Abdulmojeed Yakubu - Academia.edu (original) (raw)
Papers by Abdulmojeed Yakubu
Nigerian Veterinary Journal, Aug 24, 2011
Acta Agriculturae Scandinavica Section A-animal Science, Aug 19, 2022
Journal of Applied Animal Research, 2021
Mathematical models provide valuable information for livestock improvement programmes. In this st... more Mathematical models provide valuable information for livestock improvement programmes. In this study, we evaluated the ability of five mathematical models (3P and 4P Gompertz, 3P and 4P logistic and neural network) to predict the growth of six tropically adapted dual purpose (TADP) chicken breeds (Fulani, FUNAAB Alpha, Kuroiler, Noiler, Sasso and Shika-Brown) under on-station and on-farm in Nigeria. Data for body weight were collected every 14 days from 1939 birds reared on-station, and every 28 days from 58,639 birds reared on-farm. Parameters used to evaluate the growth models were the adjusted coefficient of determination (AdjR 2), Akaike's information criterion (AIC), Bayesian information criterion (BIC) and root mean square error (RMSE). The AdjR 2 for Gompertz 3P was higher than or equal to the AdjR 2 for logistics 3P, Gompertz 4P and logistics 4P but was equal to or lower than the AdjR 2 for the neural network (NN) for all TADP chickens raised on-station. Based on the goodness-of-fit criteria, Gompertz 3P had the best predictive values (AdjR 2 = 0.989-0.998) for TADP chickens raised on-station, while logistic 3P was the best-fit model for TADP chickens raised on-farm. In conclusion, non-linear models and NN models yielded a good fit with the age-weight data of TADP chickens on-station and on-farm.
Agricultural Science and Technology, 2014
The study was carried out in Lafia, Nasarawa State, Nigeria to compare the effect of decorticated... more The study was carried out in Lafia, Nasarawa State, Nigeria to compare the effect of decorticated fermented Prosopis africana seeds meal (DFPSM) on haematological and some biochemical values of broiler chickens. A total of 525 broiler chickens (7 days old) Anak 2000 were used. Five experimental diets containing 0, 25, 50, 75 and 100% DFPSM replacement levels for full fat soya bean meal were fed to broilers for 8 weeks. Blood samples were collected and analyzed for packed cell volume (PCV), red blood cell (RBC), white blood cell (WBC), haemoglobin (HB), total protein, albumin and globulin. The results showed the highest PCV (34.32%) and HB (32 g/dl) was recorded on the broilers fed 75% (T) DFPSM while the least of those values (29.52% and 7.20 g/dl) 4 respectively was recorded in control. There were significant differences (P<0.05) among the groups in PCV, RBC and MCV of the birds. The WBC, MCH and MCHC count showed no significant difference (P>0.05) among treatments. There was no significant (P<0.05) difference in the values of total serum protein, albumin and globulin. The results of this study indicate that DFPSM can be included in broiler diet at 75% level without any deleterious effects on blood parameters.
Journal of the Indonesian Tropical Animal Agriculture, 2013
Penelitian bertujuan untuk mengembangkan model pendugaan nilai kondisi tubuh (NKT) dari bobot bad... more Penelitian bertujuan untuk mengembangkan model pendugaan nilai kondisi tubuh (NKT) dari bobot badan (BB), panjang testis (PT), diameter testis (DT) dan lingkar skrotum (LS) dengan menggunakan regresi linier berganda pada domba jantan Yankasa. Data diperoleh secara acak dari 120 ekor domba jantan berumur kira-kira 2,5 tahun yang dipelihara secara ekstensif pada peternakan di wilayah Narasawa, Nigeria. Meskipun korelasi fenotipik pairwise menunjukkan hubungan nyata (P0,01) antar variabel yang diukur, terdapat masalah kolinieritas antara BB dengan LT sebagaimana ditunjukkan oleh variance inflation factor (VIP) yang lebih besar daripada 10 (VIF = 19,45 and 16,65 masingmasing untuk BB dan LS) dan tolerance value (T) yang lebih kecil daripada 0,1 (T = 0,05 and 0,06 masing-masing pada BB dan LS). Diantara variable kolinear, BB menunjukkan 83,7% keragaman pada NKT. Namun demikian sedikit perkembangan diperoleh pada pendugaan NKT dari BB dan PT [koefisien determinasi (R 2), adjusted R 2 and root mean squares error (RMSE) masing-masing 85,3%, 85,1% dan 0,305]. Pendugaan NKT domba jantan Yankasa dari BB dan ukuran-ukuran testis merupakan alat potensial untuk produksi dan pengembangan ruminansia kecil di Nigeria.
Our collection and genetic characterization of various indigenous chicken genotypes in Nigeria st... more Our collection and genetic characterization of various indigenous chicken genotypes in Nigeria started in 1984 at the
International Journal of Morphology, Dec 1, 2013
Body size and testicular measurements have been found to be important parameters utilized in bree... more Body size and testicular measurements have been found to be important parameters utilized in breeding soundness evaluation. The present study therefore, aimed at determining the relationship between body weight (BW), body condition score (BCS), testicular length (TL), testicular diameter (TD) and scrotal circumference (SC) in 120 extensively reared Yankasa rams (approximately 30 months old) using linear, quadratic and cubic predictive models. Coefficient of determination (R 2), Adjusted R 2 , the estimate of Mallows' Cp, RMSE (Root mean squares error) and the parsimony principle (p=number of parameters) were used to compare the efficiency of the different models. Strong Pearson's correlation coefficients (r = 0.83-0.94; P<0.01) were found between BW, TL, TD and SC. Spearman correlations between BCS and other variables were also highly significant (r = 0.78-0.85; P<0.01). SC was the sole variable of utmost importance in estimating BW, which was best predicted using the cubic model. However, the optimal model for BW prediction comprised TD, SC and BCS with p, R 2 , Adjusted R 2 , RMSE and Cp values of 4, 0.948, 0.946, 1.673 and 4.85, respectively. The present findings could be exploited in husbandry and selection of breeding stock for sustainable sheep production especially within the resource-poor farming system under tropical and subtropical conditions.
Acta Agriculturae Scandinavica Section A-animal Science, Jun 1, 2010
This investigation aimed at evaluating sexual size dimorphism in Uda sheep using multivariate dis... more This investigation aimed at evaluating sexual size dimorphism in Uda sheep using multivariate discriminant analysis. Eleven morphological traits were measured on a total of 296 adult sheep of both sexes randomly selected in Nasarawa State, north-central Nigeria. The univariate analysis showed that Uda rams had significantly (P&amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;0.05) higher values in nine of the morphological traits examined. Measurements that were best
International Journal of Morphology, Dec 1, 2011
Morphological differences between two close fish populations were investigated in Doma Dam, north... more Morphological differences between two close fish populations were investigated in Doma Dam, north central Nigeria using principal component and discriminant analyses. The purpose was to identify the two species correctly and assign them into distinct genetic groups. To achieve this, seven morphometric measurements (body weight, standard length, total length, head length, body depth, dorsal fin length and caudal fin length) were made on each of the studied 252 fish specimens (153 Oreochromis niloticus and 99 Lates niloticus). The analysis of variance showed that significantly (P<0.05) higher values were recorded for Lates niloticus in all the body traits examined, except dorsal fin length. From the principal component analysis, the differences between the species resulted mainly from dorsal fin length, body weight, caudal fin length and head length. The stepwise discriminant analysis revealed that standard length, dorsal fin length and caudal fin length were the three most discriminating variables useful to distinguish clearly the two species at mature age. These three variables with strong discriminating power correctly classified 98.0% of individuals from the sample of known-fish populations. The classification accuracy was cross-validated using split-sample method, and indicated a 97.6% success rate (98.0% of Oreochromis niloticus and 97.0% of Lates niloticus were correctly assigned). The results can provide a sound scientific basis for the effective management and sustainable exploitation of the genetic resources of the two species under subtropical conditions.
International Journal of Morphology, Dec 1, 2009
Body weight and four morphostructural traits namely body length, heart girth, thigh circumference... more Body weight and four morphostructural traits namely body length, heart girth, thigh circumference and ear length of 103 New Zealand White x Chinchilla crossbred rabbits were measured. The investigation aimed at describing objectively the interdependence among conformation traits and to predict body weight from their independent factor scores using principal component analysis. Phenotypic correlations between body weight and body dimensions were highly significant (r=0.61-0.91; P<0.01). Pairwise correlations of the body shape characters ranged from moderate to high values. From the factor analysis with varimax rotation of the intercorrelated traits, two principal components which accounted for 90.27% of the total variance were extracted. The first principal component, PC1 termed general size, had its loadings for body length, heart girth and thigh circumference and explained 74.98% of the variance. Ear length primarily determined the second principal component, PC2 which contributed to 15.29% of the generalized variance. Orthogonal body shape characters derived from the factor analysis accounted for 81.7% of the variation in body weight of rabbits. The PC-based prediction model is preferable to linear measure-based models for selecting animals for optimal balance since it combines both size and shape components into a composite index for prediction.
Agricultural Science and Technology, 2009
Body weight and seven biometric traits namely, body length, breast circumference, thigh circumfer... more 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, ...
Slovak Journal of Animal Science, 2015
Ticks are blood-feeding ectoparasitic Arthropods of the subclass Acari (Arachnida) that have both... more Ticks are blood-feeding ectoparasitic Arthropods of the subclass Acari (Arachnida) that have both domestic and wild animals as hosts. The present study aimed at evaluating the heat tolerance traits and tick infestation in some Nigerian indigenous cattle breeds found in Nasarawa State, north-central Nigeria. A total of 160 animals (83 males and 77 females) comprising 92 bunaji, 50 Sokoto Gudali and 18 muturu breeds of Nigerian cattle were sampled. The data were obtained on the number of tick counts on each animal, as well as physiological parameters, such as rectal temperature, respiratory rate and pulse rate. This study revealed the presence of two cattle tick species Dermacentor andersoni (58, 53.2 %) and Ornithodorus moubata (51, 46.8 %), which are of veterinary importance. The prevalence was highest in the bunaji breed (71, 65.1 %), followed by Sokoto Gudali (26, 23.9 %) and muturu (12, 11.1 %) cattle, respectively. Occurrence of tick infestation was higher in male (59, 71.1 %) t...
Asia-Pacific Journal of Rural Development, 2008
The study was undertaken to assess avian influenza awareness among households in Nasarawa State, ... more The study was undertaken to assess avian influenza awareness among households in Nasarawa State, Nigeria. One hundred and two households were randomly selected from the study area. Structured questionnaires were employed to elicit information from the respondents. Primary data collected were subjected to both descriptive and logistic regression analysis. The results indicated that 60.78 per cent of the respondents were between 26 and 50 years of age while 17.65 per cent had no formal education. About 41.18 per cent of the respondents were engaged in livestock-based activities. The distance to nearest livestock/veterinary health authority was less than an hour while radio was the best information source of avian influenza. Although 67.65 per cent claimed to be aware of the occurrence of the dreaded disease; their knowledge on the symptoms, transmission, biosecurity and prevention/control measures was relatively poor. About 44.12 per cent were conversant with the public health hazards. The logit regression analysis showed that educational level and number of information sources positively and significantly affected the level of avian influenza awareness. However, distance to nearest livestock/veterinary health authority negatively influenced awareness. The prediction of level of avian influenza awareness gave R2 value of 0.57. The responsiveness of probability to educational level was the highest (2.957). There is urgent need therefore, to intensify public campaigns amongst others to curb the menace of the newly emergent HSN! strain of avian influenza.
Computational Molecular Biology, 2014
Rabies is a preventable viral disease of mammals most often transmitted through the bite of a rab... more Rabies is a preventable viral disease of mammals most often transmitted through the bite of a rabid animal. Almost all human deaths caused by rabies occur in Asia and Africa. There are approximately 55000 human deaths annually from rabies worldwide. The disease affects domestic and wild animals and is spread to people through close contact with infected materials usually saliva via bites and scratches. The objective of this study wasi to determine the phylogenic structure of rabies viruses across species and geographical locations. A total of 22 Rabies virus sequences from 5 species (Dog, Cat, Cow, Wolf and Fox) across 8 locations (Nigeria, India, Ghana, Pakistan, Niger, Brazil, Argentina and Texas) were obtained from the GenBank. A Neighbor-joining tree on the basis of genetic distances depicting phylogenetic relationship among Rabies viruses was constructed using the complete deletion and p-distance option using the MEGA VERSION 5 SOFTWARE. The phylogenic analysis revealeds a strong subdivision of rabies viruses by geographical location. The phylogenic groups also formed clusters associated with species from which the virus is isolated.
Biotehnologija u stocarstvu, 2013
This study was preformed to evaluate the biometric traits of 227 Yankasa sheep in northern Nigeri... more This study was preformed to evaluate the biometric traits of 227 Yankasa sheep in northern Nigeria under a multivariate approach. The body measurements taken were: withers height, rump height, body length, heart girth, tail length, face length, shoulder width, head width, rump width, ear length, foreleg length, hind leg length and rump length. The animals were divided into two age groups: <15.5 and 15.5 - 28.3 months old, respectively. General linear model was used to study age group effect while principal component factor analysis was performed to define body shape upon the correlation matrix of the thirteen body measurements. Age group significantly (P<0.05) affected the morphological characters except ear length. Pearson?s coefficients of correlation were positive and significant in both age groups. In <15.5 months old sheep, four principal components (factors) were extracted (ratio of variance = 89.27). The first factor accounted for 73.03% of the total variance and was...
Trakia J. Sci, 2009
Morphobiometric studies were conducted on 58 West African dwarf kid goats of both sexes in order ... more Morphobiometric studies were conducted on 58 West African dwarf kid goats of both sexes in order to determine the problem of collinearity in body weight estimation. There were no gender-associated differences in the estimated morphological indices. The bivariate correlations between body weight and zoometrical variables were positive and highly significant. The highest correlation was observed between withers height and rump height while the lowest was recorded for withers height and rump width. Variance inflation factors (VIFs) showed severe collinearity problems in three body measurements as these were higher than 10.00 (VIF= 24.992, 22.377 and 12.074 for withers height, rump height and body length respectively). This was confirmed by tolerance (T) values lower than 0.1 in the same measurements. Eigenvalues of the correlation matrix, condition indexes and variance proportions showed also collinearity. Among the collinear variables, withers height was retained as the most single important trait for prediction. The eventual stepwise multiple regression models revealed that body weight was best predicted from a combination of withers height, heart girth and rump width [R 2 , Adjusted R 2 and RMSE (Root mean squares error) = 0.951, 0.949 and 0.698 respectively].
Trakia J. Sci, 2009
A multivariate approach was adopted to provide an objective description of the body shape of 204 ... more A multivariate approach was adopted to provide an objective description of the body shape of 204 White Fulani cattle of two age groups: 1.5-2.4 and 2.5-3.6 years. Age group significantly influenced all the fourteen morphometric measurements investigated. Gender was only a significant source of variation for heart girth, head width, cannon circumference, shoulder width, rump width and rump length, with higher means recorded for male animals. The correlation coefficients of the body measurements ranged from 0.50-0.98 and 0.22-0.91 for 1.5-2.4 and 2.5-3.6 years old animals respectively. In factor solution of the principal component analysis, two factors with ratio of variance of 85.37 were identified in the first age group. In the second age group, four factors which explained 86.47% of the generalized variance were extracted. The first factor accounted for 78.99% and 67.05% in the first and second age group respectively, thus appearing as an index of general size. The subsequent factors in both age groups presented patterns of variation independent of general size. These results suggest that principal component analysis could be employed in breeding programmes with a drastic reduction in the number of body measurements to be considered in the improvement of body conformation.
Animal Genetic Resources Information, Jun 1, 2012
Tropical Animal Health and Production, Dec 1, 2016
Host defense in vertebrates depend on many secreted regulatory proteins such as major histocompat... more Host defense in vertebrates depend on many secreted regulatory proteins such as major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II which provide important regulatory and effector functions of T cells. Gene polymorphism in the second exon of Capra-DRB gene in three major Nigerian goat breeds [West African Dwarf (WAD), Red Sokoto (RS), and Sahel (SH)] was analyzed by restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLP). Four restriction enzymes, BsaHI, AluI, HaeIII, and SacII, were utilized. The association between the polymorphic sites and some heat tolerance traits were also investigated in a total of 70 WAD, 90 RS, and 50 SH goats. Fourteen different types of alleles identified in the Nigerian goats, four of which were found in the peptide coding region (A57G, Q89R, G104D, and T112I), indicate a high degree of polymorphism at the DRB locus in this species. An obvious excess (P < 0.01) of non-synonymous substitutions than synonymous (dN/dS) in this locus is a reflection of adaptive evolution and positive selection. The phylogenetic trees revealed largely species-wise clustering in DRB gene. BsaHI, AluI, HaeIII, and SacII genotype frequencies were in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (P > 0.05), except AluI in RS goats and HaeIII in WAD goats (P < 0.05). The expected heterozygosity (H), which is a measure of gene diversity in the goat populations, ranged from 0.16 to 0.50. Genotypes AA (BsaHI), GG, GC and CC (AluI) and GG, GA, AA (HaeIII) appeared better in terms of heat tolerance. The heat-tolerant ability of SH and RS goats to the hot and humid tropical environment of Nigeria seemed better than that of the WAD goats. Sex effect (P < 0.05) was mainly on pulse rate and heat stress index, while there were varying interaction effects on heat tolerance. Variation at the DRB locus may prove to be important in possible selection and breeding for genetic resistance to heat stress in the tropics.
Small Ruminant Research, Aug 1, 2016
Abstract Interleukin-2 (IL-2) serves as a potent immuno-modulator, and plays a unique role in bot... more Abstract Interleukin-2 (IL-2) serves as a potent immuno-modulator, and plays a unique role in both the activation and maintenance of immune responses and in lymphocyte development. Gene polymorphism in IL-2 gene in three major Nigerian goat breeds [West African Dwarf (WAD), Red Sokoto (RS) and Sahel (SH)] was analysed by restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLP). The restriction enzyme, DraI was utilized. The association between the polymorphic site and some heat tolerant traits were also investigated in a total of 157 animals comprising 59 WAD, 69 RS, and 29 SH goats of both sexes. The IL-2 sequence displayed a 98% nucleotide identity with the referenced Cahi-IL-2 AY603404.1 orthologous sequence in GenBank. The phylogenetic trees revealed largely species-wise clustering, while the RS and SH goats were closer compared to the WAD goats. DraI genotype frequencies were in Hardy-Weinberg Equilibrium (P
Nigerian Veterinary Journal, Aug 24, 2011
Acta Agriculturae Scandinavica Section A-animal Science, Aug 19, 2022
Journal of Applied Animal Research, 2021
Mathematical models provide valuable information for livestock improvement programmes. In this st... more Mathematical models provide valuable information for livestock improvement programmes. In this study, we evaluated the ability of five mathematical models (3P and 4P Gompertz, 3P and 4P logistic and neural network) to predict the growth of six tropically adapted dual purpose (TADP) chicken breeds (Fulani, FUNAAB Alpha, Kuroiler, Noiler, Sasso and Shika-Brown) under on-station and on-farm in Nigeria. Data for body weight were collected every 14 days from 1939 birds reared on-station, and every 28 days from 58,639 birds reared on-farm. Parameters used to evaluate the growth models were the adjusted coefficient of determination (AdjR 2), Akaike's information criterion (AIC), Bayesian information criterion (BIC) and root mean square error (RMSE). The AdjR 2 for Gompertz 3P was higher than or equal to the AdjR 2 for logistics 3P, Gompertz 4P and logistics 4P but was equal to or lower than the AdjR 2 for the neural network (NN) for all TADP chickens raised on-station. Based on the goodness-of-fit criteria, Gompertz 3P had the best predictive values (AdjR 2 = 0.989-0.998) for TADP chickens raised on-station, while logistic 3P was the best-fit model for TADP chickens raised on-farm. In conclusion, non-linear models and NN models yielded a good fit with the age-weight data of TADP chickens on-station and on-farm.
Agricultural Science and Technology, 2014
The study was carried out in Lafia, Nasarawa State, Nigeria to compare the effect of decorticated... more The study was carried out in Lafia, Nasarawa State, Nigeria to compare the effect of decorticated fermented Prosopis africana seeds meal (DFPSM) on haematological and some biochemical values of broiler chickens. A total of 525 broiler chickens (7 days old) Anak 2000 were used. Five experimental diets containing 0, 25, 50, 75 and 100% DFPSM replacement levels for full fat soya bean meal were fed to broilers for 8 weeks. Blood samples were collected and analyzed for packed cell volume (PCV), red blood cell (RBC), white blood cell (WBC), haemoglobin (HB), total protein, albumin and globulin. The results showed the highest PCV (34.32%) and HB (32 g/dl) was recorded on the broilers fed 75% (T) DFPSM while the least of those values (29.52% and 7.20 g/dl) 4 respectively was recorded in control. There were significant differences (P<0.05) among the groups in PCV, RBC and MCV of the birds. The WBC, MCH and MCHC count showed no significant difference (P>0.05) among treatments. There was no significant (P<0.05) difference in the values of total serum protein, albumin and globulin. The results of this study indicate that DFPSM can be included in broiler diet at 75% level without any deleterious effects on blood parameters.
Journal of the Indonesian Tropical Animal Agriculture, 2013
Penelitian bertujuan untuk mengembangkan model pendugaan nilai kondisi tubuh (NKT) dari bobot bad... more Penelitian bertujuan untuk mengembangkan model pendugaan nilai kondisi tubuh (NKT) dari bobot badan (BB), panjang testis (PT), diameter testis (DT) dan lingkar skrotum (LS) dengan menggunakan regresi linier berganda pada domba jantan Yankasa. Data diperoleh secara acak dari 120 ekor domba jantan berumur kira-kira 2,5 tahun yang dipelihara secara ekstensif pada peternakan di wilayah Narasawa, Nigeria. Meskipun korelasi fenotipik pairwise menunjukkan hubungan nyata (P0,01) antar variabel yang diukur, terdapat masalah kolinieritas antara BB dengan LT sebagaimana ditunjukkan oleh variance inflation factor (VIP) yang lebih besar daripada 10 (VIF = 19,45 and 16,65 masingmasing untuk BB dan LS) dan tolerance value (T) yang lebih kecil daripada 0,1 (T = 0,05 and 0,06 masing-masing pada BB dan LS). Diantara variable kolinear, BB menunjukkan 83,7% keragaman pada NKT. Namun demikian sedikit perkembangan diperoleh pada pendugaan NKT dari BB dan PT [koefisien determinasi (R 2), adjusted R 2 and root mean squares error (RMSE) masing-masing 85,3%, 85,1% dan 0,305]. Pendugaan NKT domba jantan Yankasa dari BB dan ukuran-ukuran testis merupakan alat potensial untuk produksi dan pengembangan ruminansia kecil di Nigeria.
Our collection and genetic characterization of various indigenous chicken genotypes in Nigeria st... more Our collection and genetic characterization of various indigenous chicken genotypes in Nigeria started in 1984 at the
International Journal of Morphology, Dec 1, 2013
Body size and testicular measurements have been found to be important parameters utilized in bree... more Body size and testicular measurements have been found to be important parameters utilized in breeding soundness evaluation. The present study therefore, aimed at determining the relationship between body weight (BW), body condition score (BCS), testicular length (TL), testicular diameter (TD) and scrotal circumference (SC) in 120 extensively reared Yankasa rams (approximately 30 months old) using linear, quadratic and cubic predictive models. Coefficient of determination (R 2), Adjusted R 2 , the estimate of Mallows' Cp, RMSE (Root mean squares error) and the parsimony principle (p=number of parameters) were used to compare the efficiency of the different models. Strong Pearson's correlation coefficients (r = 0.83-0.94; P<0.01) were found between BW, TL, TD and SC. Spearman correlations between BCS and other variables were also highly significant (r = 0.78-0.85; P<0.01). SC was the sole variable of utmost importance in estimating BW, which was best predicted using the cubic model. However, the optimal model for BW prediction comprised TD, SC and BCS with p, R 2 , Adjusted R 2 , RMSE and Cp values of 4, 0.948, 0.946, 1.673 and 4.85, respectively. The present findings could be exploited in husbandry and selection of breeding stock for sustainable sheep production especially within the resource-poor farming system under tropical and subtropical conditions.
Acta Agriculturae Scandinavica Section A-animal Science, Jun 1, 2010
This investigation aimed at evaluating sexual size dimorphism in Uda sheep using multivariate dis... more This investigation aimed at evaluating sexual size dimorphism in Uda sheep using multivariate discriminant analysis. Eleven morphological traits were measured on a total of 296 adult sheep of both sexes randomly selected in Nasarawa State, north-central Nigeria. The univariate analysis showed that Uda rams had significantly (P&amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;0.05) higher values in nine of the morphological traits examined. Measurements that were best
International Journal of Morphology, Dec 1, 2011
Morphological differences between two close fish populations were investigated in Doma Dam, north... more Morphological differences between two close fish populations were investigated in Doma Dam, north central Nigeria using principal component and discriminant analyses. The purpose was to identify the two species correctly and assign them into distinct genetic groups. To achieve this, seven morphometric measurements (body weight, standard length, total length, head length, body depth, dorsal fin length and caudal fin length) were made on each of the studied 252 fish specimens (153 Oreochromis niloticus and 99 Lates niloticus). The analysis of variance showed that significantly (P<0.05) higher values were recorded for Lates niloticus in all the body traits examined, except dorsal fin length. From the principal component analysis, the differences between the species resulted mainly from dorsal fin length, body weight, caudal fin length and head length. The stepwise discriminant analysis revealed that standard length, dorsal fin length and caudal fin length were the three most discriminating variables useful to distinguish clearly the two species at mature age. These three variables with strong discriminating power correctly classified 98.0% of individuals from the sample of known-fish populations. The classification accuracy was cross-validated using split-sample method, and indicated a 97.6% success rate (98.0% of Oreochromis niloticus and 97.0% of Lates niloticus were correctly assigned). The results can provide a sound scientific basis for the effective management and sustainable exploitation of the genetic resources of the two species under subtropical conditions.
International Journal of Morphology, Dec 1, 2009
Body weight and four morphostructural traits namely body length, heart girth, thigh circumference... more Body weight and four morphostructural traits namely body length, heart girth, thigh circumference and ear length of 103 New Zealand White x Chinchilla crossbred rabbits were measured. The investigation aimed at describing objectively the interdependence among conformation traits and to predict body weight from their independent factor scores using principal component analysis. Phenotypic correlations between body weight and body dimensions were highly significant (r=0.61-0.91; P<0.01). Pairwise correlations of the body shape characters ranged from moderate to high values. From the factor analysis with varimax rotation of the intercorrelated traits, two principal components which accounted for 90.27% of the total variance were extracted. The first principal component, PC1 termed general size, had its loadings for body length, heart girth and thigh circumference and explained 74.98% of the variance. Ear length primarily determined the second principal component, PC2 which contributed to 15.29% of the generalized variance. Orthogonal body shape characters derived from the factor analysis accounted for 81.7% of the variation in body weight of rabbits. The PC-based prediction model is preferable to linear measure-based models for selecting animals for optimal balance since it combines both size and shape components into a composite index for prediction.
Agricultural Science and Technology, 2009
Body weight and seven biometric traits namely, body length, breast circumference, thigh circumfer... more 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, ...
Slovak Journal of Animal Science, 2015
Ticks are blood-feeding ectoparasitic Arthropods of the subclass Acari (Arachnida) that have both... more Ticks are blood-feeding ectoparasitic Arthropods of the subclass Acari (Arachnida) that have both domestic and wild animals as hosts. The present study aimed at evaluating the heat tolerance traits and tick infestation in some Nigerian indigenous cattle breeds found in Nasarawa State, north-central Nigeria. A total of 160 animals (83 males and 77 females) comprising 92 bunaji, 50 Sokoto Gudali and 18 muturu breeds of Nigerian cattle were sampled. The data were obtained on the number of tick counts on each animal, as well as physiological parameters, such as rectal temperature, respiratory rate and pulse rate. This study revealed the presence of two cattle tick species Dermacentor andersoni (58, 53.2 %) and Ornithodorus moubata (51, 46.8 %), which are of veterinary importance. The prevalence was highest in the bunaji breed (71, 65.1 %), followed by Sokoto Gudali (26, 23.9 %) and muturu (12, 11.1 %) cattle, respectively. Occurrence of tick infestation was higher in male (59, 71.1 %) t...
Asia-Pacific Journal of Rural Development, 2008
The study was undertaken to assess avian influenza awareness among households in Nasarawa State, ... more The study was undertaken to assess avian influenza awareness among households in Nasarawa State, Nigeria. One hundred and two households were randomly selected from the study area. Structured questionnaires were employed to elicit information from the respondents. Primary data collected were subjected to both descriptive and logistic regression analysis. The results indicated that 60.78 per cent of the respondents were between 26 and 50 years of age while 17.65 per cent had no formal education. About 41.18 per cent of the respondents were engaged in livestock-based activities. The distance to nearest livestock/veterinary health authority was less than an hour while radio was the best information source of avian influenza. Although 67.65 per cent claimed to be aware of the occurrence of the dreaded disease; their knowledge on the symptoms, transmission, biosecurity and prevention/control measures was relatively poor. About 44.12 per cent were conversant with the public health hazards. The logit regression analysis showed that educational level and number of information sources positively and significantly affected the level of avian influenza awareness. However, distance to nearest livestock/veterinary health authority negatively influenced awareness. The prediction of level of avian influenza awareness gave R2 value of 0.57. The responsiveness of probability to educational level was the highest (2.957). There is urgent need therefore, to intensify public campaigns amongst others to curb the menace of the newly emergent HSN! strain of avian influenza.
Computational Molecular Biology, 2014
Rabies is a preventable viral disease of mammals most often transmitted through the bite of a rab... more Rabies is a preventable viral disease of mammals most often transmitted through the bite of a rabid animal. Almost all human deaths caused by rabies occur in Asia and Africa. There are approximately 55000 human deaths annually from rabies worldwide. The disease affects domestic and wild animals and is spread to people through close contact with infected materials usually saliva via bites and scratches. The objective of this study wasi to determine the phylogenic structure of rabies viruses across species and geographical locations. A total of 22 Rabies virus sequences from 5 species (Dog, Cat, Cow, Wolf and Fox) across 8 locations (Nigeria, India, Ghana, Pakistan, Niger, Brazil, Argentina and Texas) were obtained from the GenBank. A Neighbor-joining tree on the basis of genetic distances depicting phylogenetic relationship among Rabies viruses was constructed using the complete deletion and p-distance option using the MEGA VERSION 5 SOFTWARE. The phylogenic analysis revealeds a strong subdivision of rabies viruses by geographical location. The phylogenic groups also formed clusters associated with species from which the virus is isolated.
Biotehnologija u stocarstvu, 2013
This study was preformed to evaluate the biometric traits of 227 Yankasa sheep in northern Nigeri... more This study was preformed to evaluate the biometric traits of 227 Yankasa sheep in northern Nigeria under a multivariate approach. The body measurements taken were: withers height, rump height, body length, heart girth, tail length, face length, shoulder width, head width, rump width, ear length, foreleg length, hind leg length and rump length. The animals were divided into two age groups: <15.5 and 15.5 - 28.3 months old, respectively. General linear model was used to study age group effect while principal component factor analysis was performed to define body shape upon the correlation matrix of the thirteen body measurements. Age group significantly (P<0.05) affected the morphological characters except ear length. Pearson?s coefficients of correlation were positive and significant in both age groups. In <15.5 months old sheep, four principal components (factors) were extracted (ratio of variance = 89.27). The first factor accounted for 73.03% of the total variance and was...
Trakia J. Sci, 2009
Morphobiometric studies were conducted on 58 West African dwarf kid goats of both sexes in order ... more Morphobiometric studies were conducted on 58 West African dwarf kid goats of both sexes in order to determine the problem of collinearity in body weight estimation. There were no gender-associated differences in the estimated morphological indices. The bivariate correlations between body weight and zoometrical variables were positive and highly significant. The highest correlation was observed between withers height and rump height while the lowest was recorded for withers height and rump width. Variance inflation factors (VIFs) showed severe collinearity problems in three body measurements as these were higher than 10.00 (VIF= 24.992, 22.377 and 12.074 for withers height, rump height and body length respectively). This was confirmed by tolerance (T) values lower than 0.1 in the same measurements. Eigenvalues of the correlation matrix, condition indexes and variance proportions showed also collinearity. Among the collinear variables, withers height was retained as the most single important trait for prediction. The eventual stepwise multiple regression models revealed that body weight was best predicted from a combination of withers height, heart girth and rump width [R 2 , Adjusted R 2 and RMSE (Root mean squares error) = 0.951, 0.949 and 0.698 respectively].
Trakia J. Sci, 2009
A multivariate approach was adopted to provide an objective description of the body shape of 204 ... more A multivariate approach was adopted to provide an objective description of the body shape of 204 White Fulani cattle of two age groups: 1.5-2.4 and 2.5-3.6 years. Age group significantly influenced all the fourteen morphometric measurements investigated. Gender was only a significant source of variation for heart girth, head width, cannon circumference, shoulder width, rump width and rump length, with higher means recorded for male animals. The correlation coefficients of the body measurements ranged from 0.50-0.98 and 0.22-0.91 for 1.5-2.4 and 2.5-3.6 years old animals respectively. In factor solution of the principal component analysis, two factors with ratio of variance of 85.37 were identified in the first age group. In the second age group, four factors which explained 86.47% of the generalized variance were extracted. The first factor accounted for 78.99% and 67.05% in the first and second age group respectively, thus appearing as an index of general size. The subsequent factors in both age groups presented patterns of variation independent of general size. These results suggest that principal component analysis could be employed in breeding programmes with a drastic reduction in the number of body measurements to be considered in the improvement of body conformation.
Animal Genetic Resources Information, Jun 1, 2012
Tropical Animal Health and Production, Dec 1, 2016
Host defense in vertebrates depend on many secreted regulatory proteins such as major histocompat... more Host defense in vertebrates depend on many secreted regulatory proteins such as major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II which provide important regulatory and effector functions of T cells. Gene polymorphism in the second exon of Capra-DRB gene in three major Nigerian goat breeds [West African Dwarf (WAD), Red Sokoto (RS), and Sahel (SH)] was analyzed by restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLP). Four restriction enzymes, BsaHI, AluI, HaeIII, and SacII, were utilized. The association between the polymorphic sites and some heat tolerance traits were also investigated in a total of 70 WAD, 90 RS, and 50 SH goats. Fourteen different types of alleles identified in the Nigerian goats, four of which were found in the peptide coding region (A57G, Q89R, G104D, and T112I), indicate a high degree of polymorphism at the DRB locus in this species. An obvious excess (P < 0.01) of non-synonymous substitutions than synonymous (dN/dS) in this locus is a reflection of adaptive evolution and positive selection. The phylogenetic trees revealed largely species-wise clustering in DRB gene. BsaHI, AluI, HaeIII, and SacII genotype frequencies were in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (P > 0.05), except AluI in RS goats and HaeIII in WAD goats (P < 0.05). The expected heterozygosity (H), which is a measure of gene diversity in the goat populations, ranged from 0.16 to 0.50. Genotypes AA (BsaHI), GG, GC and CC (AluI) and GG, GA, AA (HaeIII) appeared better in terms of heat tolerance. The heat-tolerant ability of SH and RS goats to the hot and humid tropical environment of Nigeria seemed better than that of the WAD goats. Sex effect (P < 0.05) was mainly on pulse rate and heat stress index, while there were varying interaction effects on heat tolerance. Variation at the DRB locus may prove to be important in possible selection and breeding for genetic resistance to heat stress in the tropics.
Small Ruminant Research, Aug 1, 2016
Abstract Interleukin-2 (IL-2) serves as a potent immuno-modulator, and plays a unique role in bot... more Abstract Interleukin-2 (IL-2) serves as a potent immuno-modulator, and plays a unique role in both the activation and maintenance of immune responses and in lymphocyte development. Gene polymorphism in IL-2 gene in three major Nigerian goat breeds [West African Dwarf (WAD), Red Sokoto (RS) and Sahel (SH)] was analysed by restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLP). The restriction enzyme, DraI was utilized. The association between the polymorphic site and some heat tolerant traits were also investigated in a total of 157 animals comprising 59 WAD, 69 RS, and 29 SH goats of both sexes. The IL-2 sequence displayed a 98% nucleotide identity with the referenced Cahi-IL-2 AY603404.1 orthologous sequence in GenBank. The phylogenetic trees revealed largely species-wise clustering, while the RS and SH goats were closer compared to the WAD goats. DraI genotype frequencies were in Hardy-Weinberg Equilibrium (P