Food production systems in Africa depend heavily on the use of locally adapted animals. Goats are critical to small-holder farmers being easier to acquire, maintain, and act as scavengers in sparse pasture. Indigenous goats have undergone generations of adaptation and genetic isolation that have led to great phenotypic variation. These indigenous goats serve as a genetic reservoir for the identification of genes important to environmental adaptation, disease resistance, and improved productivity under local conditions.
The immediate goal is to characterize African goat populations to prioritize conservation and production efforts and to develop genomic tools for use in selective breeding programs. We have established a standardized phenotypic scoring system to characterize goats including geographical information data, body measurements, photo characterization, and DNA. To date, 2,443 goats from 12 countries, representing 46 breeds have been sampled. Using the 50K goat beadchip, we report parameters of population structure of 620 African goats.
Keywords: goat; genetics; Africa; population structure

The objective of this study was to evaluate the supplementation of bee pollen on growth performance, digestible energy intakes, digestibility, some blood parameters, carcass characteristics, caecal microbial activity and economical efficiency of growing rabbits. One hundred and twenty New Zealand White (NZW) male rabbits aged 35 days were divided and assigned randomly into 4 groups of 30 rabbits each with an average live body weight of 632 g ± 3.69. First group was kept without any treatment (control: BP0). Second (BP1), third(BP2) and fourth (BP3) groups were orally administrated by bee pollen (BP) suspension contains 500, 600 and 700 mg BP/kg body weight daily through the experimental period from 35-98 days of age. The results show that the growing rabbits supplemented with bee pollen caused significant (P≤0.05) increase in final body weight and daily weight gain and decrease in feed intake (DM and DCP) and improved in feed conversion compared with untreated group. There were significant improvement on digestibility coefficient and nutritive values of growing rabbits with BP. Also, significant increases in dressing percentage and weight of carcass, kidney, spleen, color intensity and tenderness were recorded due to increased BP, while, abdominal fat and pH meat were decreased. Also, the spleen and thymus weight and indexes were increased for all groups fed BP compared with the control group. The lowest value of pH (5.68), lowest count of E.coli (550.14 x102 CFU), anaerobic bacteria (4.54x106 CFU) and Clostridium spp. (3.85 CFU/g caecal digesta) were recorded with rabbits fed BP3. The immunity responsiveness represented in leukocytes counts, mainly on lymphocytes and immunoglobulin (IgG and IgM) concentration increased significantly with increasing BP. The BP3 showed higher values of economical efficiency compared to other groups. It was concluded that supplementing growing male rabbits with BP levels (500, 600 and 700 mg /kg BW) improve growth performance, digestibility coefficient and nutritive values, hematological and blood biochemical variables. Key words: Bee pollen, rabbits, performance, immune response, bacterial count, digestibility, blood parameters.

This study was conducted to compare effect of feeding deferent types and levels of organic acids being Propionic (0.25, 0.5and1.0% PA) and Butyric Acids (0.1, 0.2 and 0.3% BA). A total number of 189 one d-old Arbor-Acres broiler chicks were randomly divided into 7 treatment groups, each in three replicates of 9 chicks per replicate. The experiment was lasted when chicks were 42 d old. Performance, pH of some gastrointestinal tract (GI-tract) segments, organ morphology, cecal bacteria, blood metabolites, nutrients digestibility and carcass characteristics were measured. Results indicated that tested organic acids improved performance of broiler chicks measured as body weight gain and feed conversion ratio. European Production Efficiency Index (EPEI) significantly improved compared with the control group. Dietary 0.5% PA significantly improved nutrients digestibility of the experimental diets OM, EE, NFE and ME compared to the control. However, the supplementation of PA had no significant effect on the digestibility of CP and CF. While, 0.25 BA significantly improved OM, EE and ME compared to the control and CP significantly improved by using 0.1 % BA compared the other treatments and the control. The pH values were significantly reduced (p<0.01) in different GI-tract segments of the chicks compared to chicks fed the control. Lactobacillus count and coliforms were significantly increased when fed diets supplemented with 0.5 % PA and 0.2% BA compared to the control. While, anaerobes and E. Coli were significantly increased by feeding control diet. Villus height was significantly higher of all organic acids supplementation fed groups. Calcium, phosphorus, total protein and globulin in serum blood were significantly increased by 0.5% PA and 0.2% BA compared to the control. Relative weights of lymphoid organs (spleen and bursa of fabrics) were significantly higher by supplementing the tested organic acids compared to the control group. Carcass characteristics were not significantly affected by PA. Also, BA had no adverse effect on carcass characteristics, where, increased in thigh weight and decreased in abdominal fat were observed compared to the control group. In conclusion, dietary 0.5% Propionic acid as well as 0.2% Butyric acid could be used safely to improve performance and health of broiler chickens. Key words: Propionic acid, butyric acid, broiler, performance, digestibility, serum, morphology, pH and bacteria.

The experiment was performed to study the influence of type water such as tap water (TW) and well water (WW) and exposed to magnetic field (approximately 4000 gauss) on productive and reproductive performance of Egyptian geese. The experiment was investigated in 2 × 2 factorial experimental design. A flock of 108 one year-old Egyptian female geese were utilized in this investigation. Birds were randomly divided into four equal groups, each made up of three replicates of 9 geese. The treatments included TW supplemented without or with magnetic exposure (TW vs. MTW) for 1st and 2nd treatment and also the same procedure was done for the well water (WW vs. MWW) for 3rd and 4th treatment. During the experiment, laying birds of the all group was kept in intensive system which confinement in a house and fed a commercial feed ad libitum. Natural mating was practiced during the experimental period from November to the end of May. The mean results showed that:
1-Magnetic treatment induced greater effect on WW than that on TW in terms of pH, conductivity, salinity, calcium, magnesium, total hardness and dissolved oxygen.
2-The response criteria were productive and reproductive performance as egg number, egg weight, egg mass, feed conversion ratio, fertility, hatchability, egg quality traits, blood biochemical, hormone levels and growth of gosling up to 20 weeks of age.
3-Geese drank WW decreased (P≤0.05) function of the renal and liver, plasma estrogen and progesterone and total antioxidant capacity, but increased thiobarbituric acid-relative substances.
4- Geese drank water exposed to the magnetic field increased (P≤0.05) egg number, egg weight, egg mass, water consumed, fertility, hatchability, number of gosling at day-old, shell weight and thickness, yolk weight, body weight gain for gosling up to 20 weeks of age and quantity of meat produced per geese per year compared to those of geese drank un magnetized water.
5-Geese drank water exposed to the magnetic field improved (P≤0.05) renal function (urea and creatinine), liver enzyme (AST and ALT) and reproductive hormones (estrogen and progesterone) of geese compared to those drank unexposed water.
6- Gosling drank magnetic water during 4-20 weeks of age significantly (P≤0.05) increased body weight gain, meat quantity produced per geese per year and water consumed but mortality rate and feed intake decreased, and feed conversion ratio was significantly improved.
In conclusion, exposing of water and practically well water to a magnetic field may offer a solution to improve productive and reproductive performance and antioxidant status of Egyptian geese and their offsprings. This treatment may be useful management practice in the area where geese breeders depends on well water as a sole source of drinking water.
Key words: Geese, magnetic water, productive and reproductive, hormone levels and antioxidant enzymes.

Sixty weanling cross-breed male rabbits (New Zealand white X Black Baladi) at 6 weeks of age with an average 572 g live body weight were randomly distributed to 5 groups (12 animals per each). The first group was fed on a basal diet while the 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th groups were fed on diets contained 0.125, 0.25, 0.5 and 1.0% chamomile flowers (Ch.F), respectively. The results could be summarized as the following: The beast feed conversion ratio recorded with rabbits fed diet containing 0.25% Ch.F. Incorporation of Ch.F in rabbit diet improved digestibility coefficient values, blood biochemical parameters. Addition of Ch.F had a great value for reduction the microbial load in intestine. Also, Ch.F has a powerful effect on enterobacteriaceas colonization in different part of small intestine and has the capability to reduce much of pathogenic strains. From the present results it can be recommended that the best level that should be applied from the Ch.F as natural growth promoter and economical efficiency is 2.5 kg / ton diet.
Key words: chamomile, growth performance, feed additives, rabbits.

The study aimed to evaluate the effect of feeding administration of propolis on productive performance, digestibility, egg qualities, semen quality, carcass traits, some blood constituents and economic efficiency. A total of 132 Dokki 4 laying hens, aged 32 weeks, hens was divided into four groups of (30 hens+ 3 cocks). Chicks were randomly divided into control and 3 treatment groups (basal diet containing 100, 200 and 300 mg propolis/kg). The results indicated that:-
1- Final body weight, body weight gain, egg production, egg weight and egg mass for the layers fed diet supplemented with propolis were increased significantly than those fed control diet. Feed intake was not influenced by treatments, whereas feed conversion ratios were significantly improved.
2-Digestibility coefficient values significantly improved for hens fed diet supplemented with propolis compared to those fed control diet.
3- Also, treatment diet supplemented with propolis had significant increased effect on egg shape index (ESI), yolk percentages and shell thickness. However, no effect on albumen and egg shell was found.
4- Moreover, supplementation layer diets with propolis at different levels significantly improved semen quality, fertility and hatchability percentages compared to control.
5-Pre-slaughter weight, dressing, total giblets weight percentage, liver and spleen were significantly (P<0.05) higher for the treatments received propolis than those fed on control.
6- Total microflora count and pH significantly decreased (P<0.05) with increasing propolis.
7-Feeding at different levels propolis lead to significant (P<0.05) decreased of total plasma and yolk total lipids and cholesterol. While, plasma protein, globulin, IgG, IgM, and total plasma antioxidants capacity values were significantly (P<0.05) increased compared to the control group.
8- The immunity responsiveness represented in leukocytes counts and mainly on lymphocytes increased significantly with propolis treatments.
9- Better feed and economic efficiencies were observed with hens fed supplemented propolis.
In conclusion: Supplemented diet with propolis significantly improved productive, reproductive , physiological and immunological status of Dokki 4 chickens and could have better economical efficiency. Keywords: laying hens, propolis, blood components, egg production, digestibility, feed efficiency, immunity, semen quality.

This work was carried out to study the effect of supplemental dietary vitamin C on some productive physiological and immunological parameters of two chicken strains, (Dokki4 and Inshas).
A total number of 240 unsexed-one-day old chicks of each strain were used in this experiment. All chicks were randomly divided into 4 equal groups (60 chicks, each) with three replicates, each chicks were wing banded and individually weighed, to reach nearly similar average initial live bodyweight of all groups. The 1st groups was fed the basal diet without supplemental vitamin C (control), while 2nd , 3rd and 4th groups were fed the basa1 diet supplemented with 750, 1000 and 1500 mg vitamin C/kg, supplemental vitamin C significantly increased (p < 0.05) both of body weight (BW) and body weight grain (BWG) at the end of (12 WKS of age) where the best values were observed for chicks fed diets containing (1000, 1500 mg/kg) of vitamin C in treat T3 and T4, receptively. While the chicks fed diet containing basal diet recorded the lowest values. Inshas birds recorded higher (P<0.05) BW, BWG and best feed conversion values than Dokki4. Treatment 3 resulted in best BWG and feed conversion values for both Inshas and Dokki 4. Treatment 3 decreased (p<0.05) sexual maturity age as compared to the control.
The results showed that increasing the dietary vitamin C concentration to 1500 mg/kg diet (T4) significantly increased feed intake (F1) at the end of the period 12 wks in both to strain. But in layers, the results indicated that feed intake increased at sexual maturity in control than all treats in two strains. FI was significantly (p < 0.05) affected by (90 days), 3rd period (54 wks of production) and with level 4 (1500 mg vit. C /kg) in the 2nd and 3rd period (45 wks and 54 wks of production). In Dokk4 Strain, There is no significant (p < 0.05) effects on FI at any levels of vitamin during different periods except in level 3 (1500 mg of vit C/kg) in the third period in Inshas laying hens of recorded high level of FI compared to Dokk4 laying hens at all three periods. Eggs weight Values affected significantly (p <0.05) by treatment2 (750 mg vit C/kg) and T4 (1500 mg vit C/kg) during I It and 2nd periods (90 days, 45 wks of production) only in Dokk4 strain compared with control. Inshas gave higher egg mass than Dolclc4. The level of vitamin C supplementation (1000 mg/kg) bas a beneficial effect on .antibody titers against primary and secondary New Castel diseases virus, Also, antibody titers of avian influenza virus and sheep red blood cells were significantly improved by level of (1000 mg vit. C/ kg) Compared to control. Enrichment the diet with (1000 or 1500 mg vit. C/kg diet) improved semen quality only at 36 wks of age in both experimental strains.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of adding green tea leaves in diet and its aqueous extract in water as na1ural antioxidants on growth performance, digestibility, some blood parameters and carcass characteristics of growing rabbit One hundred and forty APRI line weaned rabbits (20 rabbit per treatment) of about 5 weeks of age with an average live body weight of 580 gm, were used in this study.
Seven experimental treatments were designed in this experiment to evaluate different levels of green tea leaves in diets and the same doses of green tea extract in water, which calculated as gm green tea /kg live body weight The experimental treatments were as follows: control (received basal diet and without any Supplementation in water), GTL2 (received 2% green tea leaves powder in diet and without any supplementation in water), GTL4 (received 4% green tea leaves powder in diet and without any supplementation in water) GTL6 (received 6% green tea leaves powder in diet and without any supplementation in water), GTE2 (received basal diet and aqueous green tea extract at equal dose of GTL2 supplementing in water), GTE4 (received basal diet and aqueous green tea extract at equal dose of GTL4 supplementing in water) and GTE6 (received basal diet and aqueous green tea extract at equal dose ofGTL6 supplementing in water).
The results of this. study showed that final body weight and daily weight gain did not significantly differences among rabbits received control, GTL2 and GTE2 treatments. While, final body weight and daily weight gain were decreased significantly with other levels of GTL in diet or GTE in water. Feed intake (gm/d) was decreased significantly adding GIL in diet or GTE in water. Feed conversion ratio improved significantly with adding GTL in diet or its GTE. Mortality rate did not significantly affect by experimental treatment Supplementing GTL in rabbit's diet or GTE in water had no significant effect on nutrient digestibility, except for digestion coefficient of CP, which significantly decreased with supplementing GTL or GTE. Addition of dietary green tea leaves or its aqueous extract at water decreased significantly both blood serum cholesterol and total lipids as compared with that of control. In addition there was no adverse effect on both liver and kidney functions. In conclusion, supplementing 2% green tea leaves in diet or its aqueous extract at equal dose in water as natural antioxidants for growing rabbits can reduce lipids metabolism and cholesterol content in meat without any adverse effect on their growth performance. Also, evidences indicated that green tea can decrease blood lipids tractions.
Keywords: Rabbit, green tea, digestibility, blood, growth performance.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of missing sire pedigree, missing early production records and types of models on estimating heritability, variance components and breeding values of 305-day milk yield (M305). Data was covered by a period of 41 years making "10041 records of 3500 Friesian cows progeny of 323 sires and 2364 dams. Two types of models; animal-sire-dam model (ASD) and animal-sire-maternal grand sire model (ASM) were applied. Estimates resulted from the ASD model with zyro% missing information was considered as the standard case of this study, (ASD00) and was used to compare estimates resulted from other cases. For missing sire pedigree, two ratios of missing sires were applied at random (25% and 50% ) .and for missing early lactation records two ratios were also applied randomly, (10% and 25%). Single Trait Animal Model was used to estimate variance components, heritability and breeding values of all animals for M305 considering the animal, sire and dam (or MGS) as random effects. Estimates of heritability and variance components resulting from all the scenarios were compared with the estimates of the standard case (ASD00) with complete information and pedigree. The biasness was calculated and analyzed. Results of bias analysis showed non-significant differences among scenarios of missing sire pedigree. Additive genetic variances and heritability estimates decreased as the percentage of missing sire pedigree increased except for heritability estimate of the ASM25. Also, additive genetic variances and heritability estimates decreased as the percentage of missing early lactation records increased in the scenarios of ASD model. Scenario of animal sire maternal grand sire model with zero missing pedigree (ASM00) has the smallest bias in most estimates except for estimating environmental variance. Also, estimates of ASM with 25% missing pedigree (ASM25) had less bias than estimates of ASD25. Therefore, the ASM model could be an alternative for ASD model without having a serious effect on estimating variance components and heritability.
Keywords: Dairy cattle, genetic evaluation, animal model, missing sire pedigree, missing lactation records.

The objectives of the current study were to assess the efficacy of addition of different glutamine levels diluted in low density lipoproteins (12% LDL) on the freezability and fertility of Egyptian buffalo semen. Therefore, semen was collected by artificial vagina from three buffalo bulls, around 34 years old, once weekly and held in a water bath at 35-37°C, then only ejaculates having more than 70% advanced motility were pooled for each collection day (for 4 consecutive weeks). On each collection day, pooled semen was diluted with basic 12% LDL extender and divided into 7 parts; the first one was served as control without any glutamine supplementation, while the others, glutamine (Gln) was added at levels of 10, 20, 30, 40, 50 and 60 mM. Semen diluted at a rate of 1:20 was placed into a refrigerator at 5°C for 4 b to equilibrate. At the end of equilibration period, extended semen was packaged in 0.25 ml French straws .and stored at -196°C for at least one month. Thereafter, frozen semen was thawed by dipping the straws into a water bath at 37°C for 30 seconds. Percentages of advanced motility, live, intact acrosome and plasma membrane integrity of buffalo spermatozoa were determined and recovery rate was calculated for post equilibrated and post-thawed semen. The results indicated that low Glutamine concentrations (10, 20 and 30 mM) improved significantly (P < 0.05) semen motility, live, intact acrosome and plasma membrane integrity than 50 mM or 60 mM glutamine and non significant with 40 mM after 30 days of storage in LN. In addition 12% LDL extender with 10, 20 and 30 mM glutamine resulted in the highest conception rates (72.2, 73.3 and 66.6%, respectively) followed with 40 mM Gin (62.5%), 50 mM Gln (55.6%), and 60 mM Gln (50.0%).
In conclusion, diluents based on 12% LDL plus 10 and 20 mM lead to improvement of frozen semen characteristics and fertility of Egyptian buffalo bulls semen Keywords: Buflalo bulls; Cryopreservation; Semen characteristics; 12% LDL extender; Glutamine.