Small East African Research Articles

Resistance of Galla and Small East African goats in the sub-humid tropics to gastrointestinal nematode infections and the peri-parturient rise in faecal egg counts

A study was carried out from 1994 to 1996 to compare the resistance to naturally acquired gastrointestinal (GI) nematode infections (predominantly Haemonchus contortus) of 88 Galla and 114 Small East African (SEA) goats (does) in the sub-humid coastal region of Kenya. Live weights (LWT), blood packed cell volume (PCV) and faecal egg counts (FEC) were recorded each year at mating, 3–4 months after mating, 1–2 weeks before kidding and 1–4 months after kidding. There was a significant increase in FEC and a decline in PCV in lactating does compared to non-lactating does over the peri-parturient period. This peri-parturient rise in FEC occurred in both breeds but was more marked and persistent in the Galla than in the SEA. The SEA does were more resistant to GI nematode infections than Galla does as shown by their significantly lower FEC and higher PCV at all sampling times over the reproductive cycle, but this breed difference was particularly marked over the lactation period.

Genetic resistance to endoparasites in sheep and goats. A review of genetic resistance to gastrointestinal nematode parasites in sheep and goats in the tropics and evidence for resistance in some sheep and goat breeds in sub-humid coastal Kenya

SummaryThe evidence for both between- and within- breed genetic variation for resistance to gastrointestinal (GI) nematode parasites is reviewed. It is concluded that much of the published research on breed characterisation for resistance suffers from poor experimental design. Prior to the initiation of a 6-year study that has just been completed in coastal Kenya there were no estimates of within-breed genetic variation (i.e. heritabilities) of resistance in sheep or goats in the tropics. This study has confirmed that Red Maasai sheep and Small East African (SEA) goats are more resistant to GI parasites (predominantly Haemonchus contortus) than Dorper sheep and Galla goats. Heritability estimates for logarithm transformed faecal egg counts (an indicator of resistance) in 8-month-old lambs was 0.18±0.08 for all lambs, but higher in the susceptible Dorper-sired lambs (0.35±0.16) than in the resistant Red Maasai-sired lambs (0.06±0.07). This difference in heritability suggests that many centuries of natural selection have fixed most of the genes for resistance in the Red Maasai sheep. The resistant Red Maasai sheep and SEA goats were two to three times more productive than the susceptible Dorper sheep and Galla goats in the sub-humid coastal Kenya environment.

Susceptibility of three breeds of Ugandan goats to experimental infection with Trypanosoma congolense.

This study has indicated that differences in susceptibility to Trypanosoma congolense infection exist among the 3 main breeds of goats in Uganda namely, Kigezi, Mubende and Small East African (SEA). The Kigezi goats appeared to be the most susceptible suffering more severe anaemia, greater retardation of growth and more deaths than the other 2 breeds following experimental infection with Try-panosoma congolense. The Small East African goats appeared to be least susceptible. Following treatment after 84 days of infection, the SEA goats responded much better than the other 2 breeds. By 4 weeks after treatment with diminazene aceturate, the packed red cell volumes of the treated SEA goats were similar to those of control SEA goats while those of the Mubende and Kigezi goats were still much lower than those of control animals.

Productivity of the small East African goat and its crosses with the Anglo-Nubian and the Alpine in Rwanda.

Data from a research station in the central African country of Rwanda relating to purebred Small East African (SEA) goats, Anglo-Nubian x SEA and Alpine x SEA goats were analysed. Both SEA (598 days) and Alpine crosses (557 days) were younger at first kidding than the Anglo-Nubian crosses (766 days). There were no differences among genotypes in kidding interval which averaged 343 days nor did they differ in litter size (1.75). Mortality to 150 days (17.8%) was significantly higher in the Anglo-Nubian crosses than in Alpine crosses with the SEA being intermediate and not differing from either. Birth weights of individual kids were significantly lighter for purebred SEA (2.35 kg) than for Anglo-Nubians (2.68 kg) which were significantly lighter than the Alpine crosses (2.89 kg). Total litter weight at 150 days was significantly lower for SEA (14.5 kg) than for Alpine (18.8 kg), the Anglo-Nubian (16.9 kg) not differing significantly from either. Female postpartum weights differed significantly among genotypes, SEA being lightest (37.5 kg), Alpine crosses (42.1 kg) intermediate and Anglo-Nubian crosses (51.4 kg) heaviest. Productivity indices (total weight of live young at 150 days per kg of dam per year) averaged 442 g and did not differ among genotypes.

Dehydration in Desert Cattle and Camels

Dehydration in Desert Cattle and Camels

Renal concentrating ability in sheep during urea, mannitol, and methylurea diuresis.

ARTICLESRenal concentrating ability in sheep during urea, mannitol, and methylurea diuresisL Rabinowitz, and RA GuntherL Rabinowitz, and RA GuntherPublished Online:01 Apr 1972https://doi.org/10.1152/ajplegacy.1972.222.4.801MoreSectionsPDF (1 MB)Download PDF ToolsExport citationAdd to favoritesGet permissionsTrack citations ShareShare onFacebookTwitterLinkedInWeChat Back to Top Next Download PDF FiguresReferencesRelatedInformation Cited ByCommonly used drugs and veterinary feed directive in sheep, goats, and cervidsCommonly Used Drugs in Sheep and Goats: Suggested DosagesRenal excretion of urea in a small east african antelope, the dik-dik (Rhynchotragus kirkii)Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology Part A: Physiology, Vol. 91, No. 3Renal Transport of UreaUrea and renal concentrating ability in the rabbitKidney International, Vol. 17, No. 2Recent formulations of the urinary concentrating mechanism: A status reportKidney International, Vol. 16, No. 5Gas-liquid chromatographic method for the measurement of methyl urea in blood and urineJournal of Chromatography A, Vol. 118, No. 3Urea and sodium in sheep kidneys during ethacrynic acid diuresisPfl�gers Archiv European Journal of Physiology, Vol. 353, No. 4Effects of high and low protein diets on sheep renal function and metabolismKidney International, Vol. 4, No. 3 More from this issue > Volume 222Issue 4April 1972Pages 801-806 Copyright & PermissionsCopyright © 1972 by American Physiological Societyhttps://doi.org/10.1152/ajplegacy.1972.222.4.801PubMed5027086History Published online 1 April 1972 Published in print 1 April 1972 Metrics