This study was conducted for the detection of Cryptosporidium (C.) parvum infection in neonatal calves. A total of 220 fecal samples (diarrheic 110 and non-diarrheic 110) of neonatal calves were collected from Mosul city, Iraq over a period of 16 months from November 2010 to March 2012. The age of the calves ranged from 1 to 30 days. All the fecal samples were analyzed by capture direct ELISA. The infection was found in 29.0% (n=32/110) of the diarrheic calves. The infection was mostly prevalent (p<0.001) in the calves of three weeks of age. No C. parvum infection could be detected in the non-diarrheic animals.

This study aimed to determine the seroprevalence of Mycoplasma gallisepticum (MG) infection in the chicken population of Bhola district, Bangladesh, during the period from April 2011 to March 2012. A total of 480 blood samples from chickens were collected from different upazilas (sub-districts) of Bhola district. The sampling considered the types of chicken (backyard and commercial layer), age groups (pullet, adult and old) and seasons (summer and winter). On the basis of the serum plate agglutination test, 55.83% (n=268/480) chickens were found positive for MG. The MG infection was higher (62.5%) in backyard chickens as compared to those being reared in commercial farming systems (53.61%). With respect to age groups, the prevalence was highest in pullets (60.63%) followed by adults (55.63%) and old chickens (51.25%). Moreover, chickens reared in winter showed higher prevalence of MG (60.42%) as compared to those reared in summer (51.25%). In conclusion, MG infection is prevalent in the chicken population of Bhola district, Bangladesh. Appropriate strategies should be taken for successful prevention and control of this disease in Bangladesh.

Objectives: The goal of this research was to figure out the effect of the local sorghum as silage on the performance of Bligon goats. Microbial protein synthesis, digestible nutrients, and average daily weight gain (ADWG) were measured to evaluate the goats' performance. Materials and Methods: The study was designed in a completely randomized design with a one-way pattern. Twelve female Bligon goats with 24.33 ± 2.83 kg (mean ± SEM) initial body weight were divided into three groups of total mixed ration (TMR) treatments. Group 1 received fresh Napier grass (FNG) as a control, group 2 received imported sorghum silage (ISS) of brown midrib resistance (BMR), and group 3 received local sorghum silage (LSS) of super-2. Analysis of variance was used to analyze the data on microbial protein synthesis and feed intake during the research. On the contrary, analysis of covariance was used to analyze ADWG with initial weight as a covariate. Results: Microbial protein synthesis, feed-intake, and ADWG of goats that received TMR based on silage of two varieties of sorghum, namely BMR (ISS) and super-2 (LSS), were lower (p < 0.05) than control. However, there was no significant difference between both TMR based on sorghum silages. ISS's feed conversion was better than LSS (p < 0.05), and FNG was the best. Sorghum silage as a basal ration in TMR had lower microbial protein synthesis but higher total digestible nutrient content than fresh forage, such as Napier grass. The sorghum varieties did not affect the microbial protein synthesis, digestible nutrients, and ADWG of Bligon goats. However, ISS treatment had higher feed efficiency than LSS. Conclusion: The local sorghum (super-2) silage can be used as ruminant feed as well as imported sorghum (BMR) offered as TMR. However, regardless of the cultivar, TMR based on sorghum silage cannot replace TMR based on fresh Napier grass. [J Adv Vet Anim Res 2022; 9(2.000): 175-183]

Objectives: This study aimed to prove the effects of Escherichia coli isolates isolated from dis¬eased broilers to form biofilms, describe their antimicrobial sensetivity, and determine the effect of allicin and cinnamon essential oils on the expression of some genes (fimH, int1, and luxS) through quantitative polymerase chain reaction (q-PCR). Materials and Methods: 140 samples were obtained from diseased broilers in Beni-Suef Governorate, Egypt. These samples were examined by conventional bacteriology methods to detect the causative agent. The antimicrobial susceptibility of the isolated bacteria was assessed using the disc diffusion method, The ability of yeast extract-casamino acids Congo Red Agar to generate phenotypic biofilms was next tested. The presence of resistance and virulence genes in some multidrug resistant isolates was genotypically investigated. The antibacterial effects of allicin and cinnamon oil were evaluated against the growth of multidrug-resistant E. coli. Finally, q-PCR was utilized to assess changes in some genes' expression. Results: Escherichia coli was isolated from 61 samples (43.6%). An antimicrobial susceptibility test revealed that multidrug-resistance (MDR) (could resist more than three antimicrobial classes) E. coli prevalence was 100%. 40.8% of isolates phenotypically produce biofilms. The detection of resistance and virulence genes by PCR showed that all tested isolates carry aadB, fimH, int1, qnrS, and luxS genes, while only 40% harbor iss genes. q-PCR showed that after treatment with allicin and cinnamon oils, gene expression went down. Conclusion: This investigation highlights that E. coli showed resistance against most of the tested antimicrobials; all isolates were MDR. The study showed wide dissemination of virulence and resistance genes among E. coli. Allicin and cinnamon oils have antimicrobial activities and could be used as alternatives to synthetic antimicrobial agents. [J Adv Vet Anim Res 2022; 9(2.000): 191-202]

Objective: This experiment investigated the effect of microencapsulated turmeric by maltodextrin as an amorphous matrix material on the health status of broiler chickens. Materials and Methods: The broilers used were 144 healthy 1-day-old males. The average body weight was 47.8 ± 1.42 gm. The statistical design was based on a completely randomized design with four treatments and six replications. There were six broiler chickens in each experimental unit. The treatments were TM0 = 0 gm/kg of basal feed, TM1 = 1 gm/kg of basal feed, TM2 = 2 gm/kg of basal feed, and TM3 = 3 gm/kg of basal feed. The growth performance, physical traits, internal organs, microbial population, intestinal morphology, hematological parameters, and anti¬oxidant profile were examined. Results: The results reported that microencapsulated turmeric by maltodextrin as an amorphous matrix significantly improved the hematological parameters, growth performance, antioxidant profile, LAB, immune organs, and intestinal morphology. The results also show decreasing coli¬form and pH of the cecum. Conclusions: Dietary addition of maltodextrin microencapsulated turmeric of 3 gm/kg in basal feed can be used as a natural feed additive to improve the health status of broiler chickens. [J Adv Vet Anim Res 2022; 9(2.000): 221-229]

Objective: Despite the development of several vaccines against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2, the need for an additional prophylactic agent is evident. In recent in silico studies, isovitexin exhibited a higher binding affinity against the human angiotensin converting-enzyme 2 (hACE2) receptor than existing antiviral drugs. The research aimed to find out the point specificity of isovitexin for the hACE2 receptor and to assess its therapeutic potential, depending on the stability of the isovitexin–hACE2 complex. Materials and Methods: The pharmacokinetic profile of isovitexin was analyzed. The crystal structure of the hACE2 receptor and the ligand isovitexin were docked to form a ligand-protein complex following molecular optimization. To determine the isovitexin–hACE2 complex stability, their binding affinity, hydrogen bonding, and hydrophobic interactions were studied. Lastly, the root mean square deviation (RMSD), root mean square fluctuation, solvent accessible surface area, molecular surface area, radius of gyration (Rg), polar surface area, and principal component analysis values were found by simulating the complex with molecular dynamic (MD). Results: The predicted Lethal dose50 for isovitexin was 2.56 mol/kg, with an acceptable maximum tolerated dose and no hepatotoxicity or AMES toxicity. Interactions with the amino acid residues Thr371, Asp367, Glu406, Pro346, His345, Phe274, Tyr515, Glu375, Thr347, Glu402, and His374 of the hACE2 protein were required for the high binding affinity and specificity of isovitexin. Based on what was learned from the MD simulation, the hACE2 receptor-blocking properties of isovi¬texin were looked at. Conclusions: Isovitexin is a phytochemical with a reasonable bioactivity and safety profile for use in humans, and it can potentially be used as a hACE2-specific therapeutic to inhibit COVID-19 infection. [J Adv Vet Anim Res 2022; 9(2.000): 230-240]

Objective: To examine the effects of the salinity level of drinking water on the egg production and quality of Alabio ducks. Materials and Methods: A total of 60 female Alabio ducks, aged 6 months, were subjected to this study. All ducks were kept in stage-type cages (1 m length × 1 m width × 0.5 m height), where each cage was inhabited by 4 ducks for 56 days of experimentation. All ducks were offered a mixed ration ad libitum for laying ducks, according to the nutritional requirements for egg-type ducks. The treatment in this study was drinking water with five stratified salinity levels, namely P0 = freshwater (0% salinity); P1 = water with a salinity of 0.75 practical salinity unit (PSU) (equal to 0.75 g NaCl/l); P2 = water with a salinity of 1.5 PSU (1.5 gm/l); P3 = water with a salinity of 2.5 PSU (2.5 gm/l); and P4 = water with a salinity of 3 PSU (3.0 gm/l). Observations were made on water intake, feed intake, egg production, and egg quality (egg weight, egg shape index density, shell proportion, shell thickness, yolk index, albumen index, and Haugh unit). Results: The results showed that the difference in salinity levels in drinking water from 0.75 PSU to 3 PSU did not affect water intake, feed intake, egg production, or egg quality of Alabio ducks for the first 56 days of the laying period (p > 0.05). Conclusions: It was concluded that Alabio ducks have a good tolerance for drinking water salinity of up to 3 PSU, or equal to 3 gm/l NaCl. [J Adv Vet Anim Res 2022; 9(2.000): 241-245]

Objective: This study assessed traditional farmers' preferences for indigenous pigs and their awareness levels toward reproductive biotechnology. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional, descriptive study employed a mixed-methods con¬current triangulation design with a pragmatic approach. For quantitative data collection, a ran¬domly selected sample size of 622 respondents was interviewed using a structured questionnaire. A semi-structured interview guide was used in seven focus group discussions (FGDs) for qualitative data. For quantitative data, descriptive statistics were used to find out how often something happened, and chi-square tests were used to look for relationships. For qualitative data, thematic analysis was used. Results: The majority (66.9%) of respondents were female, and they had largely (64.8%) attended a primary level of education. A slight majority (43.1%) of the respondents were 30–45 years old. Most respondents (65.1%) were low-income earners (below K500). Incidentally, the majority (74.1%) of respondents had low awareness of reproductive biotechnologies. Respondents' aware¬ness levels were associated with gender (p < 0.001), education (p < 0.001), income (p < 0.01), and not age (p > 0.05). With regard to trait preference, a total of seven indigenous pig traits were reportedly preferred, of which disease resistance (25.9%) and litter size (23.8%) were the most preferred. From FGDs, participants valued indigenous pigs, citing many preferred traits, of which disease resistance and litter size were the most emphasized traits. Some participants were aware of many reproductive biotechnologies and their perceived advantages. However, they were more familiar with artificial insemination, heat detection methods, and synchronization. Conclusions: The majority of respondents had low awareness of reproductive biotechnologies. Respondents' awareness was associated with sociodemographic characteristics. The identified indigenous pig traits preferred by traditional farmers included adaptive and productive traits. [J Adv Vet Anim Res 2022; 9(2.000): 255-266]

Objective: The effect of Artemisia herba-alba methanolic extract monotherapy and combination therapies on the in vitro growth of several Babesia and Theileria parasites in vitro and mice was investigated in this study. Materials and Methods: Fluorescence assay using SYBR Green I stain was used to evaluate the antibabesial efficacy inhibitory of A. herba-alba either in vitro or in vivo. Hematological parameters in the treated mice were analyzed using a Celltac MEK-6450 computerized hematology analyzer. Results: Artemisia herba-alba reduced the growth of Babesia bovis, Babesia bigemina, Babesia divergens, Theileria equi, and Babesia caballi in vitro in a dose-dependent manner. The in vitro inhibitory impact of A. herba-alba on B. divergens and B. caballi cultures was amplified when combined with either diminazene aceturate (DA). In B. microti-infected mice, a combination therapy consisting of A. herba-alba and a low DA dose inhibited B. microti growth significantly (p < 0.05) better than treatment with 25 mg kg−1 DA. Conclusions: These data show that A. herba-alba, when paired with a modest DA dose, could be a promising medicinal plant for babesiosis treatment. [J Adv Vet Anim Res 2022; 9(2.000): 267-274]

Objective: Rodlet cells produce secretions of glycoproteins in nature. This study investigated the microscopic morphology, histochemical and immunohistochemical reactions, and distribution of the rodlet cells in the gut of Binni fish (Mesopotamichthys sharpeyi). Materials and Methods: Thirty samples were obtained from the cranial, middle, and caudal por¬tions of Binni intestine immediately after being euthanized, fixed in Bouin's solution for 18 h at 24&#xb0;C, and had undergone routine histological processing, different conventional histochemical stains, and immunostaining with TNF-α and S100 protein antibody. Results: The intestine of Binni fish showed different stages of rodlet cells classified into three distinctive forms: vesicular, granular, and mature cells. Rodlet cells are poorly stained with hema¬toxylin and eosin. Their secretory granules have a weak positive reaction with periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) and Alcian blue (AB), and react positively to combined AB and PAS. Rodlet cells were stained lightly with Safranin O, observed pink in color by Giemsa stain, and showed reactivity to Masson's and Mallory trichrome stains. Rodlet cells were immunostained positively against TNF-α and S100 antibodies, indicating that they have an immune function. Conclusions: Rodlet cells, with their neutral glycoprotein secretions, play a crucial role in the immunity of Binni fish intestine. [J Adv Vet Anim Res 2022; 9(2.000): 282-289]