Browsing by Author "Mausse, Francisco"

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    Analytical evaluation of eight-cell cow embryos structure, outwards water and inwards cryo-protectants to ensure successful cryopreservation
    (University of Namibia, 2013) Mausse, Francisco; Bezugly, N.
    Modern reproductive techniques use cow embryos at different stages of development. Eight-cell embryos feature a layer comprising seven cells (blastomeres), surrounding the inner cell, making a total of eight. This article analyses outwards water paths and inwards cryo-protectants, within the eight-cell cow embryos and effectiveness of their cryopreservation. Reproductive cycles and superovulation in cows were triggered through reproductive hormones injection. After slaughter, oocytes were harvested and eight-cell embryos were produced in vitro fertilization and through embryo culture. The study included morphological observations to visualize embryo structure, distribution of blastomeres, cell-layers and analytical evaluation as well, to assess distribution of penetrating cryoprotectants within the inner-cell mass. Findings based on the eight-cell embryo structure suggest that the quantity of outwards water and inwards cryo-protectants is symmetrically distributed. Although, the characteristic of water and cryo-protectants movement is expected to be much better in eight-cell embryos, cryo-protectants properties and the modality of cryo-protectants should differ from procedures applied in other class of embryos. Survival rate of cryopreserved eight cell embryos was lower (6.3%) as compared to the results for 7–8 days embryos. Obviously, a successful cryopreservation of eight-cell cow embryos can only be achieved through a combination of both technical and biological parameters.
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    Assessment of male infertility causes in Mozambique: A case study of working class patients by IVF at Medicos associados clinica Cruz Azul laboratory Maputo
    (University of Namibia, 2014) Mausse, Francisco; Mabota, F.; Bugalho, A.
    A total of 105 semen specimens from infertile patients from different economic backgrounds collected throughout the country, were analyzed at IVF laboratory Medicos Associados Clinica Cruz Azul, Maputo between 2008 and 2010. The semen from patients were collected at the laboratory and quality assessment was carried out through microscopic observation. The objective of this study was to: (a) evaluate semen specimen’s prior IFV; (b) provide appropriate prognosis; and (c) find out alternative reproductive techniques to apply. Results revealed 17.14% with normo spermia; 36.2% with moderate oligospermia; 24.8% with severe oligospermia; 9.5% with presence of crystals consisting epithelial and germ cells within the seminal plasma specimens and 21.9% with high semen specimen viscosity (HSSV). These results indicate a significant level of infertility caused by both moderate and severe oligospermia, while the rest of the observed infertility is attributed to HSSV, followed by possible coital disorders which affected 17.14% of patients with standard semen parameters. Introduction of Intra- Cytoplasmic Sperm Injection techniques and counseling measures in the IVF laboratory are advised given their contribution in achieving both fertilization and acceptable conception rates, concurrently with observation of health care, towards keeping active and functional reproductive organs and standard semen quality..
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    Assessment on the effect of Lignin as a feed additive for lohmann brown egg layer chickens: A case study at Neudamm farm, University of Namibia
    (University of Namibia, 2014) Mausse, Francisco; Lyaku, Japhet R.; Beukes, Edmond; Nafenya, Lazarus
    Namibian environmental conditions. A total of 871 chickens (482 experimental and 489 control groups), weighing an average mass of 2 kg/head, were subjected to an experiment under Neudamm Campus (UNAM) environmental conditions (32 C average temperature and 22% relative humidity). All chickens were fed with ordinary balanced ration earmarked for egg layers for 8 days and subjected to stress for 10 minutes per day. The experimental group was given purified lignin (Lignohumate KD) 60 mg/kg diluted in a litter of drinking water, as an anti-stressor feed additive and metabolic activity stimulator. Results of this study revealed an increase in egg production, reduction in feed intake, resistance to stress, and production of eggs of bigger sizes (graded as Extra-large), with strong shells as compared to those produced by the control group. At a certain stage, some chickens from the experimental group were unable to release eggs freely, a fact possibly related to egg size and possible deficient lubrication of cloacal environment. Studies are ongoing with the objective of identifying accurate amounts of lignin/kg necessary to feed egg-layer chickens for triggering an improvement of egg quality under Namibian environmental conditions, without affecting the bird’s physiology and health.
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    A study on the effect of environmental temperature with relation to feed intake, mineral mobilization and respective incorporation into the egg yolk of Lohmann Brown egg layer chickens given purified lignin at the Neudamm farm in Namibia
    (University of Namibia, 2017) Mausse, Francisco; Lyaku, Japhet R.; Itenge, Theopoline Omagano
    It is of knowledge that the usage of antibiotics leads to development of antibiotic-resistance by pathogenic bacteria which pose a major threat to both animal and human health. Bio-stimulators can replace the use of antibiotics as growth promoters and exert positive influence on metabolic processes. Between June and July, 2013 a study was conducted on the effect of purified lignin on egg layer chickens. The objective of this study was to assess the effect of purified lignin on Lohmann Brown egg layer chickens under Namibian environmental conditions. The feed additive made of purified lignin, containing humic acid, pH 8.5-10, and 14% humidity which is soluble in water was used in this experiment. Lignin at concentrations of 60mg kg-1, 50mg kg-1 and 40mg kg-1 diluted in water were used to feed 1446 chickens (482 each experimental group), while 489 served as the control group), for 17 days with 10 days interval at 18◦C and 23% humidity. Feed intake was evaluated; eggs from both groups were harvested, sorted and graded in different categories daily. Egg content from both groups and the presence of microorganisms in the gastro-intestinal gut were assessed. Results revealed that experimental chickens had low feed intake (4.3kgs less) and produced more eggs graded as extra-jumbo and jumbo, with less egg fats and oil content (g/100g) - 17.4 for experimental group; 19.4 control group). No gastro-intestinal microbial organisms were found. Purified Lignin is suggested to improve digestibility and feed conversion. The use of 50mg kg led to reduced feed intake in the experimental group despite low temperature while increasing the mobilisation of Fe, (mg/kg) - 17.7; 13.7; Se mg/kg -0.68 and 0.89; protein into egg yolk (g/100g) - 19.1; 17.1. Evidently, lignin can be used in the poultry industry as a feed additive and bio-stimulator to increase Iron (Fe) uptake which in return increases the level of haemoglobin and Selenium (Se) which serves as an antioxidant, while concurrently reducing microbial meat contamination and replace the use of antibiotics as feed additive.