ABSTRACT
Poultry meat is one of the fastest growing components of Uganda’s meat production, consumption, and trade. However, it is estimated that more than 80 % of the small holder dominated sub-sector use traditional family-based production systems which limit production efficiency. This research analyzed the farmers’ characteristics and productivity of commercial broiler production units in Mukono District. Using a cross-sectional survey, 302 broiler farmers were randomly selected from five sub-counties of Mukono District. Data were analyzed using the descriptive statistics to characterize broiler farmers, whereas, ordinary least square regression analysis was carried out to assess factors affecting productivity of commercial broiler production units. Results showed that majority were males (53.31%) and married (92.72%). Most (60.26%) had primary as their highest level of education attained. The average age was 45 years with average household size of 7 members. Similarly; majority (91.04%) had land under poultry farming ranging from 0.25 to 3 acres. Feeds cost (P≤0.05), veterinary cost (P≤0.001), farmer’s level of education (P≤0.05), extension services (P≤0.001), age of a household head (P≤0.001), land ownership (P≤0.05), and labour type (P≤0.05), showed a positive and significant influence on productivity, whereas, poultry farming experience (P≤0.001), land under poultry farming (P≤0.001), distance to the nearest market (P≤0.05), and record keeping (P≤0.05), negatively and significantly influenced productivity. In conclusion, education level, land under poultry farming, and membership to a group were distinct among farmers who were productive and those that were not. Productivity of commercial broiler farming was majorly influenced by several farmers’ socio-economic characteristics.

ABSTRACT
Background: Detection of the virus or some of its specific components using WHO and OIE recommended standard laboratory tests is the only way to get a reliable diagnosis of rabies. Brain tissue is the preferred specimen for post-mortem diagnosis of rabies in both humans and animals. Higher biosecurity requirements, skill and transportation facilities required for collection and transport of brain or whole carcass to the laboratory is one of the reasons for the poor rabies surveillance in animals. Point of care testing with simple, reliable and easy to operate devices would be an ideal approach for providing rapid results. Methods: The study evaluated diagnostic performance of two reference tests, DFAT and RTPCR on skin specimen, to assess its suitability as an alternative of brain tissue for post mortem rabies diagnosis in animals. Brain tissue and skin sample belonging to different species of animals (n=90) collected at necropsy were compared using Fluorescent Antibody Test and RT PCR, internationally approved methods for rabies diagnosis. Results: Validation of RT-PCR on skin and DFAT on skin in comparison with DFAT on brain as gold standard gave a sensitivity of 98% (95% CI:94.1-100) and 80% (95%CI:71.8-88.2) respectively. Specificity was 100% in both tests. Conclusion: The findings highlight the potential of skin specimen for improving rabies surveillance in animals especially in resource poor countries.

ABSTRACT
This study was conducted in two locations, Kazgail and Um arada, Sheikan locality, North Kordofan State, Sudan. Objective of the study to evaluate the effects of production system on milk production and quality and calf performance. Thirty (30) dairy cattle were employed in this experiment. Cows were weighed and divided into two groups each with Fifteen (15 cow) in complete randomized design. Group A was located in Kazgail village and considered as close production system and group B in Um arada village as open production system. Data were analyzed by using T test for analysis of variance procedures and least significant difference (LSD) for mean separation. The results revealed that production system significantly (p<0.001) affected milk production, where group A had maintained higher milk yield compared with group B. the respectively milk yield were 153.60 and 65.57 Lb for Group A and B respectively. Results showed significant differences (p<0.05) between systems for the milk quality during first and second month of lactation period on fat content (4.67 vs 4.87% ) for A and B groups respectively and lactose content (4.61 vs 4.77%) for A and B groups respectively. Results revealed that calves birth weight significantly (p<0.05) affected by production system. The mean birth weights were (35.58 vs 31.98 kg) for A and B groups respectively. The study demonstrated that production system had no significant effect on weaning weight. Results showed that production system significantly (p<0.05) affect daily body weight gain. In conclusion, dairy cattle in different production system; showed variable milk production during lactation period and variation in milk composition during three month.

ABSTRACT
Surveillance of animal rabies is severely constrained in resource poor developing countries. The traditional reference method of brain testing has several limitations. Hence there is need for alternative method which is rapid, simple, sensitive and specific on a less invasive sample to scale up rabies surveillance. The present study evaluated the efficacy of Lateral Flow Assay (LFA) on skin specimen for post mortem screening of rabies in dogs. Skin sample and brain tissue of 56 dogs including two wild dogs which came for routine rabies surveillance were collected at necropsy. LFA on skin, LFA on brain and Fluorescent Antibody Test (FAT) on brain were conducted. The diagnostic efficacy of LFA on skin was compared against FAT on brain, the reference method for rabies diagnosis. Correlation between LFA on skin and LFA on brain was also evaluated. The study found that LFA on skin has equal efficiency as that of LFA on brain for post mortem detection of rabies in dogs. It revealed a sensitivity of 96.6% and specificity of 100% against the traditional reference method of brain testing by FAT. Based on the results, LFA on skin looks promising as a practical field tool to improve reporting and strengthen surveillance. The findings warrant further evaluation on a large sample set under different field conditions.

ABSTRACT
Hermaphroditism is a sexual anomaly that causes the animal to have sexual functions of both sexes (male and female). The present work aims to review hermaphroditism in cattle, showing the concept, causes, diagnosis, and possible treatments. Animals with this anomaly may show reproductive failure, sexual behavior for both sexes, and absence of estrus. It is divided into three forms: Freemartinism, True Hermaphroditism, and Pseudo-Hermaphroditism, with the most common form in cattle being true freemartinism. Finally, anomalies of sexual differentiation are diagnosed through palpation, vaginoscopy, ultrasound and genetic tests, sometimes being visually verifiable. In cases of hermaphroditism, the animal that is born with this anomaly can be surgically corrected.

ABSTRACT
Ethiopian farmers perform breeding by putting different objectives to satisfy the need and to fulfill trait such as body size, body conformation, mothering ability, lambing interval, age at puberty and fertility. Farmers put different selection criteria for both sexs. For example, selection criteria for are rams body size, coat color and tail type and for ewes body size, coat colour and mothering ability are best for selection criteria. There are different sheep breed in Ethiopia and their geographical distribution insured throughout the countries. Breeding practices confirmed by natural mating method and sheep are served randomly by any intact male in the flock. For effective utilization of existing sheep resource the production system determine its effectiveness according to its geographical distribution production and there are different production systems such as sheep-barley or sheep production system, mixed crop-livestock system and Pastoral production system. Ethiopia has large livestock population in Africa but the uses of the resource not proportional and the reason for this linked with different constraint. As we know the major constraints to sheep Production in Ethiopia are disease, feed shortage, market, water, and lack of trained personnel and absence of recording. So due this the current objective of the paper is to review breeding objectives and trait preferences of farmers for sheep in Ethiopia. To use existing sheep resources the farmer should use appropriate breeding strategies and this can used for many trait.

ABSTRACT
The aim of the present study was to carry out a mini review on equine sarcoid, addressing its clinical and pathological aspects and its diagnosis characteristics. The sarcoid is a benign, locally invasive tumor of the skin of horses that has a variable epidermal component. It is a biphasic neoplasm as it is derived from the proliferation of two components: dermal fibroblasts and epidermal keratinocytes. It affects animals of all ages; however, it is more common in animals under 6 years old, having no racial or sexual predisposition. Sarcoids can develop anywhere on the body, but are most seen on the face, neck, axilla, ventral abdomen, paragenital region and distal extremity, around the eyelids and lips, foreskin, ear, as well as areas of previous injury or scarring. The diagnosis is based on the clinical history, epidemiology, macroscopic and histological characteristics of the lesions. Histologically, the sarcoid is characterized by a dense dermal proliferation of fibroblasts, forming nests and intertwined bundles and assuming various directions. Surgery, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, radiotherapy, photodynamic therapy and phytotherapy can be used to treat this disease.