The ban of antibiotic growth promoters in many countries necessitate the need for alternatives. This study aimed to assess the growth-promoting potency of nano-phytobiotics (NP) on broiler chickens by using a meta-analysis approach. A systematic search was conducted using online databases. Data of average daily feed intake (ADFI), average daily gain (ADG), and feed conversion ratio (FCR) were pooled using a random-effect model and the overall effect size was quantified using mean difference (MD). Heterogeneity among the studies was checked using I2 statistics. A total of 11 studies (31 comparisons) using 3,584 broiler chickens were involved in this meta-analysis. Inclusion of NP had no significant effect on ADFI (MD=-1.20 g/bird/d; P=0.157; I2=32%). However, NP significantly improved ADG (MD=2.16 g/bird/d; P=0.002; I2=90%) and FCR (MD=-0.09; P<0.001; I2=91%). Subgroup analysis revealed that NP significantly improved (P<0.05) ADG when the studies using dose of 45-200 and 1,000-10,000 ppm, as well as 42 d study period. Meta-regression analysis also indicated that ADG improvement significantly associated (P<0.05) with the NP dose and study duration, which could explain 21% and 20% of heterogeneity, respectively. This meta-analysis provides evidence that NP inclusion could improve ADG and FCR without alter ADFI on broiler chickens. However, their efficacy may vary according to the NP dose and study duration.

The presence of antimicrobial-resistant foodborne pathogens in our food can threaten our life. Thus, great attention was paid to find a potentially effective, safe, and natural antimicrobial agent. Therefore, this study carried out this study to in-vitro investigate the potential use of Origanum majorana and Curcuma longa as natural antimicrobial food additives to control multidrug-resistant foodborne pathogens isolated from minced beef and beef burger samples. Herein, we examined 100 raw meat product samples, i.e., 50 each of fresh minced beef and frozen beef burger samples, randomly collected from butcher’s shops in Egypt, for the presence of pathogenic E. coli and S. aureus. Pathogenic E. coli was detected in 36 % of examined minced beef samples, while we failed to isolate it from beef burger. On the other hand, coagulase-positive S. aureus was found in 26 and 10 % of minced beef and beef burger samples, respectively. The multiple-drug resistant (MDR) isolates of E. coli and S. aureus were identified using 11 and 6 commercial antimicrobial discs, respectively. MDR isolates were selected for molecular identification based on virulence and anti-microbial resistance genes. Molecularly, eaeA gene was detected in 100% of identified pathogenic E. coli strains, while stx1 was detected in one strain only. Whereas mecA and coa were detected in 100% of coagulase-positive S. aureus isolates, The antimicrobial effectiveness of Origanum majorana (OM) and Curcuma longa (CL) ethanolic extracts against isolated MDR pathogens were evaluated. OM and CL were potentially effective against MDR coagulase-positive S. aureus with variable inhibition zones ranged from 2mm to25mm. While they did not inhibit pathogenic E. coli strains (O158, O157, O114, O142, O44, O86, O25). Extracts of OM and CL were proved to be potentially effective against MDR coagulase-positive S. aureus, and can be used as a natural alternative food preservative to control S. aureus growth in food in place of chemical antimicrobial agents.

Brachiaria decumbens is a highly productive tropical grass used for ruminant production. However, it can cause hepatogenous photosensitization, general ill-thrift, and deaths in ruminants due to the presence of steroidal saponins. This study determined the acute and chronic clinico-pathological responses of sheep to graded levels of B. decumbens diet. A total of 30 male crossbred Dorper sheep (six-month-old) used in the study were randomly divided into three treatment groups of 10 sheep each. Treatment 1 (T1), which served as the control group, was fed with Pennisetum purpureum and concentrates, whereas Treatments 2 (T2) and 3 (T3) were fed low (10%) and high (60%) levels of B. decumbens, respectively. The study period was divided into acute (7 days) and chronic (90 days) phases. The rectal temperature, respiratory rate, heart rate, and mucous membrane color were monitored throughout the experiment. At the end of each stage, five animals were selected from each treatment group and euthanized by slaughter to collect organs for gross pathology, organ morphometric and histopathological evaluations. The treated animals did not show significant changes (p>0.05) in rectal temperature, pulse, and respiration rates throughout the study period. However, the mucous membranes were noticeably becoming pale starting from day 60 to 90 in T3 and during the chronic phase (day 90) in T2. There was no lesion or morphometric change in any organ at postmortem examination. At histopathology, both T2 and T3 exhibited mild to moderate necrosis, hemorrhage, congestion, hydropic degeneration and edema (p<0.05) in the liver and brain. In summary, this study has established that both low and high levels of B. decumbens diets cause chronic brain and liver damages in the sheep model. This study can be used for future research on the effects of B. decumbens on grazing animals.

Staphylococcus pseudintermedius infections present a serious challenge because of the emergence of resistance to numerous conventional antibiotics. Antimicrobial peptides are novel alternatives to traditional antibiotics due to their unique mechanism of action. In this study, we investigated the antibacterial activity of 12 short synthetic peptides against two clinical isolates of S. pseudintermedius isolated from two dog cases with ophthalmic lesions. In addition, the ability of the peptides to disrupt the established biofilm of these two S. pseudintermedius isolates was investigated. RRIKA and 5RHH showed good antimicrobial activity with MICs 2 and 4 µg/ml, respectively. IK8aIID and Indolicidin showed antimicrobial activity with MICs 8 and 16 µg/ml, respectively. Indolicidin, 5RHH and IK8aIID showed a significant biofilm mass % reduction up to 90%.  Taken together, these results support the potential use of antimicrobial peptides for the treatment of S. pseudintermedius infections.

Spleen holds critical attention among lymphoid tissues inside the animal body. Its physiological organization allows it to host a wide range of substantial functions, about red blood cells and the immune system. There are no sufficient reports dedicated to immune cells in spleen of buffalo. For this reason, the current study focused on recording the reactivity and distribution of certain antibodies to immunocompetent cells in water buffalo spleen. Twenty spleens of both sexes, 4.0±0.5 years, and 400.0±50.0 kg weight units were appointed indiscriminately from apparently healthy animals. Immunohistochemical technique was performed to investigate the binding specificity towards certain antibodies and area % was evaluated by the aid of R- program. The obtained findings revealed that CD5+, CD19+, CD20+, and IgM+ were expressed in splenic cells with insignificant difference area%, while CD21+, CD79A+, and IgG+ showed significant differences in area%. The latter antibodies showed its highest concentration in the marginal zone, few in the lymph node, and moderate in the red pulp. Natural killer cells, macrophages, and follicular dendritic cells highlighted a significant cytoplasmic difference utilizing CD56+, CD68+, CD1A+, respectively. Excessive expression of muscle and myofibroblast cells to alpha SMA antibody was observed. Plasma cells responded to the CD138 antibody without variation along buffalo spleen. This study aspired to present a full quantitative analysis of the normal distribution of immunocompetent cells toward water buffalo spleen. Based on that, chances will be opened for valuable designation to assort alterations in the distribution of these cells.

Individual difference is one of the factors that influence the semen quality during ejaculation. The study aimed to analyze the influence of individual factors on the characteristic and production of frozen semen of Bali cattle.  One hundred fifteen ejaculate semen samples were collected from 10 Bali cattle using an artificial vagina. The semen color, consistency, pH, volume, abnormality, motility, concentration, total sperm (TS), and total motile sperm (TMS) were analyzed. The frozen semen was evaluated for motility before freezing (MBF), post thawing motility (PTM), total motile sperm form PTM (TSMP), and frozen semen production. Data were analyzed statistically using one-way analyzed variance to obtain the difference between individuals. The results showed the semen was a milky color with a thin, medium, and thick consistency. The semen pH and motility were not significantly different between individuals (p>0.05). In comparison, the individual differences affected (p>0.01) on volume, abnormality, concentration, TS, and TMS. The individual differences of frozen semen also affected MBF, PTM, and TSMP. The characteristics and production of frozen semen were influenced by individual differences, which can then be used to determine superior males.

Literature lacks sufficient information regarding anatomical features and surgical approach of the superior check ligament (SCL) and inferior check ligament (ICL) in donkeys. We hypothesized that desmotomy techniques of horses may not be applicable in donkeys due to species differences. This study aimed to explore the anatomical and morphometric features and surgical approaches of desmotomy of SCL and ICL in donkeys (Equus asinus). The Anatomical and morphometric aspects of SCLs and ICLs were conducted on the donkey cadavers (Group A, n. = 4). The desmotomy study was conducted on twelve clinically healthy adult donkeys, which were allocated randomly into four groups (each of 3 donkeys); groups (B) and (C) for surgical exploration of SCLs and ICLs, respectively, and groups (D) and (E) for conducting modified desmotomy techniques of SCLs and ICLs, respectively. The study reported the anatomical and morphometric features of SCL and ICL in donkeys, and reliable landmarks for the surgical approach and desmotomy of SCL and ICL in donkeys, which were somewhat different from that of horses. Moreover, the study developed modifications in the desmotomy techniques of SCL and ICL, which could enhance outcomes and reduce adverse effects of these techniques in donkeys.

Bovine tuberculosis (bTB) is a zoonotic, infectious, chronic and contagious disease, caused by Mycobacterium bovis that mainly affects cattle. This pathology has a negative impact on animals and animal products trade. Unfortunately, in Burkina Faso where agriculture and livestock sectors represent around 80% of the socio-economic activities, the real situation of the disease is not well known especially in small ruminants and swine. Thus, our study focused on both the epidemiology and the microbiological diagnosis of tuberculosis (TB) in small ruminants and pigs slaughtered at Bobo-Dioulasso abattoir. A prospective study was conducted between August 2017 and December 2017. Epidemiological data collection was performed during routine meat inspection; moreover, samples were taken and transported to the Bacteriology laboratory of Centre Muraz for microbiological analyses. This diagnosis consisted in search of Acid Fast Bacilli (AFB) using the hot Ziehl–Neelsen staining. Out of a total of 14 648 small ruminants and 2430 pigs slaughtered during the study period, 156 and 17 had lesions suggestive of bTB with prevalence of 1.07% and 0.7%, respectively. Females and those between 2 and 4 years old were mainly infected. The most affected organs were: lungs, liver, spleen and lymph nodes. Finally, microscopy revealed 43.35% (75/173) of positive cases for AFB. These results confirm the presence of bTB in small ruminants and pigs in Burkina Faso. Efforts must still be made in the fight against this zoonosis in order to limit its economic and public health impacts.

Xenografting using bovine jugular vein (BJV) (Vv.jugulars) valved conduit is recently introduced for reconstruction of different cardiovascular disorders. Commercially prepared conduit needs a standard technique for selection of suitable animal and jugular vein segment with ideal characters of Valved conduit. The present study was carried out on 10 adult healthy animals (5 cattle (Bos-Taurus) and 5 buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis)) and 10 cadaveric BJV specimens collected from slaughtered healthy adult animals (5 cattle and 5 buffaloes). The study aimed to establish a standard method for choosing the suitable animal and segment of JV that would be used for post-slaughtering collection of conduits. Ultrasonographically, morphological and histological characteristics of JV in cattle and buffaloes were also studied and compared. Ultrasonography of JV was performed along its length from the mandible till the thoracic inlet. The assessed ultrasonographic JV features included; vein lumen width (VLW), JV wall thickness (VWT), distance between valves and venous wall gray scale analysis. Ultrasonographically, venous tricuspid valve appeared in both planes (sagittal and transverse) of the 4th quarter segment in both animals. The VLW; significantly increase in cattle than buffaloes. The VWT; significantly increased in buffaloes than in cattle. Morphologically, CJV has less thick and less tough wall; and wider lumen when compared with BJV. Histologically, JV wall is 3-layered; tunica intima (inside), tunica media and tunica adventitia (outside) and the wall thickness of BJV are thicker than CJV. In conclusion, the 4th quarter of CJV is the most appropriate segment advised for post-mortem collection of JV conduits. Ultrasonography is an essential, prerequisite technique for choosing the suitable animal and the perfect segment of JV conduits.

The Indo-Pacific seahorse, Hippocampus barbouri, is one of the most important marine fish and a potential target of aquaculture, but basic biological information on this fish is largely missing. In this study, we described the hepatocyte ultrastructure and the ontogeny of the liver in H. barbouri during the 1st and the 35th day after birth (DAB). The histological observation of the liver structure identified that hepatocytes have a centrally placed oblong to round nucleus surrounded by the basophilic cytoplasm. Extensive accumulation of lipid droplets and glycogen was observed in the cytoplasm of the hepatocytes. Transmission electron microscope observation confirmed that the hepatocytes contained cisternae of granular endoplasmic reticulum associated with mitochondria of various shapes. Secretory granules of uniform density were scatted in hepatocytes, which were considered as the glycogen storage granules. According to the liver ontogeny analysis, the basic liver structure such as a network of the hepatocyte and sinusoid capillary was present at the 1st DAB and a large amount of collagen accumulation was observed by the 14th DAB. These results increase the knowledge about the initial development of H. barbouri, which will be useful to assess nutritional status of this species during aquaculture development.