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Washaya S, Ngorio U, Mudzengi CP. Effects of the breeding season, birth type and sex on growth and reproductive performances of sheep breeds. Trop Anim Health Prod 2023; 55:188. [PMID: 37133612 DOI: 10.1007/s11250-023-03575-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2022] [Accepted: 03/29/2023] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
The study aimed at determining the effects of breed type, breeding season, sex and type of birth on the growth and reproductive traits of lambs. Two ewe breed types (Gellaper and Swakara) and four ram breed types (Damara, Dorper, GeDo and Swakara) were used. Two lambing seasons, spring (March-May) and autumn (September-November), were considered. Gellaper-based lambs born in autumn had higher (P < 0.05) mean birth weight (4.58 kg) compared to spring-born lambs (3.43 kg). Ram lambs were heavier (P < 0.05) than ewe lambs at weaning and post-weaning age. Singletons were heavier than twins (P < 0.05) at birth, weaning and breeding. Single and autumn-born lambs had a higher average daily gain (ADG) than spring-born lambs (P < 0.05). Ram lambs had a higher pre-weaning and overall ADG (P < 0.05) compared with ewe lambs. Swakara-based lambs gained more from weaning to mating compared to Gellaper-based lambs (P < 0.05). The conception, lambing and annual reproductive rate were all influenced by breed type and season (P < 0.05). Swakara-based lambs had higher reproductive capabilities, while Gellaper-based lambs grew faster but take longer to breed type; autumn lambing gave rise to low birth weights but heavier lambs at weaning and post-weaning, hence suitable for mutton production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Soul Washaya
- Department of Livestock, Wildlife and Fisheries Great Zimbabwe University, P Bag, 1235, Masvingo, Zimbabwe.
| | - Uaipo Ngorio
- Kalahari Research Station RFWG+WPR, Omaseb, Namibia
| | - Clarice Princes Mudzengi
- Department of Livestock, Wildlife and Fisheries Great Zimbabwe University, P Bag, 1235, Masvingo, Zimbabwe
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Samkange A, Chitanga S, Tjipura-Zaire GN, Mutjavikua VG, Smith JW, Neves L, Matjila T. Seroprevalence and associated risk factors of bovine neosporosis in the Khomas region of Namibia. Onderstepoort J Vet Res 2023; 90:e1-e8. [PMID: 37042558 PMCID: PMC10157435 DOI: 10.4102/ojvr.v90i1.2077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2022] [Revised: 01/07/2023] [Accepted: 01/23/2023] [Indexed: 04/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Neospora caninum is a coccidian parasite that occurs worldwide and is one of the most important causes of abortion, especially in cattle. However, no studies have been performed in Namibia to determine the N. caninum status in livestock. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the seroprevalence of N. caninum in cattle and the associated risk factors in the Khomas region of Namibia. A total of 736 sera were collected from cows in 32 farming establishments. These comprised 698 beef and 38 dairy cattle sera and were tested using a commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kit. Questionnaires were concurrently administered to determine possible risk factors associated with N. caninum seropositivity. A total of 42 sera were positive (all beef), giving an animal-level seroprevalence rate of 5.7%. Eight of the 32 establishments had at least one positive animal, giving a herd-level seroprevalence of 25%. There was no significant association between seropositivity and the presence of dogs, jackals, history of abortions, farm size, number of cattle or average annual rainfall. The establishments with moderate to high numbers of Feliformia were 9.8 times more likely to be seropositive to N. caninum than those with none to low levels of the former (p = 0.0245). The authors concluded that the seroprevalence level of N. caninum in the Khomas region was relatively low compared with other parts of the world and that the role of Feliformia in the epidemiology of bovine neosporosis needed to be further investigated.Contribution: Serological evidence of bovine neosporosis and the associated risk factors are reported in Namibia for the first time. This study contributes to the scientific body of knowledge on N. caninum in Africa, which is currently limited.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alaster Samkange
- Department of Veterinary Tropical Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa; and, Department of Production Animal Clinical Studies, Faculty of Health Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, University of Namibia, Windhoek.
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Kandiwa E, Nguarambuka U, Chitate F, Samkange A, Madzingira O, Mbiri P, Bishi AS, Mushonga B. Production performance of sheep and goat breeds at a farm in a semi-arid region of Namibia. Trop Anim Health Prod 2020; 52:2621-2629. [PMID: 32451833 DOI: 10.1007/s11250-020-02283-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2020] [Accepted: 05/13/2020] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
This study retrospectively investigated the effect of breed and season on the lambing/kidding dynamics, growth performance, neonatal viability, and weaning dynamics of sheep (Damara, Dorper, and Swakara) and goats (Boer goat and Kalahari Red) at a farm in the Khomas Region of Namibia between 2004 and 2015. Litter size was dependent on breed (X2(12, N = 3388) = 796, p < 0.001), with twinning more frequent in Dorper sheep and Kalahari Red and Boer goats than in the Damara and Swakara sheep (p < 0.05), while triplets were more prevalent in the Dorper sheep and Kalahari Red goats (2.8% and 1.0%, respectively; p < 0.05). Distribution of birth weight categories was dependent on breed. There was a significant difference in the proportions of birth weight categories between breeds (X2(12, N = 3388) = 467, p < 0.001) whereby Dorper lambs were mostly born weighing below 3 kg (2.6%, p < 0.05); Boer goat kids, Kalahari Red kids, and Damara lambs were mostly born weighing 3 to < 4 kg (4.3%, 6.3% and 19.9%, respectively; p < 0.05); Swakara lambs were mostly born weighing 4 to < 5 kg (12.2%, p < 0.05), and Swakara lambs were mostly born weighing ≥ 5 kg (3.3% and 2.3%, respectively, p < 0.05). Weaning age categories were dependent on breed (X2(12, N = 3388) = 241, p < 0.001) whereby Dorper lambs were mostly weaned at below 3 months of age (2.8%, p < 0.05); Damara lambs were mostly weaned at 3 to < 5 months of age (12%, p < 0.05), and Boer goat kids were mostly weaned at ≥ 5 months of age (0.9%, p < 0.05). Neonatal viability was dependent on breed (X2(8, N = 3388) = 49.2, p < 0.001) whereby Dorper lambs were more susceptible to abortions and neonatal deaths (0.6% and 1.5%, respectively; p < 0.05) than the rest of the breeds. Breed and lambing season interacted to produce effects on the birth weight of offspring although lambing season alone did not have a significant effect on Boer goat and Kalahari Red kids' birth weights.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erick Kandiwa
- School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Namibia, Private Bag 13301, Pionierspark, Windhoek, Namibia
| | - Utjiuasane Nguarambuka
- Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Namibia, Private Bag 13301, Pionierspark, Windhoek, Namibia
| | - Frank Chitate
- School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Namibia, Private Bag 13301, Pionierspark, Windhoek, Namibia
| | - Alaster Samkange
- School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Namibia, Private Bag 13301, Pionierspark, Windhoek, Namibia. .,, P. O. Box 32376, Pionierspark, Windhoek, Namibia.
| | - Oscar Madzingira
- Department of Animal Health, School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Katima Mulilo Campus, Private Bag 1096, Katima Mulilo, Namibia
| | - Pricilla Mbiri
- School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Namibia, Private Bag 13301, Pionierspark, Windhoek, Namibia
| | - Alec Simukai Bishi
- School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Namibia, Private Bag 13301, Pionierspark, Windhoek, Namibia
| | - Borden Mushonga
- School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Namibia, Private Bag 13301, Pionierspark, Windhoek, Namibia
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