The purpose of this study is to evaluate the use of Breeding Soundness Examination (BSE) and sperm quality for bull fertility screening by using Brahman bulls. A total of 17 Brahman bulls were sampled from the Department of Veterinary Services’ farm at Pusat Ternakan Haiwan (PTH) Ulu Lepar, Kuantan, Pahang, with age ranging between 2 to 7 years old. All candidates had undergone BSE and sperm quality test. All the data collected were analysed using SPSS software. The average age of the Brahman in this study was 55.06±14.37 months with 36.53±3.21 cm of scrotal diameter. The average libido score recorded for Brahman bulls in this study was 5.35±1.90. The minimum libido score was two (2) while the maximum score was seven (7). For sperm quality traits, the average parameter recorded for Brahman bulls were as follows: 54.41±20.15 % (sperm motility), 62.94±26.94 % (live sperm) and 49.40±8.53 % (normal sperm). The minimum and maximum score for sperm motility was 10 % and 80 %, respectively. For live sperm, the minimum score was 10 % and maximum score was 80 %. Meanwhile, normal sperm had a minimum score of 30 % and a maximum score of 65 %. The bull that fulfilled the requirements of the screening can be assigned as a superior bull for breeding program, thus making fertility screening a useful tool in monitoring potential breeder of the farm.

Locally, venison is considered as a premium and exotic meat, as it is not commonly found in fresh food markets and grocery stores. Despite its limited availability, demand is always high in its niche market, especially during festive seasons which highly escalate the price. However, as an expensive delicacy, deer meat is highly susceptible to fraudulent substitution and adulteration. Authentic deer meat are currently only recognized by consumers based on their own experience, meat texture, and taste which can be quite subjective. To assist in authenticating local deer meat in the market and protect consumers from fraudsters, Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) analysis can be carried out to distinguish between venison and other animal meat and products. Farmed venison in Malaysia are mostly from the species Rusa timorensis while Rusa unicolor is bred in the wild. Here, we detailed a newly developed conventional PCR method that is able to detect R. timorensis and R. unicolor based on partial mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) in a single run, thus providing a simple and more accurate alternative in venison authentication.

An exposure assessment was conducted to quantitate tetracyclines (TCs) in chickens and the risk estimates were calculated using deterministic and probabilistic approaches. The results revealed that through deterministic approach, estimated daily exposure to TCs resulted in children aged 1<y<3 and 4<y<6 (0.05919 and 0.03946 μg/kg bw/day), followed by adults (0.02847 μg/kg bw/day) and children aged 7<y<10 at 0.02631 μg/kg bw/day. Based on the probabilistic approach, dietary exposure of Malaysian adults to TCs was estimated to range from 0.00174–0.35209 μg/kg bw/day. In comparison, for the children group, the estimated exposure was higher in age 1<y<3 at 0.0137 – 1.9845 μg/kg bw/day followed by children aged 4<y<6 and 7<y<10 at 0.00718 – 1.3967 μg/kg bw/day and 0.00834 – 0.91841 μg/kg bw/day respectively. However, the estimated risk calculated for all groups was <10 % ADI. These indicate that toxicological risk with regard to the consumption of chicken meat could not be considered as a public health problem, but the result can be supportive for the safety authorities to engage policies in managing any potential risk. The occurrence of high concentration of TCs residues in small samples still warrants closer monitoring and management of the use of TCs in chicken farms in Peninsular Malaysia.

The aim of this study is to determine the phytochemical constituent of Artocarpus heterophyllus Lam (Jackfruit) and its effectiveness as an alternative for the anthelmintic treatment of parasitic nematodes in ruminants. Artocarpus heterophyllus Lam leaves were used to test on L3 nematode larva harvested from fecal culture. There are four species of parasitic nematodes identified, namely: Haemonchus contortus, Trichostrongylus sp., Cooperia sp., and Oesophagostomum sp. Haemonchus contortus was found to be the most dominant, followed by Trichostrongylus sp., Cooperia sp., and Oesophagostomum sp. The phytochemical test of Artocarpus heterophyllus Lam leaves was revealed to possess alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, tripertenes and steroids. These components were shown to be effective at causing paralysis and deaths of parasitic nematode in the larval motility assay, where 100 % of the nematodes tested were killed below 6 hours at 5.0 mg/ml concentration; and inhibit migration in the larval migration assay, where migration of the larva was completely inhibited in 2 hours using 2.0 mg/ml concentration. The results suggest that Artocarpus heterophyllus Lam leaves can be used as an alternative for the anthelmintic treatment in goats and sheep.

Information on common diseases is important for effective disease control and management programme. This paper aims to identify the common equine parasites infection diagnosed in Peninsular Malaysia using existing laboratory data system records from government veterinary laboratories. Equine data were analysed on the basis of disease diagnoses, states, types of programme, and breed from January 2014 to December 2018. For this purpose, laboratory data from parasitology unit in six (06) Department of Veterinary Services (DVS) laboratories across Peninsular Malaysia were compiled and a total of 7,123 samples sent to the laboratories during the time period were analysed. A total of 623 samples (8.75 %) were positive of 7 different endoparasites, with helminthiasis recording 4.45 % and protozoan infections recording 4.28 %. Monitoring programme recorded second highest number of samples received (33.58 %) but with highest positive samples (6.96 %), while import programmes had the highest number of samples received but with only 0.62 % of the samples were recorded positive. State of Johore (7.97 %) had the highest number of horse positive sample followed by Perlis (0.24 %) and Pahang (0.21 %). Thoroughbred were breed with the highest number of samples received (66.31 %) with 7.28 % were positive. In conclusion, this study provides an idea of prevailing equine common parasite status in Malaysia as per handled in the DVS laboratories, as DVS continues to emphasize horse health by conducting disease screening primarily associated with import and export programmes as well as conducting disease monitoring to ensure sustainability of the industry

Bluetongue (BT) is an arthropod-borne viral disease of domestic and wild ruminants caused by Bluetongue virus (BTV). It has been reported in most tropical and subtropical regions of the world which raises significant socioeconomic concerns for international trade in animals and animal products. However, recent and updated information related to the current prevalence of BT in Malaysia is limited. The last holistic report was reported during BT outbreaks in the year of 1990s. This study aims to determine the current status of seroprevalence of BT among ruminants in Malaysia from 2013 to 2019. A total of 9,787 serum samples from buffalo, cattle, deer, goat as well as sheep were received from January 2013 until December 2019. All these serum samples were subjected to Agar Gel Immunodiffusion (AGID) test to detect the presence of antibodies towards BTV. The overall status of BTV was 20.18 % (1,975/9,787), with 56 % (14/25) in deer, 46.4 % (428/922) in cattle and 35.7 % (60/168) in buffalo. Positive BT antibodies were detected in young animals (<6 months) with 30.60 %, while 23.61 % in adult animals (>2 years). The results of this study revealed that BTV is still circulating at low level in domestic and wild ruminant livestock animals in Malaysia. It is suggested that this disease needs close monitoring to prevent possible outbreaks in the future.

A study on the prevalence of endoparasites of rats was conducted at the Laboratory Animal Facility and Management (LAFAM), UiTM Selangor, Puncak Alam. The fecal samples were collected from a total of 187 laboratory rats which included 112 Sprague-Dawley and 75 Wistar rats. The fecal samples were examined by direct smear technique and fecal floatation technique. From the total of 187 fecal samples examined, 35.83 % were found positive for endoparasites. Prevalence of endoparasites was higher in Wistar (54.67 %) compared to Sprague-Dawley rats (23.21 %). The most prevalent nematode parasites were Syphacia muris (68.66 %) followed by Syphacia obvelata (26.87 %). The prevalence of these parasites emphasizes the needs of careful monitoring in the LAFAM and therapeutic measures when necessary.

An intact male, 2.5 kg, 1 ½ years old Domestic Long Hair (DLH) cat was brought to the University Veterinary Clinic, Universiti Malaysia Kelantan with the complaint of inability to stand and inappetence since it was hit by a car a day before presentation. Physical examination and radiography revealed multiple fractures including fracture of the pubis, fracture of the left ischium and fracture of the right femoral neck. There was also a left sacroiliac fracture-luxation. The cat was stabilized with intravenous fluid using normal saline, analgesic, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory, and antibiotic drugs. The sacroiliac fracture-luxation was repaired using a lag screw. The surgical site developed swelling due to seroma formation post operatively, where a drainage tube was placed which necessitated daily wound cleaning and dressing. The cat was able to ambulate with satisfactory weight bearing of the hind limbs at 10 days post-surgery and four weeks later, the cat demonstrated improvement in gait. At 5-months post-surgery, the cat was completely back to its normal gait and ambulation normally.

Information on the nutritional content of animal feed is very important in improving milk production and the quality of milk produced. Data on the nutrition and nutritional quality of feed given to livestock are not comprehensively evaluated and recorded in any dairy farms in Johore. The objective of this study is to determine the nutritional content of selected feedstuffs, with production and quality of milk in selected dairy farms in Johore. Data were collected from 94 dairy farms during field visits through face-toface interviews. Feed samples collected were dairy cattle pellet, Napier grass, palm kernel cake, palm kernel expeller, soybean hull, corn, cassava peel and agricultural waste. Proximate analysis was performed using standard AOAC methods. The result of this study found that 67.0% of dairy farmers in Johore use Napier grass as the main source of fodder. The survey showed that 46% of the farmers in Johore give a suitable quantity of Napier grass based on body weight, while for milk production, the survey showed that 54 dairy farms in Johore produce less than 100 litres/day, 18 farms produce 101-200 litres/day, 12 farms produce 201-300 litres/day, and 10 farms produce more than 300 litres/day. The overall status of dairy farms in Johore shows that 60% of the farms produce an average of 5.1-10 litre milk per cow per day in which 92.5% of milk samples collected had acceptable Total Dissolved Solid values indicating good quality of milk production.