In Algeria, goat research has been largely neglected, in spite of the economic importance of this domestic species for rural livelihoods. Goat farming is traditional and cross-breeding practices are current. The phenotypic variability of the four main native breeds (Arabia, Makatia, M'zabite and Kabyle), and of two exotic breeds (Alpine and Saanen), was investigated for the first time, using multivariate discriminant analysis. A total of 892 females were sampled in a large area, including the cradle of the native breeds, and phenotyped with 23 quantitative measures and 10 qualitative traits. Our results suggested that cross-breeding practices have ever led to critical consequences, particularly for Makatia and M'zabite. The information reported in this study has to be carefully considered in order to establish governmental plan able to prevent the genetic dilution of the Algerian goat livestock.

Abstract. This study aims to investigate, for the first time in Algeria, the effect of seasonal climatic changes on the hematological profile of Holstein dairy cows as an indicator for their physiological status assessment. The study was conducted between November 2018 and October 2019 and was performed on a lot of 14 dairy cows. Blood samples were collected quarterly during this study period. The data regarding seasonal changes in hematological parameters were not significant concerning red blood cell count (RBC), hemoglobin concentration (Hb) and mean corpuscular volume (MCV). However, variations were significant for hematocrit (HCT), mean corpuscular hemoglobin content (MCH), mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) and blood platelets (PLT). The percentage of HCT was higher in autumn (27.99%) and spring (28.58%) compared to winter (26.52%) and summer (26.75%), (p<0.05). MCH, MCHC and PLT levels were higher in summer compared to the other seasons (p<0.05), (p<0.01) and (p<0.001), respectively. The highest number of WBC was generally observed in summer and autumn and the lowest in winter and spring (p<0.01). The ratio neutrophils/lymphocytes (N:L) was equal to 1.01, 0.79, 0.98 and 0.89 in autumn, winter, spring and summer, respectively of which this difference was not significant. This study might be helpful for providing base line information on the hematological profile of dairy cattle for the evaluation of physiological status.

North Africa represents a rich and early reservoir of goat genetic diversity, from which the main African breeds have been derived. In this study, the genetic diversity of four indigenous Algerian goat breeds (i.e., Arabia, Makatia, M’Zabite and Kabyle, with n = 12 for each breed) has been investigated for the first time by genome-wide SNP genotyping; moreover in a broader context, genetic structuration of Algerian and Moroccan goats was explored (via FST, MDS, STRUCTURE, FineSTRUCTURE, BAPS, sPCA and DAPC analyses). At national level, the study revealed high level of genetic diversity and a significant phenomenon of admixture affecting all the Algerian breeds. At broader scale, clear global genetic homogeneity appeared considering both Algerian and Moroccan stocks. Indeed, genetic structuration was almost nonexistent among Arabia (from Algeria), Draa, Black and Nord (from Morocco), while the ancestral Kabyle and M’Zabite breeds, reared by Berber peoples, showed genetic distinctness. The study highlighted the threat to the Maghrebin stock, probably induced by unsupervised cross-breeding practices which have intensified in recent centuries. Moreover, it underlined the necessity to deepen our understanding of the genetic resources represented by the resilient North-African goat stock.

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