Objective: Hemoparasitism is a condition commonly found in animals and it exerts negatively on the health, production, reproduction, and performance of the affected animals. This study is aimed at determining the prevalence of different hemoparasites affecting cattle and sheep in Mosul, Iraq, and to deduce the effect of climatic factors on the occurrence of these hemoparasites. Materials and Methods: Blood samples from cattle and sheep that were submitted to the Parasitology Laboratory of the Veterinary Hospital of Ninavah between 2008 and 2018 were examined for the presence of blood parasites using the thin blood smear preparation. Data were analyzed using percentages (%), tabulations, and graphs. Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient was used to measure the strength of association between the occurrence of hemoparasites of cattle/sheep and each climatic variable. Results: Anaplasma spp. Babesia spp. and Theileria spp. were the hemoparasites detected among cattle and sheep in the study, with Theileria spp. been the most prevalent among cattle, while Anaplasma spp. was the most prevalent among sheep. There was no distinct pattern in the yearly and monthly prevalence of these hemoparasites among cattle and sheep. Rainfall and relative humidity negatively influenced the occurrence of hemoparasites infections, while temperature favored their occurrences. Conclusion: This study appears to be the first to evaluate the correlation between climatic variables and the prevalence of hemoparasites of cattle and sheep in Mosul, Iraq. Climatic variables influenced the abundance of hemoparasites of cattle and sheep in the study area. The outcome of this study will add to the existing knowledge on the effect of climatic factors on the occurrence of parasitic diseases of ruminants in Middle East. J. Adv. Vet. Anim. Res., 6(4): 492-498, December 2019

Objective: The aim of this study is to determine the effect of laser diode as an alternative treat­ment on liver dysfunction (in vivo study) that is caused by carbofuran using male mice (Mus musculus) strain Balb/C. Materials and Methods: The samples were divided into three groups, namely, Group C–L– (con­trol group, no treatment), Group C+L– (only treated by carbofuran treatment), and Group C+L+ (treatment group, treated by carbofuran and laser-puncture) with five replications each. After being treated, each liver slice of samples was observed using microscope to get the histology result and then scored. Results: Carbofuran contamination can lead to inflammation of cells and necrosis. The histology results and the scoring test showed that the liver cells repair with the energy dose of laser diode at 0.5 and 1.0 Joule. Conclusion: The optimum energy dose in this study was 1.0 Joule which had the closest score of inflammatory cells and necrosis to normal liver cells. J. Adv. Vet. Anim. Res., 6(4): 499-505, December 2019

Objective: The objective of this research work is to know the productive and reproductive perfor­mances and problems of local, crossbred, Nilli, and Murrah buffalo cows in selected study areas in Bangladesh. Methodology: A total of 1,241 local, crossbred, Nilli, and Murrah buffalo cows were surveyed in the selected areas with a pre-set questionnaire. Among 1,241 buffalo cows, 112 buffalo cows were randomly selected at day 0 of the estrus cycle for studying ovarian features. Results: Results showed that the average age, body condition score, and body weight were sig­nificantly (p < 0.05) different among the studied breeds. Milk production in Murrah and lactation length in Nilli cows were significantly (p < 0.05) higher than indigenous, crossbred, Nilli, and indig­enous, crossbred, Murrah buffalo cows, respectively. Results also illustrated that sexual maturity, estrus cycle length, insemination time after the onset of estrus, and gestation length insignifi­cantly (p > 0.05) varied among the surveyed breed. But, the fallout of the study denoted that estrus duration, first calving age, parity number, number of service per conception, calving inter­val, and voluntary waiting period varied significantly (p < 0.05) in different breeds. Ovarian phys­iological characteristics such as vaginal electrical resistance, average number of follicles in two ovaries, and largest follicular diameter, estrogen, and progesterone at day 0 of the estrus cycle of local, crossbred, Nilli, and Murrah buffalo cows showed insignificantly (p > 0.05) differences. Conclusion: The study will help the veterinarian and researcher to identify the constraints for the reproductive efficiency of buffalo in Bangladesh. J. Adv. Vet. Anim. Res., 6(4): 553-560, December 2019

Objective: To explore feeding strategies and identify eventual errors that could cause poor pro­duction and reproduction performances in dairy farms in the north of Algeria. Materials and Methods: A survey was conducted among 211 farms of different sizes, from 2014 to 2018 to compose a database that is analyzed statistically. Results: The results relative to the nutritive value of the rations showed an average dry matter intake of 15.9 ± 4.74 kg/cow/day, providing 13.2 ± 4.34 UFL (Feed Unit for Lactation) of net energy and 1306 ± 456 gm of protein digested in small intestine (PDI)/cow/day. A high proportion of concentrate intake is observed, with an average of 64.7% ± 17.4% of energy intake and 70.2% ± 16.2% of nitrogen intake. Dairy cows performances were characterized by a low milk production regarding their genetic potential (14.2 ± 4.73 kg of milk/cow/day), a calving interval > to one year (397 ± 20.4 days), though the coverage rates of their nutrient requirements reached 120%. The typology of the dietary rations allowed grouping them into three categories: deficient rations cluster (DR), correct rations cluster, and excessive rations cluster (ER). DR and ER, which are not adjusted to animals’ needs, were found in 57.8% of farms. Conclusion: It is obvious that the feeding management in the dairy farms in the North of Algeria is not based upon scientific achievements, contributing to relatively low performances of cows as well as to important financial losses. This finding imposes the necessity to adopt a correct and accurate rationing of animals. J. Adv. Vet. Anim. Res., 6(4): 567-574, December 2019

Objectives: This study was conducted to determine the correlation among prolactin gene (PRG), growth differentiation factor 9 (GDF-9), and calpastatin (CAG) genes polymorphism with growth traits in Awassi lambs. Materials and Methods: Records of 779 Awassi lambs from 264 dams and 15 sires were used. The sex, type of birth (single versus twins), weight at birth, average daily gain (ADG), and the adjusted weight at 60 days of age were determined for each animal. Blood samples were collected from all lambs to determine PRG, GDF-9, and CAG polymorphism using polymerase chain reaction-Restric­tion fragment length polymorphism. Results: Three PRG genotypes (AA, AB, and BB) were determined with a frequency of 0.88, 0.05, and 0.07, respectively. The frequency of each allele was 0.84 and 0.16 for A and B alleles, respec­tively. For GDF-9, there were only two genotypes detected (AB and BB) with a frequency of 0.96 and 0.04, respectively. The frequency of each allele was 0.92 and 0.08 for A and B alleles, respec­tively. For CAG, two genotypes were also detected (AB and BB) with a frequency of 0.92 and 0.08, respectively. The frequency of each allele was 0.96 and 0.04 for A and B alleles, respectively. A significant (p ≤ 0.04) effect of PRG genotype on birth weight was detected but this effect was not significant on ADG and weight at weaning. There were no associations between any of the pre-weaning growth traits and GDF-9 and CAG variants. Conclusion: The results of this study show that PRG could be used to select dams with a high frequency of dystocia to reduce birth weight of newborn lambs and therefore conserve the dam’s reproductive functions and improve lamb survivability. J. Adv. Vet. Anim. Res., 6(1): 86-91, March 2019

Objective: The current research was carried out to evaluate the use of magnesium hydroxide as buffer to control acidosis in rumen culture fermenting carbohydrates in vitro. Materials and Methods: The experiments were carried out in the chemostat system in which the reactor used was a 200 ml of working volume. A series of fed-batch trials were carried out in fed-batch system with hydraulic retention time of 4 days. All digesters were completely mixed with the rotation of 55 rpm, and the temperature was controlled at 39°C ± 0.5°C. Results: Results showed that the supplementation of magnesium hydroxide (50 mM/day) to the corn starch feed (12.5 gm/l per day) for the rumen culture could prevent acidosis while at the same concentration of sodium bicarbonate addition to rumen culture, acidosis cannot be prevented in which lactic acid accumulated up to 200 mM. Supplementing magnesium hydroxide to the mixture of starch and sugar feeds prevented acidosis in which the major fermentation end product formed was acetate. A daily feeding with the ratio of 4.5:1 [starch: Mg(OH)2] was feasible to prevent rumen acidosis. Conclusion: Magnesium hydroxide added to the rumen culture could prevent lactic acid accumulation while sodium bicarbonate supplementation did not prevent acidosis and had lactic acid accumulation. J. Adv. Vet. Anim. Res., 6(1): 100-107, March 2019

Objective: The aim was to evaluate the effect of cactus (Opuntia ficus-indica) to the lactating sows’ diet on piglet development at lactation and post-weaning. Materials and Methods: Twenty-four litters of hybrids sows were evaluated in this study. The sows were divided into two groups: Control (CG), sows fed conventionally and experimental (EG), sows fed with commercial fed plus cactus. Post-weaning, the piglets of both groups were moni­tored up to the 20 kg liveweight (LW). It was evaluated, lactation (in sows): feed intake (FI), milk production (MP), and quality (MQ) and LW of the piglet. Post-weaning (in piglets): FI, LW, and length of intestinal villi (LIV) at 0, 24 h, and 42 days post-weaning. Results: FI sow-1 was higher in EG (p < 0.05). MP, MQ, and LW piglet-1 at weaning were equal (p > 0.05). FI piglet-1 in the sixth and eighth week of age was higher in EG (p < 0.05); at the end of weaning phase, EG presented higher LW (p < 0.05): 8.4% more. LIV of the jejunum were higher (p < 0.05) in EG at 48 h (28.8%) and 42 days post-weaning (29.9%). At day 0, post-weaning LIV of the descending portion was higher (p < 0.05) in CG (1,571.0 μm) versus EG (1,058.0 μm). At day 42, post-weaning LIV of the transverse portion was higher (p < 0.05) in EG: 23.7% higher. Conclusion: Cactus intake in lactating sows does not affect the piglet development. However, post-weaning piglets present higher LIV in jejunum and transverse portion, aspect that improves LW. J. Adv. Vet. Anim. Res., 6(3): 290-299, September 2019

Objective: The study was aimed to isolate, identify, and characterize common indicator bacteria, including Escherichia coli, Salmonella spp., and Staphylococcus spp. in manure and bio-slurry sam­ples of different livestock farms and biogas plants of Bangladesh. Materials and Methods: A total of 114 samples of manure and bio-slurry were collected from different livestock farms and biogas plants in Bangladesh. The total viable count (TVC), E. coli, Salmonella spp., and Staphylococcus spp. counts were determined by the spread plate technique method. Isolation and identification were performed by colony characteristics, staining, bio­chemical tests, and, finally, by using PCR. Antibiotic susceptibility test of the isolated bacteria was tested against commonly used antibiotics by using the disk diffusion method. Results: The mean TVC, E. coli, Salmonella spp., and Staphylococcus spp. counts were ranged from 8.19–10.75, 5.2–6.96, 5.81–6.87, 5.68–7.68 in manure samples and 7.26–8.65, 3.82–5.2, 4–5.54, 3.14–5.9 log cfu/gm in bio-slurry, respectively. In anaerobic digester after 30 days digestion, the presence of E. coli, Salmonella spp., and Staphylococcus spp. varied from 0–5.11, 0–4.84, and 0–5.59 log cfu/gm at 25°C, 27°C, 29°C, and 45°C temperature. Above-mentioned bacteria were absent in bio-slurry collected from anaerobic digester after 60 days digestion at environmental temperature. Bacterial counts were reduced significantly in both household slurry pits and exper­imental anaerobic digester. Antibiotic susceptibility results revealed that multidrug-resistant indi­cator bacteria were present in the bio-slurry samples. Conclusion: Our findings conclude that the microbial load after treatment of animal manure via anaerobic digestion (Biogas plant) was grossly reduced and the reduction of bacterial pathogen depends on the duration and temperature of digestion. J. Adv. Vet. Anim. Res., 6(3): 376-383, September 2019

Objective: The aim of the present work was to investigate the mutual role that may be played by the served dairy food and food handlers in the transmission of methicillin- and vancomycin-resis­tant Staphylococcus aureus and coagulase-negative Staphylococci to patients who were hospital­ized in Qena City, Egypt. Materials and Methods: A total of 210 samples including 90 dairy food samples which offered to the patients in the hospital, 60 nasal and hand swabs from food handlers working in the hospital, and 60 nasal and diarrheal swabs from patients suffering from diarrhea were investigated for the presence of coagulase-positive S. aureus and coagulase-negative Staphylococci, then isolates were screened for methicillin and vancomycin resistance phenotypically and genotypically. 16s rRNA gene sequencing was employed to construct the neighbor-joining tree. Results: Unlike food samples, both coagulase-positive S. aureus and coagulase-negative Staphylococci occurred in human samples. Methicillin- and vancomycin-resistant coagulase-nega­tive Staphylococci could be detected in 41.7% & 20.8%, 68% & 31.9%, and 81.3% & 55.2% of iso­lates obtained from dairy food, food handlers, and patients’ samples, respectively. Whereas 81% & 64.3%, and 75.4% & 38.6% of coagulase-positive S. aureus obtained from food handlers and patients’ samples exhibited resistance to methicillin and vancomycin, respectively. Phenotypic resistance was confirmed molecularly through detection of mecA and vanA genes. Conclusion: A significant role can be played by food and food handlers in the transmission of methicillin- and vancomycin-resistant Staphylococci to patients, which has been proved in this study through the close phylogenetic relation between S. epidermidis isolated from food, food handlers, and patients’ diarrheal samples. J. Adv. Vet. Anim. Res., 6(4): 463-473, December 2019

Objective: The present study was performed for isolation, identification, and molecular detection of Avipoxvirus [Turkeypox virus (TPV), Fowlpox virus (FPV), and Pigeonpox virus (PPV)] from field outbreaks in some selected areas of Mymensingh division, Bangladesh. Materials and Methods: A total of 60 suspected cutaneous nodular samples (10 TPV, 20 PPV, and 30 FPV) were collected. The samples were then subjected to isolation and identification by chicken embryo propagation followed by confirmation using polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Results: The TPV, FPV, and PPV were successfully isolated and identified from the nodular samples using embryo propagation and PCR technique targeting pox virus p4b gene. Out of 10 Turkeypox suspected field samples, five (50%) were positive for TPV. Similarly, among 30 Fowl pox suspected field samples, 12 (40%), and out of 20 Pigeonpox suspected field samples, eight (40%) were found to be positive for FPV and PPV, respectively. The overall prevalence of avipox (TPV, FPV, and PPV) virus infections in Mymensingh division was 41.67% (n = 25/60). Conclusion: This study has shown that TPV, FPV, and PPV are circulating in Mymensingh division. The isolated TPV, FPV, and PPV field isolates can be used as vaccine candidates to develop an effective vaccine for effective controlling of the avipox in Mymensingh division and surrounding areas. J. Adv. Vet. Anim. Res., 6(1): 54-59, March 2019