Do Crossbreeding using Exotic Breeds in Goat is the Right Solution for a Low-input Production System in Ethiopia? : A Review

Analysis and evaluation of the previous genetic improvement attempts and their fruition are paramount to make the right decision in the future. Hence, this paper reviews the status of goat genetic improvement programs through quantitative evidence and elucidates how it can be implemented in the future through an intensive literature review. Goat genetic improvement through crossbreeding was initiated early in 1975. However, most crossbreeding programs have lacked analysis of the existing resources and infrastructure and also lack long-term strategies. As a result, crossbreeding program was discontinued without significant contribution due to incompatibility of the exotic genotype with low-input production systems. On the other hand, the moderate to high genetic variation within a population open the window for within-breed selection. Accordingly, a well-designed within-breed selection program was initiated late in 2013 for specified breeds. Currently, governmental and non-governmental institutions plan to scale up community-based within-breed selection program. Besides, the efficiency of assisted reproductive technologies in goat genetic improvement was evaluated by ICARDA and reported a moderate achievement. However, the application of molecular technologies in Ethiopia is only limited to diversity studies. Nevertheless, there is an opportunity to use molecular technologies to enhance the genetic progress of a genetic improvement program. In conclusion, the expected benefits from crossbreeding program were not obtained and will not be obtained under the existing low input-production system. Therefore, a within-breed selection program would be an ideal option for the existing low-input production system if integrated with assisted reproductive and molecular technologies.

Essential oil content and composition of lavender origins, introduced in Bulgaria

The genus Lavandula includes a variety of species under the common name lavender. Bulgaria has a tradition in the production of high-quality lavender oil. This is the result of many years of selection work, which includes the study of introduced samples and their adaptogenic abilities in the country habitat. Three samples of Lavandula angustifolia Mill., that originated from Poland were studied and compared with the Bulgarian varieties “Hemus” and “Sevtopolis”. The content of the essential oils ranged from 0.39% to 3.98%. The chemical composition, determined by GC/MS, revealed the main compounds: linalyl acetate (13.0÷44.9 %), linalool (21.8÷42.1%), β-caryophyllene (4.6÷7.4 %), cis-β ocimene (2.8÷10.5 %), lavandulyl acetate (1.9÷4.3%), terpinen-4-ol (0.3÷2.0 %), limonene+1.8 cineole (2.3÷6.0 %) and trans-β ocimene (0.1÷3.8%). The sample with the dark purple florescence showed promising quantitative and qualitative characteristics of the essential oil and can be involved in the selection program for lavender cultivation.

EFFECTS OF WEANING SYSTEM ON MILK AND EXTERNAL MAMMARY CONFORMATION TRAITS OF SICILO-SARDE TUNISIAN DAIRY EWE

A better development of the Sicilo-Sarde dairy sheep in Tunisia needs a review of its behavior by adopting early weaning and generalizing mechanical milking that involves an adaptation of the external mammary morphology (MM). Thirty ewes were divided into two groups (early and late weaning; EW and LW respectively) to study the effects of weaning system (WS) and milking time (MT) on milk and external MM traits in early milking period. MM was evaluated by six measurements and three scores of udder and teat. EW group had higher milk production (MP) and lower fat and protein amounts that increased with MT advancement (P0.001). WS did not affect MM traits (P>0.05), only teat length was higher for LW ewes (P0.05). Udder depth, teat diameter, distance between teats and teat angle score decreased with MT (P0.01). Significant interactions were noted between WS and MT for most traits studied. MP was negatively correlated with fat and protein amounts (-0.38 and -0.50 respectively) and moderately correlated with udder depth, cistern height, teat diameter (from 0.31 to 0.42). Fat and protein had negative correlation with udder depth, teat diameter and distance between teats. Higher correlation was determined between udder depth and distance between teats (r=0.60; P0.001). In conclusion, EW system allows a better start of the milk production in early milking period. Cistern height, teat length and teat angle score are the prominent traits which affect milk ability and adaptation of ewe to machine milking and consequently they must be included in selection program.

Phenotypic Correlation Between Body Measurements in Saudi Sheep in Qassim Region

Identify the genetic resources of the sheep and characterize these breeds accurately are very important to enhance the good performances of sheep and expand the knowledge of the differences among those breeds. Body measurements therefore, are perfect indicators to make definition for each breed. The present study is part of a wide one to definite of phenotypic characteristics in local breeds of sheep in Qassim region, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The data were collected from three breeds in Qassim region, Noemi, Najdi and Hari. Najdi is the biggest breed of the sheep breeds in Saudi Arabia and it is the main breed in Najd region. Noemi is taking the second size breed of the sheep breeds in Saudi Arabia. Hari is the smallest breed of sheep breeds in Saudi Arabia, it is the main breed in Hejaz and Assir regions, which belong to the sheep with coarse hair, and thick tail strain. Eight body measurements traits were studied, Wither heights (WH), Rum heights (RH), Body length (BL), Head length (HL), Heart girth (HG), Muzzle diameter (MD), Cannon circumference (CC) and Cannon length (CL).  The correlations coefficients among all studied traits were moderate to high and highly significant. The highest correlation coefficient was found between RH and WH traits (0.872), and the lowest one was found between CC and HG traits (0.214). The correlations coefficients between relative traits can help us to understand the similarity among studied traits and can be used in the future in selection program.

Creation of new generation sugar beet hybrids

The paper reveals the results of Verkhnyatska RSS breeders participation in the Betaintercross program on creating new generation sugar beet hybrids. Studying the effciency of new hybrids simultaneously in all beet sowing zones in Ukraine (ecological varieties testing on the Betaintercross program) makes it possible to estimate their adaptability to various agroclimatic conditions as well as comprehensive and prompt assessment of the created hybrids. The paper reveals the best hybrids on the results of ecological seed tests for 2007–2019 created with use of the initial forms of Verkhnyatska of selection. The largest number of perspective hybrids were received at hybridization of MP Verkhnyatsk origin with MS by lines of Ivanivsk, Uman and Ulaiv selection. Hybrid STs 121120 Dzhura, with sugar yield of 115,8 % and hybrid CTs 090922 USB 1201 with 115,2 % of the standard were created at purposeful topcross crossings of MP 3 1111 VRSS with MS the line 1037 IvDSS creates. The hybrid STs 110120 Heroy received with Uman MS line 0912 and Verkhnyatska MP1 1008, yielded 105,6 % of sugar. The most successful hybrid combinations are created using Verhnyatska parent MS lines with Bila Tserkva and Uman polinators. Belotserkivska MP 0805 in a combination with Verkhnyatska MS line 0714 provided the STs 090328 Aydar hybrid, with sugar yield of 109,2 % in comparison with the standard. The STs 110804 Verkhniy hybrid was created in cooperation with Bila Tserkva selelectionists and provided for 122,5 % of sugar yield. 11 hybrid combinations of MS lines and MP of our own Verkhnyatsk selection were created in the selection program running. The hybrids of sugar beet USB1201, Dzhura, Kozak, Heroy, Aydar, Verkhniy were listed in the state register of grades of Ukraine in 2010–2019. Key words: breeding, genotype, sugar beet hybrid, heterozis, productivity.

Toward Genome-Based Selection in Asian Seabass: What Can We Learn From Other Food Fishes and Farm Animals?

Due to the steadily increasing need for seafood and the plateauing output of fisheries, more fish need to be produced by aquaculture production. In parallel with the improvement of farming methods, elite food fish lines with superior traits for production must be generated by selection programs that utilize cutting-edge tools of genomics. The purpose of this review is to provide a historical overview and status report of a selection program performed on a catadromous predator, the Asian seabass (Lates calcarifer, Bloch 1790) that can change its sex during its lifetime. We describe the practices of wet lab, farm and lab in detail by focusing onto the foundations and achievements of the program. In addition to the approaches used for selection, our review also provides an inventory of genetic/genomic platforms and technologies developed to (i) provide current and future support for the selection process; and (ii) improve our understanding of the biology of the species. Approaches used for the improvement of terrestrial farm animals are used as examples and references, as those processes are far ahead of the ones used in aquaculture and thus they might help those working on fish to select the best possible options and avoid potential pitfalls.

Maradi red goat sexual cycle: descriptive and progesteronomic study

In order to establish the cyclicity characteristics of the Maradi red goat for the selection program, two experimental protocols were implemented separately at the Faculty of Agronomy of the University of Niamey (Niger). The first included 8 multiparous females and aimed to characterize the plasma progesterone concentration during the sexual cycle. The second including 31 females (multiparous and young) focused on analyzing manifestation of sexual activity and determining averages durations of estrus and sexual cycle. Bloodsamplings and heat controls were conducted. It appeared that young female puberty occurs at 46 to 56% of adult goat weight and the onset and end of heats are widely detected in the morning (65%). Throughout the year, sexual activity is lower in dry and hot season and higher in rainy and dry and cold season. The averages lengths of estrus and sexual cycle are 43.27±26.54 hours and 23.16±16.68 days. These parameters vary, (p = 5%) between type of females for the length of sexual cycle with a high proportion of abnormal cycles (31.61% short and 28.57% long). progesterone profiles showed the same trend. Concentration is lower at estrus period (0.29±0.12 ng/ml), it rises from the 4th day to reach a peak of 6±1.6 ng/ml between the 13th and 16th day of the cycle. Keywords: Durations, Cycle, Estrus, Progesterone, Evolution, Maradi Red goats