካል መረጃ ጠቋሚዎች መሠረት በማድረግ በአገር በቀል ፍየል የምርት አቅም ላይ የምርምር ሥራ ተካሂዷል፡፡ የፍየሎችን የርባታ ባህሪያትን በተመለከተ ከ153 አባወራዎች በመጠይቅ የተደገፈ መረጃ የተሰበሰበ ሲሆን፤ የሞርፎሜትሪክ ባህሪያት መለኪያዎች ከፋርጣ ወረዳ 152፤ ከፎገራ ወረዳ 154፤ እና ከሊቦ ከምከም ወረዳ 204 በአጠቃላይ ከሁለቱም ፆታዎች በ510 ፍየሎች ላይ መረጃ ተወስዷል፡፡ በዚሁ መሠረት 19 የፍየል አካላት መለኪያ ኢንዴክሶች የሞሮፎሞትሪክ ባህሪያትን መሠረት በማድረግ ተሰልቷል፡፡ በጥናቱ በተገኘው ውጤት መሠረት የሴት ፍየሎች ለመጀሪያ ጊዜ የወለዱበት ዕድሜ 13.6 ወር ሲሆን በሁለት ወሊዶች መካከል ያለው ልዩነት 8.39 ወራት ነበር፡፡ ባንድ ጊዜ የተወለዱት የፍየል ግልገሎች መጠን 1.54 እንደሆነ ታውቋል፡፡ የፍየሎች ፆታ ከጀሮ ርዝመት፤ ከዳሌ ስፋት እና ከእግር አገዳ ቅልጥም ክብ ዙሪያ በሰተቀር በሌሎች ባህሪት ላይ ጉልህ ተፅዕኖ ነበረው (p<0.001)፡፡ በተጨማሪም ከጀሮ ርዝመት በሰተቀር የፍየሎች ዕድሜ በሁሉም የሞርፎሜትሪክ ባህሪያት ላይ የነበረው ተፅዕኖ ከፍተኛ ነበር (p<0.001)፡፡ የፎገራ ወረዳ ፍየሎች በክብደት፤ በደረት ክብ ዙሪያ፤ ከፊት እግር ጀርባ ቁመት፤ በአካል ርዝመት፤ በደርት ስፋት፤ ከኋላ እግር ፊት ቁመት፤ በዳሌ ርዝመት እና በጡት ርዝመት ከሊቦ ከምከም ወረዳ ፍየሎች የበለጡ ነበሩ፡፡ የሊቦ ከምከም ፍየሎች ከፎገራና ፋርጣ ፍየሎች ጋር ሲነፃፀሩ ጥናት በተደረገባቸው በአብዛኛዎቹ የሞርፎሜትሪክ ባህሪያት ዝቀተኛ እንደነበሩ ከጥናቱ የተገኘው ውጤት ያመላክታል፡፡ የደረት ክብ ዙሪያ እና የፊት እግር ጀርባ ቁመት ልኬቶች የሴት እና የወንድ ፍየሎችን የክብደት መጠን ለመተንበይ ቀዳማይ ባህሪያት እንደሆኑ ተለይተው ታውቀዋል፡፡ በተገኘው የፍየል አካላት መለኪያ ኢንዴክሶች መሠረት፤ የደቡብ ጎንደር ፍየሎች አጭር እግር ያላቸው እና ለወይና ደጋ አየር ንብረት የሚስማሙ ሲሆኑ ለስጋ ምርት አቅም እንዳላቸው ታውቋል፡፡ በማጠቃለያም፤ በደቡብ ጎንደር ዞን የሚገኙ አገር በቀል ፍየሎች ለስጋ ምርት እምቅ አቅም ሊኖራቻው እንደሚችል የጥናቱ ውጤት በጉልህ አመላክቷል፡፡
Abstract
A survey-based study was undertaken to explore the potentials of indigenous goat populations of the South Gondar zone based on morphometric traits and body indices. Reproductive traits were obtained from 153 households through a questionnaire while morphometric measurements were taken from 510 goats of both sexes drawn from Farta (n=152), Fogera (n=154), and Libokemkem (n=204) districts. Nineteen structural and functional indices were computed from morphometric measurements. In this study, age at first kidding and kidding intervals was 13.6 and 8.39 months, respectively with an average litter size of 1.54. Sex had a significant (p<0.001) effect on all quantitative traits except ear length (EL), rump width, and canon circumference. Except for EL, the age effect was significant (p<0.001) for all morphometric traits. Goats at Fogera district had higher live weight (LW), heart girth (HG), height at withers (HW), body length, chest width, rump height, rump length, and teat length than those at Libokemkem. Goats from Libokemkem district were inferior for most of the studied morphometric traits as compared to those at Fogera and Farta. Both HG and HW were identified as best predictors of LW in both sexes. Based on the values of structural indices, the goat populations could be characterized as meat phenotype with short legs being well adapted to midland altitudes. In conclusion, goats reared in the South Gondar zone could have the genetic potential for meat production with high prolificacy
Quantifying phenotypic variability of indigenous chickens using morphometric traits by applying multivariate analysis: Input for sustainable rural chicken farming
No full textDespite environmentally influenced performance traits in farm animals, variations in morphometric characters reflect unswerving genetic effects. In this study, body weight and body dimension measurements of indigenous chickens reared in four rural communities were investigated using multivariate statistical procedures to elucidate the existence of phenotypic variability between chicken populations. The study districts were selected based on higher indigenous chicken population, geographic distance, and agro-ecological distinctiveness. Eleven morphometric traits were measured on 1060 adult chickens from the districts. The results revealed that there were significant (p < 0.0001) variations between populations across districts. Significantly (P < 0.0001) higher mean values for morphometric traits were obtained in chickens reared in the Hula (highland district) than in those of the three districts. Likewise, multivariate discriminant analysis showed that most of the variables had significant power to differentiate the chicken populations into separate groups. Accordingly, three discriminant functions were extracted, of which the first two explained 95.6 % of the total variances in the populations. Moreover, in cluster analysis, chickens were differentiated into two sub-groups: Hula as a separate population, and Shebedino, Aleta Chuko and Boricha populations clustered together. Furthermore, the discriminant analysis correctly assigned 56.7 %, 55.1 %, 51.5 %, and 53.3 % to their source populations of Hula, Aleta Chuko, Shebedino, Hula, and Boricha, respectively, showing high mixing and mobility of chickens across neighboring districts. Therefore, this study confirmed the existence of significant morphometric variability between the studied populations, which could be used as a valuable source of information for selective breeding and sustainable use of indigenous chickens, particularly for rural farmers who almost rely on phenotypic features to select breeding stocks. In addition, the higher morphometric measurements shown for Hula chickens should be confirmed by on-station evaluation, and further molecular tools should be applied to validate the genetic distinctiveness of the studied chicken populations
Morphological descriptors of indigenous chickens: as a selection guide
No full textThe visual morphologies in animals are associated positively or negatively with production, adaptation, and behavioral characteristics. For rural farmers with limited records, these features are considered reliable phenotypic markers. Thus, this study was intended to explore the unique morphological features of indigenous chickens as a farmer's selection guide. A total of 1,060 adult chickens from four rural districts were investigated for nine morphological traits. The single-comb type, supposed to be of good fertility, was the most prevalent. Yellow and white shanks were predominant, followed by gray, greenish-yellow, green, and black pigmentations. Crested and silky chickens were more frequent in highland areas, whereas naked-neck chickens were observed in lowlands. Chickens of the lowlands have brighter, more uniform plumage colors and yellow shank, beak, and earlobe colors. On the other hand, the highland and mid-altitude chickens are characterized by dark, colorful combinations of various feather colors: laced plumage, white shank, rose, and deformed rose combs. Moreover, multiple correspondence analyses revealed that morphological features have special associations with districts. Thus, the observed morphological heterogeneity of the indigenous chickens can be used as a good indicator of selective breeding. Therefore, the associations of these characteristics with productivity qualities could be confirmed by quantitative and molecular tools
Application of Multivariate Analysis for the Differentiation of Indigenous Goat Populations of South Gondar, Ethiopia
No full textThe study was carried out to describe the indigenous goat population structure in selected districts (Fogera, Farta and Libokemkem) of South Gondar zone by applying multivariate analysis on morphometric variables. Fourteen morphometric traits were taken from 153 male and 357 female goats. The results indicated that the district had a significant effect on all traits of male goats except for body length (BL), height at wither (HW), height at rump (HR), ear length (EL) and scrotal circumference. The district effect in females was also significant for BL, heart girth (HG) and chest depth, paunch girth (PG), HR, and teat length. Age had a highly significant effect on all traits except for EL showing a high heterogeneity among males and females of different flocks. The cluster analysis showed two distinct groups in which Farta goats were included in one cluster while group two included the Fogera and Libokemkem goats under one sub-cluster. The canonical discriminant analysis indicated that Fogera and Libokemkem goats were the closest while the Farta and Fogera goats were the furthest. However, the Mahalanobis distances between the three goat populations were too small indicating the existence of homogeneity among them. The discriminant analysis correctly assigned the respective 58.6%, 62.3% and 63.2% of the Farta, Fogera and Libokemkem goat populations into their source population with an overall 61.4% accuracy rate. In conclusion, multivariate analysis identified BL, HG, HW, PG, HR, canon circumference, rump length, and width as the most imperative traits to effectively differentiate the indigenous goat populations in the studied districts
Efficiency of artificial insemination as a scaling tool of sheep breeding schemes
No full textThe study investigated, for artificially-inseminated (AI) Menz ewes, the reproductive performance of prostaglandin-based treatments simultaneously to the standard “P4+eCG” protocol using progestogens priming with intravaginal devices and gonadotropin. A total of 483 non-pregnant and non-suckling Menz ewes were assigned to either the “P4+eCG” protocol, the “PGFs” treatment where sheep were synchronized with a single injection of prostaglandin or “PGF7” and “PGF11” where the sheep had their estrus and ovulation synchronized with a double injection of prostaglandin 7 or 11 days apart, respectively. The ewes were artificially inseminated with fresh semen at 55 ± 1 h after the end of the hormonal treatment. Conception rate (60.87±4.2) was highest for PGF11 ewes in comparison to sheep in all other treatment groups (P0.05). A higher proportion of ewes in the P4+eCG group yielded multiple births (2 and 3) compared to the 3 prostaglandin-based protocols (P<0.01). Nevertheless, a higher (P=0.02) proportion (17.11±4.3) of ewes treated with PGF11 protocol yielded twins by comparison to their counterparts in the PGF7 protocol (2.50±2.5). It is concluded that use of a prostaglandin-based protocol composed of 2 injections 11 days apart, preceded by a careful selection of non-pregnant ewes for cervical fixed-time AI with fresh semen, is a feasible reproductive management option to support sheep breeding programs in Ethiopia
