Aynalem Haile

A comprehensive understanding of sheep husbandry practices in a given production environment provides essential baseline information for designing sheep breeding and development plans. This study characterized the Washera sheep husbandry practices of farmers under the smallholder production systems in north-west Ethiopia. Data were collected from a total of 480 randomly selected farmers using a semi-structured questionnaire survey. Qualitative and quantitative data were analyzed using Frequency Procedures in the Statistical Package for Social Science version 22 and the General Linear Model Procedure in the Statistical Analysis System version 9.0, respectively. Sheep constituted the largest proportion (38.42%) of livestock species owned by farmers. Natural pasture (index = 0.445) was the primary feed source for sheep. Most (97.1%) farmers graze their sheep freely (84.6%) on natural pasture. The majority of farmers (84.6%) face seasonal feed shortages mainly in the dry season (74.1%). About 52.2% of the farmers conserve feed to cope with seasonal feed shortages. Rivers were the main water source for sheep in both the dry (65.4%) and wet (63.3%) seasons. Most farmers (59.2%) house their sheep in separate pens with stilted floors (72.3%). Sheep sale decisions were made jointly by male and female household heads. The main opportunities for enhancing sheep production in the area include favorable agroecology, an adaptive breed, and market access. However, production and productivity are greatly affected by feed shortages and disease occurrences, mainly linked to poor sheep husbandry practices. Therefore, the potentials and challenges of sheep production in this study need to be considered in designing future sheep breeding and improvement programs in the area.

This review evaluated the impact of community‐based breeding programs (CBBPs) on growth and reproductive performance traits of Ethiopian sheep breeds. A systematic search of articles published between 2000 and 2024 was conducted using PubMed, African Journals Online (AJOL), CAB Direct, Web of Science, and Google Scholar, and relevant grey literature and reports. All retrieved articles were managed using the Zotero reference manager. Of the total 51 articles identified, 22 met the predefined inclusion criteria and contained sufficient quantitative data for meta‐analysis were included in the analysis, while the remaining 29 articles were used for descriptive analysis to assess trends and provide qualitative support. Meta‐analysis indicated that CBBPs generally improved growth traits, with nonsignificant pooled increases of 0.41 kg (95% CI = −0.09, 0.92) in birth weight and 2.19 kg (95% confidence interval [CI] = −0.13, 4.51) in weaning weight and statistically significant improvements of 4.01 kg (95% CI = 1.15, 6.88) in 6‐month weight and 3.97 kg (95% CI = 0.54, 7.40) in yearling weight. Reproductive performance showed a significant improvement in litter size of 0.25 (95% CI = −0.00, 0.51). Descriptive analysis indicated a 7.58% increase in 6‐month weight and an 11.36% reduction of lambing interval (LI) under CBBPs. Overall, these findings underscore the significant role of CBBPs in sustainably enhancing the productivity of indigenous sheep breeds and improving livelihoods in resource‐limited settings. To maximize impact, female reproductive traits, particularly age at first lambing (AFL) and LI, should be included as key breeding objectives, and standardized performance recording system should be adopted across CBBPs to support scalable and sustainable breeding programs in Ethiopia.

The evaluation of breeding schemes against established objectives and selection traits is essential for assessing the performance, outputs, and overall impacts of breeding programmes. In Ethiopia, most Community‐Based Breeding Programmes (CBBPs) have prioritised growth traits, particularly live weight, as the main selection criteria. However, since productivity relies on both reproductive and growth traits, it is critical to evaluate how these traits are evolving to make necessary adjustments in management practices and breeding schemes. This study considered five indigenous sheep breeds (Menz, Semein, Horro, Bonga and Doyogena), managed under CBBPs since 2009. Fixed effects for reproductive traits were estimated using the GLM procedures of SAS 9.4. Genetic parameters were estimated for all traits using the restricted maximum likelihood (REML) method with WOMBAT software, employing a multivariate repeated model, except for age at first lambing (AFL), which was analysed using a non‐repeated multivariate model. Significant effects ( p < 0.001) were observed for year of birth, breed of ewe, parity and birth season across all traits in the breeds studied. A general trend of improvement in litter size at birth (LSB), total litter weight at birth (TLWB), litter size at weaning (LSW), total litter weight at weaning (TLWW) and annual reproductive rate (ARR) was noted with increasing ewe parity until the seventh parity, followed by a decline thereafter. Direct heritability estimates for the traits according to the ewe breeds ranged from 0.03 to 0.25 for LSB, 0.02 to 0.16 for LSW, 0.08 to 0.21 for TLWB, 0.07 to 0.22 for TLWW, 0.03 to 0.19 for LI, 0.08 to 0.32 for ARR and 0.15 to 0.36 for AFL. Estimates of direct heritability and repeatability varied by breed and location, generally falling within small to medium ranges. Moderate to high genetic correlations were found between TLWW and other traits suggesting that selection for TLWW may significantly influence reproductive performances across most sheep breeds, with the exception of Menz sheep. The variations in genetic estimates across different breeds and locations indicate that genetic influences may vary depending on the specific context. Moderate to high genetic correlations between TLWW and other reproductive traits suggest that prioritising selection for TLWW could have a significant positive impact on reproductive performance across most sheep breeds, though the Menz breed may not exhibit the same expected benefits. These findings emphasise the need to integrate genetic selection with effective management practices tailored to each breed's specific needs, recommending the culling of unproductive ewes after the seventh parity to enhance the sustainability and productivity of CBBPs in Ethiopia.

The community‐based breeding program (CBBP) for Bonga sheep was introduced with the objective of improving the productivity of sheep and income of producers. Technical evaluation of the program reported outstanding outcomes in growth and reproductive traits of the animals. Further participatory evaluation allowing farmers to assess the relevance and impact of such programs has been suggested. This paper thus aims to explore the multifaceted contributions of the CBBP of Bonga sheep, emphasizing its flock dynamics, improvements in animal performance, and socio‐economic benefits as perceived by beneficiaries. Data were generated through interviews of 222 (111 CBBP members and 111 nonmembers) randomly selected sheep producers. The survey focused on flock dynamics, improvement in biological and aesthetic traits, and livelihood change of farmers. Logistic regression, ANOVA, and Pearson’s chi‐square were the analysis methods used. Results revealed that CBBP members had better flock size by 42.6% and they had higher numbers of breeding rams, suckling lambs, and breeding ewes in their flock by 60.5%, 54.3%, and 41.6%, respectively, compared to non‐members. The study further showed that members acquired and lost more (<0.001) animals annually than non‐members. About 94.6%, 82.8%, and 81.1% of respondents witnessed the improvement in body size, twinning rate, and survival of lambs, respectively. Likewise, 97.3% of members reported substantial improvement in reproductive traits such as age at first lambing (92.8%) and lambing interval (93.7%). Improvement in aesthetic traits like tail size (92.8%) and coat color (92%) too was reported by the farmers. The CBBP farmers produced, slaughtered, and sold more animals than their non‐CBBP counterparts. They also acquired more income by 60%, which enabled them to store assets and fulfill routine home needs better than non‐members. In conclusion, CBBP positively influenced sheep assets, performance, and marketability, elevating the income and livelihoods of beneficiaries. This underlines the need for expansion of the program to benefit more farmers.

Previously, NCAPG was identified as a candidate gene associated with sheep growth traits. This study aimed to investigate the direct role of NCAPG in regulating myogenesis in embryonic myoblast cells and to investigate the association between single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in its promoter region and sheep growth traits. The function of NCAPG in myoblast proliferation and differentiation was detected after small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) knocked down the expression of NCAPG. Cell proliferation was detected using CCK-8 assay, EdU proliferation assay, and flow cytometry cell cycle analysis. Cell differentiation was detected via cell immunofluorescence and the quantification of myogenic regulatory factors (MRFs). SNPs in the promoter region were detected using Sanger sequencing and genotyped using the improved multiplex ligation detection reaction (iMLDR^®) technique. As a result, a notable decrease (p < 0.01) in the percentage of EdU-positive cells in the siRNA-694-treated group was observed. A significant decrease (p < 0.01) in cell viability after treatment with siRNA-694 for 48 h and 72 h was detected using the CCK-8 method. The quantity of S-phase cells in the siRNA-694 treatment group was significantly decreased (p < 0.01). After interfering with NCAPG in myoblasts during induced differentiation, the relative expression levels of MRFs were markedly (p < 0.05 or p < 0.01) reduced compared with the control group on days 5–7. The myoblast differentiation in the siRNA-694 treatment group was obviously suppressed compared with the control group. SNP1, SNP2, SNP3, and SNP4 were significantly (p < 0.05) associated with all traits except body weight measured at birth and one month of age. SNP5 was significantly (p < 0.05) associated with body weight, body height, and body length in six-month-old sheep. In conclusion, interfering with NCAPG can inhibit the proliferation and differentiation of ovine embryonic myoblasts. SNPs in its promoter region can serve as potential useful markers for selecting sheep growth traits.

CUT-like homeobox 1 (CUX1) has been proven to be a key regulator in sheep hair follicle development. In our previous study, CUX1 was identified as a differential expressed gene between Hu sheep lambskin with small wave patterns (SM) and straight wool patterns (ST); however, the exact molecular mechanism of CUX1 expression has been obscure. As DNA methylation can regulate the gene expression, the potential association between CUX1 core promotor region methylation and lambskin pattern in Hu sheep was explored in the present study. The results show that the core promoter region of CUX1 was present at (−1601–(−1) bp) upstream of the transcription start site. A repressive region (−1151–(−751) bp) was also detected, which had a strong inhibitory effect on CUX1 promoter activity. Bisulfite amplicon sequencing revealed that no significant difference was detected between the methylation levels of CUX1 core promoter region in SM tissues and ST tissues. Although the data demonstrated the differential expression of CUX1 between SM and ST probably has no association with DNA methylation, the identification of the core region and a potential repressive region of CUX1 promoter can enrich the role of CUX1 in Hu sheep hair follicle development.

In our previous study of Hu sheep hair follicles, we found that CRABP2 was highly expressed in DPCs, which suggested that CRABP2 may influence the number of DPCs. In the present study, we aimed to understand the effect of CRABP2 in Hu sheep dermal papilla cells (DPCs). First, we explored the influence of CRABP2 on the ability of Hu sheep DPCs’ proliferation. Based on the results obtained from some experiments, such as CCK-8, EDU, qPCR, and Western blot experiment, we found that the overexpression of CRABP2 facilitated the proliferation of DPCs compared to the negative control group. Then, we also detected the effect of CRABP2 on the Wnt/β-catenin pathway based on the important function of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway in hair follicles. The results showed that CRABP2 could activate the Wnt/β-catenin pathway in DPCs, and it rescues the proliferation of DPCs when the Wnt/β-catenin pathway was inhibited. In summary, our findings indicate that CRABP2 is a vital functional gene in the proliferation of Hu sheep DPCs. Our study will be of great use for revealing the roles of CRABP2 in the hair follicles of Hu sheep.

Breeding programs involving either centralized nucleus schemes and/or importation of exotic germplasm for crossbreeding were not successful and sustainable in most Africa countries. Community-based breeding programs (CBBPs) are now suggested as alternatives that aim to improve local breeds and concurrently conserve them. Community-based breeding program is unique in that it involves the different actors from the initial phase of design up until implementation of the programs, gives farmers the knowledge, skills and support they need to continue making improvements long into the future and is suitable for low input systems. In Ethiopia, we piloted CBBPs in sheep and goats, and the results show that they are technically feasible to implement, generate genetic gains in breeding goal traits and result in socio-economic impact. In Malawi, CBBPs were piloted in local goats, and results showed substantial gain in production traits of growth and carcass yields. CBBPs are currently being integrated into goat pass-on programs in few NGOs and is out-scaled to local pig production. Impressive results have also been generated from pilot CBBPs in Tanzania. From experiential monitoring and learning, their success depends on the following: 1) identification of the right beneficiaries; 2) clear framework for dissemination of improved genetics and an up/out scaling strategy; 3) institutional arrangements including establishment of breeders’ cooperatives to support functionality and sustainability; 4) capacity development of the different actors on animal husbandry, breeding practices, breeding value estimation and sound financial management; 5) easy to use mobile applications for data collection and management; 6) long-term technical support mainly in data management, analysis and feedback of estimated breeding values from committed and accessible technical staff; 7) complementary services including disease prevention and control, proper feeding, and market linkages for improved genotypes and non-selected counterparts; 8) a system for certification of breeding rams/bucks to ensure quality control; 9) periodic program evaluation and impact assessment; and 10) flexibility in the implementation of the programs. Lessons relating to technical, institutional, community dynamics and the innovative approaches followed are discussed.