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Caesarean section rates (CSR) are steadily increasing worldwide with levels exceeding the maximum recommended by the WHO. To identify factors that may contribute to the improvement of CSR and to ensure an audit and feedback mechanism, we conducted this study of C-section according to Robson’s classification that identifies 10 mutually exclusive groups based on obstetric characteristics. This was a cross-sectional study from January 1, 2003 to December 31, 2013 on parturients who gave birth in the obstetrics department of the Gabriel TOURE University Teaching Hospital (UTH), which is a 3rd level health structure. We recorded 28,376 deliveries with 9,509 cases of C-section, with a rate of 33.5% (9,509/28,376). Robson's classes 3, 1, 5 and 10 constituted the largest populations and were the greatest contributors to the overall CSR with 7.6%, 7.4%, 5.9% and 5.4% respectively. The emergency admission (evacuation) rate was particularly high among Robson classes 5 and 3 with 57.1% and 46.6% of parturients evacuated, respectively. Classes 1, 3, and 10 had the highest number of cases and indications for emergency C-section. We recorded 298 cases of maternal death or 1.05% (298/28,376) of which 180 or 1.9% (180/9,509) of maternal death related to C-section, it was higher in groups 1, 3 and 10 with respectively 17.8%, 26.6% and 31.6% of cases of death. For fetal prognosis, the overall rate of stillbirth by C-section was 9.2% and was worse in groups 10, 7, 3 and 4 with 23.2%, 10.7%, 9.8% and 9.2% of stillbirths respectively. The stillbirth rate was higher in classes 9 and 10.

A total of 1015 adult cows belonging to nine West African cattle breeds were assessed for 16 body measurements and 18 qualitative traits to ascertain the existence of geographical patterns of variation. Sampling was carried out in 29 different provinces of Mali, Burkina Faso and Benin. For body measurements, taurine breeds took lower average values than the zebu breeds. Sanga cattle took intermediate values. Qualitative traits did not allow to differentiate among cattle groups (taurine, zebu or sanga) or breeds. Principal component analysis identified two factors explaining 56.4 and 9.2 % of the variance for body measurements, respectively. Two correspondence analysis dimensions computed on qualitative traits explained a small proportion of the variability (20.8 and 13.5 %, respectively). Contour plots were constructed using the eigenvalues computed for each individual and either factor or dimension identified; confidence regions calculated confirmed that body measurements clearly differentiated zebu and taurine cattle breeds while qualitative traits did not. Factor 1 was projected on a geographical map, using provinces as nodes, to assess breed-free variation for body measurements. A pattern of continuous variation from the Sahel area southwards was identified. Probably, breeding decisions promoting the crosses between zebu-like and taurine cattle are underlying this geographical pattern of variation. The implementation of selection strategies aiming at the increase of the productivity of native West African taurine cattle breeds while avoiding looses in trypanotolerant ability would be highly advisable.

A total of 183 adult sires belonging to nine West African cattle breeds sampled in 67 villages of Mali, Burkina Faso and Benin were assessed for 16 body measurements and 18 qualitative traits. Within type of cattle (zebu, sanga or taurine), the different breeds analysed showed large differences in body measurements. In general, taurine breeds had lower average values than the zebu breeds while sanga cattle tended to have intermediate values. Principal component analysis identified three factors characterising body measurements. Factor 1 summarised the information provided by those traits characterising the size of the individuals and explained 59.0 % of the variability. Factor 2 tended to gather information characterising the body width and explained 8.0 % of the variation. Less representative, Factor 3 (6.6 % of the variability) had no clear interpretation. Qualitative traits did not allow to distinguish among either cattle groups or breeds. Two Correspondence Analysis Dimensions computed on qualitative traits (explaining 26.2 and 15.5 % of the variability, respectively) did not allow to differentiate between zebu, sanga or taurine cattle breeds. Our results confirm that, in the framework of a general appearance, body measurements are the main criteria for differentiating West African cattle breeds. Furthermore, the current research has not allowed to identify breeding preferences on qualitative type traits in West African cattle sires. Therefore, homogenisation of the appearance of individuals within cattle breed is not expected.

Au Mali, les pertes en reproduction constituent des contraintes majeures à l’amélioration de la productivité de l’élevage des petits ruminants. Parmi les causes de ces pertes qui demeurent mal connues figurent, entre autres, l’infertilité, les avortements, l’orchite et la chétivité. L’objet de la présente étude a été d’évaluer la prévalence sérologique de la fièvre Q dans les élevages de petits ruminants où des cas de pertes en reproduction ont été observés, ainsi que la valeur financière des pertes liées aux avortements enregistrés. L’étude a été conduite entre 2006 et 2009 dans les zones agropastorales des localités de Bougouni (région de Sikasso), Nioro (région de Kayes), Kéniébougouwéré (région de Ségou) et Koro (région de Mopti). Sur les 718 sérums analysés par la méthode Elisa indirecte, 155 (21,5 ± 3 p. 100) se sont révélés positifs aux anticorps de Coxiella burnetii. Cette prévalence a varié en fonction des sites et du rang de portée. La prévalence la plus élevée a été observée à Kéniébougouwéré (35 ± 6 p. 100), suivi de Nioro (28,5 ± 7,5 p. 100), puis de Bougouni (10,8 ± 4,6 p. 100), et la plus faible à Koro (5,8 ± 3,7 p. 100). Des études complémentaires intégrant le diagnostic moléculaire (technique PCR) pourraient aider à élucider le rôle étiologique de cette pathologie dans les cas de pertes en reproduction couramment enregistrés chez les petits ruminants au Mali. L’analyse technico-économique a permis d’évaluer la valeur financière des pertes.

Up to 173 African sires belonging to 11 different subpopulations representative of four cattle groups were analysed for six Y-specific microsatellite loci and a mitochondrial DNA fragment. Differences in Y-chromosome and mtDNA haplotype structuring were assessed. In addition, the effect of such structuring on contributions to total genetic diversity was assessed. Thirty-five Y-chromosome and 71 mtDNA haplotypes were identified. Most Y-chromosomes analysed (73.4%) were of zebu origin (11 haplotypes). Twenty-two Y-haplotypes (44 samples) belonged to the African taurine subfamily Y2a. All mtDNA haplotypes belonged to the "African" taurine T1 haplogroup with 16 samples and nine haplotypes belonging to a recently identified subhaplogroup (T1e). Median-joining networks showed that Y-chromosome phylogenies were highly reticulated with clear separation between zebu and taurine clusters. Mitochondrial haplotypes showed a clear star-like shape with small number of mutations separating haplotypes. Mitochondrial-based FST -statistics computed between cattle groups tended to be statistically non-significant (p > .05). Most FST values computed among groups and subpopulations using Y-chromosome markers were statistically significant. AMOVA confirmed that divergence between cattle groups was only significant for Y-chromosome markers (ΦCT = 0.209). At the mitochondrial level, African sires resembled an undifferentiated population with individuals explaining 94.3% of the total variance. Whatever the markers considered, the highest contributions to total Nei's gene diversity and allelic richness were found in West African cattle. Genetic structuring had no effect on patterns of contributions to diversity.