Sheep Breeds Research Articles

Use Of Ginger (Zingiber Officinale Roscoe) In The Diet Of Confined Sheep

The objective of this study was to evaluate the inclusion of ginger (0.0%, 0.2%, 0.4% and 0.6%) in the diet of sheep as a natural additive on the intake and digestibility of nutrients, in addition to ruminal parameters. Four mixed breed sheep with an initial body weight of 25 kg were used, distributed in a Latin square experimental design (4x4). The diets were balanced with 12.0% crude protein (isoprotein) and 69.5% total digestible nutrients (isoenergetic). The studied variables were subjected to analysis of variance and the observed differences were determined by regression analysis considering 5% significance. The mean values obtained for the intake values expressed in kg animal-1 day-1 for DM; OM; CP; EE, NDF; ADF; TCH and CNF were 0.64; 0.60; 0.058; 0.011; 0.29; 0.19; 0.51; and 0.22, respectively. The mean values of the nutrient digestibility coefficients were 51.59; 64.92; 55.97; 76.86; 39.73; 30.68; 52.54; and 69.50%, respectively, for DM, OM, CP, EE, NDF, ADF, TCH, and NFC. No interaction effect was observed for the pH of the ruminal fluid; however, the pH value differed in relation to time. The concentration of N-NH3 in the ruminal fluid differed. The inclusion of up to 0.6% ginger in the diet of confined sheep does not alter the values of intake and nutrient digestibility coefficient; however, the inclusion of 0.4% ginger allows a higher concentration of N-NH3 in the ruminal fluid in the time interval of 2h12min after feeding, requiring the inclusion of rapidly fermented carbohydrates in the diet

Analysis of the Long Non-Coding and Messenger RNA Expression Profiles in the Skin Tissue of Super Merino and Small-Tailed Han Sheep.

Wool quality and yield are two important economic livestock traits. However, there are relatively few molecular studies on lncRNA for improving sheep wool, so these require further exploration. In this study, we examined skin tissue from the upper scapula of Super Merino (SM) and Small-Tailed Han (STH) sheep during the growing period. The apparent difference was verified via histological examination. High-throughput RNA sequencing identified differentially expressed (DE) long non-coding (lncRNAs) and messenger RNAs (mRNAs). The target gene of DE lncRNA and DE genes were enrichment analyzed using Gene Ontology (GO) and the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG). A Reverse Transcription quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-qPCR) was used to verify randomly selected DE lncRNAs and mRNAs. Finally, the DE, RAC2, WNT11, and FZD2 genes, which were enriched in the Wnt signaling pathway, were detected via immunohistochemistry. The results showed that a total of 20,888 lncRNAs and 31,579 mRNAs were identified in the skin tissues of the two sheep species. Among these, 56 lncRNAs and 616 mRNAs were differentially expressed. Through qRT-PCR, the trends in the randomly selected DE genes' expression were confirmed to be aligned with the RNA-seq results. GO and KEGG enrichment analysis showed that DE lncRNA target genes were enriched in GO terms as represented by epidermal and skin development and keratin filature and in KEGG terms as represented by PI3K-Akt, Ras, MAPK, and Wnt signaling pathways, which were related to hair follicle growth and development. Finally, immunohistochemistry staining results indicated that RAC2, WNT11, and FZD2 were expressed in dermal papilla (DP). The lncRNAs MSTRG.9225.1 and MSTRG.98769.1 may indirectly participate in the regulation of hair follicle growth, development, and fiber traits by regulating their respective target genes, LOC114113396(KRTAP15-1), FGF1, and IGF1. In addition, MSTRG.84658.1 may regulate the Wnt signaling pathway involved in the development of sheep hair follicles by targeting RAC2. This study provides a theoretical reference for improving sheep breeding in the future and lays a foundation for further research on the effects of MSTRG.84658.1 and the target gene RAC2 on dermal papilla cells (DPC).

Immunohistochemistry analyses of the abomasal mucosa show differences in cellular-mediated immune responses to Haemonchus contortus infection in resistant and susceptible young lambs

Haemonchus contortus is known for its high pathogenicity in sheep, and the uncontrolled use of anthelmintics resulted in the emergence of multiple drug-resistant populations. Breeding sheep for gastrointestinal nematode resistance is a sustainable alternative to reduce dependence of anthelmintic drugs, and differences in the degree of resistance between breeds have been reported. Here we compare two sheep breeds (Santa Ines and Ile de France), concerning the differences in innate and adaptive immune response involved in the resistance against H. contortus infection. Immunohistochemical analyses of the abomasum were conducted in naïve Santa Ines (n = 14) and Ile de France (n = 12) lambs randomized into four groups: infected Santa Ines (n = 8), non-infected control Santa Ines (n = 6), infected Ile de France (n = 8), and non-infected control Ile de France (n = 4). The infected lambs were initially infected with H. contortus infective larvae at 14 days of age, and multiple infections were conducted every second day until they reached 66 days of age. There was a significant effect (P < 0.001) of the infection with increase in numbers of CD3+ T; CD79α+ B; GATA3+ Th2/ILC2; POU2F3+ tuft cells; FOXP3+ T reg; and IgE + cells in the fundus of the abomasal mucosa in both Santa Ines and Ile de France lambs. Nevertheless, the infected Santa Ines lambs presented the highest averages for CD79α+ B; GATA3+ Th2/ILC; IgE + cells; and POU2F3+ tuft cells and there was a significant association of the breed and infection status with regards to POU2F3+ tuft cells, with the highest mean in the infected Santa Ines group. The infected Santa Ines group had three lambs with high degree of resistance and five lambs that showed a moderate infection. Our results suggest a mechanism of synergistic coordination between different immune-cell types in promoting resistance of suckling lambs under H. contortus infection.

Стратегічні пріоритети формування економічної безпеки і диджиталізації управлінської звітності для розвитку малих форм господарювання на сільських територіях

The article is dedicated to examining the fundamental strategic priorities for developing managerial reporting in the context of economic security for small-scale enterprises in rural areas, considering the growth of agribusinesses in Ukraine and worldwide. It has been demonstrated that integrating digitalization into managerial accounting significantly improves the efficiency of the information support system for agricultural enterprises. Approaches have been proposed to establish optimal managerial reporting for small-scale enterprises in rural areas. It is noted that implementing digital technologies in reporting dramatically enhances the transparency and accuracy of financial operations, allowing for the timely identification of financial risks and the prevention of undesirable losses, thereby maintaining the economic security of agribusiness enterprises. Small enterprises in rural areas, which are limited in resources and opportunities for obtaining credit or external investments, can. However, they leverage digitalized reporting systems to improve their financial reliability when collaborating with potential investors and creditors. Moreover, the digitalization of managerial reporting facilitates the optimization of management processes, allowing for more rational planning of the enterprise’s available resources. To this end, we analyzed data from a sheep farming enterprise. In calculating economic indicators in managerial reporting, a developed format for digitalized accounting and reporting information is presented for small-scale enterprises involved in sheep farming. The decrease in the number of sheep and the productivity of products (milk and wool) by 4% from the planned volumes relates to the low quality of fodder, which directly affected the economic results of the agrarian business enterprise. At the same time, the actual revenues of the enterprise turned out to be 4.2% lower than planned due to the fall in the wool market and a slight decrease in revenues from the sale of dairy products. The conclusion is drawn that further implementation of digitalization in accounting processes is advisable to reduce bookkeeping costs. It is substantiated that, in the context of globalization and the digital transformation of markets, the digitalization of accounting procedures is an integral element of the development of management systems, ensuring their adaptability to the challenges of the modern economy. Keywords: agrarian business, strategic priorities, economic development, small businesses, international business, rural areas, enterprise, digitalization, management reporting, economic security.

Genetic Diversity, Selection Signatures, and Genome-Wide Association Study Identify Candidate Genes Related to Litter Size in Hu Sheep.

Hu sheep is a renowned prolific local sheep breed in China, widely distributed across the country due to its excellent reproductive performance. Deciphering the molecular mechanisms underlying the high fecundity of Hu sheep is crucial for improving the litter size of ewes. In this study, we genotyped 830 female Hu sheep using the Illumina OvineSNP50 BeadChip and performed genetic diversity analysis, selection signature detection, and a genome-wide association study (GWAS) for litter size. Our results revealed that the Hu sheep population exhibits relatively high genetic diversity. A total of 4927 runs of homozygosity (ROH) segments were detected, with the majority (74.73%) being short in length. Different genomic inbreeding coefficients (FROH, FHOM, FGRM, and FUNI) ranged from -0.0060 to 0.0126, showing low levels of inbreeding in this population. Additionally, we identified 91 candidate genomic regions through three complementary selection signature methods, including ROH, composite likelihood ratio (CLR), and integrated haplotype score (iHS), and annotated 189 protein-coding genes. Moreover, we observed two significant SNPs related to the litter size of Hu sheep using GWAS analysis based on a repeatability model. Integrating the selection signatures and the GWAS results, we identified 15 candidate genes associated with litter size, among which BMPR1B and UNC5C were particularly noteworthy. These findings provide valuable insights for improving the reproductive performance and breeding of high-fecundity lines of Hu sheep.

Understanding Market Dynamics and Profitability in Small Ruminant Marketing: An Economic Analysis in Southern Karnataka, India

Small ruminants, particularly sheep and goats, play a crucial role in India's agricultural economy, serving as a significant source of income and livelihood for millions of small and marginalized farmers. In regions like Southern Karnataka, where livestock farming is integral part of rural households as they are not only a source of meat, wool, and milk but also provide financial security during times of economic distress. Despite their importance, the marketing of small ruminants remains largely unorganized, posing significant challenges for farmers. The marketing of small ruminants such as sheep and goat involves the procurement of animals at primary markets from farmers, selling these animals at local markets, and further distribution to terminal markets through wholesalers or commission agents. For sheep and goat farmers, selecting the appropriate marketing channel is crucial, as the benefits they receive are largely dependent on this choice. The chosen channel must minimize marketing costs while maximizing the farmer's share of the consumer's rupee. So, this study was undertaken focusing on analysing the existing marketing channels for small ruminants in Karnataka, particularly sheep and goats, and to evaluate the cost structure of different marketing channels, understand the role of middlemen, and propose measures to reduce marketing costs and improve the farmers' share of profits. In the study area, four primary marketing channels were identified: (1) Farmer → Village Trader → Wholesaler/Butcher, (2) Farmer → Local Trader → Wholesaler/Butcher, (3) Farmer → Local Trader → Farmer, and (4) Farmer → Wholesaler → Distant Trader. The cost of marketing is a significant concern for sheep and goat farmers, encompassing expenses such as transportation, feeding, market fees, middlemen charges, personnel expenses, and loading/unloading fees. The average marketing cost per animal across various channels was ₹91.71, with transportation costs making up the largest portion (49.61%), followed by feeding costs (14.72%) and middlemen charges (17.01%).This highlights the challenges related to high transportation costs and inadequate market facilities, particularly for sheep and goat marketing. So, to improve the marketing efficiency and reduce costs for sheep and goat farmers, there is a need for the establishment of regulated markets for livestock and enhancing the transportation facilities in the rural areas to help farmers realize better prices for their small ruminants.

Principal Component Analysis of Morphometric Traits in Kashmir Merino Sheep

Aims: To study the principal component analysis (PCA) of morphometric traits in Kashmir Merino sheep Place and Duration of Study: Sheep Breeding Farm, Kralpathri, Kashmir, India and 2019. Methodology: This study was preformed to evaluate the morphometric traits of 518 Kashmir Merino sheep in Jammu &amp; Kashmir under a multivariate approach. The body measurements included in the study were face length (FL), ear length (EL), ear width (EW), body length (BL), body height (BH), chest girth (CG), paunch girth (PG), tail length (TL), horn length (HL) and body weight (BW). Principal component analysis (PCA) was performed to define body shape upon the correlation matrix of the ten body measurements. Results: Principal component analysis with varimax rotation method was applied and extracted four principal components with a total variation of 64.29 %. The first principal component accounted for 28.28% of the total variance and was interpreted as a measure of CG, PG, BL and BH. The second factor which explained 12.56 % of the generalized variance tended to describe TL and HL, while the third factor explained 11.88 % of total variance which showed high loadings for BW. The fourth factor was influenced by FL and EW which explained 11.56 % of total variance. Conclusion: Therefore, these findings suggest that incorporating PCA in breeding programs could significantly enhance the genetic improvement of Kashmir Merino sheep, leading to better growth performance, increased body size, and improved productivity.

Danmarks Not-So-Oldest Sheep

Sheep and goats are often considered to be the oldest livestock animals in Denmark. In this contribution, we present the results of ZooMS measurements from seven ovicaprid bones from the Femern project, an excavation in the area of the former Syltholm Fjord (Lolland, Denmark). The bones were morphologically identified as sheep or goats and represented the oldest dated remains of both species in Denmark. However, the ZooMS analysis showed that more than half of the morphological identifications were incorrect. For the other samples, we refined the identifications. Hence, our study confirms that indications of sheep and goat husbandry based on bone morphology alone should be treated with caution. The probability of misidentification in our case was high, even in the case of well-preserved bones.

High genetic diversity of Anaplasma ovis in sheep from Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Ovine anaplasmosis (sensu stricto) is a rickettsial blood disease caused by the tick-borne species Anaplasma ovis. The disease is characterized by mild anemia, fever, and icterus. A more severe clinical presentation is possible in non-endemic areas. There is no existing data on the presence of Anaplasma ovis in Bosnia and Herzegovina. However, given the country's location within the Mediterranean Basin and the recent molecular detection of Babesia ovis, it is plausible that sheep in the region could naturally be infected with this tick-borne pathogen. Blood samples from 81 sheep in the Podrinje and Herzegovina areas were examined by PCR. PCR positivity was found in 38 (46.9%) cases indicating a high number of infected sheep. Mixed infections with Babesia ovis and A.ovis were observed in 63.3% of cases. A higher number of positive sheep was recorded in the area of Herzegovina. Phylogenetic analysis of the gltA, groEL, and msp4 genes of A. ovis revealed numerous genotypes and significant genetic variability. This diversity was not related to geographic origin, tick-borne infection status, or sheep breeding practices in Podrinje and Herzegovina. The data obtained in this study suggest that the emergence of new genotypes and the high genetic variability of A. ovis are driven by specific local and micro-environmental factors.

Characterization of Flavor Compounds in Chinese Indigenous Sheep Breeds Using Gas Chromatography-Ion Mobility Spectrometry and Chemometrics.

This study analyzed the flavor compounds in the meat of four indigenous breeds of Chinese sheep through the use of gas chromatography-ion mobility spectrometry (GC-IMS). GC-IMS provided information on the characteristics and strength of 71 volatile flavor compounds (monomers and dimers), with aldehydes, alcohols and ketones being the most abundant in all types of sheep meat. The compounds with higher intensity peaks in the sheep meat were aldehydes (n-nonanal, octanal, heptanal, 3-methylbutanal, and hexanal), alcohols (1-octen-3-ol, hexanol, and pentanol), ketones (3-hydroxy-2-butanon, 2-butanone, and 2-propanone), esters (methyl benzoate), and thiazole (trimethylthiazole). The volatile flavor components in the meat of the different breeds of sheep obtained via GC-IMS were further differentiated using principal component analysis. In addition, orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA) and variable importance on projection (VIP) were used to determine the characteristic flavor compounds in the meats of different breeds of sheep, and 21 differentially volatile components were screened out based on having a VIP above 1. These results indicate that GC-IMS combined with multivariate analysis is a convenient and powerful method for characterizing and discriminating sheep meat.

Genomic characterisation and diversity assessment of eight endangered Belgian sheep breeds

Assessing the genetic diversity of local breeds is essential for conserving these unique breeds, which may possess unique traits. This study provides the genomic characterisation of eight indigenous sheep breeds in Belgium based on pedigree and single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) analysis. A total of 687 sheep were genotyped and were subjected to a rigorous quality control, resulting in a set of 45 978 autosomal SNPs. Pedigree analysis showed breed-average inbreeding estimates between 3.3% and 11.3%. The genomic analysis included an assessment of runs of homozygosity (ROH) to examine the genomic inbreeding coefficient, with breed-average inbreeding coefficients estimated between 4.1% and 8.5%. Runs of homozygosity islands were identified in six of the eight breeds studied, with some exhibiting an incidence of up to 58%. Interestingly, several ROH islands overlapped with other breeds included in this study, as well as with international sheep breeds. Pedigree-based effective population sizes were estimated below 100 for all breeds, whereas genomic-based effective population sizes were below 24, indicating that these eight local sheep breeds are endangered. Principal component analysis, admixture analyses, and Fst computations were used to study the population structure and genetic differences. A neighbour−joining tree using 95 international sheep breeds positioned the eight local breeds in the group of milksheep, Texel sheep and the Scandinavian breeds. Additionally, the investigation of paternal oY1 genotypes revealed diverse lineage origins within the Belgian sheep population. This study refines and deepens our knowledge about the local sheep breeds in Belgium, thereby improving their management and conservation. Moreover, as these breeds are linked to other international breeds, these insights are significant for the global scientific community.

A Study on the 3D Reconstruction Strategy of a Sheep Body Based on a Kinect v2 Depth Camera Array.

Non-contact measurement based on the 3D reconstruction of sheep bodies can alleviate the stress response in sheep during manual measurement of body dimensions. However, data collection is easily affected by environmental factors and noise, which is not conducive to practical production needs. To address this issue, this study proposes a non-contact data acquisition system and a 3D point cloud reconstruction method for sheep bodies. The collected sheep body data can provide reference data for sheep breeding and fattening. The acquisition system consists of a Kinect v2 depth camera group, a sheep passage, and a restraining pen, synchronously collecting data from three perspectives. The 3D point cloud reconstruction method for sheep bodies is implemented based on C++ language and the Point Cloud Library (PCL). It processes noise through pass-through filtering, statistical filtering, and random sample consensus (RANSAC). A conditional voxel filtering box is proposed to downsample and simplify the point cloud data. Combined with the RANSAC and Iterative Closest Point (ICP) algorithms, coarse and fine registration are performed to improve registration accuracy and robustness, achieving 3D reconstruction of sheep bodies. In the base, 135 sets of point cloud data were collected from 20 sheep. After 3D reconstruction, the reconstruction error of body length compared to the actual values was 0.79%, indicating that this method can provide reliable reference data for 3D point cloud reconstruction research of sheep bodies.

Assessing the Effect of Predator Control on Black‐Footed Cat Survival in Central South Africa

ABSTRACTThe black‐footed cat, a small felid endemic to southern Africa, is particularly vulnerable to killing by larger carnivores while also being prone to developing renal diseases. Here, we investigated the effect of predator control on black‐footed cat populations by comparing adult annual survival between two sites, a nature reserve with little predator management and a sheep and game farm where jackals and caracals were lethally controlled. Although relatively low, survival rates were similar for both sites, suggesting that intraguild killing did not have an additive effect on black‐footed cat mortality. Disease was however prevalent and weakened individuals might have a reduced ability to evade predators.

Assessment of implementation of biosecurity measures on livestock farms in three regions of Kosovo

Biosecurity is a multicomponent procedure that encompasses risk analysis and management strategies relevant to human, animal and plant life, as well as environmental risk assessment. The aim of this study was to assess data related to biosecurity measures implemented by farmers on cattle, sheep and goat farms in Kosovo. A total of 36 farms from three regions of Kosovo, Pristina, Ferizaj and Peja were included. A questionnaire consisting of one open-ended question and 37 closed questions was administered directly to farmers, and the current on-farm situation was observed by the investigators. Based on the collected results, 86% of farms were cattle farms, 8% were sheep farms, and 6% were goat farms. Among all the farms visited, 67% of them operated with a combined system, 28% with a closed system and only 5% operated with an open system. The vast majority of participants (81%) declared that they did not have sufficient knowledge about the term biosecurity, whereas 11% of them were moderately familiar with the term biosecurity and only 8% of them were quite familiar with the term. 83% reported that their animals undergo a veterinary health check only when necessary. Other biosecurity measures applied less frequently included: showering before entering the farm, specific clothing and shoes for visitors, animal quarantine, disinfection and systematic plan for insect and rodent control. We propose that there is room for improving the level of on-farm biosecurity by enhancing practical training and information from localinstitutions. We conclude that routine integration of biosecurity measures was not demonstrated by most farmers in their management practices and that there is significant room for improvement concerning the level of biosecurity in Kosovo.

An Insight into Practices Associated with the Control of Internal Parasites in the Dairy Goat Herds of Romania: A Questionnaire Survey.

The widespread and uncontrolled use of anthelmintic products has contributed to the emergence of anthelmintic resistance (AR). This phenomenon globally threatens the productivity and welfare of small ruminants. A questionnaire consisting of 34 questions was handed to 234 goat farmers across Romania to gain insight into control practices against internal parasites and the farmers' perception of the parasitic infections present in their herds and the efficacy of anthelmintic treatments. The majority of farmers (88.5%) admitted they had never submitted fecal samples for parasitological laboratory analysis, and 77.4% had treated the animals on their own. In general, the farmers dewormed their goats based on visual body weight estimation. Prophylactic anthelmintic treatment was practiced by more than 85% of the farmers. A traditional control approach based on treating the entire herd at fixed time intervals is widespread among Romanian goat and sheep farmers. The most commonly used anthelmintic drugs in the previous 3 years (2021-2023) were benzimidazoles (85.5%) and macrocyclic lactones (81.6%). Poor anthelmintic efficacy was suspected by 14.5% of farmers, and the minority (18.0%) considered internal parasites as a problem in their herds. Regarding the farmers' perception of the presence of parasites, there was a significant level of uncertainty. This is the first survey carried out in Romanian goat herds, and it provides up-to-date information on practices aimed at controlling internal parasites.

Peningkatan Perekonomian Peternak Melalui Pengolahan Limbah

Bondowoso Regency is a center for sheep farming in Indonesia. The establishment of a sheep breeding center in Indonesia has resulted in a large sheep population in Bondowoso Regency. Sheep farming not only produces meat, but also by-products such as wool and waste. Waste that is not utilized properly can cause environmental pollution. One of the villages in Bondowoso Regency which has many sheep farms is Prajekan Kidul Village. The PPK Ormawa Team of the Breeder Study Program Student Association (HIMAPROSTER) Jember University empowered farmers in processing sheep manure waste into solid organic fertilizer. The methods used in this program are focus group discussions, socialization, counseling, practice, mentoring and activity evaluation. After this activity can provide a solution to the problem of livestock waste waste in Prajekan Kidul Village. It is also able to improve the economy of farmers thanks to the sale of solid organic fertilizer.

Immunomodulatory effect of tibetan medicine compound extracts against ORFV in vitro by metabolomics

Ovine contagious pustular dermatitis (ORF) is one of the main diseases of sheep and is a zoonotic disease caused by Ovine contagious pustular dermatitis virus (ORFV) infection, posing a significant constraint on sheep breeding industry and human health. The Tibetan medical formulation composed of Polygonum leucoides, Polygonum xanthoxylum and Acanthophora rotunda significantly regulated lymphocyte immune function following ORFV stimulation, although the mechanism remains unclear. In order to study the immunomodulatory effects and mechanism of three Tibetan medicinal extracts (Polygonum leucoides, Polygonum xanthoxylum, and Acanthophora rotunda) against ORFV in vitro, sheep peripheral blood lymphocytes were isolated in vitro and treated with different concentrations of Tibetan medicine compound extract solution after ORFV infection. The cytokine expression levels in lymphocytes were measured at 4 h, 8 h and 12 h. Additionally endogenous metabolites in lymphocytes at 0 h, 4 h, 8 h and 12 h were quantified by untargeted metabolomics method. The results showed that, the extracts could regulate the lymphocyte immune factors altered by ORFV, and regulate the lymphocyte immune function through cysteine and methionine metabolic pathways as well as the pyrimidine metabolic pathways, potentially alleviating the immune evasion induced by ORFV.

The genetic characterization of germplasm and identification of the litter size trait associated candidate genes in Dexin mutton and fine-wool sheep.

Xinjiang is a major province of sheep breeding in China, which plays an important role in meeting people's needs for meat products, increasing farmers' income and sustainable development of animal husbandry. However, the genetic differentiation relationship between breeds was not clear, and most sheep had low fecundity, which seriously restricted the efficient development of sheep industry. Therefore, this study used the whole genome resequencing to detect the genetic variation of Dexin mutton and fine-wool sheep, explored the selected regions and important genes of the litter size traits, analyzed the genetic mechanism of reproductive traits, and provided new insights for the high fecundity breeding of sheep. A total of 5,236.338 G genome data and 35,884,037 SNPs were obtained. Furthermore, we identified 39 selection signals spanning candidate genes, 99 genes were significantly associated related to growth, reproduction and immunity, among which, BRIP1, BMPR1B, BMP4, NGF, etc. genes, and MAKP signaling pathway, Fanconi anemia pathway and Thyroid hormone signaling pathway and other signaling pathways were significantly correlated with litter size trait. Among them, we identified NGF, TrKA and BRIP1 genes was the important genes for sheep litter size traits and the mutation frequencies of 9 SNPs in BRIP1 gene were significantly different in domestic sheep in the world. The research provided new insights for the breeding of self-cultivated meat fine-wool sheep.

Mixed grazing of cattle with sheep and goats as a solution for livestock farmers in Greece and other countries around the Mediterranean Sea: a review

The management of common pastures is often a matter of conflict between cattle farmers and small ruminants (goats and sheep), especially in areas with small pastures and low capacity. This conflict is reflected in a relevant opinion survey in Evrytania (Central Greece) where cattle farmers consider that cattle can graze together with goats and/or sheep while goat and sheep farmers consider that cattle should be restricted to separate pastures. However, international experience as reflected in publications, mainly from the USA, shows that the co-grazing of cattle with goats and/or sheep, under certain conditions, can yield multiple benefits which have not been particularly highlighted in Greece. The aim of this paper is to investigate the potential of co-grazing of cattle with small ruminants and to list the benefits of this practice.

Efficacy of Commonly Used Anthelmintics Against Naturally Occurring Gastrointestinal Nematodes in Goats

Efficacy of four commonly used anthelmintics have been evaluated against naturally occurring gastrointestinal nematodes in goats following the method of faecal egg count reduction test (FECRT) in the present study. Fifty goats in the age group of 1 to 2 years old and of either sex, having infection with strongyle group of nematodes were selected in the sheep and goat farm under project ‘Biotech Kisan Hub”, West Bengal University of Animal and Fishery sciences and the goats were equally divided into five groups; group I (infected control), group II (albendazole treated), group III (fenbendazole treated), group IV (ivermectin treated) and group V (levamisole treated). Faecal egg count (FEC) in terms of eggs per gram of faeces (EPG) were estimated in all the experimental goats (n = 50) on 0-day post treatment (0 DPT) and again on 10 DPT. Efficacy of albendazole, fenbendazole, ivermectin and levamisole were 78.15%, 80.24%, 86.38% and 95.46%, respectively. Comparatively less efficacy of albendazole and fenbendazole indicated the emergence of anthelmintic resistance and lower efficacy of ivermectin might be due selection of resistant worms. Efficacy of levamisole was comparatively higher and it can be used strategically to control GI helminth parasites of goats in that farm.