Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of caffeine and taurine on the motility and viability of chilled equine semen. Materials and Methods: A total of 12 ejaculates were collected from three mature stallions with proven fertility during the breeding season. The gel-free spermatic fraction of each ejaculate was divided into two aliquots and diluted with a semen extender (either INRA 96® or BotuSemen Gold®). The aliquots were then split and assigned to one of the six treatment groups: control (no supplement), caffeine (2 and 4 mM), taurine (25 and 50 mM), and a combination of caffeine (2 mM) plus taurine (25 mM). Samples were stored at 4°C and analyzed at different time points (0, 24, 48, 72, and 96 h) to evaluate total (TMOT) and progressive (PMOT) motility and viability by computer-assisted sperm analysis. Results: Regardless of the extender, PMOT and TMOT decreased over time. However, compared with the control, the treatment with 4 mM caffeine significantly mitigated the decrease in PMOT at 72 h. Additionally, semen treated with a combination of caffeine plus taurine maintained a significantly higher PMOT at 96 h, with improved viability at all time points. Conclusions: The combination of caffeine plus taurine helps maintain chilled equine semen viabil¬ity and progressive motility up to 96 h independently of the extender used. [J Adv Vet Anim Res 2021; 8(4.000): 635-641]

Objective: The case study describes the cause of an increase in mortality rates among 35-day-old broilers that developed respiratory distress and bloody diarrhea on a farm in Malaysia. Materials and Methods: The organ samples were subjected to laboratory testing and postmortem inspection. Escherichia (E.) coli and Mycoplasma (M.) gallisepticum were detected using bacterial isolation and molecular diagnostics using polymerase chain reaction. Results: Chickens with the infection had widespread fibrin buildup in several organs and hemorrhages on the duodenal mucosa. Additional histology and laboratory analysis of organ samples revealed infection with M. gallisepticum, E. coli, and enteric Eimeria spp., all of which are consistent with complex chronic respiratory disease (CCRD) associated with coccidiosis. Tylosin tartrate 20% (w/w) (2.5 gm/l) was prescribed for 1 week along with a combination of the broad-spectrum bacteriostatic drug streptomycin (25 mg/kg) and coccidiostat (2 gm/5 l). Conclusion: CCRD and coccidiosis are both infectious diseases that can infect chicken flocks, resulting in production losses and carcass quality degradation. Early disease detection and proper treatment should be provided promptly, and tight farm biosecurity should be implemented to prevent chicken mortality on the farm, as was achieved successfully. [J Adv Vet Anim Res 2021; 8(4.000): 576-580]

Objective: This study was conducted to generate data on the prevalence, species composition, and factors associated with small ruminant nematode infection in the South Omo zone, in South-western Ethiopia. Material and Methods: A cross-sectional study through fecal nematode parasite examination was conducted. Simple floatation test and coproculture, followed by Baermann technique, were used for nematode egg and third-stage larvae (L3) separation and identification. The McMaster method was used to calculate the egg per gram of feces (EPG). Results: From a total of 242 sheep and goats examined, 72.34% were infested with single or mixed nematode parasites. District, Kebele, species, body condition score, and age were significantly (p < 0.05) associated with nematode infestation. Simple logistic regression analysis indicated that nematode infestation in Bena-Tsemay district (78.33%) was significantly (p < 0.05) higher by a factor of 0.54 (OR 95% CI: 0.300.96) than Hamer district (66.39%). Among the species, caprine (79.43%) was significantly (p < 0.05) infested than ovine (62.37%) by a factor of 0.45 (OR 95% CI: 0.250.81). Moreover, infestation on poor (79.12%) and medium (70.96%) body conditioned animals was higher by a factor of 2.94 (OR 95% CI: 1.416.26) and 1.76 (OR 95% CI: 0.883.53) than on good body conditioned animals (63.79%). Likewise, infestation in age groups of 13 years (78.66%) and >3 years (84.40%) was significantly (p < 0.05) higher by a factor of 4.83 (OR 95% CI: 2.3110.46) and 8.23 (OR 95% CI: 3.9817.75) than younger age groups (41.37%), respectively. A moderate parasitic burden was observed on 52.90% of gastrointestinal nematodes (GIN)-infested animals with significantly (p < 0.05) higher EPG in females than males. Furthermore, mixed infestation of Trichostrongylus axei and Eimeria (6.19%), Haemonchus contortus and Eimeria (5.78%), and Trichostrongylus vitrines and Eimeria (5.78%) were dominantly identified. On the contrary, T. axei (15.70%), Eimeria (8.67%), H. contortus (7.43%), and Trichostrongylus colubriformis (7.02%) were dominant single infestations. Conclusion: The current study revealed the highest prevalence of GIN in the study area, which needs strategic control, needs to enhance community awareness toward GIN control and prevention, and to implement further investigation into anthelminthic efficacy to solve the problem. [J Adv Vet Anim Res 2021; 8(4.000): 597-605]

Objective: The goal of this study was to determine the levels of lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), and aluminum (Al) in raw bovine milk. Milk consumption was used to calculate the estimated weekly intake (EWI), provisional tolerable weekly intake (PTWI), and target hazard quotient (THQ) for individuals. Metal distribution in dairy products and byproducts was studied as a result of artisanal processing. Material and Methods: Seventy-five raw bovine milk samples were collected from artisanal producers in Alexandria city, West Delta, Egypt, and analyzed using the atomic absorption spectrophotometer. The effect of artisanal dairy processing on metal distribution was studied. Results: The averages of Pb, Cd, and Al in milk samples were 45.06, 4.77, and 2.93 μg/l, with 13.33% and 1.33% of analyzed samples had Pb and Al levels higher than the permissible limits, respectively. The EWI values of Pb, Cd, and Al were 1.050, 0.111, and 0.068 μg/kg body weight, which contributed to about 4.20%, 1.59%, and 0.97% from the PTWI, respectively. The THQ of three metals was [J Adv Vet Anim Res 2021; 8(3.000): 454-464]

Objectives: The experiment was conducted to determine the effect of dietary energy and protein level growth performances of selected indigenous Ethiopian sheep breeds. Materials and Methods: Fifty intact ram lambs, 25 from each breed with 12 months of age and a mean initial body weight (IBW) of 19.31 ± 1.7 kg, were employed for this experiment. Animals were distributed randomly into five dietary treatments, i.e., minimum Energy and Protein (mEmP), medium energy and protein (MEMP), medium Energy and high Protein (MEHP), high energy and medium protein (HEMP), and high Energy and high Protein (HEHP) diets in randomized complete block design with 2 * 5 factorial arrangements. The minimum, medium, and high energy diets were 2.388, 2.866, and 3.344 Mcal/kg dry matter (DM) with the corresponding 10%, 16%, and 20% crude protein (CP) diets, respectively. The diets were formulated in a total mixed ration from wheat bran (WB), maize grain, peanut cake, and pasture hay feed ingredients. Diet offer was at the rate of 3% of lambs live weight and revised biweekly as per the attained body weight changes. Digestibility trial was conducted for 7 days of actual fecal data collection, followed by 90 days of feeding trial. Results: The animals fed on the MEHP diet had a maximum DM and nutrient intakes (CP and organic matter) and the best final body weight (FBW), total gain, gain rate, average daily gains, and feed conversion efficiency (31.3, 12.9 kg, 41.2%, 143.3 gm, and 23.13, respectively), followed by HEMP, HEHP, MEMP, and mEmP diets. Digestibility of DM and nutrients linearly followed similar trends (p < 0.01). Hararghe sheep was heavier (p < 0.01) by 4.3 and 3.1 kg in its FBW and total gain and more efficient in nutrients utilization (22.57 vs. 18.18) as compared to Afar sheep (AS). Conclusion: It is concluded that MEHP and MEMP are superior and optimum diets for sheep breeds, and Hararghe sheep is carried out better than AS in most growth performance parameters. [J Adv Vet Anim Res 2021; 8(2.000): 185-194]

Objective: A phylogenetic study was carried out on the avian influenza virus (AIV) isolated from a disease outbreak in Sidenreng Rappang Regency, South Sulawesi, Indonesia, in 2018. Material and Methods: Oropharyngeal swabs and organ samples were obtained from ducks that showed clinical symptoms: torticollis, fascial edema, neurological disorders, the corneas appear cloudy, and death occurs less than 1 day after symptoms appear. In this study, isolate A/duck/ Sidenreng Rappang/07180110-11/2018 from duck was sequenced and characterized. Results: It was found that each gene segment of the virus has the highest nucleotide homology to the Indonesian highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 clade 2.3.2.1c. Multiple alignments of the sample Hemagglutinin (HA) gene with the avian influenza references virus showed that the pattern of amino acid arrangement in the cleavage site PQRERRRK-RGLF is the characteristic of the HPAI virus. In addition, the HA gene contained Q222 (glutamine) and G224 (glycine), signify¬ing a high affinity to avian receptor binding specificity (SA α2,3 Gal). Furthermore, there was no genetic reassortment of this virus based on the phylogenetic analysis of HA, NA, PB1, PB2, PA, NP, M, and NS genes. Conclusion: The HPAI H5N1 clade 2.3.2.1c virus was identified in duck farms in South Sulawesi, Indonesia. [J Adv Vet Anim Res 2021; 8(2.000): 346-354]

Objective: Chicken infectious anemia virus (CIAV) is an economically important emerging infec¬tion of poultry as it causes immunosuppression and reduces egg production. Although it is world¬wide distributed and first reported (single case) in Bangladesh in 2002, no epidemiological and serological investigations have been conducted. The current study aimed to conduct a serologi¬cal investigation on the prevalence of CIAV infection in broiler breeder and layer farms in some selected areas of Bangladesh. Materials and Methods: A total number of 460 sera samples were randomly collected from unvac¬cinated broiler breeder and layer flocks, of which 276 were from 11 broiler breeder farms and 184 from 12 layer farms. The sera samples were subjected to a commercially available enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit to observe antibodies induced by CIAV. Results: Results demonstrated that the overall prevalence of CIAV was 83.6% among a total of 460 samples. In broiler breeder birds, the prevalence was 89.9%, whereas it was 78.3% in layer birds. A higher number of female birds was found to be seropositive than male birds. However, chickens of all age groups were found to be susceptible to the virus. Conclusions: These results indicate the presence of CIAV in Bangladesh, which may be the sequel of naturally occurring either vertical or horizontal infection in all bird flocks tested without clinical symptoms of the disease. A further epidemiological investigation will be required, followed by molecular isolation and characterization of the virus for suitable vaccine candidate selection and/ or preparation. [J Adv Vet Anim Res 2021; 8(2.000): 323-329]

Objective: The objective of this study was to determine the location, number, and direction of the nutrient foramen in the humerus, radius, femur, and tibia bones of mixed breed dogs. Materials and Methods: The humerus, radius, femur, and tibia of both (left and right) limbs of mixed breed dogs were examined in this study. The number, location, and direction of the nutrient foramina were identified. Once identified, the diameter of each nutrient foramen was measured and the site index calculated. Results: Only one nutrient foramen was identified in the humerus, radius, tibia, and right femur, while the foramen numbers ranged from one to three in the left femurs examinated. The nutri¬ent foramen was localized on the caudal surface in the radii, femurs, tibias, and left humeri. Contrasting, however, 75% were located on the caudal surface of the right humeri and 25% on the lateral surface. The average diameter of the nutrient foramen of the humerus ranged from 0.88 to 1.00 mm, while it ranged from 1.13 to 1.25 mm in the radius. On the hind limb, the diameter of the nutrient foramen on the femur ranged from 1.2 to 1.3 mm and 0.751.25 mm on the tibia. The nutrient foramen was directed towards the corresponding joint in 100% of the humeri and tibias, 75% of the radii, and 60%80% of the femurs examined. Conclusion: The anatomical data on the nutrient foramen obtained in this study will be valuable for veterinarians when diagnosing pathological bone lesions and for orthopedic surgery. [J Adv Vet Anim Res 2021; 8(2.000): 203-209]

Objective: The avian influenza virus (AIV) subtype H9N2 circulating in Indonesia has raised increasing concern about its impact on poultry and its public health risks. In this study, the H9N2 virus from chicken poultry farms in Java was isolated and characterized molecularly. Materials and Methods: Thirty-three pooled samples of chicken brain, cloacal swab, trachea, and oviduct were taken from multiple chickens infected with AIV in five regions of Java, Indonesia. The samples were isolated from specific pathogenic-free embryonated eggs that were 9 days old. Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and sequencing were used to identify H9N2 viruses. Results: This study was successful in detecting and characterizing 13 H9N2 isolates. The sequencing analysis of hemagglutinin genes revealed a 96.9%98.8% similarity to the H9N2 AIV isolated from Vietnam in 2014 (A/muscovy duck/Vietnam/LBM719/2014). According to the phylogenetic analysis, all recent H9N2 viruses were members of the lineage Y280 and clade h9.4.2.5. Nine of the H9N2 isolates studied showed PSKSSR&#8595;GLF motifs at the cleavage site, while four had PSKSSR&#8595;GLF. Notably, all contemporary viruses have leucine (L) at position 216 in the receptor-binding region, indicating that the virus can interact with a human-like receptor. Conclusion: This study described the features of recent H9N2 viruses spreading in Javas poultry industry. Additionally, H9N2 infection prevention and management must be implemented to avoid the occurrence of virus mutations in the Indonesian poultry industry. [J Adv Vet Anim Res 2021; 8(3.000): 423-434]

Objective: Rabbit viral hemorrhagic disease (VHD) is a transmittable and lethal viral illness of rabbits. In this study, genetic identification and genetic analysis of the rabbit hemorrhagic disease virus (RHDV) was made in three governorates in Egypt from 2014 to 2019. Materials and Methods: Livers from 18 freshly dead rabbits, which was guessed to be VHD epidemics in Egypt (Giza, Menofia, and Fayoum governorates) from 2014 to 2019, were examined for RHDV. The examination was based on the hemagglutination assay (HA) test against different mammalian (human O-type and sheep) and avian (chicken and pigeon) erythrocytes, reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), and sequencing of the segment of VP60. Results: 33% of the examined samples virus titers were 5 log2 to 8 log2 hemagglutination of human O-type erythrocytes when compared to 28%, 11%, and 28% of sheep, chicken, and pigeon erythrocytes, respectively. Four RHDV isolates out of eight RT-PCR positives were sequenced and phylogenetically analyzed. Sequenced isolates were designed and submitted to GenBank with accession numbers MN904506, MN904507, MN904508, and MN904509. These four RHDV isolates were related to classic G3 (GI.1d/RHDV). Twelve amino acid differences were detected between the vaccine strain sequence (Giza-2006) and RHDV isolates. Amino acid differences at 416, 423, and 476 positions seem interesting as they changed polarity that could change the protein structure and affect host interaction. Conclusions: There is antigenic variation between circulating RHVD strains and the vaccinal strain. This may be the leading cause of vaccination failure and may increase the need to check out the vaccination program against RHVD. [J Adv Vet Anim Res 2021; 8(3.000): 396-403]