EFFECT OF MATERNAL HAEMOGLOBIN VARIANT ON PRE-WEANING GROWTH RATE OF SELECTED BREEDS OF NIGERIAN SHEEP

Iyiola-Tunji, A.O. Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria

Introduction
Nigerian sheep breeds and their productive potentials - Adu and Ngere (1979). Limited attempts at improvement of Nigerian sheep breeds.

Localized rearing of sheep in ecological zones Osinowo and Adu, 1985. Sheep breed characteristics and agro-ecologicical location.
Sheep improvement through crossbreeding.

Introduction Contd
Some adaptive and productive traits in sheep had been linked to some variants of blood proteins. Electrophoretic study of sheep haemoglobin types showed that there are three main genotypes, which are HbAA, HbBB and HbAB. Variants of haemoglobin as genetic markers for selection of superior animals as parent of the next generation.

Objective of the study

This study was aimed at evaluating the

effect of maternal haemoglobin variant on

the pre-weaning growth rate of lambs in a diallel crossbreeding involving Yankasa, Uda and Balami.

Materials and methods

Study location. Sheep breed used.
Table 1: Diallel breeding pattern

Breeding pattern.

Sire breed Yankasa Uda Balami Yankasa Yankasa Uda Uda Balami Balami

Dam breed Yankasa Uda Balami Uda Balami Yankasa Balami Yankasa Uda

Materials and methods Contd

All lambs were singles. Lambs identification. Lambs weighed at birth and 2 weeks interval. Statistical analysis - GLM Proc (SAS, 2003); - Chi Square Proc. Blood sample collection

Biochemical analysis of blood samples.

Materials and methods Contd

Blood sample collection. Sample analysis using cellulose acetate electrophoresis.
Anode

B A Cathode
Figure 1: Electrophoregram of haemoglobin variants

Results and discussion

Table 2: Frequency of haemoglobin variants Genotype frequency Dam Hb Frequency Percent Sire Hb Frequency

AA
BB AB

40
10 75

32.0
8.0 60.0 Gene frequency

AA
BB AB

0
0 10

Dam A 0.62

Sire A 50.0

B 0.38 B 50.0 Hb = Haemoglobin; X2 = 50.8, P<0.01

Results and discussion Contd

Allele A had the highest frequency (62%) in the dam population. This was in agreement with the report of Akinyemi (2010) on Hb frequencies from similar breeds of sheep. Evans et al. (1958) had earlier suggested that HbA has a selective advantage at higher altitudes because it constitutes the most common allele in highlands breeds of sheep.

Results and discussion Contd

Contrastly, Salako et al. (2007) reported a higher frequency of HbB in population of West African Dwarf sheep at low altitude in South-West Nigeria.

Results and discussion Contd

Table 3: Cross-tabulation of lamb genotype by dam haemoglobin variant Dam haemoglobin Lamb genotype A YK X YK UD X UD BL X BL YK X UD YK X BL UD X YK UD X BL BL X YK 15 (50.0) 0 0 (0.0) (0.0) B 5 (16.7) 0 (0.0) 2 (16.7) 0 (0.0) 0 (0.0) 0 (0.0) 3 (16.7) 0 (0.0) AB 10 (33.3) 10 (100.0) 10 (83.3) 10 (50.0) 5 (100.0) Total 30 10 12 20 5 10 18 15

10 (50.0) 0 0 (0.0) (0.0)

10 (100.0) 5 (27.8)

10 (55.6) 5 (33.3)

10 (66.7)

BL X UD in parenthesis are expression of frequencies in percentages 0 (0.0) 0 (0.0) 5 (100.0) 5 Figures

Results and discussion Contd

Table 4: Least square means (SEM) of gestation length of dams and growth rate of lambs as affected by dams haemoglobin variant Dam haemoglobin variant Trait GLT (days) BWT (kg) 2WT (kg) 4WT (kg) 6WT (kg) 8WT (kg) 10WT (kg) 12WT (kg)
abMeans

AA 153.250.51b 2.910.09 b 4.660.16 b 5.690.19 b 6.210.21 b 7.010.24 b 7.690.22 b 7.960.30 b

BB 153.900.89 b 3.340.16 a 5.270.27 a 6.560.34 a 7.140.37 a 7.850.42 a 8.710.47 a 8.850.52 a

AB 152.200.28a 3.010.05 a 5.290.09 a 6.430.11 a 7.200.12 a 8.070.14 a 8.860.15 a 9.300.17 a

Overall mean 152.670.28 3.000.06 5.090.09 6.210.11 6.880.12 7.720.14 8.470.15 8.830.16

across rows with different superscripts are significantly different (P<0.01).

Results and discussion Contd

The heterozygous form of haemoglobin (HbAB) in the population was probably more adapted to the semi-arid condition of the study area than the homozygous form HbAA.

This is clearly seen in better performance (in terms of pre-weaning growth rate) of the lamb and the abundance of the genotype (HbAB) in the population.

Results and discussion Contd

Gootwine (1988) corroborated the result of this study.

He stated that HbAB genonotype showed a significant advantage over the other genotypes in both lamb and milk production.

Conclusion
Haemoglobin genotype AB (HbAB) was the predominant variant in the sheep population in NAPRI, Zaria, Nigeria. HbAB dams had reduced gestation length and produced lambs that performed outstandingly better than HbAA dams.

Recommendation
The shorter gestation length and faster lamb growth recorded for dams with HbAB should be considered and used in selection for a reduced gestation length and improved growth rate of lambs in the population.

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