The study was undertaken for a period of 30 days to investigate the phenotypic, morphological and reproduction attributes of native pigs in 14 villages of Haluaghat, Durgapur and Nalitabari upazilas in Mymensingh, Netrokona and Sherpur districts, respectively. A total of 200 experimental animals were evaluated, of which 81 were male and 119 were female. Various parameters were evaluated separately at different age groups in males and females. A pre-tested questionnaire was used to record various phenotypic information. Body weight, body length, chest girth, length from ear to tail, height at withers, height at loin region, head length, width of head, ear length, hair length, tail length and number of teats were the morphometric traits recorded. The predominant coat colour of the pigs was black, with 95 percent of them having dark skin pigmentation. The majority of pigs possessed a long, straight head (75 percent) and the rest had a shape classified as a “wide face”. All of them had erect ears with upward orientation, whereas 98.5 percent had thin, straight tails. The pigs with stocky body shape (27.5 percent) showed larger body measurements than animals with angular body shape (72.5 percent). The mean values along with the Standard Error for traits were statistically analysed. Three main independent variables (i.e. upazila, age and sex) were considered for an univariate analysis of variance and the correlations among traits were measured. The average, minimum and maximum values for age at first farrowing, farrowing interval, litter size, gestation period and weaning period were also measured.

In Niger, there are three goat breeds including two main ones: the Maradi red goat (17.5%) which has been the subject of numerous investigations and the Sahel goat (80%) which is little studied or unknown. Thus, to establish the phenotypic characteristics of the Sahel goat breed in Niger, investigations into qualitative parameters (appendices and pigmentation) by direct observation of animals were conducted in the northwestern part of the country (Tillabery, Tahoua and Niamey regions). Based on the voluntary participation of farmers, 443 goats (77% female, 39% with 4 pairs of permanent incisors and therefore considered adult) in 145 farms and 60 sites (7,38 ± 6,87 animals/site) were characterized. Analysis of primarity indices and multivariate analysis (ACM) emphasizes that there is no significant difference (P < 0.05) between sexes for all quality parameters except the carrying of a beard (male 55%, female 41%). The parameters distribution is significantly different between regions except the type of horn (mostly ibex in all regions). Indeed, ears are mostly drooping in Tillabéry, stalked in Tahoua and Niamey and pigmentation is dominated by black eumélanique in Tahoua, chocolate eumélanique in Niamey and phaeomélanique in Tillabéry. Goats of the three regions are significantly different based on phenotypic qualitative parameters. But, generally, the goat study population has the characteristics of a primary population which offers great opportunities for genetic improvement.

Found throughout the dry regions of Africa, the Sahel goat represents about 80% of Niger's goats. In accordance with national breeding policy in Niger and with a view to better planning management of that genetic resource at local and national levels, its phenotypic characterization has been conducted in the northwestern part of the country from July 2011 to May 2012. Based on the voluntary participation of farmers, investigations to characterize the quantitative parameters (height at withers and rump, body length, chest girth, chest depth, hip width and length of horns and ears) focused on 443 goats (77% female, 39% adult) distributed in 145 farms and 60 sites (7,38 ± 6,87 animals/site) in the Tillabéri, Tahoua and Niamey regions. Biometric indexes analysis coupled with analysis of variance and multivariate analysis (ACP, AFD) showed that the study area goat has four morphological subtypes (Tillabéri, Tahoua, Niamey and an intermediate Niamey-Tillabéri). Due to the coexistence of several breeds (local and exotic) in Niamey and consequences like genetic mixing, the Sahel goat can correspond to two subtypes: a large one (64.98 ± 6.77 and 68.27 ± 5.91 cm at withers and rump respectively), long ears and horns (20.3 ± 3.08 and 14.75 ± 4.43 cm) in Tillabéri and another large one (60.71 ± 10.81 and 62.46 ± 10.65 cm at wither and rump), shorter ears and horns (12.32 ± 3.62 and 9.95 ± 4.01 cm) in Tahoua.

A structured questionnaire was administered to 40 households in each of the three localities (Bahri, Dilling and Abu-neama). Morphological characteristics of 900 chickens were physically examined. Data analysis showed that the average flock size per household was 16.7 and that it varied significantly among localities. The flock structure study showed that 46.1 percent were chicks and growers, 34.6 percent hens and 19.35 percent cocks. Regarding the ecotypes, the flock was composed of 75.7, 8.8 and 15.5 percent large Beladi (LB), bare neck (BN) and Betwil (BT) dwarf, respectively. The Sudanese indigenous chicken are characterized by wide phenotypic variation. The plumage colour frequencies were mixed colour (37.8 percent), light brown (16.5 percent), black (13.1 percent), grey (3.5 percent) and white (6.2 percent). Feathering did not show a well-defined pattern; however, the few birds whose feathering pattern could be identified were crown feather (7.0 percent), partridge (3.5 percent), barred (3.5 percent), laced (3.1 percent) and frizzled (0.01 percent). The average adult body weight was 1 650.5 ± 125 g in males and 1 187 ± 70 g in females. Hens reached sexual maturity at 6.5 months and layed 13.2 eggs/clutch in 3–3.5 clutches per year. The average egg weight was 40.8 ± 1.6 g and the hatchability rate under natural incubation was 71.8 percent. The BN ecotype had significantly (P < 0.01) poorer maternal care (57.7 percent hatchability) compared with the other types (LB and BT).

An exploratory field survey was conducted in north Gondar zone, Ethiopia to identify and characterize the local chicken ecotypes. Seven qualitative and 12 quantitative traits from 450 chickens were considered. Chicken ecotypes such as Naked neck, Gasgie and Gugut from Quara, Alefa and Tache Armacheho districts were identified, respectively. Morphometric measurements indicated that the body weight and body length of the Naked neck and the Gasgie ecotypes were significantly (P < 0.01) higher than the Gugut ecotypes except in shank circumstances (circumference). Sex and ecotypes were significant (P < 0.01) sources of variation for both body weights and linear body measurements. The relationship of body weight with other body measurements for all ecotypes in both sexes was highly significant (r = 0.67, P < 0.01). Some traits like the spur length (r = 0.64, P < 0.01) for males and (r = 0.59, P < 0.01) for females of the Naked neck chickens are significantly correlated with body weight. Therefore, highly correlated traits are the basic indicators for the estimation of the continuous prediction of body weight of chicken. Identification and characterization of new genetic resources should be employed routinely to validate and investigate the resources in the country.

The study was conducted on Boran bulls from three age groups (2, 3 and 4 years) reared at two different locations in Southern Ethiopia. The study was conducted to assess the different morphometrical measurements in Boran bulls, to estimate live weight of the bulls using step-down regression equations and also to calculate structural indices for assessment of type for which the breed was developed and thus assist in the selection of the bulls. The feedlots were situated in Meki district and varied both in location and the type of management, with the second feedlot being better managed than the first. The morphometric traits included in the study were height at withers (HW), height at rump (RH), body length (BL), heart girth (HG), head width (WFH), neck circumference (NC), neck length (NL), chest width (CW), rump length (RL), hip width (WH) and flank width (FW) and the body weight (BW). The results indicated that while the skeletal measurements HW, RH and BL did not vary (P < 0.05) between bulls of a particular age across the two feedlots, the other parameters were higher among the bulls reared in the feed lot with wind breaks and situated away from lake Ziway. The results of the step-down regression equations indicated that BW could be assessed using various morphometrical measurements viz. NL, NC, RL, WH and HG. The parameters included varied both across the age groups and locations. The results related to the structural indices indicated that the Boran bulls had posterior alignment and had higher CW than HW.

This study aimed at using a multivariate approach to describe the body structure of Djallonke sheep in northern Ghana and to determine which approach explains better the variation in body composition. Live weight (LW) and linear body measurements including heart girth (HG), neck girth (NG), chest depth (CD), height at withers (HW), rump height (RH), body length (BL) and pin-bone width (PBW) were obtained from 172 sheep aged between two and three years. The fixed effects of sex and age were tested using the general linear model (GLM) while the Nearest Neighbor method of Hierarchical Cluster Analysis was used to group body traits into clusters. Principal Component Factor Analysis was used to describe the variation in body traits where extracted factors were varimax rotated to enhance interpretability. The analysis of variance revealed significant (P < 0.01) differences in the morphological traits of the two sexes with higher values recorded for the male in all traits examined except in PBW, which was insignificant (P > 0.05). Age had no significant influence (P > 0.05) on the body traits. The sheep weighed 26.92 ± 0.89 kg averagely and had averages of other body measurements to be: 71.74 ± 1.23, 40.52 ± 0.79, 27.73 ± 0.52, 60.72 ± 0.86, 59.61 ± 0.87, 58.87 ± 1.06 and 12.81 ± 0.23 cm for HG, NG, CD, HW, RH, BL and PBW, respectively. The product moments of correlation were positive and significant (P < 0.05, 0.01; r = 0.18–0.99) for all pairs of traits. The body traits were categorized mainly into two clusters with the first cluster comprising the HG, HW, RH and BL while NG, CD and PBW formed the second cluster. The grouping of the traits was slightly different in Factor analysis where two underlying principal components (PC) were extracted to discern the variance structure of the Djallonke sheep. The first principal component which consisted of CD, HW, RH, BL and PBW explained 61.26 percent and the second, 12.92 percent thereby giving a maximum of 74.17 percent generalized variance in body measurements. The traits loaded on the first principal component are closely associated with bone growth hence describing the general body size conformation while the traits (HG and NG) on the second component seem to describe only the thoracic region. It can be concluded that both the Hierarchical Cluster analysis and the Factor analysis grouped body traits similarly but the later is to be recommended because of the additional ability of indicating the amount of variation explained by the developed factors.

The objective of the study was to determine the phenotypic variation among four Bhutan indigenous chickens (BIC) namely Seim (SM), Phulom (PL), Yuebjha Narp (YN) and Khuilay (KL). A total of 120 chickens (KL, 30; YN, 30; PL, 30; SM, 30) were included for the present study. Based on descriptive statistic analysis, the results illustrate that there are three types of comb and single type predominant. The Bhutanese chickens do not have feather on the shank and the head type is plain. The common colours of earlobe in four indigenous birds are white and red. White skin and shank colour rank high among BIC groups; however, in SM the yellowish skin colour is observed high. The predominant feather colour of four indigenous chickens is pure black in YN (48.28 percent), white in KL (30.00 percent), reddish brown in SM (33.33 percent) and PL (23.33 percent). In addition, breast, back and neck feather followed the similar pattern of colour. Among BIC populations, KL and YN strains present the greatest and lowest plumage colour diversity, respectively. For example, eight different colours of breast feather are surveyed in KL and PL birds. Therefore, considering the variation in feather colourings, KL and PL seems to have more diversity in morphology but, it requires further studies. On the other hand, YN appears to have less diversity requiring for appropriate development of conservation strategies in Bhutan. Moreover, the large variations present the possibility of making improvement among BIC.

The αS1 casein gene is one of the lacto protein genes, which are involved in the milk synthesis. The objective of this study was to identify genotypes of B and E alleles at the locus αS1 casein in the Guéra and Sahel goat herds in Mali. These herds were located in the Regional Center of Agronomic Research and the Ségala village in Kayes, Mali. A total of 101 blood samples (53 for Guéra goat and 48 for Sahel goats) were collected and analysed. Alleles B and/or E, located on exon 19, of the αS1 casein gene were amplified using allele specific amplification polymerase chain reaction and analysed using 2 percent agarose gel electrophoresis. Results from this analysis identified three genotypes: BB, BE and EE with frequencies 0.77, 0.17 and 0.06 for the Guéra goats. However, only the BB genotype was identified in the Sahel goats. The frequencies of alleles B and E in the Guéra goats were 0.86 and 0.14, respectively, with an observed and expected heterozygotes of 0.08 and 0.12, respectively.

Genealogical and live body weight monthly records from 790 sheep of the Chiapas breed born between 1991 and 2004 were used to characterize the growth curve and estimate (co)variance components for the parameters (A, k and b) of the Gompertz function. The pedigree structure consisted of 790 sheep, including 45 rams and 379 ewes. Estimation of (co)variance components for each growth parameter was achieved using a univariate animal model with the restricted maximum likelihood (REML) method. Estimated values of heritability were: A (adult weight) 0.21 ± 0.06; b (integration constant) 0.25 ± 0.07; k (maturity rate) 0.16 ± 0.06; age at the inflexion estimated as (ln(b)/k) 0.24 ± 0.07; and absolute growth rate as [k*(0.368*A)* ln(A/0.368*A)] 0.22 ± 0.07. The growth of males was 24% (P < 0.05) faster than that of females; adult weight was 25 ± 0.7 kg for males and 23 ± 0.7 kg for females; absolute growth was 59 ± 2 g and 44 ± 2 g per day for males and females respectively. The Chiapas breed of sheep is a small animal with a slow growth curve, probably due to its adaptation to the environmental conditions where it lives. Growth curve can be modified through selection.

In the absence to date of studies on genetic variability in the Creole cattle of the Southern Region of Ecuador, the analysis and characterization of this population was carried out in order to provide the technical information needed for the planning and development of measures aimed at the population's conservation and sustainable use in the harsh ecosystem these animals inhabit. For this purpose, 46 adult animals, out of a population of 114 Creole cattle, were genetically analysed; on the basis of phaneroptical traits, they were classified into four groups known locally as Negro Lojano (15 animals), Encerado (15), Colorado (9) and Pintado or Cajamarca (7). The analysis of the intra-population genetic variability brought out a Na of 228, an average number of alleles per locus of 8.14 and a PIC of 0.70 ± 0.10. All 28 markers analyzed were polymorphic and highly informative. The He and Ho amounted to 0.74 ± 0.0178 and 0.676 ± 0.013, which is an indication of a high molecular diversity in the population studied. The HWE determines that 32 per cent of the alleles are not in equilibrium. The Gst amounted to 4.5 ± 2.8 per cent and the Fst was 0.08 per cent, which corroborates that there is no genetic differentiation among the four groups of this population. The average values for Fit and Fis were 8.89 and 8.92 percent, respectively. The degrees of genetic distance between this Creole population and 18 cattle and zebu breeds were also determined. The distance exceeded 0.10 for all populations, with the lowest distances being those between Ec:BC (0.1031), Ec:PAJ (0.1132), Ec:NAN (0.1302), Ec:VCA (0.1326) and Ec:FRI (0.1362). The greatest distances were observed between Ec:GUZ (0.4725) and Ec:NEL (0.4624). These values show that the Creole cattle of the Southern Region of Ecuador are very distant from the zebu breeds, and therefore their ancestors would be more likely to have originated from Iberian populations. The results concerning variability and genetic distance will enable strategies to be devised for managing and conserving the Creole breed of the Southern Region of Ecuador. These results also suggest that the four groups with phaneroptical differences should be managed independently at the different altitudes of the Andean Region of Ecuador.

A genealogical and a viability analysis was carried out on the 1559 available registers for the Conservation Nucleus of Brazilian Bergamasca sheep of the University of Brasilia farm in Brazil using the ENDOG and the Vortex programs. To run the ENDOG it was used the registered data and for the Vortex it was used information obtained by a questionnaire answered by the curators of the herds. Of the animals registered, 767 had known parents, with significantly more dams known at each generation. The number of pedigrees known has increased over the generations, with higher registration of parents of sires than dams. The Computed Mean Inbreeding calculated by ENDOG was 0.29 percent and mean average relatedness was 1.52 percent. Mean Generation interval was 3.71 years with this values being lower for sires than dams. The population probability of extinction, calculated by Vortex was 17 percent and the average time to extinction was 59 years. Forty-two additional scenarios were created to determine which factors most threaten these populations which were frequency of catastrophes, lack of animal entrance and adult and lamb mortalities, especially adult female mortality. These results indicate that future breeding plans should include exchange of sires between farms to maintain low inbreeding levels and increase genetic variability and upgrade the management to control the mortality rates of animals.

A genealogical analysis of Crioula horses registered by the Brazilian Association of Crioula Horse Breeders was performed. The state of Rio Grande do Sul is the largest producer of animals with 89.85 percent of registered animals, of which 45.29 percent were males and 54.71 percent females. The inbreeding coefficient was calculated at 0.88 percent and the average relatedness was 0.65 percent in the total population (animals born in Brazil and imported). Inbreeding increased over the generations. An increase was seen in the average genetic conservation index in animals born after the year 1927 (0) until 2010 (8.67 percent). The average generation interval was 10.3 years and the average age of parents when offspring born were 10.5 years, falling in recent years. The effective population size of founders was 95.19 animals, the number of ancestors contributing to this population was 5086 where 56 ancestors explained 50 percent of the genetic diversity of the breed. Inbreeding is under control in the Crioula horse. The increase in registrations reflects the increased interest from farmers in this breed.

Pedigree and population viability analyses of a conservation herd of Moura breed from Embrapa Swine and Poultry were carried out. ENDOG software was used for pedigree analysis and VORTEX for population viability analysis. The data were obtained with the curator of the herd and a total of 411 animals born between the years of 1999 and 2011 for the analysis with ENDOG. The input data in VORTEX were obtained from a questionnaire answered by the curator of the herd. The Inbreeding Coefficient (F) was 0.06 percent, the average effective population size (Ne) was 30 animals with an average generation interval of 3.48 years. The extinction probability was 0 percent for a simulation period of 100 years and 3 percent for a period of 500 years. The determinant parameters for the viability of this herd were the entry of animals and prolificacy of the breed. Although the study did not indicate immediate risk of extinction of this herd, it should be constantly monitored with controlled population parameters to prevent the extinction of this last herd of Moura pig breed.

This investigation aimed to evaluate the quality of cryopreserved semen from 21 Curraleiro Pé Duro bulls in a germplasm bank, categorizing the doses of the sires according to parameters related to sperm viability, and verifying the fertilizing capacity in vitro of the spermatozoids. All the samples were thawed and analyzed as to morphology, kinetics, plasma membrane integrity and acrosome integrity. Samples of only four bulls were used for evaluating the fertilization rates. The results indicated that the Curraleiro Pé Duro semen doses, stocked in the Brazilian Animal Germplasm Bank, showed variable sperm quality and high in vitro fertilizing capacity, making it possible to design appropriate strategies for assisted reproduction in order to conserve this Brazilian genetic resource, which is in danger of extinction.

In Indonesia, cross-breeding local cattle with European beef breeds is widely promoted to stimulate beef production. This cross-breeding is threatening local breeds that have often different functions, including cultural roles. This study analysed the cultural values of Madura cattle and the effects of cross-breeding on local traditions in Madura Island. Bull racing (karapan) and cow conformation contests (sonok) are traditional cultural events on Madura. Since 2001, cross-breeding with Limousin is allowed. The local government also promotes a conformation contest for cross-bred (madrasin) cattle. Quantitative and qualitative information were collected through participatory approaches involving farmers (n = 97), government officials, community groups, key informants and through direct observation of sonok, karapan and madrasin events. Phenotypic characteristics were collected from 184 cows. The Madura cattle population and production systems are not homogeneous. Four cattle types could be distinguished: karapan, sonok, madrasin and conventional Madura cattle. These cattle were found in three discrete areas, differing in land sizes, cropping and cattle keeping in terms of management practices and importance of specific cultural practices. Sonok and madrasin cows were significantly bigger and had higher body condition scores than karapan cows and the conventional Madura cows in the madrasin area. Madura cattle participating in cultural events were valued at prices that were 2–3.5 times higher than Madura cattle not participating in cultural events. Cross-breeding will not directly influence the cultural events or the management practices of Madura cattle in the karapan and sonok areas; however, outside the karapan and sonok areas, crossbreds are rapidly replacing conventional Madura cattle. The present top-down approach towards conservation and breeding strategies has to be turned into bottom-up approaches that consider the needs of the sonok and karapan Madura cattle sub-populations. Monitoring and characterization studies have to collect information at different aggregation levels and have to be aware of the sub-populations. The Madura example shows that the cultural values of livestock can be a main driver for maintaining relatively small populations of local breeds.

Livestock husbandry plays an important role in the rural economy of the country in a tangible or intangible way. The livestock are selected for their functional efficiency and also for their adaptability to the particular agro climate. The study was conducted at two selected woredas (districts) of Southern Ethiopia and was based on individual interviews; focus group discussion and questioner survey. The results indicated that livestock are selected based on some traditional methods by the elders of the society. The respondents indicated that they maintained informal pedigree for cattle and horses based on their dam line, while phenotype of an animal viz. presence or absence of hair whorl, udder and teat length, length of the legs, body length played an important role in selecting the bovines. Tail type, presence of wattles, leg length and coat colour were considered while selecting the small ruminants. Chickens with single comb are preferred over the other types. Coat colour played an important role in selection for functional efficiency of cattle. The study indicated that most of these selection attributes had correlation with the production and reproduction efficiency of the livestock as was explained by several authors. It is suggested that further studies should be carried out to validate the selection methods and incorporate them in region-wise livestock selection strategies.