Research Aspects in Agriculture and Veterinary Science Vol. 1

This research was conducted aiming to improve the coagulation abilities of camel milk using an enzymatic extract from the Kaolin Layer (EKL) of chicken gizzards as a substitute to commercial rennet. The crude extract was prepared by dissolving dry Kaolin layer powder on a mixture of Nacl/CaCO3. The milk clotting activity (MCA) of the crude extract was determined basing to Berridge method. The EKL optimum coagulation conditions were as follows: pH=5, temperature=45°C; and a concentration of CaCl2: 0.09M.  In addition, the enzymatic extract showed an important coagulant power mainly for camel milk: UP = 0.630 ± 0.04 against a coagulation frequency of 0.672 ± 0.05 for bovine milk. EKL can be used as a coagulant agent in cheese production for both camel and cow milk.

This chapter reports the epidemiology of Leptospirosis in pigs. Leptospirosis is a cosmopolitan zoonotic disease caused by the genus leptospira. The disease is endemic in tropical regions and affects wild, domestic animals and human beings. Pigs from intensively housed, free-range and feral can be infected provided that they directly or indirectly contact with urine from infected reservoir host animals. Clinical manifestations of leptospirosis in pigs range from asymptomatic to chronic depending mainly on the infecting serovar and the age of the animals. Chronic manifestation is associated with loss in productivity of pigs due to placentitis, abortions, stillbirth, infertility and weak neonatal pigs. The laboratory tests used in the diagnosis of leptospirosis include culture, molecular method and serology. Antibiotics such as tetracyclines, dihydrostreptomycin, streptomycin, doxycycline and erythromycin can be used to treat the disease. Control measure of leptospirosis includes vaccination, water sanitation, rodent control and farm hygiene.

The goal of this study was to see how vitamin E supplementation affected the GH-insulin–IGF-1 axis in Murrah buffaloes throughout the transition phase. The Murrah buffaloes (n = 12) were chosen from the National Dairy Research Institute (NDRI) cattle herd during their late gestation and divided into two groups of six each. Group I buffaloes were fed simply the control diet, whereas group II buffaloes were given 2000 IU/day/head vitamin E combined with the control feed. Blood sample were collected from each buffalo at weekly interval from day -21 to day +21 relative to parturition by jugular veinpuncture. Growth hormone (GH) -IGF-1 and insulin were quantified by bovine specific ELISA test kit. During the transition phase, there was no significant difference in insulin and GH concentrations in the blood between the two groups, according to the findings. However, the amount of insulin and IGF-I reduction was much larger in Group I. The fall in these hormone levels during the transition phase was determined to be a physiological event linked to a negative energy balance. During the transition phase, dietary treatment with Vitamin E showed no effect on peripheral profiles of these hormones.

Salmonella organisms cause foodborne disease outbreaks having significant public health concern. Salmonella is more frequently isolated from poultry species than from other livestock animals. All the fractions of poultry production can be affected by Salmonella organisms like hatchery, incubators, breeding facilities, commercial raising operations of layers and broilers, feed preparation units and factories, transportation systems, commercialization facilities and slaughterhouses. Globalization makes it possible for a contaminated foodstuff to affect the health of people in several countries at the same time. Several cases of foodborne salmonellosis originated from poultry products have been reported globally including India. The predominant serovars of Salmonella, having public health importance are mainly S. enteritidis and S. typhimurium. Antibiotic resistant serotypes of poultry origin are alarmingly increasing. Poultry food safety is a function of multiple risk factors. For effective prevention and control of foodborne salmonellosis, there should be programmes for creating awareness among consumers about the food safety and guiding the food handlers and animal breeders mainly of poultry, regarding safe production of food starting from farm to the table.

An experiment was conducted to study the effect of parity on milk let-down time in Mehsana buffaloes. Twenty four Mehsana buffaloes were divided into four groups on the basis of parity (1-4 lactation) and maintained under uniform feeding and housing conditions. Data on letdown time for different parity buffaloes were collected six days in a month at morning and evening milking for six months. The average letdown time was more in evening milking for the month of August, September, November and January, while it was more in morning in the month of October and December and the difference was not-significant. The average letdown time for Mehsana buffaloes in Lactation-I (L₁), Lactation-II (L₂), Lactation-III (L₃) and Lactation-IV (L₄) was 71.15, 69.22, 62.30 and 56.65 sec., respectively, with overall average of 64.83 sec. The differences were significant (P<0.01) among lactation. Decreasing trend was observed for letdown time with increasing number of parity. The average letdown time was more during morning milking (65.58 sec) than evening (64.09 sec.) however the difference was not-significant. It may be concluded that the average time required for letdown decreases as the parity advances in the Mehsana buffaloes. Hence, first time calvers should be given teat manipulation before calving and pre-milking udder stimulation must be introduced as milking routine.

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of day length and season on haematological characteristics, biochemical and hormonal profiles of laying Guinea fowls (Numida meleagris). Four hens and 1 male were each subjected to 12 hours of light and 12 hours of darkness (12L: 12D), 14hours of light and 10 hours of darkness (14L: 10D), 16hours of light and 8 hours of darkness (16L: 8D) and 18hours of light and 6 hours of darkness (18L: 6D). Each group was replicated three times and reared in three seasons (Dry-December-March, Major rains-April-July and Minor rains-August-November) in a 3x4 factorial experiment. Data were analyzed using General Linear Model procedure of SAS. Significantly (p<0.05) higher Packed cell volume (PCV), lymphocytes and eosinophil, total serum protein and prolactin values were observed in 16L: 8D as 14L: 10D resulted in highest (p<0.05) neutrophil and albumin. PCV and Platelets were highest (p<0.05) in major rains whiles red blood cells and neutrophil were highest (p<0.05) in dry and minor rainy seasons, respectively. Total serum protein increased (p<0.05) from the dry season to minor rainy seasons. Oestrogen and luteinizing hormones were highest (p<0.05) in major rains and prolactin levels were higher (p<0.05) in minor rains and lowest in major rains. Interaction effect was not significant (p>0.05) in all parameters except prolactin. The findings of this study suggest that daylength of 14-16hrs and major rainy season in Ghana supports adequate haematological, biochemical and hormonal profiles of Guinea.

Nicotine is thought to be the main component present in the smoke of tobacco, which works as a neurotoxic and largely accounts for most of the deleterious effects on body functions. Nicotine affects metabolic and biological processes, hormone secretions as well as hematopoietic systems. It was observed that when the mice were given doses of nicotine it alters their hematological parameters, lipid profile, liver enzymes and reproductive hormones.  

In birds the major leukocytes involved in phagocytosis function are heterophils. Heterophils are polymorphonuclear leukocytes. They are a part of the innate immune system. When chickens are encountered by pathogens, they generate the primary response. Heterophils are counterparts of neutrophils in mammals, like neutrophils, their response to pathogens is quick, and get activated quickly which is by chemotaxis of heterophils. Detection of Bacteria, their proteins or their structures is through certain specialized receptors present in the immune cells called as Toll Like Receptors (TLR’s). They contain antimicrobial substances which are released when encountered by pathogens. Their functions are genetically controlled. They are highly phagocytic and antimicrobial activity is characterised through various ways.

Objective: Staphylococci from beaver`s gut  (Castor fiber) were analyzed as a contribution in the basic microbiology as well as in the part of beaver`s microbiome study.

Methodology: Free-living beavers (12), both male and female (aged 4-5 years) were caught with a net in north-east part of Poland Województwo (Provincie) Podlaskie Gmina-Wizajny, GPS:22º 52E:54º22N and placed in wire cages. Sampling was provided in Poland. Sampling of jejunum (12), colon (12) and caecum (6) was followed the ethic rules for animal handling.

Results: Staphylococci detected in jejunum reached amount 2.73 ± 1.16 cfu/g (log 10) on average;  their counts in caecum reached 1.87 ± 0.37 cfu/g on average and in colon 2.89 ± 1.70 cfu/g. After score evaluation using MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry, a high variability in staphylococcal species distribution in beaver`s gut was found; in total, including 18 identified strains, nine species were detected belonging into five clusters; the strains were allotted in the coagulase-negative staphylococcal species. The most frequently detected species were S. hominis and S. haemolyticus (five strains for each). The other species included two strains-S. epidermidis and S. lentus, S. pasteuri, S. cohnii, S. vitulinus, S. warneri, S. xylosus, one strain for each one species. Fifteen strains were deoxyribonuclease and almost haemolysis negative. Ten strains (not depending on the species) showed low-grade biofilm ability formation. Most of  strains were methicillin susceptible with high production of lactic acid.

Conclusion: The study is original contribution in staphylococcal microbiome of beavers and gives opportunity in more detail study of individual strain species.

Oilpalm yields have been declining, thus soils in the coastal plains sand of Imo State that support Oilpalms have been investigated. Each of the 10 sites surveyed had a bulked sample obtained at 0–20 cm and 20–40 cm depths and analysed in the laboratory. The surface of the soil was dominated by sandyloam, but the subsurface was dominated by sandy clayloam. Ranges of values of parameters at the topsoil were: pH(4.1 – 5.6), ECEC (5.7 – 8.7 cmol/kg), BS (36 – 87%), OM (1 – 4.7 g/kg), TN (0.01 – 0.14 g/kg), Av. P (6 –  /kg), Fe (0 – 233 mg/kg), Cu (0 – 1.2 mg/kg), Zn (0.3 – 14 mg/kg), Mn (5.7 – 145.6 mg/kg). Fertility Capability Classification (fcc) identified in the soils the condition modifiers – g (gley – in the valleys), e (low cec), h (strong acidity), and k (low content of k). But by suitability rating, the main limiting factors were – OM (N), TN (S₃/N), K (S₃/S₂). In general, the soils were appropriate (S2). for Oilpalm growth. Slight drainage of alluvial sites, mild liming (especially of alluvial soils), liberal nitrogenous fertiliser treatment, and moderate potassium fertiliser application are all recommended. The parametric method of assessment was more realistic than the non-parametric method of assessment.

Objective: While clinical use of sevoflurane has been increasing in veterinary medicine, this anaesthetic can cause dose-dependent hypotension, hypoventilation, impaired cardiac contractility, and hypothermia. Because of these side effects, sevoflurane must be carefully titrated and vigilantly monitored to avoid excessive anaesthetic depth. One of the anaesthetic depth evaluation using a minimum alveolar concentration (MAC) has been defined as “produces immobility in 50% of animals exposed to noxious stimulus.” Limited information regarding the MAC of sevoflurane required for blunting adrenergic responses (MAC-BAR) in cats currently exists. Therefore, this study was designed to compare the MAC and MAC-BAR of sevoflurane required to prevent autonomic responses and purposeful movements in cats.

Methods: Six adult healthy domestic short haired cats (1year old, 3 males and 3 females) were anaesthetized with sevoflurane on two occasions with a minimum 14-day washout period to determine sevoflurane MAC and MACBAR.

Results: The difference between sevoflurane MAC (2.92 ±0.47%) and MAC-BAR (3.24 ± 0.41%) was not statistically significant.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance: These results suggested that the detrimental cardiovascular side effects such as hypotension and impaired cardiac contractility can easily occur in sevoflurane-anaesthetized cats.

Dairy products are an important source of animal protein in Asian countries, especially for nutritionally vulnerable groups and vegetarians. As a result, the approach to increasing domestic milk supply is to increase buffalo milk yield through genetic improvement from the sperm of a selected buffalo sire with a high predicted milk difference. As a case study, data was collected from Artificial Insemination Centers in Egypt to use a dynamic mathematical investment model to estimate the rate of return (IRR) on genetic investment. Aside from the economic variables, the reproductive characteristics and feed efficiency are the most important variables in IRR. The anticipated most likely amount of IRR, 19.71%, was feasible. An increase of 10% in the number of conception services, age at First Calving, and service period would reduce the IRR by 7.51 percent. The IRR would drop by 9% if feed efficiency dropped by 10%. IRR would be reduced by 7% if feed costs, semen prices, and milk prices all fell by 10%. To import buffalo sires' semen of high predicted milk difference at moderate prices till establishment, domestic genetic merit is required.

Literature reviews confirmed that Egypt has a comparative advantage in milk production rather than red meat production, particularly from buffalo. Furthermore, water resources are becoming increasingly scarce, limiting horizontal expansion in fodder acreage. Furthermore, there is fierce competition between food and feed demand on available agricultural land resources. As a result, horizontal expansion in dairy buffalo stock would be impossible. As a result, the only option for buffalo development in Egypt is vertical expansion through increased milk yield to meet the current deficit in domestic milk production. The Egyptian consumer prefers buffalo milk for its color taste and high content of total solids, particularly fat. Buffalo milk is more expensive than cow milk, and its production is increasing faster than cow milk production. The proposed genetic improvement of buffalo milk yield is being accelerated using an artificial insemination (AI) network. A recent study [1], provided evidence that the return of genetic investment in dairy buffalo would be feasible, (IRR = 19.71%)  However, according to official statistics, Egypt has only two AI-centers for buffalo selected buffalo sires, serving four AI-units. As a result, the goal of this study was to assess the feasibility of establishing an AI-network in Egypt by estimating (NPV, IRR, and payback period) and its sensitivity to unfavorable changes that the proposed program may face. The study used a field survey data collected from an AI-unit of the buffaloes’ semen and an AI-Center for raising buffalo sires in Nile Delta. The findings showed that, while the Egyptian economy's average discount rate was 17.5 %, the estimated IRR for one AI-unit was around 35 % under the most likely scenario. A 10% decrease in semen price and a 10% increase in insemination costs would result in IRRs of approximately 28% and 31%, respectively. Under the most likely conditions, the estimated IRR for the AI-center was around 31%. 10% Decrease in Semen Price, and 10% increase in feed costs or in Sire’s price would result in 26%, 30% or 28% respectively. The lowest sale price of semen dose is thus the most effective variable on the IRR. Unfavorable changes, on the other hand, would keep investments with high incentives in establishing a feasible AI-Network for rapidly increasing the dairy buffalo milk yield.