The first evidence of a new genotype of nephropathogenic infectious bronchitis virus circulating in vaccinated and unvaccinated broiler flocks in Algeria

Research (Published online: 29-11-2018)

17. The first evidence of a new genotype of nephropathogenic infectious bronchitis virus circulating in vaccinated and unvaccinated broiler flocks in Algeria

A. Lounas, K. Oumouna-Benachour, H. Medkour and M. Oumouna

Veterinary World, 11(11): 1630-1636

ABSTRACT

Background and Aim: Avian infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) frequently infects broilers and is responsible for severe economic losses to the poultry industry worldwide. It has also been associated with kidney damage in the broiler flocks. The aim of the present study is to determine the presence of IBV and its possible involvement in kidney damage of broiler chicks.

Materials and Methods: 14 clinically diseased broiler flocks from Western and Central Algeria were sampled and analyzed by hemagglutination inhibition (HI) test and reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) followed by phylogenic analysis.

Results: The QX (100%) and 4/91 (60%) IBV serotypes were the most prevalent in the kidney damaged broilers regardless of vaccination status. The molecular detection of avian IBV by RT-PCR identified six samples as positive, of which only two isolates were typable by sequencing. We identified a novel IBDZ13a genotype which showed 93% sequence homology to the partial-S1 gene sequence of the IB 4/91 commercial vaccine strain. Sequencing analysis characterized this virus as a novel and divergent IB 4/91 field virus with eight amino acid substitutions that might have resulted in altered immunogenicity.

Conclusion: The isolation of a new IBV strain (IBDZ13a) from vaccinated broiler flocks may explain the failure of the vaccination programs against IBV field strains. Combination of the HI test and RT-PCR indicated that the nephropathogenic IB outbreaks in broilers are related to this novel strain.

Keywords: avian infectious bronchitis virus, broilers, kidney damages, Algeria, hemagglutination inhibition test, reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction, IBDZ13a.

Effects of Artemisia herba-alba or olive leaf (Olea europaea) powder supplementation on growth performance, carcass yield, and blood biochemical parameters in broilers

Research (Published online: 26-11-2018)

16. Effects of Artemisia herba-alba or olive leaf (Olea europaea) powder supplementation on growth performance, carcass yield, and blood biochemical parameters in broilers

Asma Ait-Kaki, Mamadou Tandiang Diaw, Fikremariam Geda and Nassim Moula

Veterinary World, 11(11): 1624-1629

ABSTRACT

Aim: This study was aimed to evaluate the effects of Artemisia herba-alba (white wormwood) or olive leaf (Olea europaea) powder supplementation on growth performance, carcass yield, and serum biochemical parameters in broilers.

Materials and Methods: The study was conducted from April to May 2017 in Chemini region, Northern Algeria. A total of 60 1-day-old Ross 308 male chicks were divided into three groups consisted of 10 chicks, in each of two replications. The chicks in Group 1 were fed with a standard commercial diet (SCD); Group 2 received the same SCD with 2% supplementation of A. herba-alba powder; and Group 3 received the same SCD with 2% supplementation of O. europaea powder. Growth performance was measured with body weights every 2 weeks, daily feed intake, feed conversion ratio (FCR), and carcass yield at the end of 42 days of rearing. Blood samples were collected to analyze serum glucose, cholesterol, triglycerides, urea, and total protein levels.

Results: Results showed that, at 42 days of rearing, supplementation of O. europaea and A. herba-alba significantly increased (p<0.001) mean body weight (2230.10±26.38 g and 2117.42±26.38 g, respectively, vs. 2336.66±27.88 g in chicks of Group 1), but there was no significant difference (p≥0.05) among the three diets for FCR or percentage carcass yield. Among the serum biochemical parameters, glucose was significantly affected (p<0.01) by supplementation of olive leaf powder (1.90 g/L: Group 3), compared to the SCD (2.24 g/L: Group 1) or Artemisia powder (2.05 g/L: Group 2). Moreover, the supplementation of olive leaf powder in Group 3 broilers significantly affected (p<0.05) the serum cholesterol level (0.95 g/L), compared to the control diet (1.13 g/L). There was no significant difference (p≥0.05) for the other selected serum biochemical concentrations, namely triglycerides, urea, and total protein.

Conclusion: The supplementation of Artemisia or olive leaf powder into the diet for broilers improved body weight by about 5% or 10%, respectively, at slaughter with moderate changes in blood biochemical parameters.

Keywords: Artemisia herba-alba, broiler, growth, Olea europaea, serum parameters.

Role of transient receptor potential channels in regulating spermatozoa functions: A mini-review

Review (Published online: 23-11-2018)

15. Role of transient receptor potential channels in regulating spermatozoa functions: A mini-review

Akshay Kumar, Abhishek Kumar Mishra, Dilip Kumar Swain, Vijay Singh, Sarvajeet Yadav and Atul Saxena

Veterinary World, 11(11): 1618-1623

ABSTRACT

Flagellar navigation along the genital tract of male and female in spermatozoa is accomplished through a number of biological, physiological, biochemical, and electrophysiological alterations in spermatozoa. These alterations are highly precise, dynamic, and regulated through a number of ion channels along with their associated pathways. Beating of flagella along with intracellular metabolism of spermatozoa is associated with fluxing of Ca++ as well as release of Ca++ from different sources. Calcium fluxing through the spermatozoa is mediated through sperm-specific calcium channel and also through transient receptor potential (TRP) channels which are diversified multifamily of ion channels which are activated through a number of extracellular agents such as pH, temperature, chemicals, and pathogens. Research has shown the dynamic role of TRP channels in regulating sperm functions such as sperm chemotaxis, rheotaxis, thermotaxis, and eventually fertilization. Diversified forms of TRP and their involvement in regulation of sperm function opens new horizons of understanding of the sperm function and, in specific, issues related to infertility. This mini-review is an attempt to draw some insights into the action of TRP channels in regulating sperm fertility competence through both calcium-dependent and calcium-independent mechanisms.

Keywords: acrosome reaction, calcium, capacitation, fertilization, motility, pH, sperm, temperature, transient receptor potential.

Metabolic and morphometric changes in Indonesian cynomolgus monkeys (Macaca fascicularis) fed an atherogenic diet composed of locally sourced ingredients

Research (Published online: 22-11-2018)

14. Metabolic and morphometric changes in Indonesian cynomolgus monkeys (Macaca fascicularis) fed an atherogenic diet composed of locally sourced ingredients

Sri Rahmatul Laila, Dewi Apri Astuti, Irma Herawati Suparto, Ekowati Handharyani and Dondin Sajuthi

Veterinary World, 11(11): 1609-1617

ABSTRACT

Background and Aim: This study was designed to determine the effects of a new atherogenic diet formulated at Institut Pertanian Bogor (IPB) (Bogor, Indonesia) on metabolic, morphometric, and carotid artery imaging of cynomolgus monkeys.

Materials and Methods: A total of 20 adult male cynomolgus monkeys fed IPB-1 atherogenic diet for 1 year. Total plasma cholesterol (TPC), high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, triglycerides, and morphometric measurements were evaluated at baseline and monthly during the study. Carotid plaques and intima-media thickness (IMT) were measured using ultrasonography at baseline and after 8 months of treatment.

Results: This diet increased TPC, LDL, and TPC/HDL ratio and induced carotid atherosclerosis in this model. The TPC, LDL, and TPC/HDL ratio were positively associated; however, HDL was negatively associated with carotid plaques and IMT.

Conclusion: The IPB-1 atherogenic diet formulated with locally and readily available ingredients provides an economically and scientifically feasible monkey model to study atherosclerosis in Indonesia and Southeast Asia.

Keywords: atherogenic diet, carotid artery, cynomolgus, ultrasonography.

Association between milk urea nitrogen and first service conception in smallholder dairy farms under heat and humidity stress

Research (Published online: 22-11-2018)

13. Association between milk urea nitrogen and first service conception in smallholder dairy farms under heat and humidity stress

Suppada Kananub, John A. VanLeeuwen and Pipat Arunvipas

Veterinary World, 11(11): 1604-1608

ABSTRACT

Aim: The study was to evaluate the relationship between the first service conception (FSC) and milk urea nitrogen (MUN) in smallholder dairy farms under heat and humidity stress.

Materials and Methods: Dairy cows from 43 dairy farms giving birth between November 2014 and April 2015 (n=295) contributed to the study. All cows were sampled monthly to measure milk compositions, and we collected additional farm data from farmers through a questionnaire. The first service during the first 120 days of lactation was the outcome of interest in this study. Multivariable logistic regression determined significant associations with FSC.

Results: The overall FSC was 22% and the mean MUN concentration was 11.55 mg/dl. The final FSC model included MUN concentration, the season of breeding, and protein energy ratio (PE ratio) in the diet. The odds of FSC were reduced by approximately 10% for each mg/dl higher MUN on the day of the milk sample that was nearest to the artificial insemination (AI) day. The odds of FSC were nearly 3 times higher when the first insemination occurred in winter compared to summer first services. Taking into account the nutritional factors, the odds of FSC were nearly 70% higher with an increase in PE ratio of 10 g of crude protein/Mcal from the mean of 35.90 g.

Conclusion: This study of smallholder dairy farmers in the hot and humid climate of Thailand confirmed that season, nutritional management, and MUN concentration were associated with FSC. MUN appears to be a useful indicator to monitor the effects of diet on reproductive performance from this study.

Keywords: first service conception, milk urea nitrogen, smallholder farm.

Validation of real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction to detect virus titer and thermostability of Newcastle disease live virus vaccine

Research (Published online: 20-11-2018)

12. Validation of real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction to detect virus titer and thermostability of Newcastle disease live virus vaccine

Pangkaj Kumar Dhar, Avijit Dutta, Avijit Das, Mohammad Shah Jalal, Himel Barua and Paritosh Kumar Biswas

Veterinary World, 11(11): 1597-1603

ABSTRACT

Background and Aim: Newcastle disease is one of the most common diseases affecting poultry in Bangladesh. The disease can cause up to 100% mortality but is preventable if birds are timely and properly vaccinated with a vaccine of standard virus titer. Different live vaccines are commercially available in the country - most, if not all, are produced using lentogenic strains of the virus with variable virulence. One of the disadvantages of these vaccines is that they are not stable at high environmental temperature, and therefore, a proper cold chain must be maintained during transportation and storage. Information on how long these vaccine viruses can withstand environmental temperature, which is near the vicinity of 37°C in the summer season in Bangladesh, is scanty. The aim of this research was to measure the effect of temperature on virus titer of live ND virus vaccines and to develop a real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (rRT-PCR) standard curve to indirectly determine hemagglutination (HA) titer of virus by this highly sensitive method.

Materials and Methods: In this study, thermostability of five commercial live vaccines containing LaSota, F, Clone 30, and B1 type LaSota strains was observed for up to 35 days keeping them at 37°C. From the most thermostability yielding sample, two rRT-PCR standard curves were developed: (1) By plotting the cycle threshold (CT) values as obtained from 10-fold serial dilutions up to 10-3 against their corresponding log (to the base 10) dilutions and (2) by plotting the CT values obtained from serial HA dilutions up to 2-4 against their corresponding HA titer dilutions. The PCR efficiencies based on which the graphs were fitted were also evaluated.

Results: The vaccine from the LaSota strain withstood 37°C for 35 days with a gradual declination of HA titer over time, and this vaccine also had the highest initial HA titer, which was 211. The vaccine made from F strain was inactivated quickly, and it had the lowest HA titer at the beginning of the study. The first standard curve developed can be used to assess the level of virus titer in a diluted sample compared with the titer in the original undiluted vaccine preparation by plotting the CT value obtained from the dilution by rRT-PCR. The second standard curve can be used to calculate the HA titer of a vaccine dilution by plotting the CT value as obtained from the dilution by rRT-PCR.

Conclusion: The regression equations for the first and second graphs were y=–3.535x+14.365 and y=–1.081x+13.703, respectively, suggesting that, for every 3.53 cycles, the PCR product would have increased 10 times and 2 times for every 1.08 cycles, respectively, indicating nearly (but not exactly) 100% PCR efficiency.

Keywords: LaSota strain, Newcastle disease, real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction, thermostability, vaccine, validation.

Effect of feeding rice based distillers dried grains with solubles and gluten meal on nutrient transporter genes and immunity in broiler chickens

Research (Published online: 20-11-2018)

11. Effect of feeding rice based distillers dried grains with solubles and gluten meal on nutrient transporter genes and immunity in broiler chickens

Om Prakash Dinani, Pramod Kumar Tyagi, Asit Baran Mandal, Praveen Kumar Tyagi, Dukare Sagar Popat and Sita Prasad Tiwari

Veterinary World, 11(11): 1592-1596

Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of feeding rice based distillers dried grains with solubles (rDDGS) and gluten meal on nutrient transporter genes and immunity in broiler chickens.

Materials and Methods: A 2×3 factorial design resulted in six experimental diets, namely T1 (no rDDGS/rice gluten meal [RGM]/enzyme), T2 (no rDDGS/RGM, with multienzymes), T3 (12.5% rDDGS, 15% RGM, no enzyme), T4 (12.5% rDDGS, 15% RGM, with protease enzyme), T5 (10% rDDGS, 12.5% RGM, no enzyme), and T6 (10% rDDGS, 12.5% RGM, with protease enzyme). Each treatment was allocated five replicates of chicks, with eight birds in each. Nutrient transporter genes such as Mucin (MUC 2), excitatory amino acid transporter 3 (EAAT3), and peptide transporter (PepT1) and immunity were estimated using standard procedures.

Results: Feeding rDDGS and RGM combination improved humoral immunity, while cell-mediated immunity did not show any significant (p>0.05) effect on broiler chickens. MUC and PepT1 genes showed significantly (p<0.01) decreased relative fold expression in 12.5% rDDGS +15% RGM combination, while EAAT3 gene showed significantly (p<0.01) decreased relative fold expression in both rDDGS and RGM combination levels.

Conclusion: Thus, it may be concluded that feeding rDDGS and RGM combination improved humoral immunity but had an adverse effect on nutrient transporter gene in broiler chickens.

Keywords: broiler, immunity, nutrient transporter genes, protease, rice distillers dried grains with solubles, rice gluten meal.