Objective: In this case report, we report for first the time the presence of porcine deltacoronavi¬rus (PDCoV) in Peru (October 2019) and Latin America, and we present a control and eradication program using feedback (exposure)/controlled homogenization in a pig farm. Materials and Methods: This farm is located in the eastern jungle of Peru. Initially, clinical signs that appeared to be infectious diarrhea were detected, but the disease rapidly progressed to green diarrhea, vomiting, and increased mortality in piglets. These symptoms were compatible with those produced by porcine epidemic diarrhea virus and transmissible gastroenteritis virus, but also with PDCoV. Because the disease could not be diagnosed by clinical signs and symptoms, analysis by real-time polymerase chain reaction was used. Implementation of a feedback/con¬trolled homogenization program was quickly planned, accompanied by the closure of the farm, animal and farm health strategies, and its respective monitoring. Results: At the farm level, between 1 and 9 weeks after application of the program, the samples were positive for PDCoV, but at week 10, they were negative. At week 12, the weaned and fatten¬ing piglets gradually became populated as negative animals. In the follow-up before the opening of the farm, all the piglets were negative. In the final verification, gilts (week 35) entered the breeding area as replacements only after being tested negative for PDCoV. Conclusion: A rigorous feedback/controlled homogenization program and complementary mea¬sures led to eradicating PDCoV from the farm. [J Adv Vet Anim Res 2021; 8(2.000): 300-306]

Objective: The present study aimed to explain the effect of fetal bovine serum (FBS) on the in vitro production of porcine embryos and the molecular effects of FBS on the growing of porcine embryos. Materials and Methods: Immature porcine oocytes were matured and fertilized in vitro. The resulting zygotes were cultured in porcine zygotic medium-3- until day 7 and FBS was added on day 4. Without FBS, it was treated as a control group. Quantitative real-time PCR and 2′,7′-dichloro-di¬hydro-fluorescein diacetate (H2DCFDA) molecular staining techniques were used to detect the expression patterns of apoptosis-associated genes and the accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), respectively. Paired students t-test was used by GraphPad Prism statistical software. Results: FBS supplementation boosted blastocyst (BL) development and total cell count per BL substantially (p < 0.05). However, hatching and hatched BLs also increased in the FBS-treated group compared to the control. We also found that ROS accumulation in FBS-treated embryos was significantly reduced (p < 0.05) compared to the control group. The expression of the anti-apoptotic gene BCL-2 was significantly increased in FBS-treated BLs, but the pro-apoptotic gene, caspase-3 expression, was significantly reduced in FBS-treated BLs. Conclusion: Our results suggest that FBS supplementation in porcine culture media could increase porcine embryo production by decreasing ROS accumulation and increasing the anti-apoptotic gene expression in developing BLs. [J Adv Vet Anim Res 2021; 8(4.000): 589-596]

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to determine the species composition of Eimeria circu¬lating in Mymensingh district, Bangladesh, using Internal Transcribed Spacer 1 (ITS1) sequences in polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay. Materials and Methods: Coccidian oocysts were isolated and sporulated in a solution containing 2% potassium dichromate from litter slurry collected from 13 commercially active broiler farms in the research region. Genomic DNA was isolated from sporulated oocysts and used to amplify the Eimeria species-specific ITS1 gene by PCR amplification. Electrophoresis of 1.5% agarose gel was used to visualize the amplified PCR products. Results: In the study samples from Mymensingh district, Bangladesh, the presence of Eimeria brunetti, Eimeria acervulina, Eimeria necatrix, Eimeria mitis, and Eimeria tenella was identified. Conclusions: The findings of this study may shed light on the zonal approach to chicken coccidio¬sis control. Additionally, it suggests that ITS1-based PCR might be used in the field to accurately identify Eimeria species. [J Adv Vet Anim Res 2021; 8(3.000): 489-493]

Objective: This study aimed to explore the seroprevalence of Brucella spp. in goats in some selected areas of Bangladesh. Materials and Methods: This study was conducted in different goat-populated regions of Bangladesh from July 2017 to June 2018. A total of 208 serum samples were randomly collected from goats in Jashore (n = 50), Jhenidah (n = 22), Tangail (n = 40), Savar (n = 46), Thakurgaon (n = 18), and Bandarban (n = 32) areas. The samples were subjected to determine the presence of antibodies against Brucella spp. by rose bengal plate test (RBPT) and competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (c-ELISA). Results: Overall, the seroprevalence of Brucellosis in goats was 4.33% (n = 9/208) by RBPT and 2.40% (n = 5/208) by c-ELISA. The seroprevalence of brucellosis on the basis of RBPT was 6% (buck: 0%, doe: 6%) in Jashore, 4.5% (buck: 0%, doe: 4.5%) in Jhenidah, 2.5% (buck: 0%, doe: 2.5%) in Tangail, 4.35% (buck: 0%, doe: 4.35%) in Savar, 6.25% (buck: 0%, doe: 6.25%) in Bandarban, and 5.56% (buck: 0%, doe: 5.56%) in Thakurgaon. On the other hand, the seroprevalence of brucel¬losis by c-ELISA was 4% (buck: 0%, doe: 4%) in Jashore, 4.5% (buck: 0%, doe: 4.5%) in Jhenidah, 3.13% (buck: 0%, doe: 3.13%) in Bandarban, and 5.56% (buck: 0%, doe: 5.56%) in Thakurgaon. Brucellosis was more prevalent (p > 0.001) in does aging 34 years. Conclusion: Goats from different areas of Bangladesh are caring antibodies against Brucella organisms. Further bacteriological investigations are necessary. [J Adv Vet Anim Res 2021; 8(1.000): 123-128]

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 study investigated the effect of different stocking density (SD) rates on the welfare, growth, and hemato-biochemical parameters in broiler chickens. Materials and Methods: 106 broiler chicks of 10 days old were used and assigned into four groups: A, B, C, and D. The chicks of group A were reared in floor space containing one bird per square foot area (SD1.0). The chicks of groups B, C, and D were reared at 1.5, 2.0, and 2.5 birds per square foot area (SD1.5, SD2.0, and SD2.5). Welfare, body weight, and hemato-biochemical parameters were assessed and monitored by physical observation and laboratory methods. Results: The birds reared at SD2.0, and SD2.5 rates showed increased panting breathing. Wet feces adhered below the vent. There were a significant number of birds showing dirtiness of body and feathers. Birds reared in SD2.5 were familiar with moist litters and high ammonia smell. Foot-pad dermatitis, scratches, and blister formation were detected in the leg. The study revealed that the higher SD negatively correlated to the welfare behavior indicators. Live body weight was significantly (p < 0.05) decreased in birds reared at higher SD rates. Birds housed in SD1.0 and SD1.5 are optimum for body weight and improved feed conversion ratio. The hemato-biochemical parameters of birds reared at various SD rates did not differ. The total leucocyte count increased significantly, while total serum proteins decreased gradually as SD rates increased. Conclusion: This work explores that higher SD negatively affects welfare and growth performance in broiler chickens. [J Adv Vet Anim Res 2021; 8(4.000): 642-649]

Objective: Duck virus enteritis is a severe viral disease that kills ducks and swans worldwide. The clinical manifestations, gross pathology, molecular detection, and characterization of the duck virus enteritis virus (DVEV) in Australian black swans at a safari park in Bangladesh were described in this case report. Materials and Methods: On a safari park in Bangladesh, an Australian black swan flock exhibited clinical signs of anorexia, greenish watery diarrhea, increased thirst, partial paralysis, and death. Postmortem examinations of deceased swans revealed extensive pathological abnormalities in the trachea, liver, and spleen. To isolate DVEV, a viral inoculum produced from the liver and spleen of dead swans was implanted into 913-day-old embryonated duck eggs via the chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) route. DVEV was confirmed using a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay. Phylogenetic analysis was used to determine the genetic relationship between the DVEV isolates from Australian black swans, and 16 DVEV isolates previously described in the GenBank. Results: Hemorrhage was noted in the annular ring of the trachea, as well as an enlarged and hemorrhagic liver and spleen. The PCR assay amplified a 446-bp fragment of the DVEV DNA polymerase gene in the liver, spleen, and CAM homogenates. The phylogenetic analysis found that the DVEV isolates from swans were comparable to those from Bangladesh, India, Vietnam, China, Germany, the USA, and Egypt. Conclusion: According to the findings of this study, the DVEV was the cause of illness and mortality in an Australian black swan flock. [J Adv Vet Anim Res 2021; 8(4.000): 557-562]

Objective: The article aimed to study the relationship between the physico-chemical qualities of pig meat and their pre-slaughter weights. Materials and Methods: In this study, 60 pigs were reared for fattening under the same condi¬tions of keeping and feeding, slaughtered, and used to sample the longest back muscle meat with pre-slaughter weights of 110 and 130 kg. The samples were evaluated according to generally accepted methods for assessing the physico-chemical qualities in pig meat. Results: Samples of meat from animals slaughtered at 130 kg had higher values for marbling by 2.0 points or 5.24% (p < 0.01), active acidity pH in ham muscles by 0.20 pH or 3.57% (p < 0.01), and the longest muscle of the back by 0.10 pH or 1.82% (p < 0.001). The pre-slaughter weight factor substantially affected the pH of ham muscles at 10.35% and on the marbling of meat in the longest back muscle at 13.31%. Pigs slaughtered at 110 kg had a greater increase in the color intensity of the meat and an increase in its water holding capacity. At a pre-slaughter weight of 130 kg, increasing the marbling and decreasing the softness of the flesh demonstrated a modest, adverse relationship. Conclusion: The findings support the use of pre-slaughter weight management to enhance pork quality. [J Adv Vet Anim Res 2021; 8(3.000): 521-533]

Objectives: This study aims to investigate the prevalence and antibiogram of Staphylococcus aureus and methicillin-resistance S. aureus (MRSA) in rabbits, rabbit handlers, and rabbitry environments in Terengganu. Materials and Methods: Swab samples from 183 rabbits (183 oral and 183 ear swabs), 45 rabbit handlers (45 oral and 45 nasal), and environmental (n = 180) samples from rabbitries were collected from 10 rabbit farms in Terengganu. The associated S. aureus isolates from the swabs were isolated using phenotypic microbiology tests. The bacteria were confirmed by polymerase chain reaction targeting nuc (S. aureus) and mecA (MRSA) genes. The antibiogram of all S. aureus isolates was determined using the KirbyBauer test. Results: Staphylococcus aureus was detected in 19% of rabbits, 26.7% of rabbit handlers, and 8.8% of swabs from the rabbitry environment. However, MRSA (0%) could not be detected. Antibiotic susceptibility test revealed that S. aureus from rabbits showed low resistance ( [J Adv Vet Anim Res 2021; 8(3.000): 388-395]

Objective: The objective of this study was to estimate the heritability (h2 ), repeatability (r), and correlations (r yi yi ) in some traits of zootechnical interest in a population of New Zealand white rabbits of a tropical dry forest area. Materials and Methods: Three mating groups were formed, each one of 1 male and 70 females. The traits evaluated were littersize at birth (LB), born alive (BA), born dead (BD), litter weight born alive (LW), litter weight at weaning (LWW), weaning weight (WW), slaughter weight (SW), and carcass weight (CW). Weaning took place at 42 days, and the fattening phase lasted 60 ± 3 days. A descriptive statistical study was carried out on the study variables. Paternal heritability was esti mated (h2 f ) and maternal (h2 m), repeatability, rabbit index IC, and Pearsons correlations (r yi yi ) between traits. The descriptive statistics showed high variation for the BD traits. Results: The values of the productivity found were similar to those presented in studies around the world. h2 presented magnitudes between low and medium. h2 f ranged between 0.09 and 0.42 and between 0.11 and 0.45 for h2 m. In general, the values of h2 m were higher than the values of h2 f . The r valuesforthe traits LB, BA, LW, LWW, and SW presented low magnitude, while it was medium for WW and CW. From the values of r, IC was calculated for each of the rabbits, allowing their categorization, which will be used in future selection plans. r yi yi among the variables ranged from −0.01 to 0.860. They were generally positive and mostly not significant (p > 0.05); they took a magnitude from low to moderate, except for the correlation between LB and BA. Conclusion: The production of rabbits under tropical conditions is similar to other reports. The genetic parameters evaluated were medium-to-low, indicating a robust non-additive gene and/ or environmental effect. [J Adv Vet Anim Res 2021; 8(3.000): 471-478]