Objective: This study aimed at determining the existence of oils and fats in ghee manufactured in Bangladesh and to validate the nature of the impurity. Materials and Methods: In this study, a ghee sample was prepared in the laboratory by follow¬ing standard methods and was used as a control sample. On the other hand, 19 ghee samples, including five branded samples (B1B5), and 14 local samples (L1L14) were collected from dif¬ferent manufacturers. The ghee samples were assessed for fat composition, Reichert Meissl (RM), saponification, Polenske, acid, Kirschner, and butyro refractometer (BR) values. To validate the ghee samples, vegetable oils and body fats were mixed in different ratios and then analyzed. Results: All the branded samples contained more than 99.5% fat, but only three local samples showed more than 97% fat. Admixing of soybean oil and coconut oil in different ratios showed the RM value from 1.57 ± 0.09 to 4.14 ± 0.21, whereas incorporation of hydrogenated vegetable oils and tallow showed 6.36 ± 0.03 to 14.10 ± 0.14. Nine local samples revealed RM values similar to external fat admixed samples. B2, B4, B5, L2L8, and L10L14 samples saponification values differed from the standard limits. Polenske, acid, Kirschner values and BR reading for L4, L6, L7, L8, L10, L12, L13, and L14 showed the worst results. All values varied significantly (p < 0.01). Conclusion: Local samples, L4, L6, L7, L8, L10, L12, L13, and L14, were assumed to be adulterated with external oils and fats. The quality of local ghee is questionable, as the samples contained more than 8% moisture, whereas pure ghee had less than 0.5% moisture. [J Adv Vet Anim Res 2020; 7(4.000): 678-684]

Objective: This study was conducted to produce and evaluate protected amino acids (AAs) against degradation in the rumen with greater bioavalibility and without the problems associated with polymer coating and the effect this has on calf performance. Materials and Methods: In the first step, essential AAs methionine and lysine were reacted with two chemical compounds (Benzaldehyde and Glutaraldehyde) in an attempt to make ligands for producing protected AAs. The physico-chemical characterization, melting point, and mass spec¬trometric of products were estimated. These products were fed to 36 Holstein dairy calves with 110 ± 0.50 kg of average body weight and an age of 110 ± 10 days. Calves were randomly assigned to six treatments. This study was done with six treatments as a completely randomized one-way design. Results: Feed consumption and average daily gain were less for control animals and those fed methionine and lysine glutaraldehyde compared to other treatments. The largest chewing time was observed for methionine and lysine glutaraldehyde, respectively, and the least was control. There was no difference for energy consumption, dry matter intake, or blood metabolites among the six treatments. The greatest total protein content was related to methionine and lysine glutaraldehyde treatment and the least total protein was observed in control treatment. Conclusion: It can be concluded that the use of chemical methods to protect AAs can be applied and may have some beneficial effects. [J Adv Vet Anim Res 2020; 7(2.000): 229-233]

Objective: The behavioral trait is one of the important concerns when handling livestock. The objectives of the present study were investigated the possible role of these genes on behavioral traits in Japanese Black cattle (Bos taurus). Materials and Methods: Blood samples were collected for DNA extraction and genotyping was carried out using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism method. Two energy metabolism related genes, namely, corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) and leptin (LEP) were subjected in this work. Temperaments were evaluated by scores of four behavioral tests. Results: Allele frequencies for the C and G alleles at CRH were 0.25 and 0.75, respectively. For the LEP SNP, the C and T alleles were 0.71 and 0.29, respectively. By analyzing the association between the polymorphisms and temperament scores of behavioral tests, significant effects of CRH poly¬morphism and interaction were not detected but cattle with wild homo-type of LEP tended to permit the contact of stranger when feeding (p < 0.1). Conclusion: These findings suggest that the LEP polymorphism is involved in behavioral traits in Japanese Black cattle. The LEP polymorphism may be useful in selecting Japanese Black cattle with the trait of being docility. [J Adv Vet Anim Res 2020; 7(1.000): 1-5]

Objectives: This study was designed for the investigation of the effect of infection by Trypanosoma evansi on the changes of reproductive indices of the testis, causing reproductive failure in drom¬edary bulls (Camelus dromedarius). Material and methods: Seventy-five bulls were used for monitoring of the changes in the semen characteristics, reproductive hormones, hematobiochemical profiles, histopathological charac¬ters in the testis, and oxidative biomarkers. The animals were divided into two groups. Group A represented the uninfected or control group, while group B represented the infected group. Group B was again divided into two subgroups, such as acute and chronic infected animals. Results: Results showed that the semen analysis of infected camels revealed the presence of alterations in the morphology of sperms, especially the heads and tails, as compared to control animals. The hormonal profile indicated a significant decrease in the luteinizing hormone, folli¬cle-stimulating hormone, and testosterone levels, accompanied by the rise in the cortisol level in infected camels compared with the negative control. The histopathology and testicular degener¬ation were found to be associated with other disorders in infected camels. The oxidative profile and protein oxidation were promoted in infected testicles, indicating the occurrence of harmful effects in the cell. Conclusion: It is concluded that T. evansi infection in dromedary bulls causes severe damage to the testicular tissue and decreases the reproductive hormone levels associated with severe mor¬phological disorders in sperms due to oxidative stress resulting from the infection. All these find¬ings indicate that T. evansi can cause reproductive failure and fertility damage. [J Adv Vet Anim Res 2020; 7(3.000): 537-545]

Objective: The objective of this study was to determine the comparative larvicidal efficacy of com¬mercial ylang-ylang (Cananga odorata) essential oils from India and Thailand against the Aedes aegypti mosquito to be used as a guideline for Aedes mosquito control. Materials and Methods: The bioassay for the larvicidal activity of commercial ylang-ylang essen¬tial oils in this experiment was modified from the World Health Organization standard protocols. The concentration ranges at 0.025, 0.050, 0.075, 0.100, 0.125, and 0.150 ppm in each treatment were used for testing, and four replicates were used per concentration. The larval mortality was observed and recorded 24- and 48-h after exposure. Results: The results of this study clearly revealed that commercial ylang-ylang essential oils from India and Thailand were highly toxic to the larvae of the dengue vector Ae. aegypti, and Indian ylang-ylang had an LC50 value of 0.064 ppm, whereas Thai ylang-ylang had an LC50 value of 0.042 ppm after 24-h exposure. Conclusion: This study revealed the efficacy of commercial Indian and Thai ylang-ylang essential oils as natural vector control for the larval stage of the dengue vector Ae. aegypti. Usually, natural larvicide products are not commonly found in the market due to complex production processes. The results of this research support the use of commercial essential oils to aid in further control of Aedes mosquito larvae populations in the community. [J Adv Vet Anim Res 2020; 7(3.000): 391-396]

Objective: The objective of the study was to assess the behavioral attributes of primiparous and multiparous Friesland, Jersey, and Crossbred cows around calving time in a pasture-based dairy system. Material and methods: A total of 120 pregnant cows were used in the study, comprising of 40 cows per genotype in different parities [A-primiparous (n = 10), B-2 to 4 (n = 10), C-5 and 6 (n = 10), and D-7 and 8 (n = 10)] and kept in a maternity paddock. Five observers monitored cows from the onset of parturition until the calves were fully expelled, recording the frequency and duration of lying, standing, and walking bouts, calf licking, and suckling. Results: There were differences (p < 0.05) observed in the behavioral patterns around the time of calving. Jersey multiparous cows spent (p < 0.05) significantly most of their time (20.50 ± 3.10) in lying position as compared to the other genotypes. The Jersey cows also spent most (p < 0.05) of their time (48.00 ± 0.34) in a standing position during the calving period. Friesland cows spent (p < 0.05) most of their time (12.00 ± 1.19) exhibiting either stepping or walking attributes as compared to Jersey and Crossbred cows. The Jersey genotype spent significantly (p < 0.05) more time (123.00 ± 10.43) in expelling their calves compared to the other genotypes. There was a significant (p < 0.05) interaction between genotypes and parity on time spent by cows on licking their calves. There was a significant difference (p < 0.05) observed between the genotypes of the primiparous cow. Conclusion: The primiparous cows spent most of their time in standing and the least amount of time in other activities throughout the trial due to the lack of maternal experience. The current study revealed that behavioral activities differ according to genotype and parity. [J Adv Vet Anim Res 2020; 7(2.000): 290-298]

Two experiments were conducted to evaluate the effect of the level and degradability of crude protein (CP) on the digestive metabolism and productive performance of dairy cows. In both experiments, 15 Holstein cows with 585 ± 40 kg of body weight were distributed in a Latin square design with five contemporary squares, three periods of 21 days and three treatments. In experiment 1, treatments consisted of three CP levels (130, 160 or 180 g CP/kg DM), while in experiment 2, the treatments consisted of three levels of rumen degradable protein (RDP; 80, 100 or 120 g RDP/kg DM) in diets with average of 163 g CP/kg DM. Variables evaluated in both experiments were dry matter intake (DMI), total apparent digestibility, milk yield (MY) and composition, ruminal fermentation and N balance. In experiment 1, the increase of CP from 130 to 180 linearly increased the organic matter, CP, neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and acid detergent fiber (ADF) intake (kg) and the apparent total digestibility coefficient of DM and CP. In addition, a linear increase of MY, fat corrected milk (FCM) and daily production of fat, protein, lactose, casein and total solids was observed. A linear increase in ruminal ammoniacal nitrogen (NH3-N) concentration and nitrogen excretion in milk, feces and urine was also observed. However, there was no observed effect on SCFA concentration. In experiment 2, the increase of the RDP from 80 to 120 increased the DMI, MY, FCM, milk protein content and digestibility coefficient of the NDF, ADF and ethereal extract. Additionally, there was an increase in NH3-N concentration and milk nitrogen excretion. The studies indicated that the increase of CP content up to 100 g RDP/kg DM increased the DMI and the productive performance of the cows, but also increased urine N. Thus, it is desirable that the increase of the CP through the increase of the RDP is carried out up to 100 g of RDP/kg DM, since there is elimination of nitrogen, decrease of milk yield and decrease of propionic acid in values above that level.

This study was designed to detect equine piroplasmosis using the molecular technique in Al-Najaf province during the season that showed an increment in tick activities. Blood samples were collected from 110 horses with more than two signs of piroplasmosis. After DNA extraction, the product was examined by a polymerase chain reaction to amplify 18SrRNA. The results showed that the overall percentage of equine theileriosis was 38.18%. According to gender, the percentage of infection was 43.48% and 29.27% in females and males, respectively. Significant variations appeared between infected horses according to age, and the percentage of infection was 50% and 35.22% in less than 2 years and more than 2 years age, respectively. Moreover, the percentage of infection was 62.5% and 19.35% in animals with and without acariasis, respectively. Significant variations were also seen in equine theileriosis according to geographical areas, and the higher percentage was reported in Hera district (60.87%), while the lowest percentage was in the center of Al-Najaf (21.43%). This difference may be due to different distribution of vector of disease (tick), which may be the availability of the suitable weather that helped in the multiplication of the intermediate vectors. In conclusion, this study proved the variations in the occurrences of equine piroplasmosis according to gender, age, and geographical areas.

This study aimed to grade joint abnormalities in horses submitted to therapeutic arthroscopy using score-based protocols for equine joint assessment, correlated with arthroscopic treatment outcomes and owner satisfaction. In this prospective study, we evaluated 126 joints of athletic horses referred for arthroscopy. The joints were scored according to findings of medical history and physical, radiographic, ultrasonographic and arthroscopic examination. Lameness, positive response to flexion test and decreased maximum joint flexion angle were detected in more than 50% of joints. Soft tissue swelling, sclerosis, subchondral bone osteolysis and single osteochondral fragments were the most common radiographic findings. Ultrasonographic examination revealed changes in synovial fluid volume and appearance, and subchondral bone irregularities. Increased vascularity of the synovial villi, chondral fibrillation, chondral fissures and superficial cartilage erosions were the most significant arthroscopic findings. The approaches that demonstrated greater sensitivity and correlation with treatment outcome and owner satisfaction were medical history, ultrasonographic and arthroscopic examination. The scoring protocol employed to grade joint abnormalities enabled the creation of a joint score system for the objective assessment, thus determining the most frequent findings and establishing an injury severity score for each joint.

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of increasing levels of chitosan (CHI) on sugarcane fermentation profile and losses, chemical composition, and in situ degradation. Treatments were: 0, 1, 2, 4, and 8 g of CHI/kg of dry matter (DM). Twenty experimental silos (PVC tubing with diameter 28 cm and height 25 cm) were used. Sand (2 kg) was placed at the bottom of each silo to evaluate effluent losses, and silos were weighed 60 d after ensiling to calculate gas losses. Samples were collected from the center of the silo mass to evaluate silage chemical composition, in situ degradation, fermentation profile, and mold and yeast count. Data were analyzed as a completely randomized design, and the treatment effect was decomposed using polynomial regression. Chitosan linearly increased acetic acid and NH3-N concentration, while yeast and mold count, and ethanol concentration decreased. Intermediary levels of CHI (from 4.47 to 6.34 g/kg DM) showed the lower values of effluent, gas, and total losses. There was a quadratic effect of CHI on the content of non-fiber carbohydrates, neutral and acid detergent, and in situ DM degradation. The lowest fiber content was observed with levels between 7.01 and 7.47 g/kg DM, whereas the highest non-fiber carbohydrate content and in situ DM degradation were found with 6.30 and 7.17 g/kg DM of CHI, respectively. Chitosan linearly increased acetic acid and NH3-N concentration, whereas it linearly reduced ethanol concentration and count of yeast and mold. Thus, intermediary levels of CHI, between 4.47 and 7.47 g/kg of DM, decrease fermentation losses and improve the nutritional value of sugarcane silage.