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The haematological attributes during pregnancy assumed new importance when it was realised that pregnancy is a form of physiological stress and hormones appear to be involved in the process of pregnancy and parturition. Hence, an experiment aimed at assessing and determining the haematological, biochemical and hormonal profile during pregnancy was conducted for five (5) months using twelve (12) artificially inseminated female West African Dwarf goats aged 2 – 4 years with live weights ranging from 15 to 26 kg. Does were raised semi‑intensively throughout the duration of the experiment. Blood was collected once a month for haematological, biochemical and hormonal analysis. Data obtained were analysed by the method of least squares analysis of variance (SAS, 2003) using a general linear model appropriate for a completely randomised design. The gestation period had a highly significant (p < 0.001) effect on red blood cell (RBC) and white blood cell (WBC) counts. Cholesterol and glucose were significantly (p < 0.001) affected by the gestation period, similar to the cortisol and progesterone profile (p < 0.001).

Experiments were performed to evaluate the haematological (erythrocyte and leucocyte parameters) response of West African Dwarf goats following oestrus synchronisation and superovulation protocol. Twenty-four clinically healthy female goats aged 2.34 ± 0.4 years and average body weight of 13.83 ± 0.7 kg was used for the experiment. The goats were divided into two groups. Group I goats was synchronized using Controlled Internal Drug Release (CIDR) for 18 days with the first day of insertion as day 0. On day 16 following CIDR insertion into the vagina, a single dose of 500 IU equine chorionic gonadotropin (eCG) was administered to each doe intramuscularly while group II served as the control was subjected to the same housing and environmental conditions but was not synchronized. superovulation was induced with porcine follicle stimulating hormone (pFSH) which was injected intramuscularly at a rate of 5mg/kg in reducing doses twice a day at 06.00 h and 18.00 h for 3 days starting from 48hr i.e., 2 days before CIDR removal (day 17). A blood sample of 5 mL was collected by jugular venipuncture of each of the goats before the protocol (Day 0) and at the end of the protocol (Day 18). All erythrocyte parameters evaluated showed a significantly higher value in group II (control) compared to group I post-oestrus synchronisation while total leucocyte count, neutrophil count and neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio values obtained after the protocol were also higher in group I (P < 0.05) compared to group II. It is therefore concluded that oestrus synchronisation and superovulation may elicit stress in West African Dwarf goats and an appropriate antioxidant should be part of the protocol.

An outbreak of Peste des Petits ruminants (PPR) among recently vaccinated West African Dwarf male goats (buck) was investigated and managed at the Teaching and Research Farm University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria. The average age of the animals was ranged between 1½- 2years old. The morbidity rate of 87% and mortality rate of 28% was recorded on the flock, giving a case fatality rate of 32%. Sneezing, coughing, anorexia, mucopurulent nasal discharges, dyspnea, and diarrhea with pungent characteristic odor were observed clinically. Clinical examination of clinically infected animals on the average revealed the followings: Temperature: 40.5°C, Heart rate: 76 beats per min, Respiratory rate: 44 breathes per min. 13 mortalities were recorded within a week post vaccination. Postmortem findings revealed mucopurulent oculonasal discharges, crust on the lips, erosive lesions on the gums, fecal soiled perineum, frothy mucoid tracheal fluid, copious hydroperitoneum, hyperemia, congestion, and lungs hepatization with large intestine seemed congested. A rapid diagnostic kit for goat Peste des Petits Ruminants Virus Antibody was used to detect the positivity and correlated antibody titer in four of the goats; two from the apparently healthy group and two from the group still manifesting the clinical symptoms. Results of the two apparently healthy revealed some positivity which correlated to 1:160 antibody titer while the two animals from the group showing clinical signs revealed complete invalidation. Clinically infected animals were isolated and treated symptomatically for five consecutive days with Tylosin, Sulphadimidine and Multivitamins at recommended dosages To the best of the authors knowledge, this case will be the first confirmed PPR outbreak among West African Dwarf goats linked with vaccination using PPR rapid diagnostic kit outcome combined with clinico-pathological findings in the South-Western Nigeria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effect of exogenous melatonin (EM) on growth, physiological and haematological parameters of West African dwarf (WAD) bucks was evaluated in the experiment. Intact selected sixteen WAD bucks were distributed into 4 treatment groups of 0, 3, 6 and 9 mg EM. Bucks were orally dozed with EM 3 times per week for 16 weeks. Blood samples were collected at 0th week, 8th week and 16th week of experiment for evaluation of haematological parameters. Analysis of Variance was carried out and significant means were separated using SAS. Results showed bucks given 6 mg EM had higher average daily weight gain of 31.3 g compared with others. Feed and water intake were similar across treatments, but feed conversion ratio was significantly lower in bucks given 6 mg EM. Values recorded in the morning of data collection days showed pulse and respiratory rates to be significantly different, with bucks given 6 mg of EM having lowest values. 6 mg group was also different for packed cell volume (32.57%), haemoglobin (10.72g/dl), red blood cell (11.38 1012 /L), neutrophil (35.50%) and lymphocyte (64.30%). Therefore, dose of 6 mg/animal EM influences growth performance, physiological and haematological parameters of WAD bucks positively and is therefore recommended for WAD bucks for optimal performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nutrition improvement with multipurpose trees could be a means of increasing milk yield. The present study was conducted to evaluate the effect of Moringa oleifera supplementation on the productive and reproductive performance of goats. The Panicum maximum was replaced by Moringa oleifera at the level of 0, 25, 50, 75, and 100% of group T1, T2, T3, T4, and T5, respectively. Data recorded on conception rate, kids' birth weight; dry matter intake (DM), average daily gain, and milk yield; and kids' DM intake of West African Dwarf (WAD) goats. The highest value for conception rate (50%), DM intake (3.08%), average daily gain (44.30 g/day), and milk yield (0.5 kg/day) were observed in the does fed T4 diet, except for kids birth weight (1.70 kg) at T3. The does fed T5 diet had the least values. Kids from T4 diet had significantly (P=0.05) the highest DM intake (152.33 g/day). M. oleifera herbage supplementation at 25 % with 75 % P. maximum based diet improved reproductive and lactation characteristics of WAD goats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Evaluation of lifetime productivity of individual animals in response to various interventions allows assessment of long-term investment opportunities for farmers. In order to gain a better understanding of promising feed interventions for improvement of small ruminant production in Southwestern Nigeria, a dynamic modelling approach was used to explore the effect of different feeding strategies on the lifetime productivity of West African Dwarf (WAD) goats. Modifications were made to the current version of Livestock Simulator developed for cattle production to simulate goat production systems particularly for WAD goats. Effects of changes in input parameters (quality of feed and potential adult weight) confirmed the sensitivity of the modelled weight development and reproductive performance. The values of simulated model outputs corresponded well with observed values for most of the variables, except for the pre-weaning mortality rate in the cut-and-carry system where a wide discrepancy between simulated (2.1%) and observed (23%) data was found. The scenario analysis showed that simulated goats in the free grazing system attained sexual maturity and kidded much later than those in the grazing with supplementation and the cut-and-carry systems. The simulated results suggested that goats require supplementation with protein and energy sources, in order to promote lifetime productivity, early sexual maturity and higher birth weight. In terms of economic returns based on feed cost alone, the moderately intense system produced the most profit. We therefore conclude that grazing with adequate supplementation using farm-generated feed resources offers an opportunity for improving smallholder goat production systems in West Africa.

The experiment was carried out to determine the effect of urea-fortified concentrate corncob diets on growth performance and carcass characteristics of West African dwarf (WAD) goats. Fifteen WAD goats with an average weight of 9.33 kg were studied. The animals were weighted and randomly assigned to five (5) treatments in a completely randomized design (CRD). The treatments were of different levels i.e. 0%, 1%, 2%, 3% and 4% of urea in corncob-based concentrate diets. Results showed variation (P<0.05) in the live weight among all the treatments while no effect was observed in average daily weight gain, average daily feed intake and feed conversion ratio, carcass and non-carcass characteristics among the treatment groups. However, the physicochemical properties of the meat showed that meat water holding capacity, moisture, dry matter, crude fibre and ash were not influenced by urea but there was a significant (P<0.05) difference in meat pH and meat crude protein among the treated groups. In conclusion, for better performance in the live weight gain of WAD goats, 3% best level inclusion of urea fortified corncob diet should be taken into cognizance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Piroxicam is an anti-inflammatory, analgesic and antipyretic drug. It is presently used for postoperative pain management in ruminants. However, female animals have been reported to be more sensitive to piroxicam. Hence its pharmacokinetic parameters were investigated in West African Dwarf (WAD) goats. Ten goats divided into two groups, each comprised five females and five males were administered piroxicam at predetermined dose of 5 mg/kg body weight via thigh muscle. The blood samples were collected into EDTA bottles before the treatment and thereafter at 0.08, 0.16, 0.25, 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 24, 48, 72, 96, 120, 144, 168, and 192 h for analysis of piroxicam using a spectrophotometric method at 330 nm wavelength. Concentration maximum (Cmax = 543.2 ± 64.4 μg/ml), absorption rate constant (α = 1.2 ± 0.4 h), and elimination rate constant (β = 0.4 ± 0.2 h of the male WAD goats were significantly higher (p

Evaluation of lifetime productivity of individual animals in response to various interventions allows assessment of long-term investment opportunities for farmers. In order to gain a better understanding of promising feed interventions for improvement of small ruminant production in Southwestern Nigeria, a dynamic modelling approach was used to explore the effect of different feeding strategies on the lifetime productivity of West African Dwarf (WAD) goats. Modifications were made to the current version of Livestock Simulator developed for cattle production to simulate goat production systems particularly for WAD goats. Effects of changes in input parameters (quality of feed and potential adult weight) confirmed the sensitivity of the modelled weight development and reproductive performance. The values of simulated model outputs corresponded well with observed values for most of the variables, except for the pre-weaning mortality rate in the cut-and-carry system where a wide discrepancy between simulated (2.1%) and observed (23%) data was found. The scenario analysis showed that simulated goats in the free grazing system attained sexual maturity and kidded much later than those in the grazing with supplementation and the cut-and-carry systems. The simulated results suggested that goats require supplementation with protein and energy sources, in order to promote lifetime productivity, early sexual maturity and higher birth weight. In terms of economic returns based on feed cost alone, the moderately intense system produced the most profit. We therefore conclude that grazing with adequate supplementation using farm-generated feed resources offers an opportunity for improving smallholder goat production systems in West Africa. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

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The clinical signs and pathological changes in West African dwarf goats naturally infected with peste des petits ruminants (PPR) were studied. Twenty one goats were housed in one pen throughout the duration of the study. One out of 21 goats was purchased with clinical manifestations suggestive of PPR and the goat served as the source of natural infection to the rest of the goats. By day 3 post aggregation of the animals, 5 out of the 21 goats showed clinical signs of PPR which include coughing, sneezing, pyrexia, starry hair coat, mucopurulent ocular and nasal discharges, watery diarrhea, head pressing, kyphosis and dehydration. By day 5 post aggregation all the goats had come down with the disease. Gross pathological findings included zebra stripes on the cecal mucosa, exudative pleurisy in the thoracic cavity, ecchymotic hemorrhages on the trachea with extensive froth, consolidation and congestion of the lungs. New findings of degenerative fatty liquefaction around the coronary region of the heart and within the ventricles, including ante-mortem clots within the ventricles were made in some cases. These manifestations were observed in varying degrees of severity in the goats and can be considered pathognomonic of PPR infection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Piroxicam is an anti-inflammatory, analgesic and antipyretic drug. It is presently used for postoperative pain management in ruminants. However, female animals have been reported to be more sensitive to piroxicam. Hence its pharmacokinetic parameters were investigated in West African Dwarf (WAD) goats. Ten goats divided into two groups, each comprised five females and five males were administered piroxicam at predetermined dose of 5 mg/kg body weight via thigh muscle. The blood samples were collected into EDTA bottles before the treatment and thereafter at 0.08, 0.16, 0.25, 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 24, 48, 72, 96, 120, 144, 168, and 192 h for analysis of piroxicam using a spectrophotometric method at 330 nm wavelength. Concentration maximum (Cmax = 543.2 ± 64.4 μg/ml), absorption rate constant (α = 1.2 ± 0.4 h), and elimination rate constant (β = 0.4 ± 0.2 h of the male WAD goats were significantly higher (p < 0.05) in comparison withCmax(376.9 ± 61.2 μg/ml),α(0.8 ± 0.3 h) andβ(0.3 ± 0.1 h) of the female WAD goats, respectively. The absorption half life (t1/2α = 1.6 ± 0.6 h), elimination half life (t1/2β = 5.2 ± 2.3 h), body clearance (Clb = 1.1 ± 0.2 L/kg/h), mean residence time (MRT = 7.8 ± 3.5 h) and mean absorption time (MAT = 1.8 ± 0.4 h) of the female WAD goats were significantly higher (p < 0.05) in comparison witht1/2α(0.9 ± 0.3 h),t1/2β(2.5 ± 0.6 h), Clb (0.4 ± 0.1L/kg/h), MRT (0.9 ± 0.6 h) and MAT (1.3 ± 0.5 h) of the male goats respectively. The percentage protein binding capacity in the species was 81.9%. But three out of five female goats were paralyzed. Hence female WAD goats may be more sensitive to piroxicam than male WAD goats. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]