Global Journal of Animal Scientific Research
Volume:7 Issue: 2, Spring 2019

The experimentwas performedtoevaluatethe effect of dietary faton growth performance, digestibility of fat and protein in broiler chickens. The experiment was designed to test corn oil CO, beef tallow BT and a blend of corn oil and tallow COBT (50:50%) each with the level of 2, 4, and 6 %, using a complete randomized block design. The feeds were formulated to maintaina constant ratio of energy to protein. There were no significant differences in feed intake and protein efficiency ratio. Birds fed diets with the inclusion of fat had the highest body weight and feed efficiency these differences were significant compared to the control group (no added fat. Bodyweight gain and feed efficiency significantly (p < 0.05) improved with fat addition, corn oil showed a higher improvement than tallow and blended COBT fat. The inclusion of fat exhibited a higher body weight gain by 9%, 6%, and 9% for CO, BT, and COBT respectively as well as the feed efficiency significantly (p<0.01) increased by 11%, 4%, and 3% for CO, BT, and COBT respectively, in comparison to the control group. Broilers fed on diets containing fat showed higher fat retention and protein accretion than those fed on control diets. While CO showed significant higher protein retention than BT and blended fat COBT. The results of this study indicated thatthe supplementation of corn oil at 4, and 6% had the best improvements in growth performance and this could be explained in part by its positive effect on fat and protein digestibility. Therefore it is concluded that adding fat-based diets improved broiler performance and feed utilization.

Arabian horses are readily distinguishable in form and features, and they are widely known for endurance capability. This study is the first examining of endurance-related genes in Arabian horses born and raised in Syria. The major objective was to identify genetic variation in candidate genes that could potentially affect endurance traits and to associate them with endurance phenotypes. The two genes Alpha-actinin skeletal muscle isoform 3 (ACTN3) and Myostatin (MSTN) were sequenced. Performance traits were available for 42 recorded Arabian horses from Syria performed endurance racing over 40, 80, and 120 km distances. Based on the recorded mean speeds, horses were grouped according to their performance index into low and high performers. The comparative sequencing revealed a total of 13 variants in both studied genes, 12 variants in ACTN3 and one variant in MSTN. General linear model analyses showed that none of the analyzed variants has significant effect on any of the studied traits. However, for ACTN3, we found a 5’ UTR variant (12:26511704G>A) that predicted to cause a gain of an E4BP4 transcription factor binding site, and a variant in the 3 ́ UTR 12:26524930T>C that predicted to cause the abrogation of two predicted miRNA target sites (eca-miR-1296 and eca-miR-326) and thereby affect gene expression. For MSTN, a 5’ UTR variant 18:66495696A>G is predicted to cause the substitution of the transcription factor binding sites for HFH-1 and Sox-5 by binding sites for HFH-3 and E4BP4.

The study was conducted to morphologically characterize indigenous cattle breeds and to develop structural indices to assess type and function of indigenous cattle in Soro and Misha districts of Hadiya zone Southern Ethiopia. A total of 660 mature cattle (480 cows and 180 bulls) were selected for morphological description. Data was collection by using visual observation and linear measurements and analyzed by Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS version 20), and compared at the significance level P<0.05. The result showed individual variation among cattle in both qualitative and quantitative traits. Most of the cattle in the study area have plain coat colour pattern, curved horn with upward orientation, small humped and straight facial head profile. The overall results of morphometrical measurements in Soro district had higher (P<0.05) values for their body weight and the chest girth for the bulls in age class 1 and 2PPI. However, body weight, chest girth, height at withers and height at rump were higher for Misha district when compared to those bulls at Soro district for age class 3 and 4PPI. For the cows within age group 1 and 2PPI reared at Soro district have higher (P<0.05) body weight, chest girth, height at withers, height at rump and rump length. The results of body indices of the bulls in Misha district were higher values (p<0.05) for body index for age class 1 and 2PPI and cephalic index and over increase index for age class 3 and 4PPI. While, body ratio was higher (p<0.05) for Misha district for age class 3 and 4 PPI. In contrast, body indices for cows in Soro district was higher (p<0.05) for height index, rump length index, body index, body weight index and body ratio, in contrasting cephalic index, body index, over increase index, body weight index, body ration and height slope were higher(P<0.01) for Misha district for age class 3 and 4PPI. The values for estimation of body weight using linear body measurements indicated that chest girth was best predictor body weight. In general, cattle linear body measurements in the current environmental condition were comparable with other indigenous breeds. Therefore, designing appropriate management and breed improvement programme with the participation of the community are critical to improve the breed. Morphometrical traits of the breed have to be complemented by genetic characterization to fully exploit the potential of the breed.

This study was conducted to analyze economic importance of modern bee hive at household level in Gechi District of BunoBedele zone, Southwestern Ethiopia with an objectives of compare modern and traditional beekeepers in economic benefit, identify the determinants of modern beehive use and level of income and evaluate the implication of modern beehive in social issues at household level. Multi-stage random sampling technique was implemented to select the representative sample techniques. Both the primary and secondary data was used during data collection. A total of 60 household from three kebeles were selected for interview. Data obtained were analyzed using descriptive statistics and econometrics analysis. Heckman regression a method is used to analysis the determinants of modern beekeeping use and level of income. The results of the study indicated that driving force to have bee colonies comprises 93.5% for income and 6.5% for consumption purpose. It showed that the average income of households with modern beekeeping (Birr 4570.4/household) was significantly (p<0.01) higher than those households with traditional beekeeping (Birr 1804.8/household). Despite relative investment in using modern beekeeping, households’ gross income increased by 250% compared to the traditional beekeepers. The robust result indicates that (relying on selection observables and assuming no selection bias) the mean income of households has significantly increased due to improved beekeeping. Over all, modern beekeeping have created improved livelihood in terms of better income so as enhancing capability to buy household demands and productive investments, it is suggested that future research and development interventions should focus on the modern beekeeping development technologies specially for women as the interventions contribute most to the economic and social issues.