The development of safe, novel adjuvant is necessary to maximize the efficacy of new and/or available vaccines. In this study, three different molecular weights of chitosan (low, medium, high) were evaluated as immunopotentiators/adjuvants of inactivated rabies vaccine in white Norway rats as an experimental model. Two concentrations (1.5% & 3% w/v) of each chitosan type were used in final concentration 5 mg/ml and 10 mg/ml. Results showed that lymphocyte proliferationwere significantly elevated (P < 0.05) in all chitosan vaccinated rats compared to aluminum hydroxide gel vaccinated one. All three type of chitosan produced accelerated and enhanced effects on rabies-neutralizing antibody responses in vaccinated groups. Increases in antibody titers together with lymphocytes proliferation responses revealed that chitosan induced both humoral and cell-mediated immune responses. When compared with aluminum hydroxide vaccineadjuvant, chitosan was superior to aluminum hydroxide. The conclusion of these results suggested that chitosan with different MW had a strong potential to increase both cellular and humoral immune responses and that chitosan may be a promising and efficacious adjuvant candidate suitable for inactivated rabies vaccine.

The present study was established to evaluate and compare stress response to anesthesia as well as surgery in sheep and goat. For this purpose, 5 rams and 5 bucks underwent anesthesia alone followed a week later by anesthesia with rumenotomy. Serum cortisol levels as well as differential leucocytic count were assayed just prior to anesthesia (0 time) and then after 1, 2, 4, 6 and 24 hours post anesthesia. In the second experiment, blood samples were collected just prior to anesthesia (0 time) then after half an hour (0 time post rumenotomy) then after 1, 2, 4, 6 and 24 hours post completion of rumenotomy. Serum cortisol levels in both species increased significantly and reach its peak one hour following anesthesia (3.31 ± 0.17 and 4.09 ± 0.12, respectively) which were higher than subsequent cortisol levels. In addition, Peak cortisol level in sheep obtained at 0 time post rumenotomy (4.39 ± 0.13) and 1 hour following rumenotomy in goat (3.45 ± 0.16). The significant increase in cortisol level persists for 6 hours and returns to normal level 24 hours following surgery.

Detailed postmortem examination was conducted on eleven emu chicks presented to the Department of Veterinary Pathology, College of Veterinary and Animal Science, Mhow, MP, India from local emu farm in Indore. Birds had died with history of respiratory signs and mild nervous signs. On gross examination, numerous small grayish white nodules were seen in many organs particularly in the lungs. Histopathologically nodules on the lungs were characterized by granulomatous necrotic areas infiltrated with monocytes, lymphocytes and plasma cells. Numerous thin, tubular septate branching fungal hyphae with parallel-sided walls were seen in the parenchymatous tissue along with mononuclear cell infiltration. Liver of the affected birds revealed severe subcapsular and sinusoidal congestion. Diffuse areas of necrosis and severe congestion were noticed in the spleen. The disease was diagnosed as aspergillosis by correlating clinical signs with postmortem findings (Gross lesions and histopathology) and microscopic detection of fungus in the lung tissue followed by isolation and identification of the fungus. As the disease may take a very fatal course and no effective treatment has been established yet, so effective preventive measures should be taken to reduce the ensuing economic losses.

The aim of the present study was to assess the wound healing efficacy of the experimental medicinal extract mixture (EMEM) composed of brown algae, Cystoseira trinodis, plus three medicinal plants (garlic, liquorice and ginger). The extract was applied on induced excised wounds in rats, either healthy or induced hyperglycemia by alloxan. Healing activity was evaluated for up to 21 days after wounding in terms of decrease in surface area of wound, percentage of wound closure and tissue regeneration using digital planimetry analysis and histopathological examination. The study revealed that topical application of the extract improved and enhanced the healing process in diabetic rat model when compared with diabetic non-treated rats. The extract promoted wound contraction, reduced the wound closure time and induced proliferation of fibroblast as well as angiogenesis and re-epithelialization.

A cross-sectional study was conducted to determine the prevalence of major skin diseases of cattle in and around Hawassa from November 2011 to April 2012. Both clinical and laboratory examinations of samples from skin were carried out. Of the total 384 cattle examined, 66 (17.19%) were clinically infected with different skin diseases of various etiologic origin. The most commonly encountered skin diseases were dermatophytosis (8.32%), acariasis (3.13%), pediculosis (2.60%), lumpy skin disease (1.62%) and dermatophilosis (1.56%). No significant differences (P>0.05) were observed among age, breed and managemental groups in relation to the prevalence of dermatophilosis and lumpy skin disease whereas significantly (P<0.05) higher cases of dermatophytosis and pediculosis were recorded in animals less than two years of age. In dermatophytosis and pediculosis cases, no significant difference (P>0.05) was seen between sex and breed groups. In pediculosis cases, the major lice encountered were Bovicola, Haematopinus and Linognatus species. Statistically significant (p<0.05) difference was observed in two sex groups regarding to acariasis infestations. The frequent sites of ringworm lesions were on the hump, sacral areas, face and base of the horn, ears and sides of the body. Acariasis, dermatophilosis, dermatophytosis, lumpy skin disease and pediculosis were the major skin problems in the study area. Therefore, strategies have to design by professionals, regional governments and tanneries to fight these skin diseases of cattle.

Leptin is a 16-kDa protein secreted predominantly from white adipose tissue and performs important roles in controlling the body weight, feed intake, immune function, production and reproduction. In present study, buffalo leptin gene was analyzed using DNA markers for polymorphism and its association with production traits. The PCR-RFLP analysis of leptin gene using BsaAI, Sau3AI and Kpn2I restriction enzymes revealed monomorphism. The PCR-SSCP followed by DNA sequencing of Murrah buffalo leptin gene spanning exon III revealed two SNPs viz., c.25 T>C and c.316A>G, which were used to genotype the Murrah, Surti and Bhadawari populations. The c.25 T>C allele frequencies was found 0.81 and 0.19 for C and T in Murrah; 0.65 and 0.35 for C and T in Surti and 0.65 and 0.35 for C and T in Bhadawari buffaloes respectively. The c.25T>C genotypes were not in Hardy-Weinberg proportions, however c.316A>G genotypes maintained equilibrium at this locus in the populations studied. The c.316A>G SNP allele frequencies were observed in Murrah 0.31 and 0.69 for A and G; Surti 0.3 and 0.7 for A and G and Bhadawari 0.3 and 0.7 for A and G respectively. The Murrah buffalo leptin allelic variant sequences revealed 99 % similarity with cattle sequence. The statistical analysis using general linear model procedure indicated that Murrah buffalo leptin c.25 T>C and c.316A>G SNP genotypes were not related significantly (P>0.01) with Murrah buffalo milk production traits viz; milk yield, fat percentage and SNF percentage.

Surgical affections of 29 young calves were retrospectively reviewed. The affections were broadly classified into congenital malformation and acquired ones. Congenital malformations recorded atresia ani (6), atresia ani et recti (4), meningocele (1), pervious urachus (3), congenital preputial orifice stenosis (1), growth at umbilicus (2), knuckling (4), papilloma of tail (1), Imperforate urinary meatus (3), Ocular dermoid (1). Acquired abnormalities included mandibular fracture (3). Surgical treatment for such conditions was carried out after the differential diagnosis. The development of these congenital malformations, their effect on the animal life and the different surgical interventions were discussed.

The objective of this study was to evaluate pens switching, closing nest boxes after egg laying and nest boxes switching inside the same pen as management procedures for controlling broodiness in turkey and Muscovy duck breeders and their role in circulating prolactin. Black bronze turkey (n.= 350) and Muscovy duck (n.= 700) were randomly selected and housed on deep litter. The results showed a significant (P ≤ 0.05) increase in egg production in turkey and Muscovy duck breeders in response to pens switching and closing nest boxes after end of egg laying. While, there was no significant (P > 0.05) difference in egg production in response to switching of nest boxes in turkey hens but a significant (P ≤ 0.05) result was found in Muscovy ducks. On the other hand, there were significant (P ≤ 0.05) decreases in circulating prolactin level and broodiness in both turkey and Muscovy duck breeders in response to pen switching, closing nest boxes after egg laying and nest boxes switching. In conclusion, application of these management procedures was associated with increased egg production while decreased expression of broodiness (incubation behaviour) and circulating prolactin in turkey hens and Muscovy ducks.