Objective: The objective was to assess the chemical composition, cholesterol, fatty acid (FAs), and amino acid (AAs) profiles of buffalo cheese, butter, and ghee. Materials and Methods: Buffalo milk (raw) was collected from the Bangladesh Agricultural University (BAU) Dairy Farm, BAU, Mymensingh-2202, Bangladesh. Cheese, butter, and ghee were prepared at the Dairy Chemistry and Technology Laboratory, Department of Dairy Science, BAU, Mymensingh, Bangladesh, and subjected to subsequent analyses. The gross nutritional composition and AAs profile of milk were analyzed prior to the manufacture of cheese, butter, and ghee. The gross nutritional composition of milk and dairy products was analyzed by apply¬ing an automated milk analyzer and the Association of Agricultural Chemists techniques, respec¬tively. The cholesterol, FAs, and AAs contents of cheese, butter, and ghee were determined by the Bangladesh Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, Dhaka, Bangladesh. Furthermore, atherogenic and thrombogenic indices were also calculated using reference equations. Results: The results indicated that the buffalo milk is a good source of first-rate nutrients (dry matter: 16.50%, fat: 7.50%, protein: 3.75%). Findings indicated that the butter was significantly rich with (p < 0.05) total solids and fat where higher (p > 0.05) protein, carbohydrate, and miner¬als were found in cheese. The saponification, Reichert-Meissl, Polenski, and Kirschner values of buffalo ghee were found to be 225, 30, 1.2, and 25, respectively. A significant (p < 0.05) variation was found in the cholesterol content of buffalo cheese, butter, and ghee. Butter and ghee had 40.14 and 39.57 mg more cholesterol, respectively, than cheese. The results revealed identical FA profiles except for C24:0 among the three dairy products where the major FA compositions were C4:0, C14:0, C16:0, and C18:0 and C18:1 cis-9. The atherogenicity index and thrombogenicity index of cheese, butter, and ghee were statistically similar (p > 0.05). Butter was found with the most conducive anti-atherogenic and anti-thrombogenic characteristics due to lower saturated and higher polyunsaturated FAs. However, all the AAs concentrations were statistically higher (p < 0.05) in cheese than in butter and ghee. Conclusion: To conclude, buffalo cheese is superior to butter and ghee as regards nutrient density, but consumers can choose other foods based on their choice. [J Adv Vet Anim Res 2022; 9(1.000): 144-154]

Objective: This study assessed traditional farmers&apos; 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&apos; aware¬ness levels were associated with gender (p &lt; 0.001), education (p &lt; 0.001), income (p &lt; 0.01), and not age (p &gt; 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&apos; 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 study was conducted to investigate the gut content and record morphometric and hematological parameters in the common hoopoe (Upupa epops). Materials and Methods: Twenty samples of healthy birds (10 from each sex) were collected from different locations in Okara District, Punjab, Pakistan, from September 2020 to March 2021. Birds were captured live for blood samples and morphometric and gut analyses. Results: It was revealed that the concentrations of different hematological parameters were as follows: hemoglobin, 20.03g/dl; red blood cells, 3.28 × 106/μl; white blood cells, 326.67 × 103/ μl; hematocrit, 56.47%; MCV, 173.33 FL; MCH, 57.4 pg; MCHC, 57.4 pg; PLT, 8.33/μl; and RDW, 8.33/μl. The percentages of neutrophils, lymphocytes, monocytes, and eosinophils were 84.67%, 11.67%, 2.00%, and 1.67%, respectively. The gut content of the common hoopoe mostly consisted of Coleoptera and Acrididae larvae. However, Lepidoptera, Gryllotalpidae, and sand were also recorded, along with seeds of Salvadora persica. Conclusions: There were no significant differences between male and female U. epops in feeding content, total weight of the gut, or weight of the empty gut. Regarding the morphometric param¬eters, there was a significant difference in both sexes&apos; wingspan, body length, and body weight. Males were significantly heavier than females. [J Adv Vet Anim Res 2022; 9(2.000): 290-294]

Objective: The Newcastle disease virus (NDV) is an infectious disease that causes very high eco¬nomic losses due to decreased livestock production and poultry deaths. The vaccine&apos;s ineffec¬tiveness due to mutation of the genetic structure of the virus impacts obstacles in controlling the disease, especially in some endemic areas. This study aimed to provide an alternative treatment for NDV infection by observing the viral replication inhibitor activity of Clostridium perfringens sialidase in primary chicken embryo fibroblast (CEF) cells. Materials and Methods: The virus was adapted in CEF monolayer cells, then collected thrice using the freeze–thaw method and stored at −20&#xb0;C for the next step in the challenge procedure. C. perfringens crude sialidase was obtained, but it was further purified via stepwise elution in ion exchange using Q Sepharose® Fast Flow and affinity chromatography with oxamic acid agarose. The purified sialidase was tested for its toxicity, ability to breakdown sialic acid, stopping viral replication, and how treated cells expressed their genes. Results: According to this study, purified C. perfringens sialidase at dosages of 187.5, 93.75, and 46.87 mU effectively hydrolyzes CEF cells&apos; sialic acid and significantly inhibits viral replication on the treated cells. However, sialidase dosages of 375 and 750 mU affected the viability of mono¬layer CEF cells. Interestingly, downregulation of toll-like receptor (TLR)3 and TLR7 (p &lt; 0.05) in the sialidase-treated group indicates viral endocytosis failure. Conclusions: By stopping endocytosis and viral replication in host cells, sialidase from C. perfrin¬gens can be used as an alternative preventive treatment for NDV infection. [J Adv Vet Anim Res 2022; 9(2.000): 335-345]

Objective: Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) has evolved as one of the most significant bacteria causing food poisoning outbreaks worldwide. This study was carried out to investigate the prevalence, antibiotic sensitivity, virulence, and enterotoxin production of S. aureus in raw milk of cow from small-scale production units and house-raised animals in Damietta governorate, Egypt. Material and Methods: The samples were examined bacteriologically, and antimicrobial sensitivity testing was carried out. Moreover, isolates were characterized by the molecular detection of antimicrobial resistance, virulence, and enterotoxin genes. Results: Out of 300 milk samples examined, S. aureus was isolated from 50 samples (16.7%). Antibiotic sensitivity testing revealed that isolates were resistant to β-lactams (32%), tetracycline (16%), and norfloxacin (16%); however, they showed considerable sensitivity to ceftaroline and amikacin (72%). Multidrug-resistance (MDR) has been observed in eight isolates (16%), with a MDR index (0.5) in all of them. Of the total S. aureus isolates obtained, methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) has been confirmed molecularly in 16/50 (32%) and was found to carry mecA and coa genes, while virulence genes; hlg (11/16, 68.75%) and tsst (6/16, 37.5%) were amplified at a lower percentage, and they showed a significant moderate negative correlation (r = −0.59, p-value &gt; 0.05). Antibiotic resistance genes have been detected in resistant isolates relevant to their phenotypic resistance: blaZ (100%), tetK (50%), and norA (50%). Fifty percent of MRSA isolates carried the seb enterotoxin gene. Conclusion: High detection rate of MRSA and MDR isolates from milk necessitates the prompt implementation of efficient antimicrobial stewardship guidelines, especially at neglected small-scale production units. [J Adv Vet Anim Res 2022; 9(1.000): 113-121]

Objective: Here, we developed and tested the efficacy of a vaccination protocol based on a commercially available live attenuated Salmonella enterica serovar Gallinarum (Salmonella galli¬narum) in layer chickens. Materials and Methods: 50 layer chickens of 16 weeks age were obtained and divided into two groups (n = 25), control and vaccinated. The vaccinated group received Salmonella vaccine at 0.2 ml/bird, s/c route at 16, 18, 30, and 42 weeks of age. At 21 weeks of age, birds from both groups were challenged with S. gallinarum orally at 4 × 107 colony-forming unit per bird. Results: Both rapid serum plate agglutination and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay demonstrated a rising rate of seroconversion in vaccinated birds across the study period, with a 4% positive rate at 18 weeks, 56% at 21 weeks, 60% at 30 weeks, and 64% at each time point of 42 and 54 weeks. The vaccine showed 100% clinical protection and reduced the Salmonella shedding in the feces and eggs of the challenged birds. On the contrary, the unvaccinated challenged birds showed clinical signs and lesions typical of Salmonella infections with morbidity and mortality rates of 36% and 20%, respectively, and had high rates of Salmonella shedding in feces and eggs. Conclusions: With the proposed vaccination schedule Salmonella shedding was prevented, and a high seroconversion was confirmed. To prevent Salmonella infections in laying flocks, a 3-month interval immunization program is advised starting at the pre-laying stage. [J Adv Vet Anim Res 2022; 9(2.000): 301-309]

Objective: The information about risk factors for a high stillbirth rate in piglets is inadequate. Therefore, this study was conducted to determine important risk factors for an extremely high stillbirth rate in a commercial pig farm in Vietnam. Materials and Methods: This study included 628 piglets and 45 Landrace × Yorkshire sows. Data including parity number, gestation length (GL), litter size (LS), piglet's gender, stillbirth, birth order, birth interval (BI), cumulative farrowing duration (CFD), birth weight (BW), crown-rump length (CRL), body mass index, and ponderal index (PI) were collected. To deal with hierarchical data where several piglets might be born from a sow, Generalized Linear Mixed Models (GLMMs) were used to examine the association between stillbirth and investigated risk factors. Results: The stillbirth rate was 14.3%, and the incidence of stillbirth at the litter level was 68.9%. The final multivariate GLMM selected eight factors, including CFD, BI, CRL, BW, PI, GL, LS, and parity, as significant risk factors for stillbirth in the piglet. CFD &gt;90 min, BI &gt; 30 min, CRL [J Adv Vet Anim Res 2022; 9(1.000): 13-18]

Objective: The current broiler trial was planned to assess the effects of Kolin Plus™, a polyherbal formulation (PHF), on performance, protein and fat accretion, and serum L-carnitine (LC) levels in broilers fed a high-energy diet (HED). Materials and Methods: A total of 500 1-day-old Cobb 430 male chicks were assigned to 5 treat¬ment groups consisting of 10 replicates, with 10 birds in each replicate (n = 100). Group G1 was a negative control fed HED, and group G2, a positive control supplemented with synthetic choline chloride (SCC) 1,500 gm/ton in HED. Groups G3, G4, and G5 were supplemented with PHF in HED at 400, 500, and 750 gm/ton feed, respectively (PHF400, PHF500, and PHF750). Results: The PHF produced a dose-dependent numerical improvement in body weight, feed con¬version ratio, livability, and the European Production Index. There were no changes in carcass nitrogen and protein accretion, whereas a statistically significant decrease (p &lt; 0.05) in carcass fat and fat accretion was observed in the SCC and PHF groups. Moreover, PHF showed a significant increase in serum LC levels. Conclusion: Kolin Plus™ improves performance parameters akin to SCC by improving fat metabo¬lism and mobilization by enhancing serum LC levels and restoring normal fat accretion. [J Adv Vet Anim Res 2022; 9(1.000): 166-174]

Objective: Porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) is one of the most important causative agents of swine diseases that pose a global economic threat. Presently, there is little or no information on the perception and awareness of PCV2 and its associated effects among pig farmers in Nigeria. Therefore, this research was carried out to describe pig farmers' views, awareness, and likely impact of PCV2 and its associated postweaning multisystemic wasting syndrome (PMWS) on pig production in the southwestern region of Nigeria. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional survey of pig farmers in Oyo and Ogun states, Southwest Nigeria, was carried out with the help of a self-administered questionnaire. Results: A total of 111 farms out of the 385 required took part in the study, resulting in a total response rate of 28.8%. 89 (79.2%, 95% CI = 70.8–85.8) pig farmers who participated were unaware of PCV2, while 46 (41.4%, 95% CI = 32.7–50.7) had heard about PMWS. The level of awareness was generally poor, with an average score of 1.43 (SD ± 1.25; 23.9%). Only 23% (25/111) of the participants had a high level of awareness. To promote awareness about PCV2/PMWS, participants' most preferred sources of information were seminars, extension services (especially by veterinary and agricultural extension officers), social media (WhatsApp and YouTube), and mobile telephone (through calls or text messages). Conclusions: The present study showed a gap in the level of farmers' awareness about PCV2/ PMWS, and to bridge the gap, more scientific-based evidence is needed to promote targeted educational programs and policy formulations. Also, with the dearth of information about PCV2, it is necessary to determine its prevalence and the characteristics of the virus possibly circulating within the swine herds in Nigeria. [J Adv Vet Anim Res 2022; 9(2.000): 203-210]

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]