Polymorphism,coupling interval and prematurity index in dogs with degenerative mitral valve disease and ventricular arrhythmias

Ventricular arrhythmias (VA) are a recognized concern in dogs with degenerative mitral valve disease (DMVD). The coupling interval (CI) and the prematurity index (PI) have been shown to accurately differentiate between benign and malignant VA in people, where ventricular arrhythmias are known to be associated with an increased risk of development of signs of heart failure or sudden death. In this study, we characterized ventricular arrhythmias in dogs with symptomatic and asymptomatic DMVD. Seventy dogs with naturally-occurring DMVD and ventricular arrhythmias were retrospectively studied. A cross-sectional investigation including dogs with either symptomatic (stages C/D; n?=?41) or asymptomatic (stages B1/B2; n?=?29) DMVD was performed. Electrocardiographic tracings were reviewed to calculate both the CI and PI. In eight dogs these indices were compared with those obtained from both a Holter recording and a standard ECG tracing and no statistical differences were found (CI, p?=?0.97; PI, p?=?0.17). Even though CI and PI were determined in all animals enrolled in the study, VPC characteristics were only compared between symptomatic and asymptomatic dogs when a 24-h Holter recording was available (n?=?49). The PI was different (p?=?0.01) between symptomatic (0.65?±?0.17) and asymptomatic (0.56?±?0.18) dogs, but CI was considered similar (p?=?0.91). Also, the symptomatic dogs had more polymorphic VPC (p?=?0.002) and supraventricular arrhythmias (p?=?0.0002) than the asymptomatic animals. Polymorphism, and repeating patterns of ventricular premature complexes, were characteristics frequently present in overtly symptomatic animals affected by mitral endocardiosis.     

Molecular detection of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Chlamydophila abortus</Emphasis>, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Coxiella burnetii</Emphasis>, and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Mycoplasma agalactiae</Emphasis> in small ruminants’ aborted fetuses in southern Iran

Abortion in sheep and goats has become increasingly important worldwide because of the significant economic losses and potential zoonotic implication of commonly involved pathogens. Therefore, this cross-sectional study was conducted in southern Iran to detect the Chlamydophila abortus and Coxiella burnetii, as zoonotic pathogens, and Mycoplasma agalactiae, as a neglected abortifacient agent in small ruminants’ aborted fetuses, by using polymerase chain reaction (PCR). From a total of 300 aborted fetuses (183 sheep and 117 goats), 46 samples (15.5%) were positive by PCR, 11% for C. abortus, 2% for C. burnetii, and 3% for M. agalactiae. Also, the association of suggested risk factors with abortion due to these bacterial agents was investigated using univariable and multivariable logistic regression. Results of the statistical analysis showed significant association of C. abortus with flock size (OR?=?2.82, P?=?0.014), season (P?<?0.05), and the number of pregnancy in the aborted dam (OR?=?2.5, P?=?0.05). Our results indicated that C. abortus has a relatively substantial role in small ruminant abortions, and C. burnetii and M. agalactiae are likely important abortifacient agents in our region, too. Regarding veterinary and/or public health importance of these bacterial agents, more attention from veterinary and/or human health services and, maybe, a surveillance system for control and prevention of them are recommended.     

In vitro control of parasitic nematodes of small ruminants using some plant species containing flavonoids

This study determined in vitro anthelmintic efficacy of three plant species: Trema orientalis, Urtica dioica and Zanthozylum capense on nematode larvae of small ruminants. Dried leaf samples (40 g) were extracted in 70% ethanol, in portions of 10 g and concentrated to 100 ml. Half and one quarter of the original crude extract were both made to 100 ml. Rectal faecal material from 10 Merino sheep and 25 Nguni goats was pooled within species and thoroughly hand-mixed. Dung samples, each of 5 g were cultured for 12 days at 27 °C. On day 13, 4 plates were watered and 4 others treated with ethanol to correct for solvent effect on mortality. The design was 2 (animal species)?×?3 (plant species)?×?3 (extract concentrations). In each of three runs, three plates were treated with each crude extract in three incremental concentrations. Surviving L3 larvae were isolated, counted and mortalities became indices of anthelmintic efficacy. Data from nematode larval mortality were analysed to determine the effect of animal species, plant species, concentration and their interactions. Efficacy was affected by concentration (P?=?0.0001), animal species (P?=?0.0046), plant species (P?=?0.0572), the interactions of animal species and concentration (P?=?0.0010), plant species and concentration (P?=?0.0123) and concentration × animal × plant species (P?=?0.0435).     

Comparison of rapid diagnostic tests to detect <Emphasis Type="Italic">Mycobacterium avium</Emphasis> subsp. <Emphasis Type="Italic">paratuberculosis</Emphasis> disseminated infection in bovine liver

Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (MAP) causes Johne’s disease, a chronic enteritis in cattle and other domestic and wild ruminants. The presence of MAP in tissues other than intestines and associated lymph nodes, such as meat and liver, is a potential public health concern. In the present study, the relationship between the results of rapid diagnostic tests of the Johne’s disease, such as serum ELISA, rectal scraping PCR, and acid-fast staining, and the presence of MAP in liver was evaluated. Blood, liver, and rectal scraping samples were collected from 200 slaughtered cattle with unknown Johne’s disease status. ELISA was performed to determine the MAP antibody activity in the serum. Acid-fast staining was performed on rectal scraping samples, and PCR was performed on rectal scraping and liver samples. PCR-positive liver samples were used for mycobacterial culture. Overall, the results of this study demonstrated that MAP can be detected and cultured from liver of slaughtered cattle and rapid diagnostic tests of Johne’s disease have limited value in detecting cattle with MAP infection in liver. These findings show that the presence of MAP in liver tissue may occur in cows with negative results for rapid diagnostic tests and vice versa. Hence, liver might represent another possible risk of human exposure to MAP. Given concerns about a potential zoonotic role for MAP, these results show the necessity to find new methods for detecting cattle with MAP disseminated infection.     

Antimicrobial resistance and virulence profile of enterococci isolated from poultry and cattle sources in Nigeria

This study investigated the occurrence, antimicrobial resistance and virulence of Enterococcus from poultry and cattle farms. Three hundred and ninety samples: cloacal/rectal swabs (n?=?260) and manure (n?=?130] were processed for recovery of Enterococcus species. Standard bacteriological methods were used to isolate, identify and characterize Enterococcus species for antimicrobial susceptibility and expression of virulence traits. Detection of antibiotic resistance and virulence genes was carried out by polymerase chain reaction. Enterococcus was recovered from 167 (42.8%) of the 390 samples tested with a predominance of Enterococcus faecium (27.7%). Other species detected were Enterococcus gallinarum, Enterococcus faecalis, Enterococcus hirae, Enterococcus raffinosus, Enterococcus avium, Enterococcus casseliflavus, Enterococcus mundtii and Enterococcus durans. All the isolates tested were susceptible to vancomycin, but resistance to tetracycline, erythromycin, ampicillin and gentamicin was also observed among 61.0, 61.0, 45.1 and 32.7% of the isolates, respectively. Sixty (53.1%) of the isolates were multidrug resistant presenting as 24 different resistance patterns with resistance to gentamicin-erythromycin-streptomycin-tetracycline (CN-ERY-STR-TET) being the most common (n?=?11) pattern. In addition to expression of virulence traits (haemolysin, gelatinase, biofilm production), antibiotic resistance (tetK, tetL, tetM, tetO and ermB) and virulence (asa1, gelE, cylA) genes were detected among the isolates. Also, in vitro transfer of resistance determinants was observed among 75% of the isolates tested. Our data revealed poultry, cattle and manure in this area are hosts to varying Enterococcus species harbouring virulence and resistance determinants that can be transferred to other organisms and also are important for causing nosocomial infection.     

Antimicrobial susceptibility and phylotyping profile of pathogenic <Emphasis Type="Italic">Escherichia coli</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Salmonella enterica</Emphasis> isolates from calves and pigs in Minas Gerais,Brazil

The aims of the present study were to determine (i) the profiles of phylogroup and (ii) the antimicrobial susceptibility of pathogenic Escherichia coli strains isolated from calves, and of Salmonella spp. strains isolated from calves and pigs in Minas Gerais State, Brazil. Sixty-one pathogenic E. coli strains and Salmonella spp. (n?=?24) strains isolated from fecal samples of calves and Salmonella spp. (n?=?39) strains previously isolated from fecal samples of growing/finishing pigs were tested. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) using the agar dilution method was determined for nalidixic acid, amikacin, amoxicillin, ampicillin, cefoxitin, norfloxacin, gentamicin, tetracycline, and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole. All E. coli isolates were susceptible to amikacin. Tetracycline was the antimicrobial that presented the higher frequency of resistance among E. coli strains, followed by ampicillin, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, amoxicillin, nalidixic acid, norfloxacin, gentamicin, and cefoxitin. E. coli (n?=?61) strains isolated from calves belonged to different phylogroup namely, phylogroup A (n?=?26), phylogroup B1 (n?=?31), phylogroup E (n?=?3), and phylogroup F (n?=?1). Phylogroups B2, C, and D were not identified among the E. coli in the present study. All Salmonella spp. (n?=?24) strains isolated from fecal samples of calves were susceptible to amikacin, amoxicillin, ampicillin, norfloxacin, gentamicin, tetracycline, and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole. Resistance to nalidixic acid and cefoxitin was detected in 16.66 and 8.33 % of the Salmonella spp. strains, respectively. Among the Salmonella spp. (n?=?39) strains isolated from fecal samples of pigs, the higher frequency of resistance was observed to tetracycline, followed by amoxicillin, gentamicin, ampicillin, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, nalidixic acid, cefoxitin, and norfloxacin. All strains were susceptible to amikacin. Forty-eight (78.68 %) of the E. coli strains were classified as multidrug-resistant, whereas among Salmonella spp. strains, the percentage of multidrug resistance was 57.14 %, being all multidrug-resistant strains isolated from pigs (92.30 %). The results from the present study indicate a high frequency of antimicrobial resistance among pathogenic E. coli strains isolated from calves and Salmonella spp. strains isolated from pigs and a high rate of susceptibility to most antimicrobials tested among Salmonella spp. strains isolated from calves. Our study highlights the presence of multidrug-resistant strains of E. coli and Salmonella spp. isolated from food-producing animals in Minas Gerais, Brazil.     

Prevalence and antimicrobial resistance profiles of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Salmonella enterica</Emphasis> serovars isolated from slaughtered cattle in Bahir Dar,Ethiopia

A study was undertaken from October 2006 to March 2007 to determine the prevalence and antimicrobial resistance patterns of Salmonella serovars. Liver, mesenteric lymph nodes, intestinal content, and carcass swab samples (each n?=?186) were collected from 186 apparently healthy slaughtered cattle at Bahir Dar abattoir. Bacteriological analysis was done according to the International Organization for Standardization (ISO 6579 2002). Isolates were serotyped at Agence Française de Securite Sanitaire des Aliments, Cedex, France. Twenty-eight isolates consisting of Salmonella Typhimurium, Salmonella Newport, Salmonella Haifa, Salmonella Heidelberg, Salmonella Infantis, and Salmonella Mishmarhaemek were identified. Salmonella Typhimurium and Salmonella Newport were most frequently isolated while Salmonella Heidelberg and Salmonella Mishmarhaemek were isolated least. Eleven of the 28 (39.3%) were resistant to one or more of the antimicrobials tested. Resistance was shown to ampicillin, chloramphenicol, gentamycin, norfloxacin, polymyxin-B, streptomycin, tetracycline, and trimethoprim. Four of 11 (36.4%) were multiple antimicrobial resistant. All the isolates tested were susceptible to the antimicrobial effects of gentamycin, norfloxacin, and trimethoprim. Eleven, four, and two isolates of the 28 were resistant to streptomycin, tetracycline, and ampicillin, respectively. All isolates of Salmonella Infantis, Salmonella Typhimurium (except one), and Salmonella Mishmarhaemek were susceptible to the tested antimicrobials. One Typhimurium isolate was resistant to chloramphenicol, streptomycin, and tetracycline. Salmonella Haifa was multiply antimicrobial resistant to ampicillin, tetracycline, and streptomycin. All isolates of Salmonella Heidelberg were resistant to streptomycin. Results of this study indicated high level of carcass contamination with antimicrobial-resistant Salmonella serovars which could pose public health risk; suggests need for hygienic slaughtering operations and proper cooking of meat before consumption. Further detailed studies involving different abattoirs, animal products, food items, and animals on different settings were recommended in the study area.     

Rumen development and growth of Balouchi lambs offered alfalfa hay pre- and post-weaning

The consumption of solid feed is essential for successful transition from a pre-ruminant to a functional digestive tract. Lambs fed starter rations containing highly fermentable carbohydrates often experience dramatic changes in concentrations of rumen and blood metabolites. The optimal amount of roughage required in the diet of pre-ruminant animals is still unclear. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of feeding alfalfa hay on performance and rumen development in young Balouchi lambs. In a completely randomized design, 30 lambs were fed one of three experimental diets consisting of a control, without alfalfa hay (C), a diet containing 7.5% alfalfa hay (A1), and a diet containing 15% alfalfa hay (A2). Lambs fed A1 and A2 diets had lower dry matter intake during the pre-weaning period (P?P?=?0.02), but feed conversion ratio and average daily gain were not affected by feeding alfalfa hay. Concentration of beta-hydroxybutyric acid was higher in C compared with the A1 and A2 groups (P?P?=?0.04) and increased thickness of muscular layer (P?=?0.05). We concluded that including 15% alfalfa hay in the starter diet could reduce thickness of the keratinization layer and increase muscularity of rumen wall without adverse effects on growth and performance of newborn lambs.     

Evaluation of methicillin resistance in Staphylococcus intermedius isolated from dogs

Methicillin and multi-drug resistance were investigated in 136 Staphylococcus intermedius strains of canine origin. The large majority of isolates were found to be mecA-negative by polymerase chain reaction, whereas only four strains were positive for the mecA gene. All mecA-positive strains were confirmed as methicillin-resistant by complementary tests, except for oxacillin disk diffusion, which yielded one false-negative result. A significantly higher resistance to fusidic acid, lincosamides, and cotrimoxazole was observed in methicillin-resistant S. intermedius (MRSI) compared with methicillin-susceptible strains. Although the prevalence of MRSI in dogs appeared to be low, methicillin resistance was confirmed to be associated with multi-drug resistance, suggesting the importance of antimicrobial susceptibility testing of canine S. intermedius strains.     

Polymorphism of growth hormone receptor (<Emphasis Type="Italic">GHR</Emphasis>) gene in Nilagiri sheep

The allelic variation in the regulatory sequence of growth hormone receptor (GHR) gene influences the growth traits of sheep. A study was carried out to find out the polymorphisms associated with exon 10 of GHR gene and its association with growth traits of Nilagiri sheep. The blood samples were collected from Nilagiri sheep (n?=?103) reared at Sheep Breeding Research Station, Sandynallah, Tamil Nadu, India. DNA was isolated using the phenol-chloroform extraction procedure and eight samples having amplified product of part of exon 10 (895 bp) sequenced. The results indicated transitions of nucleotide G>A at loci G177624A and G177878A. The genotyping frequencies estimated using the tetra-primer amplification refractory mutation system-PCR for GG, GA and AA were 0.262, 0.544 and 0.194, and 0.349, 0.505 and 0.146, respectively. The estimated allele frequencies of G and A nucleotides were 0.5340 and 0.4660, and 0.6015 and 0.3985, respectively, at loci G177624A and G177878A. The effects of both the mutations on growth-related traits viz., birth, weaning (3 months) 6, 9 and 12 months weight in Nilagiri sheep were found to be non-significant. This can be a novel approach to assess growth of sheep using the mutation in GHR gene. Thus, this approach can be useful for further investigation as a molecular marker associated with genetic improvement.     

Goldfish, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Carassius auratus</Emphasis>, as an infection model for studying the pathogenesis of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Edwardsiella piscicida</Emphasis>

This study demonstrates the feasibility of using goldfish as an infection model to investigate the pathogenesis of Edwardsiella piscicida. Goldfish were found to be susceptible to acute E. piscicida-induced disease and died in a dose-dependent manner. E. piscicida was further shown to replicate rapidly in the head kidneys and livers of infected goldfish from 1 d post-injection, and bacteria numbers were significantly decreased 5 d post-injection. Immune responses were successfully induced in goldfish injected with E. piscicida strains and 60% of goldfish inoculated with an attenuated E. piscicida strain were found to survive subsequent injection with a pathogenic strain. The results of differential leukocyte count experiments suggested that leukocytes were immediately recruited as an innate immune response against the infection. Thus, this well-characterized goldfish species is a suitable infection model for studying E. piscicida pathogenesis, and might be applicable to research on other fish diseases.     

Risk factors and indicators of reduced welfare of grazing dairy cows from selected smallholder dairy farms in Midlands Province,Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe’s smallholder dairying faces many challenges that affect the welfare of dairy cows; however, the status of this welfare has not yet been determined. A cross-sectional study was conducted in Midlands Province on 41 active smallholder dairy farms with 86 cows in winter and summer to determine the risk factors and indicators to impaired cow welfare. These objectives were achieved using farmer questionnaires and direct observations. Eleven percent of the observed cows were severely lame in summer while only 5% were severely lame in winter. Lameness was significantly associated with season, absence of shade, breed, and low dipping frequency; 58% of the cows had low body condition scores (BC?<?3) and this low BC was associated with low frequency of protein (p?=?0.002) and vitamin (p?=?0.012) supplementation recorded in more than 52% of the farms visited. In winter, only 11% of the observed cows were heavily soiled (score 3), while in summer 64% of the cows were heavily soiled and this was associated with slurry accumulation in more than 80% of the observed cattle pens as well as the study season (p?<?0.001). A quarter (26%) of the studied animals had visible teat lesions on the teat skin and this was associated with the type of lubricant used (p?=?0.011). Only 34% of the cows allowed an approaching stockman to touch them and this was associated with shouting (p?=?0.012) and whipping of cows (p?=?0.002). The study concluded that welfare of dairy cows was poor in most of the smallholder dairy farms studied.     

Epidemiology behavior of leptospirosis in Ciénaga de Oro,Córdoba (Colombia)

The purpose of this study was to determine the epidemiology of leptospirosis in rural areas of Ciénaga de Oro, Córdoba, Colombia, a convenience sampling was carried out on 13 farms. The sample size was 325 reproductive age cows, 11 canine samples, and 20 humans. The samples were subjected to MAT analysis with 11 serogroups of Leptospira interrogans sensu lato. Once the MAT results were received, urine samples were collected from 78 cows, along with 39 water samples, for bacteriological cultures and PCR for the 16S rRNA gene in L. interrogans sensu lato. Positive PCR samples were sequenced to determine the possible genome species. The leptospirosis seroprevalence was 74.5% in the cattle, 70.0% in the dogs, and 45.5% in the humans. Although isolation was not achieved, L. interrogans sensu lato was detected by PCR in three urine samples and in a sample of wastewater. The sequencing confirmed the circulation of pathogenic species. The high prevalence of antibodies for L. interrogans sensu lato and the molecular evidence led to the inference that the rural areas of Ciénaga de Oro are endemic and that cattle can act as renal carriers and contaminate water sources, which increases the risk of contracting leptospirosis.     

Digestion and metabolism of low and high residual feed intake Nellore bulls

Understanding the reasons why animals of similar performances have different feed requirements is important to increase profits for cattle producers and to decrease the environmental footprint of beef cattle production. This study was carried out aiming to identify the associations between residual feed intake (RFI) and animal performance, nutrient digestibility, and blood metabolites related to energy balance of young Nellore bulls during the finishing period. Animals previously classified as low (n?=?13) and high RFI (n?=?12), with average initial body weight of 398 kg and age of 503 days were used. Cattle were fed a high energy diet and were slaughtered when rib fat thickness measured by ultrasound between the 12th and 13th ribs reached the minimum of 4 mm. A completely randomized design was adopted, being data analyzed with a mixed model that included the random effect of slaughter group, the fixed effect of RFI class, and linear effect of the covariate feedlot time. No differences were found (p?>?0.10) between RFI classes for performance, dry matter, and nutrients intake. However, dry (p?=?0.0911) and organic matter (p?=?0.0876) digestibility tended to be lower, and digestibility of neutral detergent fiber corrected for ash and protein (p?=?0.0017), and total digestible nutrients (p?=?0.0657) were lower for high RFI animals, indicating lesser capacity of food utilization. Difference between low and high RFI animals was also found for blood cortisol at the end of the trial (p?=?0.0044), having low RFI animals lower cortisol concentrations. Differences in the ability to digest food can affect the efficiency of transforming feed into meat by Nellore cattle.     

Genotypic analysis of virulence genes and antimicrobial profile of diarrheagenic <Emphasis Type="Italic">Escherichia coli</Emphasis> isolated from diseased lambs in Iran

The aim of the present study was to determine the analysis of virulence genes and antimicrobial profile of diarrheagenic Escherichia coli isolated from diseased lambs. Two hundred ninety E. coli isolates were recovered from 300 rectal swabs of diarrheic lambs and were confirmed by biochemical tests. The pathotype determination was done according to the presence of genes including f5, f41, LTI, STI, bfp, ipaH, stx ₁ , stx ₂ , eae, ehlyA, cnf ₁ , cnf ₂ , cdIII, cdIV, and f17 by PCR method. Sixty-six isolates (23.72%) possessed the STI gene and categorized into entrotoxigenic E. coli (ETEC). Nine isolates (3.1%) and five isolates (1.72%) were positive for the cnf1 and cnf2 genes which categorized into necrotoxic E. coli (NTEC). Hundred and seventeen isolates (40.34%) harbored stx ₁ and/or stx ₂ and classified as Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC). Thirteen isolates (4.48%) were assigned to atypical entropathogenic E. coli (aEPEC) and possessed eae gene. Two isolates (0.68%) were positive for ipaH gene and were assigned to entroinvasive E. coli (EIEC). Statistical analysis showed a specific association between eae gene and STEC pathotype (P?<?0.0001). The most prevalent resistance was observed against lincomycin (96.5%) and the lowest resistance was against kanamycine (56.02%), respectively. The high prevalence of STEC and ETEC indicates that diarrheic lambs represent an important reservoir for humans. ETEC may play an important role for frequent occurrence of diarrhea in lambs observed in this region. Due to high antibiotic resistance, appropriate control should be implemented in veterinary medicine to curb the development of novel resistant isolates.     

Isolation and characterization of two lytic bacteriophages against <Emphasis Type="Italic">Staphylococcus aureus</Emphasis> from India: newer therapeutic agents against Bovine mastitis

Bovine mastitis causes severe economic losses to dairy farmers. Staphylococcus aureus, is one of the most important pathogen implicated in etiology of clinical and subclinical mastitis in bovines. In view of increasing antimicrobial resistance alternatives to antibiotic therapy are much needed. The present decade has witnessed a renewed interest in phage based therapeutics and diagnostics. The present study, describes isolation and characterization of two lytic phages SAJK-IND and MSP against Staphylococcus aureus having a potential to be used in therapy against mastitis. SAJK-IND and MSP phages belonged to Myoviridae and Podoviridae families, respectively. TEM imaging of the two phages revealed an iscosahedral head. MSP phage has a short non contractile tail. SAJK-IND and MSP have a burst size of 44?±?3 and 25?±?5 PFU/ infected cell, respectively. SAJK-IND and MSP phages revealed ? 12 and ?16 proteins, respectively on SDS-PAGE analysis. The lytic activity of the phages was specific for Staphylococcus aureus. SAJK-IND revealed 100% lytic activity against several strains of Staphylococcus aureus isolated from mastitis milk samples whereas, MSP had only 40% lytic activity. SAJK-IND phage genome was sequenced, assembled and deposited in Genbank under accession no MG010123.     

Prevalence of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Haemonchus contortus</Emphasis> infection in sheep slaughtered at Jimma town municipal abattoir,Ethiopia

Haemonchus contortus is a parasite of major economic importance of most sheep-rearing areas of the world. A cross-sectional study was conducted from November 2015 to March 2016 with objectives of determining the prevalence and associated risk factors of Haemonchus contortus infection in sheep slaughtered at Jimma town municipal abattoir, Ethiopia. Of the total 7000 sheep slaughtered during the study time period, 384 sheep were randomly selected and examined for parasites. The overall prevalence of Haemonchus contortus infection was 264 (68.75%). Infection rate of poor body condition animals was significantly (P?=?0.000) higher than good body conditioned animals. The mean packed cell volume (PCV) values (%) of parasitemic and aparasitemic sheep were 23.73?±?3.7 SD and 37.66?±?4.736 SD, respectively. The prevalence in adult sheep (>?1 year) was insignificantly (P?=?0.653) higher than that of young sheep (≤?1 year). The highest prevalence was recorded in sheep that originated from Seka district (73.3%) and the lowest in Kersa district (63.4%) with non-significant variation (P?=?0.691). The highest monthly mean worm burdens and prevalence of Haemonchus contortus infection were recorded in November and lowest in March. The current study revealed that Haemonchus contortus infection is an important and common parasitic disease and requires special attention to its control.     

Effect of reproductive disorders on productivity and reproductive efficiency of dromedary she-camels in relation to cytokine concentration

This experiment was conducted to study the effect of reproductive disorders on reproductive efficiency and milk production in relation with pro-inflammatory cytokines in dromedary she-camels. Total of 20 late pregnant Maghrabi she-camels, aging 6–9 years, weighing 420–550 kg, and between the second and third parities were divided into two groups. Animals in the first group (n?=?12) showed normal reproductive status (G₁) at parturition, while those in the second one (n?=?8) were suffered from reproductive disorders after parturition (G₂). Results showed that during pre-partum, red blood cells (RBCs) count decreased (P?≤?0.05), while white blood cells (WBCs), packed cell volume (PCV) value, and neutrophils percentage increased (P?≤?0.05) in G₂ than in G₁. Percentages of monocytes, basophils, and eosinophils as well as hemoglobin concentration did not differ significantly (P?≥?0.05) in G1 and G2. During postpartum period, the same results were noticed in addition to increase (P?≤?0.05) in eosinophil and decrease (P?≤?0.05) in basophils percentages. During prepartum period, concentration of total proteins, albumin (AL) and IGF-1decreased (P?≤?0.05), cholesterol concentration, and activity of AST and ALT were higher (P?≤?0.05) in G₂ than in G₁. Globulin (GL), AL: GL ratio, glucose, urea-N, creatinine, and triglyceride concentrations did not differ significantly in G₁ and G₂. During postpartum period, the same results were noticed with decrease (P?≤?0.05) in GL and glucose concentrations in G₂ as compared to G₁. Concentration of all pro-inflammatory cytokines, including IL-6, IL-10, and IFN-γ, was higher (P?≤?0.05) in G₂ than in G₁ at different peri-parturient times. Milk yield, days in milk, protein and lactose percentages, and IgG concentration were higher (P?≤?0.05) in G₁ than in G₂. Fat, total solids, solid non-fat, and ash percentages did not show any significant differences between both groups. Reproductive traits, including length of estrous cycle, duration of estrous period, number of services/conception, gestation period, days open, and conception rate, were higher (P?<?0.05) in G₁ than in G₂. From the present study can be concluded that pro-inflammatory cytokines may be a necessary test for the early diagnosis to prevent related disease in dromedary camels suffering from reproductive disorders. This study indicated strong relationship between hematological parameters and concentration of blood biochemicals and cytokines with reproductive efficiency in camels, which may be helpful in elucidating the adverse effects associated with reproductive disorders.     

The effect of post-mating hCG or progesterone administration on reproductive performance of Afshari × Booroola-Merino crossbred ewes

To investigate the efficiency of hCG/CIDR after breeding to increase the reproductive performance, 35 synchronized ewes were mated with fertile rams and were assigned to three treatment groups. Ewes in hCG group (n?=?12) received 400 IU hCG on day 11 post-mating, and ewes in CIDR group (n?=?11) received CIDR from day 7 until day 19 post-mating. Ewes in the control group (n?=?12) did not receive any treatment. Blood samples were collected on days 7, 12, 17, and 22 post-mating. Plasma P₄ concentrations were higher on days 12 and 17 post-mating in hCG- and CIDR-treated groups (P?<?0.05). However, the concentrations of P₄ on day 22 post-mating in hCG and control groups were higher than that in CIDR group (P?<?0.05). Ewes in hCG group produced more quadruplets (P?<?0.05) and triplets, and as a result, they had a larger litter size (P?<?0.05). The lamb mortality rate by weaning in hCG group (3.6%) was less than that in control (11.8%; P?<?0.05) and CIDR (9.1%; P?>?0.05) groups. Post-mating administration of hCG or CIDR did not affect the lamb birth weight in single and quadruplet births (P?>?0.05), but the birth weight of twin lambs was higher in the hCG and CIDR groups (P?<?0.05). Weaning weights of twin lambs were higher in the hCG and CIDR groups (P?<?0.05). In conclusion, hCG/CIDR administration post-mating increased the maternal P₄ concentrations and enhanced reproductive performance.