Open Veterinary Journal最新文献

Background: Creole goat husbandry for milk and meat improves food security in rural areas in Perú. Body weight (BW) is a key trait for selecting breeding stock, and it is estimated to be using algorithms. Likewise, BW is common in livestock farming.

Aim: This study aimed to compare BW prediction models using a data mining algorithm in Creole goats, considering their biometric measurements.

Methods: Data from 1,075 females aged between 1 and 4 years were used. Measurements of chest width, thoracic perimeter, wither height, sacrum height, rump width and length, body length, cannon bone perimeter, age, and region of the herd were recorded. The regression trees (classification and regression tree), support vector regression (SVR), and random forest regression (RFR) algorithms were used.

Results: The SVR was better at predicting BWs in Creole goat herds. Similarly, the results were stable during training (R ² = 0.765) and testing (R ² = 0.707). However, it should be noted that RFR performed better with training data (R ² = 0.942).

Conclusion: The proposed predictive models have demonstrated significant potential for accurately predicting BW based on biometric data. Finally, it contributes to better selection, feeding, and sanitary management of Creole goats.

Background: Japanese quails (Coturnix japonica) are a poultry species that is kept for meat and egg production. Genetic improvement in Japanese quails is important to increase quail farmers' income. Molecular selection can be applied in Japanese quails to increase productivity traits.

Aim: This study aimed to determine the effects of coturnine NR2E1 gene polymorphism on slaughter weight, carcass weight (CW), and carcass percentage (CP).

Methods: Fifty female Japanese quails (Coturnix japonica) were used as experimental birds. The birds were maintained under an intensive management system. A method based on polymerase chain reaction (PCR) followed by restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis was used to detect a g.462C>G mutation site on the NR2E1/PstI gene.

Results: The results showed that the genetic diversity in the mutation site under study was high, with a polymorphic informative content value of more than 0.30. In addition, three genotypes of CC, CG, and GG were observed in the birds under study, with allele frequencies of 0.42 (C) and 0.58 (G). According to the Chi-square (χ²) value, the genetic diversity in the studied birds was not under genetic equilibrium (χ²>5.99). Nonetheless, polymorphism in g.462C>G was not significantly associated with the economic traits of the studied birds. Nonetheless, the heterozygous birds had higher CW and CP traits than other genotypes.

Conclusion: The coturnine NR2E1/PstI gene was polymorphic with high genetic diversity. However, no significant association was found between the NR2E1/Pst1 gene polymorphism and economic traits for Japanese quails under study. In the future, in-depth research on the coturnine NR2E1 gene involving a large sample and different gene regions is important to accurately obtain the genetic marker for economic traits.

Background: Newcastle disease is an extremely contagious and economically damaging poultry disease caused by Avian orthoavulavirus 1 [Newcastle disease virus (NDV)], a member of Paramyxoviridae.

Aim: This study was conducted as a systematic review and meta-analysis aimed at assessing NDV prevalence among poultry populations in mainland China.

Methods: A total of 25 relevant epidemiological studies published between 1979 and 2023 were analyzed following the MOOSE guidelines.

Results: Our meta-analysis revealed an overall NDV prevalence of 2.17% (95% CI: 1.95%-2.42%) with significant heterogeneity (I ² = 97.1%, p < 0.001). Southern China exhibited the highest individual study prevalence, while southwestern regions reported the lowest (0.32%). No aggregated regional prevalence exceeded 10%, suggesting localized outbreaks. Prevalence decreased from 3.19% (before 2013) to 1.03% (post-2013 era), reflecting improved biosecurity and vaccination. RT-PCR-based studies showed lower heterogeneity (I ² = 89.5%) compared to serological assays (I ² = 97.1%), highlighting the challenges in comparing prevalence estimates across different diagnostic methods and underscoring the need for standardized diagnostics.emphasizing the need for standardized diagnostics. Publication Bias: Funnel plot asymmetry indicated underrepresentation of small-scale studies (p = 0.003).

Conclusion: These results highlight persistent NDV challenges in high-density poultry areas (e.g., southern China) and underscore the importance of molecular diagnostics (RT-PCR) for accurate surveillance. Given persistent hotspots in high-density poultry areas (e.g., Guangdong), targeted vaccination and region-specific biosecurity measures are critical to mitigating NDV transmission.

Trypanosoma equiperdum is a protozoan parasite that causes the sexually transmitted disease known as "dourine" in horses. This chronic illness is directly spread from one animal to another during mating. Doflein proposed the name T. equiperdum in 1901. Despite being distributed worldwide, the broad use of artificial insemination technology over the past three decades has resulted in only a few cases being documented. The condition is typically fatal and is characterized by gradual emaciation, nervous system involvement, and edematous lesions of the genitals. The incubation period between exposure and the onset of clinical symptoms varies widely, ranging from a few weeks to several years. The diagnosis of dourine can be challenging because of factors such as a lack of knowledge about the parasite and host-parasite interactions following infection. However, in reality, the diagnosis is based on clinical evidence backed by molecular and serological testing. Coital exanthema, surra, infectious anemia in horses, viral arthritis in horses, and purulent endometritis cause such infectious equine metritis are examples of differential diagnosis. Coital exanthema, surra, equine infectious anemia, viral arthritis, and purulent endometritis are examples of conditions that should be considered in the differential diagnosis of infectious equine metritis. Dourine is the only trypanosomiasis that is not spread by an insect vector. Treatment is generally not advised in dourine-free areas due to the possibility of asymptomatic carrier animals and the concern that treated animals may continue to spread the disease. Dourine vaccination does not yet exist. Thus, preventing dourine is dependent on achieving an infection-free status, which is accomplished by checking the blood for T. equiperdum antibodies.

Background: Terminal crossbreeding strategies combine prolific maternal lines with growth-oriented sires to enhance lamb productivity and carcass traits. Lamb meat production sustainability depends on genetic efficiency and seasonal adaptability.

Aim: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of birth season and maternal genotype on reproductive performance, survival rates, and growth traits in lambs produced by Charollais rams crossed with Romanov × Akkaraman (RA) and Romanov × Morkaraman (RM) F1 ewes.

Methods: Charollais rams (n = 4) were used to artificially inseminate RA (n = 40) and RM (n = 40) F1 ewes. Reproductive traits, survival rates, and weaning data were recorded. The influence of seasonal lambing (spring vs. summer), hormonal synchronization protocols, and type of parturition on lamb productivity was analyzed. Statistical analyses were conducted to assess the significance of litter size and growth metrics.

Results: RM ewes showed a 13% higher lamb number at birth, whereas RA ewes had a 4.9% advantage at weaning. The survival rates were 12% higher in lambs from RA ewes. Spring lambing resulted in significantly larger litter sizes than summer lambing (p < 0.01). Lambs born in summer exhibited superior body weights. Hormonal synchronization positively influenced the outcomes of birth and weaning.

Conclusion: F1 maternal lines derived from Romanov crosses, especially under managed breeding strategies, offer promising results for enhancing lamb production efficiency and productivity under semi-intensive conditions.

Background: Stress is a disorder that causes an imbalance in an organism's internal environment, which can result in negative impacts such as discomfort and even death. Stressor induction with noise exposure of more than 110 dB can result in decreased organ function and angiogenesis.

Aim: This study aimed to determine the effect of nanocurcumin administration in pregnant mice induced by 135 dB noise for 40 minutes on the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) in the uterus.

Methods: A post-test control group design was used with a sample of 25 female mice divided into five treatment groups. The division of the groups was based on (C-) not given treatment; (C+) induced by 135 dB noise for 40 minutes without being given nanocurcumin; (P1) induced by 135 dB noise for 40 minutes and given 14 mg/Kg body weight (BW) nanocurcumin; (P2) induced by noise of 135 dB for 40 minutes and nanocurcumin 21 mg/Kg BW; and (P3) induced by noise of 135 dB for 40 minutes and nanocurcumin 24.5 mg/Kg BW. VEGF and TGF-β expression were measured using immunohistochemistry.

Results: Treatment 3 (P3), with exposure to noise of 135 dB for 40 minutes and administration of nanocurcumin 24.5 mg/Kg BW, increased VEGF and TGF expression by 3.55% and TGF-β expression by 1.79% compared to (C-), but P3 experienced a decrease in VEGF and TGF expression by 10.52% and TGF-β expression by 21.1% when compared to (C+).

Conclusion: Nanocurcumin demonstrated strong anti-inflammatory activity by modulating VEGF and TGF-β expression in the uterus of pregnant mice exposed to high-intensity noise stress, particularly at a dose of 24.5 mg/kg BW.

Background: Trypanosoma evansi is a protozoan parasite that causes trypanosomiasis, referred to as ‟surra." It affects a wide variety of both wild and domesticated species on many continents. The primary host species differ geographically; however, camelids, equine, buffalo, and farm animals are at risk of infection. In vector-borne sickness, numerous species of blood-consuming flies, along with Tabanids and Stomoxys, are involved in transporting pathogens from one animal to another, acting as mechanical vectors.

Aim: This study was established to evaluate the prevalence of T. evansi in sheep in Baghdad and investigate the impact of age and sex on the infection rate.

Methods: A total of 200 blood samples were obtained from October 2023 to March 2024. These samples were examined using Giemsa stain under a light microscope, and 40 positive samples were selected for further investigation using conventional polymerase chain reaction (PCR).

Results: The results showed an infection rate of 20%, with significant differences observed between male and female sheep. Younger sheep were found to be significantly more affected than older ones. Ten PCR-detected samples were randomly selected for DNA molecular analysis to obtain ITS-1 gene nucleotide sequences. The PCR product exhibited a band size of 1,264 bp, and the sequences were deposited in the National Center for Biotechnology Information under the following code numbers: PP930358.1, PP930353.1, PP930350.1, PP930357.1, PP930356.1, PP930351.1, PP930359.1, PP930352.1, PP930354.1, and PP930355.1.

Conclusion: The current study results indicate that T. evansi occurs and circulates in sheep and confirm that the molecular approach for detecting DNA of Trypanosoma species by the use of ITS1 makes it a highly dependable assay for species recognition of this parasite.

Background: The combined effects of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), omega-6 fatty acids, and medicinal plants such as fennel powder and thyme have not been fully investigated in laying hens. Their potential synergistic impact on production traits, blood parameters, and reproductive performance in Lohman selected leghorn (LSL) laying hens remains unclear.

Aim: This study investigated the effects of different dietary levels of CLA and omega-6 fatty acids, combined with medicinal plant supplements (fennel and thyme powder), on productive performance and egg quality traits in Lohmann LSL laying hens. Blood lipid profiles, ovarian follicle development, and liver health were also evaluated.

Methods: Sixty 34-week-old hens (1.5 ± 0.2 kg) were divided into four treatments with five replicates (three hens per replicate) over 42 days. Treatments included: control (no additives), T1 (0.025% CLA/omega-6 + 0.025% medicinal plants), T2 (0.0375% CLA/omega-6 + 0.0375% medicinal plants), and T3 (0.05% CLA/omega-6 + 0.05% medicinal plants). Production performance, egg quality, blood lipid parameters, ovarian follicle activity, and liver fat content were assessed.

Results: Hens fed T2 treatment (0.075% each of CLA/omega-6 and medicinal plants) showed superior production traits (p < 0.05). Egg production percentage significantly differed between treatments and control (89.31% vs. 87.07%, p < 0.05). Haugh unit scores improved with higher supplementation levels (82.14 vs. 78.66 for T3 vs. control, p < 0.05). Blood cholesterol levels decreased in supplemented groups (131.16 mg/dl in T2 vs. 148.75 mg/dl in control, p < 0.05). Liver fat percentage was significantly reduced in T2 and T3 groups (34.38% and 33.79% vs. 39.43% in control, p < 0.05). Large yellow follicle weight increased in T2 treatment (43.83 vs. 37.79 g in control, p < 0.05).

Conclusion: Dietary inclusion of 0.075% (0.0375% CLA/omega-6 combined with 0.0375% medicinal plants) optimized production performance, egg quality, blood lipid profiles, and reproductive health in Lohman LSL hens. This supplementation level demonstrated the most pronounced benefits for enhancing poultry productivity and metabolic health.

Background: Several studies have reported infections with Helicobacter (H) pylori in different veterinary species, raising concerns about the zoonotic potential of this gastric ulcer and cancer-causing pathogen.

Aim: The present study was conducted to test the presence of anti-H. pylori antibodies in serum collected from different animal species in the Eastern Region of Saudi Arabia. In addition, the impact of some physiologic factors, including age, gender, breed, and reproduction status of animals, on the prevalence of H. pylori in the livestock species studied was discussed.

Methods: This study was conducted on 288 animals kept at different farms in the Eastern Region of Saudi Arabia. The animals included 120 cattle, 88 camels, 18 sheep, and 62 goats. The prevalence of anti-H. pylori antibodies in animal serum samples were investigated using a commercial indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kit along with a protein A/G conjugate, enabling antibody detection in multiple species. Samples with OD_sample /OD_control ≥ 1.1 were considered positive. Samples with an OD_sample/ OD_control ratio ≥ 0.8 to < 1.1 were considered borderline positive. Samples with OD_sample/OD_control < 0.8 were considered negative.

Results: Seroprevalence ratios were calculated as percentages of positive samples related to the total number of samples tested for each species. The results revealed the presence of H. pylori antibodies in serum samples collected from cattle, camel, and goat, with the highest prevalence observed in cattle. For all species, 16 samples were positive for H. pylori with an overall prevalence of 5.6%, 24 samples (8.3%) were considered borderline, and 248 samples (86.1%) were negative. The highest seroprevalence was found in the cattle population (10% seropositive and 15% borderline positive), followed by goats (3.2% seropositive and 3.2% borderline positive) and camels (2.2% seropositive and 4.5% borderline positive). All tested sheep samples were negative for H. pylori antibodies.

Conclusion: To the best of our knowledge, this study represents the first report on the prevalence of H. pylori antibodies in serum from different animal species in Saudi Arabia. The results of the current study support the potential role of ruminants as a natural reservoir of H. pylori, highlighting the need for further research to investigate the zoonotic potential of this bacterium and the role of animals in human infections with this pathogen in Saudi Arabia.

Background: Canine prostatic carcinoma (PC) is an uncommon neoplasia characterized by aggressive biological behavior. Treatment options include surgery (partial or total prostatectomy), radiation therapy (RT), and medical treatment [non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), chemotherapy, or tyrosine kinase inhibitors]. Electrochemotherapy (ECT) is a local treatment modality increasingly used in human and veterinary oncology.

Aim: This retrospective multi-institutional study aimed to assess the safety, feasibility, and preliminary efficacy of ECT as a treatment for canine PC.

Methods: Dogs with cytologically or histologically confirmed PC treated with ECT as first-line therapy were included in this study. Dogs with distant metastases or those previously treated with surgery, RT, or chemotherapy were excluded. The clinical response was evaluated based on the improvement of clinical signs and reduction in tumor volume. Adverse effects, time to progression, and median survival time (MST) were recorded.

Results: Nine dogs were enrolled in this study. All but two dogs were neutered. Regional lymph node metastases were present in two patients (22%). Metastatic lymph nodes were treated concurrently with ECT in one patient. Three patients (33%) had a partial response, three (33%) had stable disease, 2 (22%) had progressive disease, and one had a complete response. The overall response rate, including complete and partial responses, was 44%. The median TTP was 74 days, and MST was 70 days. The treatment was well tolerated, with no observed local or systemic adverse effects.

Conclusion: This preliminary study showed that ECT is a safe and well-tolerated local therapy, although survival outcomes were modest compared with those of surgery, RT, or medical treatment. Further controlled, prospective studies are needed to better define its role as a therapeutic option.