Effect of feeding chayote (Sechium edule) meal on growth performance and nutrient utilization in indigenous pig (Zovawk) of Mizoram

Research (Published online: 26-07-2015)

18.  Effect of feeding chayote (Sechium edule) meal on growth performance and nutrient utilization in indigenous pig (Zovawk) of Mizoram - James Lalthansanga and A. K. Samanta

Veterinary World, 8(7): 918-923

   doi: 10.14202/vetworld.2015.918-923

Abstract

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Aim: This study was planned to investigate the effect of feeding different levels of chayote (Sechium edule) meal by replacing standard concentrate mixture (CM) on the growth parameters such as feed intake, body weight gain, average daily gain (ADG) and feed conversion ratio (FCR), and nutrient utilization in indigenous pig of Mizoram.

Materials and Methods: Twenty-four growing indigenous pigs (Zovawk) were used to study the effect of feeding chayote (Sechium edule) meal (fruits and leaves at the ratio 4:1) on growth performance and nutrient utilization. They were allocated randomly into 4 treatment groups (G1, G2, G3, and G4). Chayote meal was used to replace standard CM (pig grower ration) at 0% (G1), 20% (G2), 30% (G3), and 40% (G4).

Results: During the feeding trial of 90 days, it was found that the dry matter (DM) intake decreased as the level of chayote meal increased. For G1, G2, G3, and G4, the ADG (kg) was 0.24±0.04, 0.23±0.03, 0.18±0.02, and 0.18±0.02, respectively, and the feed conversion efficiency was 5.42±0.44, 4.93±0.17, 5.38±0.05, and 5.74±0.53, respectively. However, there was no significant difference (p>0.05) among the different treatment groups in respect to ADG and FCR. At the end of the feeding trial, digestibility trial was conducted to study the effect of feeding chayote meal in the digestibility of the different nutrients by the experimental animals. From the digestibility trial, it was revealed that the digestibility coefficient of DM, crude protein, and crude fiber were also similar (p>0.05), although the ether extract digestibility in G1 was significantly low (p<0.01) as compared to G2, G3, and G4.

Conclusion: Chayote meal could safely replace the standard grower ration up to 40% in the diet of growing local pigs without causing any adverse effects on growth and nutrient utilization.

Keywords: chayote, indigenous pigs, growth performance, nutrient digestibility.

Detection of Helicobacter pylori glmM gene in bovine milk using Nested polymerase chain reaction

Research (Published online: 26-07-2015)

17.  Detection of Helicobacter pylori glmM gene in bovine milk using Nested polymerase chain reaction - Eyman Y. Osman, A. M. S. El-Eragi, Abuobeida M. Musa, Salma B. El-Magboul, Magdi B. A/Rahman and Abdelmounem E. Abdo

Veterinary World, 8(7): 913-917

   doi: 10.14202/vetworld.2015.913-917

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Abstract

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Aim: The aim was to detect the glmM gene of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) in cow’s milk from different dairy farms in Khartoum State using Nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR).

Materials and Methods: A total of 50 milk samples were collected from different dairy farms in Khartoum State (13 from Khartoum, 24 Khartoum North, and 13 from Omdurman Provinces).

Results: The generated results showed that 11/50 (22%) were harboring the investigated H. pylori glmM gene in Khartoum State (1/13 [7.7%] Khartoum, 9/24 [37.5%] Khartoum North, and 1/13 [7.7%] Omdurman provinces, respectively).

Conclusion: To the best of our knowledge, this was the first report on the detection of H. pylori glmM gene in cattle milk in Khartoum State. Nonetheless, the high percentages of H. pylori DNA detection in milk opened new avenues toward exploring the risk of human infection with H. pylori through the consumption of raw milk.

Keywords: bovine, Helicobacter pylori, Khartoum, milk, Nested polymerase chain reaction, glmM gene

Prevalence, molecular characterization of Staphylococcus aureus isolated from cheese and in vitro antibacterial activity of silver nanoparticles against such strains

Research (Published online: 26-07-2015)

16.  Prevalence, molecular characterization of Staphylococcus aureus isolated from cheese and in vitro antibacterial activity of silver nanoparticles against such strains - Karima G. Abdel Hameed and Mona A. El-Zamkan

Veterinary World, 8(7): 908-912

   doi: 10.14202/vetworld.2015.908-912

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Abstract

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Aim: The aim was to investigate cheese samples for the prevalence of Staphylococcus aureus, evaluate multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) methods for S. aureus identification, as well as to determine the antibacterial activity of silver nanoparticles against such strains.

Materials and Methods: Total of 100 random locally manufactured cheese samples were collected from Qena dairy markets, Egypt, and examined conventionally for the prevalence of S. aureus then, confirmation of these isolates were done using multiplex PCR. The antibacterial activity of silver nanoparticles against such isolates was also checked.

Results: Lower prevalence of S. aureus in Damietta cheese (54%) than in Kareish cheese (62%) was recorded. As well lower frequency distribution for both S. aureus (36%) and CNS (8%) was also reported for Damietta cheese. Using of multiplex PCR method for S. aureusidentification have been confirmed all 58 S. aureus stains that were identified conventionally by detection of two PCR products on agarose gel: The 791 bp and the 638 bp. The correlation coefficient between conventional and multiplex PCR method was 0.91 and was significant at p≤0.001. Regarding antibacterial activity of silver nanoparticles using disk diffusion method on Baird Parker agar it was found that inhibition zone of silver nanoparticles against S. aureus, was 19.2±0.91 mm and it was higher than that produced by gentamicin (400 units/ml) 15.2±0.89 mm.

Conclusions: The present study illustrated the higher prevalence of S. aureus in cheese samples that may constitute a public health hazard to consumers. According to the results, it can be concluded that silver nanoparticles can be used as an effective antibacterial against S. aureus. Thereby, there is a need for an appropriate study for using silver nanoparticles in cleaning and disinfection of equipment and in food packaging.

Keywords: antibacterial activity, multiplex polymerase chain reaction, Staphylococcus aureus, silver nanoparticles.

Detection and sequence analysis of accessory gene regulator genes of Staphylococcus pseudintermedius isolates

Research (Published online: 23-07-2015)

15.  Detection and sequence analysis of accessory gene regulator genes of Staphylococcus pseudintermedius isolates - M. Ananda Chitra, C. Jayanthy and B. Nagarajan

Veterinary World, 8(7): 902-907

   doi: 10.14202/vetworld.2015.902-907

Abstract

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Background: Staphylococcus pseudintermedius (SP) is the major pathogenic species of dogs involved in a wide variety of skin and soft tissue infections. The accessory gene regulator (agr) locus of Staphylococcus aureus has been extensively studied, and it influences the expression of many virulence genes. It encodes a two-component signal transduction system that leads to down-regulation of surface proteins and up-regulation of secreted proteins during in vitro growth of S. aureus. The objective of this study was to detect and sequence analyzing the AgrA, B, and D of SP isolated from canine skin infections.

Materials and Methods: In this study, we have isolated and identified SP from canine pyoderma and otitis cases by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and confirmed by PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism. Primers for SP agrA and agrBD genes were designed using online primer designing software and BLAST searched for its specificity. Amplification of the agr genes was carried out for 53 isolates of SP by PCR and sequencing of agrA, B, and D were carried out for five isolates and analyzed using DNAstar and Mega5.2 software.

Results: A total of 53 (59%) SP isolates were obtained from 90 samples. 15 isolates (28%) were confirmed to be methicillinresistant SP (MRSP) with the detection of the mecA gene. Accessory gene regulator A, B, and D genes were detected in all the SP isolates. Complete nucleotide sequences of the above three genes for five isolates were submitted to GenBank, and their accession numbers are from KJ133557 to KJ133571. AgrA amino acid sequence analysis showed that it is mainly made of alpha-helices and is hydrophilic in nature. AgrB is a transmembrane protein, and AgrD encodes the precursor of the autoinducing peptide (AIP). Sequencing of the agrD gene revealed that the 5 canine SP strains tested could be divided into three Agr specificity groups (RIPTSTGFF, KIPTSTGFF, and RIPISTGFF) based on the putative AIP produced by each strain. The AIP of SP contains serine and produce lactone ring structured AIP.

Conclusion: Presence of AgrA, B, and D in all SP isolates implies the importance of this regulatory system in the virulence genes expression of the SP bacteria. SP isolates can be typed based on the AgrD auto-inducible protein sequences as it is being carried out for typing of S. aureus isolates. However, further studies are required to elucidate the mechanism of controlling of virulence genes by agrgene locus in the pathogenesis of soft tissue infection by SP.

Keywords: accessory gene regulator, dog, skin infections, Staphylococcus pseudintermedius.

Relationship of udder and teat conformation with intra-mammary infection in crossbred cows under hot-humid climate

Research (Published online: 23-07-2015)

14.  Relationship of udder and teat conformation with intra-mammary infection in crossbred cows under hot-humid climate - Pranay Bharti, Champak Bhakat, Prabhat K. Pankaj, Showkat A. Bhat, M. Arul Prakash, Mayur R. Thul and K. Puhle Japheth

Veterinary World, 8(7): 898-901

   doi: 10.14202/vetworld.2015.898-901

Abstract

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Aim: The present study was aimed to investigate the relationship of udder shape, teat-end shape, teat length, and teat diameter with intra-mammary infection in Jersey crossbred cows under hot-humid climate.

Materials and Methods: A total of 24 lactating Jersey crossbred cows were evaluated for udder shape (pendulous/regular) and teat-end shape (flat/inverted/pointed) by visual examination, while teat length and teat diameter were measured using vernier caliper. Monthly milk sampling was done for 4 months of duration. Few quarters were found as blind or nonfunctional and so, a total of 366 quarter wise milk samples were collected at the monthly interval and subjected to somatic cell count (SCC) microscopically. The data on SCC were transformed into log scale and analyzed.

Results: There was a significant (p<0.01) effect of udder shape and teat-end shape on SCC level. The mean SCC level for pendulous udder was significantly (p<0.05) higher as compared to the regular shaped udder. Similarly, significantly (p<0.05) a higher level of mean SCC was found in flat teat-end shape. A significant (p<0.01) correlation was found between SCC and teat length as well as teat diameter.

Conclusion: In conclusion, pendulous udder, flat and inverted teat-end, very long and thick teat were more susceptible to intra-mammary infection in Jersey crossbred cows and these traits must be considered accordingly while selecting dairy animals for future milk production.

Keywords: crossbred, somatic cell count, udder and teat conformation.

Association of ATP1A1 gene polymorphism with thermotolerance in Tharparkar and Vrindavani cattle

Research (Published online: 21-07-2015)

13.  Association of ATP1A1 gene polymorphism with thermotolerance in Tharparkar and Vrindavani cattle - Neeraj Kashyap, Pushpendra Kumar, Bharti Deshmukh, Sandip Bhat, Amit Kumar, Anuj Chauhan, Bharat Bhushan, Gyanendra Singh and Deepak Sharma

Veterinary World, 8(7): 892-897

   doi: 10.14202/vetworld.2015.892-897

Abstract

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Aim: One of the major biochemical aspects of thermoregulation is equilibrium of ion gradient across biological membranes. Na+/K+-ATPase, a member of P type-ATPase family, is a major contributor to the mechanism that actively controls crossmembrane ion gradient. Thus, we examined ATP1A1 gene that encodes alpha-1 chain of Na+/K+-ATPase, for genetic polymorphisms.

Materials and Methods: A total of 100 Vrindavani (composite cross strain of Hariana x Holstein-Friesian/Brown Swiss/Jersey) and 64 Tharparkar (indigenous) cattle were screened for genetic polymorphism in ATP1A1 gene, using polymerase chain reaction single-strand conformation polymorphism and DNA sequencing. For association studies, rectal temperature (RT) and respiration rate (RR) of all animals were recorded twice daily for 3 seasons.

Results: A SNP (C2789A) was identified in exon 17 of ATP1A1 gene. Three genotypes namely CC, CA, and AA were observed in both, Vrindavani and Tharparkar cattle. The gene frequencies in Tharparkar and Vrindavani for allele A were 0.51 and 0.48, and for allele C were 0.49 and 0.52, respectively, which remained at intermediate range. Association study of genotypes with RT and RR in both cattle population revealed that the animals with genotype CC exhibited significantly lower RT and higher heat tolerance coefficient than CA and AA genotypes.

Conclusion: Differential thermoregulation between different genotypes of ATP1A1 gene indicate that the ATP1A1 gene could be potentially contributing to thermotolerance in both, Tharparkar, an indigenous breed and Vrindavani, a composite crossbred cattle.

Keywords: ATP1A1 gene, cattle, polymorphism, thermotolerance, Tharparkar, Vrindavani

Preparation and effects of nano mineral particle feeding in livestock: A review

Review (Published online: 21-07-2015)

12.  Preparation and effects of nano mineral particle feeding in livestock: A review - Partha Sarathi Swain, D. Rajendran, S. B. N. Rao and George Dominic

Veterinary World, 8(7): 888-891

   doi: 10.14202/vetworld.2015.888-891

Abstract

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Nano minerals are widely used in diversified sectors including agriculture, animal, and food systems. Hence, their multiple uses provoke the production of nanomaterials at the laboratory level, which can be achieved through physical, chemical or biological methods. Every method is having its own merits and demerits. But keeping all in mind, chemical methods are more beneficial, as uniform nano-sized particles can be produced, but the use of corrosive chemicals is the main demerits. When it comes to environmental issues, biological methods are better as these are free from corrosive chemicals, but maintaining the culture media is the disadvantage. For animal feeding, chemical methods are mostly followed to produce nano minerals as it is cheap and less time consuming. These nano minerals also showed their significant effects even at lower doses of recommendations than the conventional mineral sources. These nano minerals have significant growth promoting, immuno-modulatory, antibacterial effects than the conventional counterparts. They also alter the rumen fermentation pattern on supplementation in the animal feeds. Apart from these, nano minerals are reported to enhance the reproduction in the livestock and poultry.

Keywords: biological effects, mineral nutrition, nanotechnology, nano Zn, synthesis.