Veterinary Medicine and Science最新文献

Background: Optimal incubation temperature and in ovo feeding strategies during incubation are crucial for ideal performance and welfare of chicks.

Objective: This study investigated the effects of incubation temperature and early in ovo feeding on hatchability, internal organ development, bone mineralisation and blood metabolites in broiler chicks.

Methods: A total of 1200 eggs from 58-week-old Arbor Acre breeders, averaging 62 ± 1 g, were incubated in separate dual-system automatic incubators (Senjie series DZ 47-53) at specified temperatures and 60% humidity. A total of 400 eggs were randomly assigned to three incubation temperature treatments, with four replicates per treatment, based on predetermined air temperatures of 36.5°C, 37.0°C and 37.5°C, maintained from embryonic day (ED) 1 until ED 18. On ED 10, eggs were candled, and each temperature group was further divided into three subgroups: the first serving as a control, where eggs were perforated but not injected; the second receiving an in ovo injection of glucose solution (5 mg/mL); and the third receiving an in ovo injection of vitamin-D3 solution (25 mg/mL). The supplements were administered 0.2 mL at egg level in the air sac.

Results: Hatchability showed a clear temperature-dependent response, reaching a maximum of 89.86% in glucose-injected eggs at 37.5°C and decreasing to 48.33% in vitamin-D3 injected eggs at 36.5°C (p < 0. 05). Bone mineral content was influenced by interactions between incubation temperature and feeding, with calcium highest in glucose-fed chicks incubated at 37.0°C, while phosphorus was highest in control eggs incubated at 36.5°C (p < 0.05). By Day 21, chicks fed vitamin-D3 consistently demonstrated lower cholesterol levels, whereas those fed glucose and controls showed higher alkaline phosphatase activity under increased incubation temperatures (p < 0.05).

Conclusion: Optimal results were achieved with glucose injection at 37.0°C and 37.5°C, improving hatchability, intestinal development and bone mineralisation, whereas vitamin-D3 supplementation at lower temperatures negatively impacted hatchability and metabolic balance.

Background: Neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) is a glycoprotein involved in immune responses and inflammation, with established diagnostic utility in acute kidney injury (AKI) and systemic diseases. However, reference values for NGAL in healthy horses, particularly the Turkmen breed, remain poorly defined.

Aims/objective: This study aimed to establish reference values for serum NGAL concentrations in healthy Turkmen horses and to evaluate the influence of age, sex, pregnancy status and physical activity on its levels, as well as its correlations with haematological and serum biochemical variables.

Methods: Serum samples were collected from 90 clinically healthy Turkmen horses, categorized by age (<2 years, 2-8 years, >8 years), sex (male, female and castrated), pregnancy status and physical activity levels. NGAL concentrations were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and statistical analyses were performed to assess associations with physiological factors.

Results: The median serum NGAL concentration was 0.9 ng/mL, with 2.5th and 97.5th percentiles of 0.38 and 2.55 ng/mL, respectively. No significant differences in NGAL levels were observed between sexes or age groups, although horses aged <2 years exhibited the highest median NGAL concentration (1.04 ng/mL). Pregnancy and physical activity were associated with slightly higher NGAL levels, but these differences were not statistically significant (p > 0.05). This study provides the first reference values for serum NGAL in healthy Turkmen horses, highlighting its potential diagnostic relevance in monitoring physiological factors such as pregnancy and activity.

Conclusions: Further research is needed to explore NGAL's role in equine renal health and systemic diseases and to evaluate its utility in combination with other biomarkers for an early detection of inflammatory conditions.

This study evaluated the effects of dietary supplementation with garlic extract, mannan oligosaccharide (MOS) and their combinations on growth performance, immunity, gut morphology and microbiota in broilers. A total of 250 Hubbard chicks were allocated into five groups: control (basal diet), garlic extract, MOS, Combo-I (half doses of both) and Combo-II (full doses of both). The trial lasted 42 days under standard management conditions. Results demonstrated that Combo-I consistently improved body weight gain and feed conversion ratio (FCR) during the starter, grower and finisher phases (p < 0.05), highlighting a synergistic effect of the combined supplements. Carcass weight was significantly enhanced in Combo-II (p = 0.03), although dressing percentage and organ weights were not affected (p > 0.05). Immunological parameters were strongly influenced by supplementation. Combo-I induced the highest antibody titres against Newcastle disease and infectious bursal disease (p < 0.05), with Combo-II ranking second, whereas single additives showed moderate improvements compared to the control. Similarly, serum immunoglobulin concentrations (IgM, IgA and IgG) were greatest in Combo-I, confirming enhanced humoral immunity. Gut morphology was significantly improved in the combination groups, particularly Combo-I, which showed increased villus height, wider villi, reduced crypt depth, and the highest villus:crypt ratio (p < 0.05), reflecting superior absorptive potential. Although differences in ileal microbiota were not statistically significant, both combination treatments reduced Escherichia coli and Salmonella counts while promoting Lactobacillus spp. populations. In conclusion, the combined use of garlic extract and MOS, especially at half doses (Combo-I), optimally improved growth, immune response, gut architecture and microbial balance, offering a synergistic strategy for enhancing broiler performance.

Dogs, being companion animals, serve a variety of economic, social and cultural purposes. However, diseases caused by the tick-borne protozoans are drawing attention globally due to their zoonotic transmission. In this context, the present study aimed to observe the occurrence of tick-borne protozoan infections as well as some selective haematological parameters of stray dogs in Dhaka city, Bangladesh. A total of 160 dogs from various places were selected randomly and examined for both tick and protozoan infection. Only one species of hard tick, Rhipicephalus sanguineus, was identified, where 49 (30.62%) among the study population were found to be infested with this tick. Ticks ranging from 1-16 were removed from dogs, where most of the ticks were collected from the neck and chest regions (P < 0.001). On the other hand, examinations of blood smears confirmed three protozoan species (Babesia canis, Babesia gibsoni and Hepatozoon spp.) comprising 23.13% of the overall infection. Among the protozoan species, B. canis (11.88%) was the most prevalent protozoan. Subsequently, only 10.81% of the infected samples showed multiple infections. In both cases, females were more infected than males. Among the haematological parameters, the RBC counts, haemoglobin and PCV of all infected dogs were significantly lower (P < 0.001) compared to the non-infected group. Moreover, the eosinophils of the infected groups showed higher values (11.00 % and 12.70% for protozoa and ticks, respectively) than the normal range, indicating parasitic infections. Therefore, these results suggest the necessity of frequent blood examinations to enhance animals' welfare and disease prevention.

This study investigates the morphological and morphometric characteristics of the heart and great arteries in the common pheasant (Phasianus colchicus). Five adult male bird were used. Different morphometric and histomorphometric parameters in the heart and its great arteries were measured. Detailed structure of the heart chambers was investigated using scanning electron microscope (SEM). The expression pattern of desmin α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) was evaluated by immunohistochemical staining. The heart was elongated and conical heart with mean length and width as 2.94 ± 0.46 and 2.38 ± 0.15 cm, respectively. The parietal wall of the right ventricle was composed of two distinct muscular layers. The left ventricular wall at middle and apical regions was thicker than right ventricular wall four and three times, respectively. At the level of SEM, the right muscular atrioventricular valve was attached to the right ventricular free wall by several muscular cords. The chordae tendineae of the left atrioventricular valve showed a branched appearance and each chordae tendineae was composed of three to four narrower cords twisted to each other's and attached to a common papillary muscle. The Purkinje fibre network was widely distributed in the myocardium and exhibited strong immunoreactivity for desmin but was negative for α- α-SMA. In conclusion, the consistent morphological and immunohistochemical patterns observed across individuals provide a reliable description of cardiovascular adaptations in the common pheasant. The results contribute to the broader understanding of avian heart morphology and function, offering a foundation for comparative studies across bird species and informing conservation efforts for gamebirds.

Background: Chemical castration offers a highly beneficial and safe alternative to surgical sterilization for stray male dogs.

Objective: This study investigates the effectiveness of intratesticular (ITI) and intra-epididymal (IEI) injections of clove essential oil for chemical castration in male dogs as a non-surgical sterilization method.

Materials and methods: Twenty-four mixed-breed male dogs were randomly assigned to four groups: two treatment groups receiving clove-oil injections (bilateral ITI or IEI) and two control groups receiving saline. Blood samples were collected on Days 0, 3, 12, 21, 30 and 40, whereas semen quality and ultrasound data were analysed at 8- and 4-day intervals, respectively, to assess testosterone levels, sperm quality and testicular and epididymal changes. Dogs were castrated on Day 40 for morphological and histological tissue evaluation.

Results: Both treatment groups showed significant decreases in sperm concentration, motility and viability and increased sperm abnormalities compared to control groups (p < 0.05). ITI injection caused significantly greater testosterone decline (p < 0.005), whereas IEI treatment produced notably enlarged epididymal tail volumes (p < 0.0001). Histological evaluation demonstrated marked testicular necrosis, inflammation and fibrosis following ITI clove-oil administration, whereas IEI alterations remained mild. Ultrasound assessments confirmed altered blood flow and echogenicity consistent with reproductive tissue damage after ITI injection.

Conclusions: Clove-oil injections could provide an effective, less invasive alternative to surgical castration. ITI administration was simpler and produced permanent testicular damage, whereas IEI treatment induced mainly functional changes with minimal structural disruption by Day 40. Confirming reversibility of epididymal effects will require comprehensive long-term investigation.

Newcastle disease (ND) is a commonly fatal viral disease that has been reported to affect a wide range of avian hosts, irrespective of their age and sex. It is reported to be a major constraint to the development, survival, and productivity of poultry in Ethiopia. Despite its significant effect, limited studies were conducted regarding the current situation of ND in different parts of Ethiopia, particularly in the Western Oromia region. Thus, an outbreak-based study was carried out from November 2020 to June 2021 in selected areas of northern and western Oromia with the aim of virus isolation and molecular detection from Newcastle disease suspected outbreak cases in chickens. A total of 98 samples (77 swabs and 21 pooled postmortem tissues) were purposively collected from clinically suspected chickens and examined for the presence of NDV by a one-step real-time polymerase chain reaction (real-time RT-PCR) test targeting a conserved region of the Matrix gene. From the clinical samples tested based on the one-step real-time RT-PCR, 25 (25/98) samples were positive for the NDV. From these, 22 of the positive samples were obtained from swabs, and the other 3 positive samples were from pooled postmortem tissue samples. Furthermore, among the 22 positive swab samples, 14 of the positive samples were of tracheal origin. ND-positive samples were further subjected to cell culture for isolation of the NDV. All 25 real-time RT-PCR-positive samples were inoculated into DF-1 cells for virus isolation, of which 18 of them were able to show CPE on the cell line. The other seven samples remained negative up to the third passage. Regular vaccination with further genetic analysis of the virus should be carried out to understand the specific genotype of the virus.

Background: In Bangladesh, farmers often initiate small- to medium-scale poultry production ventures with minimal to no prior training, experience or formal qualifications. The poultry industry's rapid expansion poses a growing threat to human and animal health. It is, therefore, imperative to educate farmers using the One Health approach, recognizing the interconnectedness of human, animal and environmental health.

Objectives: This study aimed to train farmers with an evaluation framework to assess their knowledge, attitudes and practices regarding poultry biosecurity and management. The study also assessed the effectiveness of the training programme using the Kirkpatrick training evaluation model.

Methods: The training intervention study was a series of 2-day trainings with a survey before and after the training. Farmers were selected from small to medium-scale broiler and Sonali farming sectors. The data were analysed using R-software.

Results: A total of 183 farmers participated in the training. They had good knowledge regarding correct brooding temperature, poultry vaccines, antibiotic names and whom to contact for advice on poultry-related problems before training. The training was effective in improving knowledge gain for day-old chick selection, causes of vaccine failure, the exact function of antibiotics, and antimicrobial resistance. A single training intervention is inadequate to change farmer behaviours, and continuous communication is therefore necessary.

Conclusions: This study provides empirical evidence on the pre-existing knowledge and the impact of training using different pedagogical approaches on biosecurity and the production of poultry farmers with diverse educational backgrounds and varied experience in farming-aligning Kirkpatrick model.

Background: Several equine conditions are associated with and exacerbated by increased high-sugar grass intake. Knowing how climatic and biotic factors affect sugar content in grasses is important for decision-making by those involved in the management of equines.

Objectives: (1) To characterise equine owners' knowledge and perceptions of the factors affecting sugar content in grasses to inform in the management of grasses and equines. (2) To identify associations between pre-existing horse-related experience and level of knowledge about equine nutrition and health conditions.

Methods: A questionnaire was developed and distributed online to characterise the perceptions of those involved in the management of equines and their knowledge of the environmental factors known to impact grass non-structural carbohydrate (NSC) levels, describing also the extent to which these factors associated with participants' level of experience in equine management.

Results: 194 self-declared equine owners or responsible for equines completed the survey. Our results indicate that participants were relatively well informed regarding only some of the environmental factors known to affect sugar content in grasses, and less so in relation to how the presence of fungi, overgrazing/rotational stocking might influence NSC, indicating a significant gap in knowledge. The level of previous experience with equines was not associated with more accurate knowledge, highlighting the need for facilitating more knowledge exchange activities between stakeholders and the scientific community.

Conclusions: We suggest that enhancing the dissemination of the effects of plant-fungal interactions and rotational stocking on NSC within the equine community may further improve their understanding around NSC content in grasses and its management, as fungi could be used to manage grass establishment and growth in paddocks and the grass sugar content.

Paralytic rabies is an atypical form of the disease that is notoriously difficult to diagnose early due to the absence of classic features like hydrophobia. The case being discussed presents a patient who has altered mental status, for whom the initial diagnosis was difficult due to an absent clear bite history and typical symptoms. The final diagnosis of the case was confirmed by metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) of directly from cerebrospinal fluid, which led to the detection of the rabies virus. This case underscores the critical diagnostic value of mNGS in identifying elusive neurotropic infections.