Friday 4 March 2016

Effect of heat stress on reproductive performances of dairy cattle and buffaloes: A review

Review (Published online: 05-03-2016)
3. Effect of heat stress on reproductive performances of dairy cattle and buffaloes: A review - Soumya Dash, A. K. Chakravarty, Avtar Singh, Arpan Upadhyay, Manvendra Singh and Saleem Yousuf
Veterinary World, 9(3): 235-244



   doi: 10.14202/vetworld.2016.235-244



Heat stress has adverse effects on the reproductive performances of dairy cattle and buffaloes. The dairy sector is a more vulnerable to global warming and climate change. The temperature humidity index (THI) is the widely used index to measure the magnitude of heat stress in animals. The bjective of this paper was to assess the decline in performances of reproductive traits such as service period, conception rate and pregnancy rate of dairy cattle and buffaloes with respect to increase in THI. The review stated that service period in cattle is affected by season of calving for which cows calved in summer had the longest service period. The conception rate and pregnancy rate in dairy cattle were found decreased above THI 72 while a significant decline in reproductive performances of buffaloes was observed above threshold THI 75. The non-heat stress zone (HSZ) (October to March) is favorable for optimum reproductive performance, while fertility is depressed in HSZ (April to September) and critical HSZ (CHSZ) (May and June). Heat stress in animals has been associated with reduced fertility through its deleterious impact on oocyte maturation and early embryo development. The management strategies viz., nutrition modification, environment modification and timed artificial insemination protocol are to be strictly operated to ameliorate the adverse effects of heat stress in cattle and buffaloes during CHSZ to improve their fertility. The identification of genes associated with heat tolerance, its incorporation into breeding program and the inclusion of THI covariate effects in selection index should be targeted for genetic evaluation of dairy animals in the hot climate.
Keywords: buffaloes, cattle, heat stress zone, reproductive traits, temperature humidity index.

Peperomia pellucida leaf extract as immunostimulator in controlling motile aeromonad septicemia due to Aeromonas hydrophila in red hybrid tilapia, Oreochromis spp. farming

Research (Published online: 05-03-2016)
2. Peperomia pellucida leaf extract as immunostimulator in controlling motile aeromonad septicemia due to Aeromonas hydrophila in red hybrid tilapia, Oreochromis spp. farming - S. W. Lee, K. Y. Sim, W. Wendy and A. K. Zulhisyam
Veterinary World, 9(3): 231-234



   doi: 10.14202/vetworld.2016.231-234



Aim: This study was revealed the potential of Peperomia pellucida leaf extract as an immunostimulator agent in controlling motile aeromonad septicemia due to Aeromonas hydrophila in red hybrid tilapia, Oreochromis sp.
Materials and Methods: In the present study, minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of P. pellucida leaf extract against A. hydrophilawas determined through two-fold microbroth dilution method. The plant extract was screening for its active compound using a gas chromatograph mass spectrometer, and the effectiveness of P. pellucida leaf extract as an immunostimulator agent was evaluated. The experimental fish were fed with medicated feed at three different concentrations (25 mg/kg, PP-25; 50 mg/kg, PP-50; and 100 mg/kg, PP-100) of P. pellucida leaf extract for 1 week before they were intraperitoneally exposed to A. hydrophila. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was carried out to determine the value of antibody response to A. hydrophila in fish from a group of fish that received medicated feed, and the percentage of total cumulative mortality of the experimental fish were observed at the end of the experiment.
Results: The results showed that the major bioactive compound is phytol (40%), and the MIC value was 31.5 mg/L. The value of antibody response to A. hydrophila in fish from a group of fish which received medicated feed (PP-25, 0.128±0.014 optical density [OD]; PP-50, 0.132±0.003 OD; and PP-100, 0.171±0.02 OD) was found significantly higher (p<0.05) compared to fish did not receive medicated feed (0.00 OD). Whereas, percentage cumulative mortality of fish from all groups of fish received medicated feed (PP-25, 18.0±3.2%; PP-50, 18.2±2.8%; and PP-100, 17.7±1.8%) were found significantly lower (p<0.05) compared to a group of fish did not receive medicated feed (83.2±1.4%).
Conclusion: The findings of the present study indicated the huge potential of P. pellucida leaf extract as natural immunostimulator agent for aquaculture uses.
Keywords: Aeromonas hydrophila, immunostimulator, motile aeromonad septicemia, red hybrid tilapia.

Thursday 3 March 2016

Species-specific identification of adulteration in cooked mutton Rista (a Kashmiri Wazwan cuisine product) with beef and buffalo meat through multiplex polymerase chain reaction

Research (Published online: 03-03-2016)
1. Species-specific identification of adulteration in cooked mutton Rista (a Kashmiri Wazwan cuisine product) with beef and buffalo meat through multiplex polymerase chain reaction - M. Mansoor Bhat, Mir Salahuddin, Imtiyaz A. Mantoo, Sheikh Adil, Henna Jalal and M. Ashraf Pal
Veterinary World, 9(2): 226-230



   doi: 10.14202/vetworld.2016.226-230



Aim: Meat adulteration is a serious problem in the meat industry and needs to be tackled to ensure the authenticity of meat products and protect the consumers from being the victims. In view of such likely problem in indigenous meat products of Kashmiri cuisine (Wazwan), the present work was performed to study the detection of beef and buffalo meat in cooked mutton Rista by mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) based multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method under laboratory conditions.
Materials and Methods: Three experimental trials were conducted wherein the products were prepared from pure mutton, beef and buffalo meat, and their admixtures in the ratios of 60:20:20, 80:10:10, 90:05:05 and 98:01:01, respectively.
Results: The primers used in the study amplified the cyt b gene fragments of sizes 124 bp, 472 bp and 585 bp for buffalo, cattle and sheep, respectively. It was possible to detect cattle and buffalo meat at the level of 1% in the mixed meat cooked Rista. The multiplex PCR successfully amplified cyt b gene fragments of mtDNA of the target species and thus produced characteristic band pattern for each species. The band intensities of cattle and buffalo in the mixed meat Rista progressively decreased corresponding to their decreasing level from 20% to 1%. Processing, cooking (moist heating) and non-meat formulation ingredients had no effect on detection of meat species adulteration.
Conclusion: The multiplex PCR procedure standardized and developed in this study is simple, efficient, sensitive, reliable and highly specific for detecting falsification of cooked mutton product with beef and buffalo meat up to 1% level.
Keywords: meat adulteration, meat species identification, mitochondrial DNA, multiplex polymerase chain reaction.

Saturday 27 February 2016

Isolation and adaptation of bovine herpes virus Type 1 in embryonated chicken eggs and in Madin–Darby bovine kidney cell line

Research (Published online: 27-02-2016)
20. Isolation and adaptation of bovine herpes virus Type 1 in embryonated chicken eggs and in Madin–Darby bovine kidney cell line -Devprabha Samrath, Sanjay Shakya, Nidhi Rawat, Varsha Rani Gilhare and Fateh Singh
Veterinary World, 9(2): 222-225



   doi: 10.14202/vetworld.2016.222-225



Aim: Objective of the present study was to isolate bovine herpes virus Type 1 (BHV-1) from semen of infected bull and to adapt it onto embryonated eggs and Madin–Darby bovine kidney (MDBK) cell line. Further, the virus was identified by agar gel immunodiffusion (AGID) test.
Materials and Methods: Semen samples were collected from five BHV-1 positive bulls previously confirmed for the presence of antibodies against BHV-1 using avidin-biotin enzyme linked immunosorbent assay test. The virus from semen samples was adapted in chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) of 11-day-old embryonated chickens eggs and in MDBK cell line. The presence of BHV-1 in infected CAM and cell culture fluid was confirmed by AGID test.
Results: Virus infected CAM showed edema, congestion and thickening at first passage level. Small foci ranged from 1 to 2 mm in diameter, scattered all over the membrane were observed at first passage. More severe changes were observed in CAM after serial passaging. The large pock lesions, round in shape with opaque raised edge and depressed gray central area of necrosis ranged from 3 to 5 mm in diameter were developed at fourth passage. Blind passages in MDBK cell culture were made. The MDBK cell line at second passage level showed characteristic cytopathic effect viz. rounding of cells with shrinkage, followed by aggregation or clumping of cells which progressed rapidly and appeared as “bunch of grapes” at 72 h post inoculation. Few cells become elongated when compared with uninfected controls. A homogenate of CAM with distinct pock lesions and infected cell culture fluid developed precipitation line within 48 h against specific anti-BHV-1 immune serum by AGID test.
Conclusion: BHV-1 was easily adapted in CAM of chicken embryos and in MDBK cell line. Virus infected CAM and cell culture fluid showed precipitin band by AGID test.
Keywords: Bovine herpes virus Type 1, chorioallantoic membrane, cytopathic effect, Madin–Darby bovine kidney cell line, pock.

Friday 26 February 2016

Effect of extended photoperiod during winter on growth and onset of puberty in Murrah buffalo heifers

Research (Published online: 27-02-2016)
19. Effect of extended photoperiod during winter on growth and onset of puberty in Murrah buffalo heifers - Ashwani Kumar Roy, Mahendra Singh, Parveen Kumar and B. S. Bharath Kumar
Veterinary World, 9(2): 216-221



   doi: 10.14202/vetworld.2016.216-221



Aim: To investigate the effect of extended photoperiod on growth rate, hormonal levels, and puberty in Murrah heifers.
Materials and Methods: About 14 Murrah buffalo heifers were divided into normal day photoperiod (NDP; n=7) and extended NDP (ENDP; n=7) groups. The ENDP group was exposed to 4 h of extended photoperiod with artificial light (160 lux) after sunset for 3 months during winter.
Results: Group, age and group-by-age interaction effects on plasma glucose concentrations were non-significant (p>0.05). A significant effect of age on non-esterified fatty acids (p<0.05), cholesterol (p<0.01), and triglycerides (p<0.05) concentrations was observed. Group and group-by-age interaction effects on plasma T3, T4, leptin, 17 β estradiol, prolactin and melatonin concentrations were non-significant (p>0.05) while significant (p<0.05) age effect on T4, leptin and melatonin concentrations was observed. With respect to the circadian pattern of melatonin and prolactin, the group, time and groupby-time interaction effects were non-significant (p>0.05). Average daily gain and dry matter intake of heifers were nonsignificant between the NDP and ENDP groups but were comparatively higher in ENDP group. By the end of the experiment, 6 out of 7 heifers attained puberty in ENDP group in comparison to 4 out of 7 in NDP group.
Conclusion: Extending the photoperiod by artificial light for 4 h during winter season resulted in better growth rate and early onset of puberty in Murrah buffalo heifers.
Keywords: buffalo, leptin, melatonin, metabolites, photoperiod, prolactin, puberty.

Comparison of different diagnostic techniques for the detection of cryptosporidiosis in bovines

Research (Published online: 27-02-2016)
18. Comparison of different diagnostic techniques for the detection of cryptosporidiosis in bovines - H. K. M. Rekha, G. C. Puttalakshmamma and Placid E. D’Souza
Veterinary World, 9(2): 211-215



   doi: 10.14202/vetworld.2016.211-215



Aim: Aim of the present study was to compare different methods, viz., Sheather’s sugar flotation (SSF), Ziehl-Neelsen (ZN), Kinyoun’s acid-fast method (KAF), safranin-methylene blue staining (SMB), and negative staining techniques such as nigrosin staining, light green staining, and malachite green staining for the detection of Cryptosporidium spp. oocysts in bovines.
Materials and Methods: A total of 455 fecal samples from bovines were collected from private, government farms and from the clinical cases presented to Department of Medicine, Veterinary College, Bengaluru. They were subjected for SSF, ZN, KAF, SMB and negative staining methods.
Results: Out of 455 animal fecal samples screened 5.71% were found positive for Cryptosporidium spp. oocysts. The species were identified as Cryptosporidium parvum in calves and Cryptosporidium andersoni in adults based on the morphological characterization and micrometry of the oocysts.
Conclusions: Of all the techniques, fecal flotation with sheather’s was found to be more specific and sensitive method for the detection of Cryptosporidium spp. oocysts. Among the conventional staining methods, the SMB gives better differentiation between oocysts and yeast. Among the three negative staining methods, malachite green was found sensitive over the other methods.
Keywords: bovines, Cryptosporidium, Kinyoun’s acid-fast method, modified Ziehl–Neelsen, oocysts, safranin-methylene blue staining, SSF, diagnostic methods.

Evaluation of Emblica officinalis fruit powder as a growth promoter in commercial broiler chickens

Research (Published online: 27-02-2016)
17. Evaluation of Emblica officinalis fruit powder as a growth promoter in commercial broiler chickens - A. P. Patel, S. R. Bhagwat, M. M. Pawar, K. B. Prajapati, H. D. Chauhan and R. B. Makwana
Veterinary World, 9(2): 207-210



   doi: 10.14202/vetworld.2016.207-210



Aim: The present study was conducted to evaluate the dietary addition of Emblica officinalis (Amla) fruit powder as a growth promoter in commercial broiler chickens.
Materials and Methods: An experiment was conducted on 135 commercial broiler chicks (Ven-Cobb 400 strain) divided into three groups with three replicates of 15 chicks each. Three treatment groups were as follows – T1: Basal diet as per BIS standards; T2: Basal diet supplemented with 0.4% of E. officinalis fruit powder; and T3: Basal diet supplemented with 0.8% of E. officinalis fruit powder.
Results: The average body weights at the end of the 6th week were significantly higher (p<0.05) in groups T2 and T3 compared to group T1. Feed intake, feed conversion ratio and feed cost per kg live weight production were similar among the treatment groups. The net profit per bird was the highest in group T2 (Rs. 19.22/bird) followed by group T3 (Rs. 17.86/bird) and the lowest in group T1 (Rs. 14.61/bird).
Conclusion: Based on the results of the present study, it was concluded that dietary addition of E. officinalis (Amla) fruit powder had a positive effect on growth performance and net profit per bird in commercial broiler chickens.
Keywords: broiler chickens, Emblica officinalis, feed conversion ratio, growth performance.