Effect of dietary supplementation of herbal seeds on carcass traits of turkey poults

Research (Published online: 12-11-2014)

7. Effect of dietary supplementation of herbal seeds on carcass traits of turkey poults - Darshana B. Bhaisare, D. Thyagarajan, R. Richard Churchil and N. Punniamurthy

Veterinary World, 7(10): 938-942

   doi: 10.14202/vetworld.2014.938-942

---

Abstract

---

Aim: The present study was conducted to find the effect of four herbal seeds on carcass traits of turkey poults.

Materials and Methods: A biological study using Nandanam turkey poults (Meleagris gallapavo) for 8 weeks duration was carried out to evaluate the effect of phytobiotics-containing four herbal seeds influence on production performances like biweekly body weight and on carcass traits. 150 poults were randomly subjected to five dietary treatments in a completely randomized design with basal diet (T1), 0.5% (5 g/kg) level of each seeds thyme (Thymus vulgaris) (T2), fenugreek (Trigonella foenum graecum) (T3), fennel (Foeniculum vulgare) (T4) and cumin (Cuminum cyminum) (T5). Carcass traits like blood loss, feather loss, dressed weight, New York dressed weight, ready to cook yield and cut-up parts yield were studied.

Results: The body weight at 8th week was higher (p<0.05) in poults fed with thyme; whereas at 6th week, fennel and cumin fed birds had better (p<0.05) body weight. Inclusion of herbal seeds did not affect the blood loss, dressed weight and ready to cook yield but it significantly (p<0.05) affected the feathered loss, New York dressed weight and giblet percentages. Feeding of fenugreek has improved New York dressed weight of poults. Feeding of fennel had depressive (p<0.05) effect on liver and gizzard weights. All the four phytobiotic seeds in feed had significant (p<0.05) reduction in breast weight with a compensatory improvement in drumstick and neck weights.

Conclusion: The present study revealed that supplementation of phytobiotic herbal seeds has resulted in numerical improvement of body weight of poults throughout the study period whereas these seeds had negative effect on the yield of breast, with increased proportion of drumstick and neck.

Keywords: carcass traits, cumin, fennel, fenugreek, phytobiotics, thyme, turkey.

Evaluation of efficiency of sire model and animal model in Holstein Friesian crossbred cattle considering first lactation production and fertility traits

Research (Published online: 09-11-2014)

6. Evaluation of efficiency of sire model and animal model in Holstein Friesian crossbred cattle considering first lactation production and fertility traits - Shakti Kant Dash, Ashok Kumar Gupta, Avtar Singh, Atish Kumar Chakravarty, Manoj Madhusoodanan, Jamuna Valsalan, Pushp Raj Shivahre and Altaf Hussain

Veterinary World, 7(10): 933-937

   doi: 10.14202/vetworld.2014.933-937

---

Abstract

---

Aim: The present investigation was conducted for evaluating the efficacy of estimating breeding values (BVs) using univariate animal model in comparison to sire model. The various parameters considered for evaluating the efficiency of both linear models were coefficient of determination (R2), coefficient of variation (CV), within sire variance or error variance and spearman’s rank correlation estimates.

Materials and Methods: Data for the present investigation were spread over a period of 34 years from 1978 to 2012 and consisted of a total of 1988 lactation records of Holstein Friesian crossbred cows sired by 186 crossbred bulls.

Results: The percentage of sires having BV (estimated by animal model) more than the average BV for the traits viz. age at first calving (AFC), first service period (FSP), first lactation length (FLL), first calving interval (FCI), first lactation 305 day milk yield (F305MY), first lactation total milk yield (FTMY), milk yield per day of first lactation length (MY/FLL) and milk yield per day of first calving interval (MY/FCI) were 48.05, 49.39, 55.07, 49.21, 50.00, 51.39, 48.67, 50.39%, respectively. The animal model had higher R2, lower CV and error variance for most of the fertility and production traits. The spearman’s rank correlation estimates indicated similarity of rankings by both the linear models as the animal model is an improvement of sire model.

Conclusion: Animal model had a wider range of BVs indicating the greater differentiating ability of the model. Based on R2, CV and error variance animal model was found to be superior in comparison to sire model.

Keywords: animal model, breeding value, efficiency, sire model.

Polymerase chain reaction based epidemiological investigation of canine parvoviral disease in dogs at Bareilly region

Research (Published online: 08-11-2014)

5. Polymerase chain reaction based epidemiological investigation of canine parvoviral disease in dogs at Bareilly region - Jobin Thomas, Mithilesh Singh, T. K. Goswami, Suman Verma and Surendra Kumar Badasara

Veterinary World, 7(10): 929-932

   doi: 10.14202/vetworld.2014.929-932

---

Abstract

---

Aim: The aim of this study was to screen the suspected samples by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and epidemiological analysis of positive cases of canine parvovirus type2.

Materials and Methods: Fecal samples were collected from dogs suspected for canine parvovirus type 2 (CPV-2) and viral DNA was extracted. Primers were designed, and PCR was done with all extracted DNA samples. Age, sex and breed wise distribution of positive cases were analyzed.

Results: Out of a total 44 collected fecal samples, 23 were found to be positive for CPV-2 by developed PCR. The disease was found to be more common in Labrador male pups of 3-6 months of age. The percentage of positive cases in vaccinated dogs was found to be around 17.4%.

Conclusion: Almost half (52.3%) of total collected samples were found to be positive by PCR. However, number of field samples are needed to further validate this test and additionally sequence analysis needs to be done to ensure the prevalent field strain of CPV-2.

Keywords: Canine parvovirus type 2, fecal sample, polymerase chain reaction.

Tracing the antibody mediated acquired immunity by Foot and Mouth disease and Rift Valley Fever combined vaccine in pregnant ewes and their lambs

Research (Published online: 07-11-2014)

4. Tracing the antibody mediated acquired immunity by Foot and Mouth disease and Rift Valley Fever combined vaccine in pregnant ewes and their lambs - Wael Mossad Gamal, Eman Mahmoud Mohamed Soliman and Mona Ali El-Manzalawy

Veterinary World, 7(10): 922-928

   doi: 10.14202/vetworld.2014.922-928

---

Abstract

---

Aim: The aim of this study was to provide adequate protection to ewes and their lambs against Foot and Mouth disease (FMD) and Rift Valley Fever (RVF).

Materials and Methods: A combined inactivated oil vaccine was prepared successfully. Such vaccine was found to be free from foreign contaminants, safe and potent as determined by quality control tests such as challenge protection percentage for FMD and mice ED50 for RVF. Vaccination of pregnant ewes with the prepared combined vaccine and determination of the antibody level via serum neutralization test (SNT) and Enzyme Linked immune sorbent assay (ELISA) in the vaccinated pregnant ewes and their lambs.

Results: Vaccination of pregnant ewes revealed that these ewes exhibited high levels of specific antibodies against the included vaccine antigens (Foot and Mouth disease virus type A Iran O5, O PanAsia and SAT2/EGY/2012 and RVFV-ZH501). FMD antibodies recorded their peaks by the 10th week while those of RVF recorded their peaks by the 12th week post vaccination then all antibodies began to decrease gradually to reach their lowest protective titers for FMD by the 32nd week post vaccination and those for RVF by the 34th week post vaccination. Potency test of the prepared combined vaccine expressed as protection percentage of vaccinated sheep against target virulent FMD virus serotypes reflected a protection percentage of 80% against type O and SAT2 and 100% against A while for RVF, the mice ED50 was found to be 0.009 indicating the potency of the prepared vaccine. The antibody titer in serum and colostrum of vaccinated pregnant ewes at day of parturition (10-12 week post vaccination) recorded a high titer against FMD serotype (O), serotype (A), serotype (SAT2) and against RVF. It was noticed that the colostrum antibody titers were slightly higher than those in the sera of vaccinated ewes at time of parturition. The newly born lambs from vaccinated ewes, exhibited good levels of maternal immunity against the included antigens through suckling their mother colostrum by the 24 hrs. post parturition. The newly born lambs recorded their highest level by 1 week of birth and lasted within a protective level up to 11-12 week of birth.

Conclusion: Using of FMD/RVF combined vaccine provided a sufficient immune status for pregnant ewes as well as for their lambs. Vaccination of newly born lambs should be carried out by the 4th month of birth.

Keywords: FMD, RVF, combined vaccine, pregnant ewes, new born lambs, SNT, ELISA.

Assessment of optimum thermal humidity index for crossbred dairy cows in Dehradun district, Uttarakhand, India

Research (Published online: 05-11-2014)

3. Assessment of optimum thermal humidity index for crossbred dairy cows in Dehradun district, Uttarakhand, India - Shweta Kohli,

U. K. Atheya and A. Thapliyal

Veterinary World, 7(10): 916-921

   doi: 10.14202/vetworld.2014.916-921

---

Abstract

---

Aim: Uttarakhand is a relatively new state and many cross bred cattle were introduced to boost the milk yield of the state. Despite all efforts the milk yield of dairy in Uttarakhand is comparatively low. In our study, we assessed the effect of heat stress on milk production, using thermal humidity index (THI) in high (cross bred cattle) and low milk producing (LMP) cows (native cows) in Dehradun district of Uttarakhand, India.

Materials and Methods: Effect of heat stress was measured on high and LMP cross bred cows using THI maintained on standard feeding and nutritional value. Daily ambient temperature and relative humidity were recorded to calculate the THI. Daily milk production was noted to verify the effect of heat stress. Furthermore, profile the thyroid hormones using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

Results: Low yielding cows did not show any significant change when the THI was above 72 from month June to October during stress condition. But high yielding cows shows a significant decrease (p<0.05) in milk yield when THI was above 80 (severe stress zone) in the month of June to October and milk production decrease from an average of 18±1.4 to 10.9±0.92 L whereas in November-December when THI declines in the zone of comfort the milk yield did not show significant rise. The thyroid hormones (T3 and T4) level were found lower in summer heat stress condition for a high yielding cattle.

Conclusion: Summer heat stress significantly decreased milk yield in high milk producing (HMP) crossbred cows. As THI rises from comfort zone to stress zone milk yield decreased by 30-40% and this loss in milk production is irreversible. Management strategies should be needed as environmental control housing is suggested for the HMP crossbred cattle to minimize the heat stress. If all the dairies with cross bred cattle implement these small modifications in housing of cattle, there would be a huge increase in milk production.

Keywords: cross bred dairy cow, heat stress, milk production.

Effect of higher temperature exposure on physicochemical properties of frozen buffalo meat

Research (Published online: 04-11-2014)

2. Effect of higher temperature exposure on physicochemical properties of frozen buffalo meat - M. R. Vishnuraj, G. Kandeepan and Vivek Shukla

Veterinary World, 7(10): 909-915

   doi: 10.14202/vetworld.2014.909-915

---

Abstract

---

Aim: The aim was to study the changes in various physicochemical parameters of frozen buffalo meat undergone temperature abuse at two different isothermal storage temperatures (37±1°C, 25±1°C) using a simulated model.

Materials and Methods: Frozen buffalo meat was evaluated after exposing to various temperature abuse conditions over selected durations for different meat quality parameters including pH, extract release volume (ERV), flourescein diacetate (FDA) hydrolysis, free amino acid (FAA), total volatile basic nitrogen (TVBN) and D-glucose value and compared against a control sample maintained at 4±1°C.

Results: Of the various meat quality parameters evaluated pH, FDA hydrolysis, FAA content and TVBN content showed a significant (p<0.05) increase in temperature abused samples after temperature abuse and on subsequent refrigerated storage. However, ERV and D-glucose content decreased significantly (p<0.05) in temperature abused buffalo meat during the same period of study.

Conclusions: The present study featured the influence of exposure temperature and duration in various physicochemical parameters and the rate of spoilage development in frozen buffalo meat after temperature abuse.

Keywords: buffalo meat, physicochemical parameters, spoilage, temperature abuse.

Fly proof net shed for livestock: A novel concept of physical barrier for integrated management of Culicoides spp. (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae)

Research (Published online: 04-11-2014)

1. Fly proof net shed for livestock: A novel concept of physical barrier for integrated management of Culicoides spp. (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) - B. W. Narladkar and P. R. Shivpuje

Veterinary World, 7(10): 899-908

   doi: 10.14202/vetworld.2014.899-908

---

Abstract

---

Aim: An age old and time tested technique of mosquito net requiring no energy, used by humans since prehistoric period was the inspiration behind this novel technique of fly proof net shed for livestock. With the aim to develop similar type of net shed for animals, which will protect them at night from biting of range of insects from Culicoides midges to mosquitoes, research was undertaken.

Materials and Methods: Net shed with pitch roof (gable type) was erected for use of livestock. The open inlet area was covered with 40 mesh size wire net. The roof at attic level was fitted with hurricane type of ventilator. Shed was used for animals at night hours only. vane anemometer was used for estimation of temperature and wind related parameters. Thermal humidity index (THI) and air changes were calculated as per the standard formulas. Based on these parameters suitability of shed was judged.

Results: It was observed that, due to netting of the shed population of Culicoides and other flies and incidences of their bites at night hours were considerably lowered. As a result, animals were found comfortable, and their body movements undertaken for wiping off these flies were significantly reduced from 196.50 to 22.16. All it accrued to increased milk yield to the tune of 18.97% in the net shed buffaloes as against control shed. Studies on suitability and comfort to animals were tested by estimating THI and air changes per hour in the net shed, which also revealed the estimates in comfortable regimen and ventilation, remained not much affected despite of netting. Other parameters studied for testing its more accuracy by taking other species of animals as kids, for them also, shed was found suitable through estimation of various physiological and behavioral parameters. Finally, the efficacy of shed was judged on the basis of cost effectiveness. Highly encouraging results on the above said parameters endorsed the effectiveness of the technique.

Conclusion: A net shed with pitch roof (gable type) fitted with hurricane type ventilator at its top serves the purpose of a physical barrier to minimize host-pest contact. Observations recorded in the experiment are sound enough to conclude and to recommend the use of net shed for livestock.

Keywords: Culicoides spp., fly proof net shed, integrated pest management, livestock, physical barrier.