Browsing by Author "Musa Azara, I.S"

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    APPLICATION OF MULTIVARIATE LOGISTIC REGRESSION MODEL TO ASSESS FACTORS OF IMPORTANCE INFLUENCING PREVALENCE OF ABORTION AND STILLBIRTH IN NIGERIAN GOAT BREEDS
    (Department of Animal Science, Nasarawa State University, Keffi., 2014-12-10) Yakubu, Abdulmojeed; Muhammed, M.M; Musa Azara, I.S
    The aim of the study was to investigate the application of binary logistic regression to assess the potential factors associated with the prevalence of abortion and stillbirth in indigenous goat breeds in Nasarawa State, north central Nigeria. 5,268 kidding records of does from a total of 105 traditional goat herders from the year 2010-2011 were utilized in the study. The goats which were of West African Dwarf (WAD), Red Sokoto (RS), Sahel (SH) and WAD x RS crossbred (WR) genetic groups originated from different flocks and were reared under the traditional extensive system. The risk factors investigated were dam breed group, season, parity and number of foetuses. Of the 5,268 kidding records, 570 (10.8%) and 520 (9.87%) were cases of abortion and stillbirth, respectively. The logistic regression analysis revealed that season, parity and number of foetuses were the parameters of utmost importance (P<0.05) influencing the prevalence of abortion and stillbirth in the four genetic groups investigated. The logistic regression models were able to predict correctly 89.2 and 90.1% cases of abortion and stillbirth, respectively. The present information may be exploited in management practices to attenuate the incidence of abortion and stillbirth parturition, thereby increasing the productivity of the animals
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    Assessment of flock structure, preference in selection and traits of economic importance for domestic turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) genetic resources in Nasarawa State, Nigeria
    (Department of Animal Science, Nasarawa State University, Keffi., 2014-01-16) Yakubu, Abdulmojeed; Abimiku, H.K; Musa Azara, I.S; Idahor, K.O; Akinsola, O.M
    Village poultry have been raised for thousands of years and the selection pressure present in the village environment has resulted in indigenous stock that are well adapted to local conditions. The present investigation examined the flock composition, preference in choice of breeding stock, production traits and culling criteria in indigenous turkeys of Nasarawa state, Nigeria. A semi-structured questionnaire was administered to 53 randomly selected households engaged in turkey farming in the study area. A low tom: hen ratio of 1: 2.75 was observed in the turkey population. Body size, egg number, hatchability, heat tolerance, body conformation and disease resistance were the preferred traits for selection of breeding stock. Higher rankings (P<0.01) were accorded economic traits such as high reproductive performance, increased egg production and large body size. Most of the households culled toms with low body size, low fertility and poor health while fertility, egg number, body size and mothering ability were highly ranked as culling criteria for hens. The rate of inbreeding (ΔF) calculated for the indigenous turkey flock considering the existing flock size and management practice was 0.0013 (0.13%), an indication that the population is not at the risk of extinction. It is concluded that community or village-based selective breeding schemes should consider farmers’ traits of preference as a good option to rational and sustainable way to improve and conserve turkey genetic resource in the study area.
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    BIOCOMPUTATIONAL GENOME-WIDE ANALYSIS OF MICRO RNA GENETIC VARIABILITY IN SOME VERTEBRATES
    (Department of Animal Science, Nasarawa State University, Keffi., 2013-12-12) Yakubu, Abdulmojeed; Musa Azara, I.S; DAIKWO, Sylvester I.; Yakubu, Blessing Saleh N.; Vincent, Samuel Ter; MOMOH, Ojo Michael; DIM, Ndubuisi I.
    MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small endogenously expressed singlestranded RNAs that regulate gene expression post transcriptionally and shape diverse cellular pathways. miRNAs regulate a wide range of biological processes through the recognition of complementary sequences between miRNAs and their target genes. The present investigation aimed at determining in-silico the genetic variability of miRNA genes in some livestock and nonlivestock species. Effects of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in genes’ 3'UTR on target gain/loss of human miRNAs were also explored. A total of twenty four mature miRNA sequences and genomic coordinates in three livestock [chicken (5), pig (1) and cattle (9)] and two non-livestock (human (6) and mouse (3)] species were retrieved from the miRBase 15 release. Computational scanning of polymorphisms in the miRNAs revealed 33 and 20 polymorphic sites in livestock and non-livestock species, respectively. Of this, 7 (chicken), 11 (cattle) and 2 (mouse) were located within the seed region. The de novo computational prediction revealed that SNPs rs1042725 (C/U) and rs1044129 (A/G) in genes’ 3'UTR of human miRNAs positively influenced the target site thereby resulting in target gain. However, the effects of SNPs rs56109847 (A/G), rs28927680, rs12720208 (G/A) and rs5186 (A/C) were negative. The evolutionary tree showed that the relationship between miRNA consensus sequences of livestock (pig, chicken and cattle) was closer compared to non-livestock species (mouse and human), which could be implicated in morphological complexity among vertebrates. Although the function of miRNA is only beginning to be understood, future in-silico research evaluating the functional effect of miRNA in gene translation and subsequent biological pathways especially in livestock is of paramount importance; and this should be complemented with hypothesis-driven experimental studies to evaluate the phenotypic effect of identified miRNA genetic polymorphisms in animals.
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    Correlation and path coefficient analysis of body weight and morphometric traits of two exotic genetic groups of ducks in Nigeria
    (Department of Animal Science, Nasarawa State University, Keffi., 2015-04-25) Yakubu, Abdulmojeed; Muhammed, M.M; Ari, M.M; Musa Azara, I.S; Omeje, J.N
    The study aimed at describing objectively the interdependence between body weight (BWT) and morphometric traits in Khaki Campbell and Pekin ducks using multivariate path analysis technique. Measurements were taken on one hundred and ninety seven (197) randomly selected 10-week old Khaki Campbell and Pekin ducks, respectively in Plateau State, Nigeria. The birds were reared on deep litter in a semi-intensive system where they were kept in a fenced area provided with water ponds and locked up in the poultry house during the night. The body parts measured were, body length (BDL); thigh length (THL); thigh circumference (THC); breast circumference (BTC); bill length (BLL); neck length (NKL); neck circumference (NKC); shank length (SHL); shank width (SHW); total leg length (TLL) and wing length (WL). General linear model was used to study genotype and sex effects. Pekin ducks had a superior advantage (p<0.05) over their Khaki Campbell counterparts in all the body parameters estimated. Sexual dimorphism (p<0.05) was in favour of male ducks. Pairwise phenotypic correlations between BWT and morphometric traits were positive and significant (p<0.01), ranging from 0.38-0.95 and 0.35-0.92 for Khaki Campbell and Pekin ducks, respectively. Path analysis revealed that BDL was the variable of utmost importance directly influencing BWT in male Khaki Campbell and Pekin ducks (path coefficient=0.535 and 0.508, respectively; p<0.01) while BTC and SHL were the most responsible parameters affecting BWT in female Khaki Campbell and Pekin ducks [path coefficient=0.594 (P<0.01) and 1.197 (p<0.05), respectively]. The optimum regression models for the prediction of BWT in Khaki Campbell ducks included BDL, SHL, BTC and NKC (male) and BDL, WNL and BTC (female); while in their Pekin counterparts, BDL, BLL and BTC (male) and BDL and SHL (female) were incorporated.
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    EFFECT OF FEED RESTRICTION ON GROWTH PERFORMANCE, BODY CONFORMATION, CARCASS CHARACTERISTICS AND COST-BENEFIT IN BROILER CHICKENS
    (Department of Animal Science, Nasarawa State University, Keffi., 2013-01-15) Yakubu, Abdulmojeed; Idahor, K.O; Usman, E.A; Jonathan, L.F; Musa Azara, I.S
    A total of two hundred and seven day-old Arbor Acre commercial hybrid broiler type was used to determine the effects of feed restriction on growth performance, frame size/structure, carcass qualities and profitability in an 8-week trial. Group A birds were fed 24-hour post hatch, and subjected to 4-hour feed removal from the fifth to the sixth week; Group B birds were fed 36-hour post hatch, and subjected to 6- hour feed removal from the fifth to the sixth week while Group C birds were fed 48-hour post hatch, and subjected to 8-hour feed removal from the fifth to the sixth week. The final body weight, average weekly body weight, average weekly feed intake, average weekly body weight gain, feed conversion ratio and percentage mortality were not significantly influenced (P>0.05) by the duration of feed restriction. Apart from neck circumference, which was significantly (P < 0.05) higher in Group C birds, other linear type traits were not affected (P > 0.05) by feed restriction. There were no significant differences in the measured carcass parameters among broilers of the three treatment groups. Total cost of feed (₦) consumed per bird was significantly higher (P<0.05) in group A birds. The gross margin revealed that statistically significant values (₦711.97 versus ₦692.47; P<0.05)) were recorded for birds in Groups C and B compared to those in Group A (₦656.07), It is therefore, suggested that feeding broilers 48-hour post hatch coupled with 8-hour feed removal from the fifth to the sixth week of age could be employed for efficient broiler chicken production.
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    Path analysis of body weight and morphometric traits of Nigerian indigenous Muscovy ducks
    (Department of Animal Science, Nasarawa State University, Keffi., 2009-09-10) Yakubu, Abdulmojeed; Musa Azara, I.S; Aya, V.E; Abimiku, H.K; Barde, R.E
    Body weight and seven biometric traits namely, body length, breast circumference, thigh circumference, bill length, neck length, foot length and wing length of 221 adult Nigerian Muscovy ducks were subjected to path analysis. The ducks, reared under the traditional scavenging system, were randomly selected in Nasarawa State, north central Nigeria. The investigation aimed at determining the explanatory variables that most effectively influenced the body weight of indigenous ducks of both sexes. Sex-associated differences (P<0.05) were observed in all the studied traits, with superior values recorded for males (drakes). Bivariate correlations between body weight and linear body measurements in drakes ranged from 0.743-0.919. Correspondingly, a range of 0.745- 0.894 was obtained in female ducks. The path analysis revealed that thigh circumference had the strongest direct effect on body weight of drakes, followed by body length, wing length and foot length (path coefficient = 0.326, 0.312, 0.286 and 0.115 respectively). However, a different trend was observed in females, where the influence of wing length on body weight was greatest, followed by thigh circumference, bill length and foot length (path coefficient = 0.340, 0.289, 0.217 and 0.171, respectively). The optimum linear multiple regression model in drakes included forecast indices such as thigh circumference, body length, wing length and foot length, with a determination coefficient (R2) of 0.962 and determination coefficient of error of 0.038. The corresponding indices in female ducks were wing length, thigh circumference, bill length and foot length with R2 value of 0.917 and determination coefficient of error of 0.083. These models could be useful in weight estimation in the field and for selection purposes.
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    Preliminary investigation of haemoglobin polymorphism and association with morphometric traits in West African Dwarf goats in north central Nigeria
    (Department of Animal Science, Nasarawa State University, Keffi., 2014-02-14) Yakubu, Abdulmojeed; Abimiku, H.K; Musa Azara, I.S; Barde, R.E; Raji, Abdulrazak O.
    The aim of this study was to characterize the genetic pool of the West African Dwarf (WAD) goats using haemoglobin (Hb) polymorphism, as well as the association of some morphological traits with the Hb variants. Blood samples were collected from a total of 104 mature goats of both sexes belonging to the WAD breed in north central Nigeria. The red cell lysates were subjected to cellulose acetate electrophoresis and specific staining procedure to reveal the band patterns of haemoglobin. Three co-dominant alleles, causing the presence of three genotypes (AA, AB and AC) were detected among individual goats. The frequencies of the A, B and C alleles were 0.69, 0.30 and 0.01, respectively. The corresponding genotype frequencies for AA, AB and AC in the goat population were 0.37, 0.61 and 0.02, respectively. The discrepancy between the observed and the expected genotype number was significant (P<0.05) thereby violating the Hardy-Weinberg frequencies. The expected heterozygosity (H), which is a measure of gene diversity in the population, was 0.57; while the local inbreeding coefficient (F) was -0.055 indicating disassortative mating. Apart from body weight and heart girth which were higher (P<0.05) in individuals with Hb AA genotype, other body parameters were not significantly influenced (P>0.05) by Hb variants. There is a need for further study encompassing more number of goats covering larger areas, use of DNA markers and their relationship with economic traits as well as performance study for detailed understanding of breed characteristics, conservation and genetic improvement of WAD goats in north central Nigeria.
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    Village guinea fowl (Numidia meleagris) production systems in Nasarawa State, north central Nigeria: flock characteristics, husbandry and productivity
    (Department of Animal Science, Nasarawa State University, Keffi., 2014-04-26) Yakubu, Abdulmojeed; Musa Azara, I.S; Haruna, Hadiza Salihu
    Within the livestock sector, village poultry are often the most commonly owned type of livestock and they are more frequently owned than larger livestock species by resource-poor households. The present study was conducted to investigate the flock characteristics, husbandry and productivity of village guinea fowl (Numidia Meleagris) in Nasarawa State, Nigeria. Data were gathered using a semi-structured questionnaire survey of 117 households cutting across the three agricultural zones of the state. The mean number of guinea fowl owned per household between the study zones was higher in Nasarawa West and Nasarawa Central compared to the Southern Agricultural zone (9.94, 7.36 and 6.29, respectively). The overall cock:hen ratio of the village guinea fowl flocks was 1:2.5, depicting excess breeding males. Majority of the households purchased their foundation stock from the market. While approximately 78% of the respondents provided partial enclosure for their birds, 79% of the households claimed to offer partial feed supplements done in both wet and dry seasons. Women and children were the predominant providers of care for guinea fowls. The mean number of eggs per hen per year was 78.7, of which 56.1 eggs were hatched. Newcastle disease (ND) was the most prevalent disease while ethno veterinary services were used as substitute for conventional veterinary support by 28.2% of the households. About 72% of the village birds were sold at the adult stage and the priority purpose of keeping guinea fowls was mainly for cash (44.4%) and home consumption (26.5%). Losses incurred were due to factors such as poor health care, poor housing, poor feeding and incidence of predation and theft. The effective population size (Ne) and inbreeding rate (ΔF) of 493 and 0.00101 (0.1%) obtained across the three agricultural zones indicated that the guinea fowl populations are not at the risk of extinction. Therefore, better management strategies geared towards increasing the profitability of the village guinea fowl enterprise should be employed.