Benoît Koutinhouin

Bio: Benoît Koutinhouin is an academic researcher from National University of Benin. The author has contributed to research in topics: Colostrum & Rhipicephalus microplus. The author has an hindex of 6, co-authored 16 publications receiving 113 citations.

Phenotypic characterisation and molecular polymorphism of indigenous poultry populations of the species Gallus gallus of Savannah and Forest ecotypes of Benin

Abstract: The study of the phenotypic characterisation and molecular polymorphism of local chicken populations was carried out in Benin on 326 chickens of the Forest ecological area and 316 of the Savannah ecological area, all were 7 months old at least. The collection of blood for the molecular typing was achieved on 121 indigenous chickens of which 60 from the Savannah ecological area and 61 from the Forest ecological area. The genotyping was carried out for 22 microsatellite loci. Weight and body measures of the Savannah chickens were significantly higher (P < 0.001) than those of the Forest chickens. In the Savannah ecological area, the most frequent plumage colours were the black (22.15%), the white (19.62%), the coppery black (7.59%) and the golden partridge (7.59%). In the Forest area, the fawn (15.34%), the black (10.43%), the white (6.8%), the silver white (6.8%) and the golden partridge (6.75%) were the dominant feather colours. Thus, phenotypic characterisation showed significant differences between Savannah and Forest local chickens. The FST calculated between the Savannah and Forest populations revealed a low genetic differentiation and the dendogram showed that Savannah and Forest chickens were quite intermingled. In conclusion, local populations from Savannah and Forest area may be considered as ecotypes, but not as two distinct breeds.

Resistance of tick Rhipicephalus microplus to acaricides and control strategies

Abstract: Ticks are bloodsucking arthropods mandatory and represent a real problem for cattle. The aim of this review is to make an inventory of acaricide resistance and ways to fight against the tick Rhipicephalus microplus. The main classes of synthetic miticides are arsenical, organochlorine, organophosphates, amidines, macrocyclic lactones, growth regulators and phenylpyrazoles. Pyrethroids are the most widespread and used acaricide in the fight against ticks. Resistance to these classes acaricide was reported in all countries where the tick Rhipicephalus microplus is present. To deal with these ectoparasites, a variety of control methods are used. These include ecological, biological, and genetic approaches. Proper control of the ticks will allow farmers to save and limit the losses related to diseases transmitted by ticks. It is urgent to propose and develop new approach to fight against tick Rhipicephalus microplus.

Inventaire ethno-pharmacologique des plantes utilisées dans le traitement des pathologies parasitaires dans les élevages extensifs et semi-intensifs du Bénin

Abstract: L’Afrique regorge d’une importante reserve de plantes utilisees en ethnomedecine veterinaire. La presente etude vise a repertorier une gamme de plantes medicinales habituellement utilisees pour traiter les pathologies parasitaires des animaux. A cet effet, une enquete ethno-botanique a ete realisee aupres de 787 eleveurs et agro-eleveurs des huit zones agro-ecologiques du Benin, de juin a decembre 2013. Au total, cinq (5) plantes medicinales ( Azadirachta indica, Cajanus cajan, Cissus quadrangularis, Nicotiana tabacum et Vernonia amygdalina ) sont utilisees pour traiter la coccidiose contre deux (2) plantes (Bombax costatum et Prosopis africana) pour la piroplasmose et douze (12) plantes dont A. polyacantha, C. sieberiana, C. febrifuga, D. microcarpum, P. kotschyi, Z. mays pour la trypanosomiase. En outre, dix-huit (18) plantes dont A. digitata, A. senegalensis, A. leiocarpa, Bambusa vulgaris, F. exasperata ont ete inventoriees pour traiter les ectoparasitoses contre dix-sept (17) plantes dont A. flagellaris, C. papaya, E. guineensis, M. charantia, Senna alata pour la gale et quarante-deux (42) plantes dont A. digitata, A . sativum, Anacardium occidentale, A. leiocarpa, B. ferruginea, C. papaya, C. ambrosioides, K. senegalensis, F. sur, M. inermis, N. canensis pour traiter les helminthiases. Les organes les plus utilises sont les feuilles et les ecorces. La majorite des remedes sont prepares sous forme de decoction. Des tests sur l’efficacite de ces plantes permettront de mieux les valoriser dans la lutte contre les pathologies parasitaires. Mots cles : Maladies parasitaires, phyto-pharmacologie, enquete, Benin.

In vitro acaricidal effect of Syzygium aromaticum and Cymbopogon citratus essential oil on engorged female of cattle tick Rhipicephalus microplus in Benin

Abstract: Ticks are external parasites of livestock and vector of several pathogens in infected animals. They lower production performances, which result in severe economic losses for breeders. So far a number of synthetic acaricide are used for the control of Rhipicephalus microplus. However, as a consequence of their extensive use, this tick specie has developed a resistance to the major classes of acaricide. In order to limit resistance and reduce the invasion of this tick, we have evaluated the potential acaricide action of Syzygium aromaticum of Cymbopogon citratus essential oils and their mixture of engorged females Rhipicephalus microplus . The Adults Immersion Test carried out showed sensitivity of ticks to the extract of Syzygium aromaticum and Cymbopogon citratus essential oil: 100% mortality of engorged female was obtained at the highest concentration, 10mg/ml, for the two essential oils. The mixture of Syzygium aromaticum and Cymbopogon citratus oil induced 100% death at a concentration of 1.25mg / ml. The lethal doses 50, 90 and 99% of individuals was calculated. The highest oviposition inhibition rate (90.3% for Syzygium aromaticum and 60.7% for Cymbopogon citratus) was obtained at a concentration of 10mg/ml. However, no oviposition was seen from a concentration of 1.25mg /ml of the oil mixture. The results relevant to hatching reduction rate were similar. Hence, Syzygium aromaticum and Cymbopogon citratus essential oil mixture could be used as an alternative solution in the fight against ticks.

Performances de production laitière des races bovines de l’Afrique de l’Ouest

Abstract: Le faible niveau de production de lait du betail et la non maitrise des facteurs qui agissent generalement sur cette production, sont les principaux goulots d’etranglement pour la securite alimentaire dans le domaine du lait et des produits laitiers en Afrique de l’Ouest. Ces facteurs sont d’ordres genetique et non genetique et meritent d’etre elucides dans le cadre de l’amelioration de la production du lait des vaches. Cet article passe en revue les effets des principaux facteurs non genetiques (stade de lactation, rang de mise bas, saison de mise bas, alimentation, etc.) et genetiques (race, selection, croisement, etc.) sur la production de lait des races bovines en Afrique de l’Ouest. La contribution de la biotechnologie animale a la diffusion du progres genetique a ete egalement abordee. Cette synthese ressort au prealable l’origine, l’aire de distribution geographique et les performances des principales races bovines exploitees pour la production de lait en Afrique de l’Ouest. Mots cles: Bovin, lait, facteurs genetiques, facteurs non genetiques, Afrique de l’Ouest Performances of milk production of West Africa cattle breeds The low level of livestock milk production and the uncontrol of factors that generally affect the production are the main handicaps of food security in the milk products field in West Africa. These factors are genetic and non-genetic orders and should be understood in the context of cows’ milk production improvement. This scientific paper examines the effects of the main non-genetic factors (stage of lactation, rank calving, calving season, feeding etc) and genetic (breed, selection, crossing, etc). The animal biotechnology contribution for genetic progress spreading has been tackled. This synthesis first spring origin, geographic range and performance of the main breeds used for milk production in West Africa. Keywords: Cattle, milk, genetics factors, non genetics factors, West Africa

Progress in the epidemiology and diagnosis of amitraz resistance in the cattle tick Boophilus microplus in Australia

Abstract: Amitraz is a rapidly acting acaricide that has been in use for the control of cattle ticks for more than 30 years. Resistance against amitraz was first reported in Boophilus microplus in Australia in 1980 but has been slow to spread in comparison to resistance against synthetic pyrethroids. The most recent estimate of prevalence of amitraz resistance in Australia is 10.8%. In Mexico, the development and distribution of amitraz appears to have been more rapid and the prevalence has been estimated to be 19.4% in Yucatan state. In New Caledonia, about 10% of properties were confirmed to have amitraz resistance. There is little reliable information on the prevalence of amitraz resistance in southern Africa. Risk factors have been identified, but the small sample sizes in the studies that have attempted to identify risk factors using survey data suggest caution in their interpretation. Regional variation in prevalence has been reported, as has a positive relationship with frequency of acaricide application. There is evidence to suggest that in Australia, amitraz resistance might have emerged on a small number of properties and been disseminated by cattle movements. There is also some evidence to suggest that amitraz resistance can diminish in the field when selection pressure is not applied. The mode of inheritance of amitraz resistance is uncertain and it has been suggested that it is a polygenic trait. The mechanism of amitraz resistance is unknown. Two possibilities have been proposed: octopamine receptor and monoamine oxidase. There is some equivocal support for both possibilities. The larval packet test bioassay is the most reliable method of diagnosing amitraz resistance in B. microplus, and this test has been modified by Miller to provide more accuracy and repeatability. Molecular tests are in development but will not eliminate the need for the bioassay.

The History of African Village Chickens: an Archaeological and Molecular Perspective.

Abstract: The history of the introduction and dispersal of village chickens across the African continent is a subject of intense debate and speculation among scholars. Here, we synthesize and summarise the current scientific genetic and nongenetic knowledge in relation to the history of the species on the continent. Sociocultural, linguistic, archaeological and historic data all suggest a complex history for the species in Africa, characterized by multiple maritime and/or terrestrial introductions over time and several dispersal routes towards and within Africa. Molecular genetics information supports these observations and in addition suggests possible Asian centers of origin for African domestic chickens, including South Asia and Island Southeast Asia. However, both sets of data were until now too limited in their geographic scope, both within Africa and in comparison with chickens from Asia, to unravel the history of the species in detail. We anticipate that further continent-wide studies combining archaeological, ancient and/or modern genetic information may shed new insights on the history of the species. These will contribute to a deeper understanding of the history of trading networks and human interactions within Africa and between African and Asian societies, at the root of the development and expansion of African civilizations.

Gene diversity, agroecological structure and introgression patterns among village chicken populations across North, West and Central Africa

Abstract: Chickens represent an important animal genetic resource for improving farmers’ income in Africa. The present study provides a comparative analysis of the genetic diversity of village chickens across a subset of African countries. Four hundred seventy-two chickens were sampled in 23 administrative provinces across Cameroon, Benin, Ghana, Cote d’Ivoire, and Morocco. Geographical coordinates were recorded to analyze the relationships between geographic distribution and genetic diversity. Molecular characterization was performed with a set of 22 microsatellite markers. Five commercial lines, broilers and layers, were also genotyped to investigate potential gene flow. A genetic diversity analysis was conducted both within and between populations. High heterozygosity levels, ranging from 0.51 to 0.67, were reported for all local populations, corresponding to the values usually found in scavenging populations worldwide. Allelic richness varied from 2.04 for a commercial line to 4.84 for one population from Cote d’Ivoire. Evidence of gene flow between commercial and local populations was observed in Morocco and in Cameroon, which could be related to long-term improvement programs with the distribution of crossbred chicks. The impact of such introgressions seemed rather limited, probably because of poor adaptation of exotic birds to village conditions, and because of the consumers’ preference for local chickens. No such gene flow was observed in Benin, Ghana, and Cote d’Ivoire, where improvement programs are also less developed. The clustering approach revealed an interesting similarity between local populations found in regions sharing high levels of precipitation, from Cameroon to Cote d’Ivoire. Restricting the study to Benin, Ghana, and Cote d’Ivoire, did not result in a typical breed structure but a south-west to north-east gradient was observed. Three genetically differentiated areas (P < 0.01) were identified, matching with Major Farming Systems (namely Tree Crop, Cereal-Root Crop, and Root Crop) described by the FAO. Local chickens form a highly variable gene pool constituting a valuable resource for human populations. Climatic conditions, farming systems, and cultural practices may influence the genetic diversity of village chickens in Africa. A higher density of markers would be needed to identify more precisely the relative importance of these factors.