Community‐based breeding programmes are a viable solution for Ethiopian small ruminant genetic improvement but require public and private investments

Ethiopia has a large and diverse population of small ruminants, which contribute substantially to the livelihood and income of the rural poor and the country at large. However, the sector faces a number of challenges. Productivity per animal and flock offtake are both very low. Reasons attributed for the apparent low productivity are as follows: absence of appropriate breeding programmes, lack of technical capacity, inadequate and poor‐quality feeds, diseases leading to high lamb mortality, and underdeveloped markets in terms of infrastructure and information. Historically, sheep and goats have received little policy or investment attention. Genetic improvement of small ruminants could contribute to bridging the productivity gap. In the past, the government of Ethiopia has placed much emphasis on importing exotic genetics and cross‐breeding with local stock as a strategy for genetic improvement. However, this has not led to a significant productivity improvement and the programmes have generally been unsustainable. Currently, there is a change in approach and a recognition of the need to focus genetic improvement efforts on the local genetic resources that are well adapted to the diverse agro‐ecologies and production environments in the country. Community‐based breeding programmes (CBBPs), which focus on indigenous stock and consider farmers’ needs, views, decisions and active participation, from inception through to implementation, have been identified as programmes of choice. The Ethiopian government and the private sector need to invest in strategic areas around CBBPs to make the programme work for the poor and be sustainable in low‐input systems.     

Follicular dynamics and changes in oestradiol‐17β, progesterone and LH profiles following PGF2α induced oestrus in early and late ovulating Beetal goats

This study compares the factors associated with variable interval to oestrus and ovulation between early versus late ovulating goats following PGF_2α administration. The time of ovulation in Beetal goats (n = 38) was monitored through transrectal ultrasound at every 6 hr following a single dose of PGF_2α (experiment 1). Variations in oestrus and ovulation times were further explored through the changes in follicular dynamics, endocrine profiles and behaviour in another set of goats (n = 13) following single PGF_2α given randomly during the luteal phase (experiment 2). The ovulation time varied between 60 and 96 hr, and 57% of ovulations occurred by 72 hr following PGF_2α (experiment 1). Accordingly, the goats (n = 13) in the second experiment were retrospectively divided either into early and/or late ovulating, that is, ≤72 and/or ≥84 hr following PGF_2α. The onset of oestrus, peak estradiol‐17β concentration and LH surge after PGF_2α was first observed in early than late ovulating goats (p < 0.05). The goats ovulating early had larger follicle and smaller CL in diameter at the time of PGF_2α administration than those ovulating late (5.4 ± 0.2 vs. 4.3 ± 0.2 mm and 10 ± 0.6 vs. 11.8 ± 0.3 mm, respectively; p < 0.05). Likewise, plasma progesterone concentration tended to be lower (p = 0.087) in early than late ovulating goats. In conclusion, the size of dominant follicle and CL at the time of PGF_2a determines the interval to ovulation following a single dose of PGF_2a during the luteal phase.     

Pharmacokinetics of levosulpiride after single‐dose administration in goats (Capra hircus) by different routes of administration

Levosulpiride (LSP) is the l‐enantiomer of sulpiride, and LSP recently replacing sulpiride in several EU countries. Several studies about LSP in humans are present in the literature, but neither pharmacodynamic nor pharmacokinetic data of LSP is present for veterinary species. The aim of this study was to assess the pharmacokinetic profile of LSP after intravenous (IV), intramuscular (IM), and oral (PO) administration in goats. Animals (n = 6) were treated with 50 mg LSP by IV, IM, and PO routes according to a randomized cross‐over design (3 × 3 Latin‐square). Blood samples were collected prior and up to 24 hr after LSP administration and quantified using a validated HPLC method with fluorescence detection. IV and IM administration gave similar concentration versus time curve profiles. The IM mean bioavailability was 66.97%. After PO administration, the drug plasma concentrations were detectable only in the time range 1.5–4 hr, and the bioavailability (4.73%) was low. When the AUC was related to the administered dose in mg/kg, there was a good correlation in the IV and IM groups, but very low correlation for the PO route. In conclusion, the IM and IV administrations result in very similar plasma concentrations. Oral dosing of LSP in goats is probably not viable as its oral bioavailability was very low.     

Nephrotoxicity in Goats Caused by Dosing with a Water Extract from the Stems of Narthecium Ossifragum Plants

Seven goats were given a single dose of an aqueous extract derived from 30 g (wet weight) of Narthecium ossifragum per kg liveweight. Their serum creatinine and urea concentrations increased to day 5 but then fell to normal by day 10. Serum magnesium increased to day 4 and decreased to normal by day 9. Their serum calcium concentration was lower than normal on days 4, 5 and 6. Histopathological examination of the kidneys of goats killed or found dead 2, 4, 6, 8, 11 or 16 days after dosing revealed tubular epithelial cell degeneration and necrosis. Regeneration of the tubular epithelium and signs of interstitial fibroplast proliferation and fibrosis could be seen in animals killed on days 8, 11, 16 and 42. No signs of liver damage were observed in 3 goats dosed with the insoluble plant material from 40 g (wet weight) Narthecium ossifragum per kg liveweight. The total dose was divided into three doses, which were given intraruminally within 7 h. The activities of aspartate aminotransferase, -glutamyl-transferase and glutamate dehydrogenase remained within the normal range in all 10 goats after dosing.     

硒对山羊子宫内膜淋巴细胞体外活化作用及对其分泌细胞因子的影响

分离妊娠山羊子宫内膜淋巴细胞(Endometrial lymphocyte,EML)后,分别加入4、8、12、16 mg/L的亚硒酸钠进行体外培养,探讨硒对EML的活化作用及其对分泌细胞因子IL-2I、L-4、TGFβ1及TGFβ2的影响。结果显示,8~16 mg/L的亚硒酸钠可显著地促进山羊EML的体外活化(P<0.01),并呈剂量依赖性。EML活化后,对IL-2的分泌呈微弱的促进作用;对IL-4、TGFβ1、TGFβ2的分泌有显著的促进作用。     

Intake of Salt Cedar by Two Different Breeds of Sheep

Salt cedar (Tamarix spp.) readily invades and dominates riparian areas and lake basins throughout the western United States. Traditional control efforts (chemical and mechanical control) are expensive and provide limited long-term control. The salt cedar leaf beetle (Diorhabda elongata) provides a method of biological control through reduction in cover. However, population establishment of leaf beetles in some locations is often difficult because of environmental conditions. In previous research, goats readily consumed salt cedar, offering an alternative method of reducing salt cedar cover. For this study, we determined if sheep would consume salt cedar and consume a similar amount as goats. Twelve Rambouillet and 12 Suffolks lambs were fed salt cedar once daily (Trial 1) and three times daily (Trial 2). Intake of salt cedar by sheep was compared between breeds and with intake of salt cedar by goats (n = 10). Salt cedar was fed once a day in Trial 1 for 30 min over 15 d. Intake was recorded daily for individual animals. In Trial 2, salt cedar was offered three times daily for 13 d with intake recorded. There were no differences (P > 0.05) between breeds of sheep. In addition, sheep consumed more salt cedar than goats except on the last day of the study. When salt cedar was offered three times daily, both breeds of sheep increased intake and gained weight over the 13 d of feeding in Trial 2. By the end of the study, intake appeared to still be increasing. Collectively, these results illustrate that both Rambouillet and Suffolk sheep will consume a similar amount of salt cedar as goats and will provide another species of livestock that can be potentially used to reduce salt cedar cover.     

陕北白绒山羊羯羊能量和蛋白质需要量

本试验旨在研究陕北白绒山羊羯羊能量和蛋白质的需要量,为制定其饲养标准提供数据。选取36只体重相近、健康状况良好的陕北白绒山羊周岁羯羊,按3×3(能量×蛋白质)完全随机设计分为9组,每组4个重复,每个重复1只。各组饲粮消化能和粗蛋白质水平分别参照NRC(1981)推荐量的100%、110%、120%和90%、110%、130%设定。预试期7 d,正试期46 d。结果表明:1)饲粮能量水平对周岁羯羊的干物质采食量和平均日增重都有极显著影响(P0.01),蛋白质水平对干物质采食量影响显著(P0.05);饲粮能量和蛋白质水平对干物质采食量有显著的互作效应(P0.05)。2)低能量水平组的可消化氮显著低于中能量水平组与高能量水平组(P0.05);低蛋白质水平组的进食氮、可消化氮、沉积氮、氮表观消化率均极显著低于中蛋白质水平组和高蛋白质水平组(P0.01)。3)总能消化率和总能代谢率均随着能量水平的提高而极显著地升高(P0.01);高蛋白质水平组的总能代谢率和消化能代谢率显著低于低蛋白质水平组(P0.05);能量和蛋白质水平对总能消化率、总能代谢率和消化能代谢率均产生显著或极显著的互作效应(P0.05或P0.01)。本试验得到了陕北白绒山羊周岁羯羊能量和蛋白质需要量的回归方程,饲粮的消化能和代谢能分别以8.80~10.61 MJ/kg和7.34~8.76 M J/kg较为适宜,粗蛋白质和可消化粗蛋白质分别以10.00%和7.34%为宜。     

复合营养舔砖对山羊的饲用效果和作用机理研究 Ⅰ.补饲营养舔砖对增重速度、胴体性状和经济效益的影响

为验证复合营养舔砖对山羊的饲用效果,进一步完善其配方,改进产品,促进山羊生产发展,通过饲养试验和屠宰测定等手段,研究了复合营养舔砖对山羊增重速度、胴体性状和经济效益的影响．结果表明：补饲舔砖Ⅰ号和Ⅱ号的试验Ⅰ组和Ⅱ组羊只的平均增重速度分别比对照组提高了４３．６６％和３７．８６％;羊只胴体重、肌肉重、屠宰率和胴体瘦肉率也均显著或极显著地高于对照组,尤以试验Ⅰ组为佳;每只羊平均每天比对照组羊只分别净增纯利０．１７,０．１５元;每吨舔砖产生的直接经济效益分别在２．４１,２．０６万元以上．     

黄健玲教授治疗输卵管阻塞性不孕经验

黄健玲教授认为输卵管阻塞性不孕多因湿热、气滞、脾虚、寒湿、肾虚造成瘀阻胞络冲任而发病;临床中辨证论治、立法组方,采用中药内服,加以毛冬青灌肠、四黄水蜜外敷、中药包外敷等,促进炎症吸收消退,使输卵管再通以助孕。     

西藏绒山羊绒纤维直径变异的研究

本文研究了西藏绒山羊绒纤维直径的变异。西藏绒山羊在３周岁时绒纤维直径达到最粗,日土型母羊和公差３周差时羊绒平均工为１４．９７和１４．９３μｍ,尼玛型母羊和公差３周岁时差绒平均细度为１３．９３和１３．３５μｍ,公羊的绒纤维直径明显比母羊小。单根纤维不同段间,毛丛内纤维间,体躯不同部位间绒纤维直径具有良好的匀度。