A Preliminary Study of Prevalence of Mastitis in Camel

D. Suchitra Sena, Gorakh Mal, Rajender Kumar
and M.S. Sahani

National Research Centre on Camel
P.B. No. 07, Jorbeer, Bikaner-334 001, India

(Received August 3, 2000; accepted March 6, 2001)

Abstract

Suchitra Sena, D., Mal, G., Kumar, R. and Sahani, M.S. 2000. A preliminary study of prevalence of mastitis in camel. J. Appl. Anim. Res., 20: 27-31.

To study the incidence of mastitis during 1999-2000, a total of 38 lactating camels were analysed in an organised farm. The overall incidence of mastitis was 47.36 per cent with only 5.55 per cent indicating clinical mastitis. The udders were hot and painful in clinical cases and painful in subclinical ones. Camels above 10 years were most susceptible for mastitis. There was a 21.6 per cent decline in the bodyweight of camel calves receiving sub-clinical mastitis milk. The positive samples revealed Streptococcus agalactiae, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli and their mixed infections.

In sacco Degradability of Wheat Straw Residues after Growing of Lentinus tuberregium (Fr.) Fr.

G. Flachowsky, O.S. Isikhuemhen*, K. Wagner,
K. Loose, F. Zadrazil*

Institute of Animal Nutrition and
Institute of Plant Nutrition and Soil Science
Federal Agricultural Research Centre (FAL)
Bundesallee 50, D-38116 Braunschweig, Germany

(Received September 25, 2000; accepted March 21, 2001)

Abstract

Flachowsky, G., Isikhuemhen, O.S., Wagner, K., Loose, K. and Zadrazil, F. 2001. In sacco degradability of wheat straw residues after growing of Lentinus tuberregium (Fr.) Fr. J. Appl. Anim. Res., 20: 33-40.

The tropical fungus Lentinus tuberregium was cultivated on steamed wheat straw at various cultivation conditions (time, temperature, moisture). After harvesting of sclerotia/fruit bodies straw residues were directly weighed, analysed and prepared for in sacco measurements with three rumen fistulated sheep. Lignin content of wheat straw decreased from 7.8% to 2.4% of straw residues. The lignin loss varied between 59.0 and 89.7% and was more selective than the carbohydrates. Effective degradability of dry matter of wheat straw residues at the passage rate of 0.04 per h increased from 32.2 (untreated control) up to 64.4%. The results show that Lentinus tuberregium degraded lignin and improved dry matter degradation of residues in the rumen. Further investigations seem to be necessary to optimise the conditions of solid-state fermentation.

Effects of Differing Gentamicin Concentrations in Semen Extender on Spermatozoa Motility and Velocity in Fresh and Cooled Stallion Semen

K. Bennett-Wimbush, A. Andrews¹, J. Jones¹, B. Musolf²

Ohio State University Agricultural Technical Institute
Wooster, Ohio 44691, USA

(Received August 17, 2000; accepted March 16, 2001)

Abstract

Bennett-Wimbush, K., Andrews, A., Jones, J. and Musolf, B. 2001. Effects of differing gentamicin concentrations in semen extender on spermatozoa motility and velocity in fresh and cooled stallion semen. J. Appl. Anim. Res., 20: 41-47.

Ten light-horse stallions (ages 5-16) were used to determine the effects of differing concentrations of gentamicin sulfate in semen extender on sperm motility and velocity in both fresh and cooled stallion semen. Semen was collected once from all stallions from October 1997 through March 1998. Immediately after collection, semen was extended with a dried-skim milk based extender (pH = 7.0) containing either 0, 500 or 2000 µg/ml gentamicin sulfate to a final concentration of 10 x 10⁶ spermatozoa/ml. Average path velocity decreased (p< .01) in cooled semen (44.2±2.3 µm/sec) when compared with fresh semen (65.1±2.2 µm/sec). However, there was no difference in average path velocity (VAP) between samples extended with either 0, 500 or 2000 µg/ml of gentamicin sulfate in either fresh or cooled semen. Per cent motility significantly decreased (p< .01) in cooled semen. In addition, high concentrations of gentamicin sulfate (2000 µg/ml) decreased (p< .01) percent motility in fresh semen. This effect was more pronounced in cooled semen in presence of 500 or 2000 µg/ml of gentamicin sulfate. It is concluded that high concentrations of gentamicin sulfate appear to be detrimental to sperm motility, but not velocity.

Effects of Dietary Yucca schidigera Powder on Performance and Egg Cholesterol
Content of Laying Hens

Hasan Rüstü Kutlu*, Murat Görgülü, Ilknur Ünsal

Çukurova University, Agricultural Faculty
Department of Animal Science
01330 Adana-Turkey

(Received August 8, 2000; accepted March 6, 2001)

Abstract

Kutlu, H.R., Görgülü, M. and Ünsal, I. 2001 Effects of dietary Yucca schidigera powder on performance and egg cholesterol content of laying hens. J. Appl. Anim. Res., 20: 49-56.

The present study was carried out to determine whether dietary Yucca schidigera powder would affect egg yolk cholesterol content and laying performance of chickens. Sixty, 28-week-old White Hyline layers were divided into four dietary treatment groups of similar mean weight, comprising 15 birds each. A standard layer feed as the basal diet of the trial was supplemented with 0, 30, 60 or120 ppm Yucca schidigera powder. Yucca supplementation to the diet did not affect feed intake, egg production, feed conversion efficiency, body weight gain, egg shell, white and yolk weights, shell thickness and shape index but reduced number of cracked eggs (P<0.05). Yucca supplementation also reduced yolk cholesterol content in a dose related (P<0.05) and a time dependent (P<0.01) manner.

Haematology and Dynamics of Erythrocyte Membrane Sialic Acid Concentration During Experimental Trypanosoma congolense and T. brucei Infection of Sheep

M.O. Olaniyi¹, V.O. Taiwo^1*, A.O. Ogunsanmi²

¹Department Veterinary Pathology
²Department of Wildlife & Fisheries Management
University of Ibadan, Nigeria

(Received September 16, 2000; accepted May 29, 2001)

Abstract

Olaniyi, M.O., Taiwo, V.O. and Ogunsanmi, A.O. 2001. Haematology and dynamics of erythrocyte membrane sialic acid concentration during experimental Trypanosoma congolense and T. brucei infection of sheep. J. Appl. Anim. Res., 20: 57-64.

Haematological changes and the dynamics of erythrocyte membrane sialic acid concentration were studied in sheep experimentally infected with Trypanosoma congolense (Binchi Bassa strain) and T. brucei (Lafia strain). Both species of trypanosomes caused varying degrees of pathogenicity. The anaemia was more severe (P<0.05) in T. brucei than in T. congolense infected sheep. There was significant (P<0.05) reduction in erythrocyte membrane surface sialic acid concentration with progression of infection in both T. congolense and T. brucei infected sheep.

Intra-Testicular Injection of Foreign DNA as a Possible Method for the Production of Transgenic Chicken

T. Arima¹, F. Ebara², N. Fujihara¹

¹Animal Resource Science Section
Division of Bioresource and Bioenvironmental Sciences
Graduate School, Kyushu University, Fukuoka 812-8581, Japan

²Laboratory of Cellular and Biochemistry
Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences
Tokyo University, Tokyo 113-8657, Japan

(Received February 15, 2001; accepted May 14, 2001)

Abstract

Arima, T., Ebara, F. and Fujihara, N. 2001. Intra-testicular injection of foreign DNA as a possible method for the production of transgenic chickens. J. Appl. Anim. Res., 20: 65-72.

An exogenous gene (green fluorescent protein: GFP), as a marker gene, was injected directly into the testis of matured male chicken without the laparotomy. After one day of fasting, a solution containing DNA was injected directly into the testis through abdominal skin between 6th and 7th ribs. After 3 days of injection, semen samples were collected by the method of lumbar massage and washed 5 times by repeated centrifugation with PBS. Introduced DNA was detected in ejaculated spermetazoa by PCR analysis and the DNA was also found in the embryo of next generation (Fo) when the treated spermatozoa was inseminated into laying hens. These results suggest that spermatozoa may act as a vector for transferring exogenous genes into the chicken.

Seasonal Variation of in situ Digestibility of Dry Matter, Crude Protein and Cell Wall of Total Plant Leaves and Stems of Nueces Buffelgrass (Cenchrus ciliaris L.)

R.G. Ramírez^1*, R. Foroughbackhch¹, L. Hauad¹,
J. Alba-Avila¹, C.G. García-Castillo²,
M. Espinosa-Vázquez²

¹Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas
Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León
Apartado Postal 142, Sucursal F, San Nicolás de los Garza
N.L. 66450, México

²Departamento de Ganadería
Colegio de Posgraduados
Montecillo, Estado de México

(Revised received October 31, 2000; accepted January 6, 2001)

Abstract

Ramírez, R.G., Foroughbackhch, R., Hauad, L., Alba-Avila, J., García-Castillo, C.G. and Espinosa-Vázquez, M. 2001. Seasonal variation of in situ digestibility of dry matter, crude protein and cell wall of total plant leaves and stems of Nueces buffelgrass (Cenchrus ciliaris). J. Appl. Anim. Res., 20: 73-82.

The aim of this study was to estimate the nutritional content, the rate of disappearance of nutrients contained in total plant (TP), leaves (L) and stems (S) of Nueces buffelgrass (Cenchrus ciliaris L.). Plants were hand-harvested in a two-ha pasture at Marin, N.L., County, Mexico, during autumn (1998), winter, spring and summer (1999). The nylon bag technique was used to measure effective degradability of dry matter (EDDM), crude protein (EDCP) and cell wall (EDCW), using rumen fistulated sheep. Nutrient content of TP, L and S forage was higher (P<0.001) in summer than in other seasons. Moreover, in general, DM, CP and CW in Nueces buffelgrass were digested to greater extent during summer than in other seasons. Furthermore, nutrients in the L fraction were digested better than the S fraction in all seasons. Higher precipitation during summer months may influence new vegetative growth of Nueces with higher nutritional quality compared to other seasons. Thus, it is recommended that in these regions, livestock can graze Nueces buffelgrass only during summer, because of its good nutritional quality.

Genetic Differentiation Among Goats Using Randomly Amplified Polymorphic DNA (RAPD) Markers*

K. Anbarasan, A.K. Sharma, R.K. Singh¹,
S.M. Deb, D. Sharma²

Animal Genetics Division
Indian Veterinary Resarch Institute
Izatnagar - 243 122, India

(Received January 20, 2001; accepted May 30, 2001)

Abstract

Anbarasan, K., Sharma, A.K., Singh, R.K., Deb, S.M. and Sharma, D. 2001. Genetic differentiation among goats using randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers. J. Appl. Anim. Res., 20: 83-88.

To develop population specific markers using randomly amplified polymorphic DNA - ploymerase chain reaction (RAPD - PCR) in meat (Black Bengal and Non-descript Rohilkhand Local), milk (Barbari) and pashmina (Chegu) producing goats, a total of 35 random sequence decamer primers were tested. Nine primers generated polymorphism in one or more goat populations. Out of 117 bands scored, 46 (39%) were observed to be polymorphic. One of the primers (OPM-18) was found effective in differentiating the Pashmina (Chegu) from meat or milk type of goats. While the primer OPI-05 generated one band which might be specific for meat type goats i.e. Black Bengal and Non-descript (Local). However, population specificity and sequence homology for these bands need further investigation by hybridization, cloning and sequencing experiments.

A Comparative Study of Two Different Fixation Techniques in the Management of Tibial Metaphyseal Fracture in Dogs

S.B. Suryawanshi, S.K. Maiti¹, G.R. Singh

Division of Surgery
Indian Veterinary Research Institute
Izatnagar-243 122, India

(Received July 22, 2000; accepted January 23, 2001)

Abstract

Suryawanshi, S.B., Maiti, S.K. and Singh, G.R. 2001. A comparative study of two different fixation techniques in the management of tibial metaphyseal fracture in dogs. J. Appl. Anim. Res., 20: 89-97.

In ten clinically healthy dogs, divided equally in two groups (A and B), unilateral metaphyseal transverse fracture was created in the proximal tibia under general anaesthesia. The fracture was then immobilized with cross intramedullary pin fixation in group A and single pin fixation in group B, alongwith interfragmentary wiring. These two different fixation techniques were compared based on intra-operative, clinical, radiological, haemato-biochemical, histopathological and functional studies of the test stifle joints. Clinical observations and radiographs taken on different intervals revealed excellent fracture fixation and faster healing in group A. Extension and flexion angles of stifle joints improved steadily and reached near normal by day 60 in group A, however, in group B, it remained significantly low till the end of observation period. Organic components of the callus at fracture site markedly increased in groups A than B. Histopathological examination revealed complete healing alongwith remodeling at the fracture site of animals of group A, whereas delayed/non-union was observed in animals of group B. It may be concluded that single pinning is not enough to immobilise the fracture site for proper healing.

Experimental Model of Hemorrhagic Shock in Swine

L. Martini¹, M. Fini¹, G. Giavaresi¹, R.Giardino^1,2

¹Experimental Surgery Department
Istituto di Ricerca Codivilla-Putti
Istituti Ortopedici Rizzoli, Bologna, Italy

²Chair of Surgical Pathophysiology
University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy

(Received December 26, 2000; accepted July 10, 2001)

Abstract

Martini, L. Fini, M., Giavaresi, G. and Giardino R. 2001. Experimental model of hemorrhagic shock in swine. J. Appl. Anim. Res., 20: 107-116.

A hemorrhagic shock was created in 12 hybrid swine under general anaesthesia by bleeding of 30% of total blood volume and the duration of the shock was 90 minutes. Circulatory parameters progressively decreased (p < 0.005) except for heart rate that progressively increased. End-tidal CO₂ showed a modest increase of about 7% during the shock between 30 and 60 min after bleeding. Cardiac output and index significantly (p < 0.0005) decreased in the first 30 min. Systemic vascular resistance trend showed an early fall at the beginning of bleeding, while pulmonary vascular resistance increased (p < 0.01) following an almost linear pattern for 60 min of shock. Oxygen delivery index progressively decreased, while oxygen consumption index remained unchanged. To sum up, this experimental model can be used to evaluate the most reliable monitoring instruments.

Efffect of Feeding Probiotic (Lactobacillus cremoris) on Growth and Survival of Macrobrachium rosenbergii Post Larvae

V. Suralikar, N.P. Sahu*

Central Institute of Fisheries Education
Versova, Mumbai 400 061, India

(Revised received on March 1, 2001; accepted August 7, 2001)

Abstract

Suralikar, V. and Sahu, N. P. 2001. Efffect of feeding probiotic (Lactobacillus cremoris) on growth and survival of Macrobrachium rosenbergii post larvae. J. Appl. Anim. Res., 20 : 117-124.

To study the viability of probiotic (Lactobacillus cremoris) and optimum concentration in the diet, its impact on growth and survival of Macrobrachium rosenbergii post larvae (PL), three hundred PL (140-170 mg) were equally divided in five experimental groups having four replicates each. Five experimental diets prepared by adding different concentrations of L. cremoris (T1, 2.8 x 10¹¹ cfu/100g; T2, 5.7 x 10¹¹ cfu/100g; T3, 8.5 x 10¹¹ cfu/100g; T4, 11.4 x 10¹¹ cfu/100g; T5, control) with similar all other ingredients were fed for 60 days. Although insignificant (P>0.05) but growth promoting effect was elucidated at a minimum concentration of 8.5 x 10¹¹ cfu/100g (L. cremoris) diet. But maximum concentration of inclusion remained inconclusive and needs further investigation. Maximum viability of L. cremoris in the pelleted diet was found to be 18 days at 4 C. Survival was not affected due to feeding of L. cremoris in the diet of Macrobrachium rosenbergii PL.

Erythrocyte Membrane Sialoglycoproteins. II. Quantitative Evaluation in Dogs,
Sheep and Goats

V.O. Taiwo^1*, A.O. Ogunsanmi², J.O. Oluwaniyi³,
S.O. Akinlolu¹, O.A. Ero-Phillips¹

¹Department Veterinary Pathology
²Department of Wildlife & Fisheries Management
³Department of Veterinary Physiology & Pharmacology
University of Ibadan, Nigeria

(Received September 16, 2000; accepted May 13, 2001)

Abstract

Taiwo, V.O., Ogunsanmi, A.O., Oluwaniyi, J.O., Akinlolu, S.O. and Ero-Phillips, A.O. 2001. Erythrocyte membrane sialoglycoproteins. II. Quanti-tative evaluation in dogs, sheep and goats. J. Appl. Anim. Res., 20: 125-128.

To determine the constitutive values for the sialoglycoproteins (sialic acids) concentration in the membrane of erythrocytes of dogs, sheep and goats in this environment, a total of 20 mongrel dogs and 20 each of West African dwarf (WAD) goats and sheep (>1 year) were used in this study. The dogs were from those brought to Mokola Veterinary Clinic, Ibadan, Nigeria for routine vaccinations and the sheep and goats born and reared at the University of Ibadan Teaching and Research Farm. Mean erythrocyte membrane sialic acid (sialoglycoproteins) concentrations from 10⁹ erythrocytes were determined from peripheral blood samples. WAD sheep and goats did not differ (P>0.05) in mean sialic acid concentration (12.18±1.27mg and 11.87±1.10mg sialic acid/10⁹ erythrocytes, respectively). Comparatively, dogs carry more sialic acid per erythrocyte than the ruminants (15.38±0.01mg).