Evaluation of the Reproduction Parameters of “Lohmann Brown” Strain Chickens Fed with Cajanus cajan Leaf Meal in the Republic of Congo

The objective of this study was to evaluate the reproductive parameters of “Lohmann Brown” strain chickens fed on Cajanus cajan leaves and to assess the viability of the chicks after hatching. 40 hens of the “Lohmann Brown” strain fed on Cajanus cajan leaf flour laid 219 eggs divided into four batches depending on the rate of incorporation of Cajanus cajan leaf flour in the rations (0%, 5%, 10% and 15%) were trained and introduced into the incubator. Results: the incubator indicates a hatching temperature of 38˚C to 37.2˚C and relative humidity of 60% to 70%. Hatching performance shows that: The 15% batch recorded the highest fertility rate 86.95% compared to 26.88% of the control batch. The CC 15% batch recorded the highest hatching rate 36.87. The lowest rate (17.18%) was recorded in the control batch (CC 0%). The highest embryonic mortality rate was recorded in the CC 15% batch. The lowest rate in the CC 10% batch. Concerning unfertilized eggs, the highest rate is 72.20% (CC 0%), and the lowest are (12.03%;57.42% and 66.66%) recorded in CC batches. 15%, CC 5% and CC 10% respectively. For the shell mortality rate, the highest is 18.58% recorded in the CC 15% batch. The lowest shell mortality rate is 2.07%, obtained in the control batch (CC 0%);the dust mortality rate was 0% for all chicks. The study seems to indicate that the incorporation of Cajanus cajan leaf meal up to 15% into the reproduction type ration in hens does not cause any harmful effects on the reproduction performance of laying hens.

Ensiled Cassava Peel and Caged Layers＇ Manure Mixture as Energy Source in Broiler Starter Diet

The replacement of maize with dried cassava peel and dried caged layers＇ manure mixed in ratio 5：1 （w/w）, ensiled for 14 days was investigated in broiler starter diet to evaluate their growth responses. The fermented mixture was used to partially replace maize at 0, 25% and 50% in broiler starter diet. Ninety （90） day old chicks, of Anark breed were divided into three groups of three replicates each. There were ten birds per replicate and each group was fed each of the dietary treatment ad libitum for 28 days. Feed intake, body weight gain, feed conversion ratio （FCR）, protein efficiency ratio （PER）, total protein, albumin, globulin, aspartate aminotransaminase （EC 2.6.1.1.1）, alanine aminotransaminase （EC 2.6.1.1.2）, carcass cut parts and cost per kilogram flesh gained were monitored. Results showed linear increase （P 〈 0.05） in feed intake, body weight gain, FCR, and PER. The serum proteins and enzymes monitored were not influenced （P 〉 0.05） by treatments. The eviscerated weight, wings and large intestine length were higher （P 〈 0.05） in birds fed 50% replacement of maize diet. The cost of feed per kilogramme and cost per kilogramme flesh gained was best （P 〈 0.05） in birds fed diets 50% replacement of maize. Therefore, fermented mixture of cassava peel and caged layers＇ manure （FCPCLM） in broiler starter diet at 50% dietary level support good performance, enhanced gain in eviscerated weight and reasonable cost per kilogramme flesh gained at the starter phase.

The Use of Microbial Biotechnology in Value Addition to Cassava Wastes as Feed for Pigs: Prospects and Challenges

Cassava peels were fermented through a combination of two lactic acid bacteria (Lactobacillus coryneformis and Lactobacillus delbrueckii) and a fungus (Aspergillus fumigatus) using solid substrate fermentation (SSF) technique for five consecutive days. The enhanced product designated as microbially fermented cassava peel (MFCP) was used at graded levels in the feed formulation for growing pigs. Four iso-nitrogenous and iso-caloric diets were formulated with MFCP at 0% (T1), 20% (T2), 40% (T3) and 60% (T4) inclusion levels. Twenty-four boarlings of an average initial weight of 37.15 kg were used in a fourteen-week trial to test the effect of these graded levels of MFCP on growth performance, digestive and reproductive physiology of the experimental animals. The result showed significant differences (P < 0.05) in mean daily feed consumption. Pigs in T3 had the highest feed intake (2.24 ± 0.05 kg), while pigs in T4 had the lowest (1.78 ± 0.04 kg). The final highest live weight was in T3 (72.00 kg) and the least in T4 (58.17 kg). The feed conversion ratios also showed significant differences (P < 0.05) among treatment means. The result obtained from gut morphometry showed that animals in T1 had the highest stomach weight (full and empty), while animals in T3 had the least rate of gastric emptying (81.50%). Animals in T3 and T4 had the longest small intestine (16.21 m and 15.35 m, respectively), while those in T4 had the longest colon (4.24 m). Animals in T1 and T2 had more numbers of gastric glands, while animals in T3 and T4 had more parietal cells. The reproductive indices revealed that animals in T1 were better in terms of the weight and relative weight of vesicular and Cowper’s gland, while animals in T4 had the highest value of the weight and relative weight of prostate gland. Proximate analyses of the ileal digesta revealed that the rate of nutrient absorption was highest in T3 and T1 and lowest in T4. Histological examination of the testes revealed normal testicular architecture in the control diet. The testes of animals fed 0%, 20% and 40% MFCP diets exhibited normal and intact lumen, Sertoli cells, and germ cells. However, animal fed 60% MFCP diet revealed massive disruption and degeneration of germinal epithelium, and complete erosion of the seminiferous tubules. It could be concluded that feeding pigs at 40% MFCP would enhance feed consumption, nutrient absorption and improve the growth rate of pigs. Using MFCP beyond 40% level on swine diet could compromise gut health through diarrhoeagenic disposition of the digesta in the distal colon and modification of the parietal and chief cells of the gastric glands. The hypertrophy of the prostate gland and vacuolization of the seminiferous tubules of pigs fed the 60% MFCP diet indicated a probable reduced reproductive performance.

Feed Intake, Growth Performance and Blood Constituents of Growing Male West African Dwarf Goats Fed Concentrates Varying in <i>Pueraria phaseoloides</i>Leaf Meal Content

The study examined feed intake, growth performance and blood constituents of growing male West African dwarf (WAD) goats fed concentrates varying in Pueraria phaseoloides leaf meal (PPLM) content. Four experimental diets that differed in PPLM content;Diets 1 (0% PPLM), Diet 2 (10% PPLM), Diet 3 (20% PPLM) and Diet 4 (30% PPLM) were fed to the WAD goats using the 4 × 4 Change-Over Latin Square Design in a study that lasted twelve weeks (four weeks of pre-trial acclimatization period inclusive). The trial period comprised four weeks of pre-trial acclimatization and four weeks of trial periods;with the first, second and third trials being sandwiched by two acclimatization periods;each period lasting one week. The measured parameters were fed intakes, live weights, blood proteins (total protein, albumin and globulin) and micro-mineral elements (Iron, Copper and Zinc). Crude protein contents of diets ranged between 19.24% and 20.12%. Differences in treatment means of feed intakes, changes in live weights, blood proteins and micro-mineral elements were not significant (p > 0.05).

Influence of free fatty acid content and degree of fat saturation on production performance,nutrient digestibility,and intestinal morphology of laying hens

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of dietary free fatty acid(FFA)content and degree of fat saturation on production performance,lipid and calcium digestibility,and intestinal function of laying hens.For a 15-week period,a total of 144 laying hens(19 weeks old)were randomly assigned to 8 dietary treatments,which were obtained by gradually replacing crude soybean oil with soybean acid oil(AO),or crude palm oil with palm fatty acid distillate(FAD).Thus,there were 4 soybean and 4 palm diets with 6%added fat varying in their FFA percentage(10%,20%,30%,and 45%),following a 2×4 factorial design.Each treatment included 6 replicates with 3 birds per replicate.Average daily feed intake and final body weight were significantly higher in palm diets(P<0.001),while no differences were found in egg mass and feed conversion ratio.Higher levels of FFA in soybean diets resulted in lower egg production and higher egg weight(linear,P<0.01).Regarding the degree of fat saturation,hens fed soybean diets presented higher digestibility of ether extract(EE),fatty acids,and calcium than palm diets(P<0.001).The dietary FFA percentage negatively affected the digestibility of EE and calcium(P<0.01),while having little effect on FA digestibility.There was a significant interaction in the AME;lower values were reported in soybean diets as the dietary FFA percentage increased(linear,P<0.01),whereas palm diets remained unaffected.The experimental diets had little effect on gastrointestinal weight and length.However,the jejunum of soybean diets showed higher villus height and higher villus height-to-crypt depth ratio than palm diets(P<0.05),and the dietary FFA percentage increased the crypt depth and decreased the villus height-to-crypt depth ratio(linear,P<0.05).It was concluded that varying dietary FFA content did not affect fat utilization as much as the degree of saturation did,supporting the use of AO and FAD as alternative fat ingredients.

A study of scientific publications on the greater cane rat (Thryonomys swinderianus, Temminck 1827)

Background:The greater cane rat(GCR),reputed to be African's second largest rodent,is a precocial hystricomorph with an uncommon phenotype and life history.Scientific and socio-economic interests in the GCR have led to heightened research efforts targeted towards a better understanding of its biology and exploration of its economic and translational usefulness.Methods:Records of all online scientific publications on the GCR from Google,Google Scholar,PubMed,science.gov,Ebscohost and Worldwide science,with the exception of research theses,proceedings,unpublished projects and abstracts,were collated and analyzed using descriptive statistics.Results:A total of 146 published scholarly articles spanning about six decades were retrieved,with 98%of the GCR publications originating from African countries.Nigeria boasts the highest number of publications(58.22%)followed by Ghana(21.23%)and South Africa(5.48%)while Senegal contributed the least(0.69%).Publications were sorted into ten field categories.The field with the highest number of articles(41.78%)was animal breeding and management recording,closely followed by anatomy(37.67%).Lesser contributions were made by parasitology(5.48%),biochemistry/hematology(4.8%),pharmacology/toxicology(4.11%),pathology(2.06%),and surgery/anesthesia and physiology(1.37%apiece).The fields with fewest contributions were microbiology and developmental biology(0.69%each).Conclusion:This study chronicles the spectrum of knowledge available on the GCR,highlighting the knowledge gap that still exists in various fields in order to provide advocacy for new frontiers in research efforts on this rodent.We suggest the need for a clearly defined and well integrated national/regional policy aimed at establishing Africa's foremost micro-livestock rodent,the greater cane rat,on the world's scientific radar.

Semen characteristics of the three genetic types of boars reared in Benin

Objective:To characterize the semen of three genetic types of boars(local,improved and Large White)reared in Benin.Methods:Semen of local,improved and Large White boars reared in Benin were collected using the gloved hand method and analyzed to determine volume,pH,concentration,mobility,motility,and morphology.The effect of the genetic type of boar on semen characteristics was aslo studied.Results:Duration of ejaculation and semen volume of Large White boar were significantly higher than those of local and improved boars(P<0.05).The semen of improved boars had a higher motility score than that of Large White and local boars(P<0.001).The semen of local boars was more concentrated in the spermatozoa than that of improved and Large White boars(P<0.05).The proportion of spermatozoa of improved boars with normal morphology(93.6%)was significantly higher than that of local(82.2%)and Large White boars(81.6%)(P<0.001).The proportion of spermatozoa with folded tails in the semen of Large White boars(9.2%)was significantly higher than that observed in improved(1.8%)and local(5.0%)boars(P<0.001).The proportion of spermatozoa with proximal cytoplasmic droplets in semen of improved boars(2.7%)was significantly lower than that in Large White(6.8%)and local(9.7%)boars(P<0.001).The local(1.5%)and Large White boars(1.1%)showed more spermatozoa with distal cytoplasmic droplets in their semen compared to the improved boars(0.4%).Conclusions:The semen characteristics of pigs reared in Benin vary from one genetic type to another.Each genetic type has a strong point.The Large White boar produces larger semen,the local boar produces more concentrated semen and the improved boar produces spermatozoa that are morphologically better.The semen of these three genetic types can be used in artificial insemination but the improved boar's semen is more recommended.

Interleukin 6 and interferon gamma haplotypes are related to cytokine serum levels in dogs in an endemic Leishmania infantum region

Background The Ibizan Hound is a canine breed native to the Mediterranean region,where leishmaniasis is an endemic zoonosis.Several studies indicate a low prevalence of this disease in Ibizan Hound dogs,whereas other canine breeds present a high prevalence.However,the underlying molecular mechanisms still remain unknown.The aim of this work is to analyse the relationship between serum levels of cytokines and the genomic profiles in two canine breeds,Ibizan Hound(resistant canine breed model)and Boxer(susceptible canine breed model).Methods In this study,we analyse the haplotypes of genes encoding cytokines related to immune response of Leishmania infantum infection in twenty-four Boxers and twenty-eight Ibizan Hounds apparently healthy using CanineHD DNA Analysis BeadChip including 165,480 mapped positions.The haplo.glm extension of haplo.score was used to perform a General Linear Model(GLM)regression to estimate the magnitude of individual haplotype effects within each cytokine.Results Mean levels of interferon gamma(IFN-γ),interleukin 2(IL-2)and IL-18 in Boxer dogs were 0.19±0.05 ng/ml,46.70±4.54 ng/ml,and 36.37±30.59 pg/ml,whereas Ibizan Hound dogs present 0.49±0.05 ng/ml,64.55±4.54 ng/ml,and 492.10±31.18 pg/ml,respectively.The GLM regression shows fifteen haplotypes with statistically significant effect on the cytokine serum levels(P<0.05).The more relevant are IL6-CGAAG and IFNG-GCA haplotypes,which increase and decrease the IL-2,IL-8 and IFN-γserum levels,respectively.Conclusions Haplotypes in the IFNG and IL6 genes have been correlated to serum levels of IFN-γ,IL-2 and IL-18,and a moderate effect has been found on IL8 haplotype correlated to IL-8 and IL-18 serum levels.The results indicate that the resistance to L.infantum infection could be a consequence of certain haplotypes with a high frequency in the Ibizan Hound dog breed,while susceptibility to the disease would be related to other specific haplotypes,with high frequency in Boxer.Future studies are needed to elucidate whether these differences and haplotypes are related to different phenotypes in immune response and expression gene regulation to L.infantum infections in dogs and their possible application in new treatments and vaccines.