Impact of the flour of Jerusalem artichoke on the production of methane and carbon dioxide and growth performance in calves

Research (Published online: 03-11-2018)

2. Impact of the flour of Jerusalem artichoke on the production of methane and carbon dioxide and growth performance in calves

Sintija Jonova, Aija Ilgaza, Inga Grinfelde and Maksims Zolovs

Veterinary World, 11(11): 1532-1538

ABSTRACT

Aim: The aim of the research was to evaluate the growth performance, to measure the amount of methane (CH4) and carbon dioxide (CO2) in calves' rumen, and to compare the obtained results between the control group (CoG) and the experimental group (Pre12) which received the additional supplement of the prebiotic inulin.

Materials and Methods: The research was conducted with ten Holstein Friesian (Bos taurus L.) crossbreed calves with an average age of 33±6 days. Calves were split into two groups: 5 calves that were fed with the control non-supplemented diet (CoG) and 5 calves that were fed with the same diet further supplemented with 12 g of flour of Jerusalem artichoke (Helianthus tuberosus L.) containing 6 g of prebiotic inulin per 0.5 kg of barley flour diet (Pre12). The duration of the experiment was 56 days. CH4 and CO2 were measured using cavity ringdown spectroscopy device Picarro G2508. The weight and samples from calves' rumen were evaluated 3 times during the experimental period - on the 1st, 28th, and 56th days. Samples were obtained by puncturing the calf rumen.

Results: The weight gain (kg) during the whole experimental period was higher in the Pre12 (65.8±6.57) compared to CoG (36.8±7.98) calves (p<0.001). The daily weight gain was also increased in the Pre12 (1.2±0.12) than CoG (0.7±0.14) calves (p<0.001). There was no difference in the levels of CH4 and CO2 produced in the rumen of CoG and Pre12 calves (p>0.05).

Conclusion: The main results showed that the prebiotic inulin can promote weight gain in calves, without affecting the mean concentration of CH4 and CO2 in calves' rumen.

Keywords: calves, carbon dioxide, inulin, methane, weight gain.

The profiling of pre- and post-warming DNA in mouse embryos with microsatellite method

Research (Published online: 02-11-2018)

1. The profiling of pre- and post-warming DNA in mouse embryos with microsatellite method

Widjiati Widjiati, Soeharsono Soeharsono and Yeni Dhamayanti

Veterinary World, 11(11): 1526-1531

ABSTRACT

Aim: This research aimed to identify the deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) profile and changes of post-warming embryo after being frozen with vitrification method using microsatellite method.

Materials and Methods: This research examined the mouse embryo blastocysts that were divided into four groups: Post-warming living blastocyst, post-warming living blastocyst with half fragmented cell, post-warming dead blastocyst, and pre-freezing living blastocyst. The isolation sample applied phenol-chloroform method. After obtaining polymerase chain reaction results, all the samples of pre-freezing fresh embryo, post-warming living embryo, dead embryo, and degenerated embryo were then examined by single-strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP).

Results: The amplification with D18mit14 primer was 100 bp and 150bp with D18mit87 primer, 150bp with D7mit22, and 300bp with D7mit25. The result of SSCP with D18mit14 primer showed that the blastocysts were fragmented and dead after warming process and formed into two DNA strand fragments, while the fresh embryos which passed freezing process did not form any fragment. D18mit87 primer SSCP indicated different fragments for each treatment. The result of SSCP using D7mit22 formed two different fragments for each treatment. While using D7mit25, the SSCP result formed some different fragments for each sample. Post-warming living embryo had similar ribbon to pre-freezing fresh embryo.

Conclusion: D7mit222, D7mit25, and D18mit87 primers could be used as the aneuploidy marker on mouse embryos that were induced by post-warming process. The profile of living blastocyst, dead blastocyst, and post-warming fragmented blastocyst had different DNA tapes.

Keywords: blastocyst, DNA mutation, single-strand conformation polymorphism, vitrification.

Preliminary field survey on Mycobacterium bovis infection in cattle herds using caudal fold intradermal tuberculin test in two Northeastern States of Nigeria

Research (Published online: 01-11-2018)

9. Preliminary field survey on Mycobacterium bovis infection in cattle herds using caudal fold intradermal tuberculin test in two Northeastern States of Nigeria

Salisu Ibrahim, Bello Abubakar Usman, Danbirni Samaila and Adamu Saleh Saidu

International Journal of One Health, 4: 52-58

ABSTRACT

Aim: A survey was conducted to determine the prevalence of bovine tuberculosis (bTB) in two states of Northeastern Nigeria, namely Bauchi and Gombe States, between February 2010 and November 2014 using caudal fold tuberculin (CFT) skin test.

Materials and Methods: A total of 5489 cattle were screened using single CFT in Bauchi and Gombe States. Of the 5489 cattle, 2116 cattle were from 189 herds in five testing areas in Bauchi State and 3373 cattle in 217 herds from five testing areas from Gombe State.

Results: On the basis of the CFT, herd prevalence obtained was 56.08% in Bauchi and 55.29% in Gombe State, while the individual animal prevalence was 10.96% in Bauchi and 13.73% obtained in Gombe State. The prevalence based on the testing areas in Bauchi State, Alamari had the highest prevalence with 19.4 % and Disina the lowest with 9.0 %, while in Gombe State, Wakaltu had the highest prevalence with 20.9 % and Poshereng the lowest with 8.0 %. Cows were more likely to have tuberculosis lesions than bulls (p=0.0035) in Bauchi State, but there was no significant difference in Gombe State (p=0.166). However, a statistically significant association (p<0.05) was observed among the cattle age groups with cattle ≥4 years having higher odds for tuberculin reactivity compared to those below the age of 4 years in Bauchi State only.

Conclusion: There is the need to strengthen routine meat inspection and public health awareness programs on the zoonotic nature of bTB among the abattoir workers and the herdsmen.

Keywords: bovine tuberculosis, cattle herds, caudal folds, Northeastern Nigeria, tuberculin test.

Identification and characterization of a novel infectious bursal disease virus from outbreaks in Maharashtra Province of India

Research (Published online: 29-10-2018)

25. Identification and characterization of a novel infectious bursal disease virus from outbreaks in Maharashtra Province of India

Sudhakar P. Awandkar, Prabhakar A. Tembhurne, Jeevan A. Kesharkar, Nitin V. Kurkure, Sandeep P. Chaudhari, Sachin W. Bonde and Vijay C. Ingle

Veterinary World, 11(10): 1516-1525

ABSTRACT

Aim: The study was undertaken to isolate infectious bursal disease virus (IBDV) from clinical cases in broiler and cockerel flocks of Maharashtra state, India, and its molecular epidemiological investigation.

Materials and Methods: The morbid bursal tissues were collected from flocks suspected for IBD. The samples were subjected for virus adaptation in primary chicken embryo fibroblast (CEF) cells followed by confirmation by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) for partial VP2 sequence and phylogenetic analysis.

Results: The isolation of IBDV from field samples took seven blind passages for adaptation in CEF. The cytopathic effects included rounding, aggregation, vacuolation, and detachment of the cells. The RT-PCR showed amplification of 627 bp amplicon specific to the primers for VP2 gene fragment which confirmed successful adaptation and isolation of IBDV using CEF. The nucleotide and deduced amino acids based on phylogeny clustered the current isolate in a distinct clade with classical virulent and antigenic variants. It showed divergence from very virulent (vv) and vaccine strains of Indian origin. The isolate showed unique amino acid substitution at A329V as compared to all other IBDVs. The variation in key amino acids was reported at A222, I242, Q249, Q253, A256, T270, N279, T284, I286, L294, N299, and V329. It shared conserved amino acids at position A222, I242, and Q253 as reported in vvIBDV isolates. However, the amino acids reported at position T270, N279, T284, L294, and N299 are conserved in classic, antigenic variant and attenuated strains of IBDV. The amino acids at positions N279 and T284 indicated that the isolate has key amino acids for cell culture replication.

Conclusion: The IBDV field isolate does not reveal the full nucleotide sequence signature of vvIBDV as well as vaccine strains. Hence, we can conclude that it might not belong to vvIBDVs of Indian origin and the vaccine strain used in the region. This may be suggestive of the evolution of the IBDV in the field due to the coexistence of circulating field strains and live attenuated hot strains, resulting into morbidity and mortality, warranting the need for safer protective vaccines, and implementation of stringent biosecurity measures to minimize loss to farmers.

Keywords: adaptation, chicken embryo fibroblast, epidemiology, isolate infectious bursal disease virus, VP2.

Genetic resistance of eight native Egyptian chicken breeds having chicken B-cell marker 6 gene post-challenge with field strain of Marek's disease-induced tumor virus

Research (Published online: 29-10-2018)

24. Genetic resistance of eight native Egyptian chicken breeds having chicken B-cell marker 6 gene post-challenge with field strain of Marek's disease-induced tumor virus

Hala A. Shaheen, H. A. Hussein, M. M. Elsafty and M. A. Shalaby

Veterinary World, 11(10): 1510-1515

ABSTRACT

Aim: The aim of this work was to detect chicken B-cell marker 6 (ChB6) gene in some native breeds in Egypt and find the relationship between founded genes in these different breeds to determine the resistance of native Egyptian breeds of chicken to Marek's disease (MD).

Materials and Methods: A total of 14 different chicken breeds (30 each) including ten native breeds in addition to SPF Lohmann, High Line, Bovans, and Roodiland were used. Blood samples were collected for the detection of (ChB6,) by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay and sequenced to determine the presence or absence of ChB6 gene. Experimental infection was done using local field isolated MD virus (MDV) of 11 (1 day old) unvaccinated chick breeds having no maternal antibodies against MDV. Ten breeds of them carry ChB6 gene, eight breeds were native, and the rest two breeds were SPF Lohmann and High Line in addition to a group of ChB6 gene-lacking breed (Bovans) were infected. Spleen samples were collected from all infected breeds at 20th, 25th, 30th, 35th, and 40th weeks post-infection and tested by PCR assay for the detection of MDV. Furthermore, at 40th week post-infection, tumorized spleen sample of Bovans breed was collected and prepared for examination by transmission electron microscope (TEM) to confirm the presence of MDV.

Results: Our results revealed the positivity of 10 out of 14 breeds (Gimmizah , Sinai, Dandarawi, Fayoumi, Golden Montazah, Matrouh, Beheri, Dokki, SPF Lohmann, and High Line) to the presence of ChB6 gene and resistance to MDV infection, while the Bovans, Mandarah , Inshas and Roodiland breeds lack the ChB6 gene and are susceptible to MDV infection. The collected spleen samples revealed negative for the presence of challenged MDV by PCR in 10 breeds (Gimmizah, Sinai, Dandarawi, Fayoumi, Golden Montazah, Matrouh, Beheri, Dokki, SPF Lohmann, and High Line) and positive for Bovans breed. TEM is used to confirm MDV infection in Bovans group which demonstrated tumors.

Conclusion: The study confirms the relationship between the presence of ChB6 gene in our native breeds and the absence of tumors.

Keywords: ChB6 gene, Egyptian chicken breeds, Marek's disease, polymerase chain reaction, transmission electron microscope.

Bacteriological survey of bulk tank milk from dairy farms in Montero, Santa Cruz, Bolivia

Research (Published online: 26-10-2018)

23. Bacteriological survey of bulk tank milk from dairy farms in Montero, Santa Cruz, Bolivia

Yu Michimuko-Nagahara, Yu Tamura and Masateru Koiwa

Veterinary World, 11(10): 1506-1509

ABSTRACT

Background and Aim: Recently, bacterial surveys for mastitis-causing pathogens in bulk tank milk (BTM) have been conducted in several countries worldwide. However, no such surveys have been reported from Bolivia. Therefore, the present study aimed to estimate the prevalence of mastitis pathogens in BTM from dairy farms in Montero, Santa Cruz, Bolivia.

Materials and Methods: Between July 2016 and August 2017, a total of 43 BTM samples were collected from 3264 cows to determine bulk tank somatic cell counts (BTSCC) and identify mastitis-causing bacteria. BTSCC was classified as follows: = <100×103, 100-500×103, 500-1000×103, and >1000×103 cells/mL.

Results: Mastitis-causing pathogens identified by agar medium cultures included Bacillus spp., coagulase-negative staphylococci (CNS), coliforms, Staphylococcus aureus (SA), streptococci, and other species. The proportions of BTSCC of <100×103, 200-500×103, 500-1000×103, and >1000×103 cells/ml were 0%, 37%, 51%, and 12%, respectively. The proportions of coliforms, streptococci, CNS, Bacillus spp., SA, and others detected in BTM were 33%, 30%, 16%, 7%, 2%, and 16%, respectively.

Conclusion: Although the herd prevalence of contagious mastitis-causing pathogens, such as SA, in BTM was low, increased BTSCC were identified in Montero, Santa Cruz, Bolivia.

Keywords: bacterial survey, Bolivia, bulk tank milk, dairy farm, mastitis.

The effect of Toxoplasma gondii on plasma serotonin concentration in sheep

Research (Published online: 26-10-2018)

22. The effect of Toxoplasma gondii on plasma serotonin concentration in sheep

Annamaria Castello, Giuseppe Bruschetta, Renato Paolo Giunta, Anna Maria Fausta Marino and Alida Maria Ferlazzo

Veterinary World, 11(10): 1500-1505

ABSTRACT

Background and Aim: Toxoplasma gondii is an intracellular parasite that commonly infects warm-blooded animals, including humans. Virtually all species can be infected, but a species-specific variability is evident, in terms of both type and severity of the symptoms encountered. As serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine [5-HT]) plays an important regulatory role in both physiological and immune responses, the aim of this research was to assess whether toxoplasmosis disease could affect plasma 5-HT concentration and/or hematochemical parameters in a particularly susceptible species to infection as sheep.

Materials and Methods: 5-HT plasma levels were analyzed in platelet-poor plasma fraction by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Blood count and hematochemical parameters were evaluated. Total proteins (TPs), glucose (Glu), and lactate dehydrogenase were determined by a spectrophotometer.

Results: Results showed significantly higher levels in plasma 5-HT, monocytes, and TP and significantly lower levels of Glu, in infected sheep compared to the control group.

Conclusion: Results could support the hypothesis of an effect of toxoplasmosis infection on plasma 5-HT concentrations in sheep. More research is needed to assess the function of 5-HT in the regulation of infected sheep's immune responses.

Keywords: monocytes, plasma, serotonin, serum, sheep, toxoplasmosis.