Objective: This study aimed to assess the organoleptic, physico-chemical, and microbial quality as well as the presence of any adulterants in different commercial and local milk samples. Materials and Methods: Three brands of ultra-high temperature (UHT) milk, three brands of pasteurized milk, and three raw milk samples were procured and analyzed for different quality tests. Consumer preference about the milk samples were studied by evaluating the organoleptic properties by a testing panel of 15 panelists. Physico-chemical, adulteration, and microbial analysis of the milk samples were performed by following different standard methods. Results: Most of the organoleptic properties were varied significantly at p ≤ 0.05 for UHT and pasteurized milk samples, while raw milk samples were equally acceptable to the panelists in most cases. From physico-chemical analysis, it was found that raw milk contained the highest amount of moisture (90.68%), whereas UHT had the lowest (87.60%), and other components were ranged as 0.68%0.78% ash, 3.20%3.58% protein, 3.15%3.56% fat, 4.35%4.62% lactose, 0.14%0.22% acidity, 6.17%8.95% solid not fat, 9.32%12.40% total solid, and 1.026%1.034% specific gravity. All adulteration tests responded negatively for raw samples, whereas commercial milk samples showed positive response only on added sugar test. Total standard plate count and coliform count tests showed that there was no microorganism in a detectable range in commer¬cial milk samples, though raw samples had a significant amount. Conclusion: Though there were some fluctuations in some parameters of the three milk categories, but this study concluded that the quality of UHT and pasteurized milk were excellent with respect to parameters studied. [J Adv Vet Anim Res 2020; 7(1.000): 26-33]

Objective: Acute hepatopancreatic necrosis disease is an emerging infectious disease of Penaeus species. The causative agent is Vibrio species, which dispels binary toxin similar to pirA and pirB, which causes mortality in infected shrimp. The aim of this research was to investigate the evolu¬tionary relationship of pirA and pirB homologous genes present in this Asia and Costa Rica in silico. Materials and methods: The sequences for in silico analysis were all retrieved from the Basic Local Alignment Search Tool Nucleotide (BLASTN) tool of the National Center for Biotechnology Center. For pirA, a total of 25 sequences submitted from different Asian countries and Costa Rica were retrieved for analysis. Meanwhile, for pirB, a total of 11 sequences submitted from five Asian countries were retrieved. Sequences were aligned using the CLUSTAL W alignment tool under Molecular Evolutionary Genetics Analysis (MEGA) 7 software. The evolutionary history was then estimated using the Unweighted Pair Group Method with Arithmetic mean (UPGMA) method, whereas the evolutionary distances were determined using the maximum composite likelihood model with 1,000 bootstrap replications. Results and Discussion: The results show that, among 27 DNA sequences analyzed for pirA gene, three groups were generated, while for pirB, 13 DNA sequences yielded only one group. The anal¬ysis revealed low genetic variation among isolates for both pirA and pirB genes. Conclusion: This result suggests that the low frequency of polymorphism and geographic location cannot be attributed to the differences in V. parahaemolyticus isolates in Asian countries relative to Costa Rican isolates in pirA and pirB genes. [J Adv Vet Anim Res 2020; 7(2.000): 320-323]

Objective: This study was conducted to compare between the nanoparticles of copper (Cu-NP) and copper sulfate (CuSO4) effect on immunity, pro-inflammatory cytokine, oxidant/antioxidant balance, different behavioral patterns, growth rate, and weight gain by adding them in drinking water of broilers. Materials and Methods: One hundred and fifty broiler chicks of 1-day-old were randomly divided into three groups: the first group was the control, the second group received CuSO4 in drinking water (10 mg/l), and the third group received Cu-NP in drinking water (10 mg/l) with replicates (n = 25) for 5 weeks of age. Blood samples collected for estimating immunoglobulins (A, G, and M), superoxide dismutase, pro-inflammatory (IL-6), erythrocyte sedimentation rate, heterophil/ lymphocyte (H/L) ratio, malondialdehyde (MDA), corticosterone hormone, and lymphoid organs index weight. Moreover, behavioral observations were undertaken from the 2nd week until the 5th week of age for measuring different behavioral patterns (feeding, drinking, crouching, body care, and comfort behaviors). Chicks were individually weighed weekly (gm); also, the weight gain, the intake of food, and the ratio of feed conversion were calculated. Results: Cu-NP administration has improved the blood profile, lymphoid organs index weight in Cu-NP treated broilers in relation to control and CuSO4 treated groups. Conversely, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, H/L ratio, MDA, and corticosterone hormone were reduced by Cu-NP treat¬ment. Moreover, Cu-NP has a positive effect on all behavioral patterns more than other groups which significantly reflect on the weight of the body, gaining of weight, and the intake of food in the Cu-NP treated group of birds. Conclusion: The findings in this study stated that when the drinking water of broilers was supple¬mented with Cu-NP, there might be an improvement in the immunity, behavior, and productive performance more efficiently than CuSO4. [J Adv Vet Anim Res 2020; 7(1.000): 16-25]

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]

Captive birds in zoological settings often harbor parasites, but little information is available about the potential for free-ranging avifauna to act as a source of infection. This review summarizes the gastrointestinal parasites found in zoo birds globally and in seven common free-ranging avian spe¬cies [mallard (Anas platyrhynchos), Eurasian blackbird (Turdus merula), common starling (Sturnus vulgaris), Eurasian jackdaw (Corvus monedula), house sparrow (Passer domesticus), European robin (Erithacus rubecula), and rock dove (Columba livia)] to identify the overlap and discuss the potential for cross-species transmission. Over 70 references were assessed, and papers spanned over 90 years from 1925 to 2019. A total of 60 studies from 1987 to 2019 met the eligibility cri¬teria. All examined free-ranging avifauna harbored parasite species that were also reported in zoo birds, except for the European jackdaw. Parasites reported in captive and free-ranging birds include nematodes (Capillaria caudinflata, Dispharynx nasuta, Ornithostrongylus quadriradiatus, Strongyloides avium, Syngamus trachea, and Tetrameres fissispina), cestodes (Dicranotaenia coronula, Diorchis stefanskii, Fimbriaria fasciolaris, and Raillietina cesticillus, Sobolevicanthus gracilis), trematode (Echinostoma revolutum), and protozoa (Cryptosporidium baileyi). Although no study effectively proved cross-transmission either experimentally or by genetic analysis, these parasites demonstrate low host specificity and a high potential for parasite sharing. There is potential for parasite sharing whenever determinants such as host specificity, life cycle, and hus¬bandry are favorable. More research should be carried out to describe parasites in both captive and free-ranging birds in zoological settings and the likelihood of cross-infection. Such information would contribute to evidence-based control measures, enhancing effective husbandry and pre¬ventive medicine protocols. [J Adv Vet Anim Res 2020; 7(3.000): 482-500]

Objective: This research work was conducted for the molecular characterization of the circulating foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) virus in Bangladesh and revealed out their serotype. Materials and methods: The VP1 gene of six field isolates of FMD virus (FMDV) serotypes (two serotypes O, two serotypes A, and two serotypes Asia 1) was subjected for sequencing and phy¬logenetic analysis. Neighbor-joining trees were constructed by using the Molecular Evolutionary Genetics Analysis 6, having the field nucleotide sequences of FMDV and related sequences avail¬able in the GenBank. Results: The nucleotide sequences of the VP1 genes of serotypes O, A, and Asia-1 of the isolates revealed that overall isolates were 91%100% similar to the isolates reported from Bangladesh and other neighboring countries. Among the isolates reported from Bangladesh, serotype O had 98%100% identity, serotype A had 91%100% identity, and serotype Asia-1 had 94%100% iden¬tity. A phylogenetic analysis revealed that the FMDV serotype O PanAsia-02 sub-lineage was con¬firmed in Bangladesh under the Middle EastSouth Asian (ME-SA) topotype. On the other hand, we identified genotype VII (18) of Asia topotype (serotype A) and lineage C (serotype Asia-1). Conclusion: The FMDV serotype O PanAsia-02 sub-lineage was confirmed in Bangladesh under the ME-SA topotype for the first time. The extensive cross-border animal movement from neigh¬boring countries may act as the source of diversified FMDV serotypes in Bangladesh. [J Adv Vet Anim Res 2020; 7(2.000): 360-366]

Objective: Understanding intraspecific phenotypic plasticity is a prerequisite to fish stock identifi¬cation and sustainable fisheries management. In this study, we assessed intraspecific phenotypic plasticity in terms of meristic and morphometric characters of wild populations of elongate glassy perchlet, Chanda nama from two different rivers, namely Madhumati River Narail (MRN) and Tulshiganga River Jaypurhat (TRJ), and an ox-bow lake, Jhapa Baor Jashore (JBJ) in Bangladesh. Materials and Methods: In this study, six meristics, 15 conventional morphometrics, and 23-truss-based morphometrics were subjected to a one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), followed by the Tukey-HSD test. The mean values of three meristic counts and nine conventional and 12 truss-based morphometrics demonstrated significant differences in the ANOVA test. Furthermore, principal component analysis (PCA) and discrimination function analysis (DFA) were performed separately using conventional and truss-based morphometric data. Results: In PCA analysis, four principal components were extracted and cumulatively demon¬strated 51.848%. On the contrary, two discriminant functions (DF1, 63.5%; DF2, 36.5%) resulted from DFA analysis. In the bi-plot alignment from the discriminant space, all individuals were exceedingly separated among the three inhabitants. A dendrogram developed using conventional and truss morphometric characters confirmed that two clusters were formed among three pop¬ulations. The TRJ population formed a distinct cluster, and the JBJ population formed a different cluster with a subcluster of MRN. In the discriminant function analysis, precise classification out¬comes displayed 82% of individuals into their unique populations, whereas 66.9% of individuals were categorized as a cross-validated assemblage. Conclusion: The baseline information resulting from the current study would be useful for envi¬ronmental studies and further conservation of glassy perchlet populations in Bangladesh. [J Adv Vet Anim Res 2020; 7(4.000): 585-596]

Objective: This study aimed to assess the prevalence and risk factors of African swine fever (ASF) disease in Benin. Materials and methods: A retrospective study was conducted on 70 pig farms from the Departement of Atlantique and Oueme and also by using the data available from the Directorate of Livestock on the spread of ASF in Benin from 2014 to 2018. The prevalence of ASF was assessed with 106 nasal swabs from apparently healthy domestic pigs and 15 organ samples from dead ASF-suspected pigs. ASF virus detection was carried out by conventional polymerase chain reac¬tion using Qiagen Kit for DNA extraction. Data recorded were processed with SAS software (2006). Results: It appears that ASF is an endemic disease in Benin with the Department of Oueme as the hotspot of dissemination of the virus in the country. The losses due to ASF recorded from 2014 to 2018 are evaluated to 884,850,000 CFA Franc by estimating the average cost of a pig at 25,000 FCFA. A prevalence of 1.89% (CI at 95%, 0.713.49) was recorded for live animals with a positive result in organs from all dead pigs suspected of ASF. Breeding practices related to the sharing of breeding males, scavenging pigs, and non-compliance with biosecurity measures were the risk factors identified. Conclusion: The present study sheds light on the areas prone to the ASF virus in Benin. Moreover, the cross-sectional data recorded on the prevalence of ASF will help to better rule on the spread of the disease. It would be interesting for the Beninese Republic to increase its efforts for ASF control. [J Adv Vet Anim Res 2020; 7(3.000): 464-470]

Objective: Granulosa cells (GCs) play a very important role in reproductive physiology due to their effect on developmental and functional changes. However, there are differing views regard¬ing the mechanism by which hormones stimulate GCs. Therefore, our study aims to determine whether GCs, in the absence of initial stimulation (17&#946;-estradiol), select specific types of MMPs that reconstitute cells by stimulation of major hormones [follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) or/ and luteinizing hormone (LH)]. Materials and methods: Early GCs were extracted from immature follicles of the porcine ovary to analyze the MMPs levels. Using early GCs in pigs, the cell development rate was evaluated by add¬ing 17&#946;-estradiol, FSH, LH, or FSH + LH, respectively, to the DMEM containing 10% FBS. Real-time PCR, zymography, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, western blot, and immunofluorescence analysis were also performed to determine the MMPs activation in the GCs. Results: Our results confirm that FSH or LH stimulation regulates cell development and intracel¬lular MMPs. In particular, FSH activity kept the MMP-2 and MMP-9 expressions constant in GCs. Conversely, LH activity initially led to rapid increases in the MMP-9 expression, which 96 h later was similar to the MMP-2 expression. Simultaneous utilization of FSH + LH maintained a steady MMP-9 expression and the development of GCs increased. Additionally, when FSH and LH were processed simultaneously, the number of cells increased without changes in cell size, while the cell size changed when LH alone was used. Conclusion: Therefore, the results of this study confirm that even without the initial stimulation of GCs, physiological changes occur according to hormonal changes in the environment, and there is variability in the expression of MMPs. [J Adv Vet Anim Res 2020; 7(2.000): 367-373]

Objective: This work was conducted to examine the association between body weight (BW) and biometric traits viz. head width (HW), head length (HL), ear length (EL), body length (BL), rump height (RH), withers height (WH), sternum height (SH), rump width (RW), and heart girth (HG) and to determine the direct and indirect effects of biometric traits on BW. Materials and Methods: Sixty female and twenty male Nguni cattle between the ages of one to four years were used. Pearson correlation and path analysis were used for data analysis. Results: Correlation results recognized that BW had a positive highly significant correlation with RW (r = 0.70**), RH (r = 0.90**), HG (r = 0.90**), SH (r = 0.90**), and WH (r = 0.93**) in male, whereas SH (r = 0.34**), WH (r = 0.55**), RH (r = 0.70**), and HG (r = 0.76**) had a positive highly significant correlation with BW of female Nguni cattle. Path analysis showed that RW (13.35) had the highest direct effect, whereas SH had an indirect effect on BW of male Nguni cattle. In female Nguni cattle, RH (4.87) had the highest direct effect, whereas HL had an indirect effect on BW. Conclusion: Association findings suggest that improvement of RW, RH, HG, SH, HG, and WH might result in the increase in BW of Nguni cattle. Path analysis results suggest that RW and RH might be used as a selection criterion during breeding to increase BW of Nguni cattle. The results of the current study might be used by cattle farmers to estimate BW using biometric traits. [J Adv Vet Anim Res 2020; 7(1.000): 148-155]