International Journal of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Health

International Journal of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Health Vol. 9 (4), pp. 001-006, April, 2018. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Effect of the periparturient period on blood free amino acid concentration in dairy cows/healthy cows

Yousuke Maeda, Hiromichi Ohtsuka and Masa-aki Oikawa*

Large Animal Medical Center, School of Veterinary Medicine, Kitasato University, 35-1 Higashi 23 Ban-cho, Towada, Aomori 034-8628, Japan.

Accepted 16 September, 2017

Abstract 

A negative energy balance (NEB) attributed to sugar and lipid metabolic disorders are common in periparturient cows. The relationship between periparturient disorders and amino acid metabolism is unclear. The present study was aimed to observe the kinetics of blood free amino acids healthy periparturient cows simultaneously with the concentrations of biochemical constituents in plasma. The changes in the concentrations of plasma biochemical constituents and blood free amino acids were monitored in healthy periparturient cows. There were three types of amino acid; a group of amino acids (Val, Leu, Ile, Trp, Thr, Arg, Lys, Tyr, Ala, Pro, Asn, Orn) whose blood concentrations decreased because their consumption is accelerated under periparturient energy-shortage state, a group of AAs (Gly, Ser) whose concentrations increased because they are mobilized to compensate for periparturient energy shortage, and a group of amino acids (Glu, Gln) that are taken into the mammary gland tissues and mobilized from the start of lactation after delivery. The blood free amino acid concentrations in periparturient cows indicated the various kinetics of amino acid concentration corresponding to changes in energy generation. Analysis of amino acid metabolism should be entertained in the pathogenesis of NEB-related periparturient disorders.

Key words: Cow, serum free amino acid concentration, periparturient, metabolism of amino acid.

International Journal of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Health Vol. 9 (3), pp. 001-008, March, 2018. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Study on prevalence of bovine mastitis and its major causative agents in West Harerghe zone, Doba district, Ethiopia

Sisay Girma¹*, Alo Mammo¹, Ketema Bogele², Teshale Sori³, Fanos Tadesse³ and Tariku Jibat³

¹College of Veterinary Medicine, Haramaya Univerisity, P. O. Box 138, Diredawa, Ethiopia.

²Hirna Regional Veterinary Laboratory, West Haraghe, Ethiopia.

³School of Veterinary Medicine, Addis Ababa University, P. O. Box 34, Debrezeit, Ethiopia.

Accepted 26 July, 2017

Abstract

A cross-sectional study was carried out in Doba district, West Harerghe, Eastern Oromiya State, Ethiopia from November 2010 to April 2011 with the aim of determining prevalence of mastitis in Zebu cows and to identify associated risk factors and major etiological agents. A total of 384 lactating Zebu cows were included in this study and out of these, 89 (23.18%) were found to be reactive by California mastitis test (CMT). Bacteriological analysis of milk samples collected simultaneously yielded positive result in 76 (19.79%) of the samples. Out of 1536 quarters examined 34 (2.21%) were blind and 152 (10.12%) were positive by CMT. Bacteriological analysis carried out at the quarter level showed that 121 (8.03%) of the samples were positive for various bacteria. The predominant bacteria isolated were Staphylococcus species (47.11%), Streptococcus species (31.40%) and coliforms (9.92%). Other bacterial species were isolated at lower rates. Antimicrobial susceptibility test showed that most of the isolates in the study area were found to be highly sensitive to cloxacillin, gentamycin and amoxicillin, and moderately sensitive to ampicillin and oxytetracycline. Nevertheless, Streptococcus and Staphylococcus species isolated were resistant to streptomycin and penicillin. Age, parity, stage of lactation and hygienic conditions were found to be important risk factors associated with the occurrence of mastitis.

Key words: Bacterial pathogens, cows, Doba, masttitis, prevalence, risk, Zebu.

International Journal of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Health Vol. 9 (3), pp. 001-006, March, 2018. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Prevalence and public health significance of ovine hydatidosis in Bahir Dar Town, Ethiopia

Timketa Belina¹*, Alula Alemayehu², Nebyou Moje³, Azene Yechale¹ and Sisay Girma¹

¹College of Veterinary Medicine, Haramaya University, P. O. Box 138 Dire Dawa, Ethiopia.

²School of Veterinary Medicine, Wollo University, P. O. Box 1145, Dessie, Ethiopia.

³School of Veterinary Medicine, Wollega University, Nekemt, Ethiopia.

Accepted 12 November, 2017

Abstract 

Both cross-sectional and retrospective studies were conducted from October 2010 to April 2011 in Bahir Dar municipal abattoir and Azewa hotel to determine the prevalence and public health importance of hydatidosis in sheep. Hydatid cyst characterization was conducted based on routine meat inspection. Of the total of 400 sheeps examined by thorough meat inspection in Bahir Dar municipal abattoir and Azewa hotel, it was found that 60 (15%) of sheep were harboring hydatid cysts. The infection of liver, lung, kidney and spleen were 60.87, 37.68, 0.25 and 0%, respectively. The rate of cyst calcification was higher in liver than in other visceral organs. There was a significant difference in the harboring of hydatid cyst between age groups and body condition scores. Hence, there was a significantly higher prevalence of hydatidosis in sheeps of age greater than 3 years (p=0.032) and in poor body condition score (p=0.004). However, there was no significant difference between sexes (p=o.05). Hospital and clinic case-book survey (2007 to 2010) was also performed in Felegehiwot hospital, Gambi clinic and Kidanemeheret clinic to investigate the retrospective prevalence of human hydatidosis. Case book analysis showed that out of the total of 68,179 patients admitted for ultra sound examination, 30 (0.044%) hydatid cases were registered.

Key words: Hydatidosis, prevalence, fertility, zoonoses, sheep, Bahir Dar, Ethiopia.

International Journal of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Health Vol. 9 (2), pp. 001-005, February, 2018. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Study on ovine fasciolosis: Prevalence and associated risk factors in North Gondar Zone, Ethiopia

Mastewal Birhan Atanaw¹* and Malede Birhan Atanaw²

¹School of Veterinary Medicine, Hawassa University, Hawassa, Ethiopia.

²Department of Animal Production and Extension, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Gondar, Ethiopia.

Accepted 16 November, 2017

Abstract 

A cross sectional study was conducted from November to April, 2011 in three districts (Gondar town, Gondar Zuria, and Dembia) of North Gondar Administrative Zone (NGAZ). The objectives of the study, were to determine the prevalence ovine fasciolosis and to asses risk factors associated with fasciolosis in sheep. Coprological examinations, was used to collect fresh fecal samples directly from live sheep during the study period. Out of the total 400 fecal samples examined, 173 (43.3%) were positive for Fasciola eggs. There was no statistically significant difference (P > 0.05) among age groups (young (45.8%), adult (39.7%), and old (42.4%)) and between sexes (male (42.74%) and female (43.35%)), respectively. However, there was statistically significant variation (P < 0.05) between different body conditions of the animal (good body condition (28.5%), medium (41.7%), and poor body condition (97.8%)). The prevalence of fasciolosis was higher in animals with poor body condition. Also, there was statistically significant difference among the three districts (P < 0.05). The highest prevalence rate was detected in Gondar Zuria districts (34.6%), Dembia (43.7%), and Gondar town (51.9%), correspondingly. This study indicated that, fasciolosis is the major obstacles of sheep production in the study area by inflicting remarkable direct and indirect losses to the animal. Therefore, strategic deworming of sheep with antihelminthics can reduce the prevalence rate of the parasites.

Key words: Ethiopia, North Gondar, ovine, coprological, fasciolosis.

International Journal of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Health Vol. 9 (2), pp. 001-008, February, 2018. © International Scholars Journals

Review

Hypoxia-inducible factor-1 alpha signaling: Regulation of vascular endothelial growth factor-dependent angiogenesis during ovarian corpus luteum development in mammals

Zhenghong Zhang^1,2, Qianping Luo¹, Yong Cheng² and Zhengchao Wang¹*

¹Provincial Key Laboratory for Developmental Biology and Neurosciences, College of Life Sciences, Fujian Normal University, Fuzhou, 350007, People’s Republic of China.

²Provincial Research Center for Animal Transgenesis and Biopharming, College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, People’s Republic of China.

Accepted 3 September, 2017

Abstract

The corpus luteum (CL) is a temporary endocrine structure in mammals, which is the site of intense capillary network (angiogenesis). The angiogenesis is a process of vascular growth that is mainly limited to the reproductive system in healthy adult animals, which enables the hormone-producing cells to obtain the oxygen, nutrients and also precursors necessary to synthesize and release different hormones essential for the maintenance of ovarian functions. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is thought to play a paramount role in the regulation of normal and abnormal angiogenesis in the ovary, especially in the newly formed CL. Recent studies have also indicated that hypoxia is important for establishing the vascular system during the CL development, which induces hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)-1a expression in luteal cells (LCs). Therefore, the molecular regulation of luteal VEGF expression during CL development becomes more important to be explored. Based on our recent research findings, the present review will clarify the role of HIF-1a signaling in VEGF-dependent angiogenesis during CL development. Investigations of the angiogenic mechanisms may lead to new strategies in treatment for fertility control and for some types of ovarian dysfunction, such as polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) and ovarian neoplasia.

Key words: Phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K), mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)-1a, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), prolyl-hydroxylase (PHD), corpus luteum.

International Journal of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Health Vol. 9 (1), pp. 001-004, January, 2018. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Seroprevalence of contagious caprine pleuropneumonia in Dire Dawa provisional administrative council, Eastern Ethiopia

Eskindir Yousuf, Achenef Melaku* and Basaznew Bogale

Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Gondar, Ethiopia.

Accepted 13 August, 2017

Abstract

A cross-sectional study was conducted in and around Dire Dawa Provisional Administrative Council (DDPAC) from November, 2011 to March, 2012 to determine the seroprevalence of contagious caprine pleuropneumonia (CCPP) and to assess risk factors associated with seropositivity. In this study, 244 sera were collected from goats and subjected to complement fixation test. Out of the total sera tested, 12 (4.92%) were positive for CCPP. The seroprevalence of CCPP was significantly (P < 0.05) higher in adult (7.38%) than in young (1.05%) goats. There was non-significant variation with regards to the risk involvement of she-goat (4.67%) and buck (5.32%) in the flock, irrespective to the low and mid agro-climatic zones. Husbandry practices were found to play a significant role on the seroprevalence of CCPP as revealed in semi-intensive (13.64%) than in extensive (4.05%) husbandry system. Moreover, higher seroprevalence in large flock established significant contagiousness than in small flock size. In conclusion, this study indicated that CCPP is still prevalent in DDPAC region of Eastern Ethiopia, which may underlines the importance of further studies and implementation of appropriate preventive and control measures.

Key words: Contagious caprine pleuropneumonia (CCPP), Dire Dawa, complement fixation test (CFT), serum, risk factors.