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The aim of this study was to compare the external and internal egg quality of three layer strains namely Bovan Nera, ISA Brown and FUNAAB Alpha. One hundred and fifty eggs sampled from 120 birds per strain from 35 to 45 weeks of age were used for the study. Data collected were analysed using one way analysis of variance in a completely randomized design. ISA Brown had significantly (P<0.01) the heaviest eggs on the average at 45 weeks, followed by Bovan Nera and FUNAAB Alpha. The egg quality characteristics of Bovan Nera and ISA Brown were similar but significantly (P<0.05) superior to FUNAAB Alpha in egg width, egg volume, egg surface area and albumen weight. FUNAAB Alpha was significantly (P<0.05) the most superior in yolk weight only. Three principal components (PC1, PC2 and PC3) were produced from each strain after principal component analysis and varimax rotation. Estimation of breeding values based on the three principal components could be used for the selection and improvement of egg quality variables in each strain instead of isolated traits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was conducted to explore the relationship among body measurements in 3 strains of broilers chicken (Arbor Acre, Marshal and Ross) using principal component analysis with the view of identifying those components that define body conformation in broilers. A total of 180 birds were used, 60 per strain. The parameters recorded at 8 weeks of age were body weight, shank length, thigh length, drumstick length, body length, body width, breast width and wing length. Principal component analysis with variance maximizing orthogonal rotation was used to extract the components. Two principal components were extracted in Arbor Acre which explained 65% of the total variation in the original variables. Similarly three principal components each were extracted in Marshal and Ross strains accounting for 74.76% and 70% of the total variance respectively. Generally, PC1 had the largest share of the total variance and correlated highly with breast width, wing length, thigh length, shank length and body length. PC1 was termed the generalized form of broilers. PC2 had its loadings on drum stick length, breast width, thigh length and wing length while PC3 had positive loading on drumstick length. These components could be used as selection criteria for improving body size of broilers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examined the effects of unconventional feed on performance characteristics and candidate gene expression in growing pigs of 3-5months of age. A Total of forty-five (45) growing pigs were randomly allotted into five treatments consisted of whole maize (T1), brewer's dried grain (T2), cassava peel meal (T3), plantain peel meal (T4), and corn husk meal (T5), at 35% inclusion rate. Performance data were collected for 12weeks, while duodenum and liver samples were collected after the experiment for gene expression analysis. Data were analyzed in a completely randomized design. Diets significantly (p<0.05) affected growth performance with T2 showing the highest average of daily weight gain at 0.21±0.02; while T5 had the least value. Feed efficiency was highest for T1 and T2 (0.10±0.02) and lowest was T5 (0.07±0.17). Cost-benefit analysis were significantly different (p<0.05) with T4 showing the highest gross margin. Insulin-like growth factor1 and leptin gene were differentially expressed in tissues, while no significant differences (p>0.05) existed for growth hormone gene and ryanodine receptor1 gene. The results showed commendable gross margin, however, cognizance should be taken in the quantity of brewer's dried grain fed to pigs since it increased the expression of ryanodine receptor 1 gene that leads to porcine malignant hypertermia and pale soft exudates pork. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Data on litter size traits of 224 bunnies obtained from a mating involving five sires and fifteen dams at three dams/sire were collected and analyzed to estimate genetic parameters in commercial domestic rabbits raised in Anwai, Delta State, Nigeria. Traits studied were: total litter size born (TB), number born Alive (BA), number born dead or still born (BD), and number weaned (NW). The analysis of variance was done in a nested or hierarchical design with equal number of sub-class. Heritability and correlations were calculated using standard expressions. Heritability estimates from sire component for TB, BA, BD and NW were 0.08, 0.02, 0.007 and 0.94 and 0.89, 0.55, 0.76 and 0.97 respectively using dam component of variance. Genetic correlations were generally positive and highly significant (P<0.01) for TB X NW. Environmental correlations ranged from negative to positive values and were highly significant (P<0.01) for TB X BD and BA X NW from dam component while estimates of phenotypic correlation were generally positive but mostly low. In conclusion heritability of litter size traits were mostly low from sire component and high from dam component while genetic and phenotypic correlations among the traits were generally positive. The low heritability for litter size (TB, BA and BD) suggest possible improvement of these traits by progeny selection or sib-testing while the trait with high heritability can be improved by record based on own performance while the positive correlations indicates that genes responsible for those traits are related. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]