Associations of farm management practices with annual milk sales on smallholder dairy farms in Kenya

Research (Published online: 25-01-2015)

18. Associations of farm management practices with annual milk sales on smallholder dairy farms in Kenya - Shauna Richards, John VanLeeuwen, Getrude Shepelo, George Karuoya Gitau, Collins Kamunde, Fabienne Uehlinger and Jeff Wichtel

Veterinary World, 8(1): 88-96

   doi: 10.14202/vetworld.2015.88-96

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Abstract

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Aim: Cows on smallholder dairy farms (SDF) in developing countries such as Kenya typically produce volumes of milk that are well below their genetic potential. An epidemiological study was conducted to determine reasons for this low milk production, including limited use of best management practices, such as suboptimal nutritional management.

Methods: An observational cross-sectional study of 111 SDF was performed in Nyeri County, Kenya in June of 2013 determining the effect of cow factors, farmer demographics and farm management practices on the volume of milk sold per cow per year (kg milk sold/cow). In particular, the effect of feeding high protein fodder trees and other nutritional management practices were examined.

Results: Approximately 38% of farmers fed fodder trees, but such feeding was not associated with volume of milk sold per cow, likely due to the low number of fodder trees per farm. Volume of milk sold per cow was positively associated with feeding dairy meal during the month prior to calving, feeding purchased hay during the past year, deworming cows every 4 or more months (as opposed to more regularly), and having dairy farming as the main source of family income. Volume of milk sold per cow was negatively associated with a household size of >5 people and feeding Napier grass at >2 meters in height during the dry season. An interaction between gender of the principal farmer and feed shortages was noted; volume of milk sold per cow was lower when female farmers experienced feed shortages whereas milk sold per cow was unaffected when male farmers experienced feed shortages.

Conclusions: These demographic and management risk factors should be considered by smallholder dairy farmers and their advisors when developing strategies to improve income from milk sales and animal-source food availability for the farming families.

Keywords: dairy cattle nutrition, management factors, livelihood, smallholder farm

Evaluation of pesticide residues in human blood samples from Punjab (India)

Research (Published online: 21-01-2015)

14. Evaluation of pesticide residues in human blood samples from Punjab (India) - Jasbir Singh Bedi, J. P. S. Gill, P. Kaur, A. Sharma and R. S. Aulakh

Veterinary World, 8(1): 66-71

   doi: 10.14202/vetworld.2015.66-71

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Abstract

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Aim: The present study was undertaken to estimate the current status of residues of organochlorine pesticides (OCPs), organophosphates (OPs) and synthetic pyrethroids (SPs) pesticides in human blood.
Materials and Methods: Human blood samples were analyzed by gas chromatography and confirmed by gas chromatographymass spectrometry in selective ion monitoring mode.
Results: The gas chromatographic analysis of human blood samples collected from Punjab revealed the presence of p,p’-dichlorodiphenyl dichloroethylene (DDE), p,p’ dichlorodiphenyl dichloroethane (DDD), o,p’ DDE and β-endosulfan at mean levels of 15.26, 2.71, 5.62 and 4.02 ng/ml respectively. p,p’ DDE residue was observed in 18.0% blood samples, and it contributes 55% of the total pesticide burden in human blood. The difference of total dichlorordiphenyl trichloroethane (DDT) between different age groups of humans was found to be statistically significant (p<0.05). The difference of DDT and endosulfan between dietary habits, gender and spraying of pesticides was found statistically non-significant, however endosulfan residues were observed only in pesticide sprayer’s population.
Conclusion: Occurrence of p,p’ DDE, p,p’ DDD, o,p’ DDE in human blood indicated restricted use of DDT. However, presence of endosulfan residues in occupationally exposed population is a matter of public health concern.
Keywords: dichlorordiphenyl trichloroethan, endosulfan, residues, human blood, Punjab.

Isolation of Canine parvovirus with a view to identify the prevalent serotype on the basis of partial sequence analysis

Research (Published online: 13-01-2015)

11. Isolation of Canine parvovirus with a view to identify the prevalent serotype on the basis of partial sequence analysis - Gurpreet Kaur, Mudit Chandra, P. N. Dwivedi and N. S. Sharma

Veterinary World, 8(1): 52-56

   doi: 10.14202/vetworld.2015.52-56

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Abstract

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Aim: The aim of this study was to isolate Canine parvovirus (CPV) from suspected dogs on madin darby canine kidney (MDCK) cell line and its confirmation by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and nested PCR (NPCR). Further, VP2 gene of the CPV isolates was amplified and sequenced to determine prevailing antigenic type.

Materials and Methods: A total of 60 rectal swabs were collected from dogs showing signs of gastroenteritis, processed and subjected to isolation in MDCK cell line. The samples showing cytopathic effects (CPE) were confirmed by PCR and NPCR. These samples were subjected to PCR for amplification of VP2 gene of CPV, sequenced and analyzed to study the prevailing antigenic types of CPV.

Results: Out of the 60 samples subjected to isolation in MDCK cell line five samples showed CPE in the form of rounding of cells, clumping of cells and finally detachment of the cells. When these samples and the two commercially available vaccines were subjected to PCR for amplification of VP2 gene, a 1710 bp product was amplified. The sequence analysis revealed that the vaccines belonged to the CPV-2 type and the samples were of CPV-2b type.

Conclusion: It can be concluded from the present study that out of a total of 60 samples 5 samples exhibited CPE as observed in MDCK cell line. Sequence analysis of the VP2 gene among the samples and vaccine strains revealed that samples belonged to CPV-2b type and vaccines belonging to CPV-2.

Keywords: Canine parvovirus, madin darby canine kidney cell line, polymerase chain reaction, nested polymerase chain reaction, VP2 gene.

Heat shock proteins: a therapeutic target worth to consider

Review (Published online: 13-01-2015)

10. Heat shock proteins: a therapeutic target worth to consider - Amita Dubey, K. S. Prajapati, Madhu Swamy and V. Pachauri

Veterinary World, 8(1): 46-51

   doi: 10.14202/vetworld.2015.46-51

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Abstract

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Heat shock proteins (HSPs) are the molecular chaperones, that are not only expressed during the normal growth process of cell cycle consecutively, but also get induced in cells during various stress conditions produced by cellular insult, environmental changes, temperature, infections, tumors etc. According to their molecular weight and functions, HSPs are divided into five major families. HSP90, HSP70, HSP60 and HSP100 are the most studied members of the family. Experimental studies have proved that overexpression and/or inhibition of HSPs play an important role in maintaining the tolerance and cell viability under above-described stress conditions. HSP90 is found to be a promising candidate for the diagnosis, prognosis and treatment of cancer. Similarly, HSP70, HSP60 and small HSPs experimentally and clinically have potential for the treatment of neurodegenerative disease, ischemia, cell death, autoimmunity, graft rejection, etc. In a way, exploring, the cytoprotective and immunoregulatory role of HSPs can open a new avenue for the drug discovery and treatment of critical diseases.

Keywords: heat shock protein, heat shock protein 70, heat shock protein 90, stress protein, small heat shock proteins.

Plasma mineral profiles and hormonal activities of normal cycling and repeat breeding crossbred cows: A comparative study

Research (Published online: 13-01-2015)

9. Plasma mineral profiles and hormonal activities of normal cycling and repeat breeding crossbred cows: A comparative study - Abhijit Barui, Subhasis Batabyal, Sarbaswarup Ghosh, Debjani Saha and Saibal Chattopadhyay

Veterinary World, 8(1): 42-45

   doi: 10.14202/vetworld.2015.42-45

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Abstract

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Aim: The present study was carried out to compare the associated role of micro minerals and hormones in repeat breeding animals with the normal crossbred cows.

Materials and Methods: Blood samples were collected from 10 normal cycling and 10 repeat breeding crossbred cows of Ramakrishna Mission Ashram, Narendrapur to study the plasma mineral profile and hormonal activities.

Results: Zn was found to be highly significant (p<0.01) between the two groups. Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and progesterone showed significant (p<0.05) difference in repeat breeding animal from the normal cyclic animal, whereas no significant differences were observed in Ca, P, Cu, Se, Co, luteinizing hormone and estradiol level.

Conclusion: It may conclude that repeat breeding condition of crossbred cows in farm condition is mainly due to the low level of progesterone, FSH and zinc.

Keywords: crossbred cow, hormone, mineral profile, normal cyclic, repeat breeding.

Dynamics of faecal egg count in natural infection of Haemonchus spp. in Indian goats

Research (Published online: 09-01-2015)

8. Dynamics of faecal egg count in natural infection of Haemonchus spp. in Indian goats - Nimisha Agrawal, Dinesh Kumar Sharma, Ajoy Mandal, Pramod Kumar Rout and Yogendra Kumar Kushwah

Veterinary World, 8(1): 38-41

   doi: 10.14202/vetworld.2015.38-41

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Abstract

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Aim: Dynamics of faecal egg count (FEC) in Haemonchus spp. infected goats of two Indian goat breeds, Jamunapari and Sirohi, in natural conditions was studied and effects of genetic and non-genetic factors were determined.

Materials and Methods: A total of 1399 faecal samples of goats of Jamunapari and Sirohi breeds, maintained at CIRG, Makhdoom, Mathura, India and naturally infected with Haemonchus spp., were processed and FEC was performed. Raw data generated on FEC were transformed by loge (FEC+100) and transformed data (least squares mean of FEC [LFEC]) were analyzed using a mixed model least squares analysis for fitting constant. Fixed effects such as breed, physiological status, season and year of sampling and breed × physiological states interaction were used.

Result: The incidence of Haemomchus spp. infection in Jamunapari and Sirohi does was 63.01 and 47.06%, respectively. The mean LFEC of both Jamunapari and Sirohi (does) at different physiological stages, namely dry, early pregnant, late pregnant early lactating and late lactating stages were compared. Breed, season and year of sampling had a significant effect on FEC in Haemomchus spp. infection. Effect of breed × physiological interaction was also significant. The late pregnant does of both breeds had higher FEC when compared to does in other stages.

Conclusion: Breed difference in FEC was more pronounced at the time of post kidding (early lactation) when sharp change in FEC was observed.

Keywords: faecal egg count, goats, Haemonchus.

Epidemiological study of canine parvovirus infection in and around Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India

Research (Published online: 09-01-2015)

7. Epidemiological study of canine parvovirus infection in and around Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India - Monalisa Behera, S. K. Panda, P. K. Sahoo, A. P. Acharya, R. C. Patra, Sweta Das and S. Pati

Veterinary World, 8(1): 33-37

   doi: 10.14202/vetworld.2015.33-37

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Abstract

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Aim: An epidemiological study of canine parvovirus infection in dogs in and around Bhubaneswar, Odisha was conducted between December 2012 to March 2013 and prevalence rate was studied on the basis of age, breed, and sex.

Materials and Methods: A total of 71 fecal samples from suspected diarrheic dogs were collected in sterile phosphate buffer saline (10% W/V) and examined by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for detection of canine parvo virus infection, followed by epidemiological study in relation to age, breed, and sex.

Results: Of 71 samples analyzed, 29 (40.85%) were found to be positive by PCR assay. The infection was higher in Deshi/local breeds (34.48%), followed by German shepherd (17.24%), equal incidences in mixed and Labrador retriever (10.34%), Rottweiler and German spitz showed 6.90% each and finally lower incidences in four breeds (3.45%) such as Dalmatians, Nea politan mastiff, Pug and Great Dane. Age-wise prevalence study revealed the infection being more in the age group of 3-6 months (41.37%), followed by equal incidences of 27.59% in 1-3 months and 6-12 months age group, and a low incidence in age groups above 12 months (3.45%). The incidence was predominantly higher in males (86.21%) than females (13.79%).

Conclusions: The epidemiological analysis revealed that the breed wise prevalence was found to be more in Deshi breeds as compared to others, age groups below 6 months were found to be more prone to parvovirus infection and males were mostly infected.

Keywords: canine parvovirus, epidemiology, polymerase chain reaction.