Emerging Animal Species最新文献

The objective of present study was to ascertain the effect of dietary inclusion of moringa foliage on the performance of kids. Eighteen male kids were divided randomly into 3 groups and allocated to control (CON), COT and MOT groups. The kids in CON group fed with total mixed ration (TMR) consisting wheat straw and concentrate, however, kids in COT and MOT groups were offered TMRs replacing 25% wheat straw with cowpea and moringa foliage, respectively. The responses of various parameters were studied during 120 days of feeding. Intake of dry-matter (DM) and organic-matter (OM) was significantly (p < 0.05) higher in MOT relative to CON and COT groups; however, digestibility of various nutrients was comparable among treatment groups. Intake of digestible crude protein (DCP) and total digestible nutrients (TDN) was higher (p < 0.05) in MOT than CON. The intake and retention (gd⁻¹) of nitrogen (N) were significantly (p < 0.05) higher in MOT than COT and CON groups. The average daily gain (ADG, gd⁻¹) was significantly (p < 0.05) higher in MOT followed by COT and CON groups. Similarly, feed conversion ratio (FCR) was better (p < 0.05) in MOT and COT groups than CON. Haemoglobin (Hb), haematocrit, aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) were analogous amongst treatments. Serum glucose, total protein and globulin were found to be significantly higher in MOT and COT groups. The cholesterol and serum urea were decreased in MOT in comparison to CON. Serum growth hormone (GH), triiodothyronine (T₃), thyroxine (T₄) and cell mediated and humoral immune responses were significantly (p < 0.01) higher in MOT followed by COT and CON groups. Total antioxidant capacity was also found to be higher (p < 0.05) in MOT and COT groups. Dietary inclusion of moringa foliage as TMR substantially increased nutrient intake, metabolic profile, immunity and growth performance in goat kids.

Infections by the protozoan parasite, Toxoplasma gondii, are widely prevalent in humans and animals worldwide. Toxoplasmosis in several animal species in zoos is of both clinical and public health importance. Among captive animals, T. gondii infections in Australasian marsupials (kangaroos, wallabies), New World non-human primates (squirrel monkeys), certain wild felids (Pallas’ cats), and certain avian species (canaries and finches) can be devastating. Excretion of environmentally resistant oocysts by captive felids can contaminate the zoo environment and can be source of infections for visitors to zoo, zoo personnel, and animals in the zoo. Here, these aspects of T. gondii infections are reviewed, including prevention strategies.

This study aimed to assess the quality of the colostrum and passive immunity transfer in donkeys of the Nordestino ecotype using different methodologies, as well as to correlate the most precise methods with the most accessible ones. Fourteen female Nordestino donkeys between 3 and 7 years old with a mean live weight of 185 ± 30 kg and their newborns were studied. The donkeys and their foals were subjected to colostrum and blood collection, respectively, at four experimental times, namely 0, 6, 12, and 24 h after delivery. The methods used to evaluate the colostrum and blood serum included radial immunodiffusion (gold standard), refractometry, the biuret test, and bromatology. The results were subjected to analyses of variance, regression, and correlation. The colostrum of the donkeys was of great quality immediately after delivery, with a mean immunoglobulin G (IgG) concentration of 8.71 g/dL. The colostrum samples showed a strong correlation between the results of the radial immunodiffusion test and the Brix refractometry analyses. Newborns of the Nordestino ecotype were found to be born agammaglobulinemic, with a progressive increase in IgG concentration after colostrum intake; a maximum value of 3.07 g/dL IgG was recorded 17.9 h after delivery. The blood serum analysis of the newborns also revealed a good correlation between the results of the radial immunodiffusion test and total proteins as measured by refractometry. In conclusion, the colostrum of female Nordestino ecotype donkeys is of great quality, ensuring the effective transfer of immunoglobulins to their newborns.