Breeding programs for smallholder sheep farming systems: I. Evaluation of alternative designs of breeding schemes

Village‐ and central nucleus‐based schemes were simulated and evaluated for their relative bio‐economic efficiencies, using Ethiopia's Menz sheep as example. The schemes were: village‐based 2‐tier (Scheme‐1) and 1‐tier (Scheme‐2) cooperative village breeding schemes, dispersed village‐based nuclei scheme (Scheme‐3), conventional 2‐tier central nucleus‐based scheme (Scheme‐4), and schemes linking a central nucleus and village multiplier nuclei with selection in central nucleus (Scheme‐5) or in both central and village nuclei (Scheme‐6). Among village‐based schemes, Scheme‐1 gave the highest genetic progress, while Scheme‐2 was economically the most efficient with genetic gain in the breeding objective of Birr 5.6 and a profit of Birr 37.2/ewe/year. The central nucleus schemes were more efficient than the village schemes. Scheme‐4 was the most efficient with genetic gain in the breeding objective of Birr 13.5 and a profit of Birr 71.2, but is operationally more difficult as it requires a very large central nucleus. The choice between village and central nucleus‐based schemes would depend on local conditions (availability of infrastructure, logistics and technical knowhow and support). Linking central nucleus with village‐based nuclei (Scheme‐6) would be a feasible option to overcome the operational difficulties of the conventional central nucleus scheme. If a village‐based breeding program is envisaged as should be the 1st step in most low‐input systems, then Scheme‐2 is the most efficient. To scale out to an entire Menz breed level, Scheme‐3 would be recommended.     

4个绵羊品种Leptin基因部分片段的SNPs分析

利用PCR-SSCP技术对萨福克、道塞特、特克塞尔及滩羊4个绵羊品种358个个体Leptin基因2、3外显子进行多态性分析,共检测到7个SNPs,其中新发现5个SNPs。测序结果表明,在外显子2上无突变。内含子2上存在99位碱基由A突变为G;115位碱基由G突变为A;150位碱基由C突变为T;171位碱基由C突变为T。外显子3上,存在271位碱基由G突变为A,使编码的Arg转变为Gln;316位碱基由C突变为A,使编码的Pro转变为Gln;387位碱基由G突变为T,使编码的Val转变为Leu。     

Risk factors for mortality associated with respiratory disease among Menz and Horro sheep in Ethiopia

A retrospective case-control study was conducted on 6718 sheep of two breeds (2772 Horro and 3946 Menz) on risk factors for mortality associated with respiratory disease (MARD) in Ethiopia, based on data collected between October 1993 and December 1997. Potential risk factors examined were breed, gender, age, month, and air temperatures.Fifty-four per cent of total deaths in the flock could be attributed to respiratory disease and the annual MARD rate ranged between 6.3 and 19.0%. There was significant breed (P<0.0001) and gender (P<0.0001) difference in MARD. The Horro breed had a higher (P<0.0001) annual MARD than the Menz breed (16.5+/-0.18 vs. 12.4+/-0.15%). A higher (P<0.0001) proportion of males suffered than females (15.1+/-0.23% vs. 13.8+/-0.13%). Age was also an important risk factor for MARD: there was a strong polynomial relationship (R(2)=0.91, P<0.0001) between MARD and age; the risk of being young if a sheep was a MARD case was high. MARD was high between October and March but relatively low between the months of April and September. There was a significant (P<0.05) negative cubic relationship (R(2)=0.49) between monthly MARD and monthly average minimum air temperatures. There was also a significant (P<0.01) positive exponential relationship (R(2)=0.61) between monthly MARD and average monthly daily deviation between maximum and minimum air temperatures.Timely health and management interventions focusing on these factors are necessary to alleviate losses from MARD. Understanding variations in MARD risk within a population can enhance early response to potential outbreaks, reducing losses.     

Livestock keeper perceptions of four indigenous cattle breeds in tsetse infested areas of Ethiopia

Four cattle breeds indigenous to western and south-western Ethiopia - Abigar, Gurage, Horro and Sheko - were included in a study of the perceptions of smallholder cattle keepers regarding cattle management, production levels and constraints for production. A semi-structured questionnaire was used and 60 cattle keepers from each of the four areas were interviewed. Diseases were reported as the main constraint to cattle production by a majority of livestock keepers in all areas except in the Sheko area, where over-stocking was the main constraint. Among diseases, trypanosomosis was the main livestock disease according to more than half of Gurage, Horro and Sheko keepers, whereas anthrax was most important in the Abigar area. Gurage had highest age at first calving, longest calving interval and also the lowest milk production, whereas Sheko and Abigar had the most favorable characteristics both for milk production (600–700 kg) and fertility (age at first mating 3–3.5 years and above 8 calves/cow). Cattle keepers in the Sheko area reported relatively less problems with cattle diseases compared to the other areas, especially regarding trypanosomosis. Abigar showed a different disease pattern than the other breeds and may also have advantages as regards trypanotolerance.     

利用微卫星标记对四个绵羊品种遗传多样性的初步研究

采用3个微卫星标记，对4个中国地方绵羊品种进行遗传多样性检测。利用POPGENE软件分析了受试羊等位基因频率、等位基因数、有效等位基因数、遗传杂合度。     

Toxoplasmosis in sheep,goats and cattle in central Ethiopia

In a seroepidemiological survey using an indirect haemagglutination assay, the prevalence rate of toxoplasmosis in central Ethiopia was 22.9% of 899 sheep, 11.6% of 753 goats and 6.6% of 785 cattle. There were high titres of 1:256 or more which suggest current infections. These results indicate that toxoplasmosis may be an important cause of reproductive wastage in small ruminants. The public health significance of this disease is discussed. Improved hygiene and management could reduce the prevalence of the disease.     

Choice of breeding stock,preference of production traits and culling criteria of village chickens among Zimbabwe agro-ecological zones

Free ranging chickens reared by smallholder farmers represent genetic diversity suited for particular environments and shaped by the socio-economic and cultural values of the farming systems. This study sought to investigate the existence of chicken strains and evaluate the breeding goals and strategies used by village chicken farmers in Zimbabwe. A semi-structured questionnaire was administered to 97, 56, 70, 104 and 37 households randomly selected from five agro-ecological-zones I-V, respectively. Fifteen chicken strains mostly defined by morphological traits were reported in the five eco-zones. Production criteria such as body size, and fertility were highly ranked (ranging from 1.3 – 2.6) by farmers across all the eco-zones, while cultural traits were the least preferred production traits. As a common breeding practice, farmers chose the type of hens and cocks to retain for breeding purposes and these randomly mixed and mated with others from community flocks. Chicken body size was ranked the major determinant in choosing breeding animals followed by mothering ability, and fertility. More households culled chickens associated with poor reproductive performance, poor growth rates and those intolerant to disease pathogens. The focus on many negatively correlated production traits and the absence of farmer records compromises breeding strategies in these production systems.     

4个肉用绵羊品种微卫星标记的多态性与系统发育分析

利用10个微卫星座位对4个肉用绵羊品种进行遗传检测,计算出了各品种的平均杂合度、平均多态信息含量及品种间的遗传距离,并进行了系统发育分析。结果表明:10个微卫星座位上共检测到了107个等位基因,等位基因数在5~13个之间。各基因座位多态信息含量为0.498 5~0.890 4,均表现出了高度多态性。各基因座位杂合度较高,为0.563 0~0.899 5,说明肉用绵羊品种有着较丰富的遗传多样性。4个肉用绵羊品种间的遗传距离相对较远,萨福克羊和陶赛特羊先聚在一起,他们之间的遗传距离最近,为0.345 25,然后与夏洛来羊聚在一起,最后与中国美利奴羊聚在一起,中国美利奴羊与夏洛来羊之间的遗传距离最远,为0.516 39。研究结果对我国肉用绵羊资源的评估、保存和预测杂种优势具有一定的指导意义。     

Occurrence and antimicrobial resistance of Salmonella serovars in apparently healthy slaughtered sheep and goats of central Ethiopia

The present study was undertaken to determine the occurrence, distribution and antimicrobial resistance pattern of Salmonella serovars in apparently healthy slaughtered sheep and goats in central Ethiopia. A total 1224 samples consisting of faeces, mesenteric lymph nodes, liver, spleen, and abdominal and diaphragmatic muscle samples were collected from 104 sheep and 100 goats. Salmonella was isolated from 12 of 104 (11.5%) sheep and 3 of 100 (3%) goats. Of the total 624 and 600 samples examined from sheep and goats, 18 (2.9%) and 4 (0.7%), respectively, were Salmonella positive. The 22 Salmonella isolates belonged to 9 different serovars. The common serovars isolated were S. typhimurium, followed by S. heidelberg, S. reading, S. give, and S. poona. Seven of the 22 isolates (31.8%) were multidrug-resistant to various antimicrobials.     

Response of four indigenous cattle breeds to natural tsetse and trypanosomosis challenge in the Ghibe valley of Ethiopia

A comparative study on the response of four indigenous cattle breeds of Ethiopia, namely Abigar, Horro, Sheko and Gurage, to natural challenge of trypanosomosis in the Tolley-Gullele area of the Ghibe valley has been undertaken from August 2000 until August 2004. Fifty female yearlings each of Horro, Sheko and Abigar and 31 of the Gurage were purchased from their natural habitats and introduced in to medium to high tsetse-trypanosomosis challenge area of the Ghibe valley. While the natural habitats of first three breeds are naturally infested with tsetse flies and trypanosomosis, that of the Gurage is known to be very minimal, if any, and hence the Gurage breed was used in this study as the known susceptible breed. During the study animal health, production performance and tsetse fly situation were monitored monthly. The Sheko breed has manifested very significantly (p<0.001) high overall average packed cell volume (PCV) values (25%) compared to that of Abigar (24%), Horro (23%) and Gurage (22%). It also had the lowest mean trypanosome prevalence rate of 9% against 23% of Horro, 26% of Abigar and 27% of Gurage, and the least number of Berenil treatments (1.36) compared to Abigar (4.0), Horro (4.6) and Gurage (6.7). While the Abigar manifested high sensitivity and frequent death to PCV depression, the Horro showed strong resilience to PCV depression and better response to Berenil treatment assistance. At this stage the Sheko breed was also found to be equal to the other breeds in its reproductive performance. These results need to be substantiated with further in-depth investigation including immune response, animal behavior and environmental influences.     

微卫星标记ILSTS011在3个绵羊品种中的遗传多样性分析

为了分析微卫星标记ILSTS011的遗传多态性,研究以河南省地方绵羊品种大尾寒羊、小尾寒羊和豫西脂尾羊为研究对象,采用聚丙烯酰胺凝胶电泳技术分离微卫星标记的带型.结果表明:在3个绵羊品种中均检测到微卫星标记ILSTS011有3个等位基因,微卫星标记ILSTS011的平均杂合度为0.614 1,平均有效等位基因数为2.614 0,平均多态信息含量为0.551 3.说明ILSTS011为高度多态基因座,可作为有效的遗传标记用于大尾寒羊、小尾寒羊和豫西脂尾羊的遗传多样性分析.     

我国肉羊种业现状及发展建议

针对我国缺乏自主高产品种、品种资源利用缺乏有效指导导致肉羊单产能力低、羊肉品质差的肉羊种业现状,本文从地方品种保护和利用并重、本品种选育和引入品种相结合、坚持和完善品种登记制度等方面提出加强品种资源利用和管理对策,结合育种投入、育种规划、育种管理、育种技术4方面提出我国新品种培育工作建议,目的是加快推进我国肉羊种业科技创新,构建我国肉羊种业体系。     

Evaluation of the efficiency of alternative two-tier nucleus breeding systems designed to improve meat sheep in Kenya

A deterministic approach was used to genetically and economically evaluate the efficiency of five two‐tier nucleus breeding systems for meat sheep in Kenya. The nucleus breeding systems differed in terms of whether the system was closed or open, in the type of animals that were involved in the movement of genetic superiority and in the number of selection pathways in each system. These systems were compared under four alternative breeding objectives based on monetary genetic gain and profit per ewe. The first objective simulated a situation where the flock size cannot be increased due to non‐feed related constraints (FLOCK). The second specifically assumed that the flock size is restricted due to limited amount of feed resources (FEED). The third and fourth objectives assumed that sheep performed only tangible roles (TR) and both tangible and intangible roles (IR) in the production system respectively. Monetary genetic gains were highest for all objectives in an open nucleus system with a certain proportion of commercial‐born ewes being introduced in the nucleus while at the same time utilizing young rams from the nucleus to breed sires and dams for the nucleus and commercial sector (ONyre). Utilizing young rams in a closed nucleus system for the dissemination of superior genes resulted in higher annual monetary genetic gain than utilization of old rams. Profit per ewe was significantly higher for FLOCK and IR in ONyre. In a closed system that allowed for downward movement of dams from the nucleus to the commercial sector to breed sires and dams, profit per ewe was highest for FEED and TR. The success of a nucleus breeding system should also focus on the profitability and logistics of establishing it. The implication of these results on the choice of two‐tier nucleus breeding systems for the improvement of meat sheep is discussed.     

不同生态环境不同品种绵羊卵巢微动脉解剖学特征

从青海西宁、内蒙古赤峰、浙江桐乡和山东菏泽分别采集高原型藏羊、敖汉细毛羊、湖羊和小尾寒羊卵巢各20枚,利用微血管立体构筑和扫描电镜(SEM)技术相结合的方法,研究不同品种绵羊卵巢微动脉的构筑及超微结构特征。结果显示,绵羊卵巢微动脉呈迂曲盘旋的螺旋状,卵巢门动脉经3~4次分支后发出毛细血管;在卵巢微动脉的Ⅱ~Ⅳ级分支表面均有梭形凹痕,呈典型的"树皮样"或"波浪状";在毛细血管前微动脉处有多个与微动脉横轴平行或呈一定夹角的环行缩窄。比较发现,高原型藏羊的卵巢微动脉螺旋程度更高,且各级微动脉的管径均较粗,"树皮样"压痕和环形缩窄较深且密;小尾寒羊卵巢微血管网更密集、分支更多。研究认为,高原型藏羊卵巢微动脉的解剖学特征,有利于增加卵巢内各部分的氧供,调节和分配血液供应以适应高原环境,而小尾寒羊卵巢更密集的微血管网可能是其排卵数高的生理学基础之一。     

A comparative longitudinal study of bovine trypanosomiasis in tsetse-free and tsetse-infested zones of the Amhara Region, northwest Ethiopia

A study was conducted to determine the incidence of trypanosome infections in cattle in tsetse-free and tsetse-infested zones of the Amhara Region of northwest Ethiopia. A total of six sentinel herds were established and the cattle observed during a period of 8 consecutive months. The prevalence of seropositive cattle was high in both the tsetse-free and tsetse-infested zones. The average monthly incidence of trypanosome infection, determined using molecular diagnostic tools, was 20.9% and 25.7% in the tsetse-free and the tsetse-infested zones, respectively. In the tsetse-free, Trypanosoma vivax was responsible for 90.9% of the cattle trypanosome infections. In the tsetse-infested zone, Trypanosoma congolense and T. vivax contributed almost equally to the trypanosome infections in cattle. Trypanosome infection, regardless of species, resulted in anaemia as evidenced by a significant decrease in the packed cell volume of the infected animal. The outcome of this longitudinal study suggests that control of trypanosomiasis in the Amhara Region cannot be achieved by tsetse control alone. Supplemental measures to include drug therapy and biting fly control are discussed.     

Indications of breed by environment interaction for lamb weights in Norwegian sheep breeds

With high variation in environmental conditions, especially during the extensive grazing season, genotype by environment interaction is potentially important to lamb production in Norway. Using breed as an indicator of genotype, the interaction between breed and environment, i.e. production level of farm and year calculated as solutions of a random farm*year variable, on 52 farms keeping both long-tailed Dala and short-tailed Spæl during 1989–98 was studied. The dataset included 48,946 Dala lambs and 38,299 Spæl lambs. The breed by environment interaction affected lamb autumn weights, and though Dala lambs were always heavier, the difference was substantially smaller at lower than at higher production levels: 1 kg increase in production level was related to Dala lambs’ weights increasing 0.09 kg more than the Spæl lambs’ weights. The results indicate that breed by environment interaction may be of importance, and potential bias in the data and need for further research is discussed.     

Genetic parameters for birth weight,growth, and litter size in Nordic sheep breeds

Abstract

In this study, genetic parameters were estimated for the Danish populations of Danish Marsk, Finnish Landrace, Gotland Pelt and Spel for birth weight (BW), average daily gain until two months (DG2) and litter size (LS). A multivariate animal model was used for estimation of genetic parameters, including fixed effects, both direct and maternal additive genetic effects, common litter effects and permanent environmental effects. Mean birth weight and DG2 ranged from, respectively, 3.39 kg and 262 g to 4.61kg and 286 g. Litter size ranged from 1.60 to 2.07. Direct heritability for BW ranged from 0.12 to 0.24, and maternal heritability for BW was about 0.23 for all breeds. Direct heritability of DG2 ranged from 0.19 to 0.33. The heritability for LS was between 0.08 and 0.13. The significant genetic correlations between the direct and maternal effect on both BW and DG2 were negative. The genetic correlations between the growth traits and LS were not uniform.     

Distribution of prion protein genotypes in breeds of sheep in New Zealand

AIM: To use an established high through-put genotyping procedure to gain an estimate of the frequency of alleles of the prion protein (PrP) gene in some common sheep breeds in New Zealand.

METHODS: Using a genotyping procedure based on matrix-assisted laser desorption ionisation-time of flight (MALDI-TOF), DNA samples from 3,024 sheep from New Zealand, including breeds such as Romney, Texel, Coopworth, Merino and mixedbreed, were isolated, genotyped and the results analysed.

RESULTS: The 15 scrapie genotypes commonly reported, and derived from the five commonly reported allelic variants (ARR, ARQ, AHQ, ARH and VRQ), were all observed in the samples analysed. The estimates were indicative of the frequencies in the population of alleles present in breeds of sheep in New Zealand. There was a significant difference between the frequencies of alleles between breeds, but the ARQ, followed by the ARR allele, were, except in Carwell sheep, the most common alleles present.

CONCLUSION: This study gave an indication of the percentages of PrP gene alleles in sheep in New Zealand, including data previously unreported from breeds in this country. It is of interest because of the relatively large size of the sheep population in New Zealand compared with many countries, and it provides some useful information on the genetic susceptibility or resistance of the sheep population in New Zealand to scrapie. The frequencies of the alleles can be different for an individual breed compared between countries.     

良法在提高良种肉羊规模养殖场综合效益中的应用研究

文章针对湟源县肉羊规模养殖场生产效益低下问题选取标准化程度较高的一家养殖场进行了综合科学技术应用试验研究。通过试验,得出在全舍饲条件下,围产期母羊补饲与不补饲的生产性能变化差异显著,羔羊的初生重增加12%左右,母羊的体增重增加8.5%;在对围产期母羊进行补饲与不补饲时其羔羊的初生重试验组与对照组差异显著,平均增重12%;试验组肉羊出栏体重显著高于对照组,试验组出栏重增加7%,平均日增重增加6.4%;试验组与对照组育肥肉羊的体重变化差异显著。     

Risk factors for foot and mouth disease seroprevalence in indigenous cattle in Southern Ethiopia: the effect of production system

A serological survey to investigate risk factors for Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) occurrence was conducted between October 2007 and March 2008 in Southern Ethiopia. Antibodies against non-structural protein of FMD virus (using 3abc ELISA) were measured as indicator of exposure to the virus. The seroprevalence of FMD was 9.5% (95%CI = 7.7 – 11.3, n = 1020) and 48.1% (95% CI = 36.8 – 59.4%, n = 79), respectively at animal and herd levels. Within herd seropositivity was ranged from 6.7 to 46.7% with 18.6% (95%CI = 14.6 – 22.5%) risk of being seropositive for an animal in positive herds. The most important herd level risk factors identified were pastoral system (OR = 16.3, 95% CI = 2.0 -133.7) compared to sedentary, low altitude (OR = 7.5, 95% CI 1.4 -40.7) compared to high altitude, keeping cattle with small ruminants (OR = 5.1, 95% CI 1.0 -25.2) when compared to one species or alone. Seroprevalence was significantly higher (P <0.05) in South Omo than Sidama and Gamo Gofa areas. The odds of seropositivity were 2.8 and 2.3 times higher in the adult (>4 years) and maturing animals (3–4 years) compared to young age category (<3 years). Both multivariable logistic and negative binomial regressions depicted that production system was the major risk factor for FMD seropositivity. Consequently, higher prevalence of FMD in pastoral system where animals are an integral part of life has substantial livelihood and economic implications, which signifies the need for devising control measures.