Effect of climatic variables on production and reproduction traits of colored broiler breeder poultry

Research (Published online: 12-04-2015)

7. Effect of climatic variables on production and reproduction traits of colored broiler breeder poultry - G. D. Nayak, N. C. Behura, K. K. Sardar and P. K. Mishra

Veterinary World, 8(4): 472-477

http://www.veterinaryworld.org/Vol.8/April-2015/7.html

Abstract

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Aim: The present study was conducted to investigate the important climatic variables affecting production and reproduction in a broiler breeder flock.

Materials and Methods: The experiment was conducted for a period of 1 year on colored synthetic female line male and female poultry birds. 630 female progeny and 194 male progenies from 69 sires and 552 dams produced in four consecutive hatches at an interval of 10 days were used for the present study. Each of the seven, body weight and reproduction traits were regressed with nine environmental variables. Initially, the data were subjected to hatch effect and sire effect corrections through best linear unbiased estimator (BLUE) method and, then, multiple linear regressions of environmental variables on each trait were applied.

Result: The overall regression was significant (p<0.01) in all traits except 20 week age body weight of females. The R2 value ranged from 0.12 to 0.90 for the traits. Regression coefficient values (b values) for maximum temperature and minimum temperature were significant (p<0.05) on 5th week age body weight of males. Similarly, evaporation and morning relative humidity (RH) was significant (p<0.05) for 5th week age body weight of females. Almost all b values were significant (p<0.05) for egg production up to 40 week age. The b values representing rainfall, morning RH, afternoon RH, sunshine hours, and rainy days were significant (p<0.05) on bodyweight at 20 week age. All environmental variables except maximum temperature and minimum temperature were significant (p<0.05) on body weight of females at 20 weeks of age. Age at sexual maturity was regressed significantly (p<0.05) with evaporation, afternoon RH whereas, egg shape index was regressed significantly (p<0.05) with a maximum temperature, evaporation and afternoon RH.

Conclusion: The result indicated that various environmental variables play a significant role in production and reproduction of breeder broiler poultry. Controlling these variables in adverse weathers may increase production.

Keywords: Best linear unbiased estimator, climatic variables, colored breeder, multiple regressions, production, reproduction.

International Journal of One Health launched

International Journal of One Health (www.onehealthjournal.org)

Publisher- Veterinary World

Call for papers 

Topic includes agro-bioterrorism, animal science, antimicrobial resistance, bacteriology, biosecurity, bioterrorism, climate change, comparative medicine, disaster management, ecology, entomology, environmental health, epidemiology, food science, food security, global trade and commerce, health communication, human health, immunology, infectious disease, nutrition, occupational health, parasitology, pathology, physiology, public health and public policy, toxicology, veterinary science, virology, wildlife protection, zoonoses etc.
Please send pre-submission queries to editoronehealth@gmail.com
Submit your manuscript online at http://my.ejmanager.com/ijoh/

Body condition score and its correlation with ultrasonographic back fat thickness in transition crossbred cows

Research (Published online: 07-03-2015)

7. Body condition score and its correlation with ultrasonographic back fat thickness in transition crossbred cows - Randhir Singh, S. N. S. Randhawa and C. S. Randhawa

Veterinary World, 8(3): 290-294

   doi: 10.14202/vetworld.2015.290-294

Abstract

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Aim: The aim was to study the effect of the transition to body condition score (BCS) and ultrasonographic back fat thickness (USG BFT) in crossbred cows.

Materials and Methods: A total of 101 multiparous crossbred cows in advanced pregnancy from organized dairy farm were taken up for study. The cows were grouped according to transition stage, i.e. far off dry (FOD), close up dry (CUD) and fresh (F). BCS was estimated by using the five point visual BCS technique with 0.5 increments. The USG BFT was measured by real-time ultrasound using a portable Sonosite instrument.

Results: In cows with BCS 2-2.5, the BFT of F period was significantly lower than FOD period. In cows with BCS 3-3.5, the mean BFT at F period was significantly reduced as compared to FOD and CUD period. The overall correlation coefficient between BCS and BFT for different transition stages was 84%, 79% and 75% for FOD, CUD and F period, respectively.

Conclusion: The USG BFT gives an accurate measure of fat reserves in cows. The cows with BCS of ≥3.5 entering the transition period are more prone to lose body condition and hence require better and robust management during the transition period.

Keywords: body condition score, back fat thickness, cow, transition period.

Release of β-endorphin, adrenocorticotropic hormone and cortisol in response to machine milking of dairy cows

Research (Published online: 07-03-2015)

6. Release of β-endorphin, adrenocorticotropic hormone and cortisol in response to machine milking of dairy cows - E. Fazio, P. Medica, C. Cravana and A. Ferlazzo

Veterinary World, 8(3): 284-289

   doi: 10.14202/vetworld.2015.284-289

Abstract

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Aim: The present study was undertaken with the objective to obtain insight into the dynamics of the release of β-endorphin, adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH) and cortisol in response to machine milking in dairy cows.

Materials and Methods: A total of 10 healthy multiparous lactating Italian Friesian dairy cows were used in the study. Animals were at the 4th-5th month of pregnancy and were submitted to machine milking 2 times daily. Blood samples were collected in the morning: In baseline conditions, immediately before milking and after milking; and in the early afternoon: In baseline conditions, before milking and after milking, for 2 consecutive days. Endocrine variables were measured in duplicate, using a commercial radioimmunoassay for circulating β-endorphin and ACTH concentrations and a competitive enzyme-linked immunoassay for cortisol concentration.

Results: Data obtained showed a similar biphasic cortisol secretion of lactating dairy cows, with a significant increase of cortisol concentration after morning machine milking, at both the 1st and the 2nd day (p<0.05), and a decrease after afternoon machine milking at the 2nd day (p<0.01). One-way RM ANOVA showed significant effects of the machine milking on the cortisol changes, at both morning (f=22.96; p<0.001) and afternoon (f=15.10; p<0.01) milking, respectively. Two-way RM ANOVA showed a significant interaction between cortisol changes at the 1st and the 2nd day (f=7.94; p<0.0002), and between the sampling times (f=6.09; p<0.001). Conversely, no significant effects of the machine milking were observed on β-endorphin and ACTH changes, but only a moderate positive correlation (r=0.94; p<0.06) after milking stimuli.

Conclusions: A wide range of cortisol concentrations reported in this study showed the complex dynamic patterns of the homeostatic mechanisms involved during machine milking in dairy cows, suggesting that β-endorphin and ACTH were not the main factors that caused the adrenocortical response to milking stimuli.

Keywords: adrenocorticotropic hormone, cortisol, dairy cows, machine milking, β-endorphin.

The effect of gabapentin and pregabalin on intestinal incision wound healing in rabbits

Research (Published online: 07-03-2015)

5. The effect of gabapentin and pregabalin on intestinal incision wound healing in rabbits - M. Korkmaz, T. B. Saritas, A. Sevimli, Z. K. Saritas and B. Elitok

Veterinary World, 8(3): 279-283

   doi: 10.14202/vetworld.2015.279-283

Abstract

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Aim: To evaluate the macroscopic and histologic effects of pregabalin (PG) gabapentin (GB) on longitudinal intestinal wound healing in New Zealand rabbits.

Materials and Methods: The animals were divided into three groups randomly; the control group (n=6), PG group (n=6) and GB group (n=6). All animals were premedicated with xylazine HCI, 5 mg/kg i.m. and general anaesthesia was performed by ketamine HCI 50 mg/kg i.m injection. A 4 cm incision in the caecum through median laparotomy was achieved under aseptic surgery. Intestinal wound was closed with double-sutured. All animals were received parenteral antibiotic treatment for 5 days. PG and GB groups were treated by PG (30 mg/kg, oral, daily) and GB (30 mg/kg, oral, daily) for 10 days respectively. Control group did not receive any treatment. The animals were euthanized on day 10 and the caecum was examined by laparotomy. Adhesion formation was observed, and tissue samples were taken from suture lines for histologic examination. Cellular infiltration (polymorphonuclear white blood cells and mononuclear cells), accumulation of connective tissue, vascularization and extent of necrosis were evaluated and scored separately for each of mucosal, submucosal, muscular and serosal layers of caecum.

Results: Adhesions were more severe in the GB group compared to other groups. No statistically significant differences were detected among the three groups about the wound healing.

Conclusion: It was suggested that the use of gabapentinoids had no significant effect on wound healing in patients undergoing gastrointestinal surgery and further studies with treatment periods longer than 10 days are needed.

Keywords: gabapentin, intestinal incisional wound, pregabalin, rabbit.

Evaluation of geriatric changes in dogs

Research (Published online: 05-03-2015)

4. Evaluation of geriatric changes in dogs - Soumyaranjan Pati, S. K. Panda, A. P. Acharya, S. Senapati, M. Behera and S. S. Behera

Veterinary World, 8(3): 273-278

   doi: 10.14202/vetworld.2015.273-278

Abstract

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Aim: The present study has been envisaged to ascertain the old age for critical management of geriatric dogs considering the parameters of externally visible changes, haemato-biochemical alterations and urine analysis in geriatric dogs approaching senility.

Materials and Methods: The study was undertaken in the Department of Veterinary Pathology in collaboration with Teaching Veterinary Clinic complex spanning a period of 1 year. For screening of geriatric dogs, standard geriatric age chart of different breeds was followed. The external characteristics such as hair coat texture, dental wear and tear, skin texture and glaucoma were taken as a marker of old age. Haematology, serum biochemistry and urine analysis were also included in the study.

Results: External visible changes like greying of hair, dull appearance of hair coat, glaucoma, osteoarthritis, dental wear and tear were commonly encountered in the aged dogs. The haemoglobin, total erythrocyte count and packed cell volume showed a decreasing trend in the geriatric groups. Biochemical values like total protein, albumin, calcium level showed a decreasing trend while urea level with an increasing trend in geriatric dogs without any much alteration in serum glutamicoxaloacetic transaminse, serum glutamic-pyruvate transaminase, cholesterol and creatinine. Physical examination of urine revealed yellow, amber, red, deep red color with turbidity and higher specific gravity. Chemical examination revealed presence of protein, glucose, ketone bodies, blood and bilirubin on some cases. The culture and sensitivity test of the urine samples revealed presence of bacteria with sensitive and resistance to some antibiotics.

Conclusion: External visible changes are still the golden standard of determining the old age in dogs. Haemato-biochemical evaluation can be useful for correlating with the pathophysiological status of the animal. Biochemical analysis of urine can be employed rightly as kidney dysfunction is being major geriatric problem. Anaemia, jaundice, nephritis, hepatitis are the most common findings considered during old age.

Keywords: canine, geriatric, haematology, serum biochemistry, urine analysis

The commercial impact of pig Salmonella spp. infections in border-free markets during an economic recession

Review (Published online: 05-03-2015)

3. The commercial impact of pig Salmonella spp. infections in border-free markets during an economic recession - G. Evangelopoulou, S. Kritas, G. Christodoulopoulos and A. R. Burriel

Veterinary World, 8(3): 257-272

   doi: 10.14202/vetworld.2015.257-272

Abstract

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The genus Salmonella, a group of important zoonotic pathogens, is having global economic and political importance. Its main political importance results from the pathogenicity of many of its serovars for man. Serovars Salmonella Enteritidis and Salmonella Typhimurium are currently the most frequently associated to foodborne infections, but they are not the only ones. Animal food products contaminated from subclinically infected animals are a risk to consumers. In border free markets, an example is the EU, these consumers at risk are international. This is why, economic competition could use the risk of consumer infection either to restrict or promote free border trade in animals and their products. Such use of public health threats increases during economic recessions in nations economically weak to effectively enforce surveillance. In free trade conditions, those unable to pay the costs of pathogen control are unable to effectively implement agreed regulations, centrally decided, but leaving their enforcement to individual states. Free trade of animal food products depends largely on the promotion of safety, included in "quality," when traders target foreign markets. They will overtake eventually the markets of those ineffectively implementing agreed safety regulations, if their offered prices are also attractive for recession hit consumers. Nations unable to effectively enforce safety regulations become disadvantaged partners unequally competing with producers of economically robust states when it comes to public health. Thus, surveillance and control of pathogens like Salmonella are not only quantitative. They are also political issues upon which states base national trade decisions. Hence, the quantitative calculation of costs incurring from surveillance and control of animal salmonelloses, should not only include the cost for public health protection, but also the long term international economic and political costs for an individual state. These qualitative and qualitative costs of man and animalSalmonella infections should be calculated in the light of free trade and open borders. Understandably, accurate calculation of the economic and political costs requires knowledge of the many factors influencing nationally the quality and safety of pork products and internationally free trade. Thus, how Salmonella pig infections affect commerce and public health across open borders depends on a state’s ability to accurately calculate costs for the surveillance and control of animal salmonelloses in general, and pig infections as a particular example.

Keywords: control, economic crisis, pig, Salmonella, salmonellosis.