The growth of 81 indigenous Arbia goat kids reared in an intensive system in Setif in northeastern Algeria was observed between birth and 70 days of age. The kids were dam-raised during the first month and then provided with 150 g/head/day of a total mixed ration and oat hay. The kids’ live weights were assessed at fasting and at different ages: 0, 10, 21, 30, 42, 60, and 70 days. The average daily gains (ADG) were also calculated. Growth results were presented for all kids by sex and litter size. The average birth weight was W0 = 2.53±0.19 kg, while the average weight at 70 days was W70 = 10.1±1.54 kg, which correspond to an overall daily weight gain of ADG0-70 = 108±21 g/day. The study showed that birth weight was affected by litter size, while growth after birth was mainly affected by sex. Birth weights were similar between males and females, but males grew faster (p<0.001) after birth. Single kids were heavier (p<0.05) than twins at 70 days of age, which is the consequence of a heavier birth weight and a faster growth rate in the first 10 days after birth (ADG0-10). After 10 days, litter size did not affect ADG. Compared to other indigenous populations, Arbia goat kids demonstrated valuable growth potential for meat production.

Abstract. Sahraoui H, Madani T, Fantazi K, Chaouch Khouane A, Ameur Ameur A, Paschino P, Vacca GM, Gaouar SBS, Dettori ML. 2020. Genetic variability in the A microsatellite at SLC11A1 gene and possible implications with innate resistance against brucellosis in Algerian native goats. Biodiversitas 21: 5630-5636. Goat rearing is among the major agricultural activities practiced in Algeria. However, brucellosis represents an important threat to the goat sector and to public health. The aim of our work was to characterize the genetic variability of the A microsatellite at the 3' untranslated region (3' UTR) of SLC11A1 gene in Algerian native goat breeds as it was associated with Brucellosis genetic resistance in goat. Genomic DNA samples of 90 goats belonging to the four Algerian native breeds; Mekatia (n = 32), Arbia (n = 30), Dwarf of Kabylia (n = 14) and Mozabit (n = 14) have been analyzed. Polymorphism of region A microsatellite was determined by capillary electrophoresis identifying 8 alleles and 20 genotypes. Genetic parameters were also estimated. Polymorphic information content was PIC = 0.60, the observed and the expected heterozygosity were Ho = 0.569 and He = 0.595, respectively, and the values of FIS, FIT and FST were 0.044, 0.064, and 0.021, respectively. The A microsatellite was highly polymorphic and alleles associated genetic resistance against brucellosis in other breeds or species have been identified. These results open a promising opportunity to implement a genetic improvement program to reduce goat brucellosis spread in Algeria.

Goat farming is an important economical resource in rural and harsh areas worldwide. In Algeria, a population of more than 5 million of goats is present but until recent years, genetic characterization of different indigenous breeds was not performed. A description of morpho biometric traits has been performed to establish characteristics distinguishing 4 different goats breed: Naine de Kabylie, Arbia, Mekatia and M’zabite bred in 4 different environments in north-central Algeria. A total of 416 goats, aged up to twelve months old, belonging to the four indigenous breeds were used for the analysis. Multivariate analysis was performed considering the following 5 quantitative traits: height at wither(HW), thoracic circumference (TC), ears length (EL), horns length (HoL) and hair length (HaL). In addition, 7 qualitative traits were used: the coat colour (black and white, black, white, brown, brown and white), type of hair (three levels: short, mid-long and long), type of ears (three levels: drooping,pedunculated and dressed), type of chamfer (two levels: curved or straight), incidence of horns (Ho, presence/absence), incidence of beard (Br, presence/absence) and incidence of wattles (W, presence/absence). Least square means of the morphometric measurements traits for sex were generally significant (p < 0.01). Component analysis and common factor analysis were used to analyse interrelationships among variables. Phenotypic frequencies of the qualitative traits were calculated. To analyse the pattern of relationships among the qualitative variables a multiple correspondence analysis (MCA) was performed. The first component accounts for the 61% of the variance and is associated with measures of height (HW) and length (TC, EL, HoL). The second component is associated with HaL with a correlation of 97%. The considered breeds were not perfectly clustered as some qualitative traits were in common between breeds.

Objective In this study, we present the evaluation of wastewater biological treatment by WWTPs (wastewater treatment plants) and LTPs (lagoon-based treatment plants) in Algeria using the results of analyzes of the samples of 108 stations, this work falls within the framework of a survey carried out by the research center in biotechnology (CRBt) in collaboration with ONA (National office of sanitation), and it reflects our interest in preserving the environment, in particular aquatic ecosystems, and determining the different sources of pollution and the most effective methods to cope with and for those that are well managed. Methods The analyzes concerned various parameters of 108 stations. Temperature and pH were measured directly, in situ, using multi-parameter field probes. For the other parameters (MS, BOD 5 , COD, NO 3 , NO 2 , NH 4 , TP) the measurements were carried out in the laboratory according to standard and spectrophotometric methods. As well as through the reports of our field visits to the stations and the monitoring of purification processes. ResultsThe results obtained show us that wastewater biological treatment is effective to a certain extent, whether in a WWTPs or LTPs. We have recorded that the reduction rates of the various pollutants from wastewater, are more efficient at the outlet of WWTPs than those of LTPs, even if we noted, at WWTP level, outgoing values that do not comply with the standards for reuse and preservation of the receiving environment and higher than the Algerian standard for certain parameters. Conclusion These results indicate that any use of this treated water, especially in agriculture, must take into account their specificity and the extent of its future impact, in particular the case where values are higher than the Algerian and WHO standards.

Our study of the wool quality in Algerian sheep breeds in western Algeria was based on the analysis of wool fineness which has been conducted by measuring the diameter of wool fibers. The data were collected from 60 samples from the the following breeds: Ouled Djellal, Hamra, Barbarine, Srandi, Daraa and Rembi. The average wool fiber diameter is 48.18 ± 39.49μm which is significantly different (p <0.001) in the breeds studied. The average wool fiber diameter was 48.18 ± 39.49μm which is significantly different (p <0.001) in the breeds studied, it varies from medium wool with a diameter of 28.89 ± 6.009μm in Ouled Djellal breed to coarse wool with a diameter of 74.17 ± 49.44 in Hamrabreed. No significant effect (p> 0.05) of the sex on the wool finesse in different breeds was observed. This study is the initiation of future zootechnical study on the wool performance of different sheep breeds in Algeria by studying the wool quality.