This study was conducted to assess the interaction of specific immune responses produced after vaccination using live attenuated Newcastle disease (ND) LaSota and infectious bursal disease (IBD) vaccines in village chickens of Nigeria. After immunization with the vaccines (individually or in different combinations), specific antibody levels in the chickens were measured using hemagglutination inhibition (HI) and agar gel immunodiffusion (AGID) tests. The cases of administration of ND LaSota alone, ND LaSota followed by IBD vaccine after one week, and simultaneous use of ND LaSota and IBD vaccines were seroconverted against ND virus. Interference of antibody production against NDV or IBDV was observed when primary vaccination was done by using any one of the two and the remaining one was given after one week. However, simultaneous administration of the vaccines did not interfere with each other in terms of antibody responses. In all the vaccination trials, elicited immunity conferred protection to the chickens challenged with virulent NDV and IBDV. Individual vaccination with ND LaSota followed by IBD vaccines or vice versa giving an interval of more than one week, or simultaneous use of both vaccines are recommended to confer protective antibody levels against NDV and IBDV in village chickens.

Many human diseases relating to central nervous system (CNS) are mimicked in animal models to evaluate the efficacy of stem cell therapy. The therapeutic role of stem cells in animal models of CNS diseases include replacement of diseased or degenerated neuron, oligodendrocytes or astrocytes with healthy ones, secretion of neurotrophic factors and delivery of therapeutics/genes. Scaffolds can be utilized for delivering stem cells in brain. Sustained delivery of stem cells, lineage specific differentiation, and enhanced neuronal network integration are the hallmarks of scaffold mediated stem cell delivery in CNS diseases. This review discusses the therapeutic role, challenges and future perspectives of stem cell therapy in animal models of CNS diseases.

Neospora caninum is an Apicomplexan parasite which may cause abortion in cattle. This study investigated occurrences of antibodies against N. caninum in Iranian native cattle. From September 2010 to September 2011, blood samples (n=768) of native cows were collected randomly from different rural regions of Hamedan (n=400) and Kurdistan provinces (n=368) located to the western part of Iran. All the samples were evaluated for IgG antibodies against N. caninum using Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay. The IgG antibodies to N. caninum were found in 14.2% (n=109/768) of serum samples (95% CI: 11.74 - 16.66). There was a significant difference between seropositivity and abortion history (p<0.0001, OR=2.9), unlike to age groups (p=0.105). This is the first report of N. caninum infection in Iranian native cattle. In conclusion, N. caninum is an important factor in abortion in Iranian native cattle. Further comprehensive studies and designing control strategies for improving management in cattle farms are highly recommended.

Regional perfusion with Triple sulpha was used to treat a severe abscess in a 7-year old female Asian elephant (Elephas maximus) housed at a temple in Tamil Nadu, India. The cow elephant was presented with an acute swelling at left shoulder that persisted despite 4 days of anti-inflammatory therapy. There was a 3-cm-deep, 5-cm-diameter abscess pocket that was subsequently debrided. Regional perfusion was performed by using 7% Tincture iodine for 15 days, and Triple sulpha in the wound pocket. Besides, the elephant received Enrofloxacin (dosed at 10 mg/kg b.wt.) and Meloxicam (dosed at 0.2 mg/kg b.wt.) intramuscularly. Within 2 days of administering the first perfusion, the swelling reduced dramatically. After 7 days of successive treatment, the elephant showed marked improvement. The affected skin area became normal after 60 days post-treatment.

Hibiscus (H.) sabdariffa (commonly known as “Karkadeh” in Arabic) is widely used in various pharmacological applications in Sudan. The present study was carried out to investigate the anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities of H. sabdariffa seed extracts using rat models. In acute anti-inflammatory models, oral administration of petroleum ether extract of H. sabdariffa seeds inhibited the hind paw edema (p<0.01) which was induced by carrageenan. The petroleum ether extract exhibited significant (p<0.01) inhibition of vascular permeability in rats induced by intraperitoneal injection of acetic acid (0.6%). In cotton pellet granuloma method, the petroleum ether extract of H. sabdariffa seed showed significant inhibition of granuloma. The extract reduced (p<0.001) abdominal constrictions which was induced by injection of acetic acid (0.7%). Analysis of seed oil of H. sabdariffa using Gas Chromatography revealed the presence of three fatty acids; these were linolelaidic acid, arachidic acid, and palmitic acid. In conclusion, H. sabdariffa seeds possess anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities in rat model.

This study was conducted to assess the interaction of specific immune responses produced after vaccination using live attenuated Newcastle disease (ND) LaSota and infectious bursal disease (IBD) vaccines in village chickens of Nigeria. After immunization with the vaccines (individually or in different combinations), specific antibody levels in the chickens were measured using hemagglutination inhibition (HI) and agar gel immunodiffusion (AGID) tests. The cases of administration of ND LaSota alone, ND LaSota followed by IBD vaccine after one week, and simultaneous use of ND LaSota and IBD vaccines were seroconverted against ND virus. Interference of antibody production against NDV or IBDV was observed when primary vaccination was done by using any one of the two and the remaining one was given after one week. However, simultaneous administration of the vaccines did not interfere with each other in terms of antibody responses. In all the vaccination trials, elicited immunity conferred protection to the chickens challenged with virulent NDV and IBDV. Individual vaccination with ND LaSota followed by IBD vaccines or vice versa giving an interval of more than one week, or simultaneous use of both vaccines are recommended to confer protective antibody levels against NDV and IBDV in village chickens.

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of parenteral gibberellic acid (GA3) and/or vitamin D3 supplementation in diet on egg quality and blood physiological characteristics in aged laying hens. A total of 270 Lohmann Brown Classic laying hens aging 73-week were randomly assigned to equal three treatment groups (T1, T2 and T3) with equal 3 replicas in each group. The birds of group T1 (control group) were injected subcutaneously (SC) with sesame oil at 0.2 mL/kg body weight. The birds of group T2 were given with GA3 at 400 µg/kg b.wt., SC, whereas group T3 had diet containing vitamin D3 at 500 IU/kg feed. Relative weight of albumen and egg shell, Haugh unit, shell thickness, serum glucose, serum calcium, serum phosphorous, serum estradiol, and bone calcium absorption were significantly increased in the birds of group T2 and T3. On the other hand, relative weight of yolk, yolk cholesterol, and serum cholesterol were significantly decreased in group T2 and T3 as compared to group T1. However, serum protein and albumen were unaffected in the treatments. In conclusion, the parenteral GA3 and vitamin D3 supplementation in diet could improve egg quality traits and serum blood biochemical perperties in agend laying hens.

This study was aimed to determine the bioequivalence of three different preparations of florfenicol using non-drugged broiler chickens. A total of 28 broiler chickens aging 30-day were divided into four equal groups; these were Group I, II, III, and IV. The birds of Group I (for effective substance) were given intravenous (i.v.) administration of florfenicol dosed at 40 mg/kg body weight (b.wt.). The birds of Group II (for reference drug), Group III (for test-1 drug), and Group IV (for test-2 drug) received florfenicol preparations with water (dosed at 40 mg/kg b.wt.) through intracrop administration. Blood samples were collected periodically from the birds of all four groups, and blood plasma was separated. Levels of florfenicol and its metabolite (florfenicol amine) in the plasma were measured by High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC). In this study, the limit of detection (LOD) for florfenicol and florfenicol amine were recorded as 0.017 and 0.78 µg/mL, respectively. On the other hand, the recovery of florfenicol and florfenicol amine were 83.4-84.6 and 82.2-83.8%, respectively. Based on the values of area under the curve (AUC), maximum concentration (Cmax), and time to maximum concentration (Tmax), test-1 drug was found to be acceptable, whereas test-2 drug was remained below the acceptable limits (80-125%) of AUC and Cmax. Thus, it was concluded that test-1 drug was bioequivalent as compared to the reference drug.

A total of 186 samples comprising of poultry feed ingredients (n=114) and finished poultry feeds (n=72) were analyzed for the detection of total aflatoxin (TA) and ochratoxin A (OTA). The concentrations of TA and OTA in the samples were determined using direct competitive Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA). Overall incidence of TA was recorded as 80.64% (n=150/186); whereas, in the feed ingredients, it was 86.84% (n=99/114), and in the finished feeds, the incidence of TA was 70.83% (n=51/72). Corn, cotton seed meal, sunflower meal, and cotton gluten meal were found to be highly (100%) contaminated with TA. The OTA was determined in 63.15% (n=72/114) and 29.17% (n=21/72) feed ingredients, and finished feed samples, respectively, with an overall incidence of 50% (n=93/186). Maximum level of OTA contamination (100%) was recorded in corn gluten meal. However, no feed contained OTA above the acceptable level as set by the European Union on OTA contamination in poultry finished feed. On the other hand, a number of samples contained TA above the acceptable limit. Thus, immediate control measures should be taken to ensure safe poultry for human consumption.

A total number of 12 postpartum (pp) Nubian goats were included in the study to measure the uterine involution by ultrasonography from day 3 to 31 pp. Coinciding with ultrasonography, blood samples were collected at every 3 days to monitor the ovarian activity by measuring plasma progesterone (P4) concentration using progesterone radio-immuno-assay (RIA). Uterine diameter (UD) and uterine lumen (UL) were maximum on day 3, and minimum on day 31 pp. More than 50% of uterine involution occurred between day 3 and day 14 pp. The end of uterine involution was characterized by small UD and absence of lochia in the UL. The maximum (0.87±0.4 ng/mL) and minimum (0.54±0.2 ng/mL) plasma P4 levels were reported on day 27 and day 7 pp, respectively. Completion of uterine involution was recorded at 22±3.3 days pp. There was a negative correlation between P4 level and uterine parameters (UD and UL). It can be concluded that ultrasonography is a reliable tool to determine uterine involution in Nubian goats.