Browsing by Author "Chenyambuga, S W"

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Knowledge and perceptions of traditional livestock keepers on tick-borne diseases and sero-prevalence of Theileria parva around Lake Victoria Basin
(2010-07-22) Chenyambuga, S W; Waiswa, C; Saimo, M; Ngumi, P; Gwakisa, P S
A study was conducted in three districts around Lake Victoria; Kisumu (Kenya), Kiruhura (Uganda) and Tarime (Tanzania) to assess the farmers’ perceptions on tick-borne diseases (TBDs) and resistance of their local cattle breeds to TBDs. Knowledge and perception of farmers on production constraints, tick species, TBDs and their control measures and resistance of local cattle to TBDs were assessed through individual interviews and group discussions. The extent of East Coast fever (ECF) infection in local cattle was assessed by measuring serum antibodies to Theileria parva. The prevalence of serum antibodies to Theileria parva was determined using an enzyme-linked immunoassay technique. The breeds kept were Nyanza zebu, Tarime zebu and Ankole in Kisumu, Tarime and Kiruhura, respectively. Livestock diseases were ranked as the most important constraints to cattle production. Tick-borne diseases ranked higher than the other diseases. Most livestock farmers knew well the signs of the TBDs. The main symptoms mentioned were circling/high stepping, red urine, hard dung and swollen lymphnodes for heart water, babesiosis, anaplasmosis and East Coast Fever (ECF), respectively. The most prevalent ticks were brown ear ticks (Rhipicephalus appendiculatus) (97.5%), blue ticks (Boophilus spp) (75.8%) and bont ticks (Amblyloma spp) (81.5%). About 85, 12.5 and 7.5% of the respondents in Kiruhura, Kisumu and Tarime, respectively, knew that ECF is caused by the presence of ticks on the animals. The majority of the farmers did not associate the other TBDs with ticks. The farmers (59%) were using acaricide to control ticks. The most common method of application was hand spraying. Most farmers used Oxytetracycline to treat all TBDs, however, some farmers (20%) used local herbs. About 75 to 92.5% of the farmers considered their breeds to be resistant to ticks and ECF. The reasons given included not applying acaricide for a long time, animals always carry ticks without getting sick or dieing and ECF affects only calves and not adult animals. The serum antibody prevalence was 80.1, 78.2 and 60% in Tarime, Ankole and Nyanza zebu cattle, respectively. The prevalence of antibodies to Theileria parva did not differ significantly (P > 0.05) between calves (75.5%), yearlings (80%) and adult animals (73.4%). It is concluded that Theileria parva infection in cattle around the Lake Victoria basin is highly prevalent. The farmers know the signs of ECF, but do not spray/dip their animals on a regular basis because of economic reasons and also they consider their breeds to be resistant to ticks and ECF.
Polymorphisms of Myostatin gene and its association with growth in two strains of Small East African and Blended goats of Tanzania
(2017) Nguluma, A S; Huang, Y; Zhao, Y; Chen, L; Msalya, G; Lyimo, C; Guangxin, E; Chenyambuga, S W
Despite the high demand for goat meat, the quantity of meat that is produced from the indigenous goats is low and insufficient to meet the demand. This is due to their small body size and inherent low genetic potential for growth coupled with poor management especially feeding. Improvement of goat productivity through selection takes long time to achieve and may be difficult for some traits. Information on polymorphisms in candidate genes for growth including myostatin gene could be used with pedigree information in marker assisted selection to get high genetic response more quickly. This study assessed polymorphisms of the intron 2 and exon 3 of the myostatin gene in Pare, Sonjo, Blended and Boer goats. Only one singleton polymorphic site T298C was detected in the Boer goat population and all other goats were monomorphic. Two alleles, T and C were detected in Boer goats with frequencies of 0.98 and 0.02, respectively, and two genotypes TT and TC with frequency of 0.97 and 0.03, respectively. Allele T was fixed in the Blended, Pare and Sonjo populations. Blended goats were heavier at all stages of growth than Pare and Sonjo goats. However, due to lack of polymorphism in the three goat populations the association between the alleles of the myostatin gene and growth performance could not be confirmed. It can be concluded that there are variation in growth performance among the Blended, Pare and Sonjo goats but the variation could not be associated with the myostatin gene. Other genes for growth could be responsible for the observed variation.
Socio-economic values and traditional Management practices of tarime zebu cattle In Tanzania
(2008) Ngowi, E E; Chenyambuga, S W; Gwakisa, P S
This study was conducted to determine the functions and desirable attributes of Tarime cattle found in northern part of Tanzania. Farmers’ breed preferences and willingness to pay for Tarime cattle conservation were also assessed. A structured questionnaire was administered to 120 household heads keeping Tarime cattle in Tarime district.ref SHAPE \* MERGEFORMAT The results indicated that 75.8% of the respondents depended on crop and livestock production and only 10% depended on livestock production alone as the main source of income. With regard to provision of food, both crop production and livestock keeping were equally important. Most farmers (85.9%) preferred to keep Tarime cattle rather than exotic dairy cattle and their crosses. The desirable attributes of Tarime cattle were good tolerance to diseases (73.4%), good draught animals (65%), good and taste meat (30.8%) and better milk quality (14.2%). The purposes for keeping cattle were ranked in the following order: provision of draught power, dowry payment, milk, income and security against future uncertainties. Farmers practiced controlled breeding in order to maintain the genetic purity of their breed. This was done by choosing the best bulls for mating and castrating or selling young bulls which are not needed for breeding. Bulls for breeding were selected mainly based on size. Farmers were willing to pay between TShs. 28,290.00 (~ US$ 22) and 159,000.00 (~ US$ 122) per year for conservation project. The willingness to pay was influenced by level of income, use of cattle for dowry payments and the ability of cattle to survive in harsh conditions and to resist diseases. It is concluded that the livestock keepers in Tarime district prefer Tarime cattle to exotic dairy cattle. The preference of indigenous cattle by most farmers should be viewed as the most favourable starting point for conservation of Tarime cattle through sustainable utilization.