Department of Animal Science
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Item Effect Of Dietary Fibre Levels And Particle Size On Broiler Performance, Gut Morphogenesis And Immune Status(University of Ghana, 2020-12) Agyei, H.E.The study investigated the effect of increasing dietary fibre levels and varying maize particle size on nutrient digestibility, growth performance, gut morphogenesis and immune status of broilers. Three hundred Cobb 500 broiler chicks were randomly allocated to six dietary treatments in a 2 X 3 factorial arrangement (two maize particle sizes and three levels of wheat bran inclusion). Each treatment was replicated five times with ten broilers per replicate and the trial lasted for 49 days. Treatments 1 (T1), 2 (T2; control diet) and 3 (T3) contained fine maize particles with treatments 4 (T4), 5 (T5) and 6 (T6) containing coarse maize particles. Birds on T1 and T4, T2 and T5, and T3 and T6 were fed 6, 8 and 10% wheat bran respectively from day one to 21. Wheat bran inclusion from day 22 to 42 increased to 13, 15 and 17% for birds on T1 and T4, T2 and T5, and T3 and T6 respectively. There were no significant differences (p≥0.05) in nutrient digestibility among treatments. Overall, average daily feed intake increased for broilers on T4 (107.15g) with no dietary treatment effect being observed on average daily gain and final body weight. However, broilers fed coarse maize particles were the most efficient in converting feed to gain. The relative empty gizzard weight of broilers fed coarse maize particles was significantly higher (p≤0.05) than that of broilers fed fine maize particles. No significant differences (p≥0.05) were observed in relative carcass weights, caecal short-chain fatty acid concentrations, haematological indices and serum glucose content. Averagely, concentration of acetic acid in the caecum (8147.14 μg/g) was the highest compared with the other short-chain fatty acids. Results of this study indicate that birds can tolerate diets containing up to 17% (finisher phase) WB with fine or coarse maize particles without any adverse effect on growth, gut health and immune status. Feed manufacturers can include up to 17% WB (finisher phase) with fine or coarse particles in broiler diets in order to cut down feed cost with no adverse effect on broiler performance and gut health.Item Growth Performance Of The West African Dwarf Sheep (Djallonké) At The National Sheep Breeding Station-Ejura(University of Ghana, 2020-11) Mireku, E.D.Data on 625 production records collected between 2000 and 2010 on Djallonke sheep at the National Sheep Breeding Station, Ejura in the Ashanti region was used to investigate the effects of non-genetic factors such as season of birth, year of birth, type of birth and sex of lamb on growth parameters such as birth weight, weaning weight, yearling weight, pre-weaning growth rate and post-weaning growth rate. The lambs generally weighed 2.07kg at birth, grew at 64.10 grammes per day to attain an average weaning weight of 9.77kg at 120 days. Thereafter, the lambs gained an average of 29.60g daily to reach a yearling weight of 17.02kg. On the whole, sex of lamb was the only non-genetic factor that did not significantly (p > 0.05) affect any of the traits whilst year of birth was the only factor that was found to have significantly (p < 0.05) affected all the traits of interest in this study. However, type of birth did not significantly (p > 0.05) affect the birth and yearling weight of lambs but significantly (p < 0.05) affected pre and post-weaning daily gain together with the weight of the lambs at 120-day weaning weight. Season of birth significantly affected the pre-weaning daily gain and weaning weight but did not affect the lamb birth weight, post weaning daily gain and yearling weight.Item Nutritional Evaluation Of Browse-Based And Cassava Peels-Based Pelleted Dry Season Supplements For Goats(University of Ghana, 2020-11) Ampong, E.Goats grazing natural pasture are challenged with seasonal variation in pasture availability and nutritive value. Therefore, improving the nutrition of goats through supplementary feeding during periods of pasture or nutrient deficit is necessary for improved productivity. This study was undertaken to assess the effects of supplementary feed based on three browses (Samanea saman, Acacia auriculiformis, and Ficus exasperata) and cassava peels on the performance of West African Dwarf goats, on a basal diet of Andropogon gayanus (Gamba grass) hay. An acceptability study revealed that the goats accepted all the four supplements but had a significant (P<0.05) preference for cassava peel meal-based and Samanea saman leaf meal-based supplements over Ficus exasperata leaf meal-based and Acacia auriculiformis leaf meal-based supplements. Although there was no marked difference in dry matter intakes across the four supplements (P>0.05), intake of crude protein was significantly higher (P<0.05) in goats fed ficus leaf meal-based than those fed cassava peel meal-based supplement. All the haematological parameters tested did not show significant (P>0.05) differences across experimental diets. Also, all the serum biochemical parameters tested were not affected, except blood urea concentration which was higher (P<0.05) in goats fed Samanea saman leaf meal-based supplement. The growth and the carcass parameters were also not affected (P>0.05) by the dietary treatments. It was therefore concluded that, Samanea saman, Acacia auriculiformis and Ficus exasperata leaf meals and cassava peel meal-based pelleted supplements are acceptable to goats and have similar nutrient composition, hence, they could be fed to goats on low quality forages during the dry season with no negative influence on feed intake and utilisation, growth, carcass quality, physiology and health of goats.Item Evaluation of Two Herbal Products (Fagara Zanthoxyloides Fruit Meal and Ocimum Americanum Leaf Meal) as Growth Promoters in Broiler Diets(University of Ghana, 2020-11) Amanor, E.This study evaluated Fagara zanthoxyloides fruit meal (FFM) and Ocimum americanum leaf meal (OLM) as growth promoters in broiler diets as replacements for antibiotics. A total of 400 one-day-old Cobb 500 broiler chicks were used for the experiment. The birds were initially raised together on a common starter diet for a week and on day 8, distributed into eight dietary treatment groups in a completely randomized design for six more weeks. The treatment diets were as follows: BD = Basal diet; 0.2FFM = BD + 0.2% FFM; 0.4FFM = BD + 0.4% FFM; 0.2OLM = BD + 0.2% OLM; 0.4OLM = BD + 0.4% OLM; 0.1FFM+0.1OLM = BD + 0.1% FFM + 0.1% OLM; 0.2FFM+0.2OLM = BD + 0.2% FFM + 0.2% OLM; PEN = BD + 0.01% Penicillin V. Each treatment was replicated five times with 10 birds in each replicate. Feed and water were provided ad libitum. The parameters measured include growth performance, carcass characteristics, apparent whole tract nutrient digestibility, nitrogen excretion, serum lipid profile, and faecal microbial count. Data collected were all subjected to analysis of variance using Genstat statistical software (12th edition, 2009), and means with significant differences were separated with Student Newman-Keuls test at a probability of 5%. The results show no significant effects (p>0.05) of FFM, OLM, and penicillin on growth performance, carcass characteristics, digestibility of dry matter, crude protein, ash and crude fibre, nitrogen excretion, serum lipid profile, and counts of faecal pathogenic microbes when compared with birds fed BD. Fat digestibility and faecal microbial load were lowered (p<0.05) by FFM, OLM, and penicillin. Birds fed PEN recorded the least faecal count of yeasts and moulds similar (p>0.05) to that fed 0.4FFM and 0.4OLM. In conclusion, inclusion of FFM and OLM alone or in combination up to 0.4% in diets of broilers did not promote growth performance.Item Molecular Characterisation of Newcastle Disease Virus from Different Agro-Ecological Zones in Ghana(University of Ghana, 2020-12) Bossman-Adotevi, B.Although Newcastle disease is reported to be endemic in Ghana, little information has been documented on the molecular epidemiology and the genotype distribution of the Newcastle disease viruses (NDVs) in the country. In this study, a total of four NDV isolates were sequenced and analysed. NDVs recovered were from outbreaks in backyard and commercial poultry farms between 2018 and 2019. A full genome sequence of all four isolates was performed. A commonly used region of the virus genome that spans nucleotide 61 to nucleotide 374 of the Fusion protein, including the cleavage site was targeted. Based on sequence analysis, two of the sequences were classified under Genotype XIV and the other two classified under Genotype XVIII. Phylogenetic analysis, amino acid sequence determination of the F0 cleavage site as well as pairwise distance analysis of the full fusion protein gene sequences were done. Results showed close genetic similarities between circulating strains within the West African sub-region. The emergence and identification of different genotypes could give an insight into the high rate of mutations occurring in NDV strains in Ghana or importation and transmission of strains from other countries, which also raises concerns about the efficacy of current NDV control measures in the country. The amino acid sequence identity of the Ghanaian strains and the NDV- I2 vaccine strain ranged from 82 – 83%. The genetic relatedness of some of the Ghanaian NDV strains to the NDV I2 vaccine strain makes the isolated Ghanaian strains prime candidates for the production of an NDV vaccine. Thus, there is the need for continuous surveillance and characterization of NDV in Ghana to monitor the emergence of new genotypes within the Ghanaian poultry industry.Item Nutritional Evaluation of Browse-Based and Cassava Peels-Based Pelleted Dry Season Supplements for Goats(University of Ghana, 2020-11) Ampong, E.Goats grazing natural pasture are challenged with seasonal variation in pasture availability and nutritive value. Therefore, improving the nutrition of goats through supplementary feeding during periods of pasture or nutrient deficit is necessary for improved productivity. This study was undertaken to assess the effects of supplementary feed based on three browses (Samanea saman, Acacia auriculiformis, and Ficus exasperata) and cassava peels on the performance of West African Dwarf goats, on a basal diet of Andropogon gayanus (Gamba grass) hay. An acceptability study revealed that the goats accepted all the four supplements but had a significant (P<0.05) preference for cassava peel meal-based and Samanea saman leaf meal-based supplements over Ficus exasperata leaf meal-based and Acacia auriculiformis leaf meal-based supplements. Although there was no marked difference in dry matter intakes across the four supplements (P>0.05), intake of crude protein was significantly higher (P<0.05) in goats fed ficus leaf meal-based than those fed cassava peel meal-based supplement. All the haematological parameters tested did not show significant (P>0.05) differences across experimental diets. Also, all the serum biochemical parameters tested were not affected, except blood urea concentration which was higher (P<0.05) in goats fed Samanea saman leaf meal-based supplement. The growth and the carcass parameters were also not affected (P>0.05) by the dietary treatments. It was therefore concluded that, Samanea saman, Acacia auriculiformis and Ficus exasperata leaf meals and cassava peel meal-based pelleted supplements are acceptable to goats and have similar nutrient composition, hence, they could be fed to goats on low quality forages during the dry season with no negative influence on feed intake and utilisation, growth, carcass quality, physiology and health of goats.Item The Effect of Repeat Inoculation of Field-Grazing Crossbred Calves with TLR 7/8 Agonist on the Duration of Protection against Diseases(University Of Ghana, 2019-07) Ashiagbor, C.N.K.Effective control of tick-borne diseases in endemic regions requires control of a complex of pathogens rather than a single pathogen-disease entity. A separate vaccine targeting each pathogen is not feasible for a variety of reasons. Therefore, the most effective means of control is to use one intervention to target multiple pathogens. Presently, we have demonstrated that stimulation of innate immunity using a Toll-Like receptor 7/8 agonist (TLR7/8) protects against multiple pathogen strains including anaplasmosis and ECF in the crossbred calves. These results, although represented compelling evidence of agonist-induced innate immune protection, the duration of immunity conferred by the agonist is unknown. In most disease endemic areas, challenge will occur within 6 months, and as shown in Ghana, often much sooner. Whether the current formulation and single dose provides innate immune stimulation over this window is a critical question that will require data to resolve. The current study tested the effect of the agonist on disease and disease-associated costs. The cost savings from reduction in treatment costs and avoided death loss can be used to establish a product cost profile. There were three groups of 25 calves. Group 1 was administered with a single dose (1ml) of TLR7/8 emulsion at Day 0, to stimulate the innate immunity prior to exposure to natural disease challenge by vector ticks on the field; Group 2 was identically administered with the TLR7/8 emulsion at Day 0, and repeated at day 28; Group 3 was designated as an untreated control (calves were not injected with TLR 7/8 emulsion). All calves were allowed to comingle and graze on the field. Clinical signs and the need for treatment were assessed daily by the resident veterinary personnel. Specifically, 5 distinct pathogen species were detected in the herd of crossbred calves examined. Anaplasma marginale represented the most prevalent pathogen species accounting for >70% of tick-borne infections among crossbred calves examined. Other infectious diseases detected included Dermatophilosis, Contagious Bovine Pleuropneumonia (CBPP) and Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD). All calves including those stimulated by injection with the agonist were infected with A. marginale within 7 days of exposure to field challenge. Calves from all groups were infected with at least one pathogen. There was no statistically significant difference in the mean numbers of pathogen species circulating in calves from various groups. Notably, all 25 (100%) animals from the group that was not injected with the TL7/8 emulsion required therapeutic treatments against at least one disease. In contrast, the need for treatments were 48% and 36% respectively among calves injected with 1ml and 2ml of the agonist. Although, the difference in the need for treatment between the stimulated groups was not significantly different (p =0.254) the survival analysis has revealed that calves stimulated twice had the highest probability (88%) of surviving as compared to those either stimulated once or were unstimulated (p <0.001). Importantly, of the twenty-five unstimulated calves, 15/25 (60%) died of clinical diseases including Anaplasmosis as compared with 14% deaths from the group that received TLR7/8 agonist stimulation. The Odds Ratio for survival is 13.6 (95% confidence interval of 1.2-152.2). While the confidence interval is wide, it does not overlap with 1, the null value, indicating the protection in the group receiving the TLR agonist has a high likelihood of representing a reproducible effect. There were significant differences in IgG2 production with respect to number of stimulations (p<0.000). Calves stimulated twice demonstrated a significantly higher percent inhibition of 77.07 as compared to either the cohorts that were stimulated once (68.56) or unstimulated (29.17). Generally, disease-related death of calves within the groups represented the major source of cost to the farmer. This was most significant among the unstimulated group (GHC 18000). The benefit cost ratio revealed that, the group stimulated twice (6.12) was the most cost effective as compared to groups stimulated once (4.15) and unstimulated (0.45). In summary, this study has identified that the TLR7/8 water-in-oil emulsion provides sufficient innate immune protection to mitigate severe disease upon natural exposure to multiple vector-borne pathogens during the first six to12 months of life. While a single inoculation that provides a long-lasting depot for sustained induction of innate immunity over the six to 12 month vulnerable period would be optimal, a minimally acceptable regimen would be monthly inoculations, feasible in small-holder farms where animals are housed locally and given that the final emulsion cost is estimated between US$0.05-0.20. Together these results provided the rationale for recommending multiple innate immune stimulations of young crossbred calves as the most cost effective approach to protecting field-grazing crossbred cattle against diseases in Ghana.Item Evaluation of IgG 2 Reactivity in Cattle Inoculated with Recombinant Outer Membrane Protein 7, 8 and 9 of Anaplasma Marginale(University Of Ghana, 2019-07) Adu – Poku, S.N.Presently, there is a surge in vaccine development strategies with focus on the subunit vaccines using outer membrane proteins (OMP) which are sub-dominant surface antigens. The specific antigens that induce protective immunity against A. marginale are not known. Immunization with individual OMPs has been unsuccessful in providing protection against homologous strain challenge in the natural bovine host as compared to that achieved by immunization with OM. The current study examines if Omps serve as better immunogens for the development of cross-protective vaccine. Omp7-9 have encoded CD4+ T cell epitope that are universally conserved among geographic isolates of A. marginale. This finding has positioned OMPs 7 – 9 of A. marginale as prospective vaccine candidate. The goal of this study was to determine whether immunization of cattle with recombinant Omp (rOmp) 7 - 9 proteins will trigger IgG 2 secretions as a surrogate for adaptive immunity. The current study has demonstrated, for the first time in Ghana, > 500mg/ml of Omp 7 – 9 of A. marginale can be expressed and purified as a 45kDa recombinant protein (rOmp 7 – 9). Also, for the first time in Ghana, when administered to calves subcutaneously, rOmp 7-9 stimulated innate immune responses resulting in the development of IgG production, consistent with the induction of adaptive immune response. Firstly, experimental calves have expressed significant levels of the essential biomarkers for innate immunity. This included increased expression of IL – 6 (p < 0.05) from 100pg/ml to 1000pg/ml and of TNFα within 48 hours. Innate immune responses progressed to adaptive immunity by the significant rise in IgG 2 secretion (p= 0.02) as compared to control cohorts. This high amount of IgG 2 readout in inoculated calves compared with non - inoculated calves (p = 0.014) signifies the potential Omp 7 – 9 in inducing protective immunity and therefore a candidate for vaccine development against worldwide prevalent Anaplasma marginale. Most importantly, the IgG 2 secretions in experimental calves injected with rOmp 7 – 9 comparable to IgG 2 secretions prevailing in the population of cattle naturally infected with A. marginale (p = 0.10). Together, these results provide empirical evidence that vaccination with recombinant Omp7 - 9 would trigger the development of significant amounts of IgG Friesian x Sanga F1 crossbred calves.Item Effect of the Type and Dosage of Acaricides on Re-Infestation Rates of Ticks on Field-Grazing Cattle(University of Ghana, 2019-07) Bilali, H.Tick infestation of cattle remains one of the major constraints to cattle production in Africa. Reduction of ticks should, therefore, enhance cattle production which is critically needed to ensure economic and food security. In the current study, 59 farmers were interviewed about the types of pesticides available for routine pest control on their farms. There were different types of acaricides commercially available for use in Ghana and the addition of new types from different companies is growing rapidly. The results also revealed the three leading types of acaricides; Milbitraz, Eraditick, and Amiraz, which were popular among farmers. There was overwhelming evidence of the uncontrolled use of different acaricides against ticks. Tick species were most likely exposed to the commonly used active ingredients in acaricides namely, amitraz, representing the amidine group and pour-ons from the cypermethrin group. The results also showed that Eraditick was the most preferred among amitraz-based formulations, representing the predominant acaricides on all cattle farms. Overall, farmers in Ghana used different methods of tick control. However, strategic acaricide application, via spraying with the knapsack sprayer was the preferred method for resource-poor farmers. The strengths (toxicity) of the most commonly used active ingredients of products were tested in a dose-dependent fashion against ticks feeding on cattle by comparing 1) the number of dead ticks and 2) time of re-infestation. Generally, the killing activity of the prototypical non-systemic emulsifiable concentrate was thrice faster than the cypermethrin group referred to as the “pour-ons.” Specifically, spraying with Eraditick resulted in clearance of >50% of the population of targeted ticks within 24 hours as compared with 72 hours required by either Cypertop or Zerotick. There was no difference in the toxicity between the use of higher concentrations and the recommended dose of the manufacturer (p=0.814) because increasing the dosage of acaricides did not result in a corresponding increase in the number of dead ticks. Notably, 70% of farmers used 1-3 types of acaricides, in rotation or simultaneously. However, complete tick clearance was not achievable even with a combination of two or more amitraz-based formulations. From the current study, the re-infestation rate of tick species ranged from 10 ticks/day to 30 ticks/day. Regardless of the number of types and dosage of different non-systemic acaricides tested, the re-infestation time of ticks to cattle occurred within 7 days, post-application. On the contrary, the results have demonstrated the possibility of combining the acaricidal effects of the emulsifiable concentrate-based acaricide (Eraditick) with pour-on based (Cypertop) to improve toxicity in tick populations. This combination was able to kill >80% of tick species as compared to 50-60% using the traditional acaricides alone. It equally achieved a near-zero clearance of ticks within 6 days of application that was impossible with the other alternative pairings. Notably, this chemical association consistently cleared all ticks from different groups of animals and delayed re-infestation with new ticks for over 14 days. The huge difference in the acaricidal strength has a significant effect on both the time it takes to clear the existing ticks and the re-infestation rates of new ticks to the previously treated cattle. Altogether, results from the current study are big findings that could transform the way we control livestock ticks. This could reduce the cost of producing animals and improve livelihoods by reducing poverty among cattle farmers.Item Nutritional Evaluation of Three Browse Species Commonly Fed to Small Ruminants by Farmers in the Accra Plains of Ghana(University of Ghana, 2019-07) Nsoh, M.A.Quantitative survey was carried out in five purposely selected districts in the Accra Plains of Ghana using focused group discussions and individual interviews to evaluate and document the existing farming practices, opportunities and constraints among smallholder farmers with particular interest on the probable animal feed resources and cyclical gaps with respect to sheep and goat production in study 1. Also the effect of supplementary feed packages based on Samanea saman, Acacia auriculiformis and Ficus exasperata browse species and cassava peels on feed intake, digestibility, growth and physiology of the West African Dwarf sheep fed on a basal diet of Andropogon gayanus hay were evaluated in study 2. Livestock production constraints affecting the smallholders in study 1 were poor housing, high mortality rates due to diseases and insufficient feed especially in the dry season and theft. Feed resources identified in the study areas suitable for livestock farming were wastes from crops and some by-products like plantain and cassava peels, corn mill wastes, maize bran and rice bran. Also, browse species such as Samanea saman, Acacia auriculiformis, Ficus exasperata, Gliricidia sepium and magnifera indica among others were fed to small ruminants in the study areas. Feedstuffs were more accessible to ruminants after crop harvest and feed shortage gap was identified during the dry season. In study 2, Samanea leaf meal and cassava peel meal based diets were more acceptable (p < 0.05) to the West African Dwarf sheep and improved dry matter intakes than the Acacia and Ficus leaf meal based supplements. Sheep fed the Samanea leaf meal based supplement had the highest dry matter, crude protein and organic matter digestibilities (p < 0.05) than those on the Acacia, Ficus and Cassava peel meal based supplements. The three browse species and the cassava peel meal based supplements did not significantly (p < 0.05) affect most of the haematological (Hb, PCV, RBC, WBC) and blood biochemical indices measured (Glucose, Total protein, Albumin, Globulin, Cholesterol, and Urea). The values were within the normal ranges reported for sheep thus indicating no adverse influence on the health and physiology of the sheep. The results suggest feed supplementation packages based on Samanea, Acacia, Ficus and Cassava peels could be fed to sheep by small ruminant farmers in the Accra Plains to improve performance of sheep fed low quality basal diet