E. Hajj’s research while affiliated with Lebanese University and other places

Abstract not available.

The effects of transhumance on body growth and adaptation parameters in the Baladi goat, and testicular activity in bucks were studied over a period of one year. Thirty two animals were allocated to 4 similar groups according to age (100 days for 8 male and 8 female kids, and 3-4 years for 8 bucks and 8 does) and sex. Goats were raised in a coastal pasture area for the winter period (WP), then transhumed towards a mountainous area in May for the summer period (SP). Every 21 days, animals were weighed and monitored for a whole day to estimate the distance travelled; four does and four bucks were followed for two successive days to evaluate the nature of the plants grazed by direct observation. Four summer and two winter collections of these plants were subjected to proximate analysis; Respiration and heart rates were recorded every two hours between 6:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m.; Testicular volume and semen quality were also measured. Animals traveled 1 km/h in summer period and 0.8 km/h in winter. Herbaceous plants formed 95% of the plants grazed in SP and ligneous plants formed the majority of the plants ingested (80 to 95%) in WP. Protein percentages decreased from 15.2 to 8.6% between the beginning and the middle of the SP whereas it was around 11% in WP. Weight gain was greater during SP in comparison to WP except for bucks (12, 7.6, 4.2 and -3.3 kg vs. 3.4, 1.8, -7.5 and 3.3 kg for male and female goat kids, does and bucks, respectively). Respiration and heart rates showed adaptation of animals to walking long distances in both zones, stabilizing respectively at 47-50 breaths/min and 83- 90 beats/min after a 6 km walk. Decrease in semen concentration was observed at the end of the animal's stay in each zone, with values between 3.1 and 3.7 spermatozoa x 109/ml vs. 1.7 and 2.7 spermatozoa x 109/ml in SP and WP, respectively. The volume varied between 1.0 ± 0.2 and 1.6 ± 0.4 ml in SP, and decreased to 0.6 ± 0.3 ml in WP. Transhumance is thus beneficial for only two months, i.e. between the end of spring and beginning of summer; this advantage is then reduced when dietary protein levels fall to 8%. Semen quality showed acceptable seasonal fluctuations, with maximum spermatogenetic activity in the summer period.

: In order to identify and to preserve the local population of rabbit, a study has been carried out on some traits of production and reproduction. The experiment was conducted on 25 females and 8 males, randomly distributed between four equal groups of reproduction in order to control crossings. With a semi-intensive rhythm of reproduction (interval of 10 days between the parturition and the next mating), results indicate a very high variability of studied traits qualifying this population as heterogeneous. This heterogeneity could justify a selection program. Receptiveness of females having shown a red color of the vulva was 79% and the rate of gestation 35%. Prolificacy varied from 6 to 7 kits, with 2 to 3 kits at weaning indicating high mortality between birth and weaning (40 to 50%). Pre-weaning growth rate was about 15 5 5 gld leading to a live weight of 454 +. 157 g at weaning. At 77 days of age, the weight was 1.70 & 5.28 kg and the post-weaning live weight gain was about 27 A 5 g/d. The feed conversion ratio between weaning and 77 days of age was 4 1. RESUME : Dans le but d'identifier et de préserver la population cunicole locale, une étude portant sur les traits de production et de reproduction a été réalisée dans un élevage expérimental comprenant 20 femelles et 8 mâles, distribués en quatre groupes de reproduction égaux afin de contrôler les croisements. Avec un rythme de reproducfion semi-intensif (10 jours d'intervalle entre la mise-bas et la saillie suivante), les résultats indiquent une variabilité très élevée des traits étudiés qualifiant cette population d'hétérogène. Cette hétérogénéité pourrait justifier un programme de sélection. La réceptivité des femelles ayant montré une couleur rouge de la vulve a été 79% et le taux de gestation 35%. La prolificité a varié de 6 à 7 lapereaux, avec 2 à 3 lapereaux au sevrage indiquant un taux de mortalité élevé entre la naissance et le sevrage (40 à 50%). La vitesse de croissance pré-sevrage a été de 15 2 5 g/i aboutissant à un poids de 454 157 g au sevrage. A 77 jours d'âge, le poids a été de 1.70 2 0.28 kg et le gain moyen quotidien post-sevrage de 27 2 5 g,$ L'indice de consommation sevrage-77 jours était de 4 f 1.

SUMMARY - A description of the local population of rabbits is presented. Items that have been dealt with are: (i) a general description; (ii) climate and main features of its farming; and (iii) performance.