Veterinary Medicine and Science最新文献

Background: Amino acid supplements are crucial for animal health and productivity. Traditional analysis methods face limitations like complexity, long testing times and toxic reagents. Therefore, a more efficient and reliable method is needed.

Objectives: This study aimed to develop and validate an efficient method for the simultaneous analysis of eight amino acids commonly used in veterinary medicine: alanine, arginine, glutathione, lysine, ornithine, methionine, threonine and tryptophan.

Methods: We analysed eight veterinary amino acid preparations. From 100 registered products, we selected 35. After confirming ingredients, we diluted them to 1 mg/L with 50% acetonitrile (ACN) and filtered them using a 0.2 µm RC filter for liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) analysis.

Results: All analytes showed excellent linearity (r² > 0.99) within 0-10 mg/L. The limits of detection (LOD) ranged from 0.04 to 0.83 mg/L, and the limits of quantification (LOQ) ranged from 0.12 to 2.52 mg/L. Average recovery ranged from 92.96% to 105.61%, with relative standard deviations (RSD) from 0.27% to 3.50%, meeting CD 2002/657/EC standards. Six out of the 35 products (17.14%) did not meet regulations.

Conclusions: The method developed in this study offers an efficient and reliable approach for the simultaneous analysis of essential amino acids in veterinary medicine. Implementing this method can improve the quality control of amino acid products, enhancing animal health and productivity. This study also highlights the need for stringent domestic management and continuous monitoring. By overcoming traditional technique limitations, this validated method ensures the quality and efficacy of amino acid supplements in the veterinary industry.

Background: The poultry industry faces challenges with the high cost and environmental impact of Soybean meal. Feather meal, a byproduct with low digestibility due to its keratin content, is a potential alternative. Recent biotechnological advances, including enzymatic and bacterial hydrolysis, have enhanced its digestibility and nutritional value.

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate and compare the efficacy of three different feather meal processing methods as partial replacements for soybean meal in broiler diets. The methods assessed included hydrolyzed feather meal treated with Streptomyces bacteria, commercial enzyme-treated feather meal, and boiled feather meal. Their effects on performance and nutrient digestibility were evaluated in Ross 308 male broiler chickens.

Materials: The study involved 525 Ross 308 male broiler chickens were allocated to seven dietary treatments, which included a control diet and varying combinations of feather meal and soybean meal. Streptomyces sp. MSM5 was shown to effectively produce keratinase, enhancing the amino acid content of the feather meal.

Results: Birds fed diets containing 33% and 67% boiled feather meal exhibited significantly reduced body weight gain (BWG) and increased feed conversion ratio (FCR) compared to the control group (p < 0.05). In contrast, birds fed diets with 33% hydrolyzed feather meal, treated with either enzymes or bacteria, showed similar BWG and FCR to those on the control diet. However, diets with 67% hydrolyzed feather meal led to significant reductions in performance (p < 0.05). Additionally, diets containing 33% and 67% boiled feather meal, as well as 67% hydrolyzed feather meal, resulted in significantly lower carcass percentage, breast muscle percentage, thigh muscle percentage, overall dry matter digestibility, and protein digestibility (p < 0.05).

Conclusion: The results indicate that substituting as much as 33% of soybean meal with processed feather meal, particularly when treated with enzymes or bacteria, does not negatively impact broiler performance. Furthermore, the results underscore the potential of biotechnological treatments, such as bacterial keratin hydrolysis, to enhance the nutritional value of feather meal, transforming it into a high-quality, sustainable protein source for the poultry industry.

The guinea fowl (Numida meleagris) holds significant agricultural importance in Ghana, particularly in the Northern, Upper East and Upper West Regions. Despite their economic and cultural significance, guinea fowls face a potential threat from avian influenza, a global concern for its adverse impact on poultry populations. This study assessed the seroprevalence of the virus in mature guinea fowls in the Upper East Region. A cross-sectional survey was conducted in three districts within the Upper East Region from April to June 2023. Blood samples were collected from 397 guinea fowls that are over 4 weeks old, and seroprevalence was determined using ID Screen Influenza A Antibody Competition Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The study analysed demographic factors such as sex, age and source of birds, employing statistical methods to establish associations. Among the sampled guinea fowls, 24.7% tested positive for avian influenza antibodies, whereas 75.3% were seronegative. Age did not show statistically significant associations with seroprevalence, but intriguing patterns were observed. Adult guinea fowls exhibited higher seroprevalence (23.7%) compared to growers (1.0%). The source of birds showed no significant association, but birds from slaughter points demonstrated higher seroprevalence (11.6%) compared to households (5.0%) and live bird markets (8.1%). In conclusion, the study underscores the importance of monitoring avian influenza in guinea fowls to implement effective control measures. The presence of antibodies suggests guinea fowls may contribute to virus transmission in the Upper East Region. The study recommends ongoing nationwide surveillance to assess the true prevalence of avian influenza in guinea fowls across Ghana.

Background: African swine fever (ASF) is one of the deadliest swine diseases with haemorrhagic symptoms and a high mortality rate. Plant-derived additives are potential antiviral agents against viruses due to their environmental and user-friendly properties.

Objectives: This study aims to evaluate the efficacy of plant-based additives (Phyto.A04 and Phyto.B) compared to an organic acid blend (OAB) in inactivating ASF virus (ASFV) in cell culture and feed.

Methods: ASFV-spiked feed was treated with individual or combined additives such as OAB, Phyto.A04 and Phyto.B. The viability of ASFV after treatment of ASFV-spiked feed with additives was then confirmed by both methods, real-time PCR and cell culture.

Results: The results of the in vitro test with cell cultures showed that all three additives (OAB, Phyto.A04 and Phyto.B) exerted a strong virucidal effect on ASFV in porcine alveolar macrophage cells. OAB at a concentration of 0.3% reduced the virus concentration from 4.48 log₁₀ HAD₅₀/mL after 1 day of treatment (day 1) to 3.29 log₁₀ HAD₅₀/mL after 3 days of treatment (day 3) and remained undetected after 7 days of treatment (day 7). In Phyto.A04 with 1%, the virus was only detectable on day 1 (3.53 log₁₀ HAD₅₀/mL). Phyto.B with 0.01% and 0.05% both showed good efficacy in completely inhibiting virus presence on days 3 and 7.

Conclusions: All additives, OAB, Phyto.A04 and Phyto.B, were able to inactivate ASFV in a dose-dependent manner, as confirmed by cell culture and PCR methods. The combination of additives at different concentrations consistently improved the virucidal results.

Listeria monocytogenes (LM) is a zoonotic pathogen that causes sporadic infectious listeriosis, which is a foodborne disease associated with consumption of contaminated food or feed. The internal organs of an African lion from a zoo in Shanghai were analysed to determine the cause of death. LM infection was suspected on the basis of the clinical symptoms and pathological changes and confirmed by polymerase chain reaction, whole genome sequencing and phylogenetic analysis. This is the first report of LM infection of an African lion in China.

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the plasma and milk pharmacokinetics, as well as the withdrawal time (WT) from milk of tolfenamic acid (2 and 4 mg/kg) following intravenous (IV) administration to eight healthy lactating Akkaraman sheep.

Methods: The trial was conducted in two periods in accordance with a crossover pharmacokinetic design. The concentrations of tolfenamic acid in the plasma and milk were determined using high-pressure liquid chromatography and evaluated using non-compartmental analysis. The WT of tolfenamic acid in milk was calculated using the WT 1.4 software.

Results: Compared to the 2 mg/kg dose, plasma volume of distribution at steady state (from 0.43 to 0.50 L/kg), terminal elimination half-life (from 2.41 to 4.14 h) and dose-normalized area under the plasma concentration-time curve (AUC_0-∞, from 9.46 to 30.11 h µg/mL) increased, whereas total body clearance (from 0.21 to 0.13 L/h/kg) decreased at the 4 mg/kg dose. The peak milk concentration (C_max) and AUC_0-∞ values in milk were 0.26 µg/mL and 0.28 h µg/mL, respectively, for 2 mg/kg, and 0.43 µg/mL and 0.55 h µg/mL, respectively, for 4 mg/kg. Although the dose-normalized C_max of milk decreased depending on the dose, no difference was observed in dose-normalized AUC_0-∞. The AUC_{0-∞ milk}/AUC_{0-∞ plasma} ratio was 0.03 for 2 mg/kg and 0.02 for 4 mg/kg. The WT values calculated for milk at dosages of 2 and 4 mg/kg were 3 and 4 h, respectively.

Conclusions: A decrease in plasma elimination and an increase in plasma concentration of tolfenamic acid were observed depending on the dose. Tolfenamic acid lowly passed into sheep's milk at 2 and 4 mg/kg doses. This study may provide valuable information for clinicians' decision-making processes.

Background: Ethiopia is one of the world's coffee producers, generating about 192,000 metric tonnes of coffee husks annually as by-products. The material can be used for ruminant diets to improve the nutrient utilisation of animals. However, coffee husk has toxic compounds, which can be minimised through different processing methods. Though the above techniques can minimise the toxicity level of coffee husk and increase the bioavailability of nutrients, there is scanty information on the comparative efficacy of these techniques, especially in ruminant nutrition.

Objective: The study was conducted to examine the effect of processed coffee husk on feed intake, nutrient digestibility, body weight changes and profitability of Bonga rams based on natural pasture hay.

Methods: In the experiment, 24 rams were used, and the rams were grouped into six blocks based on initial body weight (mean BW 21.5 ± 1.01 kg). The rams were quarantined for 21 days, and each ram was randomly assigned to one of the experimental feed treatments in a randomised complete block design (RCBD). The experimental treatment feeds include 400 g conventional concentrate mix (CM) containing Noug seed cake and wheat bran (T1); 200 g boiled coffee husk + 200 g CM (T2); 200 g roasted coffee husk + 200 g CM (T3) and 200 g raw coffee husk + 200 g CM (T4). The CM was made in the ratio of 1:1. The data collected from the 90-day experimental period were: dry matter and nutrient intakes, initial body weight, final body weight and body weight changes. After the growth experiment, a 7-day digestibility trial was followed by collecting faeces using a harness bag. The data were managed using Microsoft (MS) Excel 2010 and analysed using R software (v. 4.3.2). The chemical compositions of the CM had maximum crude protein (22%), followed by boiled coffee husk (14.74%), which was higher than natural pasture hay (6.91%) and raw coffee husk (12.4%).

Results: The total dry matter intake (p < 0.05), metabolisable energy, and total nutrient intakes of rams were significantly (p < 0.001) maximised when rams fed on boiled coffee husk (T2) than raw (T4) and roasted (T4) coffee husk, except for NDF and organic matter intakes. The apparent digestibility of nutrients and feed conversion efficiency were maximised for rams assigned to T2. There was maximum daily body weight gain (p < 0.001) when rams were supplemented with boiled coffee husk (T2). Also, body weight changes of rams were significantly (p < 0.001) higher for rams supplementation with boiled coffee husk.

Conclusion: Therefore, the boiled coffee husk as an alternative feed resource can be replaced by about half of the commercial CM without adverse effects of anti-nutritional factors and enhance the income of smallholder farmers in the coffee crop-livestock production system.

Purpose: The reproductive and production performance of dairy cows determines the profitability of a dairy farm.

Method: A questionnaire survey was used to assess reproductive performance and husbandry practices by using 100 randomly selected animal owners.

Result: Seventy-nine percent of animal owners involved were men, ages between 30 and 60. Their education was as follows: 26% were illiterate, 67% in primary school and 7% in secondary school. Ninety-five percent of them managed their animals extensively and used natural mating and breeding practices (75%). AFS in months were 46.83 ± 0.65 in Ada-Buke Warego, 46.00 ± 1.36 in Hagalo-Tulam, 47.08 ± 0.99 in Dicho Aba-Garmama and 47.29 ± 0.51 in Waligalte. AFC in months were 56.68 ± 0.97 in Ada-Buke Warego, 58.00 ± 1.36 in Hagalo-Tulam, 57.23 ± 1.41 in Dicho Aba-Garmama and 56.24 ± 1.13 in Waligalte. ANSPCs were 1.85 ± 0.08 in Ada-Buke Warego, 1.67 ± 0.14 in Hagalo-Tulam, 1.54 ± 0.14 in Dicho Aba-Garmama and 2.00 ± 0.10 in Waligalte. The mean length of CI in months was 30.88 ± 0.90 in Ada Buke Warego, 29.00 ± 1.68 in Hagalo-Tulam, 28.62 ± 1.62 in Dicho Aba-Garmama and 31.06 ± 1.04 in Waligalte. The average year of longevity was 9.22 ± 0.7 in Ada-Buke Warego, 9.08 ± 0.8 in Hagalo-Tulam, 9.31 ± 0.13 in Dicho Aba-Garmama and 9.21 ± 0.8 in Waligalte, but there is no significant association (p ≥ 0.05). AFC in months was 48.00 ± 0.00 in local and 37.20 ± 1.30 in crossbreeds. ANSPC was 1.92 ± 0.06 in locals and 1.10 ± 0.10 in hybrids. AFC for Horro and crossbred dairy cattle were 57.73 ± 0.59 and 48.00 ± 0.00 months, respectively. The mean length of CI was 30.53 ± 0.67 and 29.40 ± 1.99 months in natives and crossbreeds, respectively. The average year of longevity was 9.22 ± 0.05 and 9.10 ± 0.10 years for local and hybrids, respectively. ANSPC for natural mating and AI were 1.92 ± 0.05 and 1.10 ± 0.10, respectively, with significant association (p < 0.05).

Conclusion: The reproductive performance of dairy cows in the study area was low, which required the improvement of husbandry practices.

The human-animal relationship and its benefits have been a popular issue in recent decades. This study focuses on the dog as a paradigmatic example of this complex bond. The relationship between human and dog evolved over thousands of years through the domestication process. During this period, climatic, cultural, geographical and social changes have had a direct impact on this bond. Dogs have a remarkable capacity to play a variety of roles that mirror the evolution of human societies. Subsequently, questions arise regarding the important and symbolic roles that canines played in ancient cultures, religions and mythological traditions. Specifically, how have these roles changed through history? This research aimed to explore the socio-economic aspects of the human-dog relationship, spanning from ancient civilizations to modern societies. Through a systematic search methodology, this investigation seeks to provide insights into the dynamics of the complex human-dog relationship, including historical backgrounds, socio-cultural dynamics, economic implications and associated challenges. Additionally, the present study addresses the environmental concerns that emerge alongside rising stray dog populations. This research emphasizes the importance of strategies to balance the benefits of this coexistence that promote human and animal welfare.