Mineral deficiency predisposes occurrence of retention of placenta in crossbred

Research (Published online: 29-12-2014)

21. Mineral deficiency predisposes occurrence of retention of placenta in crossbred - S. K. Sheetal, S. K. Choudhary and D. Sengupta

Veterinary World, 7(12): 1140-1143

   doi: 10.14202/vetworld.2014.1140-1143

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Abstract

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Aim: The present study was carried out to investigate the relationship between blood serum concentrations of macro and micro minerals and development of retention of placenta (ROP) in crossbred cattle.

Materials and Methods: The present study was carried out at Instructional Livestock Farm, Bihar Veterinary College and local Khatals in and around Patna. A total of 20 crossbred cattle (n=10 with normal expulsion of the placenta as control and n=10 with ROP) were selected in the present study. Blood samples were collected from these animals and serum was separated and stored in the deep freezer at −20°C till further analysis. The estimation of serum macro-minerals (Ca, P, Ca/P ratio) was done by Span diagnostic Kits (Surat, India) and trace minerals or micro-minerals (Zn, Cu, and Fe) were analyzed by atomic absorption spectrophotometer (Perkin Elmer AAS 220). Mean values were compared between both the groups at 0 h (at parturition) and 12 h after parturition.

Results: The mean values of serum calcium and zinc were found significantly lower in cattle having ROP than control at both 0 h and 12 h after parturition. The mean values of serum Ca and P ratio obtained at 0 hour were significantly lower in ROP groups as compared to control groups and non-significant at 12 h. The mean values of serum inorganic phosphorus, copper and iron was found non-significantly lower in ROP cases as compared to control.

Conclusions: Macro and micro mineral deficiency such as calcium, iron, zinc and copper in blood serum may be predisposing factor for the occurrence of retention of placenta in crossbred cattle.

Keywords: cattle, macro and micro-mineral profiles, parturition, retention of placenta.

Prevalence of Sarcoptes scabiei var. suis infestation in pigs of Meghalaya and its treatment

Research (Published online: 29-12-2014)

20. Prevalence of Sarcoptes scabiei var. suis infestation in pigs of Meghalaya and its treatment - R. Laha, M. Das, P. K. Bharti, Suresh Kumar, A. Sen and A. Goswami

Veterinary World, 7(12): 1137-1139

   doi: 10.14202/vetworld.2014.1137-1139

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Abstract

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Aim: The aim was to study the prevalence of Sarcoptes scabiei var. suis infestation in pigs of Meghalaya and to treat the infested pigs with the chemotherapeutic agent.

Materials and Methods: A total of 196 numbers of pigs were suspected for Sarcoptes scabiei var. suis infestation maintained in both organized and unorganized pig farms as well as pigs brought for slaughter to pig slaughterhouses of Meghalaya. Deep skin scrapings were collected from all these 196 numbers of pigs. The collected scrapings were digested in 10% potassium hydroxide separately and centrifuged. The sediment portions were examined under both low and high power of the microscope to find any mite. Except the infested pigs that were brought for slaughter, all other infested pigs were treated with ivermectin @ 300 μg/kg body weight (b.wt) subcutaneously.

Results: Of 196 numbers of suspected pigs, 21 (10.71%) numbers of pigs were found infested with Sarcoptes scabiei var. suis after microscopical examination of skin scrapings. Except the infested pigs that were brought for slaughter, all other infested pigs were treated successfully with ivermectin @ 300 μg/kg b.wt subcutaneously.

Conclusion: It can be concluded from the present study that sarcoptic mange caused by Sarcoptes scabiei var. suis is very much prevalent in pigs whether maintained in organized farms, as well as pigs maintained in unorganized way in village conditions. Pig owners should not neglect this infestation as it has economic significance. Ivermectin @ 300 μg/kg b.wt subcutaneously has been found to be effective to treat this infestation.

Keywords: Meghalaya, Pig, Sarcoptes scabiei var. suis.

Prevalence of Clostridium perfringens toxin genotypes in enterotoxemia suspected sheep flocks of Andhra Pradesh

Research (Published online: 26-12-2014)

19. Prevalence of Clostridium perfringens toxin genotypes in enterotoxemia suspected sheep flocks of Andhra Pradesh - N. Vinod Kumar, D. Sreenivasulu and Y. N. Reddy

Veterinary World, 7(12): 1132-1136

   doi: 10.14202/vetworld.2014.1132-1136

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Abstract

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Aim: To identify the Clostridium perfringens toxin genotypes prevailing in enterotoxemia suspected sheep flocks in Andhra Pradesh by using multiplex PCR.

Materials and Methods: Intestinal scrapings were collected from lambs below three months of age from flocks with similar management from different Districts of Andhra Pradesh, in India. A total of 208 samples were collected with 140 from enterotoxemia suspected flocks and 68 from healthy flocks. Following processing and culture of the samples, colonies were identified by morphological and biochemical tests. All the clostridial isolates were analyzed by multiplex PCR.

Results: C. pefringens were isolated from 97 out of 140 enterotoxemia suspected flocks (69.29%) and 27 out of 68 healthy flocks (39.71 %). Genotyping of the 97 iolates by multiplex PCR from enterotoxemia suspected flocks indicated C. perfringens type A, C and D 67.01% (65 out of 97); 11.34% (11 out of 97) and 21.65% (21 out of 97) respectively. Isolates from healthy flocks indicated the presence of type A and D 92.59% (25 out of 27) and 7.40% (2 out of 27) respectively. Number of isolates from enterotoxaemia suspected flocks were significantly high (P<0.001) than healthy flocks. Type A is found to be predominant in both enterotoxemia suspected and healthy flocks (67.01% and 92.59%).

Conclusions: Prevalence of C. perfringens type C was reported for the first time in India. Clostridium perfringens type D and type C were found to be the major causative types for enterotoxemia.

Keywords: Clostridium perfringes, enterotoxaemia, lamb mortality, multiplex PCR, Toxin typing.

Antioxidative capacity of vitamin E, vitamin C and their combination in cryopreserved Bhadavari bull semen

Research (Published online: 26-12-2014)

18. Antioxidative capacity of vitamin E, vitamin C and their combination in cryopreserved Bhadavari bull semen - Pawan Kumar Mittal, Mukul Anand, A. K. Madan, S. Yadav and J. Kumar

Veterinary World, 7(12): 1127-1131

   doi: 10.14202/vetworld.2014.1127-1131

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Abstract

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Aim: The aim was to determine the antioxidative capacity of vitamin E, vitamin C and their combination (vitamin E+C) on standard semen parameters i.e., mortality, percent live sperms, percent abnormal sperms and acrosomal integrity in cryopreserved Bhadawari bull semen.

Materials and Methods: Ejaculates collected from four Bhadawari bulls were evaluated and later pooled at 37°C. Pooled semen sample was divided into four equal parts viz. T-1,T-2,T-3 and C. The divided samples were diluted with a Trisbased extender containing the antioxidants vitamin E (5 mM) (T-1) vitamin C (5 mM) (T-2), vitamin  E+C combination (5 mM+5 mM) (T-3) and extender containing no antioxidants (control, C). The diluted samples with different antioxidant concentration were cooled to 5°C, frozen in 0.25-ml French straws and stored in liquid nitrogen (−196°C). Frozen straws were thawed individually at 37°C for 20 s in a water bath for evaluation.

Results: Semen extender supplementation with vitamin E (5 mM), vitamin C (5 mM) and vitamin E+C combination caused significant (p<0.01) increases in the seminal attributes while significant (p<0.01) decreases was observed in percent abnormal sperms in comparison to control group indicating that supplementation of antioxidant in form of vitamin and their combination improves the quality of post thaw semen. Significantly higher values of semen parameters were observed in the T-3 followed by T-1 and T-2 indicating the anti-oxidative capacity of different supplements utilized during the study.

Conclusion: The results of present investigation concluded that combination of vitamin E+C has most profound effect in protecting sperms against reactive oxygen species production and cold shock when compared to vitamin E and vitamin C supplemented alone in the extender for semen dilution utilized for cryopreservation.

Keywords: antioxidants, Bhadawari bull, cryopreservation, semen, vitamin E, vitamin C.

Assessment of the physical and mechanical properties of plaster of Paris bandage cast used as a splinting and casting materials

Research (Published online: 23-12-2014)

17. Assessment of the physical and mechanical properties of plaster of Paris bandage cast used as a splinting and casting materials - A. J. Parmar, S.K.Tyagi, V. S. Dabas, J. N. Mistry, S. K. Jhala, D. N. Suthar, R. H. Bhatt, D. V. Pansuria and I. M. Bhatti

Veterinary World, 7(12): 1123-1126

   doi: 10.14202/vetworld.2014.1123-1126

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Abstract

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Aim: To assess the physical and mechanical properties of plaster of Paris (POP) bandage cast used as a splinting and casting materials.

Materials and Methods: POP casts were divided into three Groups A, B and C with 2, 3 and 8 layer for POP bandage, respectively (n=6 in each group). Handling characters, technical easiness or difficulties, setting time, weight, diameter and thickness of the casts were recorded for different groups. The casts were mounted on universal testing machine and axial load was applied @ 10 mm/min until failure. The load deflection graphs were plotted. The maximum force at which failure of the casts occurred was recorded. Stress, strain, modulus of elasticity (MOE) and stiffness of casts were calculated.

Result: Construction of POP bandage cast was messy and required 45-60 min for hardening. 8 layer POP cast was comparatively heavier in weight and thicker in cross section than 3 layer cast followed by 2 layer cast. Under axial compression, the load bearing capacity of 8 layer POP casts was more than 2 and 3 layer cast.

Conclusion: The values of load bearing capacity, stress, stiffness and MOE of cast were the highest for 8 layer POP cast followed by 2 and 3 layer cast. Use if splints with POP cast is recommended due to its poor mechanical properties.

Keywords: axial load, cast, compression, physical properties, plaster of Paris bandage.

Semen quality parameters, their inter-relationship and post-washing sperm attributes of Rhode Island Red roosters

Research (Published online: 23-12-2014)

16. Semen quality parameters, their inter-relationship and post-washing sperm attributes of Rhode Island Red roosters - R. Richard Churchil, P. Ezhil Praveena and Deepak Sharma

Veterinary World, 7(12): 1117-1122

   doi: 10.14202/vetworld.2014.1117-1122

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Abstract

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Aim: The present experiments were conducted (a) to evaluate the semen attributes of older Rhode Island Red (RIR) roosters and the inter-trait relationships, (b) to test sperm washing and storage duration suitable for gene transfer experiments.

Materials and Methods: The semen characteristics of older RIR roosters were studied, and Pearson correlation analysis was done to demonstrate the inter-trait relationships. Progressive motility and percent live sperms were tested at different post-washing intervals to identify suitable sperm processing conditions for gene transfer experiments.

Results: The volume, appearance score, initial motility, sperm count and percent live and abnormal spermatozoa were 0.38 ml, 3.58, 80.34%, 4.03 × 109 sperms/ml, 83.18% and 4.52% respectively. Positive correlation was observed among appearance score, motility, live sperm and sperm count. Semen volume is negatively correlated with all the other characters except live sperms, whereas, percent abnormal sperms negatively associated with all the other traits. Significant (p<0.05) decrease in terms of motility and live sperm was recorded at 60 min post-washing.

Conclusion: The semen attributes of RIR roosters compares well with the other breeds of chicken. The appearance score can be used to assess fertility where microscopic evaluation facilities are limited. The sperm washing protocol tested in the experiment is suitable for gene transfer experiments.

Keywords: correlation, live sperm, post-washing motility, Rhode Island Red roosters, semen attributes.

Prevalence of drug-resistant gastrointestinal nematodes in an organized sheep farm

Research (Published online: 23-12-2014)

15. Prevalence of drug-resistant gastrointestinal nematodes in an organized sheep farm - Ambalathaduvar Meenakshisundaram, Thavasi Anna and Jayagopal Harikrishnan

Veterinary World, 7(12): 1113-1116

   doi: 10.14202/vetworld.2014.1113-1116

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Abstract

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Aim: The present study was aimed to determine the resistance against albendazole, fenbendazole, levamisole and closantel in gastrointestinal (GI) nematodes of sheep.

Introduction: Anthelmintics are used traditionally as an integral part of helminthic control strategies for grazing livestock to prevent production losses from parasitic infections. The continuous and indiscriminate use of the same anthelmintics over years together as the sole means of control are now failing due to the emergence of resistance strains of helminths. Resistance to the commonly used anthelmintics in GI nematodes of sheep has become an increasingly widespread problem throughout the world.

Materials and Methods: Fifty-five naturally infected Madras Red lambs of 6-12 months of age were selected and distributed randomly into five treatment groups of 11 animals each. Four groups were treated orally with albendazole (5 mg/kg), fenbendazole (7 mg/kg), levamisole (7.5 mg/kg) and closantel (10 mg/kg) respectively, whereas the fifth group served as untreated control. Fecal samples were collected per rectum of each lamb just prior to treatment (pre-treatment) and on 7, 14, 21 and 28 days post-treatment. The anthelmintic resistance was evaluated by in vivo fecal egg count reduction test (FECRT), post-treatment larval culture and in vitro egg hatch assay.

Results: In the FECRT, albendazole reduced the faecal egg count by 86.50%, 84.81%, 85.28% and 84.47% respectively for 4 weeks after treatment. Fecal egg count reduction using fenbendazole was 92.64, 93.04, 90.80 and 90.06% respectively for 4 weeks after treatment. The percent efficacy for levamisole and closantel was more than 95%. The post-treatment larval culture contained only Haemonchus contortus. In the in vitro egg hatch assay, the ED50 value for benzimidazole was 0.299 μg albendazole/ml and levamisole showed an ED50 value of 0.283 μg/ml.

Conclusion: Our study confirmed the resistance of H. contortus to benzimidazole in sheep.

Keywords: benzimidazole resistance, egg hatch assay, fecal egg count reduction test, gastrointestinal nematodes, sheep.