Veterinary Science & Technology

The aim of this study was to evaluate the reduction of intramammary infection caused by Streptococcus agalactiae and Staphylococcus aureus in a Holstein dairy herd under tropical conditions. The period of study was from January 2012 from January 2013 in a dairy herd composed by Holstein cows, with an average of 142 lactating cows/month. Milk samples were collected from individual lactating cows for microbiological tests. The sampling lactating cows was in order to identify those infected by Streptococcus agalactiae for the treatment of all mammary quarters with intramammary antibiotics, as well as to identify chronically infected lactating cows by S. aureus for possible culling. During this period, 161 treatments of cows with an intramammary antibiotic were performed to eliminate Streptococcus agalactiae, and nine cows chronically infected with Staphylococcus aureus were culled. The percentages of infected cows with S. agalactiae in January 2012 and January 2013 were 61.6% and 2.2%, respectively. For the same months, the percentages of cows infected with S. aureus were 28.3% and 19.4%, respectively. The intramammary antibiotic treatment of lactating cows was efficient in eliminating infection caused by S. agalactiae and consequently the prevalence of infected animals in the herd. The reduction in S. aureus prevalence among cows was associated with the culling of cows chronically infected by this pathogen.

Our works on endometritis aims at showing the different methods of diagnosis and demonstrate the therapeutic efficiency of intrauterine infusions of honey 70% solution for the treatment of endometritis in the mare. During the breeding season 2015, our study involved a workforce of 119 mares, which were the subject of ultrasound examination in 1566, with an average of 13 passes per mare to determine ovarian status, pregnancy diagnosis and fertility.

Among the fifteen infertile mares, only seven had endometritis confirmed by ultrasound, and cytology (46.66%), the seven mares were divided into two lots: Three were treated with the usual protocols used at the stud (uterine Washing, hormone treatments and intrauterine infusion of an antibiotic) «Lot No 01," the four remaining cases received intrauterine infusions of honey 70% solution «Lot No. 02".

We conducted the ultrasound and cytological examinations for tracking cases of the two lots. After the first infusion honey, an increase in volume and echogenicity of uterine fluids has been found, and then a gradual decrease until the total disappearance between 2 to 8 days after the last infusion honey, with an improvement in ultrasonographic image of the uterus during the first diestrus and estrus after treatment, compared to control group protocols.

A cytological examination where there was a marked improvement in both the group treated with the honey, that is characterized by a total disappearance of inflammatory cells and fungi, with a richness of smear by endometrial cells compared to the case the control group.

These observations show that the honey has shown remarkable results concerning the drainage of uterine fluids, regeneration of endometrial cells with antifungal effect in vivo, As against the fertility of mares treated with honey was not improved, this seems to be due to the age of the mares (16-27 years) or other intrinsic factors (mares and stallions) or extrinsic factors (environment, power, etc.).

The genotoxicity of pesticides give a potential role in population health and ecosystem safety and here the we would like to explore genotoxicity of metribuzin herbicide. Metribuzin dosed orally in albino rats twice per week for 3 months at dose level 0, 110, 220, and 440 mg/kg. All rats were sacrificed and liver was preserved in liquid nitrogen and bone marrow cells was obtained from femur bone. It was founded that chromosomal aberrations were dose dependent with significant increase in all doses (1/20, 1/10 and ⅕ of the LD50% of metribuzin herbicide) specially higher doses represented by structural abnormalities as chromosomal break, fragments, gap, association and a centromeric chromosomes beside numerical abnormalities as polyploidy and hypoploidy. Additionally, DNA quantity was dose dependent significant increase. Notably, there was significant increase in micronuclei level in respect to control that considered as a clastogenic signal and defect in mitotic activity that founded to be decreased in bone marrow cell where the mitotic index had decreased drastically in comparison to control value. Notably, metribuzin enhanced expression of TAT gene at all doses when compared with control group. on conclusion, metribuzin herbicide had a genotoxic properties that constitute hazard and great concern to population and TAT gene expression could be a potential role in detection of toxicity.

A cross sectional study was conducted from August, 2014 to February 2015 aimed to determine the prevalence of Staphylococcus aureus in raw camel milk and to assess risk factors. The study was conducted on a total of 384 bulk milk samples from three critical points. For this study both laboratory and questionnaire based data were collected. The overall prevalence of S. aureus was found to be 11.45% (44/384). The frequency of isolation of S. aureus varied between sources of sample and ranged from 7-15%. The prevalence of S. aureus was 7.03% (9/128), 11.71% (15/128) and 15% (20/128) from household, primary collection centers and selling sites, respectively. The raw camel milk samples were contaminated and the S. aureus counts markedly variable among samples at different sampling points. Mean S. aureus count was found to be 4.2 × 104 CFU/ml and the mean count of the samples at household was 8.9 × 102 CFU/ml, 9.9 × 103 CFU/ml at primary collection centers and 1.1 × 105 CFU/ml at selling sites. The difference was not statistically significant between the sampling points (p>0.05). In the study area, camel milk is consumed (100%) in its raw state without being subjected to any sort of processing treatment. The outcome of the present results suggests that, the examined raw camel milk samples were produced and handled under poor hygienic conditions with high health risk to the consumers. Consumption of raw camel milk should be of major concern from public health point of view. This study recommends for urgent development and adaptation of feasible and sustainable interventions to improve the camel milk hygiene and safety in study area and to mitigate staphylococcal food poisoning (SFP) in the region.

A behavioral assay is described for studying locomotory behavior in annelid Eisenia fetida. This assay presents a method using a gustatory repellant Sodium Chloride (NaCl) to induce a locomotory response in the earthworm. This assay helps us understand the ambulation that is under control of a well co-ordinated nervous system, precisely, the Ventral Nerve Cord. To confirm this a lesion was performed on the nerve cord and functional activity under the repellant was again assayed. Results suggest that an undamaged ventral nerve cord is essential for earthworms’ rapid escape responses.

A cross sectional study was conducted at Didessa Woreda, Oromiya region, south west Ethiopia. The study was carried out from November, 2011 to April 2012 on indigenous cattle breed managed under mixed corop-livestok production system, to determine the prevalence of bovine trypanosomosis. This study employs parasitological survey by the use of Buffy coat examination, thin smear and hematological study. The overall prevalence of bovine trypanosomosis in the present study was 5.47%. The predominant species recovered was Trypanosome congolense (61.9%) followed by Trypanosome vivax (23.8%) the Trypanasome brucei (9.5%). Mixed infection due to Trypanosome congolense and Trypanosome vivax (4.7%) was also recorded in the study. Discrepancy in the prevalence of Trypanosome infection was recorded in the different age groups, between sex and different body conditioned animals, but the difference was not statically siginificant (p>0.05). The mean PCV of parasitemic animals was significantly lower (21.15=4.675) than the parasitemic animals (24.316=4.93) (p<0.05). Although the present study came up with low prevalence of bovine trypanosomiasis in the stydy area, the potential impact of this disease on production and productivity of cattle shall not undermined. Therefore, sustainable community based tsetse and trypanosomsis control program should be implemented.

A case series study was conducted between December 2009 and April 2010 at the donkey sanctuary and SPANA clinics in Bishoftu town to determine the major causes of equine colic. During the study period a total of 121 (9.1%) episodes of colic were recorded in a population of 1336 equine (800 horses, 500 donkeys and 36 mules). From the total cases 93 (11.6%) and 28 (5.6%) were horses and donkeys, respectively. No mule was observed with colic problem. The proportion of colic cases in horses was significantly (p=0.0003) higher than that of donkeys. The major risk factors found associated with colic were feed change, parasite infestation and poor deworming history, enteroliths, heavy work, age and dental abnormalities (P<0.05) in the cases. Physical and clinical examination of the colic cases showed elevated respiratory and pulse rates, congested mucous membrane, increased mean of PVC-value, decreased appetite, abdominal distension, poor body condition, intermittent and continuous abdominal pain and dullness. Donkey were more commonly affected with impaction colic (78.6%) and less commonly with flatulent colic (21.4%). The most important colic identified in horses was spasmodic colic (66.7%) followed by impaction colic (25.8%) and undefined colic (7.6%). In conclusion, improving feeding management, implementing parasite control strategies and raising the awareness of the owners of equids are needed in order to prevent the impact of the diseases on equine production.

Prion diseases are fatal neurodegenerative diseases that affect humans and non-human mammals. Different alleles of the prion protein gene (PRNP) of humans and sheep are associated with varying susceptibilities to transmissible spongiform encephalopathies. Chronic wasting disease (CWD) is a prion disease of cervids, and polymorphisms at speciï¬Âc codons in the PRNP gene are associated with this disease. To assess the susceptibility of free-ranging deer to CWD, polymorphisms in PRNP were examined in the Korean water deer (Hydropotes inermis argyropus), focusing on codons that are potentially associated with CWD susceptibility (95, 96, 116, 132, 225, and 226). CWD surveillance was conducted by an antigen ELISA of tissue samples from 545 Korean water deer collected in eight provinces of the Republic of Korea. No prion protein associated with CWD was detected in any of the samples. These results suggest that PRNP of the Korean water deer shows low variation and the species has not been infected with CWD.

Livestock performance is thought to be affected by genotype (heritable) and environment (non-heritable). Nutrition is among the greatest environmental determinants. Genes are turned on and off according to metabolic signals that the nucleus receives from internal factors like hormones and external factors like nutrients. Currently, Nutrigenomics which encompasses the three crucial -omics stages (Transcriptomics, Proteomics and Metabolomics), is emerging in the area of livestock to develop feeds that can be matched to genotypes of animals for a better production, productivity and health. It deciphers how food ingredients and nutrition affect gene expression, metabolic pathways and diet-related disease development. Hence, Nutrigenomics makes clear that how gene interacts with nutrients and how DNA and genetic code affect the needs for certain nutrients and quantities which suggests the possibility to change the way we feed and manage livestock and poultry. The tools of molecular genetics are expected to have much more impact in the future. The interaction between diets and genes could be evaluated through DNA microarray techniques and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). These profiling techniques are reported to allow examination of nutrient effects that was not possible in the past. Nutrigenomics is feasible to apply in livestock production but can only provide part of the solution in response to non genetic factors involved in livestock health and production. In this paper, the Principles, current status of its application in different areas, challenges and opportunities of livestock Nutrigenomics with emphasis to developing countries like Ethiopia has been thoroughly reviewed.

The study was conducted in Eastern Ethiopian districts of Oromia regional State such as Meta, Deder, Goro Gutu, Babile, and Jigjiga districts of Somali regional state. So far in Eastern Ethiopia, very little effort has been made in characterization of village chicken production, husbandry and identification of smallholder’s trait selections. Therefore, this study was initiated with the aim of characterization of village chicken production, husbandry, breeding practices and identification of smallholder’s trait selection in Eastern Ethiopia. Majority (42.29%) of respondents maintained large proportion of layers in the flock in the study area. The village chicken production of the study districts were characterized by poor management which used scavenging system as major feed resources (99%), no appropriate house (93.3%), no regular vaccination (100%) and uncontrolled breeding. The mean annual egg production of the village chicken of the districts was estimated at 51.66 in an average of 3.69 production cycles a year. All smallholders in the study area keep chickens principally for cash income more important than egg and meat production for home consumption. Moreover, majority of respondents get benefit (31.74%) from chicken manure through application as a fertilizer for garden vegetable production in their backwards. The respondents (89%) confirmed that “Fengil” (New castle disease), “Albasa” (Coccidiosis) and “Kinkin” (External parasites) are the serious disease outbreak results in complete devastation of the flock. Most stallholders ranked first the egg size birds laying (0.412) and second reproduction performances (0.276) among their selection criteria’s. Only few respondents (35%) reared their own cock for a breeding purpose and majority had no breeding experience in improving their chicken productivity.

Epizootic lymphangitis (EL) is a debilitating equine disease that in its classical form is characterized by chronic discharging cutaneous nodules. The disease has been reported to be endemic in Ethiopia, a country where equids provide a vital utility and source of income to many people in resource-poor settings. This study was conducted in Bahir Dar town, Northwest Ethiopia to investigate the prevalence, risk factors and bodily distribution of lesions of EL in cart-mules. To this effect, both clinical and microscopic examinations were made on a total of 402 mules and an overall prevalence of 32.84% (132/402) was recorded. The mules had nodular, ulcerative pyogranulomatous lesions following the lymphatic lines of the legs (79.6%), on their neck (9.85%), around the inguinal area (6.82%), on their back (2.27%) and on their perineum (1.52%). None of the risk factors considered (sex, body condition score, use of harness, and presence of wound prior to the disease) were noted to be significantly associated with the presence of EL on mules (p>0.05). Moreover, 34% of the cart-mule owners were reported not to allow mules affected with EL offwork even for a single day. In conclusion, the present study has revealed a high prevalence of EL in mules and it is the second work in Ethiopia disproving the assumption that mules are resistant to the disease. Thus, early detection of the disease and treatment with effective drugs and restriction of movement of affected animals is recommended to prevent the spread of the disease to unaffected equids. Also, future studies are required to find out the factors predisposing mules to EL.

A cross sectional study was conducted from October 2015 to September 2017 on skin and hide defects, handling practice and marketing channel in east and west Hararghe zone, Oromia region. In this study, both purposive and random samplings were used to select the districts (Babille, Haramaya, Chiro and Chiro zuria), PAs and households from the two zones. A total of 247 respondents from households, butcheries, municipal abattoirs, middlemen and local skin and hide collectors were interviewed. Direct wet skin and hide observation and follow up investigation was also made on 62 cattle hide, 86 sheep and 99 goat skins from 136 different sites to collection centers along the marketing channel to the tannery plant. The result of the study showed 17% of the respondents had no understanding on contribution of skin and hide in national economy and only 34% of the participants had sold skin and hide to local collectors and traders whereas 12.1% of the participants preferred to use skin or hide for coverings of home materials. The study also revealed involvement of illegal traders, poor infrastructures, uneven distribution of collectors were some of the main challenges in skin and hide marketing and rejection at tannery because of damages during flaying and preslaughter factors like skin diseases and ectoparasites, poor preservation techniques, storage and transportation methods were identified as the main factors downgrading skin and hide. Of the 247 wet blue skin and hides examined at Mojo tannery PLC only 4.9% fall in export level grading score (grade 1-4), 27.1% were rejected and the left fall in grading level supplied to local market. Hence, there was knowledge gap in skin and hide handling practices and poor market access. Therefore, awareness creation and building link amongst producer to collector, trader and tannery were recommended.

Leech is one of the external sanguivorous parasites contributing to the reduction in productivity of livestock in different part of the World. Leeches bite the skin of the host and allow copious flow of blood preventing clot by hirudin. The bite is not painful, but the wounds may bleed for a long time and the clinical signs can be seen following this blood loss. Types of leech vary depending on ways by which they feed. Leech is segmented and lacks as hard exoskeleton; in its place it has a thin, flexible cuticle. For the most part leeches are aquatic, but terrestrial species are also found. Leeches are hermaphroditic and their feed relationships are varied. Hirudo medicinalis is the most known medicinal leech. Diagnosis can be made from clinical signs and finding the parasite in the bite area. Triclorfon, chloroform water, neguvon solution, mechanical removal, and tracheotomy in extreme cases are the best treatment approaches. Avoiding leech, depopulating infected water bodies and application of ‘endod’ to watering points are some methods of control and prevention.

The study was conducted to monitor hematological and biochemical changes in Murrah buffalo calves at monthly interval from one to six months of age. Hemoglobin, packed cell volume, total and differential leukocyte count, platelets, aspartate aminotransferase, gamma glutamyl transferase, serum total protein, serum albumin, serum urea nitrogen, plasma fibrinogen, potassium and chloride. Two groups of calves were identified with bimodal distribution in Hb, PCV, TLC and DLC values between 1-3 months of age. Significant age related changes were recorded for serum albumin, serum urea nitrogen, plasma fibrinogen and chloride. This study describes physiological limits of hematological and biochemical values in buffalo calves.

The aim of this study was to estimate the sero-prevalence of Peste des petits ruminants (PPR) in sheep and goat and its direct socio-economic impact on pastoral community in Afar region, Ethiopia. We sampled sera of 229 of sheep (n=94) and goats (n=135) from two districts and tested the sera for anti-PPR antibody positivity by competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (cELISA). We also conducted interview with 45 pastorals pertaining to PPR mortality, production losses, costs incurred and impact on animal. The respondents indicated that communal use of available resources (feed, water) and practices of animal gift, flock migration and admixture is common in the area, which could facilitate the spread PPR. They indicated that migration for searching of grazing and water during drought season, contact with wildlife and unknown factors within-flock was associated with the serious PPR disease outbreaks. The serological result showed that the prevalence of anti-PPR virus antibody in sheep and goats was 41.5% (95% confidence interval (CI): 31.4, 52.1) and 39.3 % (95% CI: 31 to 48), respectively. The overall prevalence of PPR was 40.2% (95% CI: 33.8 to 46.8). The total financial losses due to PPR varied during drought and nondrought periods as the monitory value of animals decreases during drought time due to emaciation. Accordingly, the financial loss of PPR was 652, 595 birr (drought time) and 1,683,120 birr (without drought) in a shoat population of 3905 heads in the study area. A systematic intensive surveillance and timely vaccination along the route of migration via herders' participation could be the best and low-cost preventive measure to control such deadly preventable disease outbreaks.