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Endometritis is a postpartum uterine disease of cows that interrupts reproductive cycles resulting in suboptimal fertility, reduced performance and profitability of the dairy herd. The objective of the study was to estimate the perceived and observed prevalence of endometritis among zero-grazed dairy cows in smallholder farms in Rwanda. A snowball sampling method was applied in cross-sectional survey to obtain data from 370 farms on 466 cows within their 21–60 days postpartum (dpp). The survey, conducted from September 2018 to March 2019, simultaneously examined cows using the Metricheck Device (MED) to determine the presence and type of vaginal mucus (VMC) based on a score scale of 0 to 3. Cows scoring VMC ≥ 1 were recorded as clinical endometritis (CLE)–positive. Cytotape (CYT) was used to determine the percentages of polymorphonuclear cells (PMN) in endometrial cytology sample. Cows with ≥ 5% PMN were recorded subclinical endometritis (SCLE)–positive, whereas cows with VMC-0 and < 5% PMN were considered healthy cows. At cow-level, endometritis prevalence was 70.2% with 67.2% CLE and 31.8% SCLE while at the herd-level, prevalence was 71.1% with 68.1% CLE and 34.4% SCLE. The differences between the diagnostic performance of the MED and CYT were significant (p < 0.001). Perceived prevalence by farmers was much lower (3.2%) and without agreement with the observed prevalence (kappa = − 0.02, p > 0.05). The highly observed prevalence and farmer underestimation of endometritis prevalence indicate knowledge gaps about endometritis. The extension service therefore needs to increase awareness and education among smallholder farmers about detection and management of endometritis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cattle production is an essential livelihood strategy in south-western Burkina Faso. Although having a distinct cultural role and known to be resistant against African animal trypanosomosis, the Lobi taurine cattle breed is endangered due to its low market value. As the first step in preservation efforts, our study aimed to develop a typology of production systems at the farm level. We used a structured questionnaire and focus group discussions for collecting data on household characteristics, socioeconomic activities, livestock, and access to services. The sample comprised 169 households in three communities. The analytical strategy included factor analysis of mixed data and hierarchical clustering. We identified four distinct types of cattle production systems: (1) sedentary Lobi farms, (2) sedentary crossbreed farms, (3) semi-transhumant Fulani zebu farms, and (4) transhumant Fulani zebu farms. Significant factors in developing this typology were the farmers' ethnic group, crop diversity, cattle herd size, cattle herd composition, number of small ruminants, and livestock management strategies. Across all production systems, men were considered being primary decision-makers in cattle production, with women, herders, and children being responsible for specific tasks. All identified production systems are increasingly confronting disease pressure and scarcity of water and land. Future efforts in preservation and breeding will need to respond to these trends in the agroecosystem, integrate risk management measures, and resonate with the specific needs of the different household members involved in cattle rearing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the study was to evaluate heterotic and combining ability effects for growth in nine chicken genotypes. A 3 × 3 complete diallel mating system involving two indigenous breeds named Venda (V) and Naked Neck (N) and one commercial broiler breed named Ross 308 (R) were used. The nine genetic groups of crosses were reared up from hatch to 13 weeks of age in deep litter open house. Body weights of 180 chicks (20 chicks per genetic group), recorded at 0, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, and 13 weeks of age, were used to estimate heterosis, general combining ability (GCA), and specific combining ability (SCA). Results showed that the Ross 308 had the heaviest body weight at all weeks of measurement except for hatch. With respect to crosses, the V × R and its reciprocal cross, R × V had the heaviest body weights at 13 weeks. Heterosis estimates for body weight were higher in the Venda male × Ross 308 female and Venda male and Naked Neck female crosses. GCA was significant ( P ≤ 0.01) for body weight from hatch to 13 weeks of age while SCA and reciprocal effects were both significant ( P ≤ 0.05) for body weight at all ages of measurement except for hatch. The Ross 308 gave the highest positive effect of GCA for body weight except for hatch. V × N gave the highest and positive effects of SCA for body weight. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Studies on the activity of lactate and malate dehydrogenases in the blood serum of 'Leghorn', 'Greenleg' and 'White Rock' chickens and their crossbreds have shown that: [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

On crossing Simmental cows with Holstein bulls, preslaughter weight, raw hide weight, carcass weight, and dressing percentage increased compared with the indices of Simmental bulls. Meatiness and muscling of the thigh were higher. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]