Animal Production Research Research Articles

Yavaş Gelişen Hubbard Red JA57 Genotipinin Farklı Yetiştirme Sistemlerinde Büyüme Performansları ve Karkas Özellikleri

Bu çalışmada, et verim yönlü yavaş gelişen Hubbard Red JA57 genotipi, kapalı ve serbest (free range) yetiştirme sistemlerinde incelenmiştir. Çalışma, Kahramanmaraş Sütçü İmam Üniversitesi (KSÜ), Hayvansal Üretim Uygulama ve Araştırma Merkezinde 12 hafta süre ile yürütülmüştür. Her tekerrürde 28 adet civciv (muamele başına 84, toplam 168 civciv) her muamelede 3 tekerrür kullanılmıştır. Kapalı yetiştirme sisteminde (KYS) civcivler, geleneksel yer bölmelerinde (3,7 civciv/m2) büyütülmüştür. Serbest (Free-range) muamele grubunda (SYS) ise, tavuklar benzer kapalı bölmelerde barındırılmış (3,7 civciv/ m2) ve buna ek olarak, yonca ekili yeşil alanda serbest dolaşım (0,9 civciv/m2) imkânı verilmiştir. Deneme boyunca tüm civcivler aynı yemlerle sınırsız beslenmiştir. İki farklı yetiştirme sisteminde; canlı ağırlık, yem tüketimi, yem dönüşüm oranı, yaşama gücü, karkas ve parça oranları, yenilebilir iç organ ağırlık ve oranları, erkeklerin testis ağırlıkları, rektal sıcaklık ve tonik immobilite süreleri incelenmiştir. Haftalara ait yem dönüşüm oranı bakımından 11. haftada, eklemeli yem dönüşüm oranı bakımından ise 12. haftada, gruplar arasındaki fark önemli bulunmuştur. Yine, rektal sıcaklık ve tonik immobilite değerleri testis ağırlıkları ve oranları bakımından gruplar arasındaki farklılık önemli bulunmuştur. İnteraksiyon ortalamaları bakımından; sıcak karkas, soğuk karkas, sırt, göğüs eti ve boyun oranları ortalamaları aynı bulunurken, but, kemikli göğüs ve kanat oranları ortalamaları farklı bulunmuştur. En yüksek abdominal yağ oranı ortalaması KYS dişilerinde, en yüksek taşlık oranı ortalaması SYS dişilerinde, en yüksek karaciğer ortalaması KYS dişilerinde ve en yüksek kalp ağırlığı SYS erkeklerinde bulunmuştur.

Artificial insemination practice in Nigeria - review of the dangers of disease transmission

The first documented cattle artificial insemination (AI) in Nigeria dated back to 1949. Other recorded cattle artificial insemination in the country could be traced to when the federal Government of Nigeria under the auspices of Ahmadu Bello University. Zaria, established Artificial Insemination Unit at the National Animal Production Research Institute (NAPRI) IN 1976. Various limiting factors and constraints that prevented artificial insemination from being popular in the country were mentioned. Various causes of infertility in animals were listed. The success or failure of artificial insemination practice as could be affected by microorganisms in the semen, semen preservatives, semen extenders and storage temperatures were discussed in relation to work already done in Nigeria and other countries.

ESTIMATE OF GENETIC AND PHENOTYPIC PARAMETERS FOR LITTER SIZE AND WEANING WEIGHT IN YANKASA SHEEP

Data on 964 and 1150 weaning weight and litter size records respectively, collected over a 10years period on Yankasa Sheep breeding project at the National Animal Production Research Institute (N.A.P.R.I), Zaria, were used in the study. The analysis was for estimation of genetic and phenotypic parameters for litter size and weaning weight in Yankasa sheep. Estimates of heritability for litter size and weaning weight were obtained from paternal half sib intraclass correlation. The genetic and phenotypic relationship between the litter size and weaning weight were estimated from the covariance and variance components of the two traits. Least squares means of 1.18±0.02 and 10.67±0.11 were obtained for litter size and weaning weight, respectively. Heritability (h2) estimates of 0.18±0.07 and 0.63±0.01 were obtained, respectively, for litter size and weaning weight. Genetic and phenotypic correlations of 0.83±0.052 and 0.23±0.094 respectively, were obtained, between weaning weight and litter size

Genetic parameter estimates (full sib and half sib analysis) of fertility and hatchability in two strains of Rhode Island chickens

A study was conducted to estimate the genetic parameters of fertility and hatchability in two strains of Rhode Island Red (RIR) Chickens denoted as Strain A and Strain B respectively using the full-sib (sire +dam variance) and maternal half-sib (dam variance) components. The birds were obtained from the selected populations of RIR Chickens kept at the poultry breeding programme of National Animal Production Research Institute, Shika, Zaria, Nigeria. Settable eggs were collected from mating 28 cocks to 252 hens in a ratio of 1cock:9 hens from each strain. Eggs were pedigreed according to sire and dam. Results showed that values obtained for number of egg set (EGGSET), number of fertile eggs (NFERT), number of hatched chicks (NHATCH), percentage of chicks hatched from total eggs set (PHATCH) and percentage of chicks hatched from fertile eggs (PHATCHBL) were all higher in strain A than strain B. Heritability estimates obtained from the full-sib and maternal half-sib analysis ranged from medium to high for the two strains (0.24-0.96). The maternal half sib estimates were higher (0.40-0.96) than the estimates obtained from full sibs (0.24- 0.48). Genetic and phenotypic correlations obtained for both strains were positive and similar regardless of method of estimation. Genetic correlations between EGGSET and PFERT were low in strain A using both full-sib and maternal half-sib analyses (0.09-0.14). Phenotypic correlations between EGGSET and PFERT, PHATCH and PHATCHBL were also low in both strains and regardless of method of analyses. Moderate to high heritability estimates suggest that genetic improvement can be obtained by selection of these reproductive traits. The full-sib analysis for estimating heritability will be preferred since it is assumed that only additive genetic variance contributes to the covariance between family members.

Carcass and non-carcass characteristics of Bunaji (White Fulani) cattle

Offal parts and carcass component data from 40 Bunaji bulls bought from open market and culled from the herds were slaughtered for beef at the meat laboratory of the National Animal Production Research Institute (NAPRI) were used to determine the carcass components and Offal yield of bunaji cattle. Dressing percentages of the caule ranges between 53.05±1.44 and 51.03±0.23 for the bulls and cows respectively. The differences were not significant (P>0.05). The bulls have significantly (P<0.05) heavier live weight, carcass weight, quantity of beef and hump muscles than cows. On the average the bulls gave 119.03±3.22kg of beef compared to 110.77±7.22kg of boneless beef produced by the cows. This value represented about 65.55±0.51 and 63.8±1.14% of the carcass weight of the bulls and cows respectively. The bulls have significantly (p<0.05) heavier external offal (54.75±1.72kg) than the cows (43.38±2.44kg). These represented about 17.28±0.23 and 15.28±0.71% of the live weight of the bulls and cow's respectively. The total internal offal (liver, kidney, heart, spleen, lungs, trachea, stomach and intestines) are similar (P<0.05) between the bulls and cows and represented about 5.25±0.15 and 6.75±0.34% of the carcass weight of the bulls and cows respectively. The results of this study show that the File Fulani cattle compared favorably with other African breeds in terms of carcass and non-carcass output. However, a larger proportion of the weight is in the external offal that are nutritionally of low value.

Environmental factors affecting pre-weaning survival of Red Sokoto goats.

Effects of environmental factors viz, hirth year, parity, sex, birth type and season of birth on preweaning survival of Red Sokoto goats (RSG) using production records kept between 1978 - 1985 at the National Animal Production Research Institute (NAPRI), Shika-Zaria were investigated. Birth year, parity and season of birth significantly (P<0.05) affected preweaning survival while birth type and sex of kid did not. The mean survival to weaning at 3 months was 72% and was highest in does with 4 or more parities (77%) and least in primiparous does (66%). Survival was significantly higher during harmattan and worse during the dry season. Losses were more concentrated in the O 7 days of life in primiparous does during the dry season. Overall productivity of does and interac lions between parity and birth cype significantly affected survival. Breeding RSG older than one year to kids preferably during 'harmattan' would improve preweaning survival of the kids.

Isolation of Scopulariopsis brevicaulis from Wistar Rats

Scopulariopsis brevicaulis is a saprophytic fungus that has wide geographic distribution. This study describes a case of hair loss and skin lesions observed in male and female Wistar rats due to Scopulariopsis brevicaulis infection in Turkey. Skin scrapings and hair samples from three male and two female rats were provided by the Experimental Animal Production and Experimental Research Center of Mehmet Akif Ersoy University to the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Microbiology Laboratory in Burdur for analysis in July 2019. Microbiological methods were used for species identification and Scopulariopsis brevicaulis was isolated from all of the samples. The rats completely recovered without treatment and had no recurrence of clinical signs at one month post-sampling. This study is the first report of S. brevicaulis causing an infection in Wistar rats in Turkey.

Germination percentage and emergence potential of nine newly introduced temperate forage germplasms in Shika, Nigeria

A trial was conducted to investigate the germination percentage and emergence potential of nine imported temperate forage germplasms at the National Animal Production Research Institute, Shika, Nigeria. The seeds consisted of seven grasses namely; Beefsteak plant (Fructus perillae), Sweet elephant grass (Pennisetum alopecuroides), Wild foxtail millet (Setaria viridis), Napier grass (Pennisetum purpureum), King grass (Pennisetum sinese), Chinese sorghum (Sweet sorghum) and Zea mexican schard (Purus frumentum) and two legumes namely; Chinese woad (Isatis tinctoria) and Chinese alfalfa (Medicago sativa). A laboratory germination test and pot emergence trial was carried out to ascertain their viability. The result of the experiment showed that Sweet elephant grass, napier grass and king grass recorded over 90 % germination and the least was 30 % in Chinese sorghum. Chinese alfalfa and wild foxtail millet had least germination percentage with 100 % Seed dormancy.Highest emergence rate, seedling length and seedling vigour indexwere observed in king grass than the other forage germplasms. The highest percentage emergence was obtained in king grass > sweet elephant grass > napier grass > Zea mexican schard > beefsteak plant > Chinese woad > Chinese sorghum, respectively. It was concluded that these forages can successfully be adopted as animal feed resources in Nigeria and therefore, recommended formulti-locational trials in all the ecological zones of the country.

ATAK-S Erkek Civcivlerinin Farklı Yetiştirme Sistemlerinde Büyüme Performansları ve Karkas Özelliklerinin Belirlenmesi

In this study, meat production performance of male chicks of the ATAK-S genotype, which is an egg-yielding line, were examined in both indoor and free range raising systems. The study was carried out at the Kahramanmaras Sutcu Imam University (KSU), Animal Production Application and Research Centre for 12 weeks. Each treatment was represented by 3 replications containing of 28 male chicks (84 male chicks per treatment). During the indoor treatment, the chicks were raised in floor pens in a conventional house (3.7 birds/m2). In the free-range treatment, the chickens were housed in a similar indoor house (3.7 birds/m2); in addition, they also had a free-range clover paddock (0.9 birds/m2). All birds were provided with the same diets as ad-libitum. Results showed that the thigh rate of the chickens in the free-range treatment were higher than that of the chickens in the indoor floor treatments, but the neck rate of the chickens in the free-range treatment were lower than that of the chickens in the indoor floor treatments. There was no significant effect of the free-range raising system on live weight, feed intake, feed conversion ratio, survival rate, eviscerated carcass, breast, thighs, wings, back rates, edible giblets, testes weight, rectal temperature and tonic immobility.

Effect of maternal haemoglobin variants and lamb genotype on pre-weaning growth rate of sheep of Northern Nigerian and their crosses


 
 
 
 Pre-weaning growth trait of sheep of Northern Nigerian (Balami, Uda and Yankasa) subjected to diallel crossing were estimated using 127 lambs. The study was conducted at National Animal Production Research Institute (NAPRI), Zaria, Nigeria. Blood (5ml) samples were collected from ewes and rams that produce the lambs to evaluate the effect of parental haemoglobin (Hb) variant on the pre-weaning growth rate of lambs. Weight and average daily gain (ADG) of lambs were obtained at 2 weeks interval to 12th week. The data obtained were subjected to analysis of variance using General Linear Model Procedure of SAS. Pair-wise difference was used to separate the mean. Frequency of ewes’ Hb genotype in relation to lambs was sorted and tested with Chi Square Procedure of SAS. The result showed that HbAB was the predominant (P<0.01) variant in the studied population, observed in 60% of the ewes and 100% of the sires. Allele A had the highest frequency (62%) in the dam population. The genotypic distribution of Hb variants in the population significantly deviated from Hardy Weinberg equilibrium (χ2 = 50.8, P<0.01). HbAB and HbBB dams gave birth to lambs that were heavier (P<0.01) than lambs from HbAA from birth to 12 weeks of age. Crossbred lambs from Balami rams and Uda ewes (BL x UD) recorded the highest weight (4.47±0.20 kg) at birth while the least weight (1.73±0.20 kg) at birth was obtained from crossbred lambs given birth to by Yankasa rams and Balami ewes (YK X BL). Pure Balami lambs (BL X BL) was outstandingly superior (P<0.05) to lambs from other genotypes starting from the second week of age up to weaning (12th week). BL X BL also recorded the highest (238.09±12.42 g) average daily gain from birth to 2 weeks of age (ADG2). The ADG decreased linearly as the lambs advanced in age from birth to weaning. Balami sheep are capable of expressing their genetic potentials (better growth than others) in the Northern Guinea Savannah zone of Nigeria. Genetic improvement of growth traits of Nigerian sheep using indigenous stock should focus on the exploitation of genetic potentials in terms of faster growth rate of Balami sheep.
 
 
 

Hierarchical cluster analysis of yearling body weight and linear body measurementsof sheep of Northern Nigeria and their crosses

This study was conducted at the Sheep Project Unit of Small Ruminant Research Programme (SRRP) of National Animal Production Research Institute (NAPRI), Ahmadu Bello University, Shika, Zaria. Balami, Uda and Yankasa breeds (sheep of Northern Nigeria) were crossed . A total of 65 Yankasa, 23 Uda and 16 Balami ewes were served by 4 Yankasa, 3 Uda and 3 Balami rams. The diallel breeding pattern produced 192 lambs. However, only the 65 yearling that survived up to 12 months of age (yearling) were used for this study. The yearling body weight and linear body measurement data were analysed using General Linear Model (GLM) procedures of SAS with model that incorporated lamb genotype as fixed effects. Pairwise difference was used to separate the mean (SAS, 2003). Distances were used to construct dendrogram using the Unweighted Pairs Group Method Analysis implemented in R 2.13.0 package. TREE procedure that prints the dendrogram based on the distances between the clusters was introduced in PROC CLUSTER procedure. Yearling genotype affected body weight and all the linear body measurements considered in this study (P<0.05). The pure Balami yearling (BL X BL) had the highest birth weight at 12 months of age (29.10±4.02kg). Clumping structure of yearling body weight among sheep of Northern Nigeria and their crosses were grouped into two clusters at distance 2.656. Pure Balami (BL X BL) formed the first cluster while the rest of the genotypes belong to the second cluster. The second cluster was further divided into two sub-groups at 0.796. The first sub-group had yearlings from pure Uda (UD X UD), Uda ram and Yankasa ewe (UD X YK), Uda ram and Balami ewe (UD X BL), Balami ram and Uda ewe (BL X UD) and Yankasa ram and Uda ewe (YK X UD) at 0.514. Similar clumping structures with two clusters share among the nine genotypes at varied distances were recorded for all the linear body measurements studied. Patterns of similarities were established for yearling body weight and linear body measurements among sheep of Northern Nigeria and their crosses. Improvement plans for yearling growth traits of sheep in Nigeria should consider the genotypes with divergent genetic distances as sires and dams. This will ensure the best exploration of positive heterosis.

Sokoto Red and Sahelian goats: The untapped potential for improving meat production in the developing economy of Nigeria

A study was conducted on indigenous unselected Sokoto Red (SR) and Sahel (SH) goats in National Animal Production Research Institute, (NAPRI), Ahmadu Bello University, Shika- Zaria, Kaduna State, Nigeria. The study was carried out to understand how birth, pre- weaning and post-weaning weights in the SR and SH goats can be used to improve their productivity. Thirty kids (10 males and 20 females) of SR and thirty kids (10 males and 20 females) of SH breeds of goat were utilised for this study. Results obtained showed that the coefficient of variation (CV) was very low. There were no significant differences (P>0.05) among mean bodyweight at birth, 30 days pre-weaning, 60 days pre-weaning, 90 days post- weaning and 120 days post-weaning weights of SR and SH goats except at 150 days post- weaning weight. Highly positive phenotypic correlations existed in the SR goats between 90- day weaning weight and 120-day post weaning; 90-day weaning weight and 150-day post weaning.120-day post weaning weight and 150-day post weaning.The birth weight of the SH goats were highly significant (P<0.05) and positively correlated with body weight at 30, 60, 90, 120 and 150 days old. It was observed that the sampled population was homogeneous for all traits. The 90-day weight of the SR can be utilised to improve for body weight at 30-, 120- and 150- days of age while in the SH goat, selection for high birth weight would enhance improvement for high body weight at later stages of growth.

Mathematical Modelling of Egg Production Curves of Shikabrown Parents

This study was conducted to evaluate egg production curves of Shikabrown parents, using mathematical models. A total of 200 birds: 100 from each of the two strains of Shikabrown® parents (sire and dam) lines at the Breeding Unit of Poultry Research Programme, National Animal Production Research Institute (NAPRI) were used for the study. The birds were obtained from the selected lines (sire and dam) and were denoted as Strain A and Strain B, respectively. Body weight (BWT), age at sexual maturity (ASM), egg number (EGGNO), and egg weight (EWT) were examined. Four non-linear models (Logistic, Richard, Gompertz, and Exponential) and a linear model were used to predict the efficiency of weekly bodyweight and egg production traits. The adequacies of the models were fitted using R Package, version 3.0.3. High coefficients of determination for BWT (R2 = 0.84 - 0.93) were recorded in the models for both Strains. Strain A had higher R2 (0.93) for BWT in Richard, Gompertz and Exponential models while Strain B recorded (R2 = 0.89) in Logistic, Richard and Gomprtz models. High coefficient of determination was obtained in a reproductive trait; egg number; in which almost all the models gave (R2 = 0.70). Exponential model recorded a higher R2 (0.93) for EGGNO in strain A. EWT in strain A recorded higher R2 (0.96) coefficient of determination across the four nonlinear models except linear model with (R2 = 0.95) for egg weight. Significant differences (P<0.05) were observed in the birds' performance for BWT and EWT, with strain B having a higher BWT (1.59±0.01) and Strain A having a higher EWT (48.75±0.17). Similarly, age of birds in lay had a concomitant significant differences (P<0.05) in their BWT as well as their EWT. The birds performed better for BWT and EWT in week 26 and 27 for both Strains. It was concluded that Strain significantly (P<0.05) had effect on BWT and EWT of Shikabrown® parent with Stain B performing better than Strain A in the former trait and strain A better than strain B in the latter trait. R2 identified differences between Strains in predicting egg production traits. Strain B was adjudged good and profitable because the Strain had the highest mean values in body weight and egg number and it is being recommended as one of the lines for future improvement of Shikabrown® .

Productive and Reproductive Characterization, Breeding Season and Calving Season in Reference with the Effect of Parity Order on Milk Production of Camel in Egypt

This study aimed to characterize productive and reproductive performances, breeding season, and calving season of Maghrabi camels in reference with the effect of parity order on milk production in Egypt. Data were collected from camel herd raised at the Studies and Development of Camel Production Station, Animal Production Research Institute, Egypt. Means of parity order, age at 1st mating (year), number of services/conception, age at 1st calving (year), gestation period (d), days open, calving interval (d), sex ratio, and calf weight (kg) were 3.33, 7.68, 2.27, 8.71, 379.6, 169.1, 548.7, 35.6: 65.4, and 29.08, respectively. Means of total (TMY) and daily milk (DMY) yields were 1559 and 4.69 kg, respectively. Lactation (LP) and dry (DP) periods were 364.40 and 184.20 d, respectively. Breeding season lasted from November to Apile, while out of season lasted from May to October. Calving rates were during the interval from January to April with a peak in july. Average TMY increased (P<0.05) by avancing parity, being the lowest at the 1st parity and the highest at the 10th one. LP ranged between 348.2±34.17 d at the 6th parity and 423.6±34.87 d at the 7th parity, while DMY ranged between 4.05±0.156 kg at the 1st parity and 5.15±0.401 kg at the 6th parity, but the differences were not significant.In conclusion, the obtained information on Maghrabian camels raised in Egypt may be useful in different genetic breeding programs and optimal managerial applications for camel herds to increase their productive and reproductive performance in Egypt.

321 ASAS-EAAP Talk: Quantitative proteomics in animal and veterinary science: a pipeline for exploiting advanced analytical technology

Abstract Application of proteomic investigation to veterinary and animal sciences has grown over the last decade, but has still not reached its full potential of application in animal health and production research [1]. Nevertheless, establishing a versatile methodology has allowed the application of quantitative proteomics for increased understanding of physiological and pathophysiological challenges, and especially to identify potential biomarkers of disease in a range of animal species. A pipeline of sample preparation and mass spectrometry followed by statistical, bioinformatic and biochemical analyses has been established to deal with biofluids and tissue samples from cattle, sheep, pigs, chickens, dogs and cats as well as wild animals. Quantitative proteomic investigation of milk in an experimental model of Streptococcus uberis mastitis of dairy cows has identified potential novel biomarkers with implications for diagnosis and treatment of this major disease. Proteins in milk which have potential as disease biomarkers, such as cathelicidin, haptoglobin and mammary associated serum amyloid A3, are significantly increased in abundance during bovine mastitis. Proteomic investigation has confirmed that these biomarkers are also increased in milk during subclinical and clinical mastitis. Proteomic analysis of plasma from chicken following stimulation of the inflammatory response to Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide endotoxin has characterised major changes in the chicken plasma proteome. Novel biomarker candidates of hemopexin and fatty acid binding protein have been identified. This proteomic pipeline can be incorporated into many areas of research, providing novel findings at the forefront of animal and veterinary science. Such proteomic investigation requires close interdisciplinary collaboration between experts in mass spectrometry, bioinformatics, statistics and animal production in order to fully exploit recent technological advances in the omic sciences.[1] P. Bilic, et al, Proteomics in Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science: Neglected Scientific Opportunities with Immediate Impact, Proteomics. 47 (2018) 1–7. doi:10.1002/pmic.201800047.

Maternal Genetic Effect on Expected Genetic Response of Selection Indices for Milk Production of Friesian Cows in Egypt

The present study aimed to estimate the genetic parameters of first lactation milk yield (FLMY), first lactation period (FLP), first dry period (FDP) and first calving interval (FCI) and inclusion these studied traits in selection indices through different animal models. The data utilized in this study were obtained from 1821 normal first lactation of Friesian cows belong to Sakha and EI-Karada Experimental stations of Animal Production Research Institute (APRI), Ministry of Agriculture, Dokki, Cairo, Egypt. Data were collected during the period from 1990 to 2016 and analyzed using the MTDFREML program. Covariance components were used to construct the different selection indices for FLMY kg, FLP day, FDP day and FCI day with four multiple animal models. Means for FLMY FLP, FDP and FCI were 2425 kg, 304 d, 170 d and 474 d, respectively. Direct additive heritability (h2a) for the above-mentioned traits were 0.32, 0.29, 0.27 and 0.18, respectively. The corresponding estimates of the maternal heritability (h2m) for the same traits were 0.25, 0.22, 0.30 and 0.27, successively. Estimates of direct genetic correlations among studied traits ranged from -0.52 to 0.61. Phenotypic correlations among investigated traits were ranging from -0.20 to 0.23. Animal model number two that included the additive and permanent effects had the highest accuracy. On the contrary, model number three that included additive and maternal effects. The ranking correlations among four animal models were higher than 0.93. This indicates that using one of the studied models can be achieved the genetic improvement. We would however recommend that included the permanent environmental effects on analytical models when selection for these traits in Friesian cows under Egyptian condition.

Expected Genetic Gain for Selection of Preweaning Growth Traits in Egyptian Buffaloes

Data on 1946 buffalo calves born between 2000 and 2016 at Mahallet Mousa farms belonging to Animal Production Research Institute, were utilized in this study. Genetic parameters of birth weight (BW), preweaning daily gain (PWDG) and weaning weight (WW) were estimated using MTDFREML. The different selection indices for previous traits were constructed by Matlab program. Means of BW, PDWG and WW were 37.40 kg, 493.53 g and 90.37 kg, respectively. The heritability estimates for above-mentioned traits were 0.24, 0.26 and 0.29, respectively. The genetic correlations among the mentioned growth traits were ranged from 0.18 to 0.79. Corresponding phenotypic correlations among same traits were ranged from 0.13 to 0.48. The expected genetic gains for direct selection of BW, PWDG and WW were varied between 0.23 -1.18 kg, 10.80 – 23.74 g and 0.50 - 3.06 kg, respectively. Comparison among selection indices indicated that the highest expected genetic gains for PWDG (8.73 g) and WW (3.50 kg) were obtained from the index I4 included (PDWG and WW). Moreover, the accuracy of this index was closest to the highest index of accuracy. Thus, selection based on index I4 could be improve the response of aggregate genotype for preweaning growth traits of Egyptian buffalo calves.

Using of by-products of mushroom (Pleurotus ostrateus) growing on rice straw in Nile Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) fingerling diets

The present study was carried out at the World Fish Abbassa Sharkia, Egypt with cooperation of Animal Production Research Institute (APRI) Agriculture Research Center Giza, Egypt. The study was conducted to investigate the possibility of incorporating by-products of mushroom growing on rice straw as an energy source and cheap alternative feed stuffs instead of the diets in all-male Nile tilapia, O. niloticus fingerlings Abbassa strain (G9) (6.03g±0.22g) were obtained from the World Fish. Genetic improvement program. Five experimental diets were formulated, as iso nitrogenous (30.80 % CP) and isocaloric (4325.94 Kcal/kg diet), containing 0, 5, 10, 15 and 20% of mushroom by-product T1, T2, T3,T4 and T5, respectively and fed to monosex Nile tilapia, (Oreochrom isniloticus) fingerlings with average individual weight of (6.03g ± 0.12g).Total of Fish were fed at a rate of 5 % of total biomass, tilapia were hand-fed to apparent satiation which was divided between three feeding times daily (8:00, 12:00, and 15:00 hours). The results showed no significant differences between all treatments (P>0.05) in growth performance and feed protein utilization of fish up to 20% compared with the control in Nile tilapia fingerlings diets resulted a better economic efficiency.

Genetic Evaluation for Sexual Maturity and Egg Production Traits in Crossbreeding Experiment Involving Four Local Strains of Chickens

A cross experiment was carried out in Animal Production Research Institute (APRI), in cooperation with Benha University, Egypt for three years starting from February 2013 and terminated 2016. Four pedigreed local strains of chickens Matrouh (MT), Mandarah (MN), Inshas (IN) and Silver Montazah (SM) strains were used. A total of 34 sires and 230 dams from MN strain, 32 sires and 194 dams from MT strain were chosen randomly from 250 cockers and 600 pullets to produce purebreds and crossbreds progenies in the first generation. In the second generation, the crossbred hens of MNxMT were artificially inseminated with fresh semen of Inshas strain (IN), while the crossbred hens of MTxMN were artificially inseminated with fresh semen collected from cocks of Silver Montazah strain (SM) to produce three-way crossbreds (½IN×¼MN¼MT and ½SM×¼MT¼MN). Single trait animal model was used in estimating heritability and in predicting the breeding values (PBV). Crossbreeding effects of direct additive (GI), maternal effects (GM), direct heterosis (HI) and maternal heterosis (HI) were estimated using the procedure of generalized least-squares. The overall means of all genetic groups were 154 day, 1420 g, 39.38 g, 45 egg, 1957 g, 61 egg, 2727 g, 16 day, 411 g, 18 egg, 784 g, 13.5 egg and 593 g for ASM, BWSM, WFE, EN90D, EM90D, EN120D, EM120D, PF10E, EMF10E, EN2DW, EM2DW, EN1WM and EM1WM, respectively Estimates of heritability were moderate for ASM and BWSM (0.23 and 0.69), while they were low for egg production and partial egg recording traits. The GLM showed that three-way crossbreds reported the earlier ASM, heavier BWSM and WFE, the highest EN90D, EN120D and EN2DW and the heaviest EM90D, EM120D and EM2DW. The ranges of predicted breeding values (PBV) of MT strain were slightly higher than that for MN birds. Ranges of PBV recorded by ½MT½MN were nearly similar to those ranges recorded by ½MN½MT. Cross fathered by SM cocks and mothered by (½MT½MN) had higher ranges in PBV for egg production and partial egg recording traits than those cross fathered by IN cocks and mothered by (½MN½MT). The effects of GI on all traits (p≤0.01) and in favour of MN breed. The percentages of GM were significant for sexual maturity traits and non-significant for egg production and partial egg recording traits. Percentages of HI (-3.8, 28.5, -4.6, 29.3, 28.8, 24.9, 19.7, -36.1, -3.2, 17.4, 10.6 and 8.8%) and HM (-2.6, 1.2, 0.03, 7.8, 8.2, 7.8, 8.1, -10.5, 0.2, 7.2, 0.7, 3.2 and 3.3%) were mostly highly significant for all traits for ASM, BWSM, EN90D, EM90D, EN120D, EM120D, PF10E, EMF10E, EN2DW, EM2DW, EN1WM and EM1WM, respectively. We can recommend that Mandarah strain (MN) could be used as a sire and Matrouh (MT) as a dam, depending on the estimates of the direct additive genetic effect GI for the studied traits which were in favor of MN.

Effect of Inbreeding on Preweaning Growth Traits in Egyptian Buffaloes

The aims of the current study were to estimate the effect of inbreeding and genetic parameters of birth weight (BW), preweaning daily gain (PDG) and weaning weight (WW) in buffalo calves. Data were collected from weight records of buffalo calves raised at Mahallet Mousa Farms belonging to the Animal Production Research Institute. It included 2015 progeny of 125 sires, through 17 consecutive years. Effect of inbreeding was highly significant for all studied traits. The overall average of inbreeding coefficient was 0.53% in whole population and 15% in the inbred animals. The means of BW, PDG and WW in non-inbred group were 37.318, 0.490 and 88.86 Kg, respectively. While, the means of the same traits in inbred group were 31.96, 0.446 and 78.82 Kg, respectively. Corresponding the inbreeding depression as overall means of levels for above traits were -0.350, -0.003 and -0.716, respectively. Direct heritability (h2a) in inbred animals for BW, PDG and WW were 0.28, 0.25 and 0.19, respectively. On the other hand, the h2a of studied traits in non-inbred animals were 0.32, 0.30 and 0.23, respectively. The maternal heritability (h2m) for mentioned traits were 0.25, 0.26 and 0.21 within inbred animals and 0.29, 0.28 and 0.22 within non-inbred animals, respectively. Likewise, the genetic correlations (rg) among studied traits were ranged from (0.12 to 0.56) in inbred animals and were ranged from (0.16 to 0.63) in non-bred animals. As well the phenotypic correlation (rp ) among studied traits were ranged from (0.04 to 0.50) for inbreds and were varied between (0.04 and 0.54) for non-inbreds. The inbreeding was pronounced detrimental effects of studied traits in buffalo calves. Therefore, breeding strategies should be develop for reduce the inbreeding effects and inclusion the effects of inbreeding in genetic evaluation programs in Egyptian buffalo calves.