Genetic polymorphism of toll-like receptors 4 gene by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphisms, polymerase chain reaction-single-strand conformational polymorphism to correlate with mastitic cows

Research (Published online: 15-05-2015)

10. Genetic polymorphism of toll-like receptors 4 gene by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphisms, polymerase chain reaction-single-strand conformational polymorphism to correlate with mastitic cows - Pooja H. Gupta, Nirmal A. Patel, D. N. Rank and C. G. Joshi

Veterinary World, 8(5): 615-620

   doi: 10.14202/vetworld.2015.615-620

Abstract

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Aim: An attempt has been made to study the toll-like receptors 4 (TLR4) gene polymorphism from cattle DNA to correlate with mastitis cows.

Materials and Methods: In present investigation, two fragments of TLR4 gene named T4CRBR1 and T4CRBR2 of a 316 bp and 382 bp were amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR), respectively from Kankrej (22) and Triple cross (24) cattle. The genetic polymorphisms in the two populations were detected by a single-strand conformational polymorphism in the first locus and by digesting the fragments with restriction endonuclease Alu I in the second one.

Results: Results showed that both alleles (A and B) of two loci were found in all the two populations and the value of polymorphism information content indicated that these were highly polymorphic. Statistical results of χ2 test indicated that two polymorphism sites in the two populations fit with Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium (p˂0.05). Meanwhile, the effect of polymorphism of TLR4 gene on the somatic cell score (SCS) indicated the cattle with allele a in T4CRBR1 showed lower SCS than that of allele B (p<0.05). Thus, the allele A might play an important role in mastitis resistance in cows.

Conclusion: The relationship between the bovine mastitis trait and the polymorphism of TLR4 gene indicated that the bovine TLR4 gene may play an important role in mastitis resistance.

Keywords: cattle, mastitis, restriction fragment length polymorphisms, single-strand conformational polymorphism, somatic cell score, toll-like receptors 4 gene.

Cloning and sequencing of hfq (host factor required for synthesis of bacteriophage Q beta RNA) gene of Salmonella Typhimurium isolated from poultry

Research (Published online: 14-05-2015)

9. Cloning and sequencing of hfq (host factor required for synthesis of bacteriophage Q beta RNA) gene of Salmonella Typhimurium isolated from poultry - Parthasarathi Behera, Muhammed Kutty, Bhaskar Sharma, Ajay Kumar and Meeta Saxena

Veterinary World, 8(5): 610-614

   doi: 10.14202/vetworld.2015.610-614

Abstract

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Aim: The aim was to clone and sequence hfq gene of Salmonella Typhimurium strain PM-45 and compare its sequence with hfq gene of other serovar of Salmonella.

Materials and Methods: Salmonella Typhimurium strain PM-45 was procured from the G. B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar, India. The genomic DNA was isolated from Salmonella Typhimurium. Hfq gene was polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplified from the DNA using specific primers, which was subsequently cloned into pET32a vector and transformed intoEscherichia coli BL21 pLys cells. The recombinant plasmid was isolated and subjected to restriction enzyme digestion as well as PCR. The clone was then sequenced. The sequence was analyzed and submitted in GenBank.

Results: PCR produced an amplicon of 309 bp. Restriction digestion of the recombinant plasmid released the desired insert. The hfqsequence shows 100% homology with similar sequences from other Salmonella Typhimurium isolates. Both nucleotide and amino acid sequences are highly conserved. The submitted sequence is having Genbank accession no KM998764.

Conclusion: Hfq, the hexameric RNA binding protein is one of the most important post-transcriptional regulator of bacteria. The sequence of hfq gene of Salmonella Typhimurium is highly conserved within and between Salmonella enterica serovars. This gene sequence is probably under heavy selection pressure to maintain the conformational integrity of its product in spite of its being not a survival gene.

Keywords: cloning, hfq, RNA binding protein, sequencing, Salmonella Typhimurium.

Evaluation of various feedstuffs of ruminants in terms of chemical composition and metabolisable energy content

Research (Published online: 14-05-2015)

8. Evaluation of various feedstuffs of ruminants in terms of chemical composition and metabolisable energy content - Dinesh Kumar, Chander Datt, L. K. Das and S. S. Kundu

Veterinary World, 8(5): 605-609

   doi: 10.14202/vetworld.2015.605-609

Abstract

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Aim: The aim was to determine the chemical composition and metabolisable energy (ME) content of feedstuffs used in ruminant animals using in vitro method.

Materials and Methods: A total of 18 feedstuffs used for ruminant feeding including cultivated non-leguminous fodders like maize, sorghum, pearl millet, and oat; leguminous fodders like cowpea and berseem; agro-industrial by-products such as wheat bran, deoiled rice bran, rice polish, wheat straw, and concentrates such as mustard oil cake, groundnut cake, soybean meal, cotton seed cake, grains like maize, oat, wheat, and barley were taken for this study. Chemical compositions and cell wall constituents of test feeds were determined in triplicate. The crude protein (CP) content was calculated as nitrogen (N) × 6.25. True dry matter digestibility (TDMD), true organic matter digestibility (TOMD), ME, and partitioning factor (PF) values were determined by in vitro gas production technique (IVGPT).

Results: The CP content of non-leguminous fodders varied from 7.29% (sorghum) to 9.51% (maize), but leguminous fodders had less variation in CP. Oilseed cakes/meals had high CP and ether extract (EE) content than other feedstuffs except rice polish, which had 12.80% EE. Wheat straw contained highest fiber fractions than the other ingredients. ME content was highest in grains (wheat-12.02 MJ/kg) and lowest in wheat straw (4.65 MJ/kg) and other roughages. TDMD of grains and oilseed cakes/meals were higher than the fodders and agro-industrial by-products. The same trend was observed for TOMD.

Conclusions: It was concluded that the energy feeds showed a great variation in chemical composition and ME content. The results of this study demonstrated that the kinetics of gas production of energy feed sources differed among themselves. Evaluation of various feedstuffs is helpful in balanced ration formulation for field animals and under farm conditions for better utilization of these commonly available feed resources.

Keywords: chemical compositions, feedstuffs, in vitro method, metabolisable energy, ruminants.

Detection and characterization of extended-spectrum β-lactamases (blaCTX-M-1 and blaSHV) producing Escherichia coli, Salmonellaspp. and Klebsiella pneumoniae isolated from humans in Mizoram

Research (Published online: 14-05-2015)

7. Detection and characterization of extended-spectrum β-lactamases (blaCTX-M-1 and blaSHV) producing Escherichia coli, Salmonellaspp. and Klebsiella pneumoniae isolated from humans in Mizoram - Iadarilin Warjri, T. K. Dutta, H. Lalzampuia and Rajesh Chandra

Veterinary World, 8(5): 599-604

   doi: 10.14202/vetworld.2015.599-604

Abstract

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Aim: The present study was conducted to isolate and characterize the extended spectrum β-lactamases (ESBLs) producing enteric bacteria in human beings in Mizoram, India.

Materials and Methods: Fecal samples were collected from human beings with or without the history of diarrhea from different hospitals of Mizoram. Samples were processed for isolation and identification of Escherichia coli, Salmonella and Klebsiella pneumoniae. All the isolates were subjected to antibiotic sensitivity assays. Phenotypically, ESBLs production ability was determined by double discs synergy test (DDST) method. ESBLs producing isolates were subjected to polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for detection of ESBLs genes. Plasmids were cured by acridine orange. Transfer of resistance from a donor to recipient strains was done by in vitro horizontal method.

Results: A total of 414 enteric bacteria were isolated from 180 fecal samples (113 were from diarrheic patients and 67 were from non-diarrheic patients), of which 333 (80.44%), 52 (12.56%), and 29 (7.00%) were E. coli, K. pneumoniae and Salmonella spp., respectively. Double discs synergy test (DDST) exhibited 72 (21.62%) E. coli, 12 (23.08%) K. pneumoniae and 4 (13.79%) Salmonella spp. were ESBLs producers. Altogether, 24 (13.04%) isolates were found to be positive for at least one resistance genes under this study. A total of 36 (8.70%) E. coli, 4 (0.97%) K. pneumoniae and 2 (0.48%) Salmonella spp. were found to be positive for blaCTX-M-1 gene by PCR. Similarly, 5 (1.21%) E. coli and 4 (0.97%) K. pneumoniae isolates were found to be positive for blaSHV gene. A total of 3 (0.72%) K. pneumoniae isolates were recorded as positive for both blaCTX-M-1 and blaSHV genes. All the isolates were carrying plasmids ranging between 0.9 kb and ~30 kb. The resistance plasmid could not be transferred to a recipient by in vitro horizontal gene transfer method.

Conclusion: ESBLs producing enteric bacteria are circulating in human population in North Eastern Region of India. Indiscriminate use of antibiotics should be avoided to control the menace of multidrug resistance bacteria in the environment, animals, and human beings.

Keywords: Enterobacteriaceae, extended spectrum β-lactamases, India, Mizoram.

Role of parasitic vaccines in integrated control of parasitic diseases in livestock

Review (Published online: 14-05-2015)

6. Role of parasitic vaccines in integrated control of parasitic diseases in livestock - Neelu Sharma, Veer Singh and K. P. Shyma

Veterinary World, 8(5): 590-598

   doi: 10.14202/vetworld.2015.590-598

Abstract

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Parasitic infections adversely affect animal’s health and threaten profitable animal production, thus affecting the economy of our country. These infections also play a major role in the spread of zoonotic diseases. Parasitic infections cause severe morbidity and mortality in animals especially those affecting the gastrointestinal system and thus affect the economy of livestock owner by decreasing the ability of the farmer to produce economically useful animal products. Due to all these reasons proper control of parasitic infection is critically important for sustained animal production. The most common and regularly used method to control parasitic infection is chemotherapy, which is very effective but has several disadvantages like drug resistance and drug residues. Integrated approaches to control parasitic infections should be formulated including grazing management, biological control, genetic resistance of hosts, and parasitic vaccines. India ranks first in cattle and buffalo population, but the majority of livestock owners have fewer herds, so other measures like grazing management, biological control, genetic resistance of hosts are not much practical to use. The most sustainable and economical approach to control parasitic infection in our country is to vaccinate animals, although vaccines increase the initial cost, but the immunity offered by the vaccine are long lived. Thus, vaccination of animals for various clinical, chronic, subclinical parasitic infections will be a cheaper and effective alternative to control parasitic infection for long time and improve animal production.

Keywords: drug resistance, integrated control measures, parasitic infections, parasitic vaccines.

Acute and subchronic toxicity assessment model of Ferula assa-foetida gum in rodents

Research (Published online: 06-05-2015)

5. Acute and subchronic toxicity assessment model of Ferula assa-foetida gum in rodents - Ayman Goudah, Khaled Abdo-El-Sooud and Manal A. Yousef

Veterinary World, 8(5): 584-589

   doi: 10.14202/vetworld.2015.584-589

Abstract

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Aim: The present study was performed to investigate acute and subchronic oral toxicity of Ferula assa-foetida gum (28 days) in Sprague Dawley rats.

Materials and Methods: Acute oral administration of F. assa-foetida was done as a single bolus dose up to 5 g/kg in mice and subchronic toxicity study for 28 days was done by oral administration at doses of 0 (control) and 250 mg/kg in Sprague Dawley rats.

Results: The obtained data revealed that oral administration of F. assa-foetida extract in rats for 28 successive days had no significant changes on body weight, body weight gain, the hematological parameters in rats all over the period of the experiment, and there are no significant increases in the activity of aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, creatinine and urea. Liver of treated rats showed mild changes as thrombosis and sinusoidal leukocytosis. It also showed portal infiltration with inflammatory cells, while kidney of treated rat showed an atrophy of glomerular tuft, thickening of parietal layer of Bowman capsule, and focal tubular necrosis. It also showed dilatation and congestion of renal blood vessels.

Conclusion: We concluded that F. assa-foetida gum had broad safety and little toxicity for short term use in dose of 250 mg/kg.

Keywords: F. assa-foetida, histopathology, rats, serum enzymatic activity, subchronic toxicity.

Influenza A plasma and serum virus antibody detection comparison in dogs using blocking enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay

Research (Published online: 06-05-2015)

4. Influenza A plasma and serum virus antibody detection comparison in dogs using blocking enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay - H. T. Lin, C. H. Hsu, H. J. Tsai, C. H. Lin, P. Y. Lo, S. L. Wang and L. C. Wang

Veterinary World, 8(5): 580-583

   doi: 10.14202/vetworld.2015.580-583

Abstract

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Background and Aim: The influenza A virus (IAV) is an important zoonotic pathogen with infections also reported in dogs. IAV infections can be detected through the presence of antibodies using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Serum is the only standard sample source; however, there is no information on the availability of other sample sources for IAV antibody detection in dogs. Compared with serum, plasma is more widely employed in most animal hospitals. The object of this study is to investigate whether plasma collected in ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) tubes (EDTA plasma) or heparin tubes (heparin plasma) could be used in the ELISA protocol instead of serum for IAV antibody detection in dogs.

Materials and Methods: Totally, 82 matched EDTA plasma and serum sample pairs and 79 matched heparin plasma and serum sample pairs were employed using blocking enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (bELISA). The agreement and correlation between the plasma (EDTA or heparin plasma) and serum were assessed using the agreement index kappa (kD) calculation and Pearson correlation coefficient, respectively.

Results: The agreement index kD of EDTA plasma and serum was 1.0, and that of heparin plasma and serum was 0.85. The Pearson correlation coefficient of EDTA plasma and serum was 0.87 (p<0.01), and that of heparin plasma and serum was 0.82 (p<0.01).

Conclusion: The results proved that plasma, especially EDTA plasma, could be substituted for serum in the bELISA test. This might greatly expand the clinical applicability of IAV antibody detection in dogs.

Keywords: dog, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, influenza A virus, plasma, serum.

Effect of tanniferous leaf meal based multi-nutrient blocks on feed intake, hematological profile, immune response, and body weight changes in Haemonchus contortus infected goats

Research (Published online: 06-05-2015)

3. Effect of tanniferous leaf meal based multi-nutrient blocks on feed intake, hematological profile, immune response, and body weight changes in Haemonchus contortus infected goats - Surender Singh, A. K. Pathak, R. K. Sharma and Muzaffer Khan

Veterinary World, 8(5): 572-579

   doi: 10.14202/vetworld.2015.572-579

Abstract

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Aim: The aim was to assess the effect of multi nutrient block (MNB) supplementation with and without tanniferous leaf meal mixture on feed intake, hematological profile, immune response, and body weight changes of goats that were experimentally infected withHaemonchus contortus.

Materials and Methods: Total 12 adult male goats of similar age and body weight (26.49±0.87) were allocated in 3 groups in completely randomized design. MNB supplemented in first two groups i.e. in T1 (no infection) and T2 (H. contortus infection @ 1500 L3/goat) group, while, MNB-condensed tannin (CT) supplemented in T3 (H. contortus infection @ 1500 L3/goat + CT source). All goats were fed concentrate mixture @ 100 g/day/goat, ad lib wheat straw and MNB or MNB-CT to meet their requirement for maintenance. Body weights were recorded and blood and fecal samples were collected at 0 day and thereafter at 15 days intervals for a period of 75 days for the assessment of body weight changes, hematological profile and H. contortus loads. Both humoral and cell-mediated immune (CMI) response were assessed at the end of feeding trial.

Results: Mean hemoglobin and packed cell volume (PCV) levels were found to be highest (p<0.001, p<0.05) in T1 group followed by T3group and lowest values were observed in T2 group. However, The PCV values between T1 and T3 groups were found to be statistically non-significant (p<0.05). The humoral and CMI response were significantly (p<0.036) higher in T3 group as compared to T2 group. MNB-CT supplementation significantly (p<0.001) reduced fecal egg counts in T3 group as compared to MNB supplemented T2 group.

Conclusion: Supplementation of MNB-CT could be used as an alternative sustainable method to control H. contortus and maintained health status and performance of goats in face of parasitic challenge.

Keywords: condensed tannins, goats, Haemonchus contortus, leaf meal mixture, multi-nutrient blocks.

Phylogenetic analysis of Dichelobacter nodosus serogroup-specific fimA gene from ovine footrot in Andhra Pradesh

Research (Published online: 04-05-2015)

2. Phylogenetic analysis of Dichelobacter nodosus serogroup-specific fimA gene from ovine footrot in Andhra Pradesh - N. Vinod Kumar, A. Karthik, S. Vijayalakhsmi and D. Sreenivasulu

Veterinary World, 8(5): 567-571

   doi: 10.14202/vetworld.2015.567-571

Abstract

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Aim: Identification of different serogroups of Dichelobacter nodosus prevailing in the region and to understand the degree of genetic heterogeneities among the different isolates of D. nodosus.

Materials and Methods: A total of 150 exudate samples of footrot lesions with a lesion score of 2-4 were collected from naturally infected sheep. The samples were screened by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) targeting D. nodosus specific 16srRNA. Of 150 samples screened, 70 samples were found to be positive. The positive samples were attempted for isolation of D. nodosus, out of which 16 isolates were recovered. All the isolates were subjected to serogrouping by multiplex PCR targeting fimA gene using A-I serogroup specific primers.

Results: Of 16 isolates, 7 (43.75%) isolates were serogroup B, 4 (25.00%) isolates were serogroup A, 3 isolates (18.75%) were serogroup I and 2 (12.5%) isolates yielded both serogroup A and B. phylogenetic analysis was performed using neighbor-joining algorithm of the ClustelX2 software in order to study whether the serogroups isolated in the present investigation differed genetically from other published serogroups. The fimA gene sequence of present isolates of serogroups A, B, and I were segregated into three distinct groups with high bootstrap values. The serogroup B clustered with Australian isolate of serotype B1 suggesting high genetic similarity of the present isolate with serotype B1.

Conclusions: The clinical samples were collected from suspected outbreaks of footrot and identified the prevalence of D. nodosus by PCR targeting 16srRNA gene. Identified serogroups A, B, and I from different districts of Andhra Pradesh. The phylogenetic analysis will help for the tentative identification of serotypes present in the serogroup and to understand the degree of genetic heterogeneities among the different isolates of D. nodosus.

Keywords: fimA gene, -footrot,- phylogenetic analysis, polymerase chain reaction.

Seroprevalence and comparison of different serological tests for brucellosis detection in small ruminants

Research (Published online: 04-05-2015)

1. Seroprevalence and comparison of different serological tests for brucellosis detection in small ruminants - Dashrath B. Sadhu, H. H. Panchasara, H. C. Chauhan, D. R. Sutariya, V. L. Parmar and H. B. Prajapati

Veterinary World, 8(5): 561-566

   doi: 10.14202/vetworld.2015.561-566

Abstract

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Aim: The aim was to study the seroprevalence and efficacy of the different serological tests used for detection of antibody againstBrucella species in small ruminants of Banaskantha district of North-Gujarat.

Materials and Methods: Total 1000 serum samples comprising of 485 from sheep and 515 from goat tested for detection of antibodies against the Brucella species by three different serological tests viz., Rose bengal plate test (RBPT), Standard tube agglutination test (STAT), and Indirect Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (I-ELISA).

Results: The seroprevalence of brucellosis in small ruminants was 11.30%, 11.10%, and 8.80% by RBPT, STAT, and I-ELISA, respectively. The seroprevalence of brucellosis was found to be higher in sheep than goats. The sensitivity of RBPT was found slight more than STAT, but the specificity of both tests was same. In this study, the overall agreement of RBPT and STAT with I-ELISA was found 92.50% and 92.30% in small ruminants, respectively.

Conclusion: I-ELISA was a better serological test as compared to RBPT and STAT in the sense of sensitivity, specificity, and rapidity and it could be advocated for screening of brucellosis in sheep and goats.

Keywords: brucellosis, seroprevalence, serological test, small ruminant.

One Health approach: A platform for intervention in emerging public health challenges of Kerala state

Review (Published online: 01-05-2015)

3. One Health approach: A platform for intervention in emerging public health challenges of Kerala state - A. Sukumaran and A. S. Pradeepkumar

International Journal of One Health, 1: 14-25

Abstract

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The authors, key functionaries in the Kerala state public health system, review the communicable disease scenario of the state for the past 4 years, and in the background of the One Health concept, opines that the re-emerged discipline is perfectly in tune with the current challenges of the state. The unique model of Kerala state is witnessing newer challenges in its public health arena: The rapidly increasing migrant workforce from relatively poorer states of India, rapid urbanization and its consequent stress on public health, unsolved issues of urban waste disposal, reemergence of many communicable diseases like malaria, more so, the falciparum type, emergence of many zoonotic diseases like Lyme disease, scrub typhus, and Kyasanur forest disease etc. Conventional zoonotic infections such as anthrax and brucellosis remain potential threat for human health as well. Rabies continued to cause major concern from mortality point of view, as well as major drainer of state’s budget every year. Leptospirosis has remained major burden among the communicable disease for the past 10 years, and the annual incidence ranged from 2 to 7 per 100,000 population. Having a large section of its people working in various agriculture and animal rearing occupations, the state has all risk factors for propagation of Leptospirosis, but lacks interdisciplinary collaboration in its control and prevention area, the author highlights major avenues for collaboration. Japanese encephalitis appeared as an epidemic in 2011 in two of the southern districts in Kerala, one of the districts being famous tourist spot for both humans, as well as migrant birds. There is ample scope for collaborative research on the source of the virus, and in the subsequent years, the disease had been detected in more districts. Lyme disease was reported for the first time in India, from one of the districts in Kerala, promptly investigated by a joint team from Human Public Health and Veterinary Public Health institutions in 2013, reiterating the role of interdisciplinary collaboration in outbreak investigations. Influenza had been evolving rapidly in the state from the seasonal type earlier, to H1N1 since past few years, now poised for an emergence of MERS Corona and still expected are the more fatal and highly pathogenic types. The migratory bird-pig-domestic birds-human interface being a well-knit network in the state is most suitable for all new variant s of influenza virus evolution. Outbreaks of these infectious diseases need investigations by combined teams from departments such as Human Health, Animal Health, and Wild Life. The One Health concept thus becomes appropriate to address such an eventuality. The authors have concluded by identifying the probable avenues for collaborative works in addressing the public health challenges of Kerala state, India.

Keywords: Emerging challenges, food borne infections, Kerala’s public heatlh, Lyme disease, one health concept, zoonoses.

Status of Taenia solium cysticercosis and predisposing factors in developing countries involved in pig farming

Review (Published online: 01-05-2015)

2. Status of Taenia solium cysticercosis and predisposing factors in developing countries involved in pig farming - Joseph M. Kungu, Michel M. Dione, Michael Ocaido and Francis Ejobi

International Journal of One Health, 1: 6-13.

Abstract

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Taenia solium cysticercosis is a disease of pigs and humans populations considered endemic in many developing countries of Latin America, Africa, and South East Asia having serious impact on public health and agriculture. We conducted an in-depth comparative analysis of literature on the disease situation and predisposing factors in selected countries known to be at the interface of poverty-emerging livestock systems-zoonoses and with a growing small holder pig industry. Transmission, methods of diagnosis and employed control strategies of T. solium infection in pig and human populations in these countries are also discussed. Limited knowledge on porcine cysticercosis (PC) by various stakeholders expected to be key players in its control has undermined efforts for eliminating this potentially eradicable condition. Poor pig production practices, poor hygiene, and sanitation habits have also been important in the maintenance of theT. solium life-cycle. The major gaps identified in this review include scanty current information on PC prevalence in pigs with hardly any reports on the condition in humans in most developing countries. Factors affecting pattern of the infection and how they interact at the different levels of the pig value chain have not been exhaustively studied. Information on socioeconomic and public health impact is inadequate and not current.

Keywords: Cysticercosis, developing countries, eradication, risk factors, Taenia solium.

Evaluation of Yucca schidigera extract as feed additive on performance of broiler chicks in winter season

Research (Published online: 29-04-2015)

24. Evaluation of Yucca schidigera extract as feed additive on performance of broiler chicks in winter season - Sarada Prasanna Sahoo, Daljeet Kaur, A. P. S. Sethi, A. Sharma and M. Chandra

Veterinary World, 8(4): 556-560

   doi: 10.14202/vetworld.2015.556-560

Abstract

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Aim: Yucca schidigera extract has been successfully used as feed additives in the poultry industry. It enhances the growth and productivity in broiler production. Hence, the present study was designed to analyze the effect of Y. schidigera extract in growth, carcass quality and behavior along with its economical utility in broiler rearing.

Materials and Methods: Total, 120 numbers of day-old broiler chicks of equal sex ratio were randomly divided into Yucca supplemented treatment and control group, each having 60 birds in three replications of 20 numbers. The feeding management and rearing conditions were similar for all the groups as per the standard except the Yucca supplementation in the treatment group @ 125 mg/kg of feed. The parameters with respect to growth, carcass, behavior, and litter content were recorded as per standard procedures.

Results: The Yucca supplementation can effectively enhance growth of 173 g in 6th week by utilizing lesser feed intake than control group, which ultimately proves better feed conversion rate, protein efficiency ratio, and energy efficiency ratio in broiler production. Eviscerated weight of 58.50% for the treatment group was significantly higher (p<0.05) than 54.10% in the control group. The breast meat yield of Yucca group (32.23%) was significantly higher (p<0.05) than control (30.33%). More frequency of agonistic behavioral expressions was noticed in the control group than the treatment group. A profit of 43.68% was received by usage of Yucca supplementation in the diet on live weight basis. Numerically, lower percentage of moisture was present in Yucca treated group than the control.

Conclusion: From this study, it can be concluded that Yucca supplementation has an important role in augmenting broiler‘s growth performance, efficiency to utilize feed, protein and energy, and survivability. Hence, use of Yucca powder in broiler ration could be beneficial to maintain the litter quality, which directly enhances the productivity in broiler production without any adverse effect.

Keywords: broiler, feed additives, winter season, Yucca schidigera.

Effect of varying levels of formaldehyde treatment of mustard oil cake on rumen fermentation, digestibility in wheat straw based total mixed diets in vitro

Research (Published online: 29-04-2015)

23. Effect of varying levels of formaldehyde treatment of mustard oil cake on rumen fermentation, digestibility in wheat straw based total mixed diets in vitro - Mahima, Vinod Kumar, S. K. Tomar, Debashis Roy and Muneendra Kumar

Veterinary World, 8(4): 551-555

   doi: 10.14202/vetworld.2015.551-555

Abstract

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Aim: The aim of the current study was to protect the protein in mustard cake by different levels of formaldehyde treatment with a view to optimize the level of formaldehyde.

Materials and Methods: Different levels of formaldehyde treatment (0, 1, 1.5 and 2% of crude protein) containing concentrate and roughages diet in 40:60 ratio were tested for their effect on nutrients digestibility, in vitro ammonia release, in vitro gas production and change in protein fractions. Non-significant (p≤0.05) effect on pH, microbial biomass, partitioning factor, total gas production (TGP), TGP per g dry matter and TGP per g digestible dry matter (ml/g) was observed in almost all the treatments.

Results: Total volatile fatty acids at 2% formaldehyde treatment level of mustard cake was lower (p<0.05) as compared to other groups, while in vitro dry matter digestibility and in vitro organic matter digestibility were reported to be low in 1% formaldehyde treated group.

Conclusion: On a holistic view, it could be considered that formaldehyde treatment at 1.5% level was optimal for protection of mustard oil cake protein.

Keywords: ammonia release, in vitro gas fermentation technique, mustard cake, ruminal fluid, ruminal fermentation, protected protein, protein fractions, volatile fatty acids.

Organochlorine and organophosphorus pesticide residues in fodder and milk samples along Musi river belt, India

Research (Published online: 29-04-2015)

22. Organochlorine and organophosphorus pesticide residues in fodder and milk samples along Musi river belt, India - Korrapati Kotinagu and Nelapati Krishnaiah

Veterinary World, 8(4): 545-550

   doi: 10.14202/vetworld.2015.545-550

Abstract

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Aim: The present study was conducted to find the organochlorine pesticide (OCP) and organophosphorus pesticide (OPP) residues in fodder and milk samples along Musi river belt, India.

Materials and Methods: Fodder and milk samples collected from the six zones of Musi river belt, Hyderabad India were analyzed by gas chromatography with electron capture detector for OCP residues and pulsated flame photometric detector for the presence of OPP residues.

Results: The gas chromatographic analysis of fodder samples of Zone 5 of Musi river showed the residues of dicofol at concentration of 0.07±0.0007 (0.071-0.077). Among organophosphorus compounds, dimetheoate was present in milk samples collected from Zone 6 at a level of 0.13±0.006 (0.111-0.167). The residues of OCPs, OPPs and cyclodies were below the detection limit in the remaining fodder and milk samples collected from Musi river belt in the present study.

Conclusion: The results indicate that the pesticide residues in fodder and milk samples were well below the maximum residue level (MRL) values, whereas dicofol in fodder and dimethoate in milk were slightly above the MRL values specified by EU and CODEX.

Keywords: fodder, gas chromatography, milk, Musi river, pesticide residues.

Prevalence of classical swine fever in Karnataka, India

Research (Published online: 29-04-2015)

21. Prevalence of classical swine fever in Karnataka, India - Prakash Choori, S. S. Patil, D. Rathnamma, R. Sharada, B. M. Chandranaik, S. Isloor, G. B. Manjunath Reddy, S. Geetha and H. Rahman

Veterinary World, 8(4): 541-544

   doi: 10.14202/vetworld.2015.541-544

Abstract

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Aim: The present study was conducted to know the current scenario of classical swine fever (CSF) in Bengaluru Urban, Bengaluru Rural, Chikkaballapur, Madikeri, Mandya, Bagalkot, Gadag, Yadgir, Koppal, and Bidar districts of Karnataka with the using of both antigen and antibody ELISA.

Materials and Methods: We collected 218 sera and 121 blood samples from pigs from 10 different districts of Karnataka. Screening of sera for CSF IgG antibody and whole blood for CSF virus antigen were carried out using the CSF virus (CSFV) antibody and antigen ELISA kits, respectively.

Results: The mean seroprevalence was 41% (89/218) and prevalence of CSFV antigen in blood samples was 32% (39/121) for the 10 districts of Karnataka. Seroprevalence of 61%, 29%, 20%, and 21%; and antigen prevalence of 40%, 50%, 13%, and 12% were recorded for Bangalore, Mysore, Belgaum, and Gulbarga divisions of Karnataka, respectively.

Conclusions: The study revealed an alarmingly high prevalence of CSF, both for the antigen (32%) and antibody (41%) in Karnataka. Southern Karnataka has the highest seroprevalence (61% in Bangalore and 29% in Mysore divisions), which confirms the endemicity of the disease in that region. This could be attributed to the intensive pig farming practices in the region as compared to Northern Karnataka (Seroprevalence of 20% in Belgaum and 21% in Gulbarga divisions), where the commercial pig farming is still in infantile stages.

Keywords: antigen, antibody, classical swine fever, ELISA and prevalence.