Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii infection in domestic sheep and goats in Borno state,Nigeria

Serum samples were collected from 372 sheep and same number of goats from the three geopolitical zones of Borno state, Nigeria. The samples were tested for the presences of Toxoplasma gondii antibodies by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Of these, 6.7% (25/372) and 4.6% (17/372) of sheep and goats, respectively, were found to be seropositive to T. gondii antibodies, both far less than the estimated global average of 31%. Results were statistically analyzed by chi-square (χ²) test. The results showed that age, environmental conditions, and farm location are the main determinants of prevalence of antibodies against T. gondii in the study area. Older animals (>3 years) are significantly more infected than younger animals (between 6 months and 1 year).The prevalence of anti T. gondii antibodies is significantly higher (P < 0.05) in both sheep and goats sampled from the southern zone than the northern zone. Animals from the southern zones are about four times more likely to be exposed to T. gondii infection than those in the northern zone, (sheep; odds ratio (OR) = 4.25, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.177–15.36, P = 0.018), (goats; OR = 4.38, 95% CI = 0.925–20.73, P = 0.04). Farm location in urban area was identified as a risk factor for sheep (OR = 6.06, 95% CI = 2.53–14.54, P = 0.000), and goats (OR = 4.99, 95% CI = 1.59–15.62, P = 0.004). Current data on prevalence of ovine and caprine T. gondii in Borno state are provided by the study as well as identifying the main risk factors associated with T. gondii infection in the area.     

Behaviour of crossbred does and their kids at parturition under extensive and intensive conditions

Data from 82 kiddings from mixed-breed (native x dairy goats) goats reared on rangeland (n = 47) or confinement (n = 35) were used to determine the influence of various factors on length of labour, standing of newborn kids and time to first suckling in pluriparous goats. Both groups were mated at the same time to bucks of the same genotype in February. During the kidding time in July, the goats were monitored for 24 h in order to register parturition traits and kid birth weight and body measurements. For all goats, blood samples were collected at parturition in order to establish the nutritional state of goats. Grazing goats had lower body weight and body condition score (P < 0.01) than pen-fed goats, as well as lower values for some blood metabolites indicative of low body energy reserves. For both grazing and pen-fed goats, the majority of kiddings (>93%) occurred during daylight hours. No kiddings were registered from 2300 to 0500 hours. No effects of height at withers, thoracic circumference and sex of kids at birth were found to influence length of labour. Labour was shorter (P < 0.01) for pen-fed does than grazing goats (10.6 ± 1.18 min vs. 15.4 ± 1.2 min; mean ± SD). The length of parturition was considerably longer (P < 0.05) for twin-bearing does than for single-bearing does (16.6 ± 1.76 min vs. 11.2 ± 0.81 min, respectively). The interval between parturition and standing of kids was shorter (P < 0.05) for kids from litters weighing >3.3 kg (entire litter) than kids from litters with <3.3 kg (22.7 ± 1.82 min vs. 31.1 ± 2.76 min). Time to first suckling was longer (P < 0.05) for kids delivered from pen-fed does than kids from grazing does (57.8 ± 7.57 min vs. 42.9 ± 3.05 min). These results confirm that, independently of type of production system (intensive or extensive), kiddings of does are concentrated during daylight hours. These results also indicate that conformation of kids does not alter duration of labour, and that nutritional stress of goats during gestation (extensive conditions) does not interfere with the neonate’s level of alertness and arousal.     

Influence of sexually inactive bucks subjected to long photoperiod or testosterone on the induction of estrus in anovulatory goats

The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of treating sexually inactive bucks with artificial long photoperiod or testosterone on the induction of estrus in anovulatory grazing goats. A total of 91 multiparous mixed-breed anestrous goats were randomly assigned to one of three treatment groups: (1) joining with bucks subjected to 2.5 month of artificial long days (16 h of light/day; n = 31), (2) joining with testosterone-treated bucks (n = 30), and (3) joining with untreated bucks (control; n = 30). There were no differences between the light-treated (100%) and testosterone-treated (93%) bucks in their ability to induce estrus in anovulatory does. On the other hand, none of the goats in contact with control bucks exhibited estrus. The interval from start of mating to estrus was shorter in goats with the light-treated bucks (37.9 ± 4.8 h) compared with does in contact with testosterone-treated bucks (58.3 ± 8.7 h). The overall pregnancy rate in goats joined with light-treated, testosterone-treated and control bucks was 84%, 77% and 0%, respectively, with no difference (P > 0.05) between the first two groups. Anogenital sniffing, approaches, mounting attempts, and mounts were highest (P < 0.01) in light-treated bucks and lowest in control bucks. It was concluded that testosterone-treated bucks and long-day-treated bucks were equally effective in synchronizing estrus in anovulatory goats and resulted in similar levels of fertility. Given that light-treated bucks are unviable in communal production systems of goats raised by resource-poor farmers, the sexual arousal of bucks with testosterone is a practical and reliable method to induce ovulation in anovulatory goats in pastoral goat systems in hot environments.     

First-time detection of mycobacterium species from goats in Ethiopia

Tuberculosis (TB) is an important zoonosis affecting a wide range of hosts. An abattoir study was conducted on 1,536 randomly selected male goats slaughtered at Modjo Modern Export Abattoir to determine the prevalence of tuberculosis in slaughtered goats. Carcasses and organs of all the study animals were first examined by routine meat inspection followed by detailed meat inspection. Samples from tuberculous lesions were cultured for mycobacterial isolation and identification. Histopathology was done on 31 samples with tuberculous lesions. Detailed meat inspection detected 65 (4.2%; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 3.3–5.4%) tuberculous lesions. From these, 20 (30.8%) samples were confirmed mycobacterium positive on culture, out of which 18 were Mycobacterium bovis and two were Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Routine meat inspection failed to detect tuberculous lesions in 23% of carcasses with TB lesions detected by detailed examination. However, no statistically significant difference was observed between both methods in detecting tuberculous lesions (Kappa = 0.87). Origin and age of the goats did not statistically affect the disease prevalence (P > 0.05). Histopathologic lesions were observed in 21 samples (68%; 95% CI = 50.1–81.4%) out of the 31 carcasses with gross tuberculous lesions examined by histopathology. Eighteen (58%) tuberculous samples positive for histopathology were also culture positive. The sensitivity and specificity of histopathology were 90% (95% CI = 76.9–100%) and 72.7% (95% CI = 46.4–99%), respectively, using culture as a reference test. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of caprine tuberculosis from Ethiopia. Further studies are required at the farm level to determine the prevalence of tuberculosis in the general goat population.     

Herd- and animal-level risk factors for bovine leptospirosis in Tanga region of Tanzania

Leptospirosis is the zoonosis of worldwide distribution and common cause of economic loss and ill health among animals and human populations. A cross-sectional seroprevalence study, using a microscopic agglutination test (MAT) with a threshold titre of ≥1:160, to elucidate disease magnitude, distribution and associated risk factors in cattle in Tanga, Tanzania was conducted from May 2003 to January 2004. Serum (n = 655) samples collected from randomly selected herds (n = 130) were tested for antibodies against four different Leptospira interrogans serovars (Bataviae, Tarassovi, Hardjo and Pomona) used in the agglutination test. Positive titres were detected in 30.3% [95% confidence intervals (CI) = 26.7–33.9] of cattle and 58.5% (95% CI = 49.5–67.1) of herds, respectively. Of the 198 MAT positive serum samples, 98 (49.5%) were positive against serovar Hardjo, 80 (40.4%) were positive against serovar Tarassovi, 12 (6.1%) was positive against serovar Bataviae and eight (4%) were positive against serovar Pomona. Associations found to be statistically significant in univariate analyses (at P < 0.1) were assessed by multivariable logistic regression to control for confounding factors. The results showed that risk factors for cattle were pasture grazing [odd ratio (OR) = 2.83, 95% CI = 1.57–5.12, P = 0.001], presence of goats/sheep on the farm (OR = 1.73, 95% CI = 1.17–2.56, P = 0.001) and age of the animal (OR = 2.05, 95% CI = 1.42–2.96, P = 0.001), while concrete floor housing was protective (OR = 0.47, 95% CI = 0.30–0.74, P = 0.001). Herds managed under pasture grazing system were more likely to be sero-positive than those managed under zero grazed practices (OR = 9.31; 95% CI = 3.67–23.64 for grazing herd). We concluded that bovine leptospirosis is an endemic and locally widespread disease in Tanga and suggest that it may play a role in zoonotic transmission to humans.     

Seroprevalence of brucellosis and its contribution to abortion in cattle,camel, and goat kept under pastoral management in Borana,Ethiopia

The involvement of Brucella infection in causing abortion was investigated in a breeding female subpopulation of 283 cattle, 756 camels, and 757 goats. Serum samples were serially tested using the Rose Bengal test and complement fixation test. The study showed that anti-Brucella antibodies were prevalent in 10.6% (95% confidence interval (CI), 7.4, 14.9), 2.2% (95%CI, 1.4, 3.7), and 1.9% (95%CI, 1.1, 3.2) of cattle, camel, and goats, respectively. Abortion was more commonly reported in camels (23.4%) than cattle (13.8%) and goats (12.4%). The results of this study suggested that Brucella infections contribute significantly to abortion in cattle (odds ratio (OR), = 4.7; 95%CI, 2.0, 10.8) and goats (OR = 6.9; 95%CI, 2.2, 21.7) but not in camels. The number of young animals produced by breeding females seems to be apparently reduced in seropositive groups. Keeping more than two animal species at household level was found to be the risk factor for cattle (OR = 3.1; 95%CI, 1.2, 7.9) and camel (OR = 5.3; 95%CI, 1.2–23.5) seropositivity to Brucella infection when compared to those animals from households that keep only two animal species. This may suggest a possibility of cross species transmission of Brucella infection under such mixed herding. Wet season (OR = 4.8; 95%CI, 1.3, 18.1) was found to be associated with seropositivity in goats, linked to a coincidence of increased deliveries in flocks with possible excretion of Brucella organisms. The study results suggest that Brucella infection is the likely cause of abortion in cattle and goats while other causes largely outweigh brucellosis as a cause of abortion in camels in Borana, hence, contributing to reproductive loss.     

A comparative study of the seroprevalence of brucellosis in commercial and small-scale mixed dairy–beef cattle enterprises of Lusaka province and Chibombo district,Zambia

A cross-sectional study was conducted between January 2007 and February 2008 to estimate seroprevalence of brucellosis and identify risk factors associated with Brucella infections in commercial cattle in three districts of Lusaka province (Chongwe, Luangwa, and Kafue; n = 849) and in one rural district from the Central province (n = 48). A total of 897 serum samples were randomly collected from 55 farms along with animal-level data such as sex, age, and parity. Sera were screened for presence of anti-Brucella antibodies using the Rose Bengal test, and positive samples were confirmed using competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. At the animal level, seroprevalence was estimated at 7.9% (95% CI = 4.4–11.4%) in the Lusaka province and 18.7% (95% CI = 7.5–29.9%) for Chibombo district. Brucellosis seroprevalence varied according to district, with Chongwe district recording the highest compared to other districts. Seroprevalence also varied according to sex with bulls (n = 96) having higher seroprevalence (12.5%; 95% CI = 3.8–21.1%) compared to females (8.1%; 95% CI = 4.6–11.6). Similarly, seroprevalence varied according to age groups, with the age category 1–4 years recording the highest (10.7%). The study recorded relatively low Brucella seroprevalence in commercial farms in Lusaka, compared to the traditional small-scale farms. We suggest that testing and stamping out of infected animals is likely to improve the situation and significantly reduce the public health risk associated with Brucella infections in animals.     

Prevalence and risk factors for intestinal parasite infection in goats raised in Nakhon Pathom Province,Thailand

The objectives of this study were to determine the prevalence and risk factors for intestinal parasite infection in goats raised in Nakhon Pathom Province. Fecal samples from 190 goats in 12 herds were collected per rectum. Questionnaires focusing on the general information about the farm and farmers, and management practices on farms were completed. Modified McMaster counting technique was performed to detect eggs of intestinal parasites. Each egg found was classified into three groups of parasites based on its characteristics. Individual and herd prevalence were calculated. Multiple logistic regressions were performed to analyze risk factors of infection. Herd prevalence of intestinal parasite infection was 100%, while individual prevalence was 79.47%. Strongyle group was the most common intestinal parasite found in this study. Moniezia spp. (8/190) and Trichuris spp. (1/190) were also found. The average number of eggs found was 1,176 eggs per gram of feces. Risk factors for intestinal parasite infection were housing system, deworming interval, and type of goat in herd. Goats housed in groups had higher infection rates compared with goats housed individually (odds ratio (OR) = 6.34; P value = 0.009). Goats in herds in which anthelmintic drugs were administered in intervals of greater than 3 months were more likely to become infected with intestinal parasites (OR = 33.07; P value <0.001). Goats in herds that kept only dairy goats were less likely to become infected than herd that kept only meat goats or kept both dairy and meat goats (OR = 46.20 and 8.75; P value <0.001 and 0.011, respectively).     

Effect of body condition score of does and use of bucks subjected to added artificial light on estrus response of Alpine goats

The effects of body condition score of does and exposure to sexually active bucks after exposure to long-day artificial photoperiod were examined in mature anovulatory French Alpine goat in Northern Mexico. In June, goats in good (2.3 ± 0.2, scale 1 to 4; n = 10) or poor (1.6 ± 0.3; n = 10) body condition were exposed during 15 day to sexually active bucks, which had been exposed to long photoperiod (16:8-h light–dark cycle, starting in December). A third group of goats in good body condition was exposed to bucks kept under the natural photoperiod of this region (26° N). All goats in good body condition exposed to bucks treated with prolonged photoperiod exhibited estrus behavior, whereas only 50% of the does in poor body condition showed estrous behavior during the 15-day buck exposure. None of the does in good body condition showed estrus when exposed to bucks under natural photoperiod. These results revealed that a good body condition is required for maximum estrus response in anestrous Alpine goats and that exposure of bucks to long photoperiod in winter is essential for an adequate stimulus to reestablish estrus cycles in anovulatory Alpine does in Northern Mexico.     

Prevalence of ovine and caprine oestrosis in Ambo,Ethiopia

A study was carried out to estimate the prevalence, larval burden and risk factors of ovine and caprine oestrosis from December 2007 to May 2008 on 554 heads of randomly selected sheep and goat slaughtered at Ambo town, Western Shoa, Ethiopia. The results show an overall prevalence of 59.9% with infection rate of 69.8% and 47.3% in sheep and goats respectively. No statistically significant difference in the prevalence was noted with regard to the assumed risk factors like sex, nose color, face color, horned versus polled, origin, and months (p > 0.05). Sheep were nearly twice more likely to be infected as compared to goats (p = 0.0001, odds ratio (OR) = 1.975). Age of the animals was found to be protective (OR = 0.579; 95% confidence interval = 0.393, 0.853; p = 0.006). As compared to very fat animals, poor (p = 0.040, OR = 4.834), medium (p = 0.049, OR = 4.198), and fat (p = 0.022, OR = 5.795) body condition animals are more likely to be infected by Oestrus ovis larvae. Nasal and sinus cavity pathology is positively correlated with the total larval count (r = 0.56, p < 0.0001). Out of a total of 3,770 larvae collected, 57.5% were L1, 30.8% L2, and 11.7% L3 larvae. All the three larval instars were seen throughout the study months. It is concluded that oestrosis is a common problem in the study area and more prevalent in sheep than goats, in adult than young, and in animals with poor body condition.     

The effect of estrus synchronization treatment on somatic cell count of transitional-anestrus local-Damascus cross breed goats’ milk

An experiment was conducted to examine the effect of estrus synchronization protocols and steroid hormones concentrations on somatic cell count (SCC) of transitional-anestrus local-Damascus cross goats’ milk. Fifty-six goats (2–4-year old) were randomly assigned to three groups: fluorogestone acetate (FGA, n = 19), FGA-Prostaglandin (FGA-PGF, n = 19) and control (n = 18) groups. Intravaginal sponge containing 40 mg FGA was inserted for 13 days and an injection of 600 IU equine chorionic gonadotropin (eCG) was administered for goats of FGA and FGA-PGF groups at the time of sponge removal (day 0). In addition, goats of FGA-PGF group were injected with 10 mg dinoprost tromethamine () on day 0. Five fertile local-Damascus cross bucks were turned-in with all goats on day 0. Blood and milk samples were collected from all goats on days -13 (beginning of experiment), -6, 0, 1, 2, 7, 13 and 20 (end of the experiment). Four-year old and second-parity goats had significantly higher (p < 0.05) SCC of both udder halves than 2- and 3-year old and first-parity goats, respectively. There was a significant effect (p < 0.05) for treatment and number of kids born in the last kidding season on SCC of both udder halves. Neither estradiol nor progesterone concentrations were correlated with SCC in goats in this experiment. The SCC of both udder halves and left udder halves in goats of the control and FGA groups, respectively, increased significantly (p < 0.05) after sponge removal and buck introduction when compared with day 0, with no differences in the FGA-PGF group. This increase in SCC of the control and FGA groups coincided with peak estrus behavior. However, SCC was far below the upper limit of the current standard for normal milk. In conclusion, induction of estrus with progestagen based programs and buck introduction may cause temporary significant increase in SCC. However, the SCC values during this period of temporary increase were still in the range of acceptable values for normal milk. With the current standards for SCC of 1,000,000/ml as legal limit for abnormal milk control programs in goats, estrus synchronization programs and the estrus status should not be considered when bulk-tank milk SCC is being investigated.     

Seroprevalence of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Toxoplasma gondii</Emphasis> in sheep and goats in Rahim Yar Khan (Punjab), Pakistan

Toxoplasmosis, an infection caused by Toxoplasma (T.) gondii Apicomplexa protozoan, is widespread in humans and other animal species, having already been reported in many countries and different climates. In Pakistan, no data is available on this aspect among food animals. This study was undertaken to determine the seroprevalence of T. gondii infection in sheep and goats. A total of 200 serum samples from sheep and goats, were collected from urban area of Rahim Yar Khan (Punjab), Pakistan and tested for Toxoplasmosis with a commercial latex agglutination kit (Eiken Chemical Co., Ltd. Japan). The overall seroprevalence of Toxoplasmosis was 19%. Goats had a significantly higher (p < 0.01) prevalence (25.4%) as compared to the sheep (11.2%); and higher (p < 0.01) in the female (24%) than in the males (19%) for both species. In the present study the male (both in sheep and goat) are found less seropositive T. gondii (OR = 0.23; 99% C.I. = 0.01, 1.81) as compared to female sheep and goat. The prevalence was significantly higher (p < 0.01) in adult sheep than younger animals. Among both the sheep and goats the group from 1–1.5 years are highly seropositive (OR = 1.75; 99% C.I. = 0.47, 6.51) as compared to the group less than one year of age followed by the 2–2.5 years age group (OR = 1.63; 99% C.I. = 0.50, 5.74) whereas group with more than 3 years of age least seropositive.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Oestrus ovis</Emphasis> larval myiasis among sheep and goats in Central Oromia,Ethiopia

A study was conducted to determine the prevalence, larval burden, and associated gross pathological lesions of Oestrus ovis in sheep and goats slaughtered at Luna export abattoir in Central Oromia from November 2007 to March 2008. For this purpose, a total of heads of 431 goats and 369 sheep were thoroughly examined for the presence of first (L1), second (L2), and third (L3) larval stages according to standard procedures. O. ovis larvae were detected in 349(94.6%) sheep and 381(88.4%) goats. All three larval instars were observed in each study months. Statistically significant variation (χ ² = 29.2676, df = 6, P < 0.05) was observed in the prevalence of O. ovis among small ruminants of different origins. Likewise, statistically significant (χ ² = 68.3, df = 4, P < 0.05) difference was recorded in the prevalence of O. ovis in sheep and goats among different study months. The overall monthly prevalence ranged from 77.7% in November to 98.8% in March. The prevalence of O. ovis in small ruminants of less than 1 year of age was significantly (χ ² = 8, df = 1, P < 0.05) higher than those with greater than 1 year of age. An overall proportion of 33.8%, 40.1%, and 26.1% were recorded for L1, L2 and L3, respectively. Whereas 6.8 monthly mean larval burden per individual infested animal was noticed. Out of the total infested heads in goats, 33.6% had catarrhal discharges, 16.8% purulent exudates, 64.83% rhinitis, 68.77% sinusitis, 14.2% pharyngitis, and 9.2% bloody exudates. Similarly, of the total infested heads of sheep, 18.9% purulent exudates, 80.8% rhinitis, 71.9% sinusitis, 13.5% pharyngitis, and 7.7% bloody exudates gross lesions were recorded.     

Seroprevalence of and risk factors for Mycoplasma mycoides subspecies capri infection in small ruminants in Northern Jordan

During the period from January 2002 to December 2003, serum samples were collected from 104 small ruminant flocks consisting of 18 sheep flocks, 27 goat flocks, and 59 mixed flocks containing both sheep and goats in northern Jordan. Only female sheep and goats were sampled. At least five females aged over 2 years per flock per species were sampled and examined for Mycoplasma mycoides subspecies capri using the latex agglutination test. To increase the chances of detecting positive flocks, sick or older ewes were sampled. Specific information was obtained using a questionnaire to identify potential risk factors for M. mycoides subsp. capri seropositivity in small ruminants. The true flock-level seroprevalences of M. mycoides subsp. capri were 34%, 32%, and 38% in small ruminants (sheep and goats), sheep, and goats, respectively. Differences between flock-level seroprevalences in sheep and goats were not significant (p = 0.7). Multivariable logistic regression analysis of 21 production and health management practices showed four to be associated with M. mycoides subsp. capri seropositivity including flocks which were grazed and fed concentrate supplement (OR = 4.6), improper cleaning of milking utensils (OR = 4.7), buying new animals to replace culled ones (OR = 0.3), and treating against helminths when clinical signs of helminth infections appear (OR = 0.4).     

Seroprevalence of contagious caprine pleuropneumonia in Kefta Humera,Alamata (Tigray) and Aba-‘ala (Afar), Northern Ethiopia

A cross sectional study was conducted to determine the sero-prevalence of contagious caprine pleuroneumonia in three districts of Tigray and Afar regions of Ethiopia namely; Kefta Humera, Alamata and Aba-‘alla. Proportions and chi-square test statistics were used to analyze the data. From a total of 863 goats and 137 sheep tested, 282 (32.68%) and 25 (18.25%) were positive for antibodies of Mycoplasma capricolum subsp. capripneumoniae respectively using complement fixation test (CFT). The seroprevalence of CCPP in goats among the three districts was statistically significant (x² = 76.00, p < 0.001). In this study there was no statistical significant variation in the seroprevalence of CCPP in both sexes (x² = 3.619, p = 0.0571) and age (x² = 0.990, p = 0.095) groups. The finding of high seroprevalence of CCPP in sheep (18.25%) could indicate that sheep are potential carriers of Mccp.     

Molecular typing and cdt genes prevalence of Campylobacter jejuni isolates from various sources

The genetic diversity of 168 Campylobacter jejuni isolates originating from human (n = 30), cattle (n = 36), sheep (n = 44), dog (n = 35), and poultry (n = 21) and cdt genes prevalence of the isolates were investigated. To determine the genetic diversity of these strains, random amplified polymorphic DNA–polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using a random primer (M13) was performed. The numbers of genotypes determined in human, cattle, sheep, dog, and poultry isolates were 19, 18, 17, 18, and 6, respectively. To find out the prevalence of cdt genes in C. jejuni isolates simultaneously, a multiplex PCR was performed. The prevalence of the separate cdt genes was found to vary from 69% to 100% for cdtA, 92% to 100% for cdtB, and 39% to 98% for cdtC. These rates without host discriminating were 95%, 98%, and 93% for cdtA, cdtB, and cdtC, respectively. The prevalence of all three cdt genes in strains originating from human, cattle, sheep, dog, and poultry were 87%, 67%, 84%, 89%, and 39%, respectively. These results showed the relatively high genetic heterogeneity and variation of cdt genes among C. jejuni isolates from various sources except for poultry isolates. This study gives baseline data on molecular characterization of C. jejuni strains from different sources.     

Progesterone supplementation during multiple ovulation treatment in buffalo species (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Bubalus bubalis</Emphasis>)

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of exogenous progesterone supplementation on superovulatory response in buffaloes that has undergone a multiple ovulation program. Fourteen Mediterranean buffaloes were divided into two groups and received a 4-day decreasing dosage of an equal mixture of 500 IU of FSH and LH starting on day 8 of the cycle. In group A (n = 7) a progesterone-releasing intravaginal device was removed on day 8, whereas in group B (n = 7) it was left till day 10, when PGF_2a {\hbox{PG}}{{\hbox{F}}_{{2}\alpha }} was administered. Eighty hours later, buffaloes were artificially inseminated and after 6 days they undergone uterine flushing. A higher (P < 0.05) number of corpora lutea (8.3 vs. 5.7) and embryo/flushing/buffalo (2.3 vs. 1.3) were recorded in group B vs. group A if responsive buffaloes are considered (n = 12) and the number of corpora lutea was highly correlated with the number of embryos (r = 0.65; P < 0.05). In conclusion, progesterone supplementation during the first 2 days of the superovulation treatment seems to enhance the recovery rate in buffalo species. A high ovulation rate, associated with a high number of corpora lutea, can represent a parameter for estimating embryo recovery.     

Serological evidence of caprine arthritis–encephalitis virus (CAEV) infection in indigenous goats in the Sultanate of Oman

Caprine arthritis encephalitis (CAE) is a chronic debilitating disease of goats caused by a lentivirus responsible for economic losses as a result of a drop in milk production and weight loss. The objective of the study was to determine if indigenous goats from five different regions in the Sultanate of Oman exhibit serological evidence of exposure to CAEV using a competitive-inhibition ELISA technique. Blood samples were collected from slaughtered goats (N = 1,110) and from the National Serum Bank (n = 528). In total, 83 (5.1%) of screened samples were classed as seropositive. The results provide the first serological evidence for the presence of CAEV in Oman.     

A study on the effect of GnRH administration on the ovarian response and laparoscopic intrauterine insemination of Awassi ewes treated with eCG to induce superovulation

The effect of GnRH administration on superovulatory response of ewes treated with equine chorionic gonadotrophin (eCG) in breeding and nonbreeding seasons and the contribution of laparoscopic insemination to the improvement of fertilization and embryo recovery were investigated. Twenty-four nonpregnant Awassi ewes of 3–4 years of age were randomly allocated into two groups (n = 12). Each ewe was treated with a progesterone impregnated intravaginal sponge for 12 days. The following superovulation treatment was used: ewes of group 1 received 1,200 IU of eCG once as an intramuscular injection 48 h prior to sponge withdrawal; ewes of group 2 also received 1,200 IU of eCG once as an intramuscular injection, 48 h prior to sponge withdrawal and after 24 h of sponge removal. Ewes were injected with 80 μg of GnRH. Ewes of groups 1 and 2 were further subdivided into four equal groups (n = 6). Subgroups A and C (superovulated with eCG and eCG plus GnRH, respectively) were mated naturally at least two times with Awassi rams of proven fertility at 8-h intervals. Subgroups B and D (same as A and C) had intrauterine insemination at 44–46 h after sponge removal, under laparoscopic visualization of uterine horns, depositing 1 ml of diluted semen containing 100 × 10⁶ motile sperm in the distal portion of each uterine horn. Ovarian response was assessed by determining the number of corpora lutea by laparoscopy at day 6 after mating. Embryo recovery was performed by using a semi-laparoscopic flushing procedure in both uterine horns. Results of the present study showed that ewes treated in breeding season with eCG plus GnRH has a higher number (P < 0.05) of corpora lutea than eCG alone as 7.33 ± 0.54 and 4.33 ± 0.39, respectively. There was no significant difference in the number of corpora lutea in nonbreeding season when ewes treated with eCG and eCG plus GnRH. The number of unovulated follicles was significantly higher (P < 0.05) in eCG treated ewes than in ewes treated with eCG plus GnRH, both in the breeding and nonbreeding seasons. The number of recovered embryos from ewes treated with eCG plus GnRH and eCG differ significantly (P < 0.05) as 4.32 ± 0.56 and 1.06 ± 0.26, respectively, in the breeding seasons. No significant difference was observed when these hormones used for superovulation in the nonbreeding season. A higher number of unfertilized ova (P < 0.05) was observed in ewes when naturally inseminated than in ewes inseminated using the intrauterine laparoscopic technique. Higher rate of embryo recovery (P < 0.05) was achieved when ewes were inseminated via intrauterine (4.66 ± 0.66) compared with ewes naturally mated (2.16 ± 0.74). The fertilization rate in ewes inseminated intrauterine using laparoscopic techniques and naturally mated were 91.5% and 44.8%, respectively. Fertilization failure in ewes inseminated intrauterine using laparoscopic techniques and naturally mated were 8.4% and 55.2%, respectively. It could be concluded that administration of GnRH 24 h after sponge removal increased ovulation rate of Awassi ewes treated with eCG for superovulation in the breeding season. The use of eCG to induce superovulation in Awassi ewes combined with laparoscopic intrauterine insemination increases the fertilization rate.