Objective: Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli are the most common opportunistic patho¬gens frequently associated with respiratory tract infection (RTI) in different animals. This cross-sec¬tional study aimed to identify the occurrence of S. aureus and E. coli in goats with RTI, analyze the antimicrobial resistance patterns, and explore potential risk factors contributing to RTI. Materials and Methods: A total of 120 nasal swab samples were collected from goats, and stan¬dard classical bacteriological methods were performed to isolate and identify S. aureus and E. coli. Subsequently, the disc diffusion method was employed to evaluate the antimicrobial sensitivity test. A logistic regression model was used to analyze the factors associated with RTI. Results: About 13.3% (N = 16; N = 120) isolates were confirmed as S. aureus, and 6.67% (N = 8; N = 120) isolates were confirmed as E. coli. All S. aureus isolates were resistant to ampicillin, and all E. coli isolates were resistant to amoxicillin and penicillin. Among the isolated organisms, 43.7% (N = 7; N = 16) S. aureus and 62.5% (N = 5; N = 8) E. coli isolates were found to be multidrug-resistant (resistant to ≥3 classes of antimicrobials). Multivariable logistic regression analysis revealed that female goats [(odds ratio) OR: 4.2; 95% confidence intervals (CI): 0.8–20.8; p = 0.074] and goats in poor health condition (OR: 3.8; 95% CI: 0.7–19.3; p = 0.100) were more prone to RTI caused by S. aureus. Besides, goats that were not dewormed (OR: 4.8; 95% CI: 1–23.6; p = 0.051) and those reared in semi-intensive conditions (OR: 2.7; 95% CI: 0.8–8.7; p = 0.092) were found to be at higher risk of S. aureus-mediated RTI. Conclusion: The findings highlight the importance of implementing improved farm management practices and efficient antimicrobial resistance control approaches to minimize respiratory infections and reduce the burden of antibiotic resistance in goats. [J Adv Vet Anim Res 2024; 11(4.000): 1037-1050]

Objectives: This study aimed to determine the optimal doses of a flavonoid blend (FB) for enhancing cost-efficient production, digestibility, gut-beneficial microbiota, serum metabolites, and meat quality in broilers. Materials and Methods: For 35 days, 280-day-old chicks (Cobb-500) were randomly allocated to four groups, each containing 70 birds, with 5 replicates. Birds were given FB (gm/kg) at the levels of 0.0, 0.2, 0.4, and 0.6 in a basal diet (corn-soya-based) and designated as the control, 0.2 FB, 0.4 FB, and 0.6 FB groups, respectively. At 35 days, 15 birds from each group were slaughtered to analyze cecum microbiota, serum profiles, meat, and bone quality. Results: Compared with the control, birds given FB linearly showed better feed intake and overall performance, with the optimum results observed in 0.6 FB. Birds fed FB resulted in linear, quadratic, and cubic improvements in digestibility, with the 0.6 FB group presenting 12% more (p < 0.01) crude protein digestibility than the control. Birds offered either 0.4 FB or 0.6 FB increased (p < 0.01) the population of beneficial bacteria while reducing (p < 0.01) pathogenic bacteria in the cecum compared to the control. Birds fed 0.6 FB showed substantial improvements in beneficial serum metabolites and liver health, along with reduced bad cholesterol compared with the control. Although FB was unaffected (p > 0.05) by dressed yield, meat composition, lightness, or bone characteristics, the 0.6 FB group showed substantially (p < 0.01) more meat redness and bone ash percentage in broilers than in the control. Conclusions: Supplementing 0.6 gm FB/kg of diet improved growth performance, enhanced digestibility, increased beneficial gut microbiota and serum metabolites, and ameliorated meat quality in broilers. [J Adv Vet Anim Res 2024; 11(4.000): 979-988]

Objectives: Tuberculosis (TB) affects humans and animals regardless of species type, causing huge economic losses and deaths worldwide. However, the mechanisms and risk factors of zoonotic transmission are not well known in Pakistan. The current study aimed to identify the potential risk factors associated with TB in farmers and their animals, particularly exposure to infected animals in Lahore District, Pakistan. Materials and Methods: The study consisted of two components utilizing the concept of One Health. In the first component, a retrospective case-control study of human subjects (cases = 25, control = 25) was conducted from December 2021 to July 2022. In the second component, a cross-sectional analysis of the cattle owned by selected participants (TB cases and healthy controls) was completed in the Lahore district. A single intradermal tuberculin skin test was used to determine TB infection in cattle. Results: A total of 25 TB cases and 25 healthy controls were enrolled. Males in cases were found (OR = 0.01, 95% CI: 0.0002–0.29, p = 0.014) less likely to get TB, cases older than 35 years (OR = 1.13 (95% CI: 1.05–1.24, p = 0.004), unmarried cases (OR = 32.20, 95% CI: 2.92–819.03, p = 0.014), being a smoker (OR = 21.87, 95% CI: 2.80–395.82, p = 0.011), and keeping animals inside the home (OR = 9.92, 95% CI: 1.29–134.61, p = 0.047) were identified as significant predictors of TB in humans in the final multivariable logistic regression. Out of 175 tested animals, 3/65 animals belonging to the cases and 1/110 animals belonging to the controls were found positive. The animals belonging to the TB cases were (OR = 7.76, 95% CI; 0.79–76.02) more likely to have a positive Single Comparative Intradermal Tuberculin Test. The prevalence of bTB in animals belonging to the cases was 4.6% (95% CI, 1.26–12.58) compared to 0.9% (95% CI, 0.04–4.67) in animals of the control group. Conclusion: This study identified potential risk factors that could contribute to the complex wave of TB transmission between humans and animals. Our findings could provide data to inform policy-making and intervention strategies to reduce TB's burden in both populations. Embracing a holistic One Health perspective is imperative to effectively combat this shared health threat. [J Adv Vet Anim Res 2024; 11(4.000): 967-978]

Objective: The study was conducted to identify the molecular mechanism of the phenotype formation of Youzhou black sheep by histological cytology and transcriptomics. Materials and Methods: In this study, HE and IHC staining were used to explore the patterns and cytological differences in skin pigment deposition between Youzhou Dark goats and Banjiao goats. In addition, the DEGs related to the black skin phenotype were identified via transcriptomic analyses. Finally, the expression pattern of the agouti signal protein (ASIP) gene in the skin from individuals with different skin color phenotypes was verified by FISH. Results: The results showed that compared with that on the skin surface of Banjiao goats, melanin deposition on the skin surface of Youzhou Dark goats was abnormally increased. The transcriptomic analyses showed that the expression of the ASIP genes decreased significantly in Youzhou Dark goats. FISH confirmed that the expression of the ASIP gene in Youzhou Dark goats was significantly lower than that in Banjiao goats. Conclusion: The present study showed that a decrease in ASIP gene expression and an increase in melanin production are important factors associated with skin pigmentation in Youzhou Dark goats. [J Adv Vet Anim Res 2024; 11(4.000): 1139-1148]

Objectives: The research is based on the assessment of the beneficial role of vitamin E (vit-E) supplementation on the reproductive and renal functions in Cadmium (Cd)-exposed male mice. Materials and Method: Mice (n = 15 in each group) were kept untreated (Group A) or fed with cadmium chloride (CdCl2) (3.5 mg/kg, Group B) per day or both CdCl2 (3.5 mg/kg) with vit-E supplementation (200 mg/kg, Group C) daily for 60 days. Mice were euthanized, blood samples were collected, and serum was prepared for biochemical and hormonal analysis. Sperm motility, sperm concentration, testis weight, and diameter were taken. Tissues from the kidneys and testicles were collected in 10% neutral buffered formalin for histotexture study. Results: Cd treatment reduced the serum thyroxine (T4) and testosterone levels, but vit-E supplementation increased both T4 and testosterone levels in the Cd-treated mice. Cd treatment decreased sperm motility and concentration, testicular weight, and diameter, and induced degenerative changes in the seminiferous tubules, which significantly improved upon vit-E supplementation. Increased serum urea, uric acid, and creatinine concentrations, along with cellular infiltration in the renal tubular epithelium and glomerular hyperplasia, were found in the Cd-treated mice, which were not found in the vit-E-supplemented mice. Conclusion: The study points to the harmful consequences of Cd on reproductive performance and renal functions that could potentially be mitigated upon vit-E supplementation in the diet. [J Adv Vet Anim Res 2024; 11(4.000): 1057-1065]

Objective: The study aimed to characterize frozen-thawed sperm proteins and their correlation with sperm kinematics, acrosome integrity, and mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) in Indonesian Toraya buffalo bulls. Materials and Methods: Semen was obtained from six Toraya buffaloes classified as Saleko and Bonga 4–10 years old. The frozen semen was analyzed for sperm motility, sperm kinematics, viability, abnormalities, membrane integrity, intact acrosome, MMP, DNA integrity, and sperm protamine (PRM) deficiency. Sperm protein concentration (Prot. Con) was determined by the bicinchoninic acid, and protein molecular weight (MW) was determined using 1D sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis with 4%–20% gradient gel and 6.5–240 kDa protein marker. Results: The results of this study showed that the quality of frozen semen from Toraya buffalo bulls is in a good category and suitable for use in artificial insemination programs. The sperm quality differed significantly (p < 0.05) between individuals, immunofluorescence examination of intact acrosome, PRM deficiency, intact MMP, and intact DNA showed no significant difference (p < 0.05). Pearson correlations in this study showed that sperm Prot. Con has a significant correlation (p < 0.05) with acrosome integrity. The sperm protein band (Prot. Band) correlated significantly (p < 0.05) with sperm kinematic parameters and intact MMP. The average sperm Prot. Con of Toraya buffalo was 77.29 ± 39.26 μg/ml and 4–13 Prot. Bands with 6–240 kDa of MW were detected, with Prot. Bands of 16, 50, 70, and 115 kDa having higher intensity. Conclusions: Frozen-thawed sperm protein is correlated with sperm kinematics, acrosome integrity, and MMP. The proteins were found to correlate with sperm quality and fertility in Toraya buffalo bulls. [J Adv Vet Anim Res 2024; 11(4.000): 869-879]

Objective: The study aimed to assess sperm motility characteristics, kinematic parameters, and sperm protein molecular weight (MW) in Indonesian buffalo to predict fertility. Materials and Methods: Frozen semen from Silangit (4 bulls), Murrah (4 bulls), and Toraya (2 bulls)—aged 7–10 years, was analyzed. Sperm motility was assessed using Computer Assisted Semen Analysis, viability and abnormality were evaluated using eosin-nigrosin staining, plasma membrane integrity was evaluated using the hypoosmotic swelling test, acrosomal status was evaluated using lectin peanut agglutinin, protamine deficiency was evaluated using chromomycin A3, and deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) integrity was evaluated using Halomax. Protein concentra¬tion was determined using the bicinchoninic acid method and characterized with sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Results: The study revealed breed-specific variations in semen quality. Silangit buffaloes exhibited lower DNA integrity, while Murrah buffaloes showed elevated motility and membrane integrity. Toraya buffaloes displayed higher normal morphology and protamine status, though they had lower viability. Notable differences in protein expression included the presence of SPAG9 and the absence of IZUMO1 in Toraya buffaloes. Protein MW analysis further showed correlations with sperm characteristics. In Murrah buffaloes, proteins within the 130–125 kilodalton (kDa) range were negatively correlated with acrosome integrity, whereas in Toraya buffaloes, proteins within the 55–50 kDa range were negatively correlated with sperm abnormalities. Silangit buffaloes showed a positive correlation between proteins at 32 kDa and sperm abnormalities. Conclusion: Analyzing protein MW through SDS-PAGE provides a promising approach for assess¬ing semen quality in indigenous Indonesian buffalo bulls. Although the semen quality of the buf¬faloes in this study was variable, all bulls met the established Indonesian standards for semen quality and exhibited adequate fertilization potential. These results provide valuable insights into the reproductive biology of Indonesian buffalo bulls and form the basis for predicting fertility capacity through a comprehensive analysis of sperm characteristics and molecular profiles of sperm proteins. [J Adv Vet Anim Res 2024; 11(4.000): 846-855]

Objective: Mastitis is the most common and costly dairy cow disease worldwide. We performed an intensive analysis of mastitis prevalence, pathogens, and treatments using retrospective data from a commercial dairy farm in Germany to estimate the severity of mastitis in the commercial production system and to give on-farm insights. Material and Methods: Milking system data and cow-individual data were collected over 9 years (2012-2021). A resilient amount of data from 1537 cows, >1,000 mastitis infections, 1901 patho¬gens, and 5729 treatments have been analyzed. Results: Mastitis occurrence was highest in summer (45.0%), in first lactation (51.1%), and in the late lactation stage (36.7%). The relative mastitis frequency increased sharply with a high lacta¬tion number (>7). The leading pathogens causing mastitis were coagulase-negative staphylococci (28.3%). Approximately 25% of mastitis cases were treated with non-antibiotic medicine and 75% with antibiotics. For the latter, cephalosporins and aminoglycosides were the most administered. The average mastitis treatment duration was 3.48 days. During the study time, the farm changed from a conventional milking system to an automatic milking system in 2015, which has not nega¬tively affected the number of recorded mastitis infections. Conclusion: This case report gives detailed insights about mastitis incidences gained under practical conditions. Novel information about mastitis drug usage and duration is presented. Potential mastitis risk factors identified from the results of this study were the summer season, first or >7 lactation(s), and the late lactation stage. [J Adv Vet Anim Res 2024; 11(4.000): 856-868]

Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate the response-ability of local chickens to their rearing habitat, especially at low altitudes, to comprehensively understand the cellular response related to protein growth. Materials and Methods: Studies of cellular responses related to modulation and growth-related protein salinization for three local Indonesian chicken breeds to low altitudes with high temperatures have been conducted in two locations with altitudes [J Adv Vet Anim Res 2024; 11(4.000): 880-887]

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the best form and concentration of yogurt probiotics that can reduce leucocyte, neutrophil, lymphocyte, alkaline phosphatase, and cholesterol levels to normal limits. Materials and Methods: There were 35 Isa Brown laying hens aged 40 weeks with health conditions chosen as the object of research. We used a completely randomized design method with seven treatments. Treatments included P0: basal feed; T1: basal feed and probiotic liquid 2%; T2: basal feed and probiotic liquid 3%; T3: basal feed and probiotic liquid 4%; T4: basal feed and probiotic powder 2%; T5: basal feed and probiotic powder 3%; and T6: basal feed and probiotic powder 4%. On day 35 of the research, we collected blood samples. We analyzed the data using analysis of variance, followed by Duncan's multiple range test. Results: This showed that probiotic liquid and powdered yogurt had a significant effect (p < 0.05) on all parameters. Supplementation with 4% probiotic powder reduced neutrophil (53.96%), lymphocyte (27.84%), and N/L ratios (36.25%); alkaline phosphatase levels (53.6%); and cholesterol levels (ApB 26.65% and LDL 42.4%) compared to the control. Conclusion: This study shows that all probiotic supplementation shows improvement in the studied parameters, but the addition of 4% probiotic powder had the best result for reducing neutrophil, lymphocyte, N/L ratio, alkaline phosphatase, and cholesterol levels compared to the control and probiotic liquid. [J Adv Vet Anim Res 2024; 11(4.000): 936-943]