Effect of supplementation of lecithin and carnitine on growth performance and nutrient digestibility in pigs fed high-fat diet

Research (Published online: 07-02-2017)

3. Effect of supplementation of lecithin and carnitine on growth performance and nutrient digestibility in pigs fed high-fat diet - Arathy Saseendran, K. Ally, P. Gangadevi and P. S. Banakar

Veterinary World, 10(2): 149-155

   doi: 10.14202/vetworld.2017.149-155

Abstract

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Aim: To study the effect of dietary supplementation of lecithin and carnitine on growth performance and nutrient digestibility in pigs fed high-fat diet.

Materials and Methods: A total of 30 weaned female large white Yorkshire piglets of 2 months of age were selected and randomly divided into three groups allotted to three dietary treatments, T1 - Control ration as per the National Research Council nutrient requirement, T2 - Control ration plus 5% fat, and T3 - T2 plus 0.5% lecithin plus 150 mg/kg carnitine. The total dry matter (DM) intake, fortnightly body weight of each individual animal was recorded. Digestibility trial was conducted toward the end of the experiment to determine the digestibility coefficient of various nutrients.

Results: There was a significant improvement (p<0.01) observed for pigs under supplementary groups T2 and T3 than that of control group (T1) with regards to growth parameters studied such as total DM intake, average final body weight and total weight gain whereas among supplementary groups, pigs reared on T3 group had better intake (p<0.01) when compared to T2 group. Statistical analysis of data revealed that no differences were observed (p>0.05) among the three treatments on average daily gain, feed conversion efficiency, and nutrient digestibility during the overall period.

Conclusion: It was concluded that the dietary inclusion of animal fat at 5% level or animal fat along with lecithin (0.5%) and carnitine (150 mg/kg) improved the growth performance in pigs than non-supplemented group and from the economic point of view, dietary incorporation of animal fat at 5% would be beneficial for improving growth in pigs without dietary modifiers.

Keywords: animal fat, carnitine, growth performance, lecithin, supplementation.

Characterization of Salmonella Gallinarum from an outbreak in Raigarh, Chhattisgarh

Research (Published online: 05-02-2017)

2. Characterization of Salmonella Gallinarum from an outbreak in Raigarh, Chhattisgarh - Chandrahas Sannat, Anil Patyal, Nidhi Rawat, R. C. Ghosh, D. K. Jolhe, R. K. Shende, S. D. Hirpurkar and Sanjay Shakya

Veterinary World, 10(2): 144-148

   doi: 10.14202/vetworld.2017.144-148

Abstract

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Aim: The present investigation was conducted to isolate and characterize Salmonella Gallinarum from an outbreak of fowl typhoid in layer birds.

Materials and Methods: Clinically ill and dead layer birds from an outbreak were investigated. History, clinical signs, and postmortem lesions were suggestive of fowl typhoid. Postmortem samples including heart blood, intestinal contents, pieces of ovary, and liver were collected and processed immediately for bacterial culture, serotyping and antibiotic sensitivity tests. Isolates were further screened for the presence of extended spectrum beta lactamase (ESBL) (bla_TEM) gene by polymerase chain reaction.

Results: On the basis of cultural, staining and biochemical characteristics; three bacterial isolates were confirmed as S. Gallinarum. On serotyping, somatic antigen O: 9 and 12 with nonflagellated antigen were detected in all three isolates. Isolates were intermediate sensitive to amoxycillin, amoxyclav, gentamicin and ciprofloxacin and resistant to most of the antibiotics including chloramphenicol, ampicillin, ceftazidime, cefexime, cefepime, azithromycin, nalidixin, tetracycline, oxytetracycline, and streptomycin. Two isolates were found to harbor ESBL (bla_TEM) gene.

Conclusion: Beta lactamase producer S. Gallinarum was confirmed as cause of increased mortality in layer birds during present investigation. Existence of multi drug resistant Salmonella poses serious threat to poultry industry in Chhattisgarh.

Keywords: bla_TEM, O: 9; 12, poultry, Salmonella Gallinarum.

Seroprevalence of bovine herpesvirus-1 antibodies in bovines in five districts of Uttarakhand

Research (Published online: 04-02-2017)

1. Seroprevalence of bovine herpesvirus-1 antibodies in bovines in five districts of Uttarakhand - Vipul Thakur, Mahesh Kumar, and R. L. Rathish

Veterinary World, 10(2): 140-143

   doi: 10.14202/vetworld.2017.140-143

Abstract

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Aim: This study was conducted to know the status of bovine herpesvirus-1 (BHV-1) antibodies in the bovines of the selected area of Uttarakhand.

Materials and Methods: A total of 489 serum samples, 392 of cattle and 97 of buffaloes were randomly collected from the unvaccinated bovine population of five districts viz., Dehradun, Haridwar, Nainital, Pithoragarh, and Udham Singh Nagar and were tested by avidin biotin enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for BHV-1 antibodies.

Results: The overall prevalence was observed to be 29.03%. At district level, the highest prevalence was recorded in Pithoragarh district (40.00%) while it was lowest in district Udham Singh Nagar (16.00%). The prevalence of BHV-1 antibodies was found to be higher in unorganized dairy units (31.02%) compared to organized farms (26.51%) in Uttarakhand. Buffaloes were found to have greater prevalence (38.14%) than cattle (26.78%) while on sex-wise basis; it was found that more females (30.08%) were harboring antibodies to the virus than males (16.21%).

Conclusion: The study revealed that the population in the area under study has been exposed to BHV-1 and hence prevention and control strategies must be implemented.

Keywords: avidin biotin enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, bovine herpesvirus-1, seroprevalence.

Associations between single nucleotide polymorphisms in multiple candidate genes and body weight in rabbits

Research (Published online: 30-01-2017)

20. Associations between single nucleotide polymorphisms in multiple candidate genes and body weight in rabbits - Karim El-Sabrout and Sarah A. Aggag

Veterinary World, 10(1): 136-139

   doi: 10.14202/vetworld.2017.136-139

Abstract

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Aim: In this study, we examined parts of six growth genes (growth hormone [GH], melanocortin 4 receptor [MC4R], growth hormone receptor [GHR], phosphorglycerate mutase [PGAM], myostatin [MSTN], and fibroblast growth factor [FGF]) as specific primers for two rabbit lines (V-line, Alexandria) using nucleotide sequence analysis, to investigate association between detecting single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) of these genes and body weight (BW) at market.

Materials and Methods: Each line kits were grouped into high and low weight rabbits to identify DNA markers useful for association studies with high BW. DNA from blood samples of each group was extracted to amplify the six growth genes. SNP technique was used to study the associate polymorphism in the six growth genes and marketing BW (at 63 days) in the two rabbit lines. The purified polymerase chain reaction products were sequenced in those had the highest and lowest BW in each line.

Results: Alignment of sequence data from each group revealed the following SNPs: At nucleotide 23 (A-C) and nucleotide 35 (T-G) in MC4R gene (sense mutation) of Alexandria and V-line high BW. Furthermore, we detected the following SNPs variation between the two lines: A SNP (T-C) at nucleotide 27 was identified by MC4R gene (sense mutation) and another one (A-C) at nucleotide 14 was identified by GHR gene (nonsense mutation) of Alexandria line. The results of individual BW at market (63 days) indicated that Alexandria rabbits had significantly higher BW compared with V-line rabbits. MC4R polymorphism showed significant association with high BW in rabbits.

Conclusion: The results of polymorphism demonstrate the possibility to detect an association between BW in rabbits and the efficiency of the used primers to predict through the genetic specificity using the SNP of MC4R.

Keywords: associated genes, body weight, prediction, rabbit, single nucleotide polymorphism.

Medico-legal aspects of congenital heart diseases in buying and selling of pets

Research (Published online: 29-01-2017)

19. Medico-legal aspects of congenital heart diseases in buying and selling of pets - Annamaria Passantino, Michela Pugliese, Valeria Quartarone, Natalia Russo, Roberto Bussadori and Bartolomeo Guercio

Veterinary World, 10(1): 130-135

   doi: 10.14202/vetworld.2017.130-135

Abstract

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Aim: The veterinarian should be able to assess congenital and inherited malformations such as heart defects because they may be object of legal disputes. In this study, the authors report some cases of congenital heart defects in pets (dogs and cats) to clarify whether or not they may be considered a redhibitory defect.

Materials and Methods: A total of 28 medical records of pets referred with suspected congenital heart disease were examined. All patients aged between 3 and 24 months underwent clinical examination, chest X-ray examination, electrocardiogram, and echocardiography and angiocardiography when necessary.

Results: Congenital heart diseases or associated cardiac malformations were confirmed. Considering the above congenital diseases as redhibitory defect and the rights of the owners from a strictly legal viewpoint, 9 owners demanded an estimatory action and 11 a redhibitory action; 1 owner decided to demand the reimbursement of veterinary expenses because the animal died; 7 owners took no legal action but requested surgical intervention.

Conclusions: Until more appropriate and detailed legislation on the buying and selling of pet animals is put in place; the authors propose to include in the contract a temporal extension of the guarantee relating to congenital heart disease, which can often become evident later.

Keywords: companion animals, congenital defects, heart diseases, purchase, redhibitory defect.

Nutrigenomic evaluation of garlic (Allium sativum) and holy basil (Ocimum sanctum) leaf powder supplementation on growth performance and immune characteristics in broilers

Research (Published online: 27-01-2017)

18. Nutrigenomic evaluation of garlic (Allium sativum) and holy basil (Ocimum sanctum) leaf powder supplementation on growth performance and immune characteristics in broilers - N. Sheoran, R. Kumar, A. Kumar, K. Batra, S. Sihag, S. Maan and N. S. Maan

Veterinary World, 10(1): 121-129

   doi: 10.14202/vetworld.2017.121-129

Abstract

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Aim: In this study, a planned research work was conducted to investigate the nutrigenomic aspects of supplementation of Allium sativum (garlic) and Ocimum sanctum (holy basil) leaf powder on the growth performance and immune characteristics of broilers.

Materials and Methods: A 6 weeks feeding trial was conducted with 280-day-old Ven Cobb broilers, distributed randomly into seven experimental groups. Each treatment had 4 replicates with 10 birds each. The birds of the control group (T1) were fed a basal diet formulated as per BIS standards. The broilers of treatment groups T2 and T3 were fed basal diet supplemented with the commercially available garlic powder (GP) at levels of 0.5% and 1.0% of the feed, respectively, while broilers in T4 and T5 were fed basal diet supplemented with commercial grade holy basil leaf powder (HBLP) at levels 0.5% and 1.0% of the feed, respectively. Birds in the T6 were fed with 0.5% GP and 0.5% HBLP, whereas T7 was fed with 1.0% GP and 1.0% HBLP. At the end of the feeding trial (6th week), blood samples were collected and analyzed for relative mRNA expression of toll-like receptors (TLR) 2, TLR 4 and TLR 7 using real-time polymerase chain reaction.

Results: The mean body weight gain and feed conversion efficiency were improved (p<0.05) in broilers fed the GP and HBLP incorporated diets compared with the control group. The relative mRNA expression levels of TLR 2, TLR 4 and TLR 7 in the peripheral blood of the broilers were found to be increased (p<0.05) in the birds supplemented with graded levels of the GP and HBLP as compared to the untreated group.

Conclusion: The present work concludes that the inclusion of GP and HBLP could enhance the production performance and immune status of birds by augmenting the T-cell mediated immune response and thereby protects them from disease without decreasing growth traits as a possible substitution to conventional antimicrobials.

Keywords: broilers, garlic, gene expression, holy basil, toll-like receptors.

Molecular markers for resistance against infectious diseases of economic importance

Review (Published online: 25-01-2017)

17. Molecular markers for resistance against infectious diseases of economic importance - B. M. Prajapati, J. P. Gupta, D. P. Pandey, G. A. Parmar and J. D. Chaudhari

Veterinary World, 10(1): 112-120

   doi: 10.14202/vetworld.2017.112-120

Abstract

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Huge livestock population of India is under threat by a large number of endemic infectious (bacterial, viral, and parasitic) diseases. These diseases are associated with high rates of morbidity and mortality, particularly in exotic and crossbred cattle. Beside morbidity and mortality, economic losses by these diseases occur through reduced fertility, production losses, etc. Some of the major infectious diseases which have great economic impact on Indian dairy industries are tuberculosis (TB), Johne’s disease (JD), mastitis, tick and tick-borne diseases (TTBDs), foot and mouth disease, etc. The development of effective strategies for the assessment and control of infectious diseases requires a better understanding of pathogen biology, host immune response, and diseases pathogenesis as well as the identification of the associated biomarkers. Indigenous cattle (Bos indicus) are reported to be comparatively less affected than exotic and crossbred cattle. However, genetic basis of resistance in indigenous cattle is not well documented. The association studies of few of the genes associated with various diseases, namely, solute carrier family 11 member 1, Toll-like receptors 1, with TB; Caspase associated recruitment domain 15, SP110 with JD; CACNA2D1, CD14 with mastitis and interferon gamma, BoLA -DRB3.2 alleles with TTBDs, etc., are presented. Breeding for genetic resistance is one of the promising ways to control the infectious diseases. High host resistance is the most important method for controlling such diseases, but till today no breed is total immune. Therefore, work may be undertaken under the hypothesis that the different susceptibility to these diseases are exhibited by indigenous and crossbred cattle is due to breed-specific differences in the dealing of infected cells with other immune cel ls, which ultimately influence the immune response responded against infections. Achieving maximum resistance to these diseases is the ultimate goal, is technically possible to achieve, and is permanent. Progress could be enhanced through introgression of resistance genes to breeds with low resistance. The quest for knowledge of the genetic basis for infectious diseases in indigenous livestock is strongly warranted.

Keywords: biomarkers, foot and mouth disease, genetic resistance, Johne’s disease, mastitis, tick and tick-borne diseases, tuberculosis.