Science et technologie vétérinaires

A cross-sectional study was conducted to determine prevalence and associated risk factors of gastrointestinal tract (GIT) parasites of pigs slaughtered at Addis Ababa Abattoirs Enterprise (AAAE) from October, 2009 to May, 2010 using systematic random sampling technique. A total of 390 pigs were sampled to assess and identify different genera of GIT parasites of pig. For this study, faecal samples were collected from a total of 390 pigs’ slaughtered in the abattoir while post mortem adult parasite recovery was done by incision of liver, removing intestinal content, opening of the cecum and colon. The collected faecal samples were examined by zinc sulphate floatation and sedimentation techniques for isolation of parasitic eggs and/or oocysts. Out of 390 samples tested in the present study, an overall prevalence of 61.8% GIT parasite was identified. Among the examined samples, 16.2% (63/390), 12.6% (49/390), 6.9% (27/390), 3.9% (15/390), 11.8% (46/390), 10.5% (41/390) were identified as Strongyloides spp., Ascaris suum (A. suum), Trichuris suis (T. suis), Oesophagostomum spp., Coccidia spp. and Fasciola hepatica (F. hepatica) ova/oocyst, respectively. The study had also revealed that about 11.28% and 37.69% pigs had harbored mixed and single infection, respectively. A Chi-square computed statistical analysis indicated that origin (χ2=3.5408; P>0.05), age (χ2=1.8628; P>0.05) and sex (χ2=0.0636; P>0.05) were insignificantly associated with the infection of GIT parasites in the study area. However, the prevalence of individual GIT parasite infections analysis revealed that both sex and age were significantly associated with the prevalence of Coccidia spp. (p<0.05) while origin was significantly associated with the prevalence of the nematode A. suum (p<0.05). An overall prevalence of 28.2% GIT parasites were identified upon postmortem adult parasite inspection. Our study revealed that pig GIT parasites were the major biological constraints contributing to the low productivity of pig and hampered the economic benefit obtained from the sector. Therefore, further detailed investigations are needed to formulate appropriate and cost-effective strategies for the control of gastrointestinal parasites in pig farms in Ethiopia.

Salinomycin is a substance which is able to transport particular substance with antimicrobial properties. It is a dietary additive used as a growth promoter for ruminants and as a Veterinary Medicine in chickens. However, over dosage or misuse situations can lead to a series of toxic syndromes. The purpose of this study is to propose the alteration of oxidative stress markers during experimental toxicosis with salinomycin in sheep. Twenty Iranian mixed breed adult female fat-tailed sheep (BW: 36 ± 3.5 kg) were used in this study. Sheep were randomly divided into five equal groups. Group I (control) received 20 ml normal saline. Groups II, III, IV and V were orally administered 1 mg/kg (twice a day for two days), 2, 3 and 4 mg/kg (once a day for two days) salinomycin, respectively. Following drug administration, blood samples were collected at different time intervals (2, 5, 8, 14 and 21 days) in order to determine oxidative stress markers, SOD, GPX, Catalase, and MDA were measured using validated standard methods. The results indicated a significant decrease in SOD, GPX and Catalase, and an increase in MDA in salinomycin treated groups compared to control group (P<0.05). In addition, salinomycin induced significant decrease in the concentration of vitamin C. Concentrations of vitamin A and vitamin E were also increased, but the increase was not significant. The interaction between times and groups was significant with respect to all vitamins. In conclusion salinomycin intoxication in sheep can cause oxidative stress.

The present study evaluates in Clarias gariepinus the oxidative damage associated with two sub-chronic exposures to mercury chloride. The destructive effects of mercury chloride on the African Catfish, Clarias gariepinus was revealed in terms of protein carbonyl (PC), lipid peroxidation (LPO), DNA damage and nitric oxide (NO) as oxidative stress biomarkers. Super oxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (Gpx), glutathione reductase (GR), glutathione-s-Transferase (GST), glutathione (GSH) and total antioxidant (TAO) in the gills, kidney and liver can be used as biomarkers to identify possible environmental contamination in fish. This study aimed to investigate the impact of HgCl2 (0.04 and 0.12 ppm) for 14 and 28 days of the activity of the selected parameters in different tissues of Clarias gariepinus. The activity of SOD, CAT, Gpx and TAO dropped when compared to the control groups without mercury chloride exposure in all tissues under investigation. The pattern of variations in GST, GR and GSH activity in mercuryinduced groups were significantly increased than that of the control group. Also, NO, CP, LPO and DNA damage, were recorded with a pattern of a significant increase toward exposure period in all tissues under investigation.

An adult ewe weighing 34.65 kg at full term of pregnancy as per the owner was presented with the history of straining and unable to undergo the normal physiological process of lambing. Vaginal examination revealed a deformed fetus in the pelvic cavity that left insufficient room for fetal manipulation. The dystocia was relieved by caesarean section and a case of true Schistosomus reflexus (SR) in a ewe was confirmed from physical examination of the defective fetus. The ewe was under observation for four weeks. The ewe was found active on 25 days post-surgery with gain of extra 3 kg bodyweight.

The objective of this study was to quantify the effect of some postpartum uterine affection on productive and reproductive performance of high yielding Holstein cows. Productive, reproductive and uterine affections data were obtained from high yielding Holstein herd within private dairy enterprise. Throughout the studying about 705 dairy records were enrolled in a randomized trial. Data of BCS, parity, calving season, milk yield (initial, peak, and 305 milk yields) and reproductive parameters (days to first estrus, days open, service per conception, intervals between heats, calving interval and pregnancy rate at 100 post last insemination) were obtained from on-farm record system (DairyComp 305). Retained placenta, puerperal metritis and mixed cases (retained placenta and puerperal metritis) were diagnosed by herd veterinarians. The treatments of such affected cases were done according to standards of herd treatment strategy. Dairy cow were grouped according to their uterine affection into 4 groups, as puerperal metritis, retained placenta, mixed cases and healthy. The results of this study revealed that: Early postpartum uterine problems affect dairy cattle productive and reproductive performance so badly, as puerperal metritis and retained placenta had worst effects on milk production and these bad effects maximized when the retained placenta developed together with metritis within the same case. Dairy cattle reproduction goes in the same way of production as the reproduction affected badly with puerperal metritis, retained placenta, and mixed cases. Early postpartum uterine affection increased days to first estrus, days open, service per conception, calving interval, and decreased pregnancy rate in the first 100 DIM.

The experiment was conducted to study the impact of biomass combinations and rumen liquor as a fermenting agent on the yield of in vitro digestibility. The experiment was laid out in completely randomized design having four treatments and three replications. Two biomass combinations that are Berseem, 50% Berseem + 50% Mott grass and two levels of fermenting agent that is 1% rumen and control were used. Biomass combination and the fermenting agent showed a significant (α ≤ 0.05) effect on In-vitro digestibility. The maximum in vitro digestibility(%CP 5, %dry matter digestibility 14 and %starch equivalent 18) were recorded in the treatment having a combination of Berseem, Mott grass and rumen liquor while the minimum In-vitro digestibility (%CP 5-9, % dry matter digestibility 7-8 and %starch equivalent 16-18)was recorded for Berseem used only as a biomass. It was concluded that a mixture of Berseem, Mott grass and rumen liquor give high in vitro digestible silage if used as agents for silage preparation in a silo.

Single-dose pharmacokinetics of orbifloxacin (2.5 mg/kg bodyweight) were determined in clinically normal female mehsana goats (n=6) following intravenous and intramuscular administration. Orbifloxacin concentrations were determined by high performance liquid chromatography with ultraviolet detection. The concentration–time data were analyzed by non-compartmental kinetic method. Following a single intravenous injection, an elimination half-life (t1/2β) of 8.63 ± 0.130 h. Steady-state volume of distribution (Vdss) and total body clearance (ClB) were 2.99 ± 0.038 L/kg and 0.187 ± 0.002 L/kg/h, respectively. Following intramuscular administration, the elimination rate constant (β), the area under the curve from zero to infinity (AUC0-∞) and the mean absorption time (MAT) were 0.019 ± 0.001 h-1, 19.66 ± 0.216 μg·h/mL and 7.618 ± 0.549 h, respectively. The peak plasma concentration (Cmax) of 1.76 ± 0.010 μg/mL was achieved at 1.00 ± 0.00 h. The mean residence time (MRT) was 21.07 ± 0.478 h and the absolute bioavailability were 155.5 ± 2.487%, respectively. Orbifloxacin could be useful for the treatment of bacterial infections in goats that are sensitive to this drug.

Six experimentally infected calves were slaughtered at 15 days post infection (dpi) (Group A), 20 dpi (Group B), 25 dpi (Group C) and the intestinal mucosa was examined for pathological changes. The affected part of the intestine was removed, opened and examined for macroscopic findings. The animals studied showed lesions of varying severity. The gross pathology revealed no remarkable abnormal findings in calves of group A. Redness of the mucosa of the caecum and colon in six calves of group B and C was noted. There were no first generation schizonts evident grossly. The main characteristic under the light of microscope of the intestinal sections taken from the calves examined during the late prepatent period were mild inflammatory infilteration of the mucosa and increased cellular debris, parasitic structures were identified from small and large intestine. The caecum and colon showed particularly high levels of infection.

A cross-sectional study was conducted to determine the prevalence wound and associated risk factors in equines in Kombolcha town, North Ethiopia. A total of 600 working equines were examined of which, 469 (78.2%) and 131(21.8%) were horses and donkeys, respectively. The overall prevalence of equine wound was 64% in which 64.2% and 63.4% of wound prevalence were detected in horses and donkeys, respectively. The prevalence of wound vary significantly among age categories of both species of animals (Horse: χ2=39.3, P<0.05) and (Donkey: χ2=15.62, P<0.05) where higher prevalence was noticed in adult horses and donkeys. Slightly higher proportion of wound was encountered in pre scapular areas of the body in both wounded horses (85.4%) and donkeys (14.6%). Abrasion, laceration (horses) and punctures (donkey) were among the most frequently encountered types of wounds. The intensity of injuries was highly associated with species (χ2=7.2, P<0.05); injuries were more severe in horses (38.9%) than in donkeys (25.3%). The majority of these wounds were caused by improper harnesses in both species of animals in which the highest wound prevalence was recorded in horses (63.9%) and donkeys (68.7%) that used plastic and grass as a harnessing material, respectively. Surprisingly, of positive wound cases, only 33.7% in donkeys and 12.0% in horse has got wound treatment; however, the rest were left untreated. Generally, this study has figured out wound as a major health problem of working equines in and around Kombolcha town and hence, a comprehensive equine health programs should be implemented in order to alleviate the prevailing problem.

Herd-level prevalence of Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (MAP), causative agent of Johne’s disease (JD) and Bovine Viral Diarrhea (BVD) virus were estimated on dairy farms in Utah. Duplicate milks were collected at 3-4 day intervals on 5 dates from each bulk tank on participating farms. Samples were tested at separate laboratories for BVD (real-time, RT-PCR) and for JD/MAP (ELISA and qPCR). 151/209 (72%) eligible dairy farms participated. Farms detected positive were: 58 JD (38%) and 14 BVD (9%); 5 farms had both diseases. Follow up visited farms’ (n=22) means, medians: 778,420 milking cows; 20,052 lbs, 20,311 lbs 305d milk; 175,545/ml, 178,000/ml bulk milk SCC; stalls visibly soiled in rear one-third 37%, 32%, range 5% to 90%. Seventeen of 21 (81%) farms with JD had observed adult cows becoming thin while retaining appetite, 52% had seen adult cows contract diarrhea and subsequently die. Both BVD-positive farms had observed abortions. Free stalls housed milking cows on 91% of farms; dry lots housed dry cows on 55%. Nine farms (41%) had purchased animals within the past year: 27% pregnant heifers, 18% bulls, 9% calves, 14% cows; 9% had purchased only bulls. Whenever animals were last purchased, 14 farms (64%) had performed no disease testing or segregation; 8 farms (36%) utilized at least one biosecurity practice for replacements. Most common were 9-way vaccine including BVD on arrival (27%), 14% segregated replacements for any time, 11% tested for any diseases (none for JD). Fourteen (67%) farms with JD would identify known positive cows; none would segregate positives. Most producers (57%) allowed known JDpositive cows to calve again, farms with BVD were equivocal. No producers would have a separate calving area for JD or BVD-positive cows. Six farms (27%) fed calves only individual cow colostrum and pasteurized milk. All 22 farms vaccinated against BVD.

Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora caninum are protozoans that can cause reproductive problems in sheep. The aim of the present study was to determine the frequency of anti–N. caninum and anti-T. gondii antibodies among sheep herds in some counties in the state of Mato Grosso do Sul. Four hundred sixteen serum samples were collected from ewes in eight counties. The sera samples were evaluated by using an indirect fluorescent antibody test with a 1:50 dilution. The seroprevalences found for T. gondi and N. caninum were 33.7% and 52.2%, respectively. The rate of animals testing positive simultaneously for Neospora and Toxoplasma was of 17.5%. The results of the present study demonstrate that sheep raised in these counties are exposed to T. gondii and N. caninum and that sheep can be co-infected with both parasites.

This perspective article raises a global concern on accuracy of body condition scoring (BCS) of ruminants based on visual observations of external fat depts. Recent evidence suggests that low body condition score in a visually and apparently thin animal does not accurately indicated that the animal is truly thin. Visually think looking ruminants may have considerable amount of visceral or abdominal adipose tissues that significantly contribute to hepatic import of fats and unhealthy substrates. Body condition score as a visual indicator of external and subcutaneous ruminant adiposity cannot be relied on accurately to be utilized in effective metabolic management of high-producing dairy and beef ruminants.

This article addresses a global compulsion on moderated starch nutrition to help optimize rumen fermentation, splanchnic metabolism, peripheral nutrient efficiency, animal health and economics, and environmental sustainability. The mistaken trends in increasing starch inclusion from cereals in modern ruminant diets are to be ceased. The sustainability of the postmodern ruminant industry lies in moderated optimized starch utilization.

This public policy article establishes circadian timing of appetite and nutrient consumption as a working science to feasibly prevent and manage obesity and diabetes. Conventionally, almost all scientific efforts have focused on managing daily quantity and quality of nutrient intake in programming public nutrition and health. However, a very significant applied science, incrementally emerging recently, is timing of appetite and eating different nutrients over the 24-h period.

Animals have been cloned from frozen decade old postmortem tissues preserved within few hours of animal death. Delay in tissue preservation may reduce cloning success due to compromised nuclear DNA integrity. In vitro culture of cells ensures nuclear integrity and is a preferred method of preparing somatic cells for cloning. However, the time limits of postmortem recovery of cells capable of in vitro culture are not precisely known. Here we show recovery of fibroblast-like cells after 160 days of postmortem storage of goat skin in culture media at 4?C. Forty skin explants were cultured at 10 days interval up to 160 days and the outgrowing fibroblast-like cells around them were observed under inverted microscope. Explants with a cluster of more than 50 cells, after 10-12 days of culture initiation, were considered positive. We observed the outgrowth in all the time points, however, the confluence level reduced with increasing postmortem time interval. Secondary cultures established from primary outgrowth of 0-, 90- and 160-dpm tissues exhibited similar fibroblast-like morphology. Growth curves of 0- and 90-dpm cells were similar but 160-dpm cells grow slightly slower.Cytogenetic analysis performed on twenty G-banded metaphase cells of 160-dpm cell line revealed an apparently normal male goat karyotype with 60 chromosomes and their post-freezing cell-viability was >67%. Potential of using these cells to clone the goats remains to be seen in future. These findings may be useful in decisions for preservation of tissues for future cloning of animals and cell therapy.