Variability of Sexual Dimorphism on Morpho-Physiological Traits in Two Nigerian Indigenous Goat Breeds at Different Ages in Humid Tropical Climate
Main Article Content
Abstract
The contribution of small ruminants to household and national economies in sub-Saharan Africa is substantial. This study evaluated the variability of morphophysiological traits related to sexual dimorphism in two Nigerian indigenous goat breeds at various ages under intensive management. Eighty goats (30 WAD, 50 RS), approximately aged 150 days, were used over 12 weeks at the Goat Production Unit, Livestock Section, Teaching and Research Farm, Federal University of Technology, Akure, Nigeria. A 2×2 factorial experiment in a completely randomized arrangement was used to assess the influence of breed and sex on growth and physiological traits of the goats using SAS 2008 statistical software. Results showed that breed, sex, and age factors significantly (p < 0.05) influenced body weight and feed conversion ratio, with WAD goats showing superior growth traits over their RS counterparts. The WAD goats also demonstrated better thermoregulatory efficiency, evidenced by lower body temperatures. Conversely, RS goats had significantly higher (p < 0.01) pulse and respiratory rates, indicating breed-specific metabolic responses. The does consumed more feeds with higher body weight than males, while males had higher rectal temperatures, suggesting greater heat stress. The findings underscore the importance of breed- and sex-specific management in optimizing goat productivity. The WAD goats are recommended for environments with limited feed resources and high ambient temperatures. Conservation and genetic improvement of both breeds should target growth rate, feed efficiency, and thermoregulation especially at maturity. This study provides critical insights for designing sustainable breeding strategies to enhance goat production in the humid tropics of Africa.
Downloads
Article Details
Copyright (c) 2025 Johnson AA, et al.
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Licensing and protecting the author rights is the central aim and core of the publishing business. Peertechz dedicates itself in making it easier for people to share and build upon the work of others while maintaining consistency with the rules of copyright. Peertechz licensing terms are formulated to facilitate reuse of the manuscripts published in journals to take maximum advantage of Open Access publication and for the purpose of disseminating knowledge.
We support 'libre' open access, which defines Open Access in true terms as free of charge online access along with usage rights. The usage rights are granted through the use of specific Creative Commons license.
Peertechz accomplice with- [CC BY 4.0]
Explanation
'CC' stands for Creative Commons license. 'BY' symbolizes that users have provided attribution to the creator that the published manuscripts can be used or shared. This license allows for redistribution, commercial and non-commercial, as long as it is passed along unchanged and in whole, with credit to the author.
Please take in notification that Creative Commons user licenses are non-revocable. We recommend authors to check if their funding body requires a specific license.
With this license, the authors are allowed that after publishing with Peertechz, they can share their research by posting a free draft copy of their article to any repository or website.
'CC BY' license observance:
|
License Name |
Permission to read and download |
Permission to display in a repository |
Permission to translate |
Commercial uses of manuscript |
|
CC BY 4.0 |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
The authors please note that Creative Commons license is focused on making creative works available for discovery and reuse. Creative Commons licenses provide an alternative to standard copyrights, allowing authors to specify ways that their works can be used without having to grant permission for each individual request. Others who want to reserve all of their rights under copyright law should not use CC licenses.
References
Ajala OO, Oyeyemi MO, Oke OE. Comparative analysis of extensive and semi-intensive management systems on the performance of Red Sokoto goats in Oyo State, Nigeria. Trop Anim Health Prod. 2020;52(1):271–7.
Adeoye A, Akinola LA. The role of goats in rural household economies in South-Western Nigeria. J Agric Ext. 2018;22(1):152–60.
Oseni SO, Yakubu A, Salako AE. Genetic and phenotypic parameter estimates for pre-weaning and post-weaning body weights in Nigerian indigenous goats. Trop Anim Health Prod. 2014;46(5):927–33.
Olaniyan AO, Adewumi OO. Enhancing productivity of goats in Nigeria: The role of genetic improvement. Niger J Anim Prod. 2016;43(1):134–40.
Yakubu A, Ibrahim AM. Breeding strategies to improve indigenous goat breeds in Nigeria. Niger J Anim Sci. 2019;21(2):90–9.
Melesse A, Banerjee S, Abebe A, Mekasha Y. Morphological characterization and structural indices of indigenous goat populations in the Tropics and Subtropics. J Agric Rural Dev. 2013;114(1):43–50.
Ogunjimi LAO, Amao SR, Akinola MO. Comparative analysis of growth and carcass traits of Red Sokoto and West African Dwarf goats in South-Western Nigeria. Small Rumin Res. 2021;200:106403.
Gupta M, Mondal T. Heat stress and thermoregulatory responses of goats: A review. Biol Rhythm Res. 2019;52(1):1–27. Available from: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/09291016.2019.1603692
Kosgey IS, Okeyo AM. Genetic improvement of small ruminants in low-input, smallholder production systems: Technical and infrastructural issues. Small Rumin Res. 2007;70(1):76–88. Available from: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.smallrumres.2007.01.007
Akintunde AO, Mustofa I, Ndubuisi-Ogbonna LC, Oyekale OO, Shobo BA. Exploring the genetic diversity: A review of germplasm in Nigerian indigenous goat breeds. Small Rumin Res. 2024;234:107236. Available from: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.smallrumres.2024.107236
Alade NK, Ojo VOA, Abiola MO. Improving livestock productivity through breed and genetic selection in Nigeria. Int J Livest Prod. 2018;9(1):1–10.
Ogunrayi OA, Akinseye FM, Goldberg V, Bernhofer C. Descriptive analysis of rainfall and temperature trends over Akure, Nigeria. J Geogr Reg Plan. 2016;9(11):195–202. Available from: http://dx.doi.org/10.5897/JGRP2016.0583
SAS. Statistical Analysis System Multiple Incorporation. Users' Guide Statistical version. Cary, NC: SAS Institute Inc.; 2008. Available from: https://www.scirp.org/reference/referencespapers?referenceid=2315768
Okoruwa MI, Ikhimioya I. Comparative study on growth performance and nutrient utilization of West African Dwarf and Red Sokoto goats fed varying levels of Panicum maximum. Niger J Anim Sci. 2020;22(1):194–203.
Aldoori LS, Al-Saigh MN, Al-Dabbagh TM. Early growth patterns and physiological responses in different goat breeds under semi-arid conditions. Trop Anim Health Prod. 2023;55(1):1–12.
Mohammed SA, Raji AO, Mbap ST. Growth performance and physiological responses of Nigerian goat breeds: Influence of age and sex. Livest Sci. 2024;270:105000.
Akinyemi MO, Salako AE, Adedeji TA. Sex-related differences in feeding behaviour and nutrient utilization of West African Dwarf goats. Small Rumin Res. 2023;210:106701.
Talebi MA, Miraei-Ashtiani SR, Nejati-Javaremi A. Growth characteristics and body measurements of Markhoz goat: Effects of age, sex, and type of birth. J Appl Anim Res. 2023;51(1):76–84.
Chukwuka OK, Okoli IC, Okeudo NJ. Feed efficiency and growth performance of male and female goats in South-Eastern Nigeria. J Appl Anim Res. 2024;52(1):15–25.
Rotimi EA, Egahi JO, Adeoye AA. Body Characteristics of West African Dwarf (WAD) Goats in Bassa Local Government Area of Kogi State. World Sci News. 2017;(69):179–89. Available from: https://scispace.com/pdf/body-characteristics-of-west-african-dwarf-wad-goats-in-56h7hlvps0.pdf
Shittu OO, Odeyemi AJ, Adekunle AJ, Majekodunmi BC, Toviesi DP, Osinowo OA, et al. Comparative study of physiological adaptation in West African Dwarf and Kalahari Red goats in the humid tropics. Niger J Anim Prod. 2025;50(1):21–34. Available from: https://doi.org/10.51791/njap.v50i1.3901
Debia Y, Beena V, Ramnath V, Venkatachalapathy TR, Zarina A. Association of temperature humidity index during summer with haematological parameters in native and crossbred goats of Kerala. J Vet Anim Sci. 2021;52(3):222–7. Available from: http://dx.doi.org/10.51966/jvas.2021.52.3.222-227
Marai IFM, Daader AH, Soliman AM, El-Menshawy SMS. Non-genetic factors affecting growth and reproduction traits of buffaloes under dry management housing in a sub-tropical environment in Egypt. Livest Res Rural Dev. 2009;21(3). Available from: https://lrrd.cipav.org.co/lrrd21/3/mara21030.htm
Daramola JO, Abioja MO, Iyasere OS, Oke OE, Majekodunmi BC, Logunleko MO, et al. The resilience of Dwarf goats to environmental stress: A review. Small Rumin Res. 2021;205:106534. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.smallrumres.2021.106534