The present study was aimed to investigate the morphology and histomorphometry of stomach and gastric mucosa in western grey kangaroo (Macropus fuliginosus). The stomach was composed of three indistinctive separate parts namely sacciform forestomach, tubiform forestomach, and hindstomach. The tubiform forestomach was the main tubular section of the organ. The stomach had a compound lining. The non-glandular mucosa occupied the medial blind sac (MBS) of the sacciform forestomach; the layer covered about one-third of the tubiform forestomach (non-glandular region) and the entire length of the gastric sulcus. The glandular part lined the parietal blind sac (PBS) of sacciform forestomach and the cardiac gland region of tubiform forestomach as well as fundic and pyloric gland regions of the hindstomach. The cardiac mucosa had smooth and folded areas; these were filled with mixed glands. In the fundic glands, the parietal cells outnumbered the chief cells. The pyloric glands were of serous-like in characteristics. In conclusion, gross and histological structures of the stomach of western grey kangaroo are adaptive with its food habitat, which allows thorough mixing of highly fibrous grasses.

The objective of the present study was to monitor the hypolipidemic and hypocholesterolemic effects of propolis in rats fed high cholesterol diet. The rats (n=32) were divided into four equal groups. The rats of group 1 (control) were fed basal diet, whereas rats of group 2 were fed basal diet mixed with cholesterol (1%). The rats of group 3 and 4 were fed high cholesterol diet (1%) mixed with propolis powder 1 and 2%, respectively. Hematological parameters were comparable among all groups. Cholesterol, triacylglycerol and ALT activities were increased significantly in rat fed high cholesterol diet as compared to control. Inclusion of propolis in high cholesterol diets reduced these parameters in serum. Hematological and biochemical findings were supported by histopathological analysis of liver tissues. Conclusively, 1% propolis was found as safe and enough to induce beneficial hypolipidemic and hypocholesterolemic effects in serum of rats fed high cholesterol diet.

This study was aimed to assess the effect of fenugreek-insulin-glimepiride interaction on oxidative stress in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. A total of 56 male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into 7 groups (n=8); group 1: served as Sham, group 2: Diabetic control, groups 3, 4 and 5: served as individual treatment group, groups 6 and 7: treated with combination of insulin-fenugreek and glimepiride-fenugreek, respectively. Serum creatinine levels of the rats were estimated at 4th and 8th weeks during treatment. Thiobarbituric Acid Reactive Substances (TBARS), Glutathione (GSH) and protein carbonyls were estimated in the kidney homogenate, and relative kidney weights were measured at the end of the experiment. Present study indicated that the levels of TBARS and protein carbonyls significantly increased in group 2 and decreased in groups 3 to 7. On the other hand, groups 6 and 7 showed significantly lowered values compared to the individual treatment groups. The concentration of GSH was significantly decreased in group 2 and significantly increased in groups 3 to 7, and group 7 showed significantly higher concentration among all the treated groups. The serum creatinine concentration in group 2 was significantly higher and all treatment groups (3 to 7) showed significantly lowered values at 4th and 8th wks after treatment. The individual treatment groups (3, 4 and 5), antagonised the significant alteration in the antioxidant parameters, and their combination was revealed synergism by improving the oxidative status in diabetic rats. [J Adv Vet Anim Res 2015; 2(3.000): 353-356]

The present study was conducted to investigate the role of Amblyomma lepidum in the transmission of Mycobacterium farcinogenes, the causal agent of bovine farcy in Sudan. A total of 22 samples comprising of prescapular, submaxillary, mediastinal, parotid, retropharengeal and pulmonary lymph nodes, and subcutaneous nodules were collected for this study. M. farcinogenes was successfully isolated from the specimens by following traditional bacteriological techniques, and the bacteria were identified using standard biochemical assays, lipid analysis using Thin Layer Chromatography, and duplex Polymerase Chain Reaction. Larvae and nymphs of A. lepidum acquired M. farcinogenes from experimentally infected rabbits, and subsequently transmitted the infection to fresh rabbits within a maximum period of ten weeks. In contrast, adult A. lepidum failed to contract the organism from the infected rabbits; so, trans-ovarian transmission could be ruled out. In conclusion, this study confirmed the trans-stadial transmission of M. farcinogenes through larvae and nymphs of A. lepidum.

The study was intended for identification and characterization of Staphylococcus aureus isolated from raw cow milk. A total of 47 milk samples were collected from Sheshmore, Shutiakhali and Bangladesh Agricultural University Dairy Farm, Mymensingh. Using bacteriological, biochemical and PCR-based identification schemes, 12 (25.53%) isolates were confirmed as S. aureus. All the isolates showed β-hemolysis on 5% sheep blood agar. S. aureus specific nuc gene (target size 279-bp) was amplified in the cases of all isolates. The isolates were found as resistant to Penicillin (100%), Erythromycin (75%) and Amoxicillin (100%). On the other hand, the isolates were sensitive to Ciprofloxacin (83.33%), Oxacillin (100%), Cloxacillin (100%) and Neomycin (100%). The isolated S. aureus showed increased resistance to broad spectrum antibiotic (e.g., Ciprofloxacin). As many people have a tendency to drink raw milk and raw milk products, there is high risk of S. aureus infection in human.

Bovine viral diarrhea (BVD) is one of the most important diseases of cattle responsible for major economic losses in dairy industries of Iran. So far, no nationwide program has been taken in Iran to control and eradicate the disease. Moreover, until now, no vaccination program has been practiced against BVD in Iran, although the disease is prevailing in the country. For effective controlling of BVD, it is necessary to cull the affected animals, and new entry of BVD in the farm should be prevented. Focusing on biosecurity in systematic control programs of BVD can also reduce the risks of introduction and spread of other epizootic and zoonotic diseases, thereby improving both cattle health and welfare in general. In this review paper, an overview on BVD emphasizing on Iran perspective has been discussed focusing on clinical manifestations of BVD, routes of transmission of BVD virus (BVDV), its diagnostic methods and possible prevention strategies. [J Adv Vet Anim Res 2015; 2(3.000): 240-251]

Animals affected with Trypanosoma evansi show rare serum hormonal disturbances. One of the important hormones for livestock is thyroxin, and the level of thyroxin may be reduced during the T. evansi infection. The objective of the study was to investigate thyroxin level during experimentally induced T. evansi infection in Wister albino rats. Wistar albino white rats (n=12) were challenged with the local strain of T. evansi (at 5x105 trypanosomes/animal subcutaneously). At the high parasitemia, blood was collected from the rats, and serum was separated, which was subjected for biochemical evaluation. Decreased total serum thyroxin (2.91 ±0.04 µg/dL) and free thyroxin (1.30 ±0.05 ng/dL) levels (p<0.01) were recorded in T. evansi infected rats as compared to the control group of rats. Along with lowered thyroxin levels, decreased levels of total erythrocyte count, packed cell volume, hemoglobin, total leucocyte count, total serum proteins, albumin and glucose levels were recorded. On the other hand, significant increase (p<0.01) in cholesterol, blood urea nitrogen, serum alkaline phosphatase, serum aspartate aminotransferase, and serum alanine aminotransferase levels were observed. Thus, it is concluded that trypanosomiasis induces stress on rat, which have direct effect on thyroid hormone.

Perfect detection of estrus is crucial for good husbandry practice of cow. Estrus synchronization is the alternative strategy to bypass the critical problem of estrus detection. Synchronization program allows fixed timed artificial inseminations (FTAI) to evade the estrus detection. The most recently developed programs include protocols for re-synchronization following first or subsequent inseminations. These re-synchronization protocols may involve selected forms of hormonal intervention during the diestrus and pro-estrus periods following FTAI, or following pregnancy diagnosis by ultrasound from 28 days after FTAI. Almost all programs involve strategically timed treatment of prostaglandin F2α (PGF) and gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH). Treatment of an estradiol ester and progesterone supplementation per vaginum may be included in some programs. The basic program is the “Ovsynch” regimen. This mini-review discusses a number of key points related to external hormonal stimulation on ovarian follicular wave to improve pregnancy rate following timed AI.

The research work was aimed at investigating physiological, biochemical, analgesic and anesthetic indices of dogs anesthetized with propofol-ketamine and maintained with repeat bolus and constant infusions of propofol. Eight dogs, assigned to two groups (n=4), were used in this study. All dogs were pre-medicated with atropine (at 0.03 mg/kg bwt) and xylazine (at 2 mg/kg bwt). Anesthesia was induced by a concurrent administration of propofol (at 4 mg/kg bwt) and ketamine (at 2.5 mg/kg bwt). Maintenance of anesthesia in Group 1 was done with a repeat bolus of propofol (at 2 mg/kg bwt), while in Group 2 it was done with a constant infusion of propofol (at 0.2 mg/kg bwt/min). Gastrotomy was performed in both groups, and anesthesia was maintained for 60 min. Physiological, analgesic, anesthetic parameters and plasma glucose concentration were measured. There was no significant (P>0.05) difference found in the analgesia and pedal reflex scores, durations of analgesia and recumbency, recovery time and standing time between the groups. The heart rate, respiratory rate and rectal temperature reduced significantly (P<0.05) from the baseline values. The heart and respiratory rates were significantly (P<0.05) lowered in Group 1 than in Group 2. Blood glucose was significantly (P<0.05) elevated at recovery from anesthesia in both groups. However, the value did not differ significantly (P>0.05) between the groups. In conclusion, both maintenance protocols are suitable for dogs, although the repeat bolus technique produces marked cardiopulmonary depression.

Hemotropic Mycoplasmosis is common in sheep and goats worldwide, which leads to huge economic losses. In this study, ten goats each were sampled from five herds belonging to the Ladang Angkat, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine (FVM) for the assessment of Mycoplasma ovis infection and concomitant intestinal parasites burden. Giemsa stain and Modified McMaster techniques were used to study the hemotropic mycoplasmosis and gastrointestinal parasite burden, respectively. Questionnaires were equally administered to each farmer and a fly trap was used to trap biting flies around the goat herds. Out of 50 samples analyzed, 94.0% (n=47/50) were positive for M. ovis infection. Among the positive samples, 93.6% (n=44/47) were mild infection while 6.4% (n=3/47) were moderate infection, with highest infection rate of 38.5% parasitemia. There was a significant association (P<0.05) between infection status and parasites burden. However, there was a weak positive correlation (r=0.107, P=0.460) between M. ovis infection rates and parasitic burden. Though a high occurrence rate of M. ovis was observed among the infected goats, the levels of parasitemia were generally mild.