A number of animals with genetically identical appearance can be produced by somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT). From current advancement of SCNT and molecular techniques, production of a transgenic animal becomes easier. Although cloning efficiency in goat is low, the ability to propagate genetically identical animals, with a gene or genes of interest, would be important for increasing productivity and ultimately the economic livelihood. In this paper, the potential applications and uses of SCNT technology like production of transgenic goat for production of quality milk and meat are discussed.

The seroprevalence and risk factors of Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR) were determined in unvaccinated sheep and goats in Sudan. A total of 480 sera samples were collected from the sheep (n=261) and goats (n=219) of Sennar, Gedarif, River Nile, and North Kordofan states during May, June, and October 2012 and February 2013, respectively. The sera were tested for the presence of antibodies against PPR using competitive Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay. The overall seroprevalence of PPR was recorded as 45.6% (n=219/480); whereas, 57.2% in Sennar, 46.2% in Gedarif, 34.9% in River Nile and 39.8% in North Kordofan. A total of 14 risk factors were investigated using structured questionnaire, of which 9 were found to be associated with PPR seroprevalence (p≤0.05). Among the localities, Abozabad located in North Kordofan had the highest prevalence (91.7%) of PPR followed by Barbar in River Nile. PPR seroprevalence was higher in pastoralists, animals housed in scarp fences, females, and Kwahla sheep. In addition, PPR was higher in the states that had high rainfall and wind-speed. The associated 9 factors were further analyzed multivariably by logistic regression, and finally 5 of them (states, localities, husbandry system, gender, and age) were found to be associated with PPR seroprevalence (p≤0.05).

This study was conducted to evaluate potential extinction risk of Turkish native cattle breeds using Mantel and AMOVA tests and Bottleneck analysis. A total of 271 DNA samples were isolated from Anatolian Black, Anatolian Grey, South Anatolian Red, Native Southern Anatolian Yellow, East Anatolian Red, and Zavot cattle. In this study, genotypes of 20 microsatellites were determined by capillary electrophoresis and fragment analysis. A total of 269 different alleles were detected. The maximum and minimum numbers of total alleles were observed in TGLA122 (n=26) and INRA005 (n=7) loci, respectively. The highest average observed and expected heterozygosity values were determined as 0.619–0.852 and 0.669–0.877, respectively. The average FIS value was 0.068. Results of AMOVA and Mantel tests illustrated statistically significant differences in populations (p<0.001) and correlation (p<0.01). Bottleneck analysis revealed a normal distribution of L–shaped curve indicating that there was no recent risk of extinction for these breeds.

The study was conducted to assess the therapeutic competence of garlic (Allium sativum) in lead (Pb) exposed chickens. The experimental birds (n=350) were grouped into T0 (as control), T1, T2, T3 and T4. The birds of group T1 was provided with lead acetate at 100 mg/kg body weight. Group T2 had lead acetate at 100 mg/kg b.wt. + 1% garlic supplement, whereas group T3 was fed with lead acetate at 100 mg/kg b.wt. + 2% garlic supplement, and group T4 had lead acetate at 100 mg/kg b.wt. + 4% garlic supplement. The mean values (mg/dL) of uric acid, blood urea nitrogen, creatinine, cholesterol, triglycerides, low density lipoprotein, high density lipoprotein, and blood glucose in the birds of group T1 were significantly increased (p<0.01) on day 42 of post-treatment. Elevation of these parameters was suggestive for the pathological involvement of different organs like liver, kidney, muscles. Statistical analysis of variance indicated that lead acetate at 100 mg/kg b.wt. + 2% garlic supplement (T3) resulted significant (p<0.01) ameliorative effect on the biochemical parameters as compared to the group T2 and T4. In conclusion, potency of garlic in reversion of the values of the biochemical properties in Pb exposed chickens was close to the normal levels of the values.

The current study was conducted to evaluate the pathogenicity and immunosuppressive effects of GM-97 strain of infectious bursal disease virus in commercial broiler chickens. A total of 500 broiler chickens were vaccinated with the virus through oral route at 10 and 17 days of age (102-103 EID50/dose). Chickens were also vaccinated with Newcastle disease virus (Hitchner B1) orally at 14 and 21 days old. Chickens were euthanized (at 12, 14, 16, 20, 23, 26 days of age) after measuring body weight. Bursa of Fabricius was examined for any gross lesion, weighed and processed for histological investigations. Bursa to body weight ratio and bursal lesion scoring were made to evaluate pathogenicity of the virus. Blood samples were analyzed for antibody response to ND vaccine virus using HI test. Results showed that the GM-97 strain of IBDV induced mild to moderate depletion of lymphoid cells in the center of bursal follicles and non-significant difference in bursa to body weight ratio amongst vaccinated and unvaccinated chickens. Chickens responded well to ND vaccine by mounting high level of serum NDV specific HI antibody titers. It can be concluded from the present study that GM-97 strain of IBDV has mild pathogenicity but is not immunosuppressive.

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of replacing maize in quail diets with graded levels of rumen filtrate-fermented cassava meal (FCM) on growth and egg production performances. Cassava meal (CM) was mixed with dried manure of layer at 75 g/kg CM, which was mixed with freshly collected rumen filtrate (at 1 L/5 kg CM), and finally fermented in sealed bags for 14 days. It was then sun-dried and added in grower or finisher diets at 0, 50, 75 and 100%. Then, 84 three weeks-old Japanese quails (Cortunix japonica) were divided into four equal groups; the birds were randomly assigned to 0, 50, 75 and 100% FCM grower/layers diets, and were reared until 56 days of age. Daily feed consumption, weekly body weights, weight gains, feed conversion ratios (FCR), hen-day, and egg weights were monitored. The quails fed with 75% FCM were found to be superior (p<0.05) for body weight, feed intake, weight gain, and egg weights. However, birds fed control diets had higher (p<0.05) hen-day, but lower (p<0.05) in egg weights. Complete replacement of maize with FCM (100%) had similar (p>0.05) effect on feed intake, body weight, and weight gain, as compared to those of fed control diets. Thus, replacing maize with FCM had no deleterious effects on growth performance, but depressed hen-day. However, better growth performance was obtained when maize was replaced at 75% FCM.

Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (MAP) causes Johne's disease (JD) in cattle, sheep, goats and other ruminants, and Crohn’s disease in humans. MAPs are shed to external environment through feces and milk. The present study was aimed to evaluate the utility of milk as a non-invasive sample in stage II MAP infections in goats using IS900 polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and sequencing analysis. A total of 32 milk samples from lactating does were collected. Within these 32 milk samples, 15 were collected from pre-confirmed JD positive goats. By IS900 PCR, all the 15 (100%) known JD positive goat milk samples revealed the presence of MAP. However, no unknown goat was identified as MAP positive. The results of this study established the usefulness of milk as a non-invasive sample in screening and confirmation of stage II MAP infection in goats.

The aim of this study was to determine the reproductive parameters of sows in selected area of Bangladesh. A total of 51 sows from 21 farms were selected for this study. The data on reproductive parameters were collected from the owners by interviewing with pretested questionnaire. We found that the age at puberty, estrus cycle length, estrus duration, interval between farrowing and onset of estrus and gestation length were 254.5±34.4 and 21.2±1.2 days, 34.2±13.2 h, 51.8±10.9 and 114.3±0.9 days, respectively. The number of required services for each pregnancy in native sows was 1.4 ±0.6, and the first service pregnancy rate using natural mating was 63.8%. Moreover, the number of piglets born per sow was 7.6±3.4. The highest piglet production (10.6±3.1) was in parity 5 and the lowest (4.1±0.6) was in parity 1. Estrus was detected in 34.1% sows on the basis of observing standing reflex when boar mounted. In conclusion, reproductive parameters in native sows of Bangladesh need to be improved for ensuring satisfactory reproductive performances.

The study was conducted in Mokwa, Nigeria, to estimate the live body weight (LBW) of Nigerian breeds of sheep using cannon bone length (CBL), and other linear body measurements (LBM). A total of 116 sheep were measured for LBW and LBM. The animals were categorized into two sex groups as male and female, and four age groups as <12 months, 13-24 months, 25-36 months and ≥37 months. The current findings showed that in almost all the age groups, the chest depth and heart girth alone or in combination gave the best fitted prediction equation(s). However, the CBL negatively correlated with LBW in the male and female (combined) of <12 months age group, and positively correlated with LBW in the age groups of 25-36 and ≥37 months.

In this study, efficacies of different therapeutic regimens along with 10% zinc-sulfate footbath for the treatment of acute foot rot in adult sheep were evaluated. The research work conducted on the adult sheep (n=104) of both sexes which were presented to the Teaching Veterinary Clinical Complex during April 2013 to May 2014. Foot rot was confirmed based on clinical and physical examinations. The sheep were divided into four equal groups; G-I, G-II, G-III, and G-IV. The animals of the G-I, II and IV were treated with a mixture of amoxicillin and cloxacillin at 15 mg/kg body weight (b.wt.) through intramuscular (IM) route, oxytetracycline at 20 mg/kg b.wt., IM, and enrofloxacin at 5 mg/kg b.wt., IM, respectively. The animals of G-III were treated with gamma benzene hexachloride cream. Along with the above treatments, all four groups were given footbath with 10% zinc-sulfate. Mean recovery time (days) was recorded as lowest in G-II (3.83±0.64) followed by G-I (4.17±0.31), G-IV (4.38±0.0.79) and G-III (5.67±0.98), respectively. The mean±SE values of rectal temperature and ruminal motility that were recorded before and after the treatment showed significant (p<0.05) differences. In conclusion, administration of parenteral antibiotics in combination with footbath was highly effective to treat combination with footbath was highly effective to treat the acute foot rot in sheep.