The deleterious effect of postpartum pyometra on the reproductive indices, the metabolic profile, and oxidant/antioxidant parameters of dairy cows

Research (Published online: 05-02-2021)

4. The deleterious effect of postpartum pyometra on the reproductive indices, the metabolic profile, and oxidant/antioxidant parameters of dairy cows

Yahia A. Amin, Rana A. Ali, Samer S. Fouad and Rawia M. Ibrahim

Veterinary World, 14(2): 329-338

ABSTRACT

Background and Aim: Postpartum uterine infectious diseases, such as pyometra, have discrepancy with both health and, subsequently, productivity of dairy cows due to its high prevalence and the high cost of treatment. Therefore, this study investigates the influence of pyometra on the reproductive indices, the metabolic profile, and oxidant/antioxidant parameters of the pyometric animal compared to those of healthy ones.

Materials and Methods: The study included 30 cows. The animals were differentiated into two groups of 15 cows each: A group of pyometra and a control group. All pyometric cows were subjected to breeding soundness examination after the end of pyometra and were compared to the control group. Blood samples were obtained to assess the levels of glucose, non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA), triglycerides (TGs), cholesterol, albumin, total protein, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine, calcium (Ca), phosphorus, sodium, potassium, progesterone hormone (P4), malondialdehyde (MDA), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and superoxide dismutase.

Results: Results revealed significant prolonged duration of first estrus, the days open, and the required number of services due to pyometra. The pyometra group yielded increased levels of NEFA, TGs, ALP, BUN, creatinine, MDA, and progesterone hormone. In addition, significant decrease in the levels of glucose, cholesterol, albumin, Ca, phosphorus, sodium, TAC, GPx, and superoxide dismutase was observed in the pyometra group. Finally, no difference in the concentrations of total protein, ALT, AST, and potassium was observed in the pyometra group.

Conclusion: The reproductive indices was adversely influenced in cows with postpartum pyometra, and metabolic profile, involving energy balance signals and liver function indicators, revealed differences between the two groups. Increased levels of oxidative stress parameters and decrease levels of antioxidant levels were also found, suggesting that pyometra is an incentive for oxidative stress. Overall, checking the energy balance, metabolic imbalances, and oxidant/antioxidant profile, accompanied with pre-emptive procedures during the postpartum period, is essential and can reduce the chances of such diseases and possible noxious results in highly productive cows.

Keywords: dairy cows, metabolic profile, oxidant/antioxidant parameters, postpartum pyometra, reproductive indices.

The use of probiotics in animal feeding for safe production and as potential alternatives to antibiotics

Review (Published online: 03-02-2021)

3. The use of probiotics in animal feeding for safe production and as potential alternatives to antibiotics

Mbarga M. J. Arsène, Anyutoulou K. L. Davares, Smolyakova L. Andreevna, Ermolaev A. Vladimirovich, Bassa Z. Carime, Razan Marouf and Ibrahim Khelifi

Veterinary World, 14(2): 319-328

ABSTRACT

Although the production of safe food for human consumption is the primary purpose for animal rearing, the environment and well-being of the animals must also be taken into consideration. Based on microbiological point of view, the production of healthy food from animals involves considering foodborne pathogens, on the one hand and on the other hand, the methods used to fight against germs during breeding. The conventional method to control or prevent bacterial infections in farming is the use antibiotics. However, the banning of these compounds as growth promoters caused many changes in animal breeding and their use has since been limited to the treatment and prevention of bacterial infections. In this function, their importance no longer needs to be demonstrated, but unfortunately, their excessive and abusive use have led to a double problem which can have harmful consequences on consumer health: Resistance to antibiotics and the presence of antibiotic residues in food. The use of probiotics appears to be a suitable alternative to overcome these problems because of their ability to modulate the immune system and intestinal microflora, and further considering their antagonistic role against certain pathogenic bacteria and their ability to play the role of growth factor (sometimes associated with prebiotics) when used as feed additives. This review aims to highlight some of the negative effects of the use of antibiotics in animal rearing as well as emphasize the current knowledge on the use of probiotics as a feed additive, their influence on animal production and their potential utility as an alternative to conventional antibiotics, particularly in poultry, pig, and fish farming.

Keywords: animal nutrition, antibiotic resistance, feed additive, fish farming, pig, poultry, probiotic, safe production.

Clinical, hematological, and biochemical studies on hypozincemia in neonatal calves in Egypt

Research (Published online: 03-02-2021)

2. Clinical, hematological, and biochemical studies on hypozincemia in neonatal calves in Egypt

Mamdouh M. El-Maghraby and Ahmed E. Mahmoud

Veterinary World, 14(2): 314-318

ABSTRACT

Background and Aim: Zinc has a wide spectrum of biological activities and its deficiency has been related to various dysfunctions. This study aimed to clarify the clinical, hematological, and biochemical changes in Holstein dairy calves with naturally occurring hypozincemia before and after treatment.

Materials and Methods: This study was carried out on 25 Holstein dairy calves <1 month of age in the El-Salhya Dairy Farm, Al-Sharqiya Province, Egypt. Calves were born from apparent healthy dams without any clinical signs of zinc deficiency. They were divided into two groups. The first group (G1) included five clinically healthy calves that were used as controls. The second group (G2) included 20 calves suffering from alopecia and skin lesions. The diseased calves were then treated by oral administration of zinc oxide at the rate of 80 mg/day for 10 successive days and then 20 mg/week for 2 weeks (G3). A total of 90 samples, whole blood and serum samples were collected during the study across all groups. Whole blood was evaluated for complete blood count and serum was used to estimate total protein, albumin, globulin, zinc, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, and the activity of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and aspartate aminotransferase.

Results: The diseased calves had macrocytic normochromic anemia. Total leukocytes, neutrophils, and lymphocytes were significantly reduced in the diseased calves than in the control and treated groups. Biochemical analysis of serum revealed a highly significant decrease in the globulin, zinc, and calcium concentrations in the diseased calves than in the control and treated groups. ALP activity was significantly lower in the diseased and treated calves than in control. There were no differences in any other parameters between the groups.

Conclusion: Zinc deficiency naturally occurring in calves caused clinical, hematological, and biochemical alterations such as alopecia, skin abnormalities, and macrocytic normochromic anemia. In addition, zinc deficiency altered the cell-mediated immunity as indicated by leukopenia and lymphopenia. These alterations were improved by oral administration of zinc oxide.

Keywords: alopecia, calf, complete blood count, skin lesions, zinc deficiency.

Anthelmintic resistance and prevalence of gastrointestinal nematodes infecting sheep in Limpopo Province, South Africa

Research (Published online: 02-02-2021)

1. Anthelmintic resistance and prevalence of gastrointestinal nematodes infecting sheep in Limpopo Province, South Africa

Morutse Mphahlele, Ana M. Tsotetsi-Khambule, Rebone Moerane, Dennis M. Komape and Oriel M. M. Thekisoe

Veterinary World, 14(2): 302-313

ABSTRACT

Background and Aim: Previous studies recorded the prevalence of gastrointestinal nematodes (GIN) in Limpopo Province. However, the studies did not address the seasonal patterns of infection and did not cover all districts of Limpopo Province, namely; Capricorn, Sekhukhune, Waterberg, Mopani, and Vhembe. It is, therefore, important to provide up to date information on the prevalence and seasonal occurrence data of GIN in all districts of Limpopo province. The present study was conducted to determine the occurrence of anthelmintic resistance (AR) and document the prevalence of GIN infecting sheep in five districts of Limpopo Province, South Africa.

Materials and Methods: Forty animals in each district were used for fecal egg count reduction test (FECRT) to determine AR against ivermectin (0.2 mg/kg), levamisole (LEV) (5 mg/kg), and albendazole (7.5 mg/kg). Egg hatch test (EHT) was used to determine AR against thiabendazole (TBZ) and micro-agar larval development test (MALDT) was used for both TBZ and LEV. Naturally, infected sheep (n=780) were sampled for prevalence across five districts of Limpopo. FAMACHA© eye-color score estimations were also performed for each study animal.

Results: FECRT showed occurrence of AR in most of the districts and a few with suspected resistance. EHT results showed AR development against TBZ for all districts, while the MALDT showed no AR against LEV in all districts, but detected AR against TBZ in Sekhukhune, Capricorn, and Waterberg. Haemonchus contortus was the most resistant species. A high nematode prevalence (88-100%) and 1210-1861 eggs per gram (EPG) was observed in all districts during the hot wet season, decreasing to 75-80% (453-1202 EPG) during the cold dry season. The sheep revealed a FAMACHA© mean score of 3, indicating mild anemia during the hot wet season except for Vhembe district that revealed a FAMACHA© mean score of 4 during the hot wet season, indicating anemia.

Conclusion: AR recorded in Limpopo Province may be due to under-dosing caused by lack of weighing equipment and high treatment frequencies due to lack of proper training on anthelmintic use. The detection of AR in Limpopo is an important finding because it will help in outlining effective management systems against GIN.

Keywords: anthelmintic resistance, fecal egg counts, FAMACHA, seasonal prevalence, sheep.

Chemical composition and antioxidant content of Thymus vulgaris honey and Origanum vulgare essential oil; their effect on carbon tetrachloride-induced toxicity

Research (Published online: 30-01-2021)

38. Chemical composition and antioxidant content of Thymus vulgaris honey and Origanum vulgare essential oil; their effect on carbon tetrachloride-induced toxicity

Hamada Imtara, Noori Al-Waili, Abderrazak Aboulghazi, Abdelfattah Abdellaoui, Thia Al-Waili and Badiaa Lyoussi

Veterinary World, 14(1): 292-301

ABSTRACT

Aim: The study investigated the chemical composition, antioxidant content, and antioxidant activity of Thymus vulgaris honey (TVH) and Origanum vulgare essential oil (OVEO) and their mixture effect on carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced toxicity.

Materials and Methods: The study conducted physicochemical characterization and chemical analysis of TVH and OVEO with the use of gas chromatography–mass spectrometry and high-performance liquid chromatograph (HPLC). The antioxidant activity of TVH and OVEO was done with the use of 1,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity. The study used nine groups of rats to investigate the effect of TVH, OVEO, and a mixture of TVH and OVEO (HEM) on CCl4-induced toxicity. Intraperitoneal injection of CCl4 (1 mL/100 g) was used to induce toxicity. The doses of TVH and OVEO were 1 mg/kg.b.wt, and 50 mg/kg.b.wt, respectively. HEM contains TVH (1 mg/kg.b.wt) and OVEO (50 mg/kg.b.wt).

Results: TVH has a high content of phenols, flavonoids, and flavanols. HPLC analysis showed that TVH contains, for the 1st time, epicatechin gallate, and at a high concentration. OVEO includes a high percentage of carvacrol and thymol. With the use of DPPH, OVEO was more potent than TVH. CCl4 caused significant liver and kidney damage and lipid disorders, which were alleviated by HVT, OVEO, and HEM. HVT was more potent than OVEO (p<0.05), and HEM was more potent than HVT and OVEO (p<0.05).

Conclusion: The study identified high content of epicatechin gallate for the 1st time in TVH, and OVEO contains a high percentage of thymol and carvacrol. Epicatechin gallate might be useful as a marker for TVH. Mixing OVEO and TVH significantly potentiated their protection against CCl4-induced liver and kidney toxicity.

Keywords: antioxidants, carbon tetrachloride, Origanum vulgare essential oil, thymus honey, toxicity.

Randomly amplified polymorphic DNA analysis of Staphylococcus chromogenes isolated from bovine and bubaline mastitis in Karnataka

Research (Published online: 30-01-2021)

37. Randomly amplified polymorphic DNA analysis of Staphylococcus chromogenes isolated from bovine and bubaline mastitis in Karnataka

P. Sheela, Malathi Shekar, Shrikrishna Isloor, D. Rathnamma, B. M. Veeregowda, M. L. Satyanarayana, S. Sundareshan, B. E. Shambulingappa and Nagendra R. Hegde

Veterinary World, 14(1): 285-291

ABSTRACT

Background and Aim: In recent times, non-aureus staphylococci (NAS) have emerged as the major organisms isolated from mastitis cases in dairy animals, with a predominance of Staphylococcus epidermidis and Staphylococcus chromogenes. As compared to Staphylococcus aureus, much less is known about the molecular types or the spatiotemporal epidemiology of these NAS species. In the present study, randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) was employed to detect genetic polymorphisms, intraspecies diversity, and epidemiology of S. chromogenes strains (n=37) isolated from bovine and bubaline mastitis cases in the state of Karnataka.

Materials and Methods: Thirty-seven S. chromogenes isolates (14 from bovines and 23 from bubaline) isolated from subclinical mastitis cases, from organized and unorganized sectors, were subjected to RAPD typing. Further, methicillin resistance was determined by cefoxitin disk diffusion method.

Results: The amplified DNA fragments ranged from 150 to 3000 base pairs and yielded several RAPD profiles. Further analysis using Digital Image Correlation Engine correlation coefficient and UPGMA method showed that the 37 isolates could be classified into 12 distinct RAPD types (A to L) at 62% similarity (D=0.889). Four of the most predominant RAPD types, B, A, C, and E, in that order, and together, represented 65% of the isolates. High diversity was observed among the isolates both within farms and between geographic locations. Most of the isolates exhibited methicillin resistance. This is the first such report from India.

Conclusion: In the absence of defined multilocus sequence type protocols or sufficient sequences available in the public domain, RAPD can be employed to determine genetic diversity of S. chromogenes isolates.

Keywords: mastitis, methicillin resistance, non-aureus staphylococci, randomly amplified polymorphic DNA, Staphylococcus chromogenes.

Phylogenetic relationship and genotype variation of six Newcastle disease viruses isolated from duck in Indonesia

Research (Published online: 30-01-2021)

36. Phylogenetic relationship and genotype variation of six Newcastle disease viruses isolated from duck in Indonesia

Naimah Putri, Rahaju Ernawati, Jola Rahmahani, Suwarno Suwarno and Fedik Abdul Rantam

Veterinary World, 14(1): 276-284

Background and Aim: Newcastle disease viruses (NDVs) are frequently acquired from all ages and types of bird species. In general, ducks are considered as potential reservoirs for different genotypes of NDV and are resistant even to velogenic NDV strains. This research was conducted to genotypically and phylogenetically characterize NDV isolates collected from unvaccinated ducks from Indonesia.

Materials and Methods: A total of 200 samples were collected through cloacal swabs and were inoculated in the allantoic sacs of 8-day-old specific pathogen-free eggs. Hemagglutination (HA) activity was analyzed through a HA test, and isolated viruses were characterized by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction targeting the complete fusion (F)-gene of NDV using three primer sets. One primer set was specific for the F protein cleavage site sequences of velogenic, mesogenic, and lentogenic NDV strains.

Results: The results demonstrated that three isolates (NDV/Duck/B104/19, NDV/Duck/B125/19, and NDV/Duck/ BK43/19) belonged to genotype VII and one (NDV/Duck/TD19/19) to genotype VI. Other isolates (NDV/Duck/A74/19 and NDV/Duck/M147/19) belonged to genotype II Class II. Based on the F protein cleavage site and the pathogenicity tests, two isolates (NDV/Duck/B104/19 and NDV/Duck/B125/19) were categorized as velogenic viruses and four (NDV/Duck/ BK43/19, NDV/Duck/TD19/19, NDV/Duck/A74/19, and NDV/Duck/M147/19) as lentogenic viruses.

Conclusion: The results indicate that NDVs from unvaccinated ducks from Indonesia carry various genotypes and pathotypes of NDVs; therefore, these viruses are still circulating in the environment and might pose a risk of Newcastle disease outbreak.

Keywords: duck, F gene, genotype variation, Indonesia, Newcastle disease virus, phylogenetic relationship.