An immunohistochemical study of endocrine cells in the digestive tract of Varanus salvator (Reptile: Varanidae)

Research (Published online: 01-09-2020)

1. An immunohistochemical study of endocrine cells in the digestive tract of Varanus salvator (Reptile: Varanidae)

Mahfud Mahfud, Ernawati Ernawati, Nur R. Adawiyah Mahmud, Teguh Budipitojo and Hery Wijayanto

Veterinary World, 13(9): 1737-1742

ABSTRACT

Aim: The aim of the study was to identify the distribution pattern and frequency of endocrine cell types in the digestive tract of Varanus salvator.

Materials and Methods: The presence of endocrine cells (glucagon, somatostatin, and serotonin) in the digestive tract (esophagus, stomach, and intestine) was detected using the avidin-biotin complex (ABC) method.

Results: Three types of endocrine cells immunoreactive to antisera glucagon, serotonin, and somatostatin were found in the caudal portion of the small and large intestines but were not observed in the esophagus, stomach, and caput and medial sections of the small intestine. Endocrine cells distributed in the digestive tract of V. salvator vary in color intensity, from weak to sharp, in response to the primer antibody.

Conclusion: Endocrine cells in the digestive tract that is immunoreactive to glucagon, somatostatin, and serotonin are those found in the caudal portion of the small and large intestines. They are varied in distribution pattern, frequency, and color intensity.

Keywords: digestive tract, endocrine cell, immunohistochemistry, Varanus salvator.

Hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic activity of combined milk thistle and fenugreek seeds in alloxan-induced diabetic albino rats

Research (Published online: 29-08-2020)

35. Hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic activity of combined milk thistle and fenugreek seeds in alloxan-induced diabetic albino rats

Mohamed Jamal Saadh

Veterinary World, 13(8): 1732-1736

ABSTRACT

Background and Aim: Despite the availability of antidiabetic drugs, they are not free from associated adverse side effects. This study aimed to evaluate the hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic effects of oral administration of seeds from two medicinal plants: (1) Milk thistle and (2) fenugreek.

Materials and Methods: Plant seeds were washed in distilled water and ground with a coffee grinder. Alloxan was used to induce diabetes in 20 male albino rats. Diabetic rats were randomly divided into two groups: (1) Group 1 (n=10), diabetic rats fed with 0.5 g/kg milk thistle and 2 g/kg fenugreek seeds per day and (2) Group 2 (n=10), diabetic rats fed standard rodent food for 4 weeks.

Results: Oral administration of milk thistle and fenugreek seeds for 2 weeks resulted in significant improvement in body weight, blood glucose, glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), cholesterol, and triglyceride levels in alloxan-induced diabetic rats. After 4 weeks, this ameliorative effect was significantly elevated with respect to blood glucose (155.00±9.70 mg/ dL vs. 427.50±5.70 mg/dL; p<0.001), HbA1c (5.5±0.19% vs. 13.65±1.77%; p<0.001), cholesterol (281.50±10.95 mg/dL vs. 334.30±6.80 mg/dL; p<0.001), triglyceride (239.60±6.87 mg/dL vs. 284.20±9.95 mg/dL; p<0.01), and body weight (265.30±8.10 g vs. 207.40±11.4 g; p<0.01) as compared with non-treated diabetic rats.

Conclusion: Milk thistle and fenugreek seeds possess hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic properties and could be used as natural compounds that are suitable as parent compounds for the development of new antidiabetic drugs.

Keywords: fenugreek seeds, hypoglycemic activity, hypolipidemic activity, milk thistle seeds.

Prevalence of bovine tuberculosis in slaughtered cattle and factors associated with risk of disease transmission among cattle handlers at Oko-Oba Abattoir, Lagos, Nigeria

Research (Published online: 29-08-2020)

34. Prevalence of bovine tuberculosis in slaughtered cattle and factors associated with risk of disease transmission among cattle handlers at Oko-Oba Abattoir, Lagos, Nigeria

Musiliu Abiodun Agbalaya, Olayinka Olabisi Ishola, Hezekiah Kehinde Adesokan and Olufunmilayo Ibitola Fawole

Veterinary World, 13(8): 1725-1731

ABSTRACT

Background and Aim: Bovine tuberculosis (bTB) is a zoonotic disease of major public health importance, especially in many developing countries, including Nigeria, where control measures are largely not applied, and the risks of human infection are high. This study was aimed at determining the current prevalence of bTB in slaughtered cattle and identifying factors associated with the risk of disease transmission among cattle handlers toward making informed control measures to limit human-animal interface disease transmission.

Materials and Methods: Serum samples at slaughter and lesions suggestive of bTB collected during postmortem examination of 187 slaughtered cattle at the Oko–Oba Abattoir, Agege, Lagos State, Nigeria, were subjected to lateral flow and Ziehl–Neelsen (ZN) techniques, respectively. Furthermore, a structured questionnaire was interviewer-administered to 156 cattle handlers to investigate associated exposure factors to bTB infection. Data were analyzed using bivariate and multivariate logistic regression.

Results: The prevalence of bTB in cattle was 25.7% and 7.0% by lateral flow technique and ZN, respectively. The seropositivity was highest in cattle with poor body condition (50.0%), then with good (36.4%) and fair (25.0%) body conditions. The questionnaire survey revealed that being in livestock handling business for >6 years (p=0.001), not knowing the mode of transmission (p=0.02) and ignoring TB lesions at slaughter (p=0.02) were exposure factors associated with increased risk of bTB infection among the cattle handlers. Further, multivariate analysis showed that those who spent more than 6 years in livestock handling were about 4 times (Adjusted odds ratio [AOR]=3.5; 95% confidence interval [CI]=1.1-7.6, p=0.01) more likely to be exposed to bTB infection than those with lesser years. Again, respondents who called the attention of meat inspectors on seeing lesions in animals were about 4 times less likely to be exposed to bTB infection than those who ignored it (AOR=0.3; CI=0.1-0.8, p=0.01).

Conclusion: This study has reiterated the endemicity of bTB in cattle population in Nigeria, with the prevalence of 25.7% and 7.0% of bTB by lateral flow and ZN techniques, respectively. This portends potential risk for disease transmission at the human-animal interface, particularly at the abattoir setting. The study also identified important knowledge and practice gaps which would enable informed, all-inclusive, and well-directed programs for effective control of the disease in both human and cattle populations.

Keywords: abattoir, bovine tuberculosis, cattle handlers, prevalence, public health.

Humoral responses to Schistosoma japonicum soluble egg antigens in domestic animals in Lindu Subdistrict, Central Sulawesi Province, Indonesia

Research (Published online: 29-08-2020)

2. Humoral responses to Schistosoma japonicum soluble egg antigens in domestic animals in Lindu Subdistrict, Central Sulawesi Province, Indonesia

Novericko Ginger Budiono, Sri Murtini, Fadjar Satrija, Yusuf Ridwan and Ekowati Handharyani

International Journal of One Health, 6(2): 99-108

ABSTRACT

Background and Aim: Schistosomiasis japonica, a disease caused by Schistosoma japonicum, is a public health problem in the Philippines, the Republic of Indonesia, and the People's Republic of China. The disease is known as zoonotic, meaning other than humans, animals are involved as the reservoirs. In Indonesia, schistosomiasis surveillance in animals is not continuous. Thus, the study to determine the prevalence of the disease in animals is needed. The study was aimed to determine the seroprevalence of S. japonicum infection among four species of domestic animals in the Lindu Sub-district, Central Sulawesi Province of Indonesia.

Materials and Methods: Blood samples of domestic animals were collected and analyzed for the presence of anti-S. japonicum immunoglobulin G antibodies against S. japonicum soluble egg antigens using the indirect hemagglutination assay. Animal stool samples were collected, and the miracidia-hatching assay was used for the detection of S. japonicum infection. Additional data concerning the animal identity and the management practices were obtained through a questionnaire used in surveys and interviews.

Results: A total of 146 sera from 13 cattle, 24 buffaloes, 54 pigs, and 55 dogs were collected. The overall schistosomiasis seroprevalence was 64.4%. The serology prevalence in cattle, buffalo, pig, and dog was 100.0%, 41.7%, 74.1%, and 56.4%, respectively. Domestic animals in all of five villages have previous exposure with S. japonicum as seropositive animals detected in every village. A total of 104 animal stool samples from 146 animals sampled were obtained. The overall schistosomiasis prevalence determined by the miracidia hatching assay was 16.35%. The sensitivity and specificity of indirect hemagglutination assay (IHA) in the current study were 88.24% and 41.37%, respectively, with miracidia hatching assay as the gold-standard method.

Conclusion: This study has shown a high seroprevalence of schistosomiasis japonica among domestic animals in the Lindu Subdistrict. IHA can be used as the screening method for the detection of S. japonicum infection in domestic animals. Chemotherapy and animal livestock grazing management programs to reduce the parasite burden and Schistosoma egg contamination in the environment must be implemented as part of one health approaches, in addition to other control measures.

Keywords: Indonesia, one health, schistosomiasis japonica, seroprevalence, zoonotic parasitic disease.

Development of a coagglutination kit as a rapid test for diagnosing Newcastle disease in poultry

Research (Published online: 28-08-2020)

33. Development of a coagglutination kit as a rapid test for diagnosing Newcastle disease in poultry

Muhammad Kholish Naf'an, Kurniasih Kurniasih, Tri Untari and Yos Adi Prakoso

Veterinary World, 13(8): 1719-1724

ABSTRACT

Background and Aim: Newcastle disease (ND) is a viral infection that causes high mortality and economic loss in the poultry industry. The Office International des Epizooties (OIE) recommends several diagnostic methods for the detection of ND, including isolation and molecular tests. However, these detection methods are time-consuming and highly expensive. Therefore, this study was conducted to develop a coagglutination kit as a novel diagnostic tool for ND in the poultry industry.

Materials and Methods: Two adult male New Zealand White rabbits weighing 2.5 kg were vaccinated using ND life vaccine intraperitoneally. The vaccination was conducted once a week for 4 weeks with multilevel doses. Rabbits' serum was collected at week 6 and inactivated at 56°C for 30 min. The serum was precipitated using ammonium sulfate and reacted with protein A of Staphylococcus aureus to produce the agglutination kit for detecting ND virus. A total of 25 chickens suspected with ND infection from a local poultry farm in Yogyakarta were used as the test samples. The chickens were necropsied, and the brain, spleen, lung, intestine, and feces were collected. Half of these organs were subjected to tests using the coagglutination kit and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The other half was processed for histopathology. Data were analyzed qualitatively.

Results: Of the 25 samples, 13 (52%) were positive for ND infection when tested using both the ND coagglutination kit and RT-PCR. The positive samples also exhibited several histopathological changes, including perivascular cuffing surrounding the cerebral blood-brain barrier, hemorrhagic pneumonia, splenitis, and necrotic hemorrhage enteritis.

Conclusion: This study confirmed that the ND coagglutination kit could be used as a novel diagnostic tool for the detection of ND virus infection in the poultry industry.

Keywords: coagglutination kit, histopatology, Newcastle disease, rapid test, reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction.

Genetic and non-genetic factors affecting semen production and quality characteristics of Gir cattle breed under semi-arid climate

Research (Published online: 27-08-2020)

32. Genetic and non-genetic factors affecting semen production and quality characteristics of Gir cattle breed under semi-arid climate

K. G. Bhave, K. Thilak Pon Jawahar, P. Kumarasamy, T. Sivakumar, C. Joseph, T. Shirsath, P. Deshmukh and R. Venkataramanan

Veterinary World, 13(8): 1714-1718

ABSTRACT

Aim: This study aims to evaluate genetic and non-genetic factors influencing semen production potential of Gir bulls.

Materials and Methods: Data on semen quantity (n=6911) and quality (n=466) available from January 2011 to December 2018 at BAIF's frozen semen station, Jind, Haryana, India, were utilized for the study. Factors, namely, season of collection, age at collection, and bull (random effect) were studied for their effect on quantitative and qualitative semen traits. Least square means for the traits were obtained using a general linear model. The effect of age within bull for repeatable traits was analyzed using a longitudinal model with age as the control variable. Multivariate analysis using mixed repeatability model equation was utilized to estimate bull effect correlation (genetic + permanent environmental correlation), phenotypic correlations, and repeatability.

Results: The overall least square means of ejaculate volume, sperm concentration, total sperms, initial and post-thaw motility, hypo-osmotic swelling test, and acrosome integrity of frozen semen were 6.62±0.03 ml, 1.22±0.01 109/ml, 8.09±0.05 109/ml ejaculate, 75.78±0.001%, 55.92±0.0001%, 55.13±0.005%, and 71.08±0.001%, respectively. The season of the collection showed a significant effect on volume, concentration, total sperm, and initial motility. The performance of bulls was superior in summer season, followed by winter and monsoon. Increase in semen attributes during summer season was due to the effect of lower temperature on sensitive stages of spermatogenesis. Age at collection had a significant effect on all semen traits. Volume and total sperm count showed increasing trend while concentration showed a decreasing trend with an increase in age. Motility and quality traits did not show any particular pattern. Individual bulls showed differences in all the semen performance traits with age. The repeatability of the traits ranged from 0.04 (HOST) to 0.58 (acrosome integrity). Bull effect correlation ranged from –0.73 (initial motility and acrosome integrity) to 0.93 (HOST and acrosome integrity).

Conclusion: Individual bulls showed variation in traits measured over age. The result of the study could be utilized in suggesting suitable management plans to achieve the desired profit by improving semen quality in Gir bulls.

Keywords: Gir, longitudinal analysis, repeatability, bull effect, and semen production.

Relationship between somatic cell counts and subclinical mastitis in lactating dairy cows

Research (Published online: 27-08-2020)

31. Relationship between somatic cell counts and subclinical mastitis in lactating dairy cows

S. M. Mostafizur Rahaman Sumon, Mst. Sonia Parvin, Md. Amimul Ehsan and Md. Taohidul Islam

Veterinary World, 13(8): 1709-1713

ABSTRACT

Background and Aim: Subclinical mastitis (SCM) is one of the most prevalent diseases of dairy cows, and somatic cell count (SCC) is widely used to determine SCM and milk quality. However, setting the threshold of SCC is very important. This study aimed to determine the cow-level threshold of SCC to differentiate milk of SCM affected cows from normal milk in Bangladesh.

Materials and Methods: Sensitivity (Se) and specificity (Sp) along with other characteristics of different thresholds of SCC were determined considering the bacterial culture as the gold standard test. Three definitions of intramammary infection (IMI) were set based on the group of pathogens involved. Five categories of SCC thresholds were considered for analysis.

Results: Se and Sp of thresholds of SCC greatly varied as definitions of IMI changed. Irrespective of SCC thresholds, Se increased when isolation of major pathogens included in IMI definitions. Se decreased when SCC thresholds increased (from 100 to 300 × 103 cells/mL) for all IMI definitions and ranged from 60.6% to 20.3%. The highest Se was found at low SCC threshold (100 × 103 cells/mL), which resulted in less false-negative outcome. On the other hand, Sp increased with the increment of SCC thresholds giving rise to a less false-positive outcome.

Conclusion: The cow-level SCC threshold of 100 × 103 cells/mL was found appropriate to identify subclinical IMI of dairy cows.

Keywords: Bangladesh, bovine mastitis, intramammary infection, somatic cell count threshold, sensitivity, specificity.