Objective: We investigated the effects of a source of selenium [inorganic or nano-selenium (nano-Se)] on female V-line rabbits with or without injection of ivermectin (IVM). Material and Methods: Eighty four rabbits (12 weeks old) were randomly divided into 4 groups of 21 rabbits each with the basal diet supplemented as per the following treatments: G1 (control): inorganic Se at 0.3 mg/kg diet with no IVM injection; G2: inorganic Se with IVM injection; G3: nano-Se with no IVM injection; and G4: nano-Se with IVM injection. IVM was injected subcutane¬ously at 0.2 mg/kg body weight starting when the does were 14 weeks old and repeated weekly for five consecutive weeks. Results: Replacement of inorganic Se with nano-Se improved body weight and total body weight gain, total feed intake, average feed conversion ratio, and reproductive performance (age at puberty, number of service/conception, conception rate, number of kits/litter, and lit¬ter weight at birth). Similarly, sexual activity of does, serum estrogen levels, and serum levels of antioxidants (glutathione reduced, catalase, and malondialdehyde) increased in nano-Se-sup¬plemented groups. Ivermectin treatment in inorganic Se-supplemented groups was detrimental to growth and reproductive performance, while these parameters improved in IVM-treated and nano-Se-supplemented groups. Conclusion: Nano-Se mitigated the negative effects of IVM treatment on the growth and repro¬ductive performance of does. [J Adv Vet Anim Res 2022; 9(1.000): 128-137]

Objective: This study aimed to determine acaricide resistance in Rhipicephalus decoloratus ticks collected from grazing cattle between November 2018 and May 2019 in Elundini, Senqu, and Walter Sisulu Local Municipalities in the northeastern region of the Eastern Cape Province. Materials and Methods: A sample of 20–30 adult engorged female R. decoloratus ticks were collected from at least 10 randomly selected cattle (highly tick-infested) at each dip tank and placed into the labelled plastic collection bottles containing absorbent paper and with a perforated lid at a constant room temperature of ±28°C and >70% relative humidity until resistance testing commenced. The Shaw larval immersion test method was used to determine R. decoloratus larvae resistance to various acaricide concentration levels [amidines, organophosphate (OP), and synthetic pyrethroids (SPs)]. Results: This study found that most ticks were susceptible to exposure to different acaricide field concentrations of amidines (49% at 250 ppm), OPs (33% and 47% at 300 ppm and 500 ppm, respectively), and SPs (44% and 23% at 150 ppm and 300 ppm, respectively). The resistance test¬ing results showed no resistance to amidines at any localities and no resistance to OP in the Senqu region. However, resistance development of the larvae to amines, OPs, and SPs was extensively observed in Senqu (18%, 6%, and 7%), Elundini (15%, 15%, and 17%), and Walter Sisulu (13%, 19%, and 9%) regions, respectively. Conclusions: The larvae's resistance is a cause for worry. Hence, the continuous monitoring of tick resistance to commonly used acaricides will help mitigate widespread acaricidal resistance and sustain livestock productivity. [J Adv Vet Anim Res 2022; 9(1.000): 33-41]

Objectives: Domestic pigeons (Columba livia domestica) have diverse plumage pigmentations. Melanocortin 1 receptor (MC1R) gene variation has been correlated with color traits. The associa¬tion between MC1R and plumage coloration in African domestic pigeons is yet to be investigated. Materials and Methods: Herein, we report the relationships between single nucleotide polymor¬phisms (SNPs) in MC1R and plumage of 35 domestic pigeons from Nigeria with 4 different plum¬age phenotypes plus 37 published MC1R sequences from France (n = 14) and Russia (n = 11). Results: We obtained 14 SNP sites among 72 individuals. Missense mutations C206T (Ser69Leu) and G253A (Val85Met) were observed in 16 and 8 Nigerian pigeons, respectively. The chi-squared test (p < 0.05) for C206T, G253A, and A520G has the advantage of homozygous genotypes CC, GG, and AA, respectively. The association of C206T loci showed the advantage of CC genotype in ash-red, spread, and white pigeons, and TT in blue-bar, spread, and white feather pigeons. For G253A and A520G loci, GG and AA were dominant in all plumages except for genotype AA in G253A, which was prominent in ash-red, spread, and white plumages. The three SNPs were assigned to seven haplotypes. The median-joining network revealed 20 haplotypes, including 5 in Nigeria and 2 shared. Conclusion: This study provides an insight into the association of MC1R variation and plumage diversity in Nigerian domestic pigeons. However, due to the limitation of the current data, we could not make further conclusions; this necessitates the need for more genomics studies on Nigerian pigeons. [J Adv Vet Anim Res 2022; 9(3.000): 369-373]

Objective: To improve the fertilizing ability of frozen buffalo semen using the more beneficial, accurate, and cheap technique of laser irradiation at specific wavelengths and exposure times. Materials and Methods: The red laser source (625 nm) was used in this study with 5 watts output power and for the irradiation of the semen samples for 5 min; the laser focus spot area was 1 cm2. Thirty straws belonging to five buffalo bulls were used in this study. Results: The results show that total motility (%) and progressive motility (%) increased insignifi¬cantly after 5 min of exposure (73.8 ± 1.4 and 60.4 ± 1.1, respectively) compared to the control sample (70.9 ± 0.9 and 57.5 ± 1.7, respectively). All velocity parameters (velocity average path, ve¬locity curved line, and velocity straight line μm/sec) recorded a significant (p < 0.05) increase in samples measured 5 min after exposure (52.3 ± 1.3, 83.5 ± 2.0, and 43.5 ± 1.2, respectively) com¬pared to the untreated ones (47.1 ± 2.0, 76.3 ± 3.1, and 38.6 ± 1.9, respectively). Conclusion: The application of the red laser light on buffalo semen postthawing resulted in a positive correlation with almost every motility parameter; it may be recommended to apply this technique pre-in vitro fertilization for embryo production of buffalo species. [J Adv Vet Anim Res 2022; 9(3.000): 396-404]

Objective: The objective of this study was to determine the effect of adding various doses of green tea extract to the semen of Kacang goats during the sexing process on motility, viability, membrane integrity, malondialdehide (MDA), and deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) fragmentation. Materials and Methods: It started with the containment of the semen of the Kacang goat, followed by macroscopic and microscopic examinations. If the semen was considered viable, a diluter that had been added with various doses of green tea extract would be added to the semen. After that, sexing was carried out using the percoll gradient density medium. Next, the sexed semen was cryopreserved in liquid nitrogen. Then, an examination of motility, viability, membrane integrity, MDA, and DNA fragmentation was conducted. Result: There was a significant difference between the control and treatment (p ≤ 0.05). The highest result was obtained in the treatment of adding 0.05 mg of green tea extract/100 ml of Andromed®. Conclusion: The addition of green tea extract can improve the quality of the sexed semen of the Kacang goat after it has been cryopreserved. [J Adv Vet Anim Res 2022; 9(3.000): 412-418]

Objective: This study has been designed to determine the effectiveness of heterologous plate¬let-rich plasma (hPRP) against infected wounds in rabbits. Materials and Methods: Staphylococcus aureus contamination was present in 24 surgical inci¬sions, each 8 mm in diameter. The animals were then divided into two groups as follows: group A, also known as the hPRP group, received topically applied, freshly manufactured hPRP twice weekly, and group B, also known as the control group, only received sterile saline. Evaluations of the histological architecture of wounds, posttherapeutic morphology, morphometry, and in-vitro and in-vivo antimicrobial potentials of hPRP were made. Results: Rabbits that were given hPRP exhibited quicker rates of wound contraction and shorter healing times. The samples from day 7 in the hPRP group showed less inflammation and more structured fibroblasts than those from the control wounds, according to histological analysis. On day 21 of the histological examination, the hPRP group's epidermis showed notable thickening. As demonstrated by in-vitro antibacterial activity, undiluted hPRP successfully suppressed S. aureus growth. A serum biochemical analysis showed that hPRP had no harmful effects on the liver or kidneys. Conclusions: Based on the findings of the histological features, antibacterial properties, and wound morphology, it can be said that hPRP gel holds promise as an alternative to antibiotics for the treatment of wound infections. [J Adv Vet Anim Res 2022; 9(3.000): 481-489]

Objective: Peste des petits ruminants (PPR) virus is the main infectious cause of goat mortality in Bangladesh, and co-infection may make diseases more severe. This study aimed to detect PPR and co-infecting diseases in goats. Materials and Methods: One hundred goats suspected to be infected with the PPR virus were collected from various areas of Mymensingh district, Bangladesh. A systemic post-mortem examination was carried out on PPR-suspected goats. Lungs, spleen, and lymph nodes (pre-scapular) were used for ribonucleic acid extraction, whereas lungs and mesenteric lymph nodes were used for deoxyribonucleic acid extraction. Seven-pair primer sets were used for molecular detection of pathogens specific for PPR, goat pox, contagious ecthyma (Orf), foot and mouth disease (FMD) virus, Klebsiella sp., and Mycobacterium sp. Reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) or polymerase chain reaction (PCR) were used to find the exact cause. Results: Out of 100 PPR-suspected goats examined, 55 goats were confirmed as PPR-detected by RT-PCR. Among the 55 PPR-positive goats, 2 were co-infected with goat pox, 2 with tuberculosis, 10 with Klebsiella sp. infection, and 6 with FMD as detected by PCR and RT-PCR. Moreover, 12 goats were co-infected with PPRV and fascioliasis. Conclusion: About 58% of PPR virus-infected goats were co-infected with other organisms. There is a need to design technology to detect the state of co-infectivity at its early onset and future preventive and therapeutic strategies for co-infecting diseases. This is the first study in Bangladesh to describe co-infecting diseases of goats along with PPR. [J Adv Vet Anim Res 2022; 9(3.000): 463-470]

Objective: To elucidate the cellular mechanisms of polyherbal formulation [Kolin PlusTM (KP)], genomics was performed to delineate the genes and pathways associated with lipid regulation through transcriptional profiling of the liver in commercial broilers raised on diets deficient in choline chloride (CCL). Materials and Methods: The gene expression patterns were studied for four groups [normal diet: normal, choline chloride deficient (CCD), KP (400 gm/ton), and CCL (400 gm/ton)] using Agilent microarray on day 42. The hierarchical cluster analysis was carried out on 12,614 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) with a similar expression. Results: Out of 12,614 significant DEGs, 1,926, 448, and 1,330 genes were expressed at higher rates, and 413, 482, and 1,364 were expressed at lower rates than CCD (CCD vs. normal), CCL (CCL vs. CCD), and KP (KP vs. CCD), respectively. GO enrichment analysis of DEG further revealed the significant association of biological process items with the lipid, sterol, and lipoprotein metabolic processes. In particular, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator 1 alpha, carnitine palmitoyl transferase I, hydroxyacyl-CoA dehydrogenase trifunctional multienzyme com¬plex subunit beta, and patatin-like phospholipase domain containing 2 genes involved in fatty acid oxidation and lipase C, ABCG5, ABCG8, acetyl-CoA carboxylase, ATP citrate lyase enzyme, and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma genes involved in lipogenesis were altered by KP intervention for lipid metabolism. Conclusions: These findings reveal that the supplementation of KP prevents fatty liver-associated problems in broiler chickens by modulating the expression of the above-mentioned genes that are responsible for the oxidation of fatty acids and lipogenesis in the liver. [J Adv Vet Anim Res 2022; 9(3.000): 432-439]

Objective: Gastrointestinal parasites (GIPs) negatively impact small ruminant production and pro¬ductivity nationwide, particularly in tropical and sub-tropic regions. Amongst other nematodes, Haemonchus contortus, Trichostrongylus colubriformis, and Teladorsagia circumcincta are the most common species in small ruminants animals. Thus, this study aimed to investigate communal sheep farmer's knowledge and attitudes toward GIPs in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted between September and November 2018 from three agro-ecological zones, namely, arid region, semi-humid, and humid. All data from this study were analysed with the Statistical Analysis System. Results: Of the total of 107 farmers who participated in the study, 69% were males, and 38% were females. Most livestock owners (85%) were aged >46 years old across all the study areas. The majority of farmers (83%) perceived that their animals are susceptible to wireworm (H. contortus) during the hot-wet season, followed by the hot-dry season (14%), with relatively low during the cold season (2%). Most farmers (85%) interviewed revealed that lambs are more exposed to para¬sitic infection, than mature sheep (15%) across all agro-ecological zones. An insignificant number of farmers (8%) with knowledge about GIPs life cycle and its biology (92%) across all agro-eco¬logical zones. This study reveals a significant increase in the occurrence of GIPs over the past few years across all agro-ecological, with largely (67%) attributed to the resistance of the strain to deworming remedies and changes in climatic weather patterns (33%). The farming experience was strongly (p < 0.05) associated with the farmer's gender and age. Helminths were reported significantly higher (p < 0.05) in humid zones than in other agro-ecological zones. Conclusions: This study concludes that most farmers perceived lambs as more susceptible to GIPs than old sheep. Therefore, farmers should be enlightened about the infection and transmission dynamics of the GIPs to develop appropriate control measures against worm infection to boost sheep production in the study area. It was also suggested that farmers should adhere to remedial instruction and adopt rotational deworming programs to avoid anthelmintic resistance. [J Adv Vet Anim Res 2022; 9(3.000): 351-358]

Objective: Despite the development of several vaccines against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2, the need for an additional prophylactic agent is evident. In recent in silico studies, isovitexin exhibited a higher binding affinity against the human angiotensin converting-enzyme 2 (hACE2) receptor than existing antiviral drugs. The research aimed to find out the point specificity of isovitexin for the hACE2 receptor and to assess its therapeutic potential, depending on the stability of the isovitexin–hACE2 complex. Materials and Methods: The pharmacokinetic profile of isovitexin was analyzed. The crystal structure of the hACE2 receptor and the ligand isovitexin were docked to form a ligand-protein complex following molecular optimization. To determine the isovitexin–hACE2 complex stability, their binding affinity, hydrogen bonding, and hydrophobic interactions were studied. Lastly, the root mean square deviation (RMSD), root mean square fluctuation, solvent accessible surface area, molecular surface area, radius of gyration (Rg), polar surface area, and principal component analysis values were found by simulating the complex with molecular dynamic (MD). Results: The predicted Lethal dose50 for isovitexin was 2.56 mol/kg, with an acceptable maximum tolerated dose and no hepatotoxicity or AMES toxicity. Interactions with the amino acid residues Thr371, Asp367, Glu406, Pro346, His345, Phe274, Tyr515, Glu375, Thr347, Glu402, and His374 of the hACE2 protein were required for the high binding affinity and specificity of isovitexin. Based on what was learned from the MD simulation, the hACE2 receptor-blocking properties of isovi¬texin were looked at. Conclusions: Isovitexin is a phytochemical with a reasonable bioactivity and safety profile for use in humans, and it can potentially be used as a hACE2-specific therapeutic to inhibit COVID-19 infection. [J Adv Vet Anim Res 2022; 9(2.000): 230-240]