Do Haemoglobin Genotype and Parity Affect Feed Efficiency in the West African Dwarf Goats?

A study was conducted to evaluate the effect of haemoglobin genotype and parity on feed efficiency in West African Dwarf (WAD) does fed on wilted guinea grass and African yam bean concentrate for 60 days. Data were recorded on daily feed intake, monthly body weight and body condition score (BCS), average daily gain (ADG), feed efficiency, residual feed intake (RFI) and serum metabolites (insulin, IGF-1, leptin, and urea). Haemoglobin genotype influenced RFI, serum insulin, IGF-1 and leptin (P<0.05), while parity influenced average body weight (ABW), total dry matter feed intake (TDI), total weight gain (TWG), ADG, BCS and RFI (P<0.05). Hb^AB genotype does displayed higher serum hormones than Hb^AA and a negative RFI (-0.002) value, making them leaner and more feed efficient. The values of RFI increased with parity (P<0.05). Heterozygous Hb^AB does were more feed efficient and leaner than homozygous Hb^AA does due to lower RFI and serum urea. As parity number increased, ABW, TDI and RFI tended to increase.