Seroprevalence of foot and mouth disease virus infection in pigs from Zuru, Nigeria

Research (Published online: 14-07-2015)

8.  Seroprevalence of foot and mouth disease virus infection in pigs from Zuru, Nigeria - L. U. Fakai, O. O. Faleke, A. A. Magaji, E. B. Ibitoye and B. R. Alkali

Veterinary World, 8(7): 865-869

   doi: 10.14202/vetworld.2015.865-869

Abstract

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Aim: This study was conducted to determine the seroprevalence and distribution of foot and mouth disease virus (FMDV) infection in pigs from Zuru, Kebbi State, Nigeria.

Materials and Methods: Cross-sectional serological surveys were conducted between May and December 2013 using the immunochromatography assay technique. Structured questionnaires were administered to households identified at pig rearing areas to obtain the population structures and some information on managemental practices.

Results: A total number of 849 pigs were enumerated at 37 pigs rearing households. Tudun wada had the largest concentration of pigs (237 pigs), while Dabai has the least (38 pigs). A total of 250 blood samples were collected, of which 45 (18%) were positive; Zango has the highest seroprevalence (1.6%), while Dabai recorded the least (0.4%). Based on sex and age, the infection was higher in female (10.4%) and young pigs (11.6%) than male (7.6%) and adult pigs (6.4%), respectively. There was no significant (p>0.05) association between infection and pig rearing areas, sex, and age. Furthermore, none of the 250 pigs examined for classical FMDV lesions was positive.

Conclusion: The results of this study showed that FMD is an important disease of pigs in the study areas. This result justifies the need for more attention and subsequent molecular study to identify the circulating FMDV in the area, which will help in the implementation of effective control measures.

Keywords: foot-and-mouth disease virus, immunochromatography, Nigeria, pigs, seroprevalence.

Assessment of variable drinking water sources used in Egypt on broiler health and welfare

Research (Published online: 14-07-2015)

7.  Assessment of variable drinking water sources used in Egypt on broiler health and welfare - N. ELSaidy, R. A. Mohamed, F. Abouelenien

Veterinary World, 8(7): 855-864

   doi: 10.14202/vetworld.2015.855-864

Abstract

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Aim: This study assessed the impact of four water sources used as drinking water in Egypt for broiler chickens on its performance, carcass characteristic, hematological, and immunological responses.

Materials and Methods: A total of 204 unsexed 1-day old Indian River broiler chickens were used in this study. They were randomly allocated into four treatment groups of 51 birds in each, with three replicates, 17 birds per replicate. Groups were classified according to water source they had been received into (T1) received farm tap water; (T2) received filtered tap water (T3) received farm stored water at rooftop tanks, (T4) received underground (well) water.

Results: All water sources showed no significant differences among treated groups at (p>0.05) for most of the performance parameters and carcass characteristics. However (T2) group showed higher records for body weight (BWT), BWT gain (BWG), feed conversion ratio, bursa weight, serum total protein, globulin (G), albumin (A) and A/G ratio, Ab titer against New castle disease virus vaccine. On the other hand, it showed lower records for water intake (WI), WI/Feed intake ratio, total leukocytes count %, heterophil %, lymphocyte %, H/L ratio, liver weight, glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase, glutamic pyruvic transaminase, serum uric acid and creatinine. Where filtered water reverse osmosis showed lowest records for bacterial load, the absence of coliform bacteria, total dissolved solids (TDS), electrical conductivity (EC) and salinity. On the other hand stored water showed higher numerical values for TDS, EC, alkalinity, salinity, pH, bacterial count, and coliform count.

Conclusion: Base on the results of this study, it is concluded that different water sources could safely be used as drinking water for poultry; as long as it is present within the acceptable range of drinking water quality for chickens. Suggesting the benefits of treatment of water sources on improving chickens’ health and welfare. Draw attention to the importance of maintaining the hygienic quality of stored water.

Keywords: broiler performance, broiler health and immunity, poultry drinking water, water treatment.

Microsatellite DNA typing for assessment of genetic variability in Marwari breed of Indian goat

Research (Published online: 12-07-2015)

6.  Microsatellite DNA typing for assessment of genetic variability in Marwari breed of Indian goat - Anoop Singh Yadav, Kritika Gahlot, Gyan Chand Gahlot, Mohd Asraf and Mohan Lal Yadav

Veterinary World, 8(7): 848-854

   doi: 10.14202/vetworld.2015.848-854

Abstract

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Aim: To estimate existing within-breed genetic variability in Marwari goats under field conditions and the generated data that can be used to determine genetic relationships with other breed of goats.

Materials and Methods: A total of 146 blood samples of goats of Marwari breed were randomly collected from genetically unrelated animals from different villages of Bikaner Districts of Rajasthan, India. Genomic DNA was extracted from whole blood using proteinase K-digestion followed by standard phenol–chloroform extraction procedure at room temperature and confirmed through horizontal electrophoresis on 0.8% agarose gel containing ethidium bromide. Fifteen caprine microsatellite markers were used to estimate genetic variability among the goats of Marwari breed in terms of allelic and genotype frequencies, heterozygosities and polymorphism information content (PIC) value.

Results: A total of 74 alleles were contributed by Marwari goat across all 15 microsatellite loci. The number of alleles per locus varied from two (ILSTS-087) to 9 (ILSTS-058) alleles, with a mean of 4.93 whereas the effective number of allele varied from 1.35 (ILSTS-005) to 3.129 (ILSTS011) with a mean of 2.36. The effective number of allele is lesser than observed number at all the loci. Allelic sizes ranged from 125 bp (ILSTS-028 and ILSTS-033) to 650 bp (ILSTS-011 and ILSTS-019). The expected heterozygosity ranged from 0.240 (locus ILSTS-005) to 0.681 (locus ILSTS-011), with an average value of 0.544. The observed heterozygosity (Ho) ranged from 0.1428 (locus ILSTS-087) to 0.9285 (locus ILSTS-034), with an average value of 0.5485 indicates substantial and very good number of heterozygotes, in the population. The highest PIC value (1.1886) was observed at ILSTS-044 locus and least (0.0768) at ILSTS-065 locus for Marwari goat.

Conclusion: Microsatellite analysis revealed a high level of polymorphism across studied microsatellite markers and informativeness of the markers for genetic diversity analysis studies in Marwari goats. This high level of polymorphism can be utilized to plan future biodiversity studies to exploit the uniqueness and adaptability of this breed to Western Rajasthan. Most studied microsatellite markers proving to be good candidates for genetic characterization and diversity analysis of this breed of goat.

Keywords: allelic frequency, heterozygosity, Marwari goats, microsatellite marker, polymorphism information content.

Animal health care seeking behavior of pets or livestock owners and knowledge and awareness on zoonoses in a university community

Research (Published online: 10-07-2015)

5.  Animal health care seeking behavior of pets or livestock owners and knowledge and awareness on zoonoses in a university community - Emmanuel J. Awosanya and H. O. Akande

Veterinary World, 8(7): 841-847

   doi: 10.14202/vetworld.2015.841-847

Abstract

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Aim: We investigated the attitude of pets or livestock owning households in a university community to animal health care services and assessed the knowledge and awareness level of the residents on zoonoses.

Materials and Methods: Structured questionnaire was used to obtain information on demography, pet or livestock ownership, animal health care seeking behavior, awareness and knowledge of zoonoses from 246 households. We did descriptive statistics and bivariate analysis to determine the level of association in discrete variables between owners and non-owners of pets or livestock at a significant level of p<0.05.

Results: Of the 246 respondents, 80 (32.5%) were either pet or livestock owners. The animal health care seeking behavior of the 80 pets or livestock owners in terms of treatment and vaccination was 70%. Of the 56 (70%) who provided health care services for their animals, about 48 (85.7%) engaged the services of a veterinarian. Dog owning households (42) had the highest frequency of treating their pets against endoparasites (97.6%); ectoparasites (81%) and vaccination against diseases (73.8%). Of the 246 respondents, only 47 (19.1%) have heard of the term zoonoses. Of the considered zoonoses; their awareness of rabies (79.3%) was the highest, followed by Lassa fever (66.3%), the least was pasteurellosis with 18.7%. Having pets or livestock was significantly associated (p=0.04) with rabies awareness. However, there is no significant difference in the level of awareness of zoonoses; knowledge of zoonoses, knowledge of prevention of zoonoses and knowledge of risk of zoonoses between owners and non-owners of pets or livestock.

Conclusion: The animal health care seeking behavior of households with pets or livestock is good and should be encouraged. Public education should be created for other zoonoses aside from rabies, Lassa fever, and avian influenza.

Keywords: attitude, education, households, Nigeria, treatment, vaccination.

Two-dimensional and three-dimensional ultrasonography for pregnancy diagnosis and antenatal fetal development in Beetal goats

Research (Published online: 09-07-2015)

4.  Two-dimensional and three-dimensional ultrasonography for pregnancy diagnosis and antenatal fetal development in Beetal goats -Kailash Kumar, Ramesh Kumar Chandolia, Sarvan Kumar, Madan Pal and Sandeep Kumar

Veterinary World, 8(7): 835-840

   doi: 10.14202/vetworld.2015.835-840

Abstract

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Aim: The objective of this study was to compare two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) study of the pregnant uterus and antenatal development of the fetus.

Materials and Methods: 2D and 3D ultrasound were performed from day 20 to 120 of gestation, twice in week from day 20 to 60 and once in week from day 60 to 120 of gestation on six goats. The ultrasonographic images were obtained using Toshiba, Nemio-XG (Japan) 3D ultrasound machine.

Results: On the 20th day of gestation, earliest diagnosis of pregnancy was done. First 3D ultrasonographic image of the conceptus, through transabdominal approach, was obtained on day 24. On 39th day, clear pictures of conceptus, amniotic membrane, and umbilicus were seen. On 76th day of gestation, internal organs of fetus viz heart, kidney, liver, urinary bladder, and stomach were seen both in 2D and 3D images. 3D imaging showed better details of uterine structures and internal organs of the fetus.

Conclusions: Comparing 3D images with 2D images, it is concluded that 2D was better in visualizing fluid while 3D images were better to view details of attachment of fetus with endometrium.

Keywords: fetal development, goats, pregnancy, three-dimensional, two-dimensional, ultrasonography.

Effect of thawing methods on frozen semen quality of yak (Poephagus grunniens L.) bulls

Research (Published online: 07-07-2015)

3.  Effect of thawing methods on frozen semen quality of yak (Poephagus grunniens L.) bulls - Binod Kumar Dutta Borah, Bharat Chandra Deka, Ranjan Kumar Biswas, Prithiviraj Chakravarty, Sourabh Deori, Sudip Sinha and Kutubuddin Ahmed

Veterinary World, 8(7): 831-834

   doi: 10.14202/vetworld.2015.831-834

Abstract

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Aim: To evaluate different thawing temperatures and duration on the post-thaw semen quality of Indian yaks bulls.

Materials and Methods: Semen ejaculates from four different yak bulls were collected using artificial vagina method and extended with tris extender containing 6.4% glycerol at 35°C, cooled gradually from 35°C to 5°C at 1°C/3 min and equilibrated at 4-5°C for 4 h and frozen in French mini straws using a programmable bio-freezer and finally stored in liquid nitrogen.Thawing of frozen semen straws was carried out using three methods i.e., 35°C for 60 s (thawing method I), 37°C for 30 s (thawing method II) and 75°C for 9 s (thawing method III).The post-thaw semen quality parameters assessed were sperm motility, percent live sperm, hypo-osmotic swelling test (HOST)-reacted sperm, acrosomal changes, and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) activities in the extracellular media.

Results: The percent sperm motility, total incidence of acrosomal changes, and extracellular release of AST varied significantly (p<0.01) between thawing methods but live sperm and HOST-reacted sperm did not vary significantly between thawing methods.The percent sperm motility of frozen yak semen for thawing method III was significantly (p<0.05) higher than that for thawing methods I and II, the difference between thawing methods I and II being non-significant. The critical difference test revealed that the total incidence of acrosomal changes and extracellular release of AST were significantly (p<0.05) lower when thawing was done using methods I and II than in method III.

Conclusion: On the basis of the present experiment, we can conclude that barring the post-thaw sperm motility, thawing of frozen yak semen in water either at 35°C for 60 s or 37°C for 30 s gives better post-thaw semen quality than at 75°C for 09 s.

Keywords: acrosomal changes, post-thaw, thawing methods, semen quality, yak.

Modeling of spatial distribution for scorpions of medical importance in the São Paulo State, Brazil

Research (Published online: 07-07-2015)

2.  Modeling of spatial distribution for scorpions of medical importance in the São Paulo State, Brazil - José Brites-Neto and Keila Maria Roncato Duarte

Veterinary World, 8(7): 823-830

   doi: 10.14202/vetworld.2015.823-830

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Abstract

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Aim: In this work, we aimed to develop maps of modeling geographic distribution correlating to environmental suitability for the two species of scorpions of medical importance at São Paulo State and to develop spatial configuration parameters for epidemiological surveillance of these species of venomous animals.

Materials and Methods: In this study, 54 georeferenced points for Tityus serrulatus and 86 points for Tityus bahiensis and eight environmental indicators, were used to generate species distribution models in Maxent (maximum entropy modeling of species geographic distributions) version 3.3.3k using 70% of data for training (n=38 to T. serrulatus and n=60 to T. bahiensis) and 30% to test the models (n=16 for T. serrulatus and n=26 for T. bahiensis). The logistic threshold used to cut models in converting the continuous probability model into a binary model was the “maximum test sensitivity plus specificity,” provided by Maxent, with results of 0.4143 toT. serrulatus and of 0.3401 to T. bahiensis. The models were evaluated by the area under the curve (AUC), using the omission error and the binomial probability. With the data generated by Maxent, distribution maps were produced using the “ESRI® ArcGIS 10.2.2 for Desktop” software.

Results: The models had high predictive success (AUC=0.7698±0.0533, omission error=0.2467 and p<0.001 for T. serrulatus and AUC=0.8205±0.0390, omission error=0.1917 and p<0.001 for T. bahiensis) and the resultant maps showed a high environmental suitability in the north, central, and southeast of the state, confirming the increasing spread of these species. The environmental variables that mostly contributed to the scorpions species distribution model were rain precipitation (28.9%) and tree cover (28.2%) for the T. serrulatus and temperature (45.8%) and thermal amplitude (12.6%) for the T. bahiensis.

Conclusion: The distribution model of these species of medical importance scorpions in São Paulo State revealed a higher environmental suitability of these species in the regions north, central, and southeast of the state, warning to emergencies actions for prevention and surveillance from scorpion stings in several counties. There is also a need to best conservation strategies related to neighboring territories, with the implementation of new environmental protected areas and measures of spread control of these species in urban areas of several counties.

Keywords: binomial probability, environmental variable, georeferencing, maxent, Tityus bahiensis, Tityus serrulatus.