Seasonality and photoperiod influence in vitro production of buffalo embryos

Buffalo is considered short-day breeder in tropical and subtropical part of the world and seasonality and photoperiodism impart major influence on its fertility. However, its impact on in vitro embryo production (IVEP) remains elusive. Therefore, this study investigated the effect of seasonal variations and photoperiodism on morphological and molecular parameters of IVEP in buffalo. For this purpose, we conducted two different experiments on the oocytes obtained by aspirating follicles from abattoir derived ovaries. In Exp. I, retrospective analysis was performed for oocyte recovery, blastocyst and hatching rate, during four consecutive seasonal periods (i.e. January–March, April–June, July–September and October–December). In Exp. II, oocytes from peak breeding and non-breeding seasons were subjected to 24 hr in vitro maturation and evaluated for polar body extrusion to assess maturation rate. Results showed that embryo development was markedly low during second quarter (April–June) and maximum during fourth quarter (October–December) of the year; referred as non-breeding and breeding seasons, respectively. Comparative data analysis demonstrated that poor oocyte quality is major reason for lesser efficiency of embryo production during non-breeding season than peak breeding season as suggested by poor oocyte recovery (2.31 ± 0.10 vs. 3.65 ± 0.27) and maturation rate (33.32 ± 2.1 vs. 63.15 ± 7.31). Subsequently, comparative gene expression analysis of blastocysts during peak breeding season significantly upregulated pluripotency gene (OCT-4) and downregulated heat shock protein 90, as compared to non-breeding season. Therefore, it could be divulged from the present study that seasonal variations and photoperiodism have profound effect on oocyte quality and subsequent embryo development. It is recommended to find suitable additives for in vitro maturation that could mitigate seasonal effects.     

Evaluation of haemodynamic changes of uterine arteries using Doppler ultrasonography during different stages of pregnancy in Bos indicus cows

The objectives of the study were to evaluate haemodynamic changes and their relationships among ipsilateral (IPS) and contralateral (CONT) uterine arteries (UA) during different stages of pregnancy in Bos indicus cows. Multiparous pregnant cows (n = 40) having a gestation length 30.47 ± 0.54 (mean ± SD) days were randomly enrolled and subjected to Doppler ultrasonography sequentially at 1st, 2nd, 4th, 6th and 8th months of gestation. Blood flow indices including diameter of UA (mm), blood flow volume (BFVo, ml/min), blood flow velocity (BFVe, cm/s), time-averaged maximum velocity (TAMV, cm/s), pulsatility index (PI) and resistance index (RI) were recorded. Data were analysed with mixed models using the PROC MIXED procedures, and Pearson correlation coefficients were calculated using the PROC CORR statement in SAS. The final statistical models included the fixed effects of side of UA, gestation month and the interaction between side of UA and gestation month. Results revealed that the mean diameter of the UA (12.13 ± 0.22 vs. 10.09 ± 0.22), BFVo (1236.33 ± 0.55 vs. 770.41 ± 0.55), BFVe (17.18 ± 0.42 vs. 15.58 ± 0.42) and TAMV (17.11 ± 0.44 vs. 15.77 ± 0.44) was higher (p < .05) in IPS as compared to CONT side of the UA in cows. However, PI and RI did not differ between IPS and CON arteries of uterus in cows. A very high and positive correlation (r = .89; p < .05) existed between the diameter of UA and BFVo starting from 1st to 8th months of gestation in IPS as well as CONT sides of UA. Moreover, TAMV was highly and positively correlated (r = .91; p < .05) with BFVe throughout the gestation. In conclusion, these haemodynamic changes in the UA could be used as a valuable validity tool to differentiate the compromised pregnancy in Bos indicus cows.     

First detection and molecular characterization of avian polyomavirus in young parrots in Pakistan

Veterinary Research Communications - Avian polyomavirus (APV) infection, also called as budgerigar fledgling disease (BFD) causes various health problems in many psittacine species which may cause...     

Protective immune responses induced by in ovo immunization with recombinant adenoviruses expressing spike (S1) glycoprotein of infectious bronchitis virus fused/co-administered with granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor

Infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) causes tremendous economic losses associated with production inefficiencies and mortality in poultry industry worldwide. In the present report, the recombinant adenoviruses expressing chicken granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) and S1 gene of nephropathogenic IBV were constructed and characterized. Then, the immunological efficacy and protection against homologous IBV challenge were assessed in specific pathogen free (SPF) chickens. The results showed that the chickens vaccinated in ovo with rAd-S1, rAd-GM-S1 (GM-CSF fused with S1 using glycine linkers) and rAd-GM-CSF plus rAd-S1 (co-administered) developed specific anti-IBV HI antibodies. Moreover, the fusion of the GM-CSF markedly increased spleen cell proliferation and IFN-γ production while mild increased in IL-4 production, which demonstrated the enhancement of cell-mediated immune responses. Following challenge with IBV, the chickens in the group vaccinated with rAd-S1 fused or co-administered with GM-CSF had fewer nephropathic lesions and showed 100% protection as compared to that of rAd-S1 alone which showed 70% protection. It indicated that the single dose in ovo vaccination of the GM-CSF fused or co-administered with S1 of IBV could enhance significantly the humoral, cellular immune responses and provide complete protection against nephropathogenic IBV challenge. This finding may provide basic information for effective in ovo vaccines design against IBV.     

Ethnoveterinary health management practices using medicinal plants in South Asia – a review

Animal rearing is the major occupation of most population of South Asian countries. Due to lack of resources and limited approach to modern medicine, most of the livestock raisers prefer to use plant-based traditional medicine also referred to as ethnoveterinary medicine (EVM). Indeed, the use of medicinal plants in South Asia dates back to several centuries with documented evidences. However, there is currently a dearth of documentation and compilation of use of medicinal plants for animal diseases in this part of the world. This review aims to provide an up-to-date compilation of common medicinal plants used for the treatment and/or management of common animal diseases in South Asian countries. Extensive literature search was conducted online and relevant data was retrieved from well-known scientific databases. A total of 276 plants belonging to 95 families have been documented to be in common use for managing 14 different categories of animal diseases. Solanaceae, Lamiaceae, Fabaceae, and Leguminosae were most common plant families in terms of their plant species used for EVM. Gastric diseases were commonly reported and accounted for 72 species of plants used for its treatment followed by the miscellaneous disorders category and skin diseases comprising of 65 and 39 plant species respectively. Herbs accounted for 46% of the total plant species, followed by trees (33%), and shrubs (18%). The EVM were applied through different routes of administration; oral administration accounted for 72% followed by topical application 27%, while burning of plant parts to create smoke around animals to repel insects was less common (1%). It is anticipated that the present review will stimulate further ethnoveterinary research among livestock disease management practices in South Asia.     

Responses of energy balance, physiology, and production for transition dairy cows fed with a low-energy prepartum diet during hot season

Twenty multiparous Chinese Holstein dairy cows calving in hot summer (S group), were compared with 20 similar control cows calving in cool autumn (C group). Diets were the same for both groups; prepartum diets had relatively low energy density. Average temperature–humidity index was 76.5 and 53.0 in summer and autumn, respectively. S group cows had significantly higher rectal temperatures (39.6 vs. 39.0 °C) and respiration rates (79.0 vs. 31.3 breaths/min) than C group, and consumed less feed (prepartum 8.0 vs. 12.3 kg/day, postpartum 16.3 vs. 21.2 kg/day). Calculated energy balance (EB) was ?7.98 vs. ?5.15 Mcal/day for S group prepartum and postpartum, respectively. In contrast, EB was 1.36 vs. ?2.03 Mcal/day for C group prepartum and postpartum, respectively. S group produced significantly less milk than C group by 15.4 % (5.2 kg/day) and 26.8 % (10.2 kg/d) for milk yield and energy-corrected milk, respectively. Percentages of milk fat (3.28 vs. 4.29 %), protein (3.08 vs. 3.33 %), and solids-not-fat (8.46 vs. 8.78 %) were significantly lower for S group. Milk urea nitrogen (19.54 vs. 13.31 mg/dL) was significantly higher in S group. Significantly lower feed efficiency was observed in S group (1.56 vs. 1.66). During the entire transition period, S group had significantly lower circulating glucose levels. S group had significantly higher levels of nonesterified fatty acids (NEFA) prepartum, but after 14 days in milk, NEFA was significantly lower. We conclude that increasing dietary energy density during transition period (especially prepartum) is necessary to minimize adverse effects of hot season.     

Effect of animal age,postmortem chilling rate,and aging time on meat quality attributes of water buffalo and humped cattle bulls

The study was aimed to investigate the influence of animal age, post‐slaughter chilling rate, and aging time on meat quality of M. longissimus dorsi (LD) of water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) and humped cattle (Bos taurus indicus) bulls. After slaughtering, one side of carcasses was subjected to rapid chilling (RC) (0 ± 2°C) and other side was hanged in controlled room temperature (25 ± 2°C) for 3 hr, then allowed to the chiller (0 ± 2°C). The meat quality traits were analyzed at 1, 7, and 14 days of storage. It was noted that rapidly chilled carcasses from the younger animals of both species missed the ideal pH/temperature window, which affects the toughness of the meat. Buffalo meat presented higher shear force, color L* values, and lower b* value as compared to the cattle meat. Moreover, meat shear force values decreased while all color coordinates and cooking loss values increased with lengthening the storage time in both age groups of cattle and buffalo. In conclusion, the tenderness of cattle meat was superior to that of buffalo and RC adversely affect the shear force values of young cattle and both age groups of buffalo bulls.