International Journal of Veterinary Science and Medicine最新文献

Egypt’s population is growing with the biggest hurdle facing the Government is to secure animal protein. Broilers provide quality protein of reasonable price. This study was conducted to investigate the outcomes of dietary organic betaine (betafin S4) on productive, epigenetic make up of lipoprotein lipase gene (LPL) promoter, some blood biochemical, and economic parameters in male broilers at finishing period. Eighty one commercial Arbor Acre Plus males, 21 days old, were randomly allocated to three groups, with three replicates each in battery cages under thermo-neutral environment till 42 days. The examined groups received yellow corn-soy basal diet, supplemented with 0 (G1), 1.5 (G2) and 3.0 g (G3) betaine/kg diet, respectively. The mRNA expression levels of LPL gene were analyzed by real-time quantitative PCR. Methylation pattern on LPL gene promoter was determined by bisulfite sequencing. Doses of betaine statistically (P ≤ .05) improved tested performance parameters; while carcass yield % and abdominal fat deposition did not achieve significant changes. The expression of LPL mRNA showed an inverse relationship with betaine dose, which illustrated as a trend toward increase in G2 and decrease in G3. Regarding serum biochemistry, both treated groups when compared to control group revealed a significant improvement (P ≤ .01) in albumin level, simultaneously, a significant increase (P ≤ .05) was recorded in uric acid and triglyceride levels, additionally, strong positive (P ≤ .01) correlation between betaine dose and previously mentioned parameters was reported. Betaine is recommended in finishing male broilers as production costs were reduced by 3.97%–4.37% per kg, respectively. In conclusion, incorporation of 0.15–0.30% organic betaine to male broilers diets during finishing period improves the growth performances.

Grape pomace obtained as a byproduct of industrial processing of grapes retains nutrients and substances with anthelmintic potential such as saponins, tannins, and flavonoids. Therefore, this study evaluated the in vitro ovicidal and larvicidal activity of hydroalcoholic grape pomace extract against gastrointestinal nematodes of sheep. The anthelmintic evaluation was performed by in vitro assays with eggs and larvae of nematodes obtained from naturally infected donor sheep. The grape pomace extract showed high in vitro ovicidal and larvicidal activity with LD₅₀ values of 0.30 mg/mL for egg hatching inhibition, 1.01 mg/mL for larval development inhibition and 100% efficacy in larval migration inhibition assays at all concentrations evaluated. The effect of tannins was evaluated by the addition of 50 mg/mL polyvinyl polypyrrolidone to grape pomace extract at the concentration of 12.5 mg/mL. The in vitro ovicidal activity of grape pomace was reduced by only 15% after polyvinyl polypyrrolidone addition, indicating that other phytochemicals also contribute to the ovicidal activity displayed by the extract. Our results demonstrate that grape pomace exhibits in vitro anthelmintic activity, suggesting that, beyond its nutritional potential, this pomace can also be an ally for gastrointestinal nematode control in sheep.

Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 virus poses a major challenge to the poultry industry and human health in Egypt. Twenty one households and eight duck farms in Sharkia Province, Egypt were investigated for the presence of avian influenza virus (AIV) and/or duck hepatitis virus 1 (DHV-1). Mortality rates among the investigated farms and yards were, 18.9% (69/365) of native ducks, 60.9% (25/41) of Pekin ducks, 60.2% (6306/10473) of Muscovy ducks and 44.9% (1353/3015) of Mallard ducks. The RT-PCR revealed the circulation of HPAI-H5N1 virus (81/104) among the examined birds with a high percentage in Muscovy (83.7%) and Pekin (83.4%) ducks. Interestingly, co-infection of HPAI and DHV-1 viruses in three ducklings with age of 4–19 days was detected. Severe neurological signs with high mortality were observed in ducklings as early as 4 days of age. Influenza virus antigen was detected in the neurons and glial cells of the brain, hepatocytes, and the intestinal submucosal plexus. Although, genetic characterization of H5N1 isolates revealed HPAIV of clade 2.2.1.2, such increased mortalities and neurological signs regardless of the duck age might imply the natural selection of HPAI in ducks. Crucial monitoring of the disease situation in ducks is essential for the implementation of an effective prevention and control program.

Two cases of lipomatosis of the parotid salivary gland in two dogs are reported. Both dogs were presented with a slow growing unilateral non-painful mass in the parotid region. The mass measured 12 and 15 cm on the longest axis for case 1 and 2 respectively. Initial incisional biopsies were suggestive of infiltrative lipoma or salivary gland adenocarcinoma. Case 2 underwent head radiographs that showed a soft tissue opacity on the area of the right parotid gland followed by a computed tomography that showed a multi-lobulated infiltrative mass occupying the right parotid gland. Both cases underwent total parotidectomy with an excisional biopsy intent. Surgery on case 1 included total ear canal ablation (TECA). Histology revealed lipomatosis of the parotid gland with a similar admixture of adipocytes and well-differentiated salivary acini on both cases. No recurrence was reported by 4 years for case 1 and by 3 years for case 2. Case 1 developed long-term right-sided facial paralysis and palpebral reflex deficit due to damage of the facial and trigeminal nerve during surgery. The cases are described and the veterinary literature is reviewed in view of the most updated information available in human medicine on fat-containing salivary gland lesions. Considering this literature review, authors recommended these two cases to be classified as lipomatosis of the salivary gland. In conclusion, fat-containing salivary gland lesions should be considered in the list of differential diagnoses in dogs with an enlarged salivary gland and seem to be associated with an excellent prognosis after surgical excision.

Recent advances in nanotechnology have tremendously expanded its possible applications in biomedicine. Although, the effects of nanoparticles (NPs) at cellular and tissue levels have not been fully understood, some of these biological effects might be employed in assisted reproduction to improve male fertility particularly by enhancing sperm cell quality either in vivo or in vitro. This review summarises the available literature regarding the potential applications of nanomaterials in farm animal reproduction, with a specific focus on the male gamete and on different strategies to improve breeding performances, transgenesis and targeted delivery of substances to a sperm cell. Antioxidant, antimicrobial properties and special surface binding ligand functionalization and their applications for sperm processing and cryopreservation have been reviewed. In addition, nanotoxicity and detrimental effects of NPs on sperm cells are also discussed due to the increasing concerns regarding the environmental impact of the expanding use of nanotechnologies on reproduction.

Endurance horses are usually eliminated from the race due to lameness, metabolic ailments or technical reasons. The purpose of the study was to determine the validity and reliability of the metabolic disorder index (MDI) in predicting metabolic eliminations in endurance horses during an endurance race. Fifty-four endurance horses competing on two local endurance tracks were involved in the study. Blood samples were collected a day prior to the event to determine packed cell volume (PCV), chloride (Cl⁻), interleukin-6 (IL-6), creatine kinase (CK) and glutathione reductase (GR) concentrations from all participating horses. These parameters were used for the determination of metabolic disorder index in endurance horses at rest (one day before the competition). All data were statistically analysed. In 40, 80 and 120 km race distances, the successfully completed horses had a significant lower serum concentration of CK and a significant higher serum concentration of Cl⁻ than the eliminated horses (P < .05). There were no significant differences in PCV, serum concentrations of IL-6 and GR between the successfully completed and eliminated horses in the 40, 80 and 120 km race distances. The MDI at the rest one day before the race could predict potential of metabolic eliminations in endurance horses with at least 78.26%, 80% and 83.33% accuracies in 40, 80 and 120 km race distances. The sensitivity of the MDI was 81.82%, 80% and 100% in the 40, 80 and 100 km race distances. The specificity of the MDI was 80% for the 80 km race distance and 75% for the 40 and 120 km race distances. In conclusion, the metabolic disorder index is a reliable method for the prediction of metabolic eliminations in endurance horses participating in endurance races.

The efficacy of Vernonia amygdalina against chemical toxicity has attracted attention. The aim of this study was to evaluate the protective potentials of Vernonia amygdalina methanol extract (BLME) against petroleum toxicity. Thirty six male albino rats (Rattus norvegicus) were redistributed randomly into six groups of six rats each and fed with growers feed for a period of 30 days according to the following description: Group A = Feed; Group B = Feed + 100 mg kg⁻¹ body weight of BLME; Group C = Feed + 200 mg kg⁻¹ body weight of BLME; Group D = Feed (100 g Feed + 4 mL crude petroleum); Group E = Feed (100 g Feed + 4 mL crude petroleum) + 100 mg kg⁻¹ body weight of BLME; Group F = Feed (100 g Feed + 4 mL crude petroleum) + 200 mg kg⁻¹ body weight of BLME. Animals were sacrificed at the end of the experimental period and the serum and kidney were harvested for biochemical and histological analysis following standard procedures. The data generated were subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA). The study revealed that crude petroleum stimulated alterations in kidney dysfunction makers: urea, creatinine and serum electrolytes which were significantly (P < 0.05) ameliorated by BLME administration relative to control. Oxidative stress markers, lipid peroxidation and enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidant profiles (MDA levels, GSH, Vitamin C. FRAP, CAT, SOD, GPx, GSTs) as well as oxidase enzymes (AO, SO, MO and XO) induced changes by crude petroleum were positively modulated by BLME administration. The study concluded that crude petroleum contaminated diets are injurious to animal health and BLME is able to prevent the renal dysfunction induced by crude petroleum contaminated diets.

Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (MAP) is the causative agent of Johne’s disease (JD) which affects mainly ruminants and is characterized by chronic diarrhea and emaciation. Johne’s disease is highly prevalent in many countries around the world and leads to high economic losses associated with decreased production. Genotyping of the involved pathogen could be used in the study of population genetics, pathogenesis and molecular epidemiology including disease surveillance and outbreak investigation. Principally, researchers have first assumed the presence of two different MAP strains that are associated with the animal host species (cattle and sheep). However, nowadays MAP characterization depends mainly upon genetic testing using genetic markers such as insertion elements, repetitive sequences and single nucleotide polymorphisms. This work aims to provide an overview of the advances in molecular biological tools used for MAP typing in the last two decades, discuss how these methods have been used to address interesting epidemiological questions, and explore the future prospects of MAP molecular epidemiology given the ever decreasing costs of the high throughput sequencing technology.

Intestinal and respiratory parasites are among the most common pathogens in dogs and some of them are recognized as zoonotic agents. In Italy, various taxa have been reported, with variable prevalence estimates depending on study area, dog category and coprological exam technique. In this paper, we report the results of six years of passive surveillance. In the period January 2006-December 2012, 2,775 dog faecal samples from Lazio Region (Central Italy), were examined for parasites, 1,156 from household and 1,619 from shelter dogs, respectively. The following parasites were detected: Giardia duodenalis, Cystoisospora sp., Ancylostomatidae, Toxocara canis, Toxascaris leonina, Trichuris vulpis, Eucoleus böhmi, Eucoleus aerophilus, Mesocestoides sp., Taeniidae and Dipylidium caninum. Helminths were more frequent than protozoa, with total prevalences of 29.1% and 10.7%, respectively. T. vulpis and Ancylostomatidae were the most common parasites, with prevalences of 9.9% and 9.6% respectively. T. vulpis and Ancylostomatidae were significantly more prevalent in shelter dogs than in household ones. T. canis and Cystoisospora sp. were significantly more frequent in household dogs.

The assessment of the prevalence in sheltered and in household dogs is useful to infer the occurrence of different parasites in the origin population and to plan possible control intervention.

Pre-loading handling and conditions of transport are related to welfare, disease risk and product quality of production animals. These steps continue to be one of the major animal management problems in Brazil. This study evaluated the effects of different types of pre-loading handling and road transport times on the haematological and biochemical traits of cattle. Eighteen male cattle were submitted to three travel times (24, 48 and 72 h) in a truck soon after load using different types of pre-loading handling: traditional (rough handling), training (gentle handling) and use of flags to movement cattle. Haematological traits, blood biochemical measures as well as blood and faecal cortisol were analysed in order to assess animal welfare and physiological status. The traditional management showed to be more stressful, also had animals with a greater number of neutrophils and lower numbers of lymphocytes than handling with flags, showing that animals submitted to more stressful situations can have compromised immune system. Serum aspartate aminotransferase concentrations were within the reference levels and when taken together with increased creatine kinase patterns observed indicate muscle damage in traditional management. Decrease in glucose concentrations over time from traditional management to flag management was observed, while fructosamine was increased in traditional management with 72 h of travel. When taken together, all reported factors, immune, enzymatic, energetic and hormonal, indicate that the quality of pre-loading handling and time of transport were determinant for animal welfare, its homeostatic balance and sanitary conditions.