Theory question 104
Animal Improvement and Breeding(a) State five objectives of animal improvement. (b) Mention five signs that indicate that a pregnant animal is approaching parturition. (c) Name two disease causing organisms in livestock production. (d) Copy and complete the table below.
Nutrient | One function | One deficiency symptom
Calcium | |
Iodine | |
Vitamin A | |
Vitamin E | |
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(a) Any five: higher yield of meat, milk, eggs or wool; faster growth/early maturity; better feed conversion; resistance to disease and pests; adaptation to the local climate; better quality products; higher fertility/prolificacy; good temperament
(b) Any five: restlessness; enlarged, swollen and reddish vulva; mucus discharge from the vulva; udder enlarges and teats fill with milk; relaxation/sinking of the pelvic ligaments around the tail head; frequent urination; isolation from the herd; loss of appetite; nest-making (sow, doe)
(c) Any two: bacteria; viruses; fungi; protozoa
(d) Calcium: forms bones and teeth/eggshell, helps blood clotting and muscle action; deficiency: rickets, weak bones, thin-shelled eggs, milk fever
Iodine: needed to make thyroxine which controls metabolism; deficiency: goitre (swollen neck), hairless young
Vitamin A: healthy eyes and epithelial tissues, growth; deficiency: night blindness, poor growth, rough skin
Vitamin E: normal reproduction/fertility and healthy muscles; deficiency: infertility, muscular dystrophy (white muscle disease), crazy chick disease
In (d), give exactly one function and one deficiency symptom for each nutrient.