Influence of microclimatic ammonia levels on productive performance of different broilers' breeds estimated with univariate and multivariate approaches

Research (Published online: 08-08-2017)

8. Influence of microclimatic ammonia levels on productive performance of different broilers' breeds estimated with univariate and multivariate approaches

Essam S. Soliman, Sherif A. Moawed and Rania A. Hassan

Veterinary World, 10(8): 880-887

ABSTRACT

Background and Aim: Birds litter contains unutilized nitrogen in the form of uric acid that is converted into ammonia; a fact that does not only affect poultry performance but also has a negative effect on people's health around the farm and contributes in the environmental degradation. The influence of microclimatic ammonia emissions on Ross and Hubbard broilers reared in different housing systems at two consecutive seasons (fall and winter) was evaluated using a discriminant function analysis to differentiate between Ross and Hubbard breeds.

Materials and Methods: A total number of 400 air samples were collected and analyzed for ammonia levels during the experimental period. Data were analyzed using univariate and multivariate statistical methods.

Results: Ammonia levels were significantly higher (p<0.01) in the Ross compared to the Hubbard breed farm, although no significant differences (p>0.05) were found between the two farms in body weight, body weight gain, feed intake, feed conversion ratio, and performance index (PI) of broilers. Body weight; weight gain and PI had increased values (p<0.01) during fall compared to winter irrespective of broiler breed. Ammonia emissions were positively (although weekly) correlated with the ambient relative humidity (r=0.383; p<0.01), but not with the ambient temperature (r=-0.045; p>0.05). Test of significance of discriminant function analysis did not show a classification based on the studied traits suggesting that they cannot been used as predictor variables. The percentage of correct classification was 52% and it was improved after deletion of highly correlated traits to 57%.

Conclusion: The study revealed that broiler's growth was negatively affected by increased microclimatic ammonia concentrations and recommended the analysis of broilers' growth performance parameters data using multivariate discriminant function analysis.

Keywords: ammonia, broiler, discriminant function analysis, growth performance parameters, humidity, temperature.

A 3-year prospective study of the incidence of gastric ulcers in pigs slaughtered at Base Abattoir in Rwanda

Research (Published online: 07-08-2017)

7. A 3-year prospective study of the incidence of gastric ulcers in pigs slaughtered at Base Abattoir in Rwanda

Borden Mushonga, Bernard Yabaragiye, Erick Kandiwa, Gervais Habarugira and Alaster Samkange

Veterinary World, 10(8): 873-879.

ABSTRACT

Aim: Determination of the incidence of gastric ulcers in pigs slaughtered at Base Abattoir in Rwanda.

Materials and Methods: Stomachs from all 5040 pigs that were slaughtered at Base Abattoir in Rwanda from August 2012 to August 2015 were examined for the presence and location of gastric ulcers. The results of the inspections were recorded and analyzed. Statistical analysis for Chi-square values was performed using the Software Package for Social Sciences version 16.0. The Z test for comparison of proportions was used and p<0.05 was considered significant.

Results: Overall as well as per district, significantly more male pigs than female pigs were slaughtered (p<0.05). The incidence of gastric ulcers in slaughter pigs was 12.86%. The incidence of gastric ulcers in males (13.36%) was not significantly different (p>0.05) from that in female pigs (12.84%) in all three districts. A significantly greater proportion of these ulcers (69.03%) was located in the esophageal region than in the glandular region of the stomach (30.97%) in slaughtered males (p<0.05). A significantly greater proportion of these ulcers (79.59%) was located in the esophageal region than in the glandular region of the stomach (20.41%) in slaughtered females (p<0.05). The overall incidence of esophageal ulcers (9.44%) in the slaughtered pigs was significantly (p<0.05) higher than that of glandular region ulcers (3.41%). Pigs with carcass weight over 60 kg showed a significantly (p<0.05) higher (44.44%) incidence of ulcers than those between 40 and 60 kg (33.33%) and those below 40 kg (22.22%).

Conclusion: It was concluded that the incidence of gastric ulceration in slaughter pigs at Base Abattoir was not associated with source (district) or sex of pigs but was associated with the carcass weight.

Keywords: Base Abattoir, gastric ulcers, pigs, Rwanda.

Therapeutic uses of epicatechin in diabetes and cancer

Review (Published online: 06-08-2017)

6. Therapeutic uses of epicatechin in diabetes and cancer

Layth Abdulmajeed Abdulkhaleq, Mohammed Abdulrazzaq Assi, Mohd Hezmee Mohd Noor, Rasedee Abdullah, Mohd Zamri Saad and Yun Hin Taufiq-Yap

Veterinary World, 10(8): 869-872

ABSTRACT

Epicatechin is a natural flavonoid found in green tea. It has been reported to possess an immense antioxidant effect which contributes to its therapeutic effect against a handful of ailments. In this review, we discuss its therapeutic role in the management of two of the most important human diseases; diabetes and cancer. The consumption of epicatechin has been shown to reduce blood glucose levels in diabetic patients, while is anticancer effect was attributed to its antioxidant properties, antiangiogenic and direct cytotoxicity to cancer cells. Although the exact mechanism of action of epicatechin is still being explored, there is no doubt that it is a promising candidate as an alternative. The significance of this review is to highlight the importance of the usage of natural products (in this case, epicatechin) as an alternative for the treatment of two potentially fatal diseases which is diabetes and cancer. The aim of this review is to educate the scientific community on the role of epicatechin in ameliorating the effects of diabetes and cancers on human while understanding the potential mechanisms of these aforementioned effects.

Keywords: angiogenesis, carcinoma, diabetes mellitus, epicatechin, oxidative stress.

Effect of Calotropis procera (madar) and amprolium supplementation on parasitological parameters of broilers during mixed Eimeria species infection

Research (Published online: 05-08-2017)

5. Effect of Calotropis procera (madar) and amprolium supplementation on parasitological parameters of broilers during mixed Eimeria species infection

Sakshi Chauhan, V. S. Singh and Vipul Thakur

Veterinary World, 10(8): 864-868

ABSTRACT

Aim: An experiment was conducted on day old 168 broiler chicks to study the effect of 0.4% as well as 0.2% Calotropis procera (madar) leaf powder and 0.0125% amprolium supplementation on parasitological parameters of broilers during mixed Eimeria species infection.

Materials and Methods: Chicks were randomly divided into seven groups (I-VII) each with two replicates of 12 chicks. On 15th day of experiment, broilers of Group II, IV, VI, and VII were infected with 50,000 sporulated oocysts of mixed Eimeria species. To evaluate the anticoccidial effect of different feed supplements percent fecal score, percent survival, percent weight gain, performance index (PI), average oocyst production, and percent reduction in oocyst production were calculated.

Results: It was observed that amprolium supplementation had maximum anticoccidial effect as it gave the best efficacy in terms of all parameters, whereas supplementation of 0.4% madar leaf powder showed nonsignificant difference with amprolium for some parameters such as percent survival, percent weight gain, and PI.

Conclusion: It can be concluded that madar (C. procera) leaf powder and amprolium had comparable activity against coccidiosis. Hence, madar leaf powder may be used for the prevention and control of mixed Eimeriaspp. infection prevalent in field conditions.

Keywords: amprolium, Calotropis procera, coccidiosis, parasitological parameters.

Prevalence of enteropathogens and their antibiotic sensitivity pattern in puppies with hemorrhagic gastroenteritis

Research (Published online: 04-08-2017)

4. Prevalence of enteropathogens and their antibiotic sensitivity pattern in puppies with hemorrhagic gastroenteritis

A. Kokila Priya, M. Balagangatharathilagar, D. Chandrasekaran, M. Parthiban and S. Prathaban

Veterinary World, 10(8): 859-863

ABSTRACT

Aim: Hemorrhagic gastroenteritis (HGE) ranging from mild to severe forms is commonly encountered in puppies. The aim of the study was to identify the prevalence of common enteropathogens and the antibiotic sensitivity pattern in puppies reported with HGE.

Materials and Methods: The canine HGE activity index, with little modification, was adopted to identify Grade III/ severely affected puppies below 6 months of age. Fecal polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay was employed to screen and compare the enteropathogens in puppies with hemorrhagic diarrhea and healthy control.

Results: Canine parvovirus 2b was identified in 90.3% of the diarrheic and 10% of the non-diarrheic healthy puppies. Clostridium difficile was identified in all the diarrheic puppies and in 80% of the healthy puppies. Among the diarrheic puppies, 17.7% were positive for Clostridium perfringens enterotoxin, 9.7% were positive for C. perfringens alpha toxin, 6.4% were positive for Escherichia coli shiga toxin, 6.4% were positive for E. coli enterotoxin (LT), and 3.2% were positive for canine distemper virus. Whereas, none of the healthy puppies were positive for these bacteria and toxins. Fecal antibiotic sensitivity test pattern revealed gentamicin to be sensitive in 95% of the cases, azithromycin in 50%, enrofloxacin in 25%, cefotaxime in 20%, and tetracycline in 5% of the cases.

Conclusion: Parvoviral enteritis is predominant among puppies. Yet, bacteria and their toxins also play an important role in HGE. Gentamicin has higher sensitivity against the enteropathogens associated with the condition.

Keywords: canine hemorrhagic gastroenteritis activity index, enteropathogens, fecal antibiotic sensitivity test, fecal polymerase chain reaction assay, hemorrhagic gastroenteritis.

Immunization of sheep against Echinococcus granulosus with protoscolex tegumental surface antigens

Research (Published online: 03-08-2017)

3. Immunization of sheep against Echinococcus granulosus with protoscolex tegumental surface antigens

Manouchehr Valizadeh, Behzad Haghpanah, Alireza Badirzadeh, Elham Roointan, Shirzad Fallahi and Saber Raeghi

Veterinary World, 10(8): 854-858

ABSTRACT

Aim: Cystic echinococcosis (CE) has potential economic effects to both animal products and human health. A vaccine to protect livestock against CE can be effective in reducing economic costs and increasing the livestock products. Protoscolex tegumental surface antigens (PSTSA) used to induce the production of specific antibodies against Echinococcus granulosus in sheep. The tegumental antigens were extracted from viable protoscolices by solubilization in sterile phosphate-buffered saline containing decanoyl-N-methylglucamine.

Materials and Methods: Ten lambs which were infected with CE (positive control), 10 negative control, and 10 test groups of sheep were included in the study. 300 μg emulsion of purified-PSTSA was injected intramuscularly in a two-step immunization on the first and 30 days. Sera were collected immediately before immunization and 6 times with 10-day intervals until 60 days post immunization. Thereafter, the sera were tested for antibodies by indirect hemagglutination test in microtiter plate.

Results: After two immunizations, all the infected animals in test group showed substantial increases in antibody titer. Statistical analysis showed a significant difference between the titer obtained in the test and negative control groups in both phases of immunization (p<0.05).

Conclusion: The results showed that the PSTSA is a promising immunogenic compound for immunization of sheep against CE.

Keywords: cystic echinococcosis, Echinococcus granulosus, immunization, Iran, Protoscolex tegumental surface antigens, sheep.

Preparation and evaluation of Salmonella Enteritidis antigen conjugated with nanogold for screening of poultry flocks

Research (Published online: 02-08-2017)

2. Preparation and evaluation of Salmonella Enteritidis antigen conjugated with nanogold for screening of poultry flocks

Hazem Mohammed Ibrahim, Rafik Hamed Sayed, Wafaa Ragab Abdel-Aziz and Rafik Tawfik Soliman

Veterinary World, 10(8): 848-853

ABSTRACT

Aim: The present work aimed to develop lateral flow immunochromatographic strip (ICS) test for detection of Salmonella Enteritidis (SE) specific antibodies in chicken sera.

Materials and Methods: A rapid lateral flow immunochromatographic test (LFIT) has been developed, in which SE Group D antigen labeled with the gold chloride molecules laid on the conjugate pad. Staphylococcus aureus protein A was used as capture antibody at the test line (T) of a nitrocellulose (NC) membrane and anti-SE antigen-specific rabbit antibodies were used as capture antibody at the control line (C) of the NC strip in the lateral flow layout device.

Results: Using the developed LFIT, the minimal amount of SE-specific antibodies that can be detected in chicken serum sample was 1427 enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) unit/100 μl that was equal to 0.1 μg (Ab)/100 μl sample. 100 suspected serum samples collected from a poultry flock were tested with the prepared SE-LFIT kits and the locally prepared stained Salmonella antigen, and the results were compared with those obtained from examination of these samples with Salmonella Group D antibody ELISA kit as the gold standard test. The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of the prepared SE-LFIT antigen kits were 94.4%, 90%, and 94%, respectively, while those obtained with stained Salmonella antigen were 88.8%, 90%, and 89%, respectively.

Conclusion: The developed test is a simple field rapid test of high sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy that can improve and facilitates rapid field surveillance of salmonellosis among chickens.

Keywords: diagnosis, lateral flow, poultry, Salmonella Enteritidis.