Objectives: The study's goal was to determine the impacts of drinking saline water on the biochemical parameters of Murrah buffalo. Materials and methods: Twenty Murrah buffalo of both sexes, ranging in age from 6 months to 11 years, were randomly selected. 10 ml of blood samples were collected from each buffalo and processed to separate serums. The supplied drinking water and feed samples were also collected. Blood parameters–glucose, alanine-aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate-aminotransferase (AST), creatinine, urea, uric acid, magnesium, phosphorous, calcium, zinc, potassium, sodium, and chloride–were analyzed. Different clinical manifestations of selected buffalo were also recorded. Results: The buffaloes with skin lesions had higher serum concentrations of AST, creatinine, zinc, sodium, and chloride compared to another group. Significant age effects were found for serum concentrations of glucose (p < 0.05), creatinine (p < 0.01), uric acid (p < 0.001), phosphorus (p < 0.05), and potassium (p < 0.05). No significant age and gender effects were found for AST, ALT, urea, magnesium, calcium, zinc, sodium, and chloride. The serum concentration of creatinine was higher in female buffaloes, whereas the uric acid concentration was lower in female buffaloes compared to males. Conclusion: The blood parameters that were measured and remained within reference ranges show that Murrah buffaloes can adapt to saline water with little to no impairment to their liver and renal functions. The differences in the ages and sexes of the animals within the study groups highlight that mature female buffaloes suffer more from skin disorders and attempt to adjust to exotic conditions by changing the functioning of their liver and kidney. [J Adv Vet Anim Res 2022; 9(4.000): 736-742]

Objectives: This study aimed to assess the influence of feeding fresh lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus) or spearmint (Mentha spicata) and their combination on performance, serum metabo¬lites, liver enzymes, and meat quality in broilers. Materials and Methods: A total of 168 day-old Indian River chicks were arbitrarily offered four experimental rations: (i) control ration (CT-R): corn-soya-based ration, (ii) lemongrass ration (LG-R): CT-R + 1.0% DM of lemongrass; (iii) spearmint ration (SM-R): CT-R + 1.0% DM of spearmint; and (iv) lemongrass-spearmint ration (LS-R): CT-R + 0.5% DM from both lemongrass and spear¬mint. Each ration was given to 42 birds for a duration of 35 days, with 3 replications and 14 birds each. Results: Elevated body weight gain was observed in LG-R (1,502 gm), LS-R (1,492 gm), and SM-R (1,474 gm) compared to CT-R (1,451 gm) (p = 0.078). Herbal rations successfully reduced almost 3%–5% of serum and meat total cholesterol concentrations compared to CT-R. Compared to CT-R, the highest zinc and iron concentrations of serum and meat were measured in LG-R and SM-R, respectively, while both minerals of serum and meat were observed to be better in LS-R (p < 0.05). Herbal rations significantly improved serum liver enzyme activity and ameliorated the red color of breast and thigh meat but failed to improve the lightness and yellowness of both types of meat compared to CT-R. Conclusions: LG-R, SM-R, and LS-R improved bird performance, liver health, and meat color, and lowered serum and meat cholesterol levels. But among them, LS-R efficaciously increased the serum and meat zinc and iron concentrations. [J Adv Vet Anim Res 2022; 9(4.000): 712-719]

Adipose, muscle, and bone tissues modulate the metabolic state of mammals. However, the role of bone tissue as a metabolic state modulator in sows has not been studied. During the gestation–lactation transition, sows undergo metabolic adaptations to meet their nutritional requirements. Among these adaptations, bone remodeling is characterized by the synthesis and inhibition of hormones that participate, together with hormones from other tissues, in fetal development and lactogenesis. Osteocalcin is a hormone synthesized by the bone tissue which has been associated in different biological models with the improvement of the metabolic state. However, in sows, published results on the concentration of osteocalcin are scarce, and its concentration throughout the reproductive cycle is unknown. Therefore, with information from published trials on the measurement of serum osteocalcin, a structured review was conducted under the following objectives: (1) to review the promising effect of osteocalcin on energy metabolism in different models and (2) to characterize and model the serum concentrations of osteocalcin during the reproductive cycle of the sow. According to the review, the results obtained for humans and other animal models suggest that osteocalcin regulates energy metabolism, which has been associated with the need for integrated metabolism to cope with the metabolic demand during gestation and lactation in mammals. If these effects are significant in the sow, current recommendations for dietary balance should be reconsidered, particularly during the gestation–lactation transition period. According to mathematical modeling, it was the period in which the lowest concentration of osteocalcin was found. [J Adv Vet Anim Res 2022; 9(4.000): 634-648]

Objective: This study aims to develop and validate an Attenuated Total Reflectance–Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopic technique combined with a partial least squares regression (PLSR) model for rapid quantification and monitoring of aflatoxins in chicken feeds and food grains. Materials and Methods: A model of ATR-FTIR-PLSR was developed using ATR-FTIR spectra of mixed aflatoxin standards in 100% acetonitrile (112 samples) and 75% methanol (112 samples), validated by testing its prediction on 125 feed/food samples spiked with variable concentrations of aflatoxins, and applied to screen 660 samples of commercial chicken feeds and food grains from Nigerian and Malaysian markets for total aflatoxins, for which the dietary exposure risks to aflatoxins (DERA) and associated hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) risks were evaluated for both countries. Results: The ATR-FTIR-PLSR model demonstrated excellent prediction power [R2 = 99.59%, p = 0.001, root mean square error of calibration (RMSEC) = 1.69, RMSE p = 1.98, bias = −0.26], sensi¬tivity (limit of quantitation and limit of the method < 5.0 ng/gm), precision (coefficient of variation = 0.97–1.72), and accuracy (% recovery of 88%–106%) in all the spiked samples. The model's pre¬diction was statistically reliable (R2 = 99.8%, p < 0.05) when compared with a high-performance liquid chromatography method. Levels of aflatoxins in the commercial samples signify high DERA (0.92–138.2 ng of aflatoxins/kg BW/day) and HCC risk (1.07%–159.91% of HCC/100,000 people/ year) in the exposed populations. Conclusions: Results feature the conceivable implementation of the proposed ATR-FTIR-PLSR model for rapid, accurate determination and monitoring of aflatoxins in commercial chicken feeds and food grains; and the need to strengthen aflatoxin control/prevention strategies in the study populations. [J Adv Vet Anim Res 2022; 9(3.000): 546-564]

Objective: Peste des petits ruminants (PPR) virus is the main infectious cause of goat mortality in Bangladesh, and co-infection may make diseases more severe. This study aimed to detect PPR and co-infecting diseases in goats. Materials and Methods: One hundred goats suspected to be infected with the PPR virus were collected from various areas of Mymensingh district, Bangladesh. A systemic post-mortem examination was carried out on PPR-suspected goats. Lungs, spleen, and lymph nodes (pre-scapular) were used for ribonucleic acid extraction, whereas lungs and mesenteric lymph nodes were used for deoxyribonucleic acid extraction. Seven-pair primer sets were used for molecular detection of pathogens specific for PPR, goat pox, contagious ecthyma (Orf), foot and mouth disease (FMD) virus, Klebsiella sp., and Mycobacterium sp. Reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) or polymerase chain reaction (PCR) were used to find the exact cause. Results: Out of 100 PPR-suspected goats examined, 55 goats were confirmed as PPR-detected by RT-PCR. Among the 55 PPR-positive goats, 2 were co-infected with goat pox, 2 with tuberculosis, 10 with Klebsiella sp. infection, and 6 with FMD as detected by PCR and RT-PCR. Moreover, 12 goats were co-infected with PPRV and fascioliasis. Conclusion: About 58% of PPR virus-infected goats were co-infected with other organisms. There is a need to design technology to detect the state of co-infectivity at its early onset and future preventive and therapeutic strategies for co-infecting diseases. This is the first study in Bangladesh to describe co-infecting diseases of goats along with PPR. [J Adv Vet Anim Res 2022; 9(3.000): 463-470]

Objective: To explore veterinary students' perceptions of online anatomy teaching during the COVID-19 pandemic. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted at the School of Veterinary Medicine, where we collected data from year 1 and 2 undergraduate students. A Google Form link to the questionnaire and an introductory message were sent via email to all 68 students who had participated in an online anatomy class between March 2020 and May 2021. Results: The response rate was 82.2% (56/68). Most students were female (71.43%) and between the ages of 18 and 22 years old (83.93%). Overall, 58.1% of the students found it difficult to learn online anatomy, and most (82%) agreed that it was difficult to learn practical topics online. Nevertheless, 58.9% of the responding students recommended the continued use of online strategies in teaching this subject. Students reported that they could communicate with the lecturer and receive feedback. Perceived benefits of online learning included the convenience of attending class at home and having more available time, as well as the availability of prerecorded videos of course topics. Conclusions: During the pandemic, students got the opportunity to attend online classes from home. Students thought that online practical anatomy was less useful, and this is an area where new ideas can be suggested to help students see how anatomical structures work. [J Adv Vet Anim Res 2022; 9(3.000): 453-462]

Objective: The objective of this study was to determine the effect of adding various doses of green tea extract to the semen of Kacang goats during the sexing process on motility, viability, membrane integrity, malondialdehide (MDA), and deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) fragmentation. Materials and Methods: It started with the containment of the semen of the Kacang goat, followed by macroscopic and microscopic examinations. If the semen was considered viable, a diluter that had been added with various doses of green tea extract would be added to the semen. After that, sexing was carried out using the percoll gradient density medium. Next, the sexed semen was cryopreserved in liquid nitrogen. Then, an examination of motility, viability, membrane integrity, MDA, and DNA fragmentation was conducted. Result: There was a significant difference between the control and treatment (p &le; 0.05). The highest result was obtained in the treatment of adding 0.05 mg of green tea extract/100 ml of Andromed®. Conclusion: The addition of green tea extract can improve the quality of the sexed semen of the Kacang goat after it has been cryopreserved. [J Adv Vet Anim Res 2022; 9(3.000): 412-418]

Objective: To elucidate the cellular mechanisms of polyherbal formulation [Kolin PlusTM (KP)], genomics was performed to delineate the genes and pathways associated with lipid regulation through transcriptional profiling of the liver in commercial broilers raised on diets deficient in choline chloride (CCL). Materials and Methods: The gene expression patterns were studied for four groups [normal diet: normal, choline chloride deficient (CCD), KP (400 gm/ton), and CCL (400 gm/ton)] using Agilent microarray on day 42. The hierarchical cluster analysis was carried out on 12,614 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) with a similar expression. Results: Out of 12,614 significant DEGs, 1,926, 448, and 1,330 genes were expressed at higher rates, and 413, 482, and 1,364 were expressed at lower rates than CCD (CCD vs. normal), CCL (CCL vs. CCD), and KP (KP vs. CCD), respectively. GO enrichment analysis of DEG further revealed the significant association of biological process items with the lipid, sterol, and lipoprotein metabolic processes. In particular, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator 1 alpha, carnitine palmitoyl transferase I, hydroxyacyl-CoA dehydrogenase trifunctional multienzyme com¬plex subunit beta, and patatin-like phospholipase domain containing 2 genes involved in fatty acid oxidation and lipase C, ABCG5, ABCG8, acetyl-CoA carboxylase, ATP citrate lyase enzyme, and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma genes involved in lipogenesis were altered by KP intervention for lipid metabolism. Conclusions: These findings reveal that the supplementation of KP prevents fatty liver-associated problems in broiler chickens by modulating the expression of the above-mentioned genes that are responsible for the oxidation of fatty acids and lipogenesis in the liver. [J Adv Vet Anim Res 2022; 9(3.000): 432-439]

Objective: This study focuses on the orocutaneous fistula (OCF), a pathological channel between the buccal cavity and the outer surface (skin) of the face, causing leakage of saliva and fluid from the oral cavity to the face externally and also the ectopic incisors (EIs) erupted in a rare position in a day-old calf. The surgical interventions for these congenital defects were further described in this study. Materials and Methods: The calf was presented with an abnormal and external opening in the left submandibular region, having congenitally exposed jawbone and muscles with the resemblance of a linear groove, and was clinically examined based on the problem of swallowing milk due to lateral passing out of liquid through the unnatural tract before entering into the digestive tract. Clinical observation revealed an OCF with four EIs that abnormally erupted in the externally exposed groove of the fistula. Reconstructive surgery (RS) was performed along with a thorough guided approach to repair the defect, emphasizing normal functionality of the buccal cavity connecting to the pharynx and cranial esophagus, and smooth extraction of the EIs was ensured without making any deep wound. Results: After 2 weeks of postoperative care with supportive medications, the calf was quite recovered, having no further complications in the submandibular region along with no visible defect in swallowing. Conclusion: OCF in calves can be fruitfully treated by RS before getting severely infected and complicated. Outside the oral cavity, submandibular EIs can be easily removed, ensuring no further bleeding and defect. [J Adv Vet Anim Res 2022; 9(3.000): 509-515]

Objective: To improve the fertilizing ability of frozen buffalo semen using the more beneficial, accurate, and cheap technique of laser irradiation at specific wavelengths and exposure times. Materials and Methods: The red laser source (625 nm) was used in this study with 5 watts output power and for the irradiation of the semen samples for 5 min; the laser focus spot area was 1 cm2. Thirty straws belonging to five buffalo bulls were used in this study. Results: The results show that total motility (%) and progressive motility (%) increased insignifi¬cantly after 5 min of exposure (73.8 ± 1.4 and 60.4 ± 1.1, respectively) compared to the control sample (70.9 ± 0.9 and 57.5 ± 1.7, respectively). All velocity parameters (velocity average path, ve¬locity curved line, and velocity straight line μm/sec) recorded a significant (p < 0.05) increase in samples measured 5 min after exposure (52.3 ± 1.3, 83.5 ± 2.0, and 43.5 ± 1.2, respectively) com¬pared to the untreated ones (47.1 ± 2.0, 76.3 ± 3.1, and 38.6 ± 1.9, respectively). Conclusion: The application of the red laser light on buffalo semen postthawing resulted in a positive correlation with almost every motility parameter; it may be recommended to apply this technique pre-in vitro fertilization for embryo production of buffalo species. [J Adv Vet Anim Res 2022; 9(3.000): 396-404]