Univariate associations between housing, management, and facility design factors and the prevalence of lameness lesions in fourteen small-scale dairy farms in Northeastern Algeria

Research (Published online: 27-03-2020)

26. Univariate associations between housing, management, and facility design factors and the prevalence of lameness lesions in fourteen small-scale dairy farms in Northeastern Algeria

Zoubida Dendani-Chadi, Khelaf Saidani, Loubna Dib, Fayçal Zeroual, Faouzi Sammar and Ahmed Benakhla

Veterinary World, 13(3): 570-578

ABSTRACT

Background and Aim: This cross-sectional study aimed to analyze the associations between different types of housing, management, and facilities on the prevalence of lame, causing lesions in smallholder dairy farms in Algeria.

Materials and Methods: The on-site investigation took place between December 2012 and May 2015. All cows were locomotion scored on a four-point scale, and foot lesions causing lame were diagnosed and recorded. Factors related to the farm and the cows' conditions were also assessed. The association between the possible risk factors and lame lesions was assessed using univariate analysis.

Results: Of the 349 cows evaluated, 13% were lame (lameness score ≥2), with higher lameness values recorded for the hind feet than for the forefeet. Cows without lameness were classified as healthy. The two most frequent lesion diagnoses observed in lame cows were interdigital dermatitis/heel horn erosion (ID/HE; 39%) and interdigital phlegmon (IP; 35%), followed by traumatic lesions (T; 11%), digital dermatitis (DD; 8.7%), and laminitis-related diseases (L; 6.5%). The risk of being lame was increased in large herds with cows of the Holstein breed, and those in the third parity and above. Tie housing, concrete floor, concentrate feeding, zero-grazing, and the use of foot trimming occasionally were associated with increased risk for the presence of lame lesions. The region and footbathing frequency had no association with the prevalence of lame lesions (p≥0.05).

Conclusion: These results have important implications; they indicate that several aspects of housing, management, and facility design are common protective factors for the prevalence of lame lesions. These factors should be maintained correctly to not only reduce the number of lame cows in these herds but also decrease the direct and indirect costs associated with cases of lameness.

Keywords: Algeria, housing, lame cows, lesions, management, pasture.

Lower urinary tract lithiasis of cats in Algeria: Clinical and epidemiologic features

Research (Published online: 26-03-2020)

25. Lower urinary tract lithiasis of cats in Algeria: Clinical and epidemiologic features

Hayet Remichi, Fatma Amira Hani, Myriem Rebouh, Chabha Benmohand, Wahiba Zenad and Sofiane Boudjellaba

Veterinary World, 13(3): 563-569

ABSTRACT

Aim: This study aims to describe the clinical symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment of urolithiasis of the lower urinary tract and to determine the main risk factors involved in the occurrence of urinary lithiasis in cats in Algeria from 2016 to 2018.

Materials and Methods: During the study period, 465 cats were examined and 32 cases of urolithiases were selected and investigated by conducting physical examinations, blood analyses, urinalysis, X-ray radiography, and ultrasonography. Parameters such as breed, age, or sex were studied and reported in a farm return to analyze risk factors involved in the formation of lower urinary urolithiasis.

Results: The most clinically relevant symptoms of urolithiasis observed in cats were dysuria, pollakiuria, hematuria, and stranguria. Urinalysis and blood analysis revealed a significant presence of urinary crystals and acute kidney failure in nine cats. The ultrasonography and radiography confirmed the diagnosis of urolithiasis with the incidence of 43.75% and 31.25%, respectively. The lower urinary tract urolithiasis appeared to be more frequent in European and Siamese cats. In addition, cats aged between 4 and 8 years old were the most affected. Male cats (87.50%) were more affected than female cats. Finally, the lower urinary tract urolithiasis was more frequent in cats consuming the commercial pet food, previously castrated, and confined inside the house.

Conclusion: Complete clinical assessments, in addition to complementary examinations, are necessary and beneficial in treating the animal and preventing possible complications. Whether the choice of therapy is surgical or treatment with drugs, it is crucial to understand that the elimination of the stone is not an end, but the beginning of a series of investigations. Because of their impact on both the formation and elimination of metabolites, it has been found that factors, such as race, gender, age, diet, and lifestyle, should be considered as potential risk factors for urolithiasis.

Keywords: cat, epidemiology, management, radiography, ultrasonography, urolithiasis.

Protamine and other proteins in sperm and seminal plasma as molecular markers of bull fertility

Review (Published online: 25-03-2020)

24. Protamine and other proteins in sperm and seminal plasma as molecular markers of bull fertility

Berlin Pandapotan Pardede, Muhammad Agil and Iman Supriatna

Veterinary World, 13(3): 556-562

ABSTRACT

Fertility is the most important aspect in the efforts to increase livestock populations. Protamine and various proteins in sperm and seminal plasma are the results of the molecular analysis which can be used as a marker of fertility. Each of the proteins plays an important role in the normal function of sperm, starting from the formation of sperm structure, motility, capacitation, cell protection, acrosome reactions, successful fertilization, egg activation, and embryonic development. Finally, these molecular components can be a marker of fertility and can help to diagnose the cases of infertility/subfertility in livestock in the field.

Keywords: fertility, molecular marker, protamine, seminal plasma, sperm proteins.

The influence of electromagnetic radiation of cell phones on the behavior of animals

Research (Published online: 24-03-2020)

23. The influence of electromagnetic radiation of cell phones on the behavior of animals

Innar Sultangaliyeva, Raikhan Beisenova, Rumiya Tazitdinova, Akhan Abzhalelov and Marat Khanturin

Veterinary World, 13(3): 549-555

ABSTRACT

Background and Aim: The radiation emitted from cell phones has various deleterious effects on human health. The article considers the problem of the effects of electromagnetic radiation (EMR) of cell phones on the behavior of animals. The use of mobile phones is continually increasing throughout the world. All of the world population uses mobile phones widely; thus, having strong and daily effect on the brain. There is no restriction on the use of mobile phones. Getting more advantages and convenience of mobile communication, the population is trying not to hear the information about possible risks to their health, there is no element of self-restraint. The aim of this work was to study behavioral patterns in response to the influence of cell phones.

Materials and Methods: The experiments were carried out on 90 white outbred rats weighing 250-300 g. Experiments were carried out and the effect of EMR from Samsung Galaxy J1 mini and Xiaomi Redmi S2 phones on animal behavior was studied. Behavioral reactions were studied using the open field method.

Results: By the quality of the act of locomotion in the second experimental group is reduced by 30% and also in this group by the time of the act is 23% lower than in the control data. Vertical motor activity, a support stand, is also suppressed in the second experimental group: 61% lower in number and 47.2% lower in act time compared to the control group. Based on the data, we can conclude that the EMR of the phone Samsung Galaxy J1 Mini affects the behavior of animals to a greater extent than Xiaomi Redmi S2. By the frequency of the act, sniffing is 26% lower; by the time of the act, it remained at the level of control data in the second group. In the third group of the animals, the number and time of the act are 15% lower than the control data. The support stands as an indicator of research activity. In the second group the act of stand with support – by number was lower by 57% than the control data, this indicates that research activity is being suppressed.

Conclusion: According to the above changes under the action of EMR from the Samsung Galaxy J1 Mini and Xiaomi Redmi S2 phones, the motor component of behavior is suppressed. The research component of behavior in all groups of animals is enhanced due to high rates of sniffing. It is possible that in animals under stress, the motivation to interact with the environment decreases, leading to an excessive self-accentuation of the animal.

Keywords: cell phone, central nervous system, electromagnetic pollution, electromagnetic radiation, locomotion.

Molecular characterization of foot-and-mouth disease viruses collected from Northern and Central Ethiopia during the 2018 outbreak

Research (Published online: 24-03-2020)

22. Molecular characterization of foot-and-mouth disease viruses collected from Northern and Central Ethiopia during the 2018 outbreak

Yeneneh Tesfaye, Fazlurrahman Khan and Esayas Gelaye

Veterinary World, 13(3): 542-548

ABSTRACT

Background and Aim: Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) is endemic in several developing countries and affects poor farmers through loss of production, death of diseased animals, and loss of animal byproducts. Forty-three samples were collected from 12 sites of five geographical located areas from suspected FMD virus (FMDV)-infected cattle during 2018. This study aimed to isolate and characterize the FMDVs using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and gene sequencing.

Materials and Methods: Forty-three FMDV-suspected clinical samples cultured on BHK-21 cell were examined, followed by virus serotype identification using RT-PCR and gene sequencing.

Results: Twenty-nine (67.44%) samples were cultured on BHK-21 cell, of which 14 (32.56%) were not isolated; the 43 samples were analyzed using FMDV screening primers and serotype-specific primers. The contribution of the disease-causing serotype was serotype O of 8 (18.60%) samples, serotype A of 20 (46.51%) samples, and mixed infection (O and A) of 1 (2.33%) sample. Serotypes O and A were further characterized by phylogenetic analysis, which grouped them under East Africa 3 and Africa topotypes of genotype IV, respectively. Interestingly, serotype A was isolated for the 1st time from Keyet sub-woreda and Mulo woreda of Ethiopia, and mixed serotypes (O and A) were identified from the purchased animal.

Conclusion: Molecular test result, sequencing, and phylogenetic tree reconstruction analysis revealed that the 2018 FMD outbreak in Ethiopia was caused by FMDV serotypes O and A. FMDV serotype A was the predominant strain circulating in most study areas of the country. Infections in one sample with mixed serotypes of O and A were also reported. The authors recommend a vaccine matching study of those field isolated viruses with the vaccine strain.

Keywords: Ethiopia, foot-and-mouth disease virus serotypes, phylogenetic analysis, reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction.

Veterinary World reviewer acknowledgment 2019

Reviewer Acknowledgment (Published online: 23-03-2020)

21. Veterinary World reviewer acknowledgment 2019

A. V. Sherasiya and Nazir

Veterinary World, 13(3): 538-541

The effect of crude guava leaf tannins on motility, viability, and intact plasma membrane of stored spermatozoa of Etawa crossbred goats

Research (Published online: 21-03-2020)

20. The effect of crude guava leaf tannins on motility, viability, and intact plasma membrane of stored spermatozoa of Etawa crossbred goats

Wurlina Wurlina, Mas'ud Hariadi, Erma Safitri, Suherni Susilowati and Dewa Ketut Meles

Veterinary World, 13(3): 530-537

ABSTRACT

Aim: The aim of this study was to know crude guava leaf tannins effect on motility, viability, and intact plasma membrane of stored spermatozoa of Etawa crossbred goats.

Materials and Methods: Macroscopic assessment of normal Etawa crossbred semen was followed by dilution with a glucose solution at a 1:10 ratio to increase volume. The diluted semen was treated by adding crude guava leaf tannins into 1 ml of the semen glucose diluent, and five treatments were obtained, namely, control group (C), with no added tannins; treatment Group 1 (T1), with 3%; treatment Group 2 (T2), with 6% tannins; treatment Group 3 (T3), with 12% tannins; and treatment Group 4 (T4), with 24% tannins. Each treatment used five replications. Then, microscopic analysis of the treated and control semen was carried out after 15 days of storage at 4-5°C temperature. The parameters observed were motility, pH, viability, abnormality, and intact spermatozoa plasma membrane.

Results: The spermatozoa motility in Group C was the highest (76.60±1.47). The motility in Group T1 did not differ from that in Group C, but was different and higher than that in Groups T2, T3, and T4. The pH of Group C tended to be acidic after 15 days of storage (4.78±0.01) as compared to the initial pH of fresh semen (6.76±0.12). The pH in Group C did not differ from that in the Groups T1 and T2, but differed from that in the T3 and T4 groups; the pH in the T3 and T4 groups was similar. The viability of spermatozoa in the T1 group was higher than that in all treatments (64.60±2.76); the lowest values were found in Group C (28.94±1.02). Group C had the lowest number of normal spermatozoa, with a mean of 72.58±3.48. The total number of abnormalities in the T2 group did not differ from those in the T3 group, and abnormalities in the T4 group did not differ from those in Group C, which exhibited the highest abnormalities in the head, neck, and tail. The most significant decrease was observed in the intact plasma membrane of spermatozoa on addition of 12% and 24% crude guava leaf tannin in glucose diluents.

Conclusion: The addition of 3% crude guava leaf tannin to crossbred Etawa goat semen diluted with glucose diluent and stored for 15 days at 4-5°C resulted in a significant effect on spermatozoa motility, viability, and intact plasma membrane, whereas the administration of 24% crude guava leaf tannin resulted in low live percentage of spermatozoa.

Keywords: crude tannins, intact plasma membrane, motility, spermatozoa, viability.