ORIGINAL_ARTICLE
FACTORS AFFECTING BIRTH AND WEANING WEIGHTS OF NATIVE FARAFRA LAMBS IN UPPER EGYPT
ABSTRACTA total of 3151 birth weight (BW) and weaning weights (WW) of Egyptian Farafra lambs was used to investigate the possibility of incorporating these traits in a selection program. Data was collected during the period 1995-2009 for animals raised in Mallawi Animal Production Research Station, (latitude 28º 07 and longitude 30º 33 E), of the Animal Production Research Institute (APRI). Al-Menya Governorate, north of Upper Egypt.Fixed effects were year of birth, season of birth, age of dam at lambing, type of birth and sex of the Lamb. The heritability (h2), additive maternal effect (m2), genetic (rg) and phenotypic (rp) correlations and permanent environmental effect (c2) were estimated using the Multiple Trait Derivative Free Restricted Maximum Likelihood program (MTDFREML) (Boldman et al. (1995)). The results showed that all the fixed effects contributed significantly (P<0.01) to the variation of the studied traits. Direct genetic heritability of BW and WW were 0.25±0.02 and 0.21±0.03, respectively. The corresponding additive maternal effect (m2) estimates were 0.40±0.01 and 0.19±0.01, respectively. Phenotypic and genetic correlations between BW and WW were 0.52±0.01 and 0.37±0.03, respectively. Maternal genetic correlation estimate between BW and WW was 0.16± 0.05 while, the estimate of permanent environmental effect (c2) for BW and WW, as a proportion of total phenotypic variance, was 0.38±0.02 and 0.20±0.04, respectively. Improvement of birth and weaning weights of Farafra sheep seems feasible with selection programs, as some of the related traits are moderately heritable and those traits specially are well correlated, which could suggest that these traits are useful in selection programs.
https://ejsgs.journals.ekb.eg/article_26767_2147872e53be992499ba88002e6f577b.pdf
2013-08-01
1
10
10.21608/ejsgs.2013.26767
E.
Mousa
1
Department of Animal and Poultry Production, Faculty of Agriculture, Assiut University, Assiut, Egypt.+
AUTHOR
H.
Monzaly
2
Sheep and Goat Research Department, Animal Production Research Institute, Ministry of Agriculture and Land Reclamation, Dokki, Giza.
AUTHOR
I.
Shaat
3
Sheep and Goat Research Department, Animal Production Research Institute, Ministry of Agriculture and Land Reclamation, Dokki, Giza.
AUTHOR
A.
Ashmawy
4
Department of Animal production, Faculty of Agriculture, Ain Shams University, Cairo,Egypt.
AUTHOR
ORIGINAL_ARTICLE
GENETIC, PHENOTYPIC AND ENVIRONMENTAL TRENDS TOWARDS IMPROVING BODY WEIGHT IN BARKI SHEEP
ABSTRACTGenetic, phenotypic and environmental trends for some body weights at birth (BW), 120 days (W120), 360 days (W360) and at 480 days (W480) were estimated to evaluate the breeding plan implemented in Barki sheep flock of the Desert Research Centre. The study also investigated the effects of various environmental factors on these traits. The data set employed in this study was obtained from 3192 records of lambs progenies of 186 sires reared at two research stations; Ras Elhekma (from 1963 to 1972) and Maryout (from 1973 to 2004). Animal breeding values, heritabilities and both genetic and phenotypic correlations for studied body weights were also estimated. Genetic and phenotypic trends were calculated by regression of breeding and phenotypic values on birth year respectively. Environmental trend was attained by subtracting genetic trend from the phenotypic one. Results indicated that average least square means of males had significantly heavier body weights compared with females for the studied body weights. As age of dam increased, body weights tended to be significantly heavier for BW and W120. Ras Elhekma research station exhibited heavier BW, W120 and W360 as well as lighter W480 compared with Maryout research station. The heritabilities of the studied body weights tend to increase as age increased. Genetic correlations among W120, W360 and W480 were greater with higher magnitude than those of phenotypic ones. Least squares means of animal breeding values for birth year were found to range from 3.50 kg to 3.68 kg, from 17.19 kg to 20.24 kg, from 30.46 kg to 37.27 kg and from 35.26 kg to 43.08 kg for BW, W120, W360 and W480, respectively during the examined study period. Genetic, phenotypic and environmental trends for the studied traits exhibited substantial irregular fluctuations among the examined years and being of higher magnitude in Ras Elhekma than in Maryout research station. Ras Elhekma research station had obviously positive genetic trend for BW (15 gm/ year), W120 (189 gm/year), W360 (448 gm/ year) and W480 (521 gm/ year) as well as negative phenotypic trend for BW (-18 gm/ year), W120 (-702 gm/year), W360 (-322 gm/year) and W480 (-345 gm/ year). Positive genetic trends appeared in Ras Elhekma research station indicate genetic improvement in Barki sheep flock reared in this location. The declines in the studied phenotypic traits observed in the Barki sheep flock during the examined period might be attributed to the negative and higher magnitudes of the environmental trends which might reflect some environmental inadequacies such as diseases, insufficient feeding and harsh climatic conditions.
https://ejsgs.journals.ekb.eg/article_26769_d92ae6e0a45a44fecc73b3aa1ce12cfc.pdf
2013-08-01
1
10
10.21608/ejsgs.2013.26769
El-Wakil,
I.
1
Animal and Poultry Breeding Dept., Desert Research Centre, El-Matareya, Cairo, Egypt.
AUTHOR
Manal
Elsayed
2
Animal Production Dept., Faculty of Agriculture, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt.
AUTHOR
ORIGINAL_ARTICLE
THE POTENTIALITY OF MILK PRODUCTION AND LACTATION CURVE IN DHOFARI GOAT
SUMMARYRecords of 233 Dhofari does, progenies of 40 sires, were available for this study. The present study was carried out in the Livestock Research Station at Salalah, Sultanate of Oman. During the inception phase, this flock has been composed of four suggested ecotypes; Elwasat, Elsharkiya, Elgharbiya and Najd. The objective of this study was evaluating the potentiality of these suggested ecotypes and hence the potentiality of Dhofari goat towards milk production, assessing the effect of ecotypes and lactation years on some milk production traits as well as characterize the lactation curve and its parameters together with those factors affecting it. Milk production data were recorded from does in their first lactation season in two successive years. The present study dealt with total milk yield (TMY), the 90 days cumulative milk yield (M90), lactation period (LP), persistency (PR), the lactation curve peak of production and lactation curve parameters (a, b and c) according to the Wood nonlinear model. The present study estimated least square means of TMY and M90 as 51.08 kg and 26.56 kg, respectively. Results indicated highly significant impact of lactation year on TMY, M90 and PR. Among all lactation curve parameters, ecotype and lactation year have only significant effects on “a”. The first year of lactation was always higher than the second one for these traits. Furthermore, the shape of lactation curves for Dhofari goat was described to have initial milk production of 0.217 kg, a rate of ascending phase of 0.83 kg/week and a decline rate of -0.14 kg/week during the descending phase. LP was about 32 weeks (226.10 days), the actual peak milk yield of 0.37 kg has been initiated at about 4.3 weeks and terminated at a peak milk yield of 0.41 kg in 11.6 weeks, and then the curve tended to decrease gradually until the end of lactation with an average persistency of 64.17%. Heritabilities of TMY, M90 and PR were estimated as 0.08, 0.05 and 0.46, respectively. Genetic and phenotypic correlations between M90 and TMY were 0.60 and 0.86, respectively.The present study provides evidence that Dhofari goat possess a promising potential for milk production that could response to genetic improvement process and recommends pooling the studied four ecotypes together as a Dhofari goat breed.
https://ejsgs.journals.ekb.eg/article_26772_cb03122d32b84af4b3856b9a64eeff41.pdf
2013-08-01
1
11
10.21608/ejsgs.2013.26772
El-Wakil,
I.
1
Animal and Poultry Breeding Dept., Desert Research Centre, ElMatareya, Cairo, Egypt.
AUTHOR
T.
Fooda
2
Buffalo Breeding Research Dept., Animal Production Research Institute, Dokki, Giza, Egypt.
AUTHOR
ORIGINAL_ARTICLE
ULTRA-STRUCTURE STUDY OF MAMMARY GLAND IN ZARAIBI GOATS DURING DIFFERENT STAGES OF LACTATION
ABSTRACTThis work was carried out on 32 Egyptian Nubian (Zaraibi) goats to investigate the effect of stage of lactation on the ultra-structure of secretory mammary cells and its relationship with milk production. Biopsies were taken surgically from the mammary gland from three goats for histological and fine structure studies. The histological structures of mammary gland showed clear differences between lactation stages, being more developed in the early and mid stages, compared to late stage of lactation. The number of alveolar secretory cells increased from early to mid stage of lactation by 17.6% then reduced at the late stage by 25% from that at mid stage. The milk yield increased by 32.2% from early to mid stage, and then reduced to 61.3% from mid to late stage. Ultra-structure features in mammary epithelial cells showed different features at successive stages of lactation. The nuclei of the active mammary epithelial cells were ovoid or nearly spheroid in shape and indentation in cells membranes. The stage of lactation had an effect on nucleus diameter and sectional area. The nucleus
diameter was smallest during early and mid stages, while being greatest at late stage of lactation. The sectional area of the nucleus showed increased values in late stage of lactation than in other stages. The majority of cell organelles were distributed in the cytoplasm. These organelles showed different phenomenon during different stages of lactation.The mitochondria showed a clear change in shape (ovoid or elongated), number and sectional area during different stages of lactation. The number of mitochondria per plate was maximal during mid-stage, followed by early stage (44.2 and 37.9, respectively). The total mitochondria sectional area at late stage was 27.9 um2. This area increased at early and mid stage of lactation by 3.8 and 37.9%, respectively. A well- developed laminated endoplasmic reticulum (ER) was frequently found in the cytoplasm of the mammary epithelial cells. Stage of lactation influenced the diameter of ER. At early and mid stages of lactation, the ER was well developed to occupy large part of the cell, with diameters of 0.55 and 51 μm, respectively. This value was minimal during the late stage of lactation (0.36 um2). Protein granules had an ovoidal shape and released in different sizes. The sectional area of the protein was the smallest during late lactation (0.05 μm2) and increased during early and mid stages of lactation (0.1 μm2). The lipid droplets were appeared in different sizes, the sectional area of the lipid droplets were the smallest during late lactation (1.46 μm2), and increased during early and mid lactation (4.52 and 2.58 μm2, respectively). In conclusion, the results of the present study indicated that stage of lactation influence the activity of mammary epithelial cells. The activity increases at early and mid lactation which is reflected on ultrastructure of epithelial cells of mammary gland of Egyptian Nubian (Zaraibi) goats.
https://ejsgs.journals.ekb.eg/article_26773_4354465823111121e3194fb0d1598e34.pdf
2013-08-01
1
13
10.21608/ejsgs.2013.26773
EL-Sayed,
H.
1
Animal Production Research Institute, Agriculture Research Center, MOA, Egypt.
AUTHOR
Hassan,
R.
2
Animal Production Research Institute, Agriculture Research Center, MOA, Egypt.
AUTHOR
Saifelnasr,
H.
3
Animal Production Research Institute, Agriculture Research Center, MOA, Egypt.
AUTHOR
Ashmawy,
M.
4
Animal Production Research Institute, Agriculture Research Center, MOA, Egypt.
AUTHOR
ORIGINAL_ARTICLE
EFFECTS OF MILKING FREQUENCY ON MILK PRODUCTION AND HISTOLOGICAL STRUCTURE OF UDDER IN ZARAIBI DAIRY GOATS
ABSTRACTThis work was carried out on 32 Egyptian Nubian (Zaraibi) goats to investigate both the effect of the milking frequency on milk yield and milk composition and the effect of stage of lactation on histological structure and histochemistry of the secretory mammary cells and its relationship with milk production in Zaraibi goats. Biopsies were taken surgically from the mammary gland from 3 does milked once daily (1x) and 3 does milked twice daily (2x) at the three stages of lactation, early, mid and late, for histological and histochemical studies. The histological structure showed clear differences due to milking frequency and lactation stage, being more developed at early and mid stages and twice daily milking compared to late stage of lactation and once daily milking. The number of the alveolus secretory cells per alveolus increased from the early to the mid stage of lactation by17.6% and then reduced at the late stage by 25% compared to mid stage, while no difference noticed between twice and once daily milking. Once daily milking (1x) reduced milk yield by 6%, and increased fat percentage to 4.0% compared to 3.67% in twice daily milking group (2x). Milk of once milking (1x) group contained higher percentage of total solids 11.38% than twice milking (10.93%), but milk protein and lactose did not differ between 1x and 2x milking. Lactation curve showed 32.2% increase in yield during mid stage than early stage, while late stage attained 61.3% reduction in milk yield compared to mid stage. Protein and lactose percentages did not change throughout different stages of lactation, while fat and total solids percentages showed the highest values at early stage of lactation (4.0 and 11.5%, respectively), and the lowest at mid and late stage of lactation. The total sectional areas (u/plate) of the alveoli were the smallest during late lactation (495399 u /plate) compared to that during early and mid stages of lactation (705206 and 759901u/plate, respectively).
Numerous loci of alcaline phosphatase (AP) were apparent on the outer surface of the alveolar secretory cells at the early and mid stages of lactation—reflecting high activity of this enzyme at these two stages. This was accompanied by a high level of milk secretion reaching1778.2±38.9 and 2351.4±68.4 g/head/day, respectively.In contrast, at the late stage of lactation, the size of alveoli was reduced and few alveoli showed weak AP activity. This coincided with the reduction in milk yield (910g/head/day). It could be concluded that stages of lactation influence the cell number and activity of mammary epithelial cells.
https://ejsgs.journals.ekb.eg/article_26775_403079385e3fa5255fc41d847b2871d4.pdf
2013-08-01
1
13
10.21608/ejsgs.2013.26775
EL-Sayed,
Eitedal.
1
Animal Production Research Institute, Agriculture Research Center, MOA, Egypt.
AUTHOR
Saifelnasr,
H.
2
Animal Production Research Institute, Agriculture Research Center, MOA, Egypt.
AUTHOR
T.
Ashmawy
3
Animal Production Research Institute, Agriculture Research Center, MOA, Egypt.
AUTHOR
ORIGINAL_ARTICLE
THE INFLUENCE OF ADDING GLUTATHIONE ON SEMEN CHARACTERISTICS OF SOHAGI RAMS
ABSTRACTThe present study was conducted to investigate the influence of adding glutathione (GSH) at levels of 0.4, 0.8 and 1.2 mM to egg yolk-tris extender (EYTE) used for preservation of semen at a temperature of 25oC for 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 12 and 24 hours. A total of 10 Sohagi rams having 60-65 kg live body weight and aged 3-4 years were used for semen collection in this study. Semen was collected by artificial vagina set up at optimal conditions to induce a good ejaculatory thrust. Semen was collected twice a week in the morning (8 am) for 10 weeks. Each time semen was collected, all ejaculates (10 ejaculates) were pooled and divided into 4 parts and extended on egg yolk-Tris buffered extenders containing three levels of glutathione, 0.4, 0.8, 1.2 and control group of 0.0 mM.
Semen of each treatment was diluted at a rate of one part of semen to 10 parts of egg yolk-Tris buffered extender at 30oC. Semen was evaluated after 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 12 and 24 h at 25oC using the following in vitro fertility tests; sperm motility (%); livability (%); sperm abnormality (%) and spermatozoa with intact acrosome (%).The addition of GSH to egg yolk-Tris buffer extender at levels 0.4, 0.8 and 1.2 mM improved semen quality. All GSH levels significantly (P<0.05) increased the percentages of sperm motility, sperm livability and intact acrosome while significantly (P<0.05) decrease sperm cells abnormalities. All sperm characteristics were significantly (P<0.05) affected by storage time, as motility, livability and intact acrosome showed significant (P<0.05) gradual reduction, while sperm abnormality showed significant (P<0.05) increase by progress of storage time up to 24 hours. The highest reduction rate was after 4 hours storage period. In conclusion, this study demonstrate that supplementation of GSH, at various concentrations, to diluted semen kept at 25oC exert beneficial effects on semen quality in term of sperm motility, livability and membrane stabilization of sperm cells. The best result was obtained with 0.4 mM GSH level in egg yolk extender when stored up to 12 h.
https://ejsgs.journals.ekb.eg/article_26776_9abe09f8c693d9b7b5717103c357d458.pdf
2013-08-01
1
8
10.21608/ejsgs.2013.26776
Solouma,
A.
1
Department of Animal Production, Faculty of Agriculture, Sohag University- Egypt.
AUTHOR
ORIGINAL_ARTICLE
SUPPLEMENTING NON-CONVENTIONAL ENERGY SOURCES TO RATIONS FOR IMPROVING PRODUCTION AND REPRODUCTION PERFORMANCES OF DAIRY ZARAIBI NANNY GOATS
ABSTRACTThe objective of the present study was to investigate the influence of non-conventional energy supplements to the basal diet on production and reproduction performances of dairy Zaraibi nanny goats. Ninety- two Zaraibi goats (35.92±2.41 kg body weight and aged < 30 months) were divided into four similar groups (n=23/group). The groups were assigned at random to receive four experimental rations. The control basal ration (T1) consisted of 60% concentrate feed mixture (CFM) plus 40 % rice straw (RS), T2 contained 50% CFM + 45% RS + 5% protect fat (PF) of Megalac®, T3 included 50% CFM + 45% RS + 5% corn steep liquor (CSL) and T4 comprised of 50% CFM + 45% RS + 2.5% CSL + 2.5% PF. All diets were offered to all goats 28 days before the breeding season, as flushing period, as well as through pregnancy and lactation. Dietary effects on LBW during pregnancy, reproduction performances, milk yield and composition during suckling and lactation and blood parameters post-suckling and lactation were studied. The results revealed that nanny goats fed T2 and T4 rations showed higher (P<0.05) LBW through different pregnancy stages than T1 and T3 rations. The does fed T2 and T4 diets attained significantly (P<0.05) better reproductive performance than those fed T1 and T3 ration. Fertility rate was significantly (P<0.05) better with T4 and T2 diets than T3 and T1 diets, being, 200.00%, 186.96%, 156.52% and 130.43%, respectively. The does fed T2, T3 and T4 diets had significantly more suckled milk by 40.85%, 22.68% and 52.11 % than control (T1). Meanwhile, the improved of energy supplement during lactation period ameliorated more milk harvest by 24.21%, 12.51% and 33.44% with T2, T3 and T4 rations than control. Milk composition had significant differences (P<0.05) among trial diets andlactation stages (suckling and lactation). The best milk composition was obtained with T2 and T4 compared to T1 and T3. The serum glucose concentration had slightly changed within T2, T3, T4 and T1 goats during suckling and milking periods. The serum triglycerides, cholesterol, LDL, HDL, AST and ALT were significantly (P<0.05) increased due to experimental rations and milking stage. From these results, it could be concluded that feeding dairy Zaraibi goats a diet containing cheap non-conventional energy specially a combination between CSL and PF could improve LBW during pregnancy, milk yield, milk composition and some blood parameters throughout suckling and lactation periods.
https://ejsgs.journals.ekb.eg/article_26777_473cbec483ed7649ae431a65a55c299a.pdf
2013-08-01
1
15
10.21608/ejsgs.2013.26777
Khalifa,
I.
1
Animal Production Research Institute, Agriculture Research Center, Dokki, Giza, Egypt.
AUTHOR
Behery,
R.
2
Animal Production Research Institute, Agriculture Research Center, Dokki, Giza, Egypt.
AUTHOR
Hafez,
H.
3
Animal Production Research Institute, Agriculture Research Center, Dokki, Giza, Egypt.
AUTHOR
Mahrous,
A.
4
Animal Production Research Institute, Agriculture Research Center, Dokki, Giza, Egypt.
AUTHOR
Fayed,
A.
5
Animal Production Research Institute, Agriculture Research Center, Dokki, Giza, Egypt.
AUTHOR
Hassanien,
M.
6
Animal Production Research Institute, Agriculture Research Center, Dokki, Giza, Egypt.
AUTHOR