EFFECTS
OF MULTIPLE ENVIRONMENTAL STRESS IMPACT ON GOAT PRODUCTION
(A CASE STUDY OF SELECTED LIVESTOCKS
FARMS IN EPE LOCAL
GOVERNMENT AREA OF LAGOS STATE)
BY
OMOTAYO INUMIDUN REBECCA
MATRIC NO: PT1502/06/02/012
A
RESEARCH PROJECT PROPOSAL SUBMITTED
TO THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURAL SCIENCE EDUCATION, FACULTY OF VOCATIONAL EDUCATION, MICHAEL
OTEDOLA COLLEGE OF PRIMARY EDUCATION
ABSTRACT
This
article presents a brief overview of stress and its impact on growth,
production, reproduction and disease susceptibility in farm animals. A single
measure of stress might not be a reliable indicator and it is usually more
informative to combine multiple indicators of stress to assess animal welfare.
Popular measures of stress such as alterations in hormonal profiles can be
complemented with behavioral and immunological changes. Traditional approaches
are insufficient to unravel the role of large number of genes and
interconnected genetic pathways leading to multiple responses to stresses.
Modern genomic and proteomics methodologies used in identifying the biomarkers
and molecular mechanisms of stress response have also been described briefly.
With a better understanding of the basic biology, altered physiological processes
and the genes/proteins involved in stress adaptability, it would be possible to
develop methodologies for selection of animals with better performance and
devise strategies for goat welfare.
CHAPTER
ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background to the Study
The term stress has
been derived from the Latin word stringere, meaning to draw tight. In the 1920s
and 1930s, the term was occasionally used for harmful environmental agent that
could cause illness. Walter Cannon used it in 1934 to refer to external factors
that disrupted homeostasis. The novel usage arose out of Selye's 1930s
experiments wherein he referred stress as a condition and stressor to the
stimulus causing it.
Stress is a reflex
reaction revealed by the inability of an animal to cope with its environment,
which may lead to many unfavorable consequences, ranging from discomfort to
death. It covers the behavioral and biological responses to a wide range of
abiotic stressors such as social interactions or rough handling, common farm
practices (castration, dehorning, teeth clipping, shoeing, weaning crowding
etc) improper feeding, exposure to adverse climatic conditions, exercise, work
and transport etc. Stressors can originate from within an individual
(endogenous) or from the environment (exogenous). Stress-triggering stimuli are
not Stress in farm animals 1760 necessarily painful but psychological states,
such as fear or anxiety also activate physiological responses. Once animal
perceives a threat, it develops behavioral, autonomic, endocrine or immune
response to maintain homeostasis. In case animal is unable to withstand stress,
the consequences will be abnormal biological functions and development of
pathologies. Stress responses are related not only to the nature and the
intensity of the triggering stimulus, but also to individual response
tendencies or temperament.
The body systems which
are mainly involved in the process of adaptation to the environment are
endocrine system for long-term responses and nervous system for sensory inputs
and short term responses. When an environmental pressure exceeds to that which
animal’s adaptive mechanisms can accommodate, stress related disease occurs.
Many theories have been postulated to explain the organism's physiological response
to stress. Hans Seyle proposed the general adaptation syndrome which provided
the first comprehensive biological theory of stress. He proposed three stages
which constituted alarm, resistance and exhaustion. When the threat or stressor
is identified or realized, the body's stress response is a state of alarm. In
this stage that animals react by fighting or fleeing. If the stressor persists,
the body tries to adapt to the strains or demands of the environment.
Exhaustion is the third and final stage when all of the body's resources are
eventually depleted and the body is unable to maintain normal function. If
stage three is extended, the immune system is exhausted resulting to
development of psychosomatic disease, immunosupression, reduced efficiency of production
and reproduction. It affects ability to perform and make animals susceptible to
physio-pathological
disorders.
1.2 Statement of the Problem
Small ruminants i.e.
goats
play an important role in providing food and monetary security to the poor
farmers apart from being a major portion of the country’s agricultural output.
The small ruminants have gained lots of importance in the past decades in the
light of climate change that has been eclipsing the environment in the form of
extreme events such as droughts, disease outbreaks; increased natural
calamities, ozone layer depletion, glacier melting, etc. because they happen to
be a substitute to decreased crops which is food source for humans. These
animals are also affected by the environmental impact as their larger
counterparts (large ruminants) and other livestock animals, but comparatively
they are more resilient to climate change. Therefore,
this research
attempts to
highlight those problem areas and provide solutions to them.
1.3 Purpose of the Study
The study aims at
providing solution to the problems of poultry production and marketing of
selected poultry farms in Epe local government
The broad objectives of the study are as follow:
1. To review existing
literature, collect and collate relevant information on solving the problems of
multiple environmental
stress impact on goat production.
2. To examine the various environmental
stressors that influence the small ruminants
3. The consequences that those
stressors have on the growth, production and reproduction of goats.
4. To identify possible solutions to
the problem of goat production.
5. To recommend
measures for improving the performance of goat production.
1.4 Research Questions
In view of the statement of the problem above, the
following research questions will be asked
1. What
are the effects of multiple environmental stress on goat production
2. To
what extent has the stress affect goat production
1.5 Research Hypotheses
Ho1: There is no significant difference
between multiple environmental stress impact and the success of goat production
Ho2: There is no significant difference between the availability of market for the products or services determines and the survival
of goat production.
Ho3: There is no significant
relationship between research
play in the survival and growth of the
business.
1.5 Significance of the Study
In Nigeria economy, the industrial sector is dominated
by poultry and livestock production industries. A careful study in economic
analysis of poultry production and marketing is very relevant.
The
study would serve as a guide to the business owners, the management as well as
prospective entrepreneurs with respect to how to set up and manage goat
production,, coping with and handling common problems of the business.
The
study would serve as a challenge to the government to promote and assist
poultryand livestock production business by planning programmes and implement
policies that will favour them and enhance their growth.
1.6 Scope and Limitation of the Study
The study is limited to the livestock farms engaged in
goat production in Epe local government. These are typical examples of
small-scale industries in Nigeria. The study does not cover the performance of
large scale industries.
1.7 Definition of Terms
Stress: Are
externally applied to a body which causes internal stress within the body.
Effect: The
result or outcome of a cause.
Goat: is
a ruminant mammals of the genus Carpa, related to the sheep.
Production: The
act of making or creating something
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