Effect of yeast cell wall supplementation on production performances and blood biochemical indices of dairy cows in different lactation periods

Research (Published online: 13-06-2019)

11. Effect of yeast cell wall supplementation on production performances and blood biochemical indices of dairy cows in different lactation periods

Min Aung, Hiromichi Ohtsuka and Kenichi Izumi

Veterinary World, 12(6): 796-801

ABSTRACT

Aim: This experiment was conducted to determine the effect of yeast cell wall (YCW) supplementation on production performances and blood biochemical indices such as liver enzyme activities, energy metabolites, and electrolyte concentrations of dairy cows in different lactation periods (LP).

Materials and Methods: Thirty-two lactating Holstein cows were assigned into 2×2 factorial arrangement, in which the factors were the treatment (TM) (control [n=16] vs. YCW [n=16]) and the LP (early lactation [n=14] vs. mid-lactation [n=18]). The cows with day in milk (DIM) <120 (81±7 DIM) were defined as early lactating cows, whereas the cows with DIM >120 (179±5 DIM) were assumed as mid-lactating cows. The YCW (SafMannan; Phileo, Lesaffre Animal Care, France) was used as the dietary supplement (10 g/cow/day) in this experiment. The statistical analysis of the data was performed by the two-way analysis of variance using the general linear model procedure to determine the main effects (TM and LP) and their interaction (TM×LP) on production performances and blood biochemical parameters of experimental cows.

Results: No significant effects (p>0.05) of YCW supplementation on production performances and blood biochemical indices of cows in TM groups (control vs. YCW) were observed; however, some obvious effects were detected in LP (early- and mid-lactation). Milk and milk component yield of cows in early lactation were significantly higher (p<0.05) than in mid-lactation, whereas somatic cell count and milk urea nitrogen were not different (p>0.05) with the YCW supplementation. The higher level (p<0.05) of serum albumin was found in mid-lactating cows after YCW supplementation. Before the experiment, the higher (p<0.05) non-esterified fatty acid (NEFA) and NEFA/total cholesterol (T-Cho) ratio, and the lower (p<0.05) calcium (Ca) concentration were observed in early lactating cows comparison with mid-lactating cows; however, there were not different after YCW supplementation.

Conclusion: The positive effects of YCW supplementation on milk and milk component yields, energy metabolite, especially NEFA and NEFA/T-Cho ratio and Ca concentration were observed in early lactating cows rather than mid-lactating cows.

Keywords: dairy cows, electrolyte indices, energy metabolites, liver enzyme activity, milk yield, yeast cell wall.

Clinical and ultrasonographic investigations of 30 water buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis) with hepatomegaly

Research (Published online: 12-06-2019)

10. Clinical and ultrasonographic investigations of 30 water buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis) with hepatomegaly

A. M. Abdelaal, M. Abd El Raouf, M. A. Aref and A. A. Moselhy

Veterinary World, 12(6): 789-795

ABSTRACT

Background and Aim: Knowledge of normal ultrasonographic dimensions of the liver and associated vascular structures is an important indicator for the diagnosis of hepatic diseases. Enlargement of the liver beyond its normal dimensions is the term of hepatomegaly and ultrasonography is the primary and the suitable diagnostic technique for this condition. Therefore, this study aimed to describe the clinical and ultrasonographic findings of liver diseases causing hepatomegaly in 30 buffaloes as well as to provide a range of liver dimensions and its blood vessel measurements in normal and diseased buffaloes.

Materials and Methods: The study population included 30 buffaloes that were admitted to the clinic of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine - Zagazig University for investigation of clinical signs associated with gastrointestinal diseases such as anorexia, chronic weight loss, and variable degrees of diarrhea or constipation. The animals were subjected to thorough clinical and ultrasonographic investigations. In addition, 10 healthy buffaloes were investigated ultrasonographically and post-slaughtering for comparison of liver dimensions and physical appearance.

Results: Three conditions causing hepatomegaly were identified in this study as multiple focal hepatic lesions, diffuse fatty liver, and hepatic congestion. Clinically, it was difficult to differentiate between each condition while ultrasonography was the ideal tool for diagnosis after comparing with necropsy as a gold standard tool. Hepatomegaly was recorded in all affected animals with a significant decrease in the size of the portal vein (PV) and caudal vena cava (CVC) in animals affected with multiple focal hepatic lesions and fatty liver disease while the size of the PV and CVC was significantly increased in buffaloes with hepatic congestion.

Conclusion: Ultrasonography can aid to accurately identify buffaloes with hepatomegaly and differentiate between different lesions involved.

Keywords: buffaloes, fatty liver, hepatic congestion, hepatomegaly, ultrasonography.

Growth performance and meat characteristics of the first filial Awassi Rambouillet callipyge ram lambs

Research (Published online: 11-06-2019)

9. Growth performance and meat characteristics of the first filial Awassi Rambouillet callipyge ram lambs

Khaleel I. Z. Jawasreh, A. H. Al-Amareen and P. Y. Aad

Veterinary World, 12(6): 783-788

ABSTRACT

Aim: This study was designed to introduce the callipyge (CLPG) and 50% of Rambouillet sheep genes to improve meat quality and quantity of Awassi (AW) sheep.

Materials and Methods: The CLPG mutation was introduced into the AW sheep through frozen semen of homozygous Rambouillet rams for the CLPG mutation. Four ram lambs from the first-generation Rambouillet callipyge Awassi (F1-RCA) and five from pure AW were recruited for a fattening trial conducted in individual pens using standard ration, following which ram lambs were slaughtered for carcass and meat evaluation.

Results: Final body weight, dry matter intake, average daily gain, and feed conversion ratio were significantly higher in F1-RCA than AW. Hot and cold carcass weights and the other carcass cuts' weights, except for the fat tail, were heavier in F1-RCA than AW. There was no difference in dressing percentage between the two genetic groups (p>0.05). All non-carcass components' weights, except spleen, kidney, and testis, were higher in F1-RCA. Total lean, total bone, and intermuscular fat weight were greater in F1-RCA, but bone-to-lean ratio was lower in F1-RCA when compared with AW (p<0.01). No differences (p>0.05) were observed in all meat quality parameters for muscle longissimus with the exception of pH, redness color, and tenderness that were lower (p<0.05) in F1-RCA than AW. F1-RCA lambs had larger longissimus muscle area (30.9 vs. 16.9 cm2) and less leg fat depth (11.1 vs. 17.4 mm).

Conclusion: The implications of this research show the potential of 50% of Rambouillet genes and the CLPG mutation to improve growth and meat characteristics in AW-Rambouillet crosses and can be used further to develop a meat-type AW with improved productivity and muscle mass.

Keywords: Awassi sheep, callipyge, carcass composition, gene introgression, growth performance.

Tumors of the reproductive tract of sheep and goats: A review of the current literature and a report of vaginal fibroma in an Awassi ewe

Research (Published online: 11-06-2019)

8. Tumors of the reproductive tract of sheep and goats: A review of the current literature and a report of vaginal fibroma in an Awassi ewe

Wael M. Hananeh, Zuhair B. Ismail and Mousa H. Daradka

Veterinary World, 12(6): 778-782

ABSTRACT

Aim: This study aimed to provide a summary of all online available literature of published clinical and histopathological data regarding tumors affecting the reproductive tract of female sheep and goats. In addition, a detailed description of the clinical history, clinical findings, and gross and histopathological findings of one case of vaginal fibroma in an adult Awassi sheep is provided for the first time.

Materials and Methods: Internet search engines such as PubMed, ResearchGate, Scopus, ScienceDirect, and Google Scholar were used to collect all published articles in refereed journals from 2000 to 2018 regarding tumors and tumor-like lesions involving the reproductive tract of ewes and does.

Results: There are six published papers in sheep and nine in goats reporting various malignant and non-malignant tumors involving different parts of the reproductive tract. The most commonly diagnosed tumors of the reproductive tract were leiomyoma (six cases), adenocarcinoma (six cases), leiomyosarcoma (three cases), adenoma (one case), squamous cell carcinoma (one case), and metastatic signet ring cell carcinoma (one case). The most common sites of tumor formation were the uterus (10 cases), vulva/vagina (five cases), ovaries (four cases), cervix (four cases), and Bartholin's gland (one case). All affected animals were aged females (older than 3 years of age). In both ewes and does, the most frequently reported clinical symptoms were chronic weight loss, pyometra, hydrometra, vaginal bleeding, abnormal vaginal discharges, straining, pollakisurie, ascites, and abdominal distension.

Conclusion: Tumors of the reproductive organs in sheep and goats are not uncommon and should be considered in the differential diagnoses in cases with poor reproductive function.

Keywords: benign tumors, malignancy, reproductive tract, small ruminants.

Evaluation on the presence of Anaplasma, Ehrlichia, and Babesia spp. in goats (Capra hircus) in Cebu, the Philippines

Research (Published online: 11-06-2019)

7. Evaluation on the presence of Anaplasma, Ehrlichia, and Babesia spp. in goats (Capra hircus) in Cebu, the Philippines

Adrian P. Ybañez, Orgil V. Arrabis, Dennis Justin M. Alvarez, Eloiza May S. Galon, Rhea Mae P. Jayag, Elmie S. Delan, Rochelle Haidee D. Ybañez and Xuenan Xuan

Veterinary World, 12(6): 774-777

ABSTRACT

Background: Tick-borne diseases are caused by a wide variety of viruses, pathogens, and diseases. Anaplasma, Ehrlichia, and Babesia spp. are among the most known tick-borne pathogens in Asia. In the Philippines, these pathogens were already reportedly present in dogs and large ruminants, but no study has been reported yet evaluating their presence in goats.

Aim: The present study aimed to evaluate the presence of Anaplasma, Ehrlichia, and Babesia spp. in goats in Cebu, the Philippines.

Materials and Methods: A total of 100 blood samples from goats were collected in Cebu, the Philippines. Profile of sampled goats including age, body score, and sex was obtained. Peripheral blood smear examination and DNA extraction were performed. Nested polymerase chain reaction assay was used to evaluate the presence of Anaplasma, Ehrlichia, and Babesia spp.

Results: None of the samples were found positive with Anaplasma, Ehrlichia, and Babesia spp. infection.

Conclusion: Tested goats were negative with Anaplasma, Ehrlichia, and Babesia spp. and calls for continuous surveillance of these pathogens due to the reported detection of these pathogens in other livestock animals in the area.

Keywords: Anaplasma spp., Babesia spp., Ehrlichia spp., peripheral blood smear examination, polymerase chain reaction, tick-borne diseases.

Antigen of 49.6-kDa subunit pili protein of Helicobacter pylori as a potential biomarker for early and rapid detection of the infection

Research (Published online: 10-06-2019)

6. Antigen of 49.6-kDa subunit pili protein of Helicobacter pylori as a potential biomarker for early and rapid detection of the infection

Hamong Suharsono, Zainul Muttaqin, I Wayan Masa Tenaya, Kadek Karang Agustina and Sumarno Retro Prawiro

Veterinary World, 12(6): 769-773

ABSTRACT

Background and Aim: Helicobacter pylori infection has been identified as a major cause of peptic ulcer diseases, including gastric and duodenal ulcers, gastritis, chronic and gastric carcinoma, and even gastric lymphoma. In vitro studies using Western blotting analysis, hemagglutination test, adherence inhibition assays, and immunocytochemical staining revealed that the 49.6-kDa subunit pili protein of H. pylori was considered an immunogenic protein. This study aimed to develop a serological diagnostic test using 49.6 kDa for detecting antibodies against H. pylori proteins in an early phase of the infection.

Materials and Methods: An in-house immunochromatographic test (ICT) kit was developed and used to test a panel of sera sample obtained from a randomly selected symptomatic patient, in which 40 sera were H. pylori positive and 40 sera were H. pylori negative.

Results: The results showed that ICT with 49.6 kDa as an antigen was highly sensitive and specific for detecting anti-H. pylori immunoglobulin G antibodies in human serum, with a high negative predictive value.

Conclusion: The developed test could be used to exclude H. pylori infection in symptomatic patients.

Keywords: 49.6-kDa pili protein, Helicobacter pylori, immunochromatographic test.

Seroprevalence of anti-Neospora caninum antibodies in cows of North-Eastern Algeria

Research (Published online: 08-06-2019)

5. Seroprevalence of anti-Neospora caninum antibodies in cows of North-Eastern Algeria

Kamel Miroud, Amar Benlakehal and Rachid Kaidi

Veterinary World, 12(6): 765-768

ABSTRACT

Aim: The present cross-sectional study aimed at assessing the seroprevalence of Neospora caninum infection both at herd and within herd and at determining risk factors that are associated with its seropositivity.

Materials and Methods: A total of 90 cows distributed over seven herds located in two North-Eastern Algerian provinces were blood sampled in order to be tested for the presence of antibodies against N. caninumusing a commercially available enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit.

Results: The individual seroprevalence of N. caninum was found to be 12.22%, and six of the seven herds tested had at least one seropositive cow. The logistic regression model revealed that abortion (odds ratio [OR]=29.15) and parity (OR=7.38) were positively associated with the seropositivity of animals on an individual basis.

Conclusion: The study confirms the existence of N. caninum infection in cattle in North-Eastern Algeria. However, a widespread infection rate of 85.71% and its significant statistical association with previous abortion (OR=29.15) need further investigations.

Keywords: cows, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, Neospora caninum, North-Eastern Algeria, reproduction.