Non-Genetic Factors Affecting Grasscutter Production Traits. 1. Growth Traits

Transcription

1 Worl Applie Sienes Journl 8 (0): 4-44, 0 ISSN IDOSI Pulitions, 0 DOI: 0.589/iosi.wsj Non-Geneti Ftors Affeting Grssutter Proution Trits.. Grow Trits,,4,5 3 4 S.Y. Annor, B.K. Ahunu, G.S. Aogye, K. Bo-Amponsem n J.P. Cssy Deprtment of Animl Siene Eution, College of Agriulture Eution, University of Eution, Winne, P.O. Box 40, Mmpong-Ashnti, Ghn Deprtment of Animl Siene, College of Agriulture n Consumer Sienes, University of Ghn, P.O. Box LG 57, Legon, Ar, Ghn 3 Animl Reserh Institute, Counil for Sientifi n Inustril Reserh, P.O. Box AH 0, Ahimot, Ar, Ghn 4 Deprtment of Animl Siene, College of Agriulture n Life Sienes, Nor Crolin Stte University, Cmpus Box 76/3B Polk Hll, Rleigh NC , Nor Crolin, USA Astrt: This stuy ws onute t e grssutter setion of e University of Eution, Winne, Ghn, to estimte effets of non-geneti ftors on grow trits. Dt onsiste of reors of 50 kis orn from 36 oes n 40 sires from 006 to 00. Fee intke inrese (P<0.0) wi inresing prity n yers, whilst fee effiieny eline (P<0.0) wi yers. Animls onsume less (P<0.0) fee in e ry seson ompre to e riny seson. Inrese litter size resulte in erese oy weight (P<0.0) n grow rte (P<0.05) from ir to six mons, fter whih e effet iminishe (P>0.05). Mles were signifintly hevier (P<0.05) n grew fster (P<0.0) n femles from wening to uloo. Boy weight n grow rte inrese signifintly wi inresing yers (P<0.05). Animls t were oneive in e riny seson h hevier (P<0.0) weights t sexul mturity n grew fster (P<0.0) n ose oneive uring e ry seson n ose t were orn in e ry seson grew fster (P<0.05) t e ge of 4-8 mons n ose orn in e riny seson. It ws onlue t e non-geneti ftors influene e trits stuie; so pproprite justments must e me when estimting geneti vlues for reeing progrmme in grssutter. Key wors: Thryonomys swinerinus Boy weight Grow rte Fee intke Fee onversion rtio environmentl ftors The influene of non-geneti ftors on grow performne of omesti livestok is very well oumente in tritionl livestok speies rere in tropil environments [e.g. 3-7]. There is, however, snty informtion in e literture out e effet of non- geneti ftors on grssutter grow trits. The ojetive of is work ws to estimte effets of non-geneti ftors on grssutter grow trits. MATERIALS AND METHODS The stuy ws rrie out t e grssutter setion of e Deprtment of Animl Siene Eution, University of Eution, Winne, Ghn, from 006 to INTRODUCTION Non-geneti ftors re mesurle environmentl effets t ffet niml performne. They inlue weight of m, prity of m, ge of m, sex of ki, litter size, ge of ki, seson of mting n of ir, yer of ir et. In seleting nimls to e prents of e next genertion, omprison shoul e me etween ontemporry groups of nimls. To improve rte of geneti gin, mesure performne of nimls wi respet to prtiulr trit shoul e juste for vrious known environmentl or non-geneti ftors whih isguise or msk geneti expression for t trit [-3]. Corresponing Auor: S.Y. Annor, Deprtment of Animl Siene Eution, College of Agriulture Eution, University of Eution, Winne, P.O. Box 40, Mmpong-Ashnti, Ghn. 4

2 Worl Appl. Si. J., 8 (0): 4-44, Mmpong-Ashnti is lote in e trnsitionl zone Dt were sujete to lest squres nlysis using etween e Guine svnn zone of e nor n Generlize Liner Moels (GLM) Type III proeure of tropil rin forest of e sou of Ghn. It lies etween SAS [0] on e following fixe moels: ltitue nor n longitue 0 4 west wi n ltitue of 457m ove se level. Mximum n minimum y ijklmnp= µ + T i+ S j+ P k+ V l+ Z m+y n+ts ij+tp ik+tv il+ nnul tempertures reore uring e stuy perio Tz im+ty in+sp jk+sv jl+sz jm+sy jn+pv kl+pz km+py kn+ were 30.6 C n. C, respetively [8]. Rinfll in VZ lm+vy ln+zy mn+eijklmnp e istrit is imol, ourring from April to July (mjor riny seson) n gin August to Novemer Where yijklmnp is e oservtion or trit eing onsiere; (minor riny seson) n is out m per nnum. µ = e overll men; T i = e effet of e i type of ir The ry seson ours from Deemer to Mrh. (TOB), i = 7; S j = e effet of e j sex of ki, j =..; The vegettion is trnsitionl svnn wooln. P k = e effet of e k prity of m, k = 3; V l= e The ommon foer speies t re routinely fe to effet of e l seson of mting (SOM), l =..3; Z m = e grssutters, Pennisetum purpureum (elephnt grss) n effet of e m seson of ir (SOB), m =..3; Y n= e Pnium mximum (guine grss) re reily ville in effet of e n yer of ir (YOB), n = 5; TS, TP, TV, is zone. TZ, TY, SP, SV, SZ, SY, PV, PZ, PY, VZ, VY n ZY re e Dt from rnom mting popultion were use for orresponing -wy intertions n eijklmnp is e rnom e stuy. Dt onsiste of reors on 50 kis orn to error term. Three-wy n higher level intertions were 36 oes n 40 sires over perio of 5 yers (006-00). not onsiere importnt. Differenes etween mens of Dms from is group gve ir up to e ir prity. signifint effets were seprte y proility of Animls were fe sl iet of elephnt grss ifferene (PDIFF) proeure of SAS [0]. (Pennisetum purpureum) n supplementry rtion of The reltive importne of fixe ftor in influening onentrte t ontine 4% rue protein. trit ws etermine y using e oeffiient of Conentrte supplement ws ompose of mize (44%), etermintion (R ) rough regression nlysis [0]. whet rn (4%), soyen (9%), oyster shell (5%), The kwr elimintion proeure, whih involves ommon slt (0.5) n vitmin-minerl-premix (0.5). strting wi ll nite vriles n testing em one Chemil nlysis of smples of elephnt grss n y one for sttistil signifine, eleting ny t re onentrte were rrie out, oring to e proeure not signifint ws use []. outline y [9]. Results of e fee nlysis re presente in Tle. Animls were rere n house in onrete RESULTS AND DISCUSSION n wooen ges ple in lrge niml house. Mting took ple roughout e yer. Animls were ientifie Effet of Non-geneti Ftors on Fee Intke n Fee y metl er tgs (Huptner, Germny). Trits onsiere Conversion Rtio were ry mtter fee intke (FI), fee onversion rtio Averge Vlues of Fee Intke n Fee Conversion (FCR), weights t ir (BWT), wening (WWT), 4 Rtio: Lest squres mens of FI n FCR re shown in mons (BWT4), 6 mons (BWT6), 8 mons (BWT8) Tle. Fee intke n FCR were mesure from 4-6 n grow rtes from ir to mons (PWADG), -4 mons. Averge ry mtter ily fee intke of 08. mons (ADG4), 4-6 mons (ADG6) n 6-8 mons g/y otine for growing grssutters etween e (ADG8). Fee intke for o onentrte n grss were weight of g is wiin e rnge of vlues mesure for rnom smple of 99 nimls t ge 4-6 ( g/y) reporte for e sme ge n weight mons. rnge [-5]. Men FCR of 4.4 is lso wiin e rnge Tle : Proximte nlysis of elephnt grss n onentrte supplement Elephnt Grss Nutrient Composition Mjor Rins Minor Rins Dry Seson Conentrte Crue Protein (%) Crue Fire (%) Eer Extrt (%) Ash (%) Dry Mtter (%) Nitrogen Free Extrtives (%) ME (kl/kg)

3 Worl Appl. Si. J., 8 (0): 4-44, 0 Tle : Lest squre mens n stnr errors for e effet of fixe ftors on fee intke n fee effiieny Fixe Ftor No. Fee Intke (gdm/y) Fee Effiieny (Rtio) Type of ir ± ± ± ± ± ± ± ± ± ± ± ± ± ±.66 Sex of Ki Femle 9 0.7±.7 4.9±.06 Mle 07.6± ±.08 Prity ± ± ± ± ±.0 5.4±.3 Yer of ir ± ± ±.75.± ±.53.3± ± ± ± ±.8 Seson of mesurement Mjor rins ± ±.5 Minor rins 5 0.± ±.8 Dry seson ±.93.6±.9 Overll ± ±0.4 Numer of nimls Proility vlue of test of min effets Mens in e sme olumn n wiin e sme effet, wi ifferent supersripts re signifintly ifferent ( ) reporte y e sme uors. The Effet of Litter Size: Litter size (type of ir) h little urrent FCR is etter n 9.0 otine y [3] effet (P > 0.05) on FI ut FCR improve (P < 0.05) wi feeing grss lone ut poorer n 5. n 7.5 inresing litter size (Tle ). Type of ir expline 0% otine y [5] feeing onentrte lone n of e vrition in FCR. Effet of litter size on FI n FCR 5%:85% grss-onentrte mixture, respetively. hs not een stuie in e grssutter. However, severl The FCR is 3.8 times poorer when ompre to ose of stuies on oer litter ering speies hve een rits [6]. onute in pigs n rits. [0] foun no signifint Fee onversion rtio is e effetiveness wi effet of litter size on FI n FCR in pigs. [] foun whih fee is onverte to slele met prout. signifint effet of litter size on FI n FCR in rits. Fee osts re eoming mjor input in grssutter In t experiment, on per pit sis, rits from lrge proution systems euse of e use of onentrte litters onsume less (P < 0.05) fee n ose from n lour ost of utting grss. Geneti improvement smll litters n nimls rise in lrge litters h e est in FCR or its reiprol, fee onversion effiieny (P < 0.05) fee onversion rtio ompre to ose rise my erefore hve n importnt influene on profitility in smll litters. Crsses of nimls in lrge litters [7]. There is sustntil geneti vrition in FCR ontine signifintly more wter n nitrogen, reltively [8]. Sine grssutters n e ge iniviully more protein n less ft n ose in smll litters. [] n fe, seletion n esily e one to improve e furer expline t energy requirement for mintenne trit euse fee intke n e mesure on iniviul of nimls in lrge litters ws proly lower ue eir grssutters. Furermore, sine FCR is negtively smller oy weight. Reltively more energy must hve n fvourly orrelte wi oy weight n een ville for oy grow in nimls of lrge litters grow rte [9], geneti improvement of oy weight resulting in etter fee onversion. The results otine or grow rte will le to negtive orrelte response in is work on FCR oul e expline y e sme in FCR. resons given ove y []. 44

4 Worl Appl. Si. J., 8 (0): 4-44, 0 Effet of Sex of Ki: Sex h little effet (P > 0.05) on o ose in prity. Inresing prity y level FI n FCR (Tle ). Thus, sex ws not reltively inrese FI y.0 g/y. Prity expline.6% of importnt in explining vrition in eier FI or FCR. Sex e vrition in FI. Fee intke inrese wi usully influenes FI n FCR euse mles n femles inresing prity euse kis from oler oes were proue ifferent sex hormones, whih ffet ese trits hevier n grew fster n ose from younger oes. ifferently. The quntity of progesterone, testosterone [5] reporte t prity signifintly ffete litter FI or n oestrogen relese y e oy hs effets on fee FCR in rits. However, [5] inite t prity i not intke, grow rte n fee effiieny []. In gots, [3] influene FI lough it signifintly ffete FCR in foun no ifferene (P > 0.05) etween e two sexes rits. onsuming rop resiues, ut foun n effet (P < 0.05) of sex on FCR, wi FCR eing etter in uks n in oes. Yer Effets: Bo FI n FCR inrese (P < 0.0) In poultry, FCR of femle roilers ws foun to e poorer slightly wi inresing yers (Tle ). A one unit n mle irs of omprle ges. The reson for is inrese in yer inrese FI y.5 g/y n FCR y.. ws t femle irs ten to eposit proportionlly more Yer of ir ounte for 7.5 n 4.9% of e vrition ft in e rss [4]. Boy ft tkes more fee energy to in FI n FCR, respetively. Fee intke n FCR proue n oes musle. inrese wi yers, initing less effiieny. Inresing FI proly resulte from inresing weight n grow Effet of Prity of Dm: Prity lrgely ffete (P < 0.05) rte of nimls over e yers (Tles 3-5) euse hevy FI ut h little effet (P > 0.05) on FCR (Tle ). Animls n fst growing nimls onsume more fee n lighter from ifferent prities onsume similr (P > 0.05) mount n slow growing ones. Smll-size nimls re more of foo, wi e exeption of ose in prity 3, whih effiient in onverting fee into musle n lrge-size onsume 6.0 gdm more (P < 0.05) fee per y n ones [4, ]. Tle 3: Lest squre mens n stnr errors for e effet of fixe ftors on ir, wening n 4-mon weights BWT WWT BWT Fixe effet No. g No. g No. g Type of ir < < < ± ± ± ± ± ± ± ± ± ± ± ± ± ± ± ± ± ± ± ± ±59.7 Sex of Ki Femle ± ± ±8.08 Mle 57 7.± ± ±7.6 Prity P = P = 0.6 P = ± ± ± ± ± ± ± ± ±4.05 Yer of ir < < < ± ± ± ± ± ± ± ± ± ± ± ± ± ±5.3 6.±53.56 Mting seson < < Mjor rins ± ± ±37.48 Minor rins ± ± ±35.40 Dry seson 49 3.± ± ±3.4 Seson of ir < Mjor rins ± ± ±39.86 Minor rins ± ± ±38.36 Dry seson 7 8.3± ± ±7.08 Overll ± ± ±3.35 Numer of nimls Proility vlue of test of min effets Mens in e sme olumn n wiin e sme effet, wi ifferent supersripts re signifintly ifferent Bir weight (BWT); wening weight (WWT); 4 mon weight (BWT4). 45

5 Worl Appl. Si. J., 8 (0): 4-44, 0 Tle 4: Lest squre mens n stnr errors for e effet of fixe ftors on 6- n 8-mon weights n pre-wening grow rte BWT6 BWT8 PWADG Fixe effet No. g No. g No. g/y Type of ir < < ± ±5.8 7.± ± ± ± ± ± ± ± ± ± ± ± ± ± ± ± ± ± ±0.5 Sex of Ki Femle ± ± ±0.4 Mle ± ± ±0.3 Prity ± ± ± ± ± ± ± ± ±0.36 Yer of ir < < < ± ± ± ± ± ± ± ± ± ± ± ± ± ± ±0.39 Mting seson < < Mjor rins ± ± ±0.3 Minor rins ± ± ±0.9 Dry seson ± ± ±0.7 Seson of ir Mjor rins ± ± ±0.33 Minor rins ± ± ±0.3 Dry seson ± ± ±0.3 Overll ± ± ±0. Numer of nimls Proility vlue of test of min effets Mens in e sme olumn n wiin e sme effet, wi ifferent supersripts re signifintly ifferent Six mon weight (BWT6); 8 mon weight (BWT8); pre-wening grow rte (PWADG). Tle 5: Lest squre mens n stnr errors for e effet of fixe ftors on grow rtes from wening to 4 mons, 4-6 n 6-8 mons. ADG4 ADG6 ADG Fixe effet No. g/y No. g/y No. g/y Type of ir ± ± ± ± ± ± ± ± ± ± ± ± ± ± ± ± ±.0 5.8± ± ± ±.09 Sex of Ki < Femle ± ± ±0.5 Mle ± ± ±0.5 Prity P = P = ± ± ± ± ± ± ± ± ±

6 Worl Appl. Si. J., 8 (0): 4-44, 0 Tle 5: Continue ADG4 ADG6 ADG Fixe effet No. g/y No. g/y No. g/y Yer of ir < ± ± ± ± ± ± ± ± ± ± ± ± ± ± ±0.94 Mting seson < < Mjor rins ± ± ±0.78 Minor rins 3 7.8± ± ±0.6 Dry seson 7 7.6± ± ±0.53 Seson of ir < Mjor rins ± ± ±0.74 Minor rins ± ± ±0.76 Dry seson 3 8.4± ± ±0.53 Overll ± ± ±0. Numer of nimls Proility of test of min effets Mens in e sme olumn n wiin e sme effet, wi ifferent supersripts re signifintly ifferent Grow rte from -4 mons (ADG4); grow rte from 4-6 mons (ADG6); grow rte from 6-8 mons (ADG8). Seson of Mesurement Effets: Animls onsume more intke, igestiility of ry mtter, protein n ft n (P < 0.05) fee in e mjor riny seson n in e ry exhiite signifintly lower grow rtes n nimls fe seson (Tle ). Animls onsume similr (P > 0.05) low fire iets [3]. mount of fee in e minor riny seson n in e ry seson. Seson of mesurement expline.8% of e Effet of Non-geneti Ftors on Boy Weight n vrition in FI. Fee onversion rtio of nimls in e ry Grow Rte seson ws etter (P < 0.0) n ose in e two riny Averge Vlues of Boy Weight n Grow Rte: sesons (Tle ). Animls in e two riny sesons h Lest squres mens of oy weights re shown in similr (P > 0.05) effiienies (Tle ). Seson of mting Tle 3 n 4. Men vlues of grow rtes re shown in expline 0% of e vrition in fee onversion rtio. Tle 4 n 5. The men BWT n WWT otine in is Thus e effet of seson of mesurement ws importnt stuy fll wiin e rnge of weights reporte in e in influening FI n FCR. literture. The verge ir weight of 3.6 g otine in Low FI of e nimls in e ry seson my e is stuy is slightly higher n 0.5 g reporte y [3] survivl strtegy. In e wil, ere re usully unnt ut lower n 5. g otine y [33]. The men WWT fee resoures in e riny seson ut fee eomes (535.6 g) is lso higher n n 53.0 g reporte y sre in e ry seson. Roents hve e pity to [3] n [34], respetively ut lower n g reporte just eir igestive ttriutes to hnges in foo y [35]. The men BWT4, BWT6 n BWT8 re elow, vilility n/or qulity in orer to mximize overll ut lose to e reporte vlues. [36, 37] reporte BWT4 energy return [7, 8]. Furermore, FI in e ry seson of g n g, respetively, whih ws low euse e qulity of grss in e ry seson re ll higher n g oserve in is work. The ws poor ue to low rue protein, high fire n low men BWT6 of g is elow g n g solule rohyrte ontent (s inite y e reporte y [37] n [3], respetively. The men BWT8 nitrogen free extrtives ontent) (Tle ). The fee in of 690. is lso elow e rnge of g, e ry seson ws us highly lignifie (ontining high reporte y [36] n [37]. fire) wi less proportion of leves [9, 30]. Levels of Differenes in weights my e ue to ifferent fire n protein in e grss will limit fee intke. environments (nutrition, ountry, frm mngement et.) Stuies on e influene of fire in e iet on e grow hrterizing is stuy n e oers. The oer rtes n igestiility of nutrients in grssutters hve stuies originte from Ghn, Benin n Nigeri. prove t nimls fe high fire iets h reue fee Mirolimti ifferenes etween n wiin ifferent 47

7 Worl Appl. Si. J., 8 (0): 4-44, 0 ountries, ffet e nutritive vlue of grss [38]. is seen in uloo, ut e effet is reue in lte Frm mngement prties n lso ffet vrition in uloo y ompenstory grow [46]. A similr effet niml performne. For exmple, whilst [3] in Ghn ws foun in is stuy. Inresing litter size ws relte use guine grss in eir stuy, [39] in Benin use to eresing grow n live weights from ir to six onentrte, whilst oer stuies use o onentrte mons, fter whih perio e effet iminishe. n grss in ifferent proportions. The men PWADG (6.9 g/y) is wiin e rnge Effet of Sex: Alough mle kis were slightly hevier ( g/y) previously reporte [34, 36, 40-4]. n femles t ir (Tle 3), e ifferene in weight However, men ADG4 (7.0 g/y), ADG6 (6.8 g/y) n (.9 g) h little effet (P > 0.05) on e trit. There ws ADG8 (6. g/y) re elow, ut lose to e rnges lso little effet (P > 0.05) of sex on BWT6 (Tle 4). ( g/y; g/y; g/y, respetively) However, mle kis were hevier n femles t wening previously reporte [34, 36, 40-4]. Differenes in vlues (P < 0.05), 4 mons (P < 0.05) n 8 (P < 0.0) mons otine in is stuy n ose previously reporte (Tle 3 n 4). At wening, mle kis were 4% hevier oul e ue to similr resons ssigne ove for live n femles n e vntge ws rrie to 4 n 8 weights. mons t whih time mles were 6 n 8% hevier n femles, respetively. Sex expline 0.3, 0.5,., 0. n Effet of Litter Size: Bir weight erese (P < 0.0) 3.% of e vrition in BWT, WWT, BWT4, BWT6 n wi inresing litter size, wi nimls orn singly hving BWT8, respetively. It ws onlue t sexul e highest BWT n ose in e lrgest litters hving ifferenes on oy weight were more importnt t e e lowest BWT (Tle 3). Similr trens were oserve post-wening stge n pre-wening. for WWT, BWT4 (Tle 3) n BWT6 (Tle 4). Mle kis grew fster n femles y 4% from ir However, t 8 mons is effet iminishe (Tle 4). to wening n y 5% from wening to 4 mons ut e At is ge, nimls of ll litter size levels h similr ifferene in grow h little effet (P > 0.05) on e trit (P > 0.05) weights, exept single orn nimls whih were in o ses. Thus, PWADG n ADG4 were similr in still hevier (P < 0.0) n e rest. For every unit o mles n femles (Tle 4 n 5). Grow rtes from inrese in litter size, ere were 8.8, 50., 67.0, 54.5 n 4-6 n 6-8 mons were higher (P < 0.0) in mles n 8.6 g loss in BWT, WWT, BWT4, BWT6 n BWT8, femles (Tle 5). Mles grew fster (P < 0.0) n respetively. Litter size t ir ounte for 6.7, 3.4, femles y n 38% from 4-6 n 6-8 mons, 8., 3. n 5.% of e vrition in BWT, WWT, BWT4, respetively. Sex ounte for 0.4,.0,.0 n 6.3% of BWT6 n BWT8, respetively. e vrition in PWADG, ADG4, ADG6 n ADG8, Litter size ffete PWADG (P < 0.0), ADG4 respetively. It ws gin onlue t sexul (P < 0.0) n ADG8 (P < 0.05) (Tle 4 & 5) ut it h ifferenes on grow rte were more importnt t e little effet (P > 0.05) on ADG6 (Tle 5). Effets of litter post-wening stge n pre-wening. size on grow rte were us similr to ose in oy Sex h little or no influene on grow n oy weights. Regression of PWADG, ADG4 n ADG8 on weight from ir to wening, ut ws signifint from litter size t ir resulte in erese in grow rte of 0.7, wening to uloo in is stuy. Results of e stuy 0.3 n 0.5 g/y respetively. Litter size t ir expline re in greement wi t of [47] who oserve no 0.7,. n.% of e vrition in PWADG, ADG4 n signifint ifferenes etween mles n femles t ir ADG8, respetively. n t wening. However, [34] oserve t sex of ki Similr oservtions were me in grssutters y signifintly influene ir n wening weights, wi [3, 34]. Their oservtions onfirm e work of [43] who mle kis weighing hevier n femles. Results of reporte t oy weights of roents t wening re e stuy lso gree wi e finings of [48]. At e elieve to e inversely relte to e numer of nimls post-wening stge of grow, ey oserve t e in e litter uring e ir-to-wening perio. It hs lso grow rte n oy weight of mle grssutters een oserve in rts t nimls orn in lrge litters were signifintly higher n ose of femles. It ws grow more slowly, weigh less n ontin less ft t erefore onlue t sexul ifferenes in grow wening n roughout uloo n ose orn in n oy weight re not importnt t e pre-wening smll litters [44, 45]. Differenes in size n oy stge, ut eome prominent from out 4 mons to omposition hve een ttriute to e limite mount of uloo, t whih time mles re signifintly hevier milk ville to kis in lrge litters [43]. The isvntge n femles. 48

8 Worl Appl. Si. J., 8 (0): 4-44, 0 Effet of Prity: Prity h little effet (P > 0.05) on BWT, ir n e rought out y elierte s well s WWT, BWT4 n 8WT (Tle 3 & 4) ut h lrge effet unontrollle hnges in vrious ftors of mngement on (P < 0.05) on BWT6 (Tle 4). Animls orn to ms of n environment [4, 5, 5]. Mngement hnges oul e first prity were lighter (P < 0.05) t 6 mons n hve ffete e grow n evelopment of e nimls. ose in e seon n ir prity. Animls in For instne, in 006, nimls were fe solely on grss e seon n ir prity h similr (P > 0.05) BWT6. wiout supplementry fee. In 007, supplementry fee For unit inrese in prity level, ere ws 5. g (onentrte) ontining 0% rue protein (soyen inrese in BWT6. Prity ounte for.0% of e soure) ws introue. In 008 onwrs, rue protein vrition in BWT6. onentrtion of e fee supplement ws inrese to Prity lso h little effet (P > 0.05) on PWADG, 4%. Oer ftors whih iffere from yer to yer suh ADG4 n ADG8 (Tle 4 & 5) ut h lrge effet s iseses, nutritionl qulity of grss n experiene of (P < 0.05) on ADG6. There ppere to e no pttern or e stokmen oul lso hve ontriute to e tren of e effet of prity on ADG6 (Tle 4). Prity signifint yer of ir effet. ounte for 0.4% of e vrition in ADG6. Prity of m h little to no influene on oy Sesonl Effets: Seson of mting h very lrge effet weights n grow rtes. Similr results were oserve (P < 0.0) on BWT, WWT, BWT6 n BWT8 ut little y [34] in Nigeri who reporte t prity h no effet effet (P > 0.05) on BWT4 (Tle 3 & 4). Kis oneive on ir n wening weight or pre-wening ily gin. in e ry seson were (P < 0.05) n 8% (P < 0.0) Alough prity hs een reporte to influene mternl hevier in BWT n WWT, respetively n ose ehviour n erey ffet oy weights n grow oneive in e mjor riny seson. However, is rtes in roents [49, 50], results of is stuy i not vntge isppere fter 4 mons of ge. At is ge, etet ny suh effet. This my e ue to e few prity ere ws no influene (P > 0.05) of seson of mting on levels (, n 3) involve or e few oservtions for oy weight (Tle 3). Kis t were oneive in e prity 3, ompre wi prities n. mjor riny seson h similr (P > 0.05) BWT6 s ose in e ry seson, ut h higher (P < 0.0) BWT8 n Yer Effets: Yer of ir influene (P < 0.0) ll oy ose oneive in e ry seson (Tle 4). Seson of weight trits. In ll ese trits, nimls orn t e mting expline 0.3, 0.3, 0.0,.5 n 6.4% of e vrition eginning of e stuy perio (006) were mostly lighter in BWT, WWT, BWT4, BWT6 n BWT8, respetively. n ose orn in lter yers (Tle 3 & 4). Boy weight Seson of mting h little effet (P > 0.05) on ADG4 inrese wi inresing yers. BWT, WWT, BWT4, ut very lrge effet (P < 0.0) on PWADG, ADG6 n BWT6 n BWT8 inrese y., 39.6, 9.3, 9.7 n ADG8 (Tle 4 & 5). Thus, effets of seson of mting on 9.7 g weight, respetively wi unit inrese in e grow trits were similr to its effet on oy weights. numer of yers. Yer of ir ounte for.4, 0., 6.4, Seson of mting expline 0.3, 0.4,.4 n 5.6% of e 9.9 n 7.0% of e vrition in BWT, WWT, BWT4, vrition in PWADG, ADG4, ADG6 n ADG8, BWT6 n BWT8, respetively. respetively. Effets of yer of ir on grow rte were similr to Kis orn in ifferent sesons h similr (P > 0.05) its effets on oy weights. A unit inrese in yer BWT6 (Tle 4). However, ifferenes (P < 0.0) existe resulte in orresponing inrese in verge PWADG, mong kis orn in e ree sesons for BWT, WWT, ADG4, ADG6 n ADG8 y 0.6, 0.8, 0.5 n 0.5 g/y, BWT4 n BWT8 (Tle 3 & 4). Kis orn in e ry respetively. Yer of ir ounte for 0.3,.6,.8 n seson h higher (P < 0.0) BWT n WWT n ose.9% of e vrition in PWADG, ADG4, ADG6 n orn uring e mjor rins (Tle 3). Those orn uring ADG8, respetively. e minor rins h similr (P > 0.05) BWT n WWT s There re no previous reports on effets of yer of ose orn in e ry seson (Tle 3). At 4 n 6 mons ir on grow n oy weight of e grssutter. of ge, kis orn in e ry n e mjor riny seson There is lso little informtion on yer effets on trits of h similr (P > 0.05) weights n in e 8 mon e kis roents. However, yer effets hve een extensively of e mjor rins were hevier (P < 0.05) n ose in e stuie in tritionl livestok speies. In is stuy, ry seson (Tle 4). Seson of ir expline 0.6, 0., grow n live weights inrese signifintly wi 0.0, 0.7 n 0.3% of e vrition in BWT, WWT, BWT4, inresing yers. Differenes in grow ue to yer of BWT6 n BWT8, respetively. 49

9 Worl Appl. Si. J., 8 (0): 4-44, 0 Tle 6: Intertion effets of fixe ftors on grow trits Type of Intertion FI FCR BWT WWT BWT4 BWT6 BWT8 PWADG ADG4 ADG6 ADG8 TOB*Sex ns ns ns ns ns ns ns ns ns ns ns TOB*Prity ns ns ** * ** ** ns ns ** ns ns TOB*YOB ns ns ** * ns ns ns * * ns ns TOB*SOM ns ns ns ** ns * ns ** ns ns ns TOB*SOB ns ns ns ** * ** * ** ns ns ns Sex*Prity ns ns ns ns ns ns ns ns ns ns ns Sex*YOB * ns ns ns ns ns ns ns ns ns ns Sex*SOM ns ns ns ns ns ns ns ns ns ns ns Sex*SOB ns ns ns ns ns ns ns ns ns ns ns Prity*YOB * ns ns ns ns ns * ns ns ns ns Prity*SOM ns ns ns ns ** ns ** ns ** ns ns Prity*SOB ns ns ns ** ** ns ns ** * ns ns YOB*SOM ns ns ** ns ** ** ns ns ** * ns YOB*SOB ns ns ** ** ns ** ns ** ns * ns SOM*SOB ns ns ns ns * * ns ns ns ns ns * = P < 0.05; ** = P < 0.0; not signifint (ns) Fee intke (FI); Fee onversion rtio (FCR); ir weight (BWT); wening weight (WWT); 4 mon weight (BWT4); six mon weight (BWT6); 8 mon weight (BWT8); pre-wening grow rte (PWADG); grow rte from -4 mons (ADG4); grow rte from 4-6 mons (ADG6); grow rte from 6-8 mons (ADG8). Seson of ir h lrge effet on PWADG Lk of sesonl effets on grow rte n oy (P < 0.0), ADG4 (P < 0.0) n ADG8 (P < 0.05) (Tle 4 weight of kis inites no enefit from restriting kiing & 5) ut little effet (P > 0.05) on ADG6 (Tle 5). Kis to ny seson of e yer. [3, 47] hve lrey orn in e ry seson h higher (P < 0.0) PWADG n emonstrte t ere is n ll yer roun reeing for ose orn in e mjor riny seson, ut is vntge ptive grssutter. Also, [53] oserve t sesonl ws no longer present t e ADG4 stge. At 8 mons, reeing oes not onfer ny mjor vntge on live e kis in e mjor rins weighe hevier (P < 0.05) n weight evelopment of Msi SEA got hers n ose in e ry seson (Tle 5). Seson of ir onlue t ere woul e little to e gine in terms expline 0., 0.,. n.% of e vrition in of grow performne from ttempting to ontrol PWADG, ADG4, ADG6 n ADG8, respetively. reeing. All yer roun proution is neessry to Grssutters ttin sexul mturity t 4-9 mons insure ontinuous supply of grssutter met. There i [36, 5]. Seson of mting ws more importnt in not seem to e nutritionl stress on pregnnt oes in is explining post-wening grow performne fter 6 stuy, euse supplementry fee ws provie n so mons of ge, whih is wiin e perio of sexul it ws expete t seson of mting n seson of ir mturity, n grow performne from ir to 6 mons. woul hve h no effet on oy weight n grow rte Animls oneive in e riny sesons h hevier from ir to mturity. However, we o not know if e sexul mture weights n grew fster n ose supplementry fee given ws equte for pregnny oneive in e ry seson. Animls orn in e ry n/or lttion euse e fee ws prepre se on seson grew fster t e ge of 4-8 mons n ose e stnrs for grow. It my erefore e onlue orn in e riny seson. t e supplementry fee provie might not hve Lk of sesonl ifferenes on grow n oy een equte for pregnny n/or lttion sine trits efore sexul mturity hs een reporte in stuies sesonl ifferenes were oserve in grow n live in roents. This hs een ttriute to limte n e weights of e nimls. ontinuous vilility of resoures, espeilly quntity n qulity of grss. These effets re more mrke when IntertionEffets of Fixe Ftors on Trits: Intertion nimls re not given supplementry fee. In is stuy, effets of type of ir wi prity, yer n sesons were nimls of ll lsses were given supplementry fee in ll importnt on some grow trits (Tle 6). Intertion sesons of ll yers, exept in e first yer (006). effets of sex wi ll oer fixe ftors on grow trits 40

10 Worl Appl. Si. J., 8 (0): 4-44, 0 were not signifint. Prity x sesons n yer of ir x seson effets were lso importnt in some trits. Intertion effets of lmost ll fixe ftors on FI, FCR n ADG8 were not importnt. Signifint first orer intertions oserve in is stuy in some grow trits inites t e rnking of levels of e sme ftor o not hol when omine sets of levels of two ftors re onsiere. There hs never een stuy of fixe ftor intertions in e grssutter. However, stuies in roents n oer frm niml speies hve onfirme existene of some of ese intertions. Type of ir x prity intertions were foun to e signifint for oy weight n grow rte in mie [54] n in sheep [55]. Chineke [56] lso reporte signifint intertions of prity x seson on live weight n litter weight in rits. The prity x yer intertion effet on ir weight ws signifint in ttle [57]. Importne of intertions of fixe ftors hs een reognize in frm niml geneti improvement n evlution progrmmes. For exmple, in sene of intertions geneti prmeter estimtes n e overestimte or unerestimte [58-60]. These uors oserve t estimtes of iret-mternl geneti orreltions for wening weight were inflte when e effets of sire yer intertion were not inlue in e moel. Inlusion of sire x yer intertion term hs een reporte to reue o iret heritility n iret-mternl orreltion estimtes [60, 6]. It is erefore onlue in is work t intertion effets of fixe ftors on grow trits re importnt in e grssutter n must e onsiere in grssutter geneti improvement n evlution progrmmes. CONCLUSION The men vlues of trits otine in is stuy re omprle to vlues from similr stuies onute in su-shrn Afri on e grssutter. In most ses, is stuy showe t non-geneti effets i influene selete trits. It is importnt t e extent to whih ese environmentl ftors influene trits uner stuy e evlute for pproprite justments to e me when estimting geneti vlues for reeing progrmme in grssutter. Intertion effets were importnt in e grssutter n must lso e onsiere in reeing progrmmes. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT The uors re grteful to e Tehing n Lerning Innovtive Fun (TALIF), Ghn for proviing grssutter filities for is reserh. REFERENCES. Blir, H.T., 989. Prtil proeures for e geneti improvement of grow n rss qulity hrteristis. New Zeln Soiety of Animl Proution, Osionl Pulition,: Willis, M.B., 99. In: Dlton s Introution to r Prtil Animl Breeing, 3 e., Blkwell Sientifi Pulitions, pp: Beff, L.M., J.B. vn Wyk n G.J. Ersmus, 009. Long-term seletion experiment wi Afrikner ttle. Environmentl ftors ffeting lf grow trits. Sou Afrin Journl of Animl Siene, 39(): Kug, J.D. n G.K. Agyemng, 983. Ftors influening grow of Cnin Holstein Friesin lves in Ghn. Tropil Animl Hel n Proution, 5: Ahunu, B.K., P.F. Arur, G. Dnoro n G.S. Aogye, 993. Pre-wening grow performne of West Afrin Shororn Cttle n eir Jersey rossres in Ghn. Tropil Animl Hel n Proution, 5: Drko, K. n M.K. Buu, 998. The performne of her of Ashnti wrf pigs in e forest zone of Ghn. In e Proeeings of e 4 Ghn Animl Siene Symposium, Fulty of Agriulture, KNUST, Kumsi, (): Bffour-Awuh, O., C.S. Kewurii n D.B. Etse, 005. The performne of Ashnti Blk pigs uner intensive mngement system. Ghnin Journl of Animl Siene, (): MSD., 00. Annul Reports. Meteorologil Servies Deprtment Mmpong Muniipl Assemly, Mmpong-Ashnti, Ashnti Region, Ghn. 9. Assoition of Offiil Agriulturl Chemist (AOAC), 990. Offiil Meos of Anlysis, 5 Eition, Arlington, Virgini, USA, MGrw Hill, pp: Sttistil Anlysis System (SAS), 008. User s Guie. SAS/STAT 9., Cry, NC: SAS Institute In.. Hoking, R.R., 976. The nlysis n seletion of vriles in liner regression. Biometris, 3: Ajyi, S.S. n O.O. Tewe, 980. Foo preferenes n rss omposition of grssutter (Thryonomys swinerinus) in ptivity. Afrin Journl of Eology, 8(-3): Annor, S.Y., J.K. Kgy-Agyemng, J.E.Y. Am, S.K. Oppong n I.M. Agoe, 008. Grow performne of grssutter (Thryonomys swinerinus) eting lef n stem frtions of Guine grss (Pnium mximum). Livestok Reserh for Rurl Development, Volume 0, Artile #5. Retrieve August, 008, from 4

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13 Worl Appl. Si. J., 8 (0): 4-44, Hossein-Zeh, N.G., 00. The effet of twining on 60. Lee, J.W., S.B. Choi, Y.H. Jung, J.F. Keown n milk yiel, ystoi, lf ir weight n open ys L.D. Vn Vlek, 000. Prmeter estimtes for iret in Holtein iry ows of Irn. Journl of Animl n mternl geneti effets on yerling, eighteen- Physiology n Animl Nutrition, 94(6): mon n slughter weights of Koren ntive ttle. 58. Diop, M., 997. Design n nlysis of open nuleus Journl of Animl Siene, 78: reeing systems for ttle in Senegl. ETD 6. Meyer, K., 003. Estimtes of vrines ue to sire x olletion for University of Nersk - Linoln. Pper her effets for weights of Herefor ttle. In e AAI Retrieve Jnury 3, 0 from Proeeings of Assoition of Avnement of Animl Breeing n Genetis, 5: Lee, C. n E.J. Pollk, 997. Reltionship etween sire yer intertions n iret-mternl geneti orreltion for wening weight of Simmentl ttle. Journl of Animl Siene, 75: