Impact of the Egyptian summer season on oxidative stress biomarkers and some physiological parameters in crossbred cows and Egyptian buffaloes

Research (Published online: 08-06-2018)

6. Impact of the Egyptian summer season on oxidative stress biomarkers and some physiological parameters in crossbred cows and Egyptian buffaloes

Maha M. Hady, T. M. Melegy and Shaimaa R. Anwar

Veterinary World, 11(6): 771-777

ABSTRACT

Aim: The current study aimed to compare the impact of heat stress (HS) on some physiological functions and blood oxidative stress biomarkers between dry dairy crossbred (Balady X Friesian) cows and buffaloes during Egyptian summer season (July-September).

Materials and Methods: A total of 26 healthy animals were equally used in the in the current study. The criterion for cows and buffaloes selection and the management conditions were similar. A total mixed ration to meet the animal's requirements was used, and dry matter intake (DMI) was calculated. Ambient temperature, relative humidity, temperature humidity index (THI), respiratory rate, and rectal temperature (RT) were daily recorded. Meanwhile, live body weight and body condition score were weekly recorded. Blood samples were collected bi-weekly, and plasma samples were harvested for malondialdehyde (MDA) content and enzymatic antioxidants such as glutathione peroxidase, superoxide dismutase, and catalase activities determinations throughout the experimental period (8 weeks - prepartum).

Results: The results confirmed, the HS condition, as the THI values ranged from 79.74 to 90.4 throughout the experimental period. In both species, HS increased RT and decreased DMI (<10.5 kg/day and 9.5 kg/day in cows and buffaloes, respectively). Buffaloes seemed to be more affected by the hostile environmental condition of this study compared with their respective cows. Buffaloes had recorded up to 1 °C increase in their RTs in most of the point's period compared to cows. There was a continuous increase in MDA values (194.7 and 208.4 nmol/gHb in buffaloes and cows, respectively, 2 weeks prepartum) as the animals come close to parturition with moderate decrements for the enzymatic antioxidant activities in both cows and buffaloes.

Conclusion: It can be concluded that during Egyptian's summer season, HS had adversely affected feed intake and consequently animal's production performances.

Keywords: buffaloes, dairy cows, Egyptian's summer, heat stress, oxidative stress.

The immunomodulatory effect of green tea (Camellia sinensis) leaves extract on immunocompromised Wistar rats infected by Candida albicans

Research (Published online: 07-06-2018)

5. The immunomodulatory effect of green tea (Camellia sinensis) leaves extract on immunocompromised Wistar rats infected by Candida albicans

Retno P. Rahayu, Remita A. Prasetyo, Djoko A. Purwanto, Utari Kresnoadi, Regina P. D. Iskandar and Muhammad Rubianto

Veterinary World, 11(6): 765-770

ABSTRACT

Background and Aim: The immunocompromised condition is considered a defect in the immune system. This condition tends to increase the risk of oral candidiasis, due to the inability of the immune system to eliminate the adhesion of Candida albicans and leads to systemic candidiasis with a mortality rate of 60%. Green tea (Camellia sinensis) contains potential antioxidant and immunomodulatory which acts as anticancer, antifungal, and antivirus agent. The aim of this study was to invent herbal-based medicine, which acts as an immunomodulator and antifungal agent to treat fungal infection in immunocompromised patients.

Materials and Methods: Thirty-five immunocompromised Wistar rats induced with C. albicans were divided into 7 groups (n=5): Control group (C+); treated for 4 days with green tea extract 1.25% (GT 4), epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) 1% (EGCG 4), EGC 1% (EGC 4); and treated for 7 days with green tea extract 1.25% (GT 7), EGCG 1% (EGCG 7), and EGC 1% (EGC 7). Tongue tissue was collected and analyzed with immunohistochemistry staining using monoclonal antibody; interleukin (IL)-17A, IL-8, and human beta-defensin 2 (HBD)-2. Data were analyzed using analysis of variance test and Tukey honest significant differences test.

Results: The expression of IL-17A, IL-8, and HBD-2 was significantly increased (p=0.000) after green tea extract administration in 7 days, whereas in 7 days, the expression of IL-8, IL-17A, and HBD-2 after EGCG and EGC administration did not give a significant result (p>0.005).

Conclusion: Within the limits of this study, green tea extract has the ability as an immunomodulatory agent in an immunocompromised patient infected by C. albicans through expression augmentation of IL-8, IL-17A, and HBD-2 compared to EGCG and EGC.

Keywords: epigallocatechin gallate, epigallocatechin, green tea extract, immunocompromised, oral candidiasis.

Effect of immobilized fungal phytase on growth performance and bone traits of broilers fed with low dietary calcium and phosphorus

Research (Published online: 07-06-2018)

4. Effect of immobilized fungal phytase on growth performance and bone traits of broilers fed with low dietary calcium and phosphorus

Sreeja Ajith, Divya Shet, Jyotirmoy Ghosh, Vaibhav B. Awachat, Karthik Bhat, Dintaran Pal and Arumbackam V. Elangovan

Veterinary World, 11(6): 758-764

Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of phytase which was laboratory produced by Aspergillus foetidus on the growth performance, mineral retention, and bone traits of broilers fed with low dietary calcium and phosphorus.

Materials and Methods: The extracellular phytase enzyme secreted into the crude filtrate was concentrated by ammonium sulfate precipitation to obtain an activity of 500 phytase units (FTU). A total of 90 1-day-old chicks (Cobb 500) were randomly divided into three treatment groups with five replicates having six birds each. Dietary treatment, T1, was with 0.45% non-phytate P (NPP) during starter and 0.40% during finisher phase with 1% Ca. Dietary treatment, T2, had 0.37% NPP during starter and 0.32% in finisher phase with 1% Ca and supplemental lab phytase at 500 FTU/kg. Dietary treatment, T3, was similar to T2 with a lower Ca of 0.8%.

Results: There was no significant difference among the dietary treatments with regard to body weight gain, feed intake, feed conversion ratio, and Ca retention (p>0.05). However, a significant improvement in retention of P by birds was observed in phytase supplemental groups T2 and T3 (p<0.05). Dry weight of tibia (2.58-2.78 g/kg live weight) and ash content (39.7- 41.8%) was comparable among treatments. A similar trend was observed for bone Ca, P, and Mn content.

Conclusion: The study indicated that 500 FTU/kg phytase can be effectively supplemented in a broiler diet with low phosphorus (0.37% in starter and 0.32% NPP in finisher diet) and low calcium (0.8% in diet) for better growth performance and with successful replacement of dietary P by 0.08 % and reduced P excretion into the environment in broiler chicken.

Keywords: broiler, calcium, phosphorus, phytase.

Evaluation of the General Organization of Veterinary Services control program of animal brucellosis in Egypt: An outbreak investigation of brucellosis in buffalo

Research (Published online: 06-06-2018)

3. Evaluation of the General Organization of Veterinary Services control program of animal brucellosis in Egypt: An outbreak investigation of brucellosis in buffalo

H. I. Hosein, Hoda Mohamed Zaki, Nesreen Mohamed Safwat, Ahmed M. S. Menshawy, Sherin Rouby, Ayman Mahrous and Bahaa El-deen Madkour

Veterinary World, 11(6): 748-757

ABSTRACT

Background and Aim: Brucellosis is a major constraint to livestock production in Egypt as well as many developing countries worldwide. Bovine brucellosis is an economically important disease with reproductive failure as a principal manifestation resulting in abortion, premature birth and decreased milk production in females, and orchitis and epididymitis in males. In spite of the efforts of Egyptian veterinary services to overcome brucellosis, the disease is still prevalent in both animals and humans and represents one of the most important public health hazards in Egypt. The aim of the present work was to investigate the efficacy of the control program implemented by the General Organization of Veterinary Services in Brucella infected buffalo farm on serological, molecular, cultural, and histopathological basis. Brucella melitensis biovar 3 was recovered from 6 buffalo-cows.

Materials and Methods: Blood samples were collected from a total of 750 non-vaccinated lactating buffalo-cows. These animals were proved positive for Brucella by the Egyptian brucellosis national program. Sera were tested using buffered acidified plate antigen test and rose Bengal test as screening tests and complement fixation test as a confirmatory test. Positive animals were separated for slaughtering under the supervision of the Egyptian veterinary authorities. Remaining animals were tested every 3 weeks with slaughtering of positive cases and this continued until the remaining animals revealed three successive negative serological tests. Different lymph nodes (prescapular, prefemoral, mediastinal, retropharyngeal, and supramammary) were collected from 11 Brucella seropositive buffalo-cows slaughtered after being confirmed serologically as Brucella infected cases. Samples were collected and processed for bacterial isolation and nucleic acid detection using polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Parts of these specimens were fixed in 10% neutral buffered formalin for 48 h then processed by paraffin embedding technique.

Results: "Test and slaughter" policy was applied on Brucella infected dairy buffalo farm. The program continued for 6 months with slaughtering of positive cases until the herd was proved Brucella free. B. melitensisbiovar 3 could be recovered from six buffalo-cows. Universal PCR confirmed Brucella on genus level and Bruce-ladder multiplex, PCR confirmed the presence of B. melitensis on the species level. Histopathological examination of Brucella-infected lymph nodes revealed massive rarified and depleted lymphoid areas of both sub-capsular and deep cortical lymphoid follicles, macrophage cells granulomatous reaction, as well as fat, infiltrates, and chronic vasculitis. The chronic nature of Brucella lesions has been confirmed in this study as indicated by the chronic vasculitis and collagen deposition.

Conclusion: Freedom status from brucellosis in this study required 6 months which are considered long time allowing the spread of infection to other localities especially under unhygienic conditions, husbandry system favoring mixed populations of different ages, sex, aborted and pregnant, and lack of controlled movement of animals. Therefore, effective control of animal brucellosis requires surveillance to identify infected animal herds, elimination of the reservoirs, and vaccination of young heifers. B. melitensis biovar 3 is the cause of the Brucella outbreak in buffalo which still remains the prevalent type of Brucella in Egypt. The disease runs a chronic course allowing further spread of infection.

Keywords: bruce-ladder, brucellosis, buffalo, histopathology, polymerase chain reaction.

Scrotal circumference: A predictor of testosterone concentration and certain attributes of seminal vesicles influencing buffalo male fertility

Research (Published online: 05-06-2018)

2. Scrotal circumference: A predictor of testosterone concentration and certain attributes of seminal vesicles influencing buffalo male fertility

S. Mahmood, A. Kumar, R. Singh, M. Sarkar, G. Singh, M. R. Verma and G. V. P. P. S. R. Kumar

Veterinary World, 11(6): 739-747

ABSTRACT

Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship of scrotal circumference (SC) with plasma testosterone, seminal vesicles (SVs) weight, and its secretion as measurable indicators of fertility and also to sequence and establish phylogenetic relatedness of certain SV protein genes with other species as such integrated approach is lacking.

Materials and Methods: Altogether, 59 apparently healthy male buffaloes sacrificed at slaughterhouse were selected (irrespective of breed) for measuring SC and collecting blood and paired SVs. The SC was measured at greater curvature using soft thread. In the present study, blood plasma testosterone, cholesterol, protein, and glucose in addition to SV fructose, citric acid and proteins in SV fluid were also estimated. The SV tissue was fixed in RNAlater for RNA extraction.Male buffaloes were categorized as per total SV weight into Group I (<5.0 g), Group II (5.0-7.84 g), and Group III (>8.0 g) and dentitions-I (≤18 months), II (18-24 months), and III (≥24 months) to assess the effect of weight and dentition age on SC, SV weight, and its certain secretions. Data were analyzed using linear model procedure including Tukey HSD test and Pearson's correlation coefficient. Variance inflation and condition index were also used to assess multicollinearity.

Results: Gross and histomorphological evaluation of SVs did not show any abnormality. Macronutrients (plasma protein, glucose, and cholesterol) showed non-significant (p>0.05) variation between groups. The SC and SV weight varied significantly (p<0.05) with a significant positive relationship with plasma testosterone, SV protein, fructose, and citric acid. In addition, testosterone concentration also showed increasing trend from Groups I to III but increased significantly (p<0.05) from Group II to III with positive and significant correlations with SV protein, fructose, and citric acid similar to SV weight and SC. Binders of sperm protein (BSP1, 3, and 5) genes (full length) were sequenced and established an evolutionary relationship which is lacking in buffalo.

Conclusion: The present findings established a significant positive correlation of SC with that of other fertility parameters related to SVs weight and its secretions: Fructose, citric acid, and protein (inclusive of BSPs sequenced full length), and testosterone. Therefore, the present integrated approach along with certain semen quality attributes reflecting epididymis function could be used as a predictive fertility marker for grading and selection of breeding bulls and their progenies to develop outstanding bull mother farm.

Keywords: male buffalo, morphology, scrotal circumference, seminal vesicles, sequencing, testosterone.

Calculate of withdrawal times of clenbuterol in goats to obtain safe times of slaughter

Research (Published online: 01-06-2018)

1. Calculate of withdrawal times of clenbuterol in goats to obtain safe times of slaughter

Lazuardi Mochamad, Bambang Hermanto and T. I. Restiadi

Veterinary World, 11(6): 731-738

ABSTRACT

Background and Aim: Clenbuterol as a β2-agonist drug was investigated according to the concentration of the drug available in the bodies of goats and according to the level of sensitivity of the instruments used for detection. The objective of the current study was to determine withdrawal times after giving a therapeutic dose that resulted in safe slaughters.

Materials and Methods: Five healthy male goats with a mean body weight of 20.64 kg were treated with a single dose of 5.10-3 mg/kg in the BW onto jugular vein. Whole blood samples of approximately 5 mL were taken in a time series at 5, 30, 60, 90, 150, 210, 270, 390, 510, 630, and 750 min. At 24 h posttreatment, all subjects were sacrificed, and 300 g samples of the liver were obtained. The plasma concentration and liver residue of the drug were observed by reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography.

Results: The drug reached a maximum concentration of 19.233±0.331 μg/mL at 5 min, and the elimination half-life was at 173.25 min. The limit detection was obtained at 0.053 μg/mL. A one-way analysis of variance between all goats showed that elimination of the clenbuterol in their bodies was similar (p=1.00), with a withdrawal time of 1,479.326 min and no residues in the liver (p<0.05).

Conclusion: Safe times for slaughter were determined to be at 2 days, 13 h, and 12 min as the 2nd safety factor (SF) time and 3 days, 1 h, and 58 min as the 3rd SF time with the liver organ free from residue.

Keywords: elimination half-life, new method for calculating withdrawal time, prescriptions for obtained β2-agonist, residues in liver.

Probiotic white cheese production using coculture with Lactobacillus species isolated from traditional cheeses

Research (Published online: 30-05-2018)

23. Probiotic white cheese production using coculture with Lactobacillus species isolated from traditional cheeses

A. Ehsani, M. Hashemi, A. Afshari and M. Aminzare

Veterinary World, 11(5): 726-730

ABSTRACT

Aim: The aim of the present study was to investigate the viability of lactic acid bacteria isolated from traditional cheeses and cocultured in Iranian white cheese during ripening.

Materials and Methods: A total of 24 samples were isolated from 8 types of traditional cheeses in West Azerbaijan, Iran. Isolated species were cocultured with starter bacteria during the production of Iranian white cheese, and their viability was investigated up to 60 days of the refrigerated storage.

Results: Of 118 isolates of Lactobacillus, 73 isolates (62%) were confirmed as facultative heterofermentative and 45 isolates (38%) as obligate homofermentative. Of the facultative heterofermentatives, 28 isolates (24%) were Lactobacillus plantarum, 24 isolates (20%) were Lactobacillus casei, and 21 isolates (18%) were Lactobacillus agilis. Obligate homofermentatives were Lactobacillus delbrueckii (21%), Lactobacillus helveticus (14%), and Lactobacillus salivarius (3%). L. plantarum, L. casei and L. helveticus were found in high enough levels (106 CFU/g).

Conclusion: According to the obtained data, it is recommended that complex starters such as L. helveticus, L. plantarum, and L. casei can be used in industrial productions of cheese to obtain exclusive properties of traditional cheeses.

Keywords: heterofermentative, Lactobacillus, probiotic, starter, traditional cheeses.