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Abstract. Leptin is mainly secreted by white adipose tissue in animals. Leptin acts by stimulating or inhibiting the release of a neurotransmitter, which eventually results in a decrease in food/feed intake and an increase in energy expenditure. In this investigation, the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) coupled with single-strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP) analysis was used to reveal nucleotide sequence variations in bovine leptin gene (LEP) in 338 cattle of a variety of breeds farmed in New Zealand (NZ) and Nigeria. These included NZ Hereford, Angus, Shorthorn, and crossbred Holstein-Friesian × Jersey cattle and the Nigerian Sokoto Gudali, Red Bororo, White Fulani, and crossbred Holstein-Friesian × White Fulani cattle. Sequence analysis of three regions of bovine LEP that encompassed selected coding and non-coding regions, revealed a total of 12 nucleotide sequence variations (six in exons and six in introns). Of these, three are reported here for the first time, whereas nine have been previously described. Some of the variations identified were common in both the NZ and Nigerian cattle breeds, while others were peculiar to particular breeds from a specific region. The sharing of common variants across different breeds irrespective of geography may indicate an evolutionary relationship, just as the differences within a breed might be attributable to either selective pressure for specific traits or random genetic drift. The detection of both new and previously documented variations in bovine LEP suggests that the gene is highly variable.

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The myostatin gene (MSTN), which encodes the protein myostatin, is pleiotropic, and its expression has been associated with both increased and decreased adipogenesis and increased skeletal muscle mass in animals. In this study, the polymerase chain reaction, coupled with single strand conformation polymorphism analysis, was utilized to reveal nucleotide sequence variation in bovine MSTN in 410 New Zealand (NZ) Holstein-Friesian × Jersey (HF × J)-cross cows. These cows ranged from 3 to 9 years of age and over the time studied, produced an average 22.53 ± 2.18 L of milk per day, with an average milk fat content of 4.94 ± 0.17% and average milk protein content of 4.03 ± 0.10%. Analysis of a 406-bp amplicon from the intron 1 region, revealed five nucleotide sequence variants (A–E) that contained seven nucleotide substitutions. Using general linear mixed-effect model analyses the AD genotype was associated with reduced C10:0, C12:0, and C12:1 levels when compared to levels in cows with the AA genotype. These associations in NZ HF × J cross cows are novel, and they suggest that this variation in bovine MSTN could be explored for increasing the amount of milk unsaturated fatty acid and decreasing the amount of saturated fatty acid.

Lumpy Skin Disease (LSD) is a severe viral transboundary disease of mostly cattle caused by LSD Virus (LSDV). This epidemiological survey of LSD amongst herds of cattle in Bokkos Local Government Area (LGA) of North Central Nigeria was carried out in 2019 as a response to farmers’ reports of repeated outbreaks of LSD in their herds of cattle. A focused group discussion with cattle farmers purposefully selected was used for the disease investigation and data collection. Twelve skin scab samples were collected from suspected cases within the study area. The viral attachment protein gene of the LSDV was amplified using polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Analysis of the focus group discussion revealed that all farmers interviewed practiced extensive farm management system and claimed that their animals shared same communal water points and grazing area. Furthermore, 47% (7/15) of the farmers have experienced LSD twice in their herds, while 27% (4/15) have had the outbreak thrice on their farms. The morbidity rates of LSD were 3% – 49% and mortality rates were 1% – 6%. Sixty percent of farmers claimed that incidence of LSD is related to season of the year. All farmers sell off their sick animals in the livestock market and confirmed LSD affects market price of their animals. PCR results revealed that in 91.6% (11/12) samples analysed, LSDV was detected. This study confirms LSD outbreaks based on PCR result and clinical signs and symptoms in Butura, Daffo and Kunduk of Bokkos LGA, North Central Nigeria.

Animal production is a booming industry with the improvement of economically desirable traits as its primary concern. Markerassisted selection utilizes genetic variations within candidate genes that influence production traits as a means of guiding animal breeding and improving the traits of interest. Growth hormone (GH) plays a crucial role in pre-natal muscular and bone growth and development. GH brings about various physiological functions either directly by binding its receptor or indirectly by stimulating the release of insulin growth factor 1 (IGF1). Insulin growth factor 1 receptor (IGF1R) mediates its function on metabolism, homeostasis and development upon the binding of IGF1. The POU-domain class 1 transcription factor 1 (POU1F1) regulates the pre-natal development of cells of the anterior pituitary, including somatotrophs that produce GH. Reports have demonstrated associations between polymorphisms in these genes and animal production traits. This novel study examined the polymorphisms in the coding regions of candidate genes, GH2Z, IGF1R and POU1F1, in New Zealand (NZ) sheep. The sheep breeds investigated were NZ Romney and Merino, two commercially sought-after breeds. The results revealed two variants, AA and AB, for the exon 3 of POU1F1. The AA and AB genotypes had frequencies of 78% and 22% for Romney sheep, and 64% and 36% for Merino sheep respectively. All frequencies were in accordance with the Hardy-Weinberg Equilibrium (P > 0.05). The exon 2 of GH2Z revealed multiple variations while no variation was detected for the exon 15 of IGF1R..

Sero-prevalence diagnosis of HIV among six hundred and ninety-one (691) pregnant women attending antenatal Clinic in General Hospital Kaltungo was carried out from the month of December, 2011 to May, 2012. Blood samples obtained from pregnant women of different age groups, social and economic status were screened using Abbott determine rapid test strip. Out of the 691 sera collected, 65 (9.4%) were HIV sero-positive. The prevalence rate was 15 in 15-24 years age group, 45 in 25-34 age group and 5 in 35 years and above. This result indicates highest incidence rate among age group 25-35 years which is a sexually active age group. Chi square analysis at 5% confidence level revealed that at 2 degree of freedom age plays a role in the prevalence rate. Actions should therefore be taken to prevent mother to child transmission and also control the spread of the infection.