The testicular-only processing fluid (TOPF) obtained from piglet testicles after castration could be an alternative sample for porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) laboratory diagnosis. If this matrix were proved useful, testing it would spare piglets the stress of blood drawing and eliminate some labour required to take blood samples. The aim of the study was to evaluate the utility of TOPF for this diagnostic purpose.

This study aimed to investigate the impact of perinatal body condition score (BCS) and its subsequent loss on postpartum performance and health outcomes in dairy cattle.

The cellular and molecular pathways of α-lipoic acid’s (ALA’s) protective effect were assessed against diclofenac (DIC) hepatorenal injury in vivo and against a pro-inflammatory stimulus in vitro.

Lactococcus garvieae is a catalase-negative, Gram-positive coccus that occurs in pairs and short chains. It is present throughout the world and a causative agent of bovine mastitis. However, prior to writing, no case of mastitis caused by this bacterium had been reported in Poland. The aim of this research was to investigate the presence of L. garvieae in milk samples from Polish cows with inflammation of the mammary gland.

Fasciola hepatica is a trematode that infects ruminants worldwide. It is also the infectious agent of a zoonosis, fasciolosis, which is considered to be a re-emerging disease. There is no data about F. hepatica seroprevalence in European bison (Bison bonasus); however, complex population health monitoring is particularly important in protected species such as this. Addressing the need for this surveillance, the aim of this study was to assess for the first time the seroprevalence of F. hepatica in Polish free-living European bison populations and identify risk factors for infection.

Poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) are a numerous group of synthetic organic compounds used in various industries. They pollute the natural environment and negatively affect humans and animals. The aim of the present investigation was to assess the exposure of sheep bred in the Kyrgyz Republic to six selected PFASs.

Interest is increasing in natural feed additives that improve animal health, raise farming productivity and enhance the quality of animal products. These additives, especially polyphenols, are biologically active chemical compounds found in plants.

One hundred and twenty Marshall Breed broiler chickens were used to investigate the effect of raw Leucaena leucocephala seeds meal in the diet of broiler chickens. The birds were randomly assigned to the four treatments /diets in a Completely Randomized Design (CRD), each treatment made up of three replicates each with 10 birds per replicate. With the exception of treatment one (T1) which is the control, the other treatments T2, T3 and T4 contained incorporated milled raw Leucaena leucocephala seeds meal at 2.50%, 5.00% and 7.50% respectively. The result showed a significant difference (P<0.05) in the growth performance, cut-parts (expressed as % dressed weight) and in organ weights (expressed as % dressed weight). For haematological indices, the values were significantly different (P<0.05) for the parameters measured with the exception of hemoglobin (Hb). The values for the RBC, PCV, WBC and MCV, fell within the normal range of haematological indices for broiler chickens. For blood chemistry there were significant differences (P<0.05) for all the parameters measured. Values for total protein, albumin and urea for T2 (2.5%) inclusion fell within the normal range for broiler production. From the economics of diet, in view of the cost/kg weight gain, weight gain, revenue and gross margin, birds on T2 (2.5%) inclusion of raw Leucaena leucocephala seeds mealbased diets were most productive. In all, birds on 2.5% inclusion of raw Leucaena leucocephala seeds meal performed maximally or best than the rest. Hence soybean meal can be safely and most productively be replaced with 2.5% inclusion of raw Leucaena leucocephala seeds meal in the diet of broiler birds.

This research work was conducted to survey and isolate Escherichia coli and Salmonella organisms from Japanese raw quail eggs from 10 selected farms within Sokoto metropolis. A total of 50 Japanese raw quail eggs were used for this study, 5 eggs from each of the selected farms. The eggs were collected and transported aseptically in sterile polythene bags to the Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto Department of Public health Laboratory for processing. The external surface of each egg sample was swabbed using sterile swab stick pre-enriched in peptone water and selenite F broth separately while the internal content was homogenized and pre-enriched in peptone water and selenite F broth separately incubated at 37oC for 24 hours. The culture was streaked on Mac Conkey agar separately and incubated at 37oC for 24 hours. Plates were then examined for the presence of small circular pale and pinkish colonies; suggestive of non-lactose fermenters and lactose fermenters respectively. Discrete colonies of pale and pinkish colonies were gram stained and observed under a light microscope for cellular characterization. Biochemical tests comprising of Triple sugar ion (TSI) test was conducted on each Salmonella isolate and Indole production on each E. coli isolate. From the samples processed, 21 of the isolates could be identified as E. coli base on their biochemical characteristics of which 11 were from egg external swab and 13 from egg content swab while 19 could be identified as salmonella base on their biochemical reactions, of which 8 were from egg external swab and 11 from egg content swab. Findings from this study shows that raw Japanese quail eggs from 9 farms out of the 10 selected farms within Sokoto metropolis sold to public for consumption were contaminated and this may be partly due to unhygienic practices within farms. To reduce the E. coli and salmonella contamination on quail eggs strategies should be employed which include hygienic maintenance of flock, implementation of hazard analysis for critical control point (HACCP) systems, and increased consumer education through media and public enlightenment. In advance consumption of raw and undercooked quail eggs should be avoided and washed adequately before use.

Brucellosis is an important zoonotic disease affecting animals and humans. A cross-sectional study was conducted to determine the prevalence of Brucellosis in sheep and goats slaughtered at Sokoto metropolitan abattoir using serological assay and molecular detection technique. Serum samples from 131 sheep and 242 goats were analyzed. An overall prevalence of 10.72% (40/373) was recorded using PCR while none of the samples was positive by RBPT. The prevalence rates in sheep and goats were 12.2% (16/131) and 9.91% (24/242) respectively, while the sex prevalence rates were 16.47% and 4.54% for rams and ewes respectively. The prevalence based on breed were 15.18%, 11.11% and 0% for Ouda, Balami and Yankasa respectively. The sex prevalence for goats were 10.08% and 9.75% for bucks and does, while the breed prevalence rates were 50%, 33.3% and 9.28% for Sahelian, West African Dwarf and Red Sokoto goat respectively. A statistically significant association between Brucella infection and sex of sheep (p=0.037) was observed. However, there was no statistically significant association (p>0.05) between the infection and the small ruminant species, breeds and sex of goats. The study revealed presence of brucellosis in sheep and goats in the study area and the occupational hazards associated with the zoonotic disease.