El Banco de Germoplasma ovino está conformado por ocho núcleos raciales organizados en un sistema de apareamiento circular cíclico para evitar la pérdida de la variabilidad genética. En este trabajo se encontró una tasa de incremento de consanguinidad por generación que varía entre 1,06 – 3,23% para los cuatro años previos a la formación del Banco y una tasa que varía entre 0,68 y 1,15% para los siguientes 5 años, lo que representa una reducción de 27,07 – 68,9% en el incremento de consanguinidad debido a la estructura de los apareamientos. Igualmente se muestra el comportamiento reproductivo por grupo racial, mostrando las bondades de la raza Criolla (96% de natalidad, 117% de prolificidad), dada su adaptación al sistema de producción de trópico alto. En cuanto al comportamiento productivo se determinó el efecto de raza, sexo y año sobre el crecimiento, encontrando a la raza Hampshire, Cheviot y Romney con los mayores pesos al nacimiento, destete y año. Finalmente se realizó una caracterización morfométrica y determinación de índices de similaridad entre las ocho razas de ovinos, utilizando parámetros de distribución continua. Las razas Merino y Corriedale presentaron los mayores índices de similaridad, al igual que las razas Criolla y Mora.

Biological diversity is the main measure of genetic evolution; it links to the state of genetic polymorphism as influenced by envirornmental changes and modulates the speed of transferring genetic information. The authors concentrate in this note on the importance of the contribution of indigenous animal genetic resources when addressing the complex and economically most important problem of the intrinsic quality of products of animal origin, with special reference to regional/local specificity.

The Florina (or Pellagonia) sheep, which have descended from ancient indigenous Greek populations, are on the way to extinction. A small number of animals are found in the region of West Macedonia. The breed belongs to the semi fat-tailed Ruda wool type sheep, is well adapted to harsh mountain conditions and shows resistance to diseases. Recorded farms are kept at the Agricultural Research Station of Koila in Kozani, at the T. E. I. farm of Florina, at the Animal Husbandry Institute of Gianitsa and at the Agricultural Research Station of Komotini. The average commercialised milk production is 96±38.6 kg during a lactation period of 156 days and the average litter size is 1.4±0.52.

This note describes work being carried out by ILCA on evaluation of the productivity of N'Dama, Sahiwal and Boran cattle breeds. Indications of the potential of the N'Dama to increase output from areas of trypanosomiasis risk has led to studies throughout West and Central Africa concerned with aspects of trypanotolerant livestock. Studies on the Sahiwal and many different crosses between Sahiwal and Ayrshires under a range of production systems have allowed suggestions to be made on achieving and maintaining optimal contributions from the Sahiwal breed. Similar ongoing studies on the Boran breed are described.

The study was conducted in Gamo Goffa Zone of Southern Ethiopia to characterize traditional cattle breeding practices and cattle trait preferences of the Gamo Highland and Gamo Lowland cattle types. Data collected through group discussions and individual interviews were synthesized and summarized using descriptive statistics. Indigenous cattle in the study area provide multiple functions, are well adapted to their production environments, and managed under traditional and subsistent modes of production. Farmers' cattle trait preferences slightly differ across highland and lowland sites. Whereas lowland farmers prefer carcass yield and traction capacity, cattle farmers in highland areas give more weight to adaptation, milk production and manure contributions. Common breeding system in all sites was pure breeding, although very few farmers residing in mid and highland areas exercise crossbreeding with introduced Holstein Friesian bulls for dairy improvement. The main reported selection criteria of farmers for breeding their animals were body size and conformation, milk production, fertility and breeding history of animals. Cattle breeding and management practices of the study area are traditional and low input.

El autor describe la situación actual de los camélidos en América del Sur, aportando información sobre la geografia, distribución y número de las tres especies existentes: llama, alpaca y vicuña. Vienen presentados igualmente datos estadísticos importantes sobre las razas y sus sistemas de producción. Algunas indicaciones también sobre la escasa, pero cierta, erosión genética como consecuencia de las transformaciones ambientales y de gestión, asi como del cambio registrado en la demanda de productos.

El caballo Losino, Pony sp Losino segun Mason (1960), recibe su denominacion del area oringinal de cria, el Valle de Losa, en el Norte de la provincia de Burgos (España). Se encuentra emparentado con otras razas autoctonas derivadas del tronco Cantabro-Pirenaico: el garrano portugues, el faco gallego, el caballo asturcon, el thieldon, la jaca soriana, el caballo navarro, el pottoka vasco, el caballo de Merens y el extinguido caballo catalan. La Raza Losina mantuvo sus efectivos hasta los anos 50 pero posteriormente, y debido principalmente a la mecanizacion del campo, al cruce con razas de aptitud carnica y con ganado asnal para la produccion mulatera, su poblacion descendio hasta llegar en 1986 a los limites mas criticos de toda su historia. Ese ano, en vista de la alarmante situacion, se inicio el proyecto de recuperacion de la raza creandose posteriormente en Pancorbo (Burgos) el primer Centro de Cria y Seleccion del caballo Losino. En este Centro se viene manteniendo el sistema natural de crianza en libertad. Los animales, una vez que han sido desbravados y domados, vienen utilizados para la equitación infantil juvenil, en enganches y para realizar las rutas ecuestres por zonas rurales y de montaña.

The recently established FAO Global Data Bank for Domestic Livestock aims to document and characterise the different populations of domestic animals found throughout the world. Currently, there are 2047 entries in the data bank. A global breed survey is under way to collect basic information on each breed. From an initial analysis of population data currently available, it is estimated that a total of 390 breeds may be at risk in non-European countries. More than 200 are likely to be in developing countries.

The usefulness of correlation analysis in life sciences is enhanced when the coefficient is partitioned into direct effects of one trait on the other and indirect effects caused by other characters which may be of importance in selection. A total of 417 mature (>22 months) West African Dwarf (WAD) sheep comprising of 201 rams and 216 ewes intensively reared were used for this study. Data were taken on body weight (BW) and 19 linear conformation traits. Linear body measurements considered were rump width (RW), rump length (RL), tail length (TL), wither height (WH),thorax depth (TD), shin circumference (SC), heart girth (HG), paunch girth (PG), rump height (RH), ear length (EL), fore-leg length (FLL), rear-leg length (RLL), body length (BL), shoulder width (SW), neck circumference (NC), head length (HL), head width (HW), horn length (HoL) and hock length (Hock). Descriptive statistics and path coefficients were computed. Correlation analysis was also explored to determine the degree of association among variables. Sexual dimorphism was observed in all traits considered (p < 0.05), except RL. Large coefficients of variation were obtained for BW, PG and NC relative to other traits considered. All linear traits had significantly positive (p < 0.05) correlations with BW in both sexes. The ranges of correlation between BW and all linear body parameters were, 0.227–0.726 and 0.183–0.878 in rams and ewes, respectively. The highest correlations with BW in rams and ewes were obtained for HG and NC, respectively. Significant path coefficients were obtained for HG and TD in rams while HG, FLL, PG, NC and RL had significant (p < 0.05) path coefficients in ewes. Though many predictor variables were considered in this study, it was concluded that HG contributed most to the coefficient of determination in both sexes. Moreover, all other predictor variables with similar (p > 0.05) path coefficients had high correlations with BW, their indirect effects were obtained mostly through HG.

Chamarito lamb was recognized as a quality brand in Spain in April 2010 and this meat is highly appreciated in the local market, but little is known about how a short fattening period may affect final product quality. Twenty lambs, ten from the Ternasco category and ten from the suckling lamb category, were slaughtered and their carcass characteristics compared. All animals were weighed at birth, weaning and before slaughter, and average daily gain was calculated. Cold carcasses were weighed and bruising score, carcass conformation and carcass fatness were noted. The left back of each carcass was separated for dissection. The meat pH, cooking and thawing losses, texture, colour and fatty acid composition were measured on M. longissimus samples. Production traits and meat quality variables were analysed fitting a one-way model with the fixed effect of mean lamb age at harvest. The conformation and degree of fatness of Ternasco-type lambs was not significantly different from suckling lambs but the pH values 24.00 hours post-mortem in muscle (pHult) of the former was slightly higher. The fatty acid profile of suckling lambs was more suitable for a healthy human diet.

Seven morphostructural traits namely head, face and skull widths and lengths and head depth of 300 cows belonging to seven different French and Spanish breeds were measured. The investigation aimed at grouping these cattle breeds according to their head conformation using principal component analysis. From the normalized varimax rotation, two principal components that accounted for 68.1 percent of the total variance were extracted. The first principal component, termed viscerocranium length component, had its loadings for face and head lengths and explained 49.9 percent of the generalized variance. Skull and head widths determined the second principal component, which contributed to 19.2 percent of the variance, and could be termed the component of the neurocranium width. There is a good deal of overlap between breeds although the Avileña breed shows an increasingly longer built skull in terms of face and skull lengths. The Blanca del Pallars breed appears significantly separated from alpine breeds but closely related to Gascon.

Animal breeding for increased productivity over the past 50 to 60 years has been very successful in terms of increasing growth rate, milk yield and egg production in most livestock producing regions of the world (Rauw et al., 1998). However, this success has not registered that well in most countries in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Ironically, just like most developing regions, SSA is faced with the challenge to increase rapidly the agricultural productivity to help feed their growing human populations without depleting the natural resource base (Rege, 2005). Genetic improvement of livestock depends on access to genetic variation and effective methods for exploiting this variation (Rege, 2005). This is where human capacity and infrastructure for decision-support systems in animal breeding are required. This paper provides a synthesis of views from a cross-section of livestock production experts working in SSA. These views were collated through an e-conference which was held from 8th March to 20th April 2011. The e-conference discussed future research and development (R&D) needs for animal breeding and genetics in SSA and how they can be met. The e-conference attracted 43 participants from 17 countries. Results from the e-conference demonstrated that the R&D institutions and infrastructure in SSA vary widely in terms of both the physical and human capacity. Equally varied is the level of utilization of these institutions. In terms of training in Animal Breeding and Genetics, although most universities/colleges have programmes in Animal Science and teach animal breeding and genetics, there are very few practicing animal breeders. Lack of mentorship programmes and collaboration, and in some cases lack of appropriate jobs, continue to contribute to this ‘leaking pipeline’ phenomenon. The following is a summary of the consensus stemming from the conference on how the efficiency and effectiveness of livestock genetic improvement in SSA could be enhanced. First, the need to augment the approach that promotes animal breeding and genetics as part of a wider agriculture and rural development system, second, collaboration both within Africa and with those in the Diaspora should be further tapped into and utilized as a source of capacity for R&D and third, initiative of sharing resources and research platforms such as pooling data for genetic analysis from across institutions, and even across countries, should be encouraged in case where this is advantageous to do so.

Egg production performance of 571 local Ghanaian chickens and 107 SASSO T44 chickens kept under improved management conditions were analysed. Average egg weight, hen-day egg production and feed conversion ratio (FCR) were determined for the three experimental chicken ecotypes. Hen-day production was significantly (P < 0.05) higher in the savannah local chicken ecotype than the forest ecotype and SASSO T44 chickens. Egg weights of local Ghanaian chickens compared favourably with values reported for local chickens in Africa. On the average, SASSO T44 had significantly (P < 0.05) higher egg weights and feed intake compared with the local chicken ecotypes. The local chicken ecotypes on the other hand, had significantly (P < 0.05) better feed conversion ratios than SASSO T44 chicken. Local Ghanaian chicken ecotypes have a more efficient FCR per every unit of egg produced compared with the control population. Low feed intake, good feed conversion ratios and adaptation to the environment are traits local chicken harbour which can be exploited in future breeding programmes to improve on chicken meat and egg production in Ghana. Ghanaian local chickens could thus be a valuable genetic resource for the development of an efficient egg production chicken breed adaptable to the humid tropical climates.

Presently, there is little organization or cooperation among countries with rabbit breeding programs with the common aim of maintaining genetic diversity, with the exception of Europe and the Mediterranean region. Particularly in the lesser developed countries (LDC's), there is limited evidence that maintaining genetic diversity in rabbit populations is even a national priority. Based on consultancies and project experiences in over fifteen LDC's, and limited reports from the literature, evaluations of breeding programs at national rabbit breeding centers have generally been less than encouraging with regard to the management of genetic resources: utilization and conservation. The purpose of this position paper is to review rabbit genetic resources management practices and trends in rabbit breeding program development which pertain to genetic resources utilization and conservation issues, and with special emphasis on the LDC's. Several measures are discussed that could enhance breeding program integrity, greater benefit limited-resource farmers, and also foster international and regional participation in rabbit genetic resources conservation programs.

A survey to document the behaviour characteristics and mortality pattern of indigenous chicken of Kerala and a field egg recording study to record egg production characteristics of these birds were conducted. Flight distance and height was 13.29 and 3.97 m, respectively. The territory radius of cocks was 121.15 m. The chick survivability at 4 weeks of age was 64.98 percent. The day-old and 8th week body weights were 28.83 and 347.24 g, respectively. The 20th and 40th week body weight of males were 1,428.42 and 1,936.67 g and that of females were 1,114.04 and 1,445.63 g, respectively. The mortality up to 72 weeks was 69.38 percent and major cause of mortality during chick, grower and layer stage were mongoose (44.63 percent), wolf (24.29 percent) and diseases (52.18 percent) respectively. The fertility was 71.22 percent and hatchability on total and fertile egg set were 62.26 and 87.42 percent, respectively. There were 2.13 clutches in a laying cycle with inter-clutch intervals of 1.11 days. The average clutch size and number of eggs per cycle were 7.27 and 14.32, respectively. The egg number up to 72 weeks on hen-day and hen-housed basis was 116.81 and 85.84, respectively and the eggs were laid in 7.7 cycles. The age at first egg and average age at sexual maturity were 155 and 199.26 days, respectively. The egg weight at 28, 40 and 72 weeks of age was 37.80, 40.74 and 43.31 g, respectively, and egg mass per bird was 4,659.04 g. The broodiness and incubation pause were 26.03 and 121.75 days, respectively.

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.

Two indigenous chicken breeds: naked neck (N) and local white (W) feathered chicken called Netch as sire lines and two exotic chicken breeds: Fayoumi (F) and Rhode Island Red (R) as dam lines were crossed with the objective of producing 4-way cross-bred chicken population, which will later be used as base population to produce synthetic chickens. They were tested under on-station conditions in a college farm and under on-farm conditions at several typical village farms. Mortality during brooding period was lower under on-farm than on-station conditions, which may be owing to housing of the chicks in hay box-brooder on-farm and the coccidiosis infection on-station. However, higher on-farm mortality was observed during the laying period than on-station; mainly because of predation. There was a significant difference between the two systems in recorded body weight from early age to maturity. Age at first egg was lower on-farm than on-station. Average number of eggs produced was not significantly different; although chickens on-station laid more eggs than those on-farm. Hen-housed egg production was lower on-farm than on-station owing to higher mortality in the on-farm system.