Effects of feeding regimen of dietary Aspergillus oryzae on the growth performance,intestinal morphometry and blood profile of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus)

The current study was conducted to evaluate the feeding regimen of Aspergillus oryzae (ASP) on the growth, intestinal histomorphology and blood profile of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus). Four different ASP‐feeding regimens were evaluated, including feeding the basal diet continuously (control), feeding ASP (1 g/kg) continuously (ASPC), feeding ASP for 1 day and the next day without (ASPF1) or feeding ASP for 1 day and the two next days without (ASPF2). After 60 days, the final weight, weight gain, SGR, feed intake, protein efficiency, protein gain, body protein content, haematocrit, haemoglobin, and RBC and WBC values were increased significantly (p < 0.05) with lower glutamic‐pyruvate transaminase in ASPC group compared to the control without no difference (p > 0.05) with ASPF1‐feeding regimen. Interestingly, glutamyl oxaloacetic transaminase was significantly reduced in all feeding regimens compared to the control (p < 0.05). Protease, lipase and villi length were significantly (p < 0.05) improved in all feeding regimens compared to the control, while amylase activity increased only in ASPC group. Thus, the obtained results indicated that all ASP‐feeding regimens resulted in quite similar outcomes with respect to growth, digestive enzyme activity and intestinal histomorphology.     

Circadian rhythm of metabolic changes associated with summer heat stress in high-producing dairy cattle

The current study aimed to investigate the circadian rhythm of blood metabolic parameters associated with summer heat stress (HS) in dairy cows. Ten healthy lactating Holstein Friesian cows were followed during HS for three successive days at six different time points. Blood was sampled from each cow starting from 07:00 am; at 4-h intervals. Ambient air temperature and relative humidity were recorded, and temperature-humidity index (THI) was calculated as well. Respiration rate (RR) and rectal temperature (RT) were recorded for each cow at the time of blood sampling. Concentrations of glucose, non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA), total cholesterol (TC) and urea were measured in each blood sample. The THI values were >68 at all times of the day, and the highest values were recorded at 11:00 am, 03:00 pm and 07:00 pm (80.9, 83.7, and 80.8, respectively). All the cows showed a significantly higher RR and RT coinciding with higher THI values (93 ± 4 and 39.6 ± 0.1; 90.2 ± 3.4, and 40.1 ± 0.1; 87.6 ± 4.1, and 39.8 ± 0.1, respectively, P < 0.05). The concentrations of glucose were the lowest at 11:00 am and 03:00 pm (3.75 ± 0.1 and 3.44 ± 0.1 mmol/L, respectively, P < 0.05). Decreased glucose concentrations coincided with increased NEFA concentrations, (0.43 ± 0.01 and 0.56 ± 0.02 mmol/L, respectively, P < 0.05), and were highly negatively correlated (r = −0.50, P < 0.001). The highest urea and TC concentrations were registered at 11:00 am (6.11 ± 0.15 mmol/L and 109.9 ± 2.2 mg/dl, respectively) whereas the lowest urea and TC values were recorded at 03:00 am (4.97 ± 0.18 mmol/L and 99.5 ± 1.7 mg/dl, respectively, P < 0.05). The results of the present study indicate that there was a circadian variation in glucose, NEFA, urea, and TC resulting in the most unfavorable metabolic condition during the hottest moment of the day in dairy cattle. Earlier work revealed that HS-metabolic changes are reflected in the follicular fluid. The circadian changes observed in the present study associated with HS may imply that also the microenvironment of the oocyte is affected.     

Utilization of blue panic (Panicum antidotale) as an alternative feed resource for feeding Barky sheep in arid regions

Tropical Animal Health and Production - This study aimed at elucidating effects of replacing sorghum with blue panic (BP) on total dry matter intake (TDMI), average daily gain (ADG), feed...     

Comparative therapeutic effect of toltrazuril, sulphadimidine and amprolium on Eimeria bovis and Eimeria zuernii given at different times following infection in buffalo calves (Bubalus bubalis)

We compared the therapeutic effect of three anticoccidial drugs (toltrazuril, sulphadimidine and amprolium) in buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) calves experimentally infected with Eimeria bovis (E. bovis) and E. zuernii oocysts (3 x 104oocyst/calf). Buffalo calves (1.5-4 month old, 70-kg body weight) were randomly allocated into 3 groups (9 calves each). Group T was experimentally infected with oocysts and treated with toltrazuril (20 mg/kg BW twice orally at a 1-week interval). Group S was experimentally infected with oocysts and treated with sulphadimidine (125 mg/kg injected IM followed by half dose for 4 successive days). Group A was experimentally infected with oocysts and treated with amprolium (50 mg/kg orally for 7 successive days). Each group had three subgroups (three calves/subgroup) to represent timing of the drug administration: 1st day of coccidia infection (FD), onset of clinical signs of coccidiosis (CC), and onset of oocyst shedding into the faeces (OS). Clinical signs, body-weight gain (BWG) and number of oocysts per gram feces (OPG) were monitored daily for 35 days post-infection (DPI). The OPG were reduced (but the BWG was not different) in the T calves compared to S and A calves. Within the same group, treatment from the 1st day of infection reduced the OPG and increased the BWG compared to the later treatment timings.     

Untersuchungen über die Brauchbarkeit der Kultivierung von befruchteten Eizellen in Mini-Pailletten

Inhalt In mehreren Experimenten wurde die Brauchbarkeit der Mini-Paillette für die Kultivierung von befruchteten Kanincheneizellen im 2-Zellstadium und im Stadium der frühen Morula geprüft. Als Kultivierungsmedium diente BSM II + 20% inakt. fötales Kälberserum. Die Kultivierungsdauer betrug 96 Stunden für die 2-Zellstadien und 72 Stunden für die frühen Morulastadien. Die Ergebnisse der Kultivierung in Pailletten (“Microcolumns”) wurden entsprechenden Kultivierungsergebnissen in “Microdrops” unter Ögegenübergestellt. Dabei konnte festgestellt werden, daβ nach 96-stündiger Kultivierung von 2-Zellstadien keine Unterschiede in der Entwicklung der Eizellen zwischen beiden Kultivierungssystemen auftraten. Dagegen konnte nach 72-stündiger Kultivierung von frühen Morulastadien in Pailletten gegenüber der Kultivierung in “Microdrops” ein Anstieg von entwicklungsgestörten Blastozysten nachgewiesen werden. Nach Transfer von 24, 48 und 72 Stunden kultivierten 2-Zellstadien waren keine abweichenden Ergebnisse zwischen den beiden Kultivierungssystemen nachweisbar. Im Gegensatz dazu nahmen die embryonalen Verluste (Resorptionen) nach Transfer von 48 Stunden in Pailletten kultivierten frühen Morulastadien ohne erkennbare morphologische Veriinderungen an den Eizellen deutlich zu. Diese Ergebnisse weisen darauf hin, daβ die Blastozystenentwicklung in “Microcolumns” in Pailletten aus bisher noch nicht bekannten Gründen gestört sein kann, wenn der Aufenthalt der Blastozysten in den Pailletten mehr als 24 Stunden beträgt. Da ähnliche Beobachtungen auch an Rindereizellen gemacht wurden, erscheint die Schluβfolgerung berechtigt, daβ die Paillette für die Kultivierung, für den Transport und für den Transfer von Rindereizellen ein sehr nützliches Instrument darstellt, solange die Aufenthaltsdauer der Eizellen in der Paillette im Stadium der Morula und der Blastozyste 24 Stunden nicht wesentlich übersteigt. Contents Investigations on the practicability of cultivating fertilized bovine eggs in microcolumns The current experiments have been designed to investigate the possible adaptation of mini-straws in culturing mammalian preimplantation embryos. Rabbit 2-cell and premorulae stages were cultured for 96 and 72 hours respectively. The medium used consisted of modified F-10 basic salts (BSM-2) and supplemented with 20 % inactivated fetal calf serum. The in vitro development of 2-cell stage to blastocyst stage corresponds to that of the microdrop culture system. However, when premorulae stages were cultured for 72 hours, the rate of proliferated embryonic shield within developed blastocysts was higher in the microdrops system than the one that developed in the mini-straw system. In utero development of transferred cultured 2-cell stage embryos was determined after 24, 48 and 72 hours of the vitro-development. Our results indicated that the two systems were very similar in supporting development. The outcome of transferred developed embryos from premorula stages cultured for 24 hours in the two systems was comparible. However, extending culture period to 48 hours in ministraw was accompanied with lower fetal survival rate. The results are analogues to our observations with bovine embryos. Therefore, we can deduce that the mini-straw is a usefull system for culturing, transporting, and embryo transferring as long as one keep in consideration that culture periods of morulae or blastocysts do not by long exceed 24 hours.     

Caudal cruciate ligament function and injury in the horse

The caudal cruciate ligament assists the medial femorotibial ligament in supporting the medial aspect of the femorotibial joint. It also limits the outward rotation of the tibia during weight bearing. In two lame horses tearing of the caudal portion of the femoral attachment of the caudal cruciate ligament was recorded together with cracking and tearing of the medial meniscus. In one case, synovitis and restrictive fibrous periarthritis were the sequelae of secondary stifle sepsis.     

Prevalence,distribution, and risk factor for sheep pox and goat pox (SPGP) in Algeria

Tropical Animal Health and Production - A cross-sectional study using a tested questionnaire was carried out across Algeria between January and June 2014. Our investigation demonstrated that of the...