ISSN 2756-3650
Research Article
International Journal of Animal Breeding and Genetics Vol. 5 (11), pp. 001-004, November, 2016. © International Scholars Journals
Full Length Research Paper
Influence of stocking rate on growth and reproductive performance of breeding snails (Archachatina marginata)
A. J. Omole1*, O. O. Obi1, K. O. Soetan2 and T. O. Olaseinde1
1Institute of Agricultural Research and Training Moor Plantation, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife, Osun State, Nigeria.
2Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria.
Accepted 11 March, 2016
Abstract
It has been established that performance of livestock is affected by stocking density. Overcrowding has been found to have negative effects on growth and reproductive performance hence, this study was conducted to establish appropriate stocking density for breeding snails. A total of two hundred and twenty-five breeding African giant land snails ( Archachatina marginata) without shell damage were selected for this trial which lasted 6 months. The snails had an average live weight of 437.41 ± 11.56 g. They were randomly allotted to 5 different treatments TK, TL, TM, TN TO, with stocking rates of 5, 10, 15, 20 and 25 snails per square metre, respectively. Each treatment was replicated thrice in a completely randomized design. Feed intake, weight gain, shell length and width were measured while reproductive parameters in terms of number and weight of the eggs collected, incubation period and mean weight of the hatchlings at day old were also taken. The results showed no significant (P > 0.05) differences in mean feed intake and weight gain in TK, TL, and TM while the lowest mean feed intake and weight gain were recorded in To, stocked at 25 snails per square metre. There were no significant differences in the mean monthly shell length increment (P > 0.05). The highest mortality of 25.3% was recorded in TO stocked with 25 breeding snails per square metre. The highest mean total egg collection of 32.61 eggs was recorded in TK which was relatively the same with TL, TM and TN (P > 0.05) . The mean weight of the eggs were relatively the same (P > 0.05) in TK, TL , TM and T N . The lowest mean egg weight was recorded in To. It could be concluded that one metre square apartment could house up to 15 breeding snails without any adverse effect on growth, reproduction and state of health of the breeding snails.
Key words: Egg size, hatchling’s weight, Nigeria, snails, stocking rate, weight gain.
O. O. Obi, K. O. Soetan and T. O. Olaseinde, A. J. Omole*
Page: 1 - 4
https://doi.org/10.46882/IJABG/1074Research Article
International Journal of Animal Breeding and Genetics Vol. 5 (10), pp. 001-006, October, 2016. © International Scholars Journals
Full Length Research Paper
Essential fatty acid content of eggs and performance of Layer Hens fed with different levels of full-fat flaxseed
Huthail Najib* and Yousef M. Al-Yousef
Department of Animal and Fish Production, College of Agricultural Sciences and Food, King Faisal University, Al-Hofuf 31982, Saudi Arabia.
Accepted 27 January, 2016
Abstract
An examination of the earlier studies in the USA and Canada demonstrate that flax seeds are good source of omega 3 fatty acids. This experiment studies the effect of providing laying hens, with various levels of roasted and unroasted locally produced flax seeds. A key components of this experiment involved attentively observing the laying hens performance, and determining the fatty acids content of the eggs produced. Five levels of flax seeds 0, 5, 10, 15 and 20 dry weight %, roasted or unroasted, were fed to 200 pullets in 5 replicates (4 birds/cage). The results indicated that feeding 5 or 10% roasted flax seed supported good egg production. Birds fed higher levels of unroasted flax seed had the lowest feed consumption. Livability, egg weight, yolk color and specific gravity values were not significantly affected by feeding flax seeds. Feeding 15% unroasted flax seeds maintained higher omega-3 levels: that is docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), docosapentaenoic acid (DPA) and alpha-linolenic acid (C 18:3n3) levels in egg, whereas feeding 5 or 15 weight % unroasted flax seeds resulted in the highest level of linoleic acid (C18:2n6) in the egg. Roasting the seeds did not improve the omega-3 content of the egg. Feeding flax, regardless of heat treatment, marginally increased the amount of cholesterol. The saturate palmitic acid (C16:0) was lower at 15% flax inclusion. We conclude that 10% flax seed added to feed supports good egg production. However, 15% inclusion of unroasted flax may relatively lower the egg production rate but would support an excellent profile of omega 3 fatty acids in the egg.
Key words: Docosahexaenoic acid, eicosapentaenoic acid, docosapentaenoic acid, -linolenic acid, production, flax seeds.
Huthail Najib*, Yousef M. Al-Yousef
Page: 1 - 6
https://doi.org/10.46882/IJABG/1072Research Article
International Journal of Animal Breeding and Genetics Vol. 5 (9), pp. 001-008, September, 2016. © International Scholars Journals
Full Length Research Paper
Assessment of viability, chromatin structure stability, mitochondrial function and motility of stallion fresh sperm by using objective methodologies
Giannoccaro Alessandra1, Lacalandra Giovanni Michele2, Filannino Angela2, Pizzi Flavia3, Nicassio Michele2, Dell’Aquila Maria Elena2 and Minervini Fiorenza1*
1Institute of Sciences of Food Production (ISPA), National Research Council (CNR), Via G. Amendola 122/O, 70125, Bari, Italy.
2Department of Animal Production, University of Bari, Strada Provinciale Casamassima km 3, 70010, Valenzano, Bari, Italy.
3Institute of Agricultural Biology and Biotechnology (IBBA), National Research Council (CNR), Via Bassini 15, Milan, Italy.
Accepted 22 December, 2015
Abstract
Methodologies, such as flow cytometry and computer assisted sperm analysis (CASA), provide objective, reproducible, rapid and multi-parametric evaluation of semen quality. In this study, semen samples collected from six stallions were analysed for viability (by propidium iodide), chromatin stability by sperm chromatin structure assay (SCSA) and mitochondrial membrane potential by JC-1 using flow cytometry. Total and progressive motility, average path velocity (VAP), curvilinear velocity (VCL) and straight-line velocity (VSL) were determined by CASA system. The cytofluorimetric analysis provided results with low intra-assay variability respect to motility analysis by CASA system. The data on viability and mitochondrial assessment were rather uniform between stallions. The SCSA was able to distinguish potential fertility levels between stallions. In fact statistical differences were found between stallions especially for %- DFI and SD-DFI parameter. The %-DFI parameter was negatively correlated with VCL parameter. The higher repeatability of %-DFI parameter respect to those of other SCSA parameters confirms the importance of this parameter notoriously related to fertility. In conclusion, the simultaneous assessment of different functional sperm parameters, by flow cytometry and CASA, may be allow to obtain detailed and repeatable evaluations of sperm quality in the stallion, usually not considered in breeding selection programs.
Key words: Flow cytometry, stallion, sperm quality.
Giannoccaro Alessandra, Dell’Aquila Maria Elena and Minervini Fiorenza*, Pizzi Flavia, Nicassio Michele, Lacalandra Giovanni Michele, Filannino Angela
Page: 1 - 8
https://doi.org/10.46882/IJABG/1071Research Article
International Journal of Animal Breeding and Genetics Vol. 5 (9), pp. 001-009, September, 2016. © International Scholars Journals
Full Length Research Paper
Molecular genetic analysis of male alternative strategy and reproductive success in the polygynous mating bat Cynopterus sphinx
T. Karuppudurai and K. Sripathi*
Department of Animal Behaviour and Physiology, Centre for Excellence in Genomic Sciences, School of Biological Sciences, Madurai Kamaraj University, Madurai 625 02, India.
Accepted 23 December, 2015
Abstract
Cynopterus sphinx is known to use polygynous mating system based on availability of resources, called resource defense polygyny. It is the primary mating strategy adopted by C. sphinx. In addition to such harem groups, a number of single adult males roost solitarily, nearer to the harems. Identifying the reasons behind the solitary roosting behaviour of such adult males is essential to further understand further the details of mating strategy in C. sphinx. In this context incomplete monopolization of harem females by harem males and nonharem male’s access to harem females is to be observed. The role of nonharem males as probable fathers has not been tested. In the present study, PCR based RAPD markers were used to assess the paternity of harem males and nearby nonharem males to the young born in the harems. A total of 30 arbitrary primers were used to assign the parentage of offsprings. Samples from a total of 651 individuals (41 harem males, 295 females, 267 suckling pups and 48 solitary males) from 41 harems (dry season 14 harems and wet season 27 harems) of C. sphinx were tested for their RAPD-PCR patterns. The molecular results suggest that the nonharem males also gain access to harem females and sire more offspring in July-August breeding season (wet) than March- April breeding season (dry). These results suggest that nonharem males are reproductively active and enjoy some reproductive success.
Key words: Cynopterus sphinx, nonharem male, alternative strategy, mating system, paternity assessment, RAPD markers.
T. Karuppudurai, K. Sripathi*
Page: 1 - 9
https://doi.org/10.46882/IJABG/1070Research Article
International Journal of Animal Breeding and Genetics Vol. 5 (8), pp. 001-004, August, 2016. © International Scholars Journals
Full Length Research Paper
Struggle against perinatal lamb mortalities by using techniques of improvement and control of breeding on the level of Tiaret area (Algeria)
S. A. Abdelhadi*, A. L. Niar, N. L. Smail and F. Z. Abdelhadi
Department of Veterinary Sciences, Faculty of Agronomics and Veterinary Sciences, Ibn Khaldoun Tiaret University, Algeria.
Accepted 22 April, 2016
Abstract
In order to struggle against perinatal lamb mortalities, one hundred and twenty of Algerian Rumbi ewes were used in our study. These ewes belong to a private farm located in the region of Tiaret; our work was based on the programming of three reproduction seasons over a period of two years (September 2004 to September 2006). During each season, our sheep have received treatment of oestrous synchronization, control and qualified assistance of lambing. These techniques have clearly improved performances of our ewes with respective average rates of fertility, fecundity and prolificacy of 96.38, 135.83 and 140.92% and most of ewes those received Dexamethasone on day 144 of pregnancy lambed within 72 h with a mean interval from treatment to lambing of 52.61 ± 6.32 h. We also reduced the total rate of lamb losses to 7.77% and made it possible to obtain an average of 3.75 lambs by ewe in two years.
Key words: Control of breeding, lambs, mortality, qualified assistance.
N. L. Smail and F. Z. Abdelhadi, S. A. Abdelhadi*, A. L. Niar
Page: 1 - 4
https://doi.org/10.46882/IJABG/1069Research Article
International Journal of Animal Breeding and Genetics Vol. 5 (8), pp. 001-005, August, 2016. © International Scholars Journals
Full Length Research Paper
Erythrocyte osmotic fragility of Wistar rats administered ascorbic acid during the hot-dry season
A. W. Alhassan1*, A. Y. Adenkola2, A. Yusuf1, Z. M. Bauchi3, M. I. Saleh1 and V. I. Ochigbo2
1Department of Human Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Ahmadu Bello University Zaria, Kaduna State, Nigeria.
2Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Agriculture, Makurdi, Benue State, Nigeria.
3Department of Human Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Kaduna State, Nigeria.
Accepted 22 April, 2016
Abstract
The experiment was carried out with the aim of investigating the effect of an antioxidant ascorbic acid on erythrocyte osmotic fragility (EOF) of Wistar rats during the hot-dry season. Fifteen adult Wistar rats administered with AA at the dose of 100 mg/kg per os and individually served as experimental animals, and 15 others administered orally with sterile water were used as control animals. The animals were kept in the laboratory and the meteorological parameters within the period of study were determined using wet and dry bulb thermometer while the blood samples for EOF determination was obtained at the end of the experiment which lasted 8 weeks and this was done using standard procedure. EOF decrease significantly (P < 0.05) in experimental rats compared to the control group. The results indicated that AA protected the integrity of the erythrocyte membrane in experimental rats administered with AA as demonstrated by lower percentage haemolysis, and thus may alleviate the risk of increase in haemolysis due to heat stress in rats during the hot-dry season.
Key words: Wistar rats, ascorbic acid, hot-dry season, erythrocyte osmotic fragility.
M. I. Saleh and V. I. Ochigbo, Z. M. Bauchi, A. Y. Adenkola, A. W. Alhassan*, A. Yusuf
Page: 1 - 5
https://doi.org/10.46882/IJABG/1068