Objective: The research was accomplished to appraise the productive and reproductive physiology of repeat breeder (RB) cows and compare to normal cyclic (NC) cows. Methodology: A total of 366 RB cows were surveyed from 1859 crossbred and indigenous cows using a questionnaire upon positive sampling of RB syndrome in dairy farms throughout the selected areas of Bangladesh. Out of 366 RB cows, 170 were randomly selected, which were at day 0 of estrous cycle. To compare the physiological characteristics, 170 NC cows at day 0 of estrous cycle were also selected randomly. Results: Results showed that age, BCS, and parity were higher in RB cows than NC cows. Survey on productive characteristics illustrated that milk production (P [J Adv Vet Anim Res 2018; 5(3.000): 324-331]

Objective: A cross-sectional study was conducted in June 2017 to assess the knowledge, perception and practices on brucellosis by pastoralists of Kagera ecosystem in Tanzania, using qualitative methods. Materials and methods: Five focus group discussions of six participants each were conducted with livestock farmers, administration leaders, religious representatives and youth. In addition, discussions with three key informants were conducted, involving officials of livestock, wildlife and public health departments in each district. Data were analyzed using content analysis with inductive and deductive methods. Results: The study revealed low knowledge regarding brucellosis among respondents. Although participants recognized brucellosis as a zoonotic disease, they consider it of less importance. In addition, participants had low knowledge on causes, symptoms and mode of transmission of this disease. However, they perceived the interactions between humans, livestock and wildlife together with movements between borders to be potential risks for introduction of brucellosis in their communities. Moreover, their habit of drinking unpasteurized milk, the lack of protective gears during assisting animals giving birth and poor vaccination program need to be improved by community health education. Conclusion: A coordinated One Health approach is needed and further studies are suggested to reveal the status of brucellosis in Kagera ecosystem to guide its control and prevention. [J Adv Vet Anim Res 2018; 5(3.000): 343-353]

Objective: The purpose of this study was to detect the incidence of multi-drug resistant (MDR) and the spread of tet genes that encode tetracycline (TE) resistance in E. coli in pig farms in the city of Kupang, Indonesia. Materials and Methods: Samples of pig feces have been obtained from 96 pig farms in Kupang city, Indonesia. Escherichia coli bacteria were isolated and identified morphologically and biochemically, and finally confirmed by the API test. The disk diffusion method has been used to observe the antibiotic sensitivity effects and has been followed by observing resistant genes encoding TE resistance using the multiplex polymerase chain reaction (m-PCR) method to detect the presence of tet genes such as tet (A), tet (B), tet (C), tet (D), and tet (E), respectively. Results: A total of 82 (85.4%) of E. coli isolates have been found in all pig feces samples obtained from 96 pig farms in Kupang city. This study has shown a high level of antibiotic resistance dominated by erythromycin (85.4%) and cephalothin (58.5%) and followed by several other antibiotics with a percentage below 34.1%. The prevalence of MDR E. coli was 57.3% by showing 39 different patterns. The most common pattern was showed by the Cephalothin-Colistin-Erythromycin pattern. The resistance of E. coli to TE appears to be related to the presence of tet (A) and tet (E) genes. Conclusion: This study has encouraged the need for public awareness (farmers) of the wise use of antibiotics in preventing the spread of resistant bacteria that can cause health problems in animals and humans. [J Adv Vet Anim Res 2018; 5(4.000): 388-396]

Objective: This study assessed personality traits in five cattle breeds (Bos taurus), two cosmopolitan (Holstein Friesian and Brown Swiss) and three endangered Italian autochthonous (Varzese, Rendena, and Modenese). Our aim was to provide an evaluation of the personality dimensions obtained by our questionnaire in order to compare some Italian autochthonous breeds with the cosmopolitan one. Our choice fell upon the comparison of the Varzese, the Modenese, the Rendena, the Brown Swiss, and the Holstein Friesian because the genetic selection at the base of the typical attitudes has induced different characteristics, and as a consequence, detectable differences in personality can be expected between the populations. Materials and methods: A personality questionnaire was completed by milkers/owners for each subject involved in this study. The milking staff involved in the study have been working with cows for over 20 years; they have experience with numerous breeds, and therefore, can be considered expert evaluators since they certainly have an appreciation of the full range of cow behavior. Results: The milkers assessments analysis found breed differences in dairy cattle, showing that certain personality traits are more marked in certain breeds in terms of curiosity, friendliness to milkers, and responses to unknown people. Conclusion: This pilot survey shows the usefulness of questionnaires in cattle personality studies, highlighting some peculiarity of the endangered breeds. [J Adv Vet Anim Res 2018; 5(3.000): 315-323]

Objective: A retrospective survey was designed to determine the prevalence and factors involved in surgical cases at the Veterinary Teaching Hospital (VTH), Bangladesh Agricultural University from June 2014 to June 2017. Materials and materials: In total, 1042 surgical cases of food animal (large ruminants: n=564, and small ruminants: n=493) and 26 non-food animal (mono-gastric animal) were recorded from patient register book and case recording card. Data were analyzed by Epi Info TM software and frequencies were calculated for different variables using Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) software. Result: In large ruminant, hernia (16.13%) ranked top (90% umbilical and 10% lateral) followed by fracture (14.89%), abscess (14.54%), umbilical myasis (10.46%), atresia ani (5.85%) and naval ill (4.07%). Among the reported cattle, 87.41% were crossbred and 12.59% were indigenous. Calf, heifer and adult cattle were 55.32, 10.29 and 34.39% respectively. In small ruminants, castration (32.94%; n=138) ranked top followed by myasis (10.55%) naval ill (10.31%), abscess (7.44%), dystocia (6.24%) and urolithiasis (5.49%). Based on surgical classification in large and small ruminants, 37.56 and 42.50% were reported for general surgery, whereas 28.71 and 7.15% for congenital, 11.18 and 13.12% for gynecological and 2.65 and 37.23 % for andrological problems, respectively. Male and female ratio was 1:1.31 and 2:1 respectively in large and small ruminants, respectively. Conclusion: This study emphasizes the factors related to successful surgical cases management at VTH. The results may help in controlling surgical related cases in Mymensingh region of Bangladesh. [J Adv Vet Anim Res 2018; 5(1.000): 81-87]

Objective: The present study was carried out to investigate the influence of weaning on the abnormal behavior, behavioral problems and some stress indicators in young rabbits. Materials and methods: The study was conducted on seventy two New Zealand rabbit kits which were divided into two groups, one reared with their dams (Unweaned rabbits) and the other group reared without their dams (Weaned rabbits). Rabbits are reared on traditional wire net batteries. A scan sample technique was used during the observation period of the recorded traits. Rabbits behavior was observed three times per day at (from 8.00 to 9.00 h.), (from 12.00 to 13.00 h) and (from 15.00 : 16.00 h) for three days weekly to each group during the experimental period (6 weeks). The observed activities were recorded at 10 min interval for rabbits in each subgroup (6 subgroups for each group). Two blood samplings were taken after weaning process for monitoring some stress indicators. Results: The results showed that the bare biting and lixite bite were significantly affected by weaning which were increased in the weaned group than the unweaned group. Other abnormal behavioral traits and behavioral problems were not influenced by weaning process. The results found that cortisol, growth hormone levels, superoxide dismutase and catalase enzyme activities were significantly increased in serum after weaning. Conclusion: The weaning process has negative effect on some behavioral and physiological responses. So, rearing the young rabbits with their mothers is advantageous from the viewpoint of animal welfare. The findings of this study may help to find out suitable strategies to minimize post weaning stress in both human beings and domestic animals. [J Adv Vet Anim Res 2018; 5(2.000): 166-172]

Objective: A cross sectional study was conducted in five Haor (wetland) districts of Bangladesh to investigate the epidemiological parameters and associated factors of recurrent outbreak of duck plague (DP) on the basis of molecular detection. Materials and methods: A total of 450 randomly selected duck farms containing 175,467 ducks were investigated for their morbidity, mortality and case fatality rates from December 2012 to November 2014. The farms were surveyed and the owners were interviewed using a prepared questionnaire about husbandry practice, disease history, bio-security measures, and flock and farmer details. A total of 150 samples (liver=50, intestine=50 and oro-pharyngeal tissue=50) were collected from duck plague suspected sick/dead ducks of north eastern part of Bangladesh during outbreak season. Samples were processed and PCR was done directly from the samples using primers specific for duck plague virus. Results: Out of 150 test samples of the fifty duck plague suspected ducks of fifty outbreaks, 90 samples (60%) of 36 ducks of thirty six outbreaks (72%) were found positive by PCR. Overall prevalence of duck plague was 8% at farm level and 3.30% at flock level. Morbidity, mortality and case fatality rates of duck plague at farm level were 52.08, 29.62 and 56.86%, respectively. Of the 22 variables selected for this study, 16 were found significant and the remaining 6 were found non-significant statistically. Conclusion: Results of the epidemiological investigation of the present study regarding duck mortality suggesting that education and training of the farmers on bio-security, modern husbandry practice, regular vaccination and innovation of cost effective intensive duck farming methods are necessary to control recurrent duck plague outbreak in Haor (wetland) areas. [J Adv Vet Anim Res 2018; 5(2.000): 131-139]

Objective: The present study was carried out to evaluate morphometric and histopathological abnormalities during organogenesis in liver, kidney, brain, spinal cord, heart, Lung, digestive tract and spleen in rabbit feti in response to oral administration of Khat prepared from leaves of khat tree (Catha edulis). Materials and methods: The current work was carried out with apparently healthy adult New Zealand rabbits (n=27; 3 males and 24 females) weighing 2.5±0.5 Kg. The female rabbits were divided into four equal groups. Three goups (low, medium and high dose groups) were treated with Khat. The groups were given 3 mL, 6 mL and 12 mL extract/Kg bwt once daily from day 8 to 18 of gestation, respectively. The control group was given distilled water only. All females were slaughtered on day 28 of gestation. Visceral organ were subjected for histopathological examinations. Results: Khat was found to be associated with hepatotoxicity and nephrotoxicity in rabbits. The kidney of feti of treated dams showed subcapsular hemorrhages along with mild vacuolar degeneration of some renal tubular epithelium. Glomeruli were atrophied, and moderate degenerative changes were observed in renal tubular epithelium and hemorrhages between renal tubules. The liver of the feti showed vacuolar degeneration, necrotic hepatitis, congestion of central veins and hepatic sinusoids, pyknotic clumped nuclei, hemorrhages, edema with atrophy of some hepatocytes, and hyperplasia of Megakaryocytic cells. The Khat also harmed the brain causing hemorrhage, edema, degenerative changes, swelling and necrotic changes of some nerve cells as well as supporting cells. The spinal cord was affected showing degeneration of nerve fibers in white matter and some neurons in grey matter. The heart of treated feti showed congestion of epicardial blood vessels and diffuse degeneration of heart muscles. Lung and alimentary tract only showed congestion of blood vessels. Conclusion: Prenatal exposure of Khat in rabbit induces harmful effects in defferent visceral organs including liver, kidney, brain, spinal cord, spleen, intestine, heart and lung. [J Adv Vet Anim Res 2018; 5(1.000): 25-36]

Objective: Shiga-toxin producing Escherichia coli (STEC) is the most important foodborne bacterial pathogen worldwide and the bovine animals are assumed as a reservoir of this pathogen. The present study was conducted to assess the role of bovine animals as the source of STEC. Materials and methods: To assess the role of bovine animals as the source of STEC, we examined 100 samples (50 rectal swab and 50 beef samples) collected from the local beef slaughterhouses by cultural, morphological, biochemical tests and polymerase chain reaction. Finally, the drug resistance pattern of isolated organisms has been examined. Result: In the preliminary screening by polymerase chain reaction (PCR), E. coli was more prevalent in rectal swab (n=21/50) than beef samples (n=16/50). Among 39 isolated E. coli, 10 isolates were confirmed as STEC (Rectal swab=7, Beef=3) by PCR, where stx2 gene (n=7/10) was predominant than stx1 gene (n=3/10). Remaining 29 isolates did not react to stx primers in PCR. Presence of STEC in beef samples was significantly associated with the fecal contamination at P≤0.1 (0.074818) in Pearsons correlation coefficient method. In addition, most of the isolated STEC strains were resistant to one or more commonly used antimicrobials in the country. Conclusion: The bovine animals and its products could be an important source of multidrug-resistant STEC in the country. [J Adv Vet Anim Res 2018; 5(2.000): 218-225]

Objective: This study was conducted to assess the effect of dietary Moringa oleifera leaf (MOL) feed supplementation on serum biochemical parameters of broilers challenged with very virulent infectious bursal disease virus (vvIBDV). Materials and methods: Two hundred and forty day-old Ross 308 hybrid broiler chicks were randomly assigned into four groups (A, B, C and D) of 60 chicks each and raised in deep litter housing. Broiler starter (BS) and broiler finisher (BF) mash were formulated each with 5% MOL included as part of the feed ingredient for broilers in groups A and B while BS and BF for broilers in groups C and D were formulated without MOL. Broilers in groups A, B and C were challenged intraocularly at 35 days of age with with 0.05 mL of a live vvIBDV, while those in group D served as control. Blood was collected from 10 broilers in each group via the wing vein at 35, 38 and 42 days of age to determine their serum biochemical profile. Results: The level of melondialdehyde (MDA) was observed to significantly decrease in groups A and C. There was a significant decrease in the level of AST in group A, B, C and D. The values of ALT significantly decreased in group A, B, C and D. Conclusion: Supplementing broilers feed with MOL neither protect the liver from damage nor prevent lipid peroxidation. [J Adv Vet Anim Res 2018; 5(2.000): 155-165]