Sudan Desert Research Articles

Exploring genetic diversity and variation of Ovar-DRB1 gene in Sudan Desert Sheep using targeted next-generation sequencing

IntroductionThe Ovar-DRB1 gene, a crucial element of the Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) Class II region, initiates adaptive immunity by presenting antigens to T-cells. Genetic diversity in sheep, particularly in MHC Class II genes like Ovar-DRB1, directly influences the specturm of presented antigens impacting immune responses and disease susceptability. Understanding the allelic diversity of Ovar-DRB1 gene in Sudan Desert Sheep (SDS) is essential for uncovering the genetic basis of immune responses and disease resistance, given the the breeds significance in Sudan's unique environment.MethodsUtilizing Targeted Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) we explore allelic diversity in Ovar-DRB1 gene within SDS. Successfully ampliying and and sequencing the second exon of this gene in 288 SDS samples representing six breeds provided a comprehensive allelic profile, enabling a detalied examination of the gene's genetic makeup.ResultsWe identifed forty-six alleles, including four previously unreported, enrichness the genetic diversity of SDS breeds. These alleles exhibiting non-uniform distribution, varying frequencies across breeds, indicating a breed-specific genetic landscape. Certain alleles, known and novel, show higher frequencies in specific populations, suggesting potential associations with adaptive immune responses. Identifying these alleles sets the stage for investigating their functional roles and implications for disease resistance. Genetic differentiation among SDS breeds, as indicated by FST values and clustering analyses, highlights a unique genetic makeup shaped by geographic and historical factors. These differentiation patterns among SDS breeds have broader implications for breed conservation and targeted breeding to enhance disease resistance in specific populations.ConclusionThis study unveils Ovar-DRB1 gene allelic diversity in SDS breeds through targeted NGS and genetic analyses, revealing new alleles that underscore the breeds’ unique genetic profile. Insights into the genetic factors governing immune responses and disease resistance emerge, promising for optimization of breeding strategies for enhanced livestock health in Sudan’s unique environment.

Effect of Grazing Management and Watering Regimen on Sudan Desert Lambs’ Body Weights

Effect of Grazing Management and Watering Regimen on Sudan Desert Lambs’ Body Weights

Effect of Level of Protein on Digestibility and Nitrogen Balance in Sudan Desert Sheep Fed Molasses-Based Fattening Rations

Three yearling intact males of Sudan desert sheep (Hamariecotype) ranging in weight between 26 and 30 kg were used in a 3x3 latinsquare design with the objective of studying the effect of feeding threecrude protein (CP) levels (14.5%, 16.7% and 18.7%) in complete iso-caloric molasses-based diets on nitrogen-balance, digestibility ofnutrients, rectal temperature and respiration rate. Nitrogen (N) level hadno significant effect on the digestibility coefficients of the differentnutrients, total digestible nutrients (TDN) and N-balance. Urine volume,rectal temperature and respiration rate were not affected by N level.

Nutritional and Physiological Responses of Sudan Desert Sheep and Nubian Goats to Water Restriction

This study was conducted to compare the nutrient utilization,concentration of some rumen metabolites, blood urea nitrogen and somephysiological responses to water restriction in Sudan desert sheep andNubian goats. Three yearling uncastrated intact males from each species,averaging 18.37 kg (for sheep) and 13.21 kg (for goats), were randomlyallotted to four treatments in a completely randomized block design witha 2 x 2 factorial arrangement of treatments to determine the effects ofanimal species and water restriction. Both species were offered either adlibitum feed and water or water restricted to 50% of ad libitum level withad libitum feed. Animal species resulted in a significant (P<0.01) increasein dry matter intake, water intake, faecal dry matter and respiration rateand a decrease (P<0.01) in water intake: dry matter intake ratio in sheepcompared with goats. Sheep showed also higher (P<0.05) urine volumevalue than goats. Rectal temperature was not affected by animal species.Dry matter intake, faecal dry matter and urine volume decreasedinsignificantly with water restriction. However, water intake and waterintake: dry matter intake ratio decreased significantly (P<0.01) withtreatment. Rectal temperature and respiration rate values were almostsimilar at the two levels of water intake. Species x treatment interactionshowed a significant (P<0.01) increase in water intake in sheep comparedwith goats given water ad libitum. Water intake, however, decreased inboth species as a result of water restriction. Animal species induced asignificant effect on the apparent digestibility coefficients of dry matter,organic matter, crude protein, crude fibre, nitrogen free extract and totaldigestible nutrients. Ether extract digestibility did not differ betweenspecies. Goats had lower digestibility coefficients and total digestiblenutrients compared with sheep. Except for ether extract digestibility, the
 
 
 
 
 233Sulafa M. H. Hassouna and Asim A. A. Lutfidigestibility coefficients of nutrients as well as total digestible nutrientsincreased with water restriction. Sheep had the highest nitrogen balancevalue. Nitrogen balance showed similar trend whether it is expressed as apercentage of nitrogen intake or digested nitrogen. Species x treatmentinteractions were not found for digestibility and nitrogen balance data.Rumen pH and ammonia nitrogen were not affected significantly byspecies. Water restriction did not induce a significant effect on rumen pHand blood urea nitrogen. A significant species and treatment effect onblood urea nitrogen and ammonia nitrogen, respectively, was recorded.

Performance of Sudan Desert Sheep Fed Different Nitrogen Levels in Molasses-based Fattening Rations

Twenty-four yearling uncastrated males of Sudan desert sheep(Hamari ecotype), ranging in weight between 26 and 30 kg, were used ina completely randomized design with the objective of studying the effectof feeding different nitrogen levels (14.5%, 16.7% and 18.7% crudeprotein) in complete isocaloric molasses-based fattening diets on sheepperformance, some rumen metabolites (ammonia nitrogen) and blood ureanitrogen. There was no significant treatment effect on average finalweight, average daily gain, daily dry matter intake, daily water intake orfeed conversion ratio. There was a tendency of increased growth rate anddry matter intake with the increase of nitrogen level. The best feedconversion ratio was found at 14.5% crude protein, whereas 16.7% crudeprotein exhibited the least. There was a significant (P<0.05) treatmenteffect on rumen pH when samples were taken before feeding. Treatmenthad no significant effect on ammonia nitrogen or blood urea nitrogenwhen samples were taken before and six hours after feeding. However,treatment failed also to induce a significant (P<0.05) effect on ammonianitrogen three hours after feeding.

Genetic variation and demographic history of Sudan desert sheep reveal two diversified lineages

More than 400 million sheep are raised on the African continent, the majority of which are indigenous and are primarily reared for sustenance. They have effectively adapted to various climatic and production environments, surviving and flourishing. The genetic relationships among these sheep populations remain understudied. Herein, we sequenced the entire mitochondrial DNA control region of 120 animals from Hamary and Kabashi and their crossbreed (Hamary x Kabashi) of Sudan desert sheep (SDS) to understand their maternal-inherited genetic variation and demographic history profiles and relate those to the history of sheep pastoralism on the African continent. The results show a diversified and predominant D- loop haplogroup B (n = 102, 85%), with all other sequences belonging to haplogroup A. Most of the maternal genetic variation was partitioned between haplogroup (76.3%) while within haplogroup accounted for 23.7% of the variation. However, little genetic differentiation was observed among the two breeds and their crosses, with our results supporting a Hamari maternal origin for the crossbreed. Bayesian coalescent-based analysis reveals distinct demographic history between the two haplogroups, two breeds and their crosses. Comparison of the two haplogroup showed that haplogroup B experienced an earlier expansion than haplogroup A. Unlike the breed-based comparison, the expansion of the two breeds started roughly at the same time, around 6500 years ago, with Kabashi having a slightly greater effective population size. The maternal ancestors of SDS may have diverged before their introduction to the African continent. This study provides novel insights into the early history of these two main breeds of Sudan desert sheep and their crosses.

Further Evaluation of the performance of Shugor, Dubasi and Watish subtypes of Sudanese Desert sheep: Under Sedentary and Improved Production Systems

The present study was conducted in the National Sheep Research Station in Elhuda, Sudan where the sheep flocks are kept for scientific research purposes. The aim of the study is to evaluate two systems of sheep productivity namely: the prevailing annual single lamb cropping (sheer-sedentary) and induced three lamb cropping per two years to which feed supplementation is provided (improved – sedentary). Three subtypes: Shugor, Dubasi and Watish in Sudan Desert sheep were used for a three –lamp crops, per two years, in addition to feed supplementation, to represent an improved-sedentary system, (B) against a sheer sedentary (A), that represents an annual single-lamp-crop system. The improved sedentary was associated with reductions in the overall average values of the traits: ewes losses (1.95 vs 3.09%), ewe barrenness (17.30 vs 28.67%) and lambing interval (257.97 vs 353.50 days ), whereas it enhanced lambing rate (82.73 vs72.67 %), litter size at weaning measured: as lambs weaned per ewes exposed for breeding (1.01 vs 0.67) and as lambs weaned per ewes that actually lambed (1.12 vs 0.93) improved adjusted lamb weaning weight per ewe at 60 days of lamb age (13.62 vs 10.58 kg) , increased lamb survival rate (93.91 vs 75.63%) and eventually promoted productivity index (18.36 vs 5.25kg) of lambs weaned per ewe per year. These overall average values were calculated out of the mean values of the measured traits shown in tables (1 and 2) of the text. Furthermore, the comparison between the three subtype sheep groups for their performance as affected by the improved sedentary against the sheer - sedentary revealed similar trends of response as above, that culminated in the Shugor subtype having the greatest productivity index mean value (20.82 kg) as subsequently compared with that of either the subtype Dubasi (17.56 kg) or the Watish subtype (16.70 kg). It is concluded that these results do encourage the adoption and projection on the improved-sedentary system, specially, under the surroundings of irrigated agriculture land use to provide extra income to the welfare of the farmer.

Live Weight and Live Weight Changes and Some Relationships of Certain Reproductive Traits in the Breeding Female Shugor and Dubasi Sub-Types of Sudan Desert Sheep

This study was carried out at the National Sheep Research Station in Elhuda, Sudan to investigate the situation of female sheep conditions while in gestation and to consult some aspects associated to pregnancy parameters and others on live weight were collected, processed and statistically tested in addition to variability consideration. Thus, live weight changes its variability and some relationships for certain reproductive traits in the Shugor and Dubasi subtypes of Sudanese Desert sheep ewes were studied from mating events to the immediate postpartum date. The overall live weight changes during this period resulted in an increase of 22.8 and 27.6% in the live weight of either of these two ewe groups ,respectively, but with an overall greater in live weight variability within the Shugor as contrasted with that within their contemporary Dubasi ewe group (11.33vs 8.27%, CV), having periodic mean value which ranges from 10.70 -13.5% CV and 7.2 – 8.5% CV, respectively, for the Shugor and Dubasi ewe groups. The combined contribution of the foetal lamb weights, foetal placenta fluids weights composed 20.0% for the Shugor and 17.9% for the Dubasi of the breeding (mating) live weight of each while the weight of the lamb at birth and that of the associated placenta had mean values of 11.1 ±0.06% and 1.23 ± 0.06, respectively, of the Shugor pre-partum ewe live weight but the corresponding mean proportional values in the Dubasi group were 9.48 ± 0.49% and 1.20 ±0.08 % .The regression of gestation length, post-partum ewe live weight and lamb birth weight had mean values of + 0.37 , + 0.71 and 0.002 as related to the breeding (mating) ewe live weight of the Shugor whereas the corresponding regression values in the Dubasi ewes were +0.03 ,+ 0.67 and + 0.03. None of these contrasting parameter values was significantly different in the two subtype groups. Similarly, the regression values of the placenta weight on the lamb birth weight were not significantly different, respecttively, - 0.02 and + 0.032 in the Shugor and Dubasi ewe groups. It is concluded that live weights variations in breeding females should be made manageable to their least possible to allow for more solid data, on the female and its offspring, as this is conductive to performance development.

Utilization of High and Low-Quality Roughages by Sudan Desert Sheep and Nubian Goats

Utilization of High and Low-Quality Roughages by Sudan Desert Sheep and Nubian Goats

Birth Characteristics and Pre-Weaning Lamb Growth of Grazing Sudan Desert Ewes Supplemented in Different Reproductive Stages

This work was conducted to study effect of supplementary feeding at different reproductive stages on birth characteristics and pre weaning growth performance of lamb born to desert sheep (Hamari subtype) raised on natural range in West Kordofan State, Sudan. Ninety ewes of similar age and live weight were used in the study. Ewes were divided into three feeding group of 30 animals each. Group A was given concentrate supplement for one month before mating, one month during mating, and one month before lambing; group B was given the supplement for one month during mating and one month before lambing, while group C was left as a control group kept on natural grazing. The concentrate diet consisted of sorghum grains 15 %, groundnut cake 20 %, molasses 15 %, wheat bran 25 %, groundnut hulls 23 %, salt 1 % and 1 % limestone, and was offered at a rate of 500 gm./ewe/day. All animals were allowed to graze on natural range and were watered every 2-3 days. The result indicated that birth weight in general and that of ram lambs was heavier in concentrate supplemented ewes. Although there was no significant difference between supplemented and grazing ewes on pre-weaning growth rate of their lambs yet lambs born to non-supplemented ewes had lower total live weight gain. It is recommended that feed supplementation and range improvement programs are needed as water harvesting and reseeding of range lands to reduce stress of long journies searching for water and forage, to improve productive performance of sheep and pre-weaning growth of their lambs.

The Effect of Husbandry and Management System on Sudan Desert Sheep Leather Production and Quality

This trail is aimed to demonstrate the effect of husbandry and management system on Sudan desert sheep performance and skin quality. For this purpose a questionnaire was designed and distributed randomly for 20 sheep breeders in each of the five chosen sheep breed area’s (Total of 100 ques.). The questionnaire include beside the personal data, twenty two (22) questions mainly about; system of feeding and application methods in each season, husbandry systems in each season , the main effective treatments on skins quality and common skin diseases and external parasites. The results revealed that, most of Sudan desert sheep owners or breeders were illiterate and most of them were herder 48.0%, while 37.5% were herder and farmer at the same time. All respondents confirmed that the open system depending on natural grazing was the main h usbandry and management system in all study target area. In autumn sheep depends totally on natural pasture grazing, while in winter sheep partly fed on natural grazing and the breeders complete it's feeding depending on the litter that remained from food crops after harvesting. Sudan desert sheep breeder in summer are using their stock of forage hay that collected either during the rainy season from good growing autumn pastures or from agricultural byproducts such as sorghum and sesame straw or groundnut r esiduals. The additional diets is varies by the variation of Sudan desert sheep locations. sometimes when forage are limited and for marketing purposes Sudan desert sheep breeders adding little amount or uncountable amount of sorghum grains, cotton seed ca kes, groundnut seed cake as finisher diet concentrate beside agricultural byproducts such as groundnut byproduct hay, sorghum byproduct hay and sesame byproduct hay for the herd that offered for sale or for fleshing or steaming up ewes during lambing seaso n. Branding is the most common and known damage in skins generally. Also some animal breeder's belief that by means of hot iron branding some animals may acquire immunity against certain diseases. The respondents attributed causes of mechanical damages of skins of animals on range land mainly to the domination of thorny bushes and grass with hairy and spiny seeds in pastures. External parasites and skin diseases cause most of skins damages and wastages in Sudan generally. Sheep pox spreads on sheep skins wi th high rates (88%). On the other hand, mange are resulting in (8%) of sheep skins infections. However, ticks infect most of sheep skins (80%), when Lice infection estimated at 20% of sheep skins.

Effect of Natural Gastrointestinal Parasitic Infection on Fattening Performance of Sudan Desert Sheep

Forty eight Sudan desert lambs were used in a-2 month fattening trial to evaluate the effect of natural gastrointestinal parasitic infection on fattening performance of old (2 years and up) and young (milk teeth) lambs fed isonitrogenous (CP: 16.11%) high (12.24 MJ/kg) high and low (10.35 MJ/kg) energy diets. Average daily gain, final body weight and total body weight gain showed a significantly (P<0.001) high differences. Infection along with low energy played a very important role resulting the worst performance plus high mortality. Significant differences were recorded in slaughter weights, the highest one was that of old lamb group, treated for internal parasites and given high energy diet (39.67 kg). It was 40.76% higher than the lowest treatment group which was the young infected given low energy diet. Empty body weight, dressing percentage and muscle percentage were (P<0.05) higher in the treated groups.

Effect of Natural Gastrointestinal Parasitic Infection on Carcass Yield and Characteristics of Sudan Desert Sheep

This study was conducted to detect the effect of natural gastrointestinal parasitic infection along with age and level of energy on the carcass yield and characteristics of Sudan Desert sheep. Forty-eight lambs were divided into eight groups of 6 animals each and fattened for 60 days. A total of twenty four animals (3 from each group) were selected for slaughter at the end of the fattening process. The study revealed significant differences in slaughter weights (P < 0.05), carcass weights (P < 0.05) and carcass characteristics. Both hot and cold empty body weights and dressing percentages were significantly (P < 0.01) affected by internal parasitic infection and dietary energy level. Wholesale cuts yields and loin composition were not significantly affected by infection except for muscle percentage (P < 0.05).

Impact of Natural Gastrointestinal Parasitic Infection on Growth Performance and Economics of Production of the Sudan Desert Sheep

This study was conducted to evaluate the impact of natural gastrointestinal parasitic infection on growth and economics production of Sudan Desert sheep. Forty-eight naturally infected lambs were divided into 2 groups of 24lambs each. One group was treated for internal parasites while the other was left naturally infected. Each group was then divided into two groups according to age (old two years and young milk teeth) and dietary energy level (high and low). The design ended up with eight groups of 6 individuals each which were The design ended up with eight groups of 6 individuals each which were old treated high energy (OTHE), old infected high energy (OIHE), old treated low energy (OTLE), old infected low energy (OILE), young treated high energy (YTHE),young infected high energy (YIHE), young treated low energy (YTLE) and young infected low energy (YILE). They were then fattened for 60 days during which feedlot performance, mortality rate, purchase prices, sales and margins were calculated. The growth parameters as average daily gain and final body showed significantly (P< 0.001) high differences among treatments. Margin percent of sales of (OTHE) was 23.80% while (OILE) lost 40% of their total cost. Although (YTHE) ranked second in term of performance, but they achieved the best profit which was 5.7% more than the profit of (OTHE) because of less dry matter consumption. The number of sold lambs for (OILE) and (YILE) decreased by 50% due to mortality. Total margin of (OTHE) was 98.08 $, while (OIHE) was sold for 36.36% less profit. The former group gained 82.81% more profit than (OTLE). Although older treated lambs gained more weight than younger ones but economically younger lambs were more profitable. Total sales revenue of (OTHE) was 510 $ with 19.2% total margin, while the total sales revenue of (YTHE) was 480 $ achieving 24.9% total margin.

Leather quality of some Sudan desert sheep and goats

Leather quality of some Sudan desert sheep and goats

The Effect of Breed on Skin/Leather Quality of Sudan Desert Sheep

This study was carried out to estimate the effect of Sudan Desert sheep breed variations on skin\leather quality. Five Sudan desert sheep breeds on an average age of 1-1.2 years were selected for the study. One hundred and fifty (150) pieces of fresh skins from five non-castrated male of Sudan desert breeds were collected from west Sudan (Kordofan state) and east Sudan (Gezira and Butana). The results showed that, Fresh skin weight, elongation, tensile strength , flexibility, cracking and tear load results were significantly affected (P ≥ 0.05) by breed variations. Thickness findings were not significantly affected (P ≥ 0.05) by breed. Moisture, fat and chrome oxide contents findings were significantly affected (P ≥ 0.05) by breed. Whereas, Ash content values were not significantly affected (P ≥ 0.05) by breed variations.

West African Monsoon 2012

Living up to its reputation as a highly variable climate system, the West African Monsoon (WAM) 2012 contrasted strikingly with the previous year. In 2011, the West African rainy season was delayed, patchy, and irregular. In 2012, whilst it was anomalously wet in many area, the Guinea coastal countries and some crucial agricultural regions remained very dry, persisting from the previous year. As a result, 2012 generated the third big food crisis to hit the region in the last seven years. The 2012 WAM forecast, observed climate conditions and the ongoing socio-economic implications for the region are reviewed here.

Effects of Feeding Different Levels of Sesame Oil Cake (Sesamum indicum L.) On Performance and Carcass Characteristics of Sudan Desert Sheep

Twenty seven entire lambs of Sudan desert sheep were used to evaluate the effect of using different level of sesame cake meal (SCM) in a fattening experiment which extended for fifty days. Experimental animals were fed iso-caloric and iso-nitrogenous diets containing two sources of protein: groundnut cake (treatment A) and sesame cake at 15% level (treatment B) and at 20% level (treatment C). Significant (≤ 0.05) differences were observed only in Daily weight gain, Feed conversion ratio and heart weight. In these traits treatment A and C were superior to treatment B, the three treatments record 0.166±0. 0.179±0.03 and 0.143±0.01b g/d, 6.87±2.4, 7.65±1.1 and 9.02±1.7 DMI/kg gain and 0.25±0.00, 0.26 ±0.02, 0.30±0.00 kg for the traits respectively. It was concluded that the addition of sesame cake up to 20% lead to satisfactory feedlot performance and carcass yield.

Effects of Crushed Roselle Seed (Karkadeh) (Hibiscus sabdariffa L.) Fed at Graded Levels to Sudan Desert Sheep

Effects of Crushed Roselle Seed (Karkadeh) (Hibiscus sabdariffa L.) Fed at Graded Levels to Sudan Desert Sheep

Genetic variability in the body weight of Sudan desert goats

Abstract. Data on 586 kids from 30 bucks and 120 does of Sudan desert goats was used in the present study. The study aimed at investigating the genetic variations of body weight at various ages. Range of heritability estimates for body weight from birth to 6th month was 0.04–0.54. The estimates from dam component ranged 0.28–0.68 which was higher than that from sire component estimates. The genetic correlations for body weight at various ages were substantially high, ranged from 0.51–0.99 as sire, dam and dam nested in sire components. Phenotypic correlations of body weight at various ages ranged from 0.43–0.99 with differences being significant (P&lt;0.01). Low to high environmental correlations (0.10–0.33) were encountered as dam component. However, the random effect of sire was found to be significantly (P&lt;0.01) positively correlated.