Serum enzymes levels and influencing factors in three indigenous Ethiopian goat breeds

Serum enzymes were studied in 163 apparently healthy goats from three indigenous goat breeds of Ethiopia. The effect of breed, age, sex and season on alanine aminotransferase (ALT) / glutamic pyruvic transaminase (GPT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) / glutamic oxalacetic transaminases (GOT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and acid phosphatase (AcP) levels was assessed. The mean serum enzymes levels of the indigenous Arsi-Bale, Central Highland and Long-eared Somali goat breeds ranged from 14.0–20.2 iu L⁻¹ for ALT/GPT, from 43.2–49.3 iu L⁻¹ for AST/GOT, from 83.7–98.8 iu L⁻¹ for ALP, and from 2.99–4.23 iu L⁻¹ for AcP, were within the normal range for goats elsewhere. Breed had significant influence on AST/GOT values. Sex had significant effect on ALT/GPT for Arsi-Bale goats with higher values in males than females. Age was significant on all serum enzymes studied in the Arsi-Bale goats and on ALP in the Central Highland goats. Season had significant influence on all serum enzymes except for ALT/GPT in the Arsi-Bale goats. The serum enzyme levels of these indigenous goat breeds can be used as normal reference values for Ethiopian goat breeds adapted to similar agro-ecology and production system.     

Study on seroprevalence,risk factors,and economic impact of foot-and-mouth disease in Borena pastoral and agro-pastoral system,southern Ethiopia

Cross-sectional serological study and questionnaire survey were conducted in Borana pastoral and agro-pastoral area to determine seroprevalence and risk factors associated with foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) infection and to assess community perceptions as to importance of the disease. A multistage random sampling was carried out to select cattle for seroprevalence and households for interviews. Totally, 768 sera were collected from 111 herds. The overall individual level seroprevalence of 23.0% (n = 177) and herd level seroprevalence of 58.6% (n = 65) were recorded using 3ABC ELISA test. The variation of individual level seroprevalence in districts were statistically significant (P < 0.05) which was 29.9% in Arero, 24.0% in Yabello, and 15.7% in Teltele. From multivariate logistic regression analysis, herd size and age were seen to be significantly (P < 0.05) associated with FMD seroprevalence. The result of the questionnaire survey based on 120 respondents indicated that, the daily milk yield of cows infected with FMD during outbreaks is reduced to an average of 0.5 L for 25.5 days while cows developing heat-intolerance syndrome after acute infection gave an average 0.67 L for 3.8 months and their calving interval prolonged about 12 months. The questionnaire survey in agro-pastoral area of Borena also indicated that FMD-infected oxen remained off-plough for one season when outbreaks occur in cropping time, whereas heat-intolerant oxen were no longer used for traction. These findings of the present study indicated that FMD is a highly prevalent and economically important disease in the Borana pastoral and agro-pastoral production systems which need effective control strategy for the disease.     

石墨烯低温远红外辐射干燥稻谷干燥特性与品质研究

为研究稻谷的石墨烯低温远红外干燥特性及其对稻谷干燥品质的影响,以辐射温度、排粮流量和除湿风量为影响因素,以整精米率和应力裂纹指数增值为评价指标,用自制的循环式石墨烯低温远红外干燥机进行稻谷干燥试验,通过BBD（Box-Behnken设计）响应面法,分析了低温远红外干燥对稻谷干燥品质的影响以及工艺参数优化。结果表明：影响稻谷干燥特性和品质的最主要因素是辐射温度,其次是排粮流量和除湿风量。随着辐射温度的升高,稻谷干燥速率和应力裂纹指数增值逐步增大,整精米率则逐步降低。与同温度的热风干燥相比,石墨烯低温远红外干燥平均干燥速率和干燥品质均有显著提高。经优化后,稻谷最佳石墨烯低温远红外干燥工艺条件为：辐射温度43℃、排粮流量4kg/min、除湿风量193m3/h,此时应力裂纹指数增值为9,整精米率为79.75%,稻谷干燥品质最佳。这说明利用石墨烯低温远红外干燥稻谷,可以明显提高干燥速率并改善稻谷干燥品质。     

Appraisal of interpretation criteria for the single intra-dermal comparative cervical tuberculin test for the diagnosis of tuberculosis in dromedary camels in Ethiopia

Tropical Animal Health and Production - Dromedary camels are the main sources of milk, meat and income for the Ethiopian pastoralists as they withstand the harsh environments of the regions of the...