Browsing by Author "Ikeobi, C.O.N"
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Item Open Access APPLICATION OF MULTIVARIATE PRINCIPAL COMPONENT ANALYSIS TO MORPHOLOGICAL CHARACTERIZATION OF INDIGENOUS GOATS IN SOUTHERN NIGERIA.(Department of Animal Science, Nasarawa State University, Keffi., 2011-05-20) Yakubu, Abdulmojeed; Okpeku, M.; Peters, S.O; Ozoje, M.O; Ikeobi, C.O.N; Adebambo, O.A; Imumorin, I.GPhenotypic variation present in a population arises due to genotypic and environmental effects, and the magnitude of phenotypic variability differs under different environmental conditions, therefore, the purpose of this study was to objectively describe the linear type traits of extensively managed mature indigenous goats of Southern Nigeria and to predict body weight from their orthogonal shape characters using principal component analysis. Body weight and four body measurements namely, height at withers, neck length, body length and heart girth were measured in 265 randomly selected West African Dwarf (WAD) and Red Sokoto (RS) goats of both sexes. RS goats had significantly (P < 0.05) higher morphological traits compared to their WAD counterparts. Sexual dimorphism was observed in all the traits with higher values recorded for males. Phenotypic correlations among body weight and biometric traits were positive and highly significant (r = 0.76ā0.91 versus 0.82ā0.97 and 0.66ā0.94 versus 0.83ā0.91 for WAD and RS female and male goats, respectively). In the varimax rotated principal component factor analysis, two factors were extracted for each sex of the two breeds, although with varying degrees of factor loadings. The principal component based regression models, which are preferable for selecting animals for optimal balance, accounted for 89.00 and 96.00% as well as 81.00 and 91.00% of the variation in body weight of female and male WAD and RS goats, respectively. The information obtained could be useful in designing appropriate management, selection and breeding programmes for utilization of goat genetic resourceItem Open Access Application of principal component and discriminant analyses to morpho-structural indices of indigenous and exotic chickens raised under intensive management system(Department of Animal Science, Nasarawa State University, Keffi., 2012-04-23) Yakubu, Abdulmojeed; Ajayi, O.O; Adeleke, M.A; Sanni, Timothy M; Peters, S.O; Imumorin, I.G; Ozoje, M.O; Ikeobi, C.O.N; Adebambo, O.AThe objectives of this study were to investigate the relationships between body weight and morpho-structural indices to predict body weight from their orthogonal body shape characters using principal component analysis and to morphologically classify the chicken genotypes using multivariate discriminant analysis. Data used were from 273 randomly selected 12-weeks-old indigenous chickens of normalfeathered (NF), frizzle-feathered (FF), naked-neck (NN) and Anak Titan (AT) genotypes. Phenotypic correlation among body weight and most biometric traits ranged from 0.227ā 0.876, ā0.7ā0.901, 0.034ā0.968 and ā0.207ā0.849 for NF, NN and AT chickens, respectively. Factor analysis with varimax rotation of interrelated traits revealed three principal components which accounted for 83.1%, 74.4%, 78.8% and 76.5% of the total variance in NF, FF, NN and AT chickens in the order listed. Breast girth, keel length, thigh length, shank length and wing length were found to be the most discriminating variables to separate the chicken genotypes. The longest distance (72.54) occurred between AT and NF genotypes while the shortest distance (4.27) was recorded for FF and NN genotypes. Classification results showed that 85.2% of AT genotype was correctly classified into their source population. However, 22.7%of NF was misclassified as NN, while 33.3% of NN was misclassified as NF chickens. These results suggest that there is high rate of gene flow between these two indigenous chicken genotypes. Information obtained fromthis study may be considered useful in breed improvement programmes for selection, characterization, conservation and better management of Nigerian indigenous chickenItem Open Access DIFFERENTIAL RESPONSES OF NIGERIAN NATIVE SHEEP BREEDS TO ASSAULTS OF SUBACUTE Trypanosoma vivax INFECTION IN THE TROPICS: POLYMERASE CHAIN REACTION-BASED ASSAY EVIDENCES(Department of Animal Science, Nasarawa State University, Keffi., 2018-04-03) Yakubu, Abdulmojeed; Ikeobi, C.O.N; Onasanya, Gbolabo O; Sanni, Timothy M; Ozoje, M.O; Amusan, S.A; Decampos, J.S; Ofori, J.A; Ibrahim, A.AMolecular-based assay is reported to efficiently detect higher levels of subacute infection of the African Animal Trypanosomosis (AAT). Based on our previous research data, this study reports the detection of subacute Trypanosoma vivax (T. vivax) infection, sequel to polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based assay diagnosis in four extant Nigerian sheep breeds namely, Balami, Yankassa, Uda and West African Dwarf (WAD) sampled from four geographical locations in Nigeria, the detected T.vivax infection was associated with thermo-tolerance traits of our animals. The study approach involved the use of the PCR-based assay to amplify a DNA fragment size of 400 bp within the genome of the pathogenic parasite in 161 sheep of both sexes. Our findings showed that T. vivax pathogen caused significant assault (P<0.05) on infected Nigerian native sheep compared with non-infected counterparts as depicted by the elevated thermo-tolerance traits. The WAD breed was found to have improved thermo-tolerance performance especially in body temperature when exposed to the assault of T. vivax infection compared with the Uda, Balami and Yankassa sheep breeds (P<0.05). The sheep breed showed very significant effect (P<0.01) on thermo-tolerance traits. Balami sheep was the most thermalvulnerable breed while WAD was least affected by the assault of thermal stress. Pathogenic T. vivax is culpable in the alteration of body thermo-tolerance of local sheep populations in Nigeria with the attendant health implications. Current research noted that WAD breed performed better under stressful assaults of T. vivax infection.Item Open Access Evaluation of Polymorphisms at Heat Shock Protein 90 Gene by High Resolution Melting Assays for Potential Heat Tolerance among Nigerian Zebu Cattle Breeds(Department of Animal Science, Nasarawa State University, Keffi., 2020-03-14) Onasanya, Gbolabo O; Msalya, G.M; Thiruvenkadan, A.K; Sreekumar, C.; Tirumurugaan, G.K; Sanni, M.; Decampos, J.S; Amusan, A. S; Fafiolu, A.O; Olowofeso, Oladeji; Okpeku, M.; Yakubu, Abdulmojeed; Ikeobi, C.O.NHeat Shock Protein (HSP) 90 gene is a member of HSPs subfamily that act as molecular chaperons whenever animals come under thermal stress. The genes fulfill essential roles of providing cellular protection, immune response, protein synthesis, protein folding and unfolding, protection from cellular stress, inhibitory apoptosis and adaptation. This study was designed to analyze polymorphisms of HSP 90 and to evaluate their influence on heat tolerance among selected Nigerian zebu. The polymorphisms were also used to determine genetic relationship among the animals. About 450 bp of bovine HSP 90 including part of coding region in exon 3 was sequenced in 90 DNA samples representing four Nigerian zebu namely White Fulani (WF), Sokoto Gudali (SG), Red Bororo (RB) and Ambala (AM). Sequencing was done using an automated ABI-DNA Sequencer. Editing was accomplished using chromatogram analyses on SeqMan Ngen Tool. Rooted phylogenetic tree was constructed using MEGA 5.2 software. In total, 11 genetic variants were determined. Five of these (PRP, RED, ORG, LMN and YLO) were major variants detected in over 70% of the samples. Six (6) were classified as minor variants detected in two breeds or less and in 29.1% of the samples. The GRN and NBL were only detected in RB and SG breeds respectively. We found a shared homology and common ancestral lineage among the breeds. Furthermore, the genetic structure of Nigerian zebu has a common clade architecture to those of goats, sheep, yak, buffalo, camel, horse and other taurines. The gene is conserved among wide range of animals and as such it can serve as one of bio-markers for selection and breeding programmes for thermotolerance in wide range of livestock animals under thermal stress. The variant groups could be further interrogated for possible specific effects on thermotolerance performance of zebu in hot tropical environments.Item Open Access Evolutionary study of HSP 90AA1gene among Nigerian zeb breeds of cattle revealed shared ancestry(Department of Animal Science, Nasarawa State University, Keffi., 2019-10-22) Yakubu, Abdulmojeed; Onasanya, Gbolabo O; Thiruvenkadan, Aranganoor K; Sreekumar, Chirukandoth; Tirumurugaan, Gopalan K.; Msalya, George M.; Muyideen, Sanni T.; Okpeku, M.; Ikeobi, C.O.N; Fafiolu, Adeboye O.; Olowofeso, OlajideHeat shock protein (HSP) 90AA1 gene is a member of HSPs sub-family that act as molecular chaperons whenever animals come under the assaults of thermal stress, they fulfill essential roles of providing cellular protection, immune response, inhibitory apoptosis and adaptation to thermal assault. A total of ninety (90) adult bulls from Nigerian Zebu cattle breeds comprising of White Fulani (25), Sokoto Gudali (21), Red Bororo (21) and Ambala (23) sampled from northern parts of Nigeria. We reported that rooted evolutionary study based on Neighbour-joining dendrogram of HSP 90AA1 sequences of White Fulani, Ambala, Sokoto Gudali and Red Bororo Nigerian Zebu breeds of cattle revealed that HSP 90AA1 sequences of four Nigerian cattle breed showed shared homology which is suggestive of common ancestral lineage. Similarly, nucleotide sequences of HSP 90AA1 gene in four Nigerian B. Indicus and those of goat, sheep, yak, buffalo, camel, horse and taurine were also constructed. Our results showed that sequences of Nigerian cattle breeds and those of goat, sheep, yak, buffalo, camel, horse and taurine at HSP 90AA1 gene locus suggested that these animals had shared ancestry and common evolution. Therefore, the extent of relatedness detected among Nigerian breeds of cattle and those of selected mammalian species indicated that HSP 90AA1 gene is conserved among wide range of animals and as such it can be used as potential bio-marker for thermo-tolerance in wide range of livestock animals under assaults of thermal stress. Keywords: HSP 90AA1 gene, thermal stress, phylogenetic analyses, cattleItem Open Access GENE FLOW BETWEEN NIGERIAN SHEEP BREEDS AS REVEALED BY MICRO SATELLITE DNA MARKERS(Department of Animal Science, Nasarawa State University, Keffi., 2020-02-11) Yakubu, Abdulmojeeb; Agaviezor, B.0; Peters, S.O; Ajayi, F.O; Gunn, Hollingsheed H; Adefenwa, M.A; Adebambo, O.A; Ozoje, M.O; Ikeobi, C.O.N; Wheto, M.; Ajayi, O.O; Amusan, S.A; Ekundayo, J.O; Sanni, Timothy M; Okpeku, M.; Onasanya, Gbolabo O; Donato, Marcos De; Ilori, M.B; Kizilkaya, Kadir; Imumorin, I.GThe presence and level of gene flow between the four major Nigerian sheep breeds (West African Dwarf (WAD), Yankasa, Balami and Uda) was assessed using microsatellite DNA markers. DNA was extracted from 50~1of whole blood using the ZymoBeadā¢ Genomic DNA Kit The DNA was amplified by PCR in a MyCyclerā¢ Thermal Cycler (Biorad, Hercules, CA) using 15microsatellite markers selected. DNA fragment analysis of microsatellite markers was carried out using the Applied BioSystems 3730xl DNA Analyzer (Applied Biosystems, Carlsbad, CA, USA). The level of gene flow or population structure was assessed by STRUCTURE software and barplots generated by DISTRUCT. At K=2, two clusters was constituted from breeds descending from Balami and Yankasa, both of which are from Northern region in Nigeria. At K=3 and K=4, one more cluster emerged and further analyses did not reveal any additional strong high level substructure, so separating the entire the entire datasets into 3 major clusters was chosen as the final configuration. There are however, several cases of adm ixtures in the genome of some of the individuals that constitute the cluster. Yankasa and Salami breed had more cases of admixtures followed by Udawhile the WAD was the least breed with cases of admixturesItem Open Access Genetic diversity analysis of the mitochondrial D-loop of Nigerian indigenous sheep(Department of Animal Science, Nasarawa State University, Keffi., 2012-03-06) Agaviezor, B.O; Adefenwa, M.A; Peters, S.O; Yakubu, Abdulmojeed; Adebambo, O.A; Ozoje, M.O; Ikeobi, C.O.N; Ilori, B.M; Wheto, M.; Ajayi, O.O; Amusan, S.A; Okpeku, M.; Donato, M. De; Imumorin, I.GIndigenous livestock resources are strategic in the socio-economics of rural agricultural systems to ensure food security in resourcepoor countries. Therefore, better understanding of genetic variation holds the key to future utilization through conservation. We report the first analysis of genetic diversity of Nigerian sheep based on the D-loop region of the Ovis aries mitochondrial genome using 1 179 bases between sites 15 437 and 16 616 base pairs. A sample of 290 animals made up of Balami, West African Dwarf (WAD), Uda and Yankasa breeds were randomly collected from across Nigeria. Ninety-six haplotypes were observed with a high mean haplotype diversity of 0.899 Ā± 0.148. Gene diversity was highest in Uda (0.921 Ā± 0.021) and lowest in WAD (0.852 Ā± 0.061). Population specific FST indices varied from 0.00133 in Uda to 0.00335 in WAD. Yankasa had the highest number of polymorphic sites (201), while the least was in Uda (96). Analysis of molecular variance revealed that 0.23 percent of the variation is found among populations compared with 99.77 percent variation found within populations. The phylogenetic tree indicates that the mitochondrial lineages of these sheep breeds originated from a common source consistent with first divergence of Yankasa followed by WAD, while Balami and Uda remain more closely related. These results suggest that evolutionary divergence of Nigerian sheep breeds based on mitochondrial DNA D-loop sequence may be coincident with geographical distribution in Nigeria and suggest significant interbreeding. This could have implications for managing improvement and conservation strategies and long-term conservation of Nigerian indigenous sheep.Item Open Access Heterozygous Single-Nucleotide Polymorphism Genotypes at Heat Shock Protein 70 Gene Potentially Influence Thermo-Tolerance Among Four Zebu Breeds of Nigeria(Department of Animal Science, Nasarawa State University, Keffi., 2021-12-15) Yakubu, Abdulmojeed; Onasanya, Gbolabo O; Msalya, George M.; Thiruvenkadan, A.K; Sreekumar, Chirukandoth; Tirumurugaan, Gopalan K.; Fafiolu, A.O; Adeleke, M.A; Ikeobi, C.O.N; Okpeku, M.Genetic variants at heat shock protein 70 gene and their influence on heat stress (HS) tolerance were studied among selected Nigeria zebu, namely, 25 White Fulani (WF), 21 Sokoto Gudali (SG), 21 Red Bororo (RB), and 23 Ambala (AM). Detection of single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) followed by determination of genotype and genotypic frequency was made among the selected breeds. The heat tolerance coefficient (HTC) was determined from thermo-related parameters including body temperature, rectal temperature, and respiratory rate. Thermo-Tolerance was evaluated through the SNPā thermo-parameter relationship. Statistical analyses were done using the GLM procedure in SAS. A quantitative real-time/high-resolution melting-based assay detected twelve genetic variants. Five of these were common and shared across all breeds of cattle. Of the remaining seven variants, three were specifically identified in AM, two in SG, and two in RB. Also, SNPs were evaluated and four unique SNPs (C151T, C146T, G90A, and C219A) were identified. Heterozygous animals had lower HTC suggesting their potential to withstand HS than homozygous counterparts. The WF and RB animals had significantly lower values for all parameters (BT, RT, RR, and HTC) compared to AM and SG breeds. Thermo-related parameters were significantly different (P < 0.001), and it is recommended that screening of SNPs in zebu is needed to enable selection for improved thermo-tolerance.Item Open Access Molecular Diagnosis of Subclinical African Trypanosoma vivax Infection and Association with Physiological Indices and Serum Metabolites in Extensively Managed Goats in the Tropics(Department of Animal Science, Nasarawa State University, Keffi., 2013-06-27) Sanni, Timothy M; Onasanya, Gbolabo O; Adefenwa, Mufliat A; Yakubu, Abdulmojeed; Ikeobi, C.O.N; Adebambo, O.A; Talabi, Adewale O.; Ozoje, M.O; Wheto, M.; Takeet, Michael I.; Peters, S.O; Donato, Marcos De; Thomas, Bolaji N.; Imumorin, I.GTrypanosomosis remains a major challenge to livestock production in much of tropical Sub-Saharan Africa, while diagnosis and treatment still depend on inefficient parasitological techniques. Endemic infections depend on animal reservoirs with subclinical parasitemia. We report molecular diagnosis of subclinical Trypanosoma vivax (T. vivax) infection using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for the first time in Nigerian goats and associate parasite presence with gross physiological traits and serum metabolites in extensively managed Nigerian goats. PCR was used to amplify a 400 bp DNA fragment of the parasite genome in 205 goats across three geographical zones of the country. Results showed a high subclinical infection rate (SCIR) of 71.7% in the total goats examined. Overall SCIRs of 71%, 75.9% and 55.6% were recorded in West African Dwarf, Red Sokoto and Sahel goats respectively, while geographical SCIRs were 71.2% (Southwest), 75% (Northwest) and 70% (Northeast). T. vivax presence had significant (P < 0.05) effect on respiratory rate and is associated with higher creatinine levels in sera. Logistic regression analyses with Hosmer-Lemeshow goodness- of-fit showed that respiratory rate is the most important predictive trait for the presence of T. vivax infection (P < 0.05). Goats appear to be a viable reservoir for T. vivax infection of other livestock. Molecular diagnosis of subclinical trypanosomosis using PCR could be useful for large scale epidemiological studies, early diagnosis of subclinical infection and treatment of the disease in extensively managed tropical goats.Item Open Access Molecular-based detection of sub-clinical African Trypanosoma vivax infection and its association with some selected serum biochemical references and blood electrolytes in four traditionally bred Nigerian native Sheep.(Department of Animal Science, Nasarawa State University, Keffi., 2018-09-12) Yakubu, Abdulmojeed; Onasanya, Gbolabo O; Sanni, Timothy M; Amusan, A. S; Decampos, J.S; Talabi, Adewale O.; Ozoje, M.O; Balogun, Joshua Babalola; Wheto, M.; Ikeobi, C.O.NTrypanosomosis remains a major challenge to livestock production in much of tropical Sub- Saharan Africa, while diagnosis and treatment still depends on inefficient parasitological techniques. Endemic infections of trypanosomosis depend on animal reservoirs with sub-clinical parasitemia. We report molecular diagnosis of sub-clinical Trypanosoma vivax (T. vivax) infection using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for the first time in Nigerian sheep and associate parasite presence with gross physiological traits and biochemical references in extensively managed tropical sheep. PCR was used to amplify a 400 bp DNA fragment of the parasite genome in 161 sheep of both sexes across four geographical zones of Nigeria. Results showed a high sub-clinical infection rate (SCIR) of 73.9% in the total sheep investigated. Overall, SCIRs of 85.4%, 75%, 62.5% and 72.5% were recorded in Balami, West African Dwarf, Uda and Yankassa sheep, respectively; while geographical SCIRs were 73.5 % (South-West), 71.7 % (North-West), 73.5 % (North-East) and 88.0 % (North-Central). SCIRs of 73.5 % were found in ewes and 76.3 % in rams. T. vivax infection presence had a significant (p<0.05) effect on blood urea nitrogen (BUN), Alanine transaminase or Alanine aminotransferase (AST) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) where infected sheep had a higher ALP levels of 242.24 +21.72 IU/dl than non-infected sheep (189.86 +10.77 IU/dl). Also T. vivax infected sheep had higher AST (185.92+13.90 IU/L) than non-infected counterparts (167.31+15.58 IU/L). Tropical sheep appear to be a fertile reservoir for T. vivax infection of other livestock. Molecular diagnosis of sub-clinical trypanosomosis using PCR-based assay is suitable for large scale epidemiological studies of trypanosomosis, early diagnosis of sub-clinical infection and treatment of the disease in extensively managed tropical sheepItem Open Access Morphological and microsatellite DNA diversity of Nigerian indigenous sheep(Department of Animal Science, Nasarawa State University, Keffi., 2012-04-22) Agaviezor, B.O; Peters, S,O; Adefenwa, Mufliat A; Yakubu, Abdulmojeed; Adebambo, O.A; Ozoje, M.O; Ikeobi, C.O.N; Wheto, M.; Ajayi, O.O; Amusan, S.A; Ekundayo, Oludotun J; Sanni, Timothy M; Okpeku, M; Onasanya, Gbolabo O; Donato, Marcos De; Ilori, Babatunde M; Kizilkaya, Kadir; Imumorin, I.GBackground: Sheep is important in the socio-economic lives of people around the world. It is estimated that more than half of our once common livestock breeds are now endangered. Since genetic characterization of Nigerian sheep is still lacking, we analyzed ten morphological traits on 402 animals and 15 microsatellite DNA markers in 384 animals of the 4 Nigerian sheep breeds to better understand genetic diversity for breeding management and germplasm conservation. Results: Morphological traits of Uda and Balami were significantly (P < 0.05) higher than Yankasa, which were both higher than West African Dwarf (WAD) sheep. Stepwise discriminant analysis showed tail length, rump height, chest girth, ear length and chest depth as the most discriminating variables for classification. Mahalanobis distances show the least differentiation between Uda and Balami and the largest between WAD and Balami sheep. While 93.3% of WAD sheep were correctly assigned to their source genetic group, 63.9% of Yankasa, 61.2% of Balami and 45.2% of Uda were classified correctly by nearest neighbour discriminant analysis. The overall high Polymorphism Information Content (PIC) of all microsatellite markers ranged from 0.751 to 0.927 supporting their use in genetic characterization. Expected heterozygosity was high for all loci (0.783 to 0.93). Mean heterozygote deficiency across all populations (0.171 to 0.534) possibly indicate significant inbreeding (P < 0.05). Mean values for FST, FIT and FIS statistics across all loci were 0.088, 0.394 and 0.336 respectively. Yankasa and Balami are the most closely related breeds (DA = 0.184) while WAD and Balami are the farthest apart breeds (DA = 0.665), which is coincident with distance based on morphological analysis and population structure assessed by STRUCTURE. Conclusions: These results suggest that within-breed genetic variation in Nigerian sheep is higher than between-breeds and may be a valuable tool for genetic improvement and conservation. The higher genetic variability in Yankasa suggests the presence of unique ancestral alleles reflecting the presence of certain functional genes which may result in better adaptability in more agro-ecological zones of Nigeria. These genetic characteristics are potentially useful in planning improvement and conservation strategies in Nigerian indigenous sheepItem Open Access Multivariate analysis of sexual size dimorphism in local turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo) in Nigeria(Department of Animal Science, Nasarawa State University, Keffi., 2010-10-12) Yakubu, Abdulmojeed; Ajayi, O.O; Jayeola, Oluwaseun O.; Imumorin, I.G; Takeet, Michael I.; Ozoje, M.O; Ikeobi, C.O.N; Peters, S.OAbstract Sexual size dimorphism is a key evolutionary feature that can lead to important biological insights. To improve methods of sexing live birds in the field, we assessed sexual size dimorphism in Nigerian local turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo) using multivariate techniques. Measurements were taken on 125 twenty-week-old birds reared under the intensive management system. The body parameters measured were body weight, body length, breast girth, thigh length, shank length, keel length, wing length and wing span. Univariate analysis revealed that toms (males) had significantly (P<0.05) higher mean values than hens (females) in all the measured traits. Positive phenotypic correlations between body weight and body measurements ranged from 0.445 to 0.821 in toms and 0.053ā0.660 in hens, respectively. Three principal components (PC1, PC2 and PC3) were extracted in toms, each accounting for 63.70%, 19.42% and 5.72% of the total variance, respectively. However, four principal components (PC1, PC2, PC3 and PC4) were extracted in hens, which explained 54.03%, 15.29%, 11.68% and 6.95%, respectively of the generalised variance. A stepwise discriminant function analysis of the eightmorphological traits indicated that body weight, body length, tail length and wing span were the most discriminating variables in separating the sexes. The single discriminant function obtained was able to correctly classify 100% of the birds into their source population. The results obtained from the present study could aid future management decisions, ecological studies and conservation of local turkeys in a developing economy.Item Open Access Physiological adaptation of local, exotic and crossbred turkeys to the hot and humid tropical environment of Nigeria.(Department of Animal Science, Nasarawa State University, Keffi., 2012-05-20) Ilori, B.M; Peters, S.O; Yakubu, Abdulmojeeb; Imumorin, I.G; Adeleke, M.A; Ozoje, M.O; Ikeobi, C.O.N; Adebambo, O.AA total of 300 birds consisting of 120 local, 120 crossbred and 60 exotic turkeys were used to compare physiological adaptation of birds raised under the high-heat stress environment of Nigerian tropical humid climate. Genotype significantly (PB0.05) affected heat tolerance traits with the highest mean values for rectal temperature, pulse-rate and heat stress index observed in exotic turkeys. Genotype also had significant (PB0.05) effect on serum biochemical parameters such as glucose (GLU), potassium (K ) and Chloride (Cl ). The haematological indices of the birds such as haemoglobin, white blood cell count and heterophyl/lymphocyte ratio (H/L) were equally affected by the different genetic groups (PB0.05). The significantly higher (PB0.05) H/L ratio of the exotic turkeys was an indication of heat stress. The better performance exhibited by local and crossbred turkeys could be exploited in management, conservation and selection decisions of animal genetic resources under tropical conditions.Item Open Access SEQUENCE ANALYSES OF INSULIN-LIKE GROWTH FACTOR 1 GENE IN NIGERIAN INDIGENOUS AND ARBOR ACRE CHICKENS(Department of Animal Science, Nasarawa State University, Keffi., 2022-09-10) Wheto, M.; ISMAILA, O.O; Adeleke, M.A; Adenaike, A. S; Peters, S.O; Yakubu, Abdulmojeed; Adebambo, A.O; Ikeobi, C.O.N; Adebambo, O.AThe chicken Insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF1) is a candidate gene for growth, body composition and metabolism, skeletal characteristics and growth of adipose tissue and fat deposition in chickens. It is mapped to 165.95 cM on chromosome 1 and composed of four exons and three introns, spanning more than 50 kb. Genomic DNA was extracted from blood samples collected from the experimental birds using Qiagen DNA extraction kits. Polymersae chain reaction (PCR) was carried out using established primers. The PCR amplicon involving 5āuntranslated region were sequenced. The sequences were analysed to identify polymorphisms, their genetic diversities and evolutionary relationships among three strains of Nigerian indigenous chickens [Frizzle Feathered (7), Normal Feathered (19) and Naked Neck (19), and the Arbor Acre broiler chicken (17)]. Nucleotide sequences generated were edited and aligned using Codon Code Aligner. Diversity analysis was done using DnaSp while MEGA6 software was used to plot phylogenetic tree using maximum likelihood method. A total of nineteen single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were detected from 560 bp portions of the 5āUTR among the four chicken populations studied with none detected in the Frizzle feathered chicken. The Naked neck chicken had the highest number of SNPās (13), haplotypes (6), haplotype diversity (0.778), nucleotide diversity (0.00487), average number of nucleotide differences (2.725), highest number of polymorphic (segregating) sites (13), parsimony informative site (5) and singleton variable site (8). The Naked neck chicken therefore had the highest rate of mutation and degree of allelic variation compared to other chicken strains used in this study. The phylogenetic tree showed that small genetic differentiation exists among the chicken populations studied. Some of the SNPs are newly discovered; hence, association between these alleles and productive traits in Nigerian native chickens is desirable in future studies.Item Open Access SINGLE NUCLEOTIDE POLYMORPHISM-BASE CHARACTERIZATION OF HSP 90A1A GENE IN SOME NIGERIAN CATTLE BREEDS.(Department of Animal Science, Nasarawa State University, Keffi., 2019-10-21) Onasanya, Gbolabo O; Thiruvenkadan, A.K; Sreekumar, C.; Tirumurugaan, G.K; Msalya, G.M; Sanni, Timothy M; Decampos, J.S; Amusan, A. S; Olowofeso, Oladeji; Fafiolu, A.O; Okpeku, M.; Yakubu, Abdulmojeed; Ikeobi, C.O.NHeat shock protein (HSP) 90 gene is a member of HSPs that act as molecular chaperons whenever animals come under thermal assault, they fulfill essential roles of providing cellular protection, immune response, protein synthesis, protein folding and unfolding, protection proteins from cellular stress, inhibitory apoptosis and adaptation during thermal assault. A total of ninety (90) adult bulls from across four extant breeds of Nigerian Zebu cattle comprising of White Fulani (25), Sokoto Gudali (21), Red Bororo (21) and Ambala (23) sampled from northern parts of Nigeria. Genomic DNA was extracted from 90 animal skin tissue samples and was subjected to polymerase chain analyses followed by sequencing of the PCR products for detection SNPs of HSP 90 gene in four Nigerian breeds of cattle. Single Nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) within the nucleotide sequences of four Nigerian bovine HSP90 gene of were visualised detected and bio-edited by chromatogram analyses using SeqMan Ngen Tool (DNASTARĀ®, Inc., Madison, Wisconsin, U.S.A). We pioneered a preliminary single nucleotide polymorphism study of HSP 90 gene for the first time in Nigerian zebu cattle. Sequence data detected 6 SNP loci within the coding region of exon 1 of HSP 90 gene which includes: 2 Indels (White Fulani: Del384C i.e. insertion of C at 384th base position and Red Bororo: Del355G i.e. insertion of G at 355th base position), 1 transversion (Sokoto Gudali: C112A) and 3 transitions (White Fulani: G390A, Red Bororo: T55C and C190T).We therefore, hypothesize that the detected SNPs should further be associated thermo-tolerance traits to unravel their possible effect on thermal-tolerance performance, adaptability and susceptibility of different Nigerian cattle breeds to environmental stress load and thermal assaults of tropical conditionsItem Open Access Single nucleotide polymorphisms at heat shock protein 90 gene and their association with thermo-tolerance potential in selected indigenous Nigerian cattle(Department of Animal Science, Nasarawa State University, Keffi., 2020-06-28) Yakubu, Abdulmojeed; Onasanya, Gbolabo O; Msalya, G.M; Thiruvenkadan, A.K; Sreekumar, Chirukandoth; Tirumurugaan, Gopalan K.; Okpeku, M.; Sanni, Timothy M; Decampos, J.S; Amusan, S.A; Olowofeso, Oladeji; Fafiolu, A.O; Ikeobi, C.O.NHeat shock protein (HSP) 90 gene provides protection and adaptation to thermal assault and certain polymorphisms have been associated to heat tolerance in humans and animals. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of HSP 90 gene were used to evaluate the scientific basis of heat tolerance in four zebu breeds of Nigeria. The DNA was extracted from skin tissue of 90 adult bulls representing White Fulani (WF), Sokoto Gudali (SG), Red Bororo (RB), and Ambala (AM). The SNPs were determined in DNAs using PCR, sequencing, and visualization and bio-editing by chromatogram in SeqMan Ngen tool. Subsequently, respective genotypes were constructed and genotypic and allelic frequencies were computed. Also, body parameters related to heat stress (HS) including body temperature (BT), rectal temperature (RT), and respiratory rates (RR) were taken for each animal before biological sampling and heat tolerance coefficient (HTC) was calculated. We detected four SNPs distinct/specific for each breed as follows: change from thymine (T) to guanine (G) at position 116 (T116G) in RB, G to cytosine (C) at 220 (G220C) in SG, G to adenine (A) at two positions, 346 (G346A) and 390 (G390A) in AM and WF, respectively. Heterozygous SNPs showed significantly lower values (P < 0.0001) for BT, RT, RR, and HTC than homozygous genotypes at all positions.We hypothesize that animals with heterozygous SNPs in exon 3 of HSP 90 may be tolerant to HS. These SNPs can be used as bio-markers for screening large populations of cattle for tolerance to hot tropical conditions in Nigeria and other sub-humid places.