Current situation and the development of the dairy industry in Jordan,Saudi Arabia,and Syria

The development of the dairy industry plays an important role in the economy of Middle Eastern countries. Judged by its growth rate, the dairy industry is viewed as one of the most progressive food industries in the Middle East. During the early 1970s, countries established executive programs to promote dairy farming; the major objective was to attain self-sufficiency in milk production. A massive investment was set up for importing top class cattle, complying with top industry operating standards, and a simultaneous introduction of the latest technology in processing, packaging, and distributing. Milk production has grown tremendously at rates of 6.6% and 4.9% in Syria and Saudi Arabia, respectively, between 2002 and 2007, which resulted in these nations being almost self-sufficient. Regarding Jordan, milk production has not yet met this target. An excessive growth in the dairy industry is quite noticeable in this region with an expanding capacity for exports. The aim of this study is to show the most recent trends and future prospects of the dairy industries in Syria, Saudi Arabia, and Jordan. It also attempts to investigate the drivers for the development of milk production, consumption, and trade in the region.     

Vascular Endothelial (VEGF) and Epithelial Growth Factor (EGF) as Well as Platelet‐Activating Factor (PAF) and Receptors are Expressed in the Early Pregnant Canine Uterus

The aim of this study was to investigate the course of expression of platelet‐activating factor (PAF), PAF‐receptor (PAF‐R), epidermal growth factor (EGF), EGF‐R, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), VEGF‐R1 and VEGF‐R2 in uterine tissue during canine pregnancy. For this purpose, 20 bitches were ovariohysterectomized at days 10–12 (n = 10), 18–25 (n = 5) and 28–45 (n = 5) days after mating, respectively. The pre‐implantation group was proven pregnant by embryo flushing of the uterus after the operation, the others by sonography. Five embryo negative, that is, non‐pregnant, bitches in diestrus (day 10–12) served as controls. Tissue samples from the uterus (placentation sites and horn width, respectively) were excised and snap‐frozen in liquid nitrogen after embedding in Tissue Tec^®. Extraction of mRNA for RT‐PCR was performed with Tri‐Reagent. In the embryos, mRNA from all factors except VEGF was detected. In the course of pregnancy, significantly higher expression of PAF and PAFR as well as VEGF and VEGFR2 during the pre‐implantation stage than in all other stages and a strong upregulation of EGF during implantation were characteristic. The course of EGF was in diametrical opposition to the course of the receptor. These results point towards an increased demand for VEGF, EGF and PAF during the earliest stages of canine pregnancy.     

In vitro differentiation of bovine bone marrow‐derived mesenchymal stem cells into male germ cells by exposure to exogenous bioactive factors

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) are multipotent progenitor cells defined by their ability to self‐renew and give rise to differentiated progeny. Previous studies have reported that MSC may be induced in vitro to develop into different types of specialized cells including male gametes. In vitro gamete derivation technology has potential applications as an alternative method for dissemination of elite animal genetics, production of transgenic animals and conservation of endangered species. This study aimed at investigating the in vitro effect of BMP4, TGFβ1 and RA on the potential for germ cell (GC) differentiation of bovine foetal MSC (bfMSC) derived from bone marrow (BM). The effect of BMP4, TGFβ1 and RA was analysed on the expression of pluripotent, GC and male GC markers on bfMSC during a 21‐day culture period. bfMSC cultured under in vitro conditions expressed OCT4, NANOG and DAZL, but lacked expression of mRNA of VASA, STELLA, FRAGILIS, STRA8 and PIWIL2. Treatment with exogenous BMP4 and TGFβ1 induced a transient increase (p < .05) in DAZL and NANOG mRNA levels, respectively. However, exposure to RA was more effective in increasing (p < .05) expression of DAZL and regulating expression of OCT4 and mRNA levels of NANOG. These data suggest that bfMSC may possess potential for early GC differentiation, where OCT4, NANOG and specially DAZL may play significant roles in controlling progression along the GC lineage.     

Impact of management interventions on smallholder dairy farms of the western highlands of cameroon

A study was carried out to evaluate the impact of interventions to solve constraints in smallholder dairy farms of the Western Highlands of Cameroon. The interventions consisted of improved breeding through introduction of artificial insemination, better feed supplementation, farmers training in milk processing and better veterinary services. Results show that there was a decrease in average monthly expenditures of 18% relative to the month before interventions started. Much of the expenditures were related to feed (38% of all costs). There was an overall increase in farm income. Close to 2/3 of the income were derived from milk products from home processed milk and culled animals. Only 7% income came from milk sold to the processing plant. The partial budget shows that before interventions, farmers lost $4.5/cow/month but gained $38/cow/month because of the interventions. The return was 2.32 and included opportunity income for milk home consumed and shared. When this opportunity income was ignored, the return stood at 1.93. The positive impact of interventions led to poverty alleviation and some farmers acquired more cows. A spill over effect is that more crop farmers are willing to be engaged at least partially in dairy farming. It will be good if many more farmers could benefit from these interventions.     

Evaluation of the sustainability of participatory management of forest plantations: the case study of Wari-Maro Forest Reserve,Republic of Benin§

This study assessed ecological and socio-economic impacts of a participatory forest management project in the Republic of Benin. The study focused on the Wari-Maro Forest Reserve and the ‘Projet d’Aménagement des Massifs Forestiers’ five years after its completion. A forest inventory was carried out using 37 square plots of 729 m² each to characterise the population structure of two types of plantations established: plantations with exotic species and plantations with native species. In addition, individual surveys were conducted with local households, organs of joint forest management and forestry officers to evaluate their perceptions about the participatory management of the plantations. Finally, the sustainability of the participatory management was assessed with an established rating system. Results showed that plantations with exotic species were more successful than plantations with native species. Local communities argued that they have not been involved in the plantations design but only in the implementation step and that their standards of living have decreased after the project completion. The rating system used showed that the participatory management of plantations had a short-term sustainability. The findings suggest that future projects should be designed and implemented with better participation of local communities as full partners.     

Intake of trichostrongylid larvae by goats and sheep grazing together

SUMMARY Cashmere goats and Merino sheep were grazed together at 7.5 animals per ha on annual rye grass and clover pasture in southern Victoria, a winter rainfall area. Intake of parasitic larvae was measured in oesophageal extrusa samples collected from 2 animals of each species, 4 times in one week, on 7 occasions between mid-March (autumn) and mid-June (winter). Pasture contamination with larvae was measured at the same times. The number of larvae per kg of green grass was lower than on green clover; the most heavily contaminated portion of the pasture was the mat of dead herbage on the ground. The diet selected by goats contained more green grass and dead herbage and less clover that that of sheep (P < 0.01). Goats ingested 643 infective trichostrongylid larvae per kg dry matter intake (DMI) versus 274 per kg DMI for sheep in autumn, increasing to 1892 versus 1143 in early winter. The heavier trichostrongylid burdens of goats compared with sheep, when grazed together, are due in part to greater rates of infection consequent on different grazing patterns as well as greater susceptibility to infection.     

Expression of Genes in the Canine Pre‐implantation Uterus and Embryo: Implications for an Active Role of the Embryo Before and During Invasion

The aim of the present study was to assess genes expressed in maternal uterine tissue and pre‐implantation embryos which are presumably involved in maternal recognition and establishment of canine pregnancy. For this purpose, 10 pregnant bitches were ovariohysterectomized between days 10 and 12 after mating. Four non‐pregnant bitches served as controls. Early pregnancy was verified by flushing the uterine horns with PBS solution. The collected embryos (n = 60) were stored deep‐frozen (?80°C). Uterine tissue was excised, snaps frozen in liquid nitrogen and homogenized using TRI Reagent. All embryos from one litter were thawed together and also homogenized in TRI Reagent. RT‐PCR was performed to prove mRNA expression of progesterone receptor, key enzymes of the prostaglandin synthesis pathway, selected growth factors, cytokines, immune cell receptors, major histocompatibility complex (MHC) and matrix‐metalloproteinases (MMP). Only pregnant uteri revealed the presence of mRNA for interferon (IFN)‐γ, IL‐4 and CD‐8, which resembles the milieu in humans and other mammalians. Similarly, in day 10 embryos, mRNA for transforming growth factor‐β, insulin‐like growth factor‐1,‐2, hepatocyte growth factor, leukaemia inhibitor factor, tumour necrosis factor‐α, interleukin‐1β,‐6,‐8, cyclooxygenase‐2, CD4⁺ cells, and MMP‐2 and ‐9 were detected, but not MHC‐I or ‐II. We therefore suppose that the canine embryo, like its human counterpart, actively initiates measures to prevent attacks from the maternal immune system to prepare its own adhesion, nidation, growth and further development.     

Lactoferrin increases sperm membrane functionality of frozen equine semen

During cryopreservation, sperm was submitted to an increase in reactive oxygen species generation. This work aimed to improve the quality of frozen equine sperm after the addition of antioxidants lactoferrin (Lf) and catalase (Cat) to a freezing extender. Semen from six stallions was frozen with the extenders: F1) control, INRA 82 freezing extender, F2) F1 + 500 μg/ml Lf and F3) F1 + 200 IU/ml Cat. After thawing, sperm motility parameters, membrane functionality and integrity, and acrosome integrity and spontaneous acrosome‐reacted sperm were evaluated with a computer‐assisted sperm analysis, a hypoosmotic swelling test and epifluorescent microscopy, respectively. Nitrite, hydroperoxide and iron concentrations of frozen semen were measured with spectrophotometry. The percentage of functional membrane sperm treated with Lf was higher (50.7% ± 11.6%) compared to that of the control (37.6% ± 15.6%), while the iron (61.4 ± 11.6 vs 73.3 ± 13.8 mg/dl) and nitrite concentrations (16.3 ± 7.1 vs 25.9 ± 4.2 μM/μg protein) were lower, respectively (p < .05). Thus, it can be suggested that Lf protect stallion spermatozoon during freezing as it has increased the percentage of sperm with functional membrane and decreased the lipid oxidant agents.     

Ecological determinants and risk areas of Striga hermonthica infestation in western Kenya under changing climate

Striga hermonthica (Del.) Benth is a parasitic weed that is damaging major cereal crops in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Although Striga is recognised as an agricultural scourge, there is limited information available indicating the extent of its growth and spread as impacted by the changing climate in Kenya. This study investigated the impact of current climate conditions and projected future (2050) climate change on the infestation of Striga hermonthica in the western Kenya region. Specifically, the study aimed to predict Striga hermonthica habitat suitability in five counties in the western Kenya region through using the maximum entropy (MaxEnt) model and bioclimatic, soil, topographic and land use, and land cover (LULC) variables. Striga hermonthica geolocations were collected and collated and ecological niche models were developed to determine the habitat suitability. The results showed that approximately 1767 km² (10% of the total study area) is currently highly suitable for Striga hermonthica occurrence. The future projections showed a range between 2106 km² (19% of the total study area) and 2712 km² (53% of the total study area) at the minimum carbon (RCP 2.6) and the maximum carbon emission scenarios (RCP 8.5) respectively. Elevation, annual precipitation, LULC, temperature seasonality and soil type were determined to be the most influential ecological predictor variables for Striga hermonthica establishment. The study revealed the importance of using climate, soil, topographic and LULC variables when evaluating agricultural production constraints such as Striga's prevalence. The methodology used in this study should be tested in other Striga affected areas.