Seasonal variations in the histometric characteristics of the reproductive organs of pubertal West African dwarf bucks in their native tropical environment / Variaciones estacionales en las características morfométricas de los órganos reproductivos de la cabra enana púber macho del Oeste Africano en su medio ambiente nativo tropical

As ambient temperature and humidity are high all year round within clearly defined dry and rainy seasons in our humid tropical environment, we evaluated the effects of season on the histometric characteristics of the reproductive organs of pubertal West African dwarf bucks using 8 healthy animals. There were no significant differences (p>0.05) between the rainy and dry seasons in the basement membrane of the testes, seminiferous tubular diameter, and round spermatid nuclear diameter. There were also similarities (p>0.05) between the seasons in epididymal luminal diameters, epididymal epithelial heights as well as in Leydig/sertoli cell ratio and sertoli cell Índex. Quadratic regression analyses showed that all the histometric characteristics of the testes are highly predictable from the live weights of the animals. It is concluded from these results that the WAD goat would not have a restricted breeding season in it native tropical environment. Young sires could therefore be selected early in life for planned improvement programmes in research institutions and breeding centers thus providing farmers with quicker returns for their investments.

Como la temperatura ambiental y la humedad son altas durante todo el año dentro de estaciones secas y lluviosas claramente definidas en nuestro ambiente húmedo tropical, se evaluaron los efectos de las estaciones en la características histométricas de los órganos reproductivos de cabras enanas machos púber del Africa Occidental, usando 8 animales sanos. No hubo diferencias significativas (p> 0,05) entre las estaciones de lluvia y secas, en la membrana basal de los testículos, diámetro de los túbulos seminíferos, y el diámetro de la envoltura nuclear espermática. Sin embargo, hubo similitudes (p> 0,05) entre las diferentes estaciones en el diámetro luminal del epidídimo, altura del epitelio del epidídimo, así como en la proporción de células Leydig/Sertoli e índice de células de Sertoli. El análisis de regresión cuadrática mostró que todas las características histométricas de los testículos son altamente predecibles desde el peso de los animales vivos. Se concluye de estos resultados, que las cabras enanas del Africa Occidental no tendrían una restricción estacional para tener crías en el ambiente tropical nativo. Padres jóvenes por lo tanto, podrían ser seleccionados tempranamente en la vida para programas de mejora planeados en instituciones de investigación y centros criadores los que provean a granjeros de rápidos retornos por sus inversiones.

Evaluation of selected food attributes of four advanced lines of ungerminated and germinated Nigerian cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.).

The chemical composition and functional properties of ungerminated and germinated seeds of four advanced lines of cowpeas (IT81D-699, IT82E-18, IT84S-2246-4 and TVx 3236) were investigated. Ungerminated seeds contained 20.1 to 25.8% crude protein, 2.0 to 2.2% lipid, 115.1 to 210.0 mg phytic acid/100 g and 8.9 to 9.6 mg iron/100 g. The polyphenol contents of the brown- and cream-colored beans were similar (192.0 to 196.0 mg/100 g) but were significantly (p < 0.05) higher than the amount (99.8 mg/100 g) found in the white beans. Germination increased the crude protein content, total phosphorus content, nitrogen solubility, fat absorption capacity and foam capacity but decreased ether extract, polyphenol and phytic acid contents, water absorption capacity, bulk density and foam stability of all cowpea lines. Incorporation of up to 0.2 M NaCl improved foam volume. Ungerminated seeds had high water (2.3-3.2 g/g) absorption capacities, while germinated seeds had high fat (3.1-3.6 g/g) absorption capacities. TVx 3236 and IT81D-699 might be selected for combining such characteristics as high crude protein, low phytic acid content and good foaming properties into a single cowpea line through breeding.

Compositional, functional and storage properties of flours from raw and heat processed African breadfruit (Treculia africana Decne) seeds.

African breadfruit (Treculia africana Decne) seeds were either boiled or roasted and then milled into flour. Chemical composition, functional properties and storage characteristics of raw and treated flours and the effect of partial proteolysis on selected functional properties of the raw flour were determined. Raw flour contained 20.1% crude protein, 2.5% total ash and 13.7% fat. Heat processing significantly (p < 0.05) improved in vitro protein digestibility, and water and fat absorption capacities but decreased bulk density, nitrogen solubility, emulsion and foaming properties, trypsin inhibitor, and phytic acid and polyphenol contents of the samples. Boiling proved more effective than roasting for improving protein digestibility, emulsion capacity and foam stability and reducing antinutritional factor levels. Partial proteolysis increased nitrogen solubility, bulk density and water and fat absorption capacities but decreased foam capacity at hydrolysis levels greater than 35%. Fatty acid and peroxide values of the samples increased during storage. Compared to raw samples, heat processed samples had significantly (p < 0.05) lower and more acceptable peroxide values and free fatty acid contents and higher and more stable water (3.0 g/g sample) and fat (2.4 g/g sample) absorption capacities.

Quality attributes and storage stability of locally and mechanically extracted crude palm oils in selected communities in Rivers and Bayelsa states, Nigeria.

The effect of different extraction methods on the quality of crude palm oil processed using traditional (local) and mechanical methods in selected areas of Rivers and Bayelsa States and their storage stability were investigated. Certain quality determining parameters such as free fatty acids (FFA), peroxide value (PV), saponification value (SV), moisture, impurities and volatile matter (MIV) content were determined prior to and after storage for three months. The free fatty acids (FFA) ranged from 7 to 19 percent, peroxide value (PV) ranged from 3 mEq/kg to 6 mEq/kg and moisture, impurity and volatile matter (MIV) ranged from 0.21 to 0.64 percent for locally extracted crude palm oil samples and mechanically extracted crude palm oil samples. There was no significant difference (p > 0.05) in the FFA of samples A and E before and after storage for 3 months. Also two of the locally extracted crude samples (A and E) stored better while one of the samples (D) showed a high level of deterioration as shown in its high levels of FFA, PV and IV values. Samples A and E resulted in a better quality of oil in terms of FFA (av. 7.25%) and PV (av. 4.5 meg/kg) when compared to the mechanically extracted one (sample C) with FFA (10.0%) and PV (5.78 mEq/kg). However, all the locally and mechanically extracted crude palm oil samples could not meet the industrial and international standard quality for crude palm with FFA (2-5%) and PV (2-3.5 mEq/kg). Among the three different storage containers used under different storage conditions, plastic containers (PC) resulted in a better storage stability of the crude palm oils in terms of FFA, SV, and IV than transparent bottles stored on shelves (TBS) and amber-colored bottles stored on the bare floor (BPF).

Comparative studies on the effectiveness of Sil-estrus implants, Veramix sheep sponges and prostaglandin F2alpha in synchronizing estrus in West African dwarf sheep.

Sil-estrus implants, Veramix sponges and PGF2alpha were successfully used to synchronize estrus in normocyclic West African dwarf sheep. The intervals from end of treatment to onset of observable estrus in the three groups of treatment were 42.33+/-1.99, 77.67+/-15.20 and 41.62+/-2.23 h respectively, for Sil-estrus, Veramix sponges and PGF2alpha (P>0.05). Of all the treated sheep, 100% of those treated with Sil-estrus and PGF2alpha and 66.67% of the sheep treated with Veramix sponges were in estrus within 48 h post treatment. Neither the duration of standing estrus nor the succeeding estrus cycle length was significantly affected by the treatment. These results indicate that progestogens and prostaglandin F2alpha can be usefully employed in the management of reproduction of West African dwarf sheep.

Ovarian activities of the West African dwarf goat (Capra hircus) during oestrus.

Ovarian activity was studied by laparotomy of 9 adult nulliparous goats in which oestrus was synchronized. Ovulation occurred in animals operated on 20-48 h from the onset of sexual receptivity. There was a mean ovulation rate of 1.57 ova per doe and the right and left ovaries had similar follicular activity in relation to sizes of follicles and ovulations.

Fertility of the West African dwarf goat in its native environment following prostaglandin F2-alpha induced estrus.

The fertility of ten West African Dwarf goats in which oestrus was induced with PGF2 alpha was comparable to that of the five West African Dwarf goats in the control group. Performance indices as determined by duration of oestrus and length of gestation were not affected. Similarly the birth weight of kids was not significantly influenced. However, treated goats were superior to controls when the interval from commencement of experiment to oestrus is considered, although there was no difference between the two treated groups of goats (5 mg vs 10 mg PGF2 alpha). Results showed that PGF2 alpha could be an important tool in oestrus synchronization and thus in controls of the reproductive performance of the West African Dwarf goats under humid lowland tropical environmental conditions.

Breed and sex influences on porcine haematological picture under hot humid climatic conditions.

An investigation was undertaken of some haematological characteristics of one indigenous and five exotic breeds of pigs kept on a farm in the hot, humid climate of Ibadan, Nigeria. The total white blood cell counts were not affected by breed and sex but the other parameters exhibited various degrees of response to these two variables, the males of each breed tending to have higher values than the females. The indigenous pigs generally had higher values than the exotic breeds. Of the latter, only the Landrace and Large White had haematological values somewhat similar to those of the West African indigenous pig. This suggests that the Landrace and Large White breeds may be more suited than the other exotic breeds investigated to the climatic conditions prevalent in Ibadan.