Lymnaea natalensis is the only snail intermediate host of Fasciola gigantica, the causative agent of fascioliasis, in Nigeria. The species also serves as intermediate host for many other African trematode species of medical and veterinary importance, and it is found throughout the country. However, there is no detailed information on the factors that influence its distribution and seasonal abundance in the tropical aquatic habitats in Nigeria. This study used the geographic information system and remotely sensed data to develop models for predicting the distribution of L. natalensis in South-Western Nigeria. Both land surface temperature (LST) and normalised difference vegetation index (NDVI) were extracted from Landsat satellite imagery; other variables (slope and elevation) were extracted from a digital elevation model (DEM) while rainfall data were retrieved from the European Meteorology Research Programme (EMRP). These environmental variables were integrated into a geographic information system (GIS) to predict suitable habitats of L. natalensis using exploratory regression. A total of 1410 L. natalensis snails were collected vis-à-vis 22 sampling sites. Built-up areas recorded more L. natalensis compared with farmlands. There was no significant difference in the abundance of snails with season (p  0.05). The regression models showed that rainfall, NDVI, and slope were predictors of L. natalensis distribution. The habitats suitable for L. natalensis were central areas, while areas to the north and south were not suitable for L. natalensis. Contribution: The predictive risk models of L. natalensis in the study will be useful in mapping other areas where the snail sampling could not be conducted.

Brucellosis is an important bacterial zoonosis responsible for considerable economic losses in livestock and health-related burden worldwide. The objective of this study was to determine the seroprevalence of brucellosis in communal and smallholder cattle farming in four districts of the North West province of South Africa (Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati, Ngaka Modiri Molema, Bojanala platinum and Dr Kenneth Kaunda districts). Seven hundred and seventy blood samples from farmed animals (n = 378) and abattoir-slaughtered animals (n = 392) were collected. In addition, milk samples (n = 22) were collected from lactating farmed cows. Rose Bengal test (RBT), complement fixation test (CFT) and milk ring test (MRT) were used to detect antibodies against Brucella species. The RBT showed a seroprevalence of 2% at 95% confidence interval (CI: 1.35–3.35), CFT confirmed an overall seroprevalence of 1.95% (95% CI: 1.14–3.12) for all four districts sampled. Although the seroprevalence of brucellosis was found to be low, the possibility of undetected cases of the disease could not be ruled out. Overall, the findings of this study confirmed that brucellosis is endemic in the surveyed areas of the North West province of South Africa. Contribution: The outcome of this study will contribute to the National Brucellosis Project organised by the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (2016–2026) to assist in the effective implementation of the disease control measures with a view to prevent further outbreaks in the country’s cattle population.

In the present study, red acrylic delta traps were fabricated and evaluated in piggery and cattle farms to trap house flies. Two different pellet baits; one containing (Z)-9-Tricosene, fish meal and molasses (FMP) and other with added antioxidant, butylated hydroxy toluene (FMPB) were used in the traps. In piggery and cattle farms, the traps were suspended at a height of six feet from ground level using metal wires at a distance of three meters between each trap. Each trial was conducted for seven days and the trial was repeated six times continuously without replacement of baits. Trapped flies were counted after each trial. In piggery farm, a total of 1232 flies were trapped, out of which 454 and 778 flies were trapped in FMP and FMPB pellet baited traps, respectively. Total number of flies trapped in the first, second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth week of the study period was 308, 247, 196, 133, 204 and 144, respectively. In cattle farm, a total of 435 flies were trapped, out of which 160 flies were trapped in FMP pellet baited traps and remaining 63.21 per cent (275 flies) were trapped in FMPB pellet baited traps. Total number of flies trapped in the first, second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth week of the study period was 134, 96, 82, 55, 27 and 41, respectively. The variation in trap catches of flies in traps baited with FMP and FMPB pellets was highly significant in both piggery (χ2 value = 170.42** p<0.01) and cattle farms (χ2 value 60.80** p<0.01). Delta traps were found effective in luring house flies and can be used in livestock farms to control house flies. 

Dairy farming plays an important role in social and economic livelihood of the farmers of Telangana state. An investigation was carried out to study the cost of milk production in buffaloes of dairy farmers in Karimnagar, Khammam and Rangareddy districts of Telangana. The data was collected from 240 farmers spread over 24 villages in 6 mandals in the selected districts. The 240 respondents were interviewed as per the questionnaire. The statistical data revealed that 51.66 per cent of the respondents belonged to middle age group and 28.75 per cent of the respondents were educated up to secondary level (up to 10th class). Majority (42.91%) of the respondents belonged to backward caste. Most of the respondents belonged to medium sized family. Majority (62.08%) of the respondents had nuclear family. Majority (39.16) of the respondents have medium herd size of animals and 40 per cent respondents were having annual income of medium level (Rs.75,000-150,000). Most (76.66%) of the respondents had membership in at least one organization, 35 per cent were marginal farmers, 67.91 per cent respondents followed agriculture + dairying as main source of income. Majority 48.75 per cent had extension contacts with gopalamitra, paravet, VAS/AD (AH). 

Buffaloes have high productive potential but poor manifestations of oestrus signs and silent oestrus act as a major constraint in buffaloes affecting their reproduction. There are several detection tools used for detection and confirmation of oestrus in cattle but none of the methods have succeeded to overcome the problem of silent estrus in buffaloes. In recent years proteomics approach has gained much attention to identify proteins associated with various physiological and disease conditions in saliva and cervico vaginal fluid mostly in humans and up to certain extent in cattle and buffaloes. In this study twelve pluriparous Murrah buffaloes aged 4 to 7 years with good body condition were selected and divided into group I (regular oestrus), group II (silent oestrus). Each group carries six animals and saliva was collected at proestrus (day -3), oestrus (day 0) and diestrus stage (day 7). Cervico vaginal fluid (CVF) was collected only at oestrum stage. Protein profiling of saliva were studied by SDS - PAGE analysis. The SDS-PAGE analysis showed proteins of molecular weight 150, 110, 80, 40 kDa during proestrus; 150, 120, 70 and 50 kDa during oestrus; 250, 150, 90, 50 and 37 kDa during diestrus in group I buffaloes. Similarly, proteins of molecular weight 250, 150, 100, 80 and 25 kDa during proestrus; 150, 100, 75 and 50 kDa during oestrus and 250, 100,75 and 25 kDa during diestrus were observed  in group II buffaloes. The SDS-PAGE analysis of CVF showed proteins of molecular weight of 100 and 75 kDa in group I buffaloes and 250 and 150 kDa in group II buffaloes. Oestrus specific proteins with different molecular weights were identified in terms of different bands size. However further study is warranted to find out their role during oestrus in regular and silent oestrus buffaloes for the development of specific diagnostic assay.

The study was conducted to document the incidence and nature of oestrus like signs and follicular biometry during the lunar and peri-lunar days in crossbred cattle. Crossbred cattle (n = 678) which were reported to be with oestrus like signs on lunar days (full moon day and new moon day) and peri-lunar days were subjected for the investigation. Only 60.6 per cent of the animals during the study period were in actual oestrus. The remaining animals (39.4%) were found to be in various reproductive statuses viz., pregnancy (17.7%), mid-cycle oestrum (6.9%) and without any oestrus characteristics (14.8 %). The diameter of the dominant follicle in cattle with oestrus signs during lunar days (10.4 ± 0.2 mm) was significantly (P < 0.05) smaller than cattle in actual oestrus during normal days (12.2 ± 0.5 mm). Exhibition of oestrous signs with smaller follicular diameter indicated the probable chances of lunar influence on the follicular dynamics, steroidogenesis and reproductive characters in cattle. 

A four-month-old male Labrador retriever puppy was presented to Referral Veterinary Polyclinic, Indian Veterinary Research Institute with the history of anorexia, vomiting, haemorrhagic diarrhoea and signs of hypovolaemic shock. The case was diagnosed as parvovirus gastroenteritis by rapid antigen detection test. Shock was managed by infusion of polyionic isotonic fluid.  Haematological examination revealed severe leukopenia with WBC count of 0.3×10³/µL, which was treated with administration of recombinant human granulocyte colony stimulating factor (Filgrastim) at 5 mcg/kg subcutaneously along with supportive therapy. Dog showed elevated WBC count and improvement in clinical signs after 48 h. Administration of granulocyte colony stimulating factor along with routine therapy enhanced the survivability in canine parvovirus gastroenteritis.

Nano silver particles are valuable alternative for antibiotics and disinfectants as it is relatively free of adverse effects. Nano silver particles (AgNPs) have new physical and chemical characteristics enabling it to have a strong antibacterial activity and used today more as a high disinfectant in poultry farms. This study was aimed to evaluate the effect of different concentrations of 10, 20 and 50 ppm of Ag-NPs as egg shell sanitizer and assess the microbial count on the egg shell surface during different storage conditions. The total bacterial count on the egg shell and egg quality characteristics were carried out on 1, 7, 14, 21 and 28 days of storage after sanitation. Presence of nano silver and distribution on egg shell surface were determined using transmission electron microscopy. Results showed that bacterial loads on the egg shell were declined with the increased concentration of Ag-NPs used and the 50 ppm concentration of Ag-NPs had 1-3 log reduction in the total bacterial count on one day after disinfection in the egg shell surface which were comparable with the positive control (1% Kohrsolin) used in the trial. However, the external and internal qualities of eggs did not show any significance difference among different treatments during different storage days. However, nano silver 50 ppm had comparatively better zone of inhibition than 10 and 20 ppm levels in disc diffusion method. This study concluded that using Ag-NPs at 50 ppm concentration in disinfecting chicken egg can effectively reduce bacterial load on egg shell.

A total of 203 blood samples were collected along with data on age at first calving from Murrah / graded Murrah buffaloes maintained at different organized farms. Genomic DNA isolation and Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) were performed to amplify the PCR products and were digested with HpaI restriction enzymes overnight. Population genetic indices was calculated based on basic statistical tools. At the MTNR1A / HpaI locus, three genotypes viz., CC, CT and TT identified, with frequencies of 0.225, 0.505 and 0.270 respectively. The allele frequencies of C and T alleles were 0.478 and 0.522 respectively. The overall means of age at first calving was 1385.76 ± 24.31 days. Individuals with the CT and TT genotypes (1356.78 ± 33.03 and 1378.38 ± 37.66 days) had shorter age at first calving than CC genotype (1422.14 ± 53.01 days) and the differences were statistically significant (P<0.05).

In the present study, the expression pattern of OAS-1 and MX-2 gene in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) was associated with the early pregnancy in cattle. A total of 60 animals were selected and divided into 2 groups, treatment (50) and control (10) group and synchronized using double PGF2α protocol by 11 days apart followed by insemination at 72 and 96 hrs after second dose of PGF2α. The cows were subjected to blood collection on day 0, 14, 18, 20 and 25 post insemination and Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells (PBMC) were harvested using Histopaque® solution, followed by RNA isolation and cDNA synthesis. A significantly (P≤0.01) higher expression of OAS-1 and MX-2 gene was observed on days 18 and 20 post oestrum by quantitative real-time PCR and concentration of MX-2 protein in serum were significantly higher (P≤0.05) on day 18, 20 and 25 in pregnant cows when compared with that of non-pregnant cows. Hence, the present study is concluded that the expression of OAS-1 and MX-2 genes and their encoded proteins may be used to develop a marker for early pregnancy diagnosis in cattle.