Abstract In order to contribute to the improvement of the knowledge on the valorization of biochar as a feed additive in livestock, three biochar made from cassava peelings, bean tops and cocoa pods were manufactured. After analyzing their mineral composition, they were incorporated into rations at a rate of 0.8% in order to evaluate their effects on the performance of reproduction and pre-weaning growth in cavy (Caviaporcellus). The trials were conducted in the Research Unit of Animal Production and Nutrition (URPRONAN) of the University of Dschang, on 96 adult local breed cavy (from the first generation), including 80 females and 16 males aged 4 months and with an average weight of 400 ± 0.25 g. After 2 weeks of adaptation in the rearing boxes at the farm, the females were put in reproduction for a period of 31 days, the animals were divided into 04 batches of 20 females and 4 males. The animals in the control lot were fed a compound feed without biochar (T) while the others were fed the compound feed containing 0.8% of cassava peel biochar (EM), 0.8% of bean tops biochar (FH) and 0.8% of cocoa pod husks biochar (CC) respectively. The results of this study showed that the ash content (26%) and macro-element concentration were higher in the bean husk charcoal com pared to the other charcoals and the trace elements were more concentrated in the cassava peel charcoal. The best fertility rate (87.5%) was obtained in animals receiving the ration containing organic cocoa pod charcoal. The highest abortion rate (63.16%) was obtained in the batch of animals receiving the ration containing organic bean husk charcoal. Pre-weaning mortality rates were comparable between the different rations. Piglet weights at birth were com parable between the different rations. At weaning, the highest average weight of the kids was recorded with the ration containing the organic bean charcoal (197.25 ± 46.9 g). The highest ADG (4.82 ± 0.74 g/d) and TG (101.25 g) were recorded in the batch of animals receiving the FH ration. Thus, the incorporation of 0.8% of the powder of organic coals seems to have adverse effects on reproductive performance. On the other hand, these coals significantly improve the pre-weaning growth performance in cavy.

Abstract The most common allergic dermatitis of the horse is associated with hyper sensitivity to insect bites. A purely hereditary-based background to this allergic pruritus has not been shown, and so far, it is not fully understood why some horses are more susceptible than others. Although altered zinc levels have been detected in many inflammatory and allergic disorders, changes in various trace elements have not been widely investigated in horses with allergic dermatitis. Therefore, the purpose was to analyse trace element profiles in the sera of 8 affected and 8 matched healthy horses and to further assess whether the profiles change after therapy of the affected animals. Sera were collected both before and after therapy of the eczema horses. Samples were analysed by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry for their iron (Fe), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), titanium (Ti), vanadium (V), chromium (Cr), manganese (Mn), cobalt (Co) and nickel (Ni) content. Concentrations of Zn and Ni were significantly lower in eczema than in healthy horses (p = 0.0089 and p = 0.0018, respectively). In addition, concentrations of Fe, Zn and Ni dis played significant inverse associations with the severity of clinical signs (p = 0.0075, p = 0.0397 and p = 0.0011, respectively). After a 4-week therapy, no significant differences were found between the groups. Concentrations of Ti were exceptionally stable both between the horses and over time. Horses with allergic dermatitis have alterations in their trace element profiles in comparison with healthy horses. Alterations seem to diminish when clinical signs are regressing.

Abstract The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of time on in vitro maturation of bovine oocytes and of the addition of follicular fluid on meiotic progression. The cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs) collected from 3 to 6 mm follicles were obtained from ovaries of slaughtered female animals. The medium of maturation was supplemented or not with 20 μL follicular fluid (FF); 661 oocytes were matured in vitro (extrusion of the first polar corpuscle) for 22 hours with added follicular fluid (AFF) (72.01%) or without follicular fluid (WFF) (67.53%) and 679 oocytes were matured in vitro for 26 hours (extrusion of the first polar corpuscle) with AFF (92.1%) and WFF (77.15%). The results of extrusion of the second polar corpuscle as an event related to the fertilization percentages showed that the increase in the fertilization rate is maintained at 26 hours with AFF (79.45%), but the percentage decreases WFF (65.08%). After 22 hours, the fertilization rate was 62.38% AFF and 53.40% WFF. The developmental competence of bovine oocytes is affected by the duration of maturation in vitro and the inclusion in the FF culture medium. The use of follicular fluid in the in vitro maturation medium may be a biological strategy to increase the cumulus expansion, the nuclear maturation and the in vitro fertilization.

Abstract This study was conducted in Shabelle zone of Somali Regional State to assess management practices and production constraints of indigenous Somali Cattle. A total of 200 household heads were selected from four cattle potential districts; Dhanan, Ber’ano, Godey & Adadle. The relevant information was collected through semi-structured questionnaire, focus group discussion, key informants interview, and personal observations. Majority of the respondents were illiterate. The average cattle holding size was 8.97 heads/household and cattle were mainly kept for milk production. The major feed resources in the study area were natural pasture and crop residue, and communal grazing was the most important feeding system in the area. Feed shortage was a problem hindering cattle production in the study area during dry season mainly January up to March. Animals traveled long distances to watering points (>5 km) during dry season, while in wet season, animals were watered in nearby water sources. Cattle housing was open kraal fenced with the thorned plenty acacia trees and calves were housed separately from other cattle. Breeding in the study area was uncontrolled and was bred with their own or neighbors’ bull. Age at first mating, age at first calving and calving interval were 3.25 years, 4.05 years and 16.56 months, respectively. The daily milk yield and lactation length were 2.22 liters and 8.07 months, respectively. The production and re production performance of Somali cattle was relatively higher than other local breeds in the country mainly in terms of milk yield and fertility potential under the existing environmental conditions. The major constraints of cattle production were feed shortage, disease, water scarcity, lack of veterinary services, marketing problem and predator. Among those constraints, inadequate supply of quality feed, diseases and water shortage were the main reasons for low productivity of cattle and are the major factors limiting productivity. Therefore, to sustain the production system in the study areas, it is recommended to improve the current condition of communal rangelands through management of degraded areas by awareness creation on the value of these common resources and development of rules and regulation to sustain the existing resource and implement over the utilization of communal/pastoral rangeland management systems to reduce constraints such as shortage of feed, drought and grazing land deterioration which perpetuated through time due to land-use changes and seasonal fluctuation).