Global Journal of Animal Scientific Research
Volume:2 Issue: 4, Autumn 2014

This study was conducted to estimate the effect of natural pastures grazing conditions on Sudan Desert Sheep Skin\leather quality. Five Sudan desert sheep breeds aged 1- 1.2 years old were used in this experiment. One hundred and fifty (150) pieces of fresh skins from Five (5) non-castrated male of Sudan desert sheep breeds which bring from different geographical area from west Sudan (Kordofan state) and east Sudan (Gezira and Butana). Sheep were divided in two groups according to geographical zone. 15 pieces of sheep skins for each breed were selected from animals grazed at poor pasture areas and similar number were obtained from animals grazed in enriched pasture areas, according to pasture measurements records at each breed locations. The results revealed that, fresh skin weight and Leather cracking load were significantly affected (P ≤ 0.05) by pasture quality. Leather elongation, Tensile strength kg/cm2, Thickness values and Flexibility values were not statistically (P ≤ 0.05) affected by pastures quality. Moisture content of Sudan desert sheep leather values were significantly affected by pasture condition, with highest values of leather moisture content on Shugor sheep (group one) either on enriches and poor nutrition samples, and lowest values were in Kabashi and Hamari (group two) on poor pastures level. There were no significant effect of pasture quality on chemical characteristic (fat, ash and chrome oxide contents) on leather quality. The high values on fat content was in Shugor, Watish (group one) and Kabashi(group two) in both enrich and poor pastures levels. While the lowest fat contents were in Dubasi (group one) and Hamari (group two) sub-types on poor levels of pastures.

A four- week study was conducted to determine the effect of varying levels and periods of feed restriction during pregnancy on linear body measurements and weight changes of rabbit does. A total of thirty six rabbit does (36) were grouped into three consisting of 12 rabbits does each. These rabbit does were exposed to three levels of quantitative feed restriction (0, 15 and 30%) at three different periods of gestation (15-19, 20-24 and 25-29 days). Data collected on performance and linear body measurements were arranged in a 3x3 factorial experimental layout and then subjected to completely randomised design using (SAS, 1999). The result showed significant differences (p<0.05) in final weight and weight gain. While, all other parameters measured for linear body measurement were not significantly (p>0.05) affected. In this study, it was revealed that the levels and periods of feed restriction do not have any negative effect on linear body measurement of pregnant rabbit does.

The relationship between age at first egg (AFE), bodyweight at first egg (BWFE), weight of first egg (WFE), with egg numbers recorded at 20–28 weeks (EN1), 28 – 35 weeks (EN2) and 35 – 42 weeks (EN3) was evaluated using canonical correlation analysis. Two hundred layers contributed the data used for the study. Estimated canonical correlations between three pairs of canonical variates were 0.667, 0.247 and 0.047. Only the canonical correlation between the first pair of canonical variates (0.667) was significant (p<0.001) based on the likelihood ratio test. Canonical weights and loadings from canonical correlation analysis showed that weight of first egg had the largest contribution to the variation in egg number at the three different periods compared with AFE and BWFE. Therefore, WFE could be used as a selection criterion for selecting good performance layers in terms of egg number.

This paper reviewed researches on bioactive properties of goat milk: it’s hypoallergenic, nutritional and therapeutic significance. Dietary proteins of animal or plant foods can provide rich sources of biologically active peptides. Once bioactive peptides are liberated by digestion or proteolysis, they may impart in the body different physiological effects on the gastrointestinal, cardiovascular, endocrine, immune, and nervous systems. However, the original macromolecular proteins such as cow milk caseins and whey proteins can cause allergic responses to certain individuals. Goat milk, on the other hand, has been known for its hypoallergenic and therapeutic properties in human nutrition and health, suggesting that Caprine milk may possess certain bioactive and metabolically active components that may be unique to this species’ milk. Considering the bioactive components in milk, the hypoallergenic properties of goat milk are of great importance to human health and medicine. This premise has been of continuous keen interest to goat milk producers and consumers, especially in recent years in developed countries. Goat milk also exhibits significant nutritional and therapeutic functions in abnormal or disease conditions of human nutrition and health, due mainly to some of its biologically active compounds. Goat milk recommended as a “useful alternative to cow milk” because Caprine milk apparently has certain growth factors and bioactive components, which may not be equally available in bovine milk.

Four isonitrogenous and isocaloric diets, with different α-cellulose inclusion levels, were formulated. Diet with 4% α-cellulose in it served as control. Fish ranging from 2.6-3.4 gm each were housed in glass aquaria @10 fish per aquarium. Aquaria were provided with 14L/10D fluorescent light. Trial was conducted for 60 days. No mortality was observed in any group. All diets performed equally well. However, the diet with 12% α-cellulose showed superiority over the rest of the treatments in growth and nutrient digestibility. There was no variation in digestibility of carbohydrates and dry matter contents. Lowest digestibility of fats and protein was observed in 16% α-cellulose containing diet the group which also displayed the lowest growth. The studies have suggested that Labeo fingerlings can tolerate complex carbohydrates up to 16% if included in the diet but there is a gradual reduction in performance if inclusion level of this carbohydrate exceeds 12% of the diet.

This study was conducted at El-khuwei locality, west Kordofan, Sudan, during the flowering and seed setting stages on the natural range land in year 2011. The main objective of this study was to determine the macro minerals in the feed potassium K and calcium Ca at the flowering and seed setting stages on the natural range land. Sampling was done by locating 2km2 each stage at the plants maturity (flowering and seed setting stages). A completely randomized design (CRD) was used to selected samples of feed. The results indicated that stages effect on feed macro minerals concentration were significantly (P<0.001) higher potassium K (0.22 ppm) concentration at the flowering stage and lower potassium K (0.07 ppm) concentration at the seed setting stage. There was increased calcium Ca (8.02 ppm) concentration at the flowering stage and decreased Ca (6.76 ppm) concentration during the seed setting stage.

The purpose of this study was to compare the efficacies of systemic immune response to mucosal vaccination against Pasteurella multocida infection in cattle. Three groups of ten cattle each were immunized subcutaneously and intranasally with bacterin of P. multocida serotype B: 2. Group 1 and Group 2 were immunized subcutaneously and intranasally with 0.5 ml of bacterin mixed with mucosal adjuvant respectively. Group 3 served as a control group was immunized subcutaneously with 1 ml of final vaccine product of bacterin as recommended dose according to Central Veterinary Research Laboratories, two cattle for each group unvaccinated control, all three groups received a booster dose on day 24 post inoculation.The level of the antibody immune response in these three groups was measured by the indirect haemagglutination test. Serum and nasal antibodies of vaccinated animals increased after the second vaccination, and this difference was statistically significant. Concentration of serum antibody against P. multocida increased from primary vaccination (6.25 antibody titer) on day 7 to (82.5 antibody titer) on day 31 after boosting animal, similar levels of protection were obtained from group 3. The nasal antibodies were rised from (3.75 antibody titer) at first vaccination on day 7 to (20 antibody titer) on day 31 after the second inoculation. The mucosal level of antibody in the intranasally vaccinated group was less compared to subcutaneously vaccinated group.

Twenty four primiparous and multiparous Holstein cows on early lactation, beginning five weeks postpartum, were used for four weeks to investigate the effects of supplementation of rumen-protected choline (RPC) or vitamin E on blood serum protein fractions, plasma total thiol molecules (TTM), and plasma total antioxidant capacity (TAC). Cows were randomly assigned to one of the following treatments: I - no supplement (control), II - 90 g/d of RPC, and III - 4400 IU/d of vitamin E. Serum protein electrophoresis of samples exhibited four main fractions in the blood serum of the cows including: albumin, α, β, and γ. The electrophoresis was carried out by capillary zone electrophoresis (CZE). In this study, feeding RPC or vitamin E affected the blood serum albumin fraction as well as blood plasma TTM (P<0.05) but the treatments did not affect the different fractions of globulin as well as plasma TAC (P>0.05). The results showed that the increases in serum albumin fractions and TTM which observed in this study, pointed towards a beneficial role of RPC and vitamin E in early lactating dairy cows.

A study was conducted to evaluate the effect of Boiled Mango Kernel Meal (BMKM) on the carcass characteristics and sensory qualities of guinea fowl meat. Dietary maize was substituted with four levels of inclusion of BMKM at 0% (T1), 10% (T2), 15% (T3) and 20% (T4). Forty-eight, 16 week old birds; 12 birds per treatment were randomly selected from a total of 120 birds used for the study. The birds were weighed, slaughtered, and viscera separated from the carcass. Carcass was chilled at -1°C for 24hours, and sectioned into the primal wholesale cuts i.e. breast, wings, thighs and drumstick and each weighed. Hot dressing and cold dressing percentages were also taken. Breast and thigh muscles were used for sensory evaluation to assess the sensory attributes i.e. colour, off-odour, juiciness, tenderness, flavour and flavour-liking of the meat. Data obtained were analyzed using the General Linear Model (GLM) of ANOVA component of Minitab. Where significant differences were found, means were separated using Tukey Pair-Wise comparison, at 5% level of significance. The results indicated that the use of BMKM in place of maize in guinea fowl diets had no significant effects on carcass (P>0.05) and sensory characteristics (P>0.05) of the meat. Cost of acquiring 100kg BMKM was GH ¢60.00 ($30.00) whiles 100kg maize was GH ¢150.00 ($75.00). It was concluded that the use of BMKM up to 20 % in guinea fowl diets has no adverse effect on the carcass and sensory characteristics of the meat.

The objective of this review is to approach current information about the ischemic reperfusion injury that affects the gastrointestinal system in animals, because it is classified as a complex event that can cause local and systemic injuries, leading to multiple organ failure. The deleterious events caused by the reperfusion process are greater when compared with the ischemia, due to the circulation of toxins released secondary to hypoxia, loss of cellular membrane integrity, release of free radical and endothelial injuries during reperfusion. It is known that in Veterinary Medicine most of the abdominal emergencies (acute abdomen) cause gastrointestinal microcirculatory dysfunctions and its diagnostic is still a challenge, because the clinical signs are similar to other diseases. The reperfusion injury is one of the reasons for the morbidity and mortality associated with intestinal ischemia, a common affection, especially in equines. The injuries on intestinal ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) are considerate of extreme importance due to its severity and the comprehension of the pathophysiological mechanism of these injuries is necessary to determine therapeutic strategies in the main domestic species.

Mithun, also known as ‘Cattle of Mountain” is an important bovine species of north-eastern hill region of India and also of China, Myanmar, Bhutan and Bangladesh. This magnificent massive bovine is presently reared under free-range condition in the hill forests at an altitude of 1000 to 3000 m above mean sea level. Mithun plays an important role in the socio-economic and cultural life of the local tribal population. Due to dwindling population of mithun over the years and gradual denudation of free range forest areas for mithun grazing along with the biotic and abiotic stress, there is urgent need of scientific intervention for proper management as well as conservation of this species. Application of various biotechnological tools like artificial insemination, estrus synchronization for timed-AI, multiple ovulation and embryo transfer, rumen microbial manipulation and modern breeding techniques may be of great use for faster multiplication and propagation of this species in near future.

This study was conducted to investigate the influence of genotype on growth performance, carcass characteristics and meat chemical composition traits of chickens under hot climatic conditions. Two exotic meat strains (Hybro and Hubbard) and three Sudanese native chicken ecotypes (Bare- neck, Large Baladi and Betwil) were used for this purpose. Data were analyzed using General linear model (GLM) of SAS (2007). Results revealed that genotype had significant (P<0.01) effect on traits studied, with the exotic strains exhibited higher average values for live body weight, eviscerated carcass, dressing percentage and carcass cuts percentages. On the other hand the native chicken ecotypes showed higher relative values for back, wings, visceral organs and feather. Chemical composition results were variable, with the highest levels of Protein and ether extract recorded for the exotic meat strain, Hybro and the lowest were recorded for the native chicken, Bare-neck. Moreover, significant differences (P< 0.01) among genotypes were observed for shank weight and shank length, with Hubbard being the highest and Large Beladi and Betwil being the lowest for shank weight and shank length respectively. Among the native chicken ecotypes, Bare-neck had the lowest relative feather weight indicating the effect of Na gene in reducing feather coverage around the body.

A study was conducted to determine effects of varied levels of boiled mango kernel meal (BMKM) as a replacement for maize on growth performance of local guinea fowls The BMKM was obtained by cutting the seed open with knife and the mango kernel chopped into pieces, boiled at 100oC for 30 minutes and sun-dried for 72 hours. One hundred and twenty, 28-day old local guinea keets of similar live weights (118g ± 2g/bird) were randomly allotted to 4 dietary treatments containing 3 replicates of 10 birds each. The BMKM replaced maize at inclusion levels of 0% (control), 10%, 15% and 20%, respectively. Clean water was provided ad-libitum. Data were collected on mean feed intake, final live weight, daily weight gain, feed conversion efficiency (FCE), feed cost per kg gain and analyzed using ANOVA by GENSTATS (3rd Edition). There were no significant differences (P>0.05) in mean feed intake, final live-weight, daily weight gain, FCE, feed cost per kg (GHȼ) and feed cost per gain (GHȼ/kg) between birds fed the control diets and diets containing BMKM. There was no significant differences (P>0.05) in mortality of birds on the various treatments. It was concluded that boiled mango kernel meal could replace maize up to 20% in the diet of local guinea fowls without any adverse effects on growth.

The main objective was to determine macro minerals of potassium and phosphors in the blood serum of goats grazing at flowering and seed setting stage during 2011 in El-khuwei locality, west Kordofan, Sudan. A completely randomized design was used (CRD). Sampling was done on two stages at flowering and seed setting in selected locations (2 km2 each). Within each stage 60 goats randomly selected, randomly collected samples of blood serum. Stages had significant (P< 0.0001) effect on blood serum of goats was highly K (5.10-3.88 mmol/L) concentration at flowering stage and least during the seed setting stage respectively. Concentration of P (2.96-3.94mg/dl) were decreased at flowering stage and increased at seed setting stage respectively. It can be concluded that at the flowering stage highly potassium concentration and decreased phosphors concentration. However during the seed setting stage least potassium concentration and increased phosphors concentration.

The study targeted effect of addition of ginger root powder as natural feed additive on growth performance and blood constituents of broiler chicks. One hundred and sixty unsexed one day-old broiler chicks strain (Ross) were divided randomly into four groups. Each represented a treatment (40 birds/treatment) with 4 replicates in a completely randomized design. In addition to the control diet (0.0% ginger root powder), three diets were formulated to meet the nutritional requirements of broiler chicks according to NRC (1994), with graded levels of ginger root powder 0.5%, 0.75% and 1%. Weekly average feed intake, body weight gain and feed conversion ratio were recorded blood samples were taken to determine the content of glucose, cholesterol and triglyceride. The results showed no significant differences (P>0.05) in the final body weight (1103.3g, 1140.2g, 1141.2g and 1146.9g) between the four treatments. Also, there were no significant differences in total feed intake (2266.1g, 2432.6g, 2396.3g and 2443.6g), total body weight gain (1064.3g, 1101.2g, 1102.2g and 1107.8g), and feed conversion ratio among all dietary treatments. Moreover, no significant differences were obtained in serum glucose, cholesterol and triglyceride among the four treatments. Mortality rate was 2.5%, 3.75%, 3.12%, and 0.62% for the four treatments (0.0% 0.5%, 0.75% and 1%.ginger) respectively. Chicks tolerated up to 1% ginger without adverse effect on growth performance and blood parameters.

This study evaluated the influence of age at weaning on post-weaning growth performance and survival rates of different rabbit genotypes – New Zealand White (NZ), Chinchilla (CH), NZ×CH and CH×NZ in a completely randomized design. The weaning ages considered as treatments across the genotypes were 28 (T28), 42 (T42) and 56 (T56) days, respectively. Data from 67 kits NZ (19), CH (15), NZ×CH (17) and CH×NZ (16) were used for the study. Measurements taken from each genotype for 7 weeks after each weaning age include body weight (BW), body weight gain (BWG), feed efficiency (FE) and survival rate (%). The analysis of variance showed that there were significant differences (P < 0.05) among the different weaning ages on the growth parameters. Kits weaned at day 28 had significantly (P < 0.05) higher values for BW and BWG as well as better feed efficiency index followed by those weaned at 42 days and then 56 days. Estimates of BW both at the initial and final weeks were: NZ – 414, 809 (T28), 380, 766 (T42) and 234, 447 (T56), CH – 443, 935 (T28), 436, 751 (T42) and 302, 500 (T56), NZ×CH – 432, 834 (T28), 394, 678 (T42) and 241, 417 (T56) and CH×NZ – 436, 917 (T28), 425, 717 (T42) and 261, 462 (T56). Significant (P < 0.05) differences were only observed for survival rate at the final week of measurement for the crossbred genotypes. Generally, however, the survival rates of kits of the different genotypes across all weaning ages were quite high. It ranged from 72.00 – 100 % (NZ), 75.00 – 100 % (CH), 87.70 – 100 % (NZ×CH) and 85.70 – 100 % (CH×NZ). Results of this study highly encouraged weaning at 28 days for optimum production efficiency in the study region. Weaning traits such as weights and survival/mortality rates are not affected greatly by additive gene action and thus can be improved by good management decisions among which is age at which rabbits are weaned.