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Abstract Obesity has reached epidemic proportions in most parts of the world, and it is estimated that 1 billion people globally are trapped in an obesity pandemic, which has seriously compromised human health. Recently, there has been a flood of research into obesity as well as redox and lipid metabolism; however, our understanding of the pathways and specific molecular mechanisms by which obesity‐induced oxidative stress affects female reproductive function remains limited. In this review, we discuss how the obesity pandemic has led to lower female fertility. We focus on multiple facets of obesity‐mediated reproductive dysfunction, including follicular atresia, oocyte maturation, embryo implantation, reproductive aging, and discuss therapeutic interventions that have the potential to normalize reproductive function in obese females, such as targeting mitochondrial lipid metabolism and antioxidant pathways.

Abstract Spotted sea bass (Lateolabrax maculatus) is a species of significant economic importance in aquaculture. However, genetic degeneration, such as declining growth performance, has severely impeded industry development, necessitating urgent genetic improvement. Here, we conducted a genome‐wide association study (GWAS) and genomic prediction for growth traits using insertion and deletion (InDel) markers, and systematically compared the results with our previous studies using single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers. A total of 97 significant InDels including a 6 bp insertion in an exon region were identified. It is worth noting that only 5 and 1 candidate genes for DY and TS populations were also detected in previous GWAS using SNPs, and numerous novel genes including c4b, fgf4, and dnajb9 were identified as vital candidate genes. Moreover, several novel growth‐related procedures, such as the growth and development of the bone and muscle, were also detected. These findings indicated that InDel‐based GWAS can provide valuable complement to SNP‐based studies. The comparison of genomic predictive performance for total length trait under different marker selection strategies and genomic selection models indicated that GWAS selection strategy exhibits more stable predictive performance compared to the evenly selection strategy. Additionally, support vector machine model demonstrated better predictive accuracy and efficiency than traditional best linear unbiased prediction and Bayes models. Furthermore, the superior predictive performance using InDel markers compared to SNP markers highlighted the potential of InDels to enhance genomic predictive accuracy and efficiency. Our results carry significant implications for dissecting genetic mechanisms and contributing genetic improvement of growth traits in spotted sea bass through genomic resources.

Abstract The duck (Anas platyrhynchos) is not only a vital farm animal but also an excellent model for genetic dissection of economic traits. The integration of multiomics data provides a powerful approach to elucidate the genetic basis of domestication and phenotype variation. Since its inception in 2014, the Duck 1000 Genomes Project has aimed to uncover the genetic foundation of key economic traits in ducks by combining multiomics data including genomic, transcriptomic, and metabolomic from various natural and segregating populations. This paper summarizes the strategies and achievements of the Duck 1000 Genomes Project, highlighting the reference genome assembly, genome evolution analysis, and the identification of genes and causative mutations responsible for key economic traits in ducks. We also discuss perspectives and potential challenges in functional genomic studies that could further accelerate duck molecular breeding.

Abstract Circular RNA (circRNA), a stable ring‐shaped RNA molecule found in eukaryotic cells, plays significant roles in biological regulation, particularly by interfering with transcription factor binding or enhancing gene expression. Using transcriptomic sequencing, we identified differentially expressed circRNAs in bovine muscle at various time points. Specifically, circDYRK1A was discovered and shown to enhance differentiation while suppressing proliferation of adult myoblasts. Rescue experiments further demonstrated that circDYRK1A regulates the KLF5 gene expression by interacting with miR21‐5p, thus exerting its influence at the transcriptional level. This study marks the first identification of circDYRK1A in cattle and elucidates its role in bovine myoblast development through the circDYRK1A‐miR21‐5p‐KLF5 regulatory axis. These findings contribute novel insights into molecular breeding of cattle and advance fundamental research on beef cattle breeding and muscle development.

Abstract Milk mid‐infrared (MIR) spectra have been shown to provide valuable information on a wide range of traits to be used in dairy cattle breeding programs. Selecting the most informative variables from complex data can improve the prediction accuracy and model robustness and, consequently, the interpretability of MIR spectra. Thus, we aimed to investigate the prediction performance of feature selection methods based on MIR spectra data, using the milk fatty acid (FA) profile as an example to illustrate the evaluated procedure. Data of MIR spectra, milk test‐day records, and reference FA concentrations of 155 first‐parity Holstein cows were used in the analyses. Four models comprising different explanatory variables and three feature selection methods were evaluated. The results indicated that competitive adaptive reweighted sampling (CARS) method can effectively select the most informative variables from the MIR spectra, resulting in higher prediction accuracies than other variable selection approaches. The model including selected MIR spectra and cow information variables yielded the best FA profile predictions based on partial least square regression. C8:0, C10:0, C14:1, C17:0 isomers, C18:1, C18:1 isomer, medium‐chain FA, unsaturation FA, monounsaturated FA, and polyunsaturated FA presented accuracies based on the determination coefficient ranging from 0.66 to 0.85 in internal validation and from 0.65 to 0.84 in external validation. The most related wavenumbers to 35 FAs were found within 1003 to 1145 cm−1. Generally, using CARS and cow information improved predictions of FAs based on MIR spectra in Chinese Holstein dairy cows. Additional validation studies should be conducted as larger datasets become available.

Abstract Understanding the genetic factors related to meat drip loss is of great importance for animal breeding and production. In this study, we employed a combination of genome‐wide association study (GWAS) mapping and RNA sequencing (RNA‐seq) data to effectively identify potentially functional single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) as well as candidate genes associated with drip loss (DL) in Beijing Black pigs. Initially, we conducted a single‐ and multi‐trait GWAS on drip loss traits in 441 Beijing Black pigs at 24 (DL24) and 48 (DL48) hours postmortem using the Illumina pig 50K SNP chip. Five SNPs with annotations for four genes (FGGY, LHFPL6, OSBPL1A, and NMNAT3) were consistently identified in single or multiple trait GWAS results, indicating their potential pleiotropic effects on drip loss. Next, a comprehensive comparative transcriptomic analysis was performed on samples of Beijing Black pigs exhibiting extremely high and low drip loss, resulting in the identification of 21 differentially expressed genes (DGEs) as potential candidates. Additionally, protein–protein interaction (PPI) network analysis revealed reciprocal regulatory relationships between FOXO1, OSBPL1A, DOCK1 (identified from GWAS) and the candidate DGEs obtained from RNA‐seq data. Therefore, we propose that these genes may impact drip loss traits through gene interactions. In conclusion, our integrative analysis screened candidate genes that may affect the drip loss traits in Beijing Black pigs, which provides crucial insights into the molecular mechanisms of drip loss and serves as a theoretical reference for improving meat quality in Beijing Black pigs.

Abstract Background Triaxial accelerometers have revolutionized wildlife research by providing an unprecedented understanding of the behavior of free-living animals. Machine learning is often applied to acceleration data to classify diverse animal behaviors across taxa. However, the high frequency, continuous data collection typically favored for behavioral classification studies often generates very large data sets, which may inhibit remote data acquisition and make data storage challenging. Coarse-frequency sampling or non-continuous bursts of acceleration data reduce these problems. To analyze such data, a suite of variables that summarize key features of the behavior of interest can be generated. These variables can then be used in numerous classification approaches, accommodating variation in data collection methods or sampling regimes. We demonstrate the potential for non-continuous accelerometer data to identify long-duration behavior and employ machine learning to classify the nesting behaviors of the critically endangered eastern Santa Cruz giant tortoise (Chelonoidis donfaustoi). Results We field validated 112 nesting events from 21 giant tortoises. We then derived summary statistics based on accelerometry (e.g., overall dynamic body acceleration, metrics comparing acceleration before and after the probable event) and used them as inputs for Random Forest and Boosted Regression Tree classification algorithms. Our models produced a harmonic mean of precision and sensitivity (F1-score) of 0.91. We tested the generality of our model and found that the model performs well when applied to both novel individuals and years. The most important variable in accurately classifying data sequences was the proportion of acceleration data bursts above an activity threshold followed by the average overall dynamic body acceleration value of the bursts. Conclusions These results demonstrate the feasibility and efficacy of using non-continuous accelerometer data to identify prolonged, biologically relevant behaviors in free-living wildlife. By using summary variables that do not require continuous sampling, this approach facilitates long-term monitoring of animal behavior. Similar methodology has potential to inform priority questions in ecology and conservation, such as predicting wildlife responses to climate change and identifying critical habitats, with applications across diverse species and behaviors.

Abstract Background Animal habitat use can be influenced by a suite of factors including intraspecific interactions and resource availability. The broad-snouted caiman (Caiman latirostris) is the largest crocodylian species distributed in freshwater environments of the Brazilian Atlantic Forest, where it inhabits many types of human-impacted and preserved habitats. Despite their ability to occupy ecologically different water bodies, little is known about their movement patterns and their habitat use. We investigated the variation in movements and space use of adult caimans relative to sex, body condition, and environmental conditions in northeastern Brazil. Methods We conducted long-term capture surveys from 2013 to 2022 and used GPS telemetry from 2021–2022 (n = 12 individuals) to assess movement patterns and home ranges of caimans and their habitat use based on Brownian Bridge Movement Modeling (BBMM) and Generalized Linear Mixed Modeling (GLMM). Results Females ranged farther from reservoir’s forested margins, exploring a greater diversity of habitats during the wet/non-reproductive season. During the dry/reproductive season, females remained close to nesting sites within forest fragments. The body condition of caimans did not change significantly over the wet and dry season, indicating that resources are available year-round. Caimans moved more at night than during daytime, likely due to nocturnal foraging and possibly avoiding periods of increased human activity. Female movement rates were positively associated with rainfall, in a pattern likely linked to nest attendance in the dry season. Male movement was positively correlated with reservoir volume in the wet season, possibly due to increased availability of habitats in comparison to dry periods and to decreased overlap with territories controlled by other males. Home ranges estimated as 95% utilization distributions were relatively small in both sexes, averaging 0.64 km2 (range: 0.001–1.4 km2), as were their core areas estimated as 50% utilization distributions, which averaged 0.12 km2 (range: 0.0003–0.12 km2). Small core areas may indicate that caimans remain most of their time in a specific habitat, suggesting abundant resource availability or territoriality. Conclusions Our work reveals the complexity of social interactions and how caimans select their habitats in a highly altered environment.

Abstract Background Modern biologging technologies allow researchers to gain a better understanding of animal movements, offering opportunities to measure survival and remotely study the breeding success of wild birds, i.e., by locating nests. This is particularly useful for species whose nests are difficult to find or access, or when disturbances can impact the breeding outcome. We developed and validated, with field data, a framework to detect nesting events by two sandgrouse species, the black-bellied (Pterocles orientalis) and pin-tailed sandgrouse (Pterocles alchata), using GPS and Overall Dynamic Body Acceleration (ODBA) data. Sandgrouses are ground-nesting, cryptic, and elusive birds with biparental incubation efforts. Because both sexes take turns to incubate, a novel framework considering when tagged individuals are on incubation duty or not needs to be designed to detect nests. Results We tagged 52 birds with high-resolution GPS devices to monitor their breeding during 2021–24. Using remote tracking and field data from the first 2 years (2021–22), we first determined sex-specific time windows for incubation to maximise differentiation between incubation and non-incubation behaviours. We then used a threshold-based classification to identify incubation days and inferred the minimum number of successive incubation days needed to correctly identify a nesting event. We show how ODBA and GPS data can be used to successfully detect nests incubated for only 2 or 3 days. GPS-only data or combined GPS-ODBA data had a success rate of around 95%, whereas ODBA-only data had a success rate of 100%. Cross-validation using data from 2023 to 2024 confirmed the model’s performance, showing an overall success > 90% for GPS-only and ODBA-only data and of 85% for combined GPS–ODBA data. Conclusions By accurately identifying nesting events, our framework offers new opportunities to study the breeding of conservation-dependent species. Besides its applicability to ground-nesting species with biparental care and sex-specific incubation schedules, the framework can be adapted to other bird species sensitive to disturbances or with inaccessible nesting sites. By doing so, it reduces the need for nest visits and associated disturbances, as well as the carbon footprint and expenses associated with fieldwork.

Mapping Land Use and Land cover Changes (LULC) and detecting changes using remote sensing and Geographic Information System (GIS) techniques is a cost-effective way of gaining a good understanding of the land cover alteration processes caused by land use change and their effects. This study assessed the transformation of the Wayanad district landscape over a period of 23 years. LANDSAT satellite images (of 30 m resolution) encompassing the area at three epochs were classified into nine classes (coffee dominated mixed crop, built-up, evergreen forest, deciduous forest, grassland, mixed crop with built-up, paddy, tea plantation, and waterbody) using the maximum likelihood algorithm, resulting in classes for each land use. The results showed that over the past 23 years, coffee-dominated mixed crops have increased by 0.84% in 2014 and 11.84% in 2022 compared to 1999; deciduous forest area decreased 3.6% and increased 0.6% in 2014 and 2022, respectively. Tea plantations increased by 0.9% in 2014 and by 0.49% in 2022, which decreased by 0.41% compared to 2014. Built-up has increased by 6.42% and 6.02% in 2014 and 2022 respectively, and slightly decreased by 0.4% compared to 2014. Evergreen forest areas increased in 2014 by 6.68% and 2.28% in 2022 and decreased by 4.44% compared to the previous time period. Grass land areas have decreased by 6.25% and 5.33%, respectively, and mixed crops with built-up areas has decreased by 0.74% and remained the same in the last two epochs, while paddy and waterbodies have decreased by 3.4%, 15.79%, and 0.07 and 0.19%, respectively, in 2014 and 2022 of the total geographical area Keywords: Remote sensing, GIS techniques, LULC, forest cover

Critical-sized bone defects are those that would not heal spontaneously despite surgical stabilisation. These defects are treated using autografts, allografts, xenografts and synthetic bone grafts. The present study was undertaken to evaluate the efficacy of biphasic hydroxyapatite (HA) and β-tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP) bioceramic scaffolds in treating critical-sized segmental bone loss in rats. The study was conducted in sixty male Wistar rats aged between 8-12 weeks, weighing 200-250 g body weight with critical-sized defects in the right femur. A six-mm segmental mid-diaphyseal femoral defect was created under general anaesthesia. The bone defect was bridged with biphasic hydroxyapatite (HA) and β-tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP) bioceramic scaffolds and retained in position with microplate and screws. Fifteen rats were sacrificed as per the guidelines of CCSEA during the 4th, 8th, 12th and 16th week post-surgery. The treated bone and contralateral femur were harvested and subjected to a three-point bending test, torsion test and compression test to compare the regained strength of the repaired right femur with that of the intact contralateral left femur. From the present study, it was observed that the use of biphasic hydroxyapatite and β-tricalcium phosphate bioceramic scaffolds in the treatment of critical-sized long bone defects in rats resulted in biomechanical properties of the healed right femur greatly superior to the femur with untreated critical-sized diaphyseal defect by sixteenth week post-surgery and was only slightly inferior to the normal intact left femur. The results were suggestive of using biphasic hydroxyapatite and β-tricalcium phosphate bioceramics scaffolds as a safe and promising alternative for the treatment of critical-sized bone defects Keywords: Beta-tricalcium phosphate, bioceramic scaffold, compression test, hydroxyapatite, three-point bending test and torsion test

The present study was conducted to standardise the protocol for microencapsulation of buck spermatozoa for its chilled preservation. Semen ejaculates collected from Malabari bucks of age two to three years, weighing 42 to 46 Kg and maintained under uniform managemental conditions were utilised. Sodium alginate of concentrations 0.5, 0.75 and 1.5 per cent with varying gauge sized hypodermic needles of 18G, 20G and 23G were used. The distance between the tip of the needle and the upper meniscus of BaCl2 solution was adjusted to varied distance like ≥ 7 cm, 3.5 to 5 cm, ≤ 2cm. This resulted in capsule sizes of 1 mm, 2 mm, 3 mm, 4 mm, 4.5 mm, 6 mm and 7 mm. Different shape of capsules like globular, plate like, irregular, tear-drop and oval were obtained and the capsule stability varied from 35 to 75 per cent. Capsule parameters were assessed at 0 h, 24 h, 48 h, 72 h and 96 h of chilled preservation in EYC extender at ratio of (1:2). The results of the present study cited that 1.5 per cent sodium alginate concentration, with 23G sized hypodermic needle and distance of 3.5 cm were ideal to acquire uniform spherical shaped stable capsule of size 1.90 ± 0.03 and stability of 75 per cent Keywords: Microencapsulation, chilled preservation, buck spermatozoa, Malabari

Dairy cows undergoing the transition phase often face nutritional challenges, impacting their antioxidant status and lactational performance. To address these challenges, the incorporation of rumen-protected methionine and lysine in the diet has emerged as a strategic intervention.Twelve crossbred cows inthe transition period were randomly divided into two groups of six animals. The control group and treatment group were fed with a standard diet (ICAR, 2013) while the treatment group was supplemented with rumen-protected methionine and lysine. Throughout the trial period, all the animals were subjected to consistent management and feeding conditions.Glutathione peroxide(GPx)levels exhibited a statistically significant difference between groups, with the treatment consistently showing higher GPx levels, indicating an improvement in antioxidant capacity, where it helps regulate systemic oxidative stress.The recorded milk yield data was utilized to compute the daily milk production for each individual for the experimental period. Milk yield remained unaffected, but the treatment group consistently exhibited higher milk yield, suggesting positive influences on postpartum lactation performance. Keywords: Rumen-protectedmethionine, rumen-protectedlysine,transition period, antioxidant status

The experiment was undertaken to study the effect of indoxacarb on various biochemical parameters in White Leghorn layer birds for a period of 14 days following a single oral administration. The study follows OECD guideline no. 223. White Leghorn layer birds (n=30) weighing between 1.2 to 1.6 kg were used for the study. Six birds were kept as the control group and approximately 2 ml of blood was collected in EDTA tubes on days 7 and 14 of the experiment. Biochemical parameters such as alkaline phosphatase (ALP), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), creatinine and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) were estimated. The mean values of ALP, AST, ALT and BUN were found significantly higher on days 7 and 14 of the acute toxicity study of indoxacarb in layers as compared to that of the control group. Keywords: Biochemical, layers, indoxacarb

The present study was conducted to evaluate the effect of dietary supplementation of vitamin E on semen quality in White Pekin ducks. The drakes were randomly assigned to three experimental groups at 20 weeks of age based on the treatments followed, as T1 (Basal diet), T2 (Basal diet + 100 mg vitamin E/kg diet), and T3 (Basal diet + 200 mg vitamin E/ kg diet). Semen was collected once in four days and was subjected to various microscopic and macroscopic parameters. There was no significant difference in semen volume and appearance score among the experimental treatments. The pH of semen was found slightly alkaline in all three treatments. Most samples were white in colour and were medium thick or thick in consistency.The major contaminants observed were faeces and uric acid crystals. Significantly (p

An incredible surge in demand for fermented dairy products has been experienced recently due to its nutraceutical benefits and lifestyle preferences. As a traditional fermented dairy beverage, cultured buttermilk is an ideal product choice in this context. This study introduces a novel cultured buttermilk fortified with the high protein microalgae Arthrospira platensis, making it beneficial and appealing due to its preferable mouthfeel and antioxidant characteristics. The goal of this study was to extensively evaluate and determine the optimum amount of Spirulina powder to be mixed into buttermilk, while also analyzing the alterations in the physicochemical and sensory properties of the resulting product. The pH, titratable acidity, DPPH inhibition activity, Phenolic content, and sensory properties of newly developed cultured buttermilk with varying concentrations of Spirulina 0.25, 0.45, 0.65, 0.85 and 1.5% were compared with that of the control buttermilk sample with no added Spirulina. Based on the findings derived from the conducted study, it has been concluded that the incorporation of 0.25% Spirulina, can potentially enhance the nutritional composition and functional health attributes of cultured buttermilk without affecting sensory score Keywords: Butter milk, fortification, Arthospira platensis, antioxidant activity, total phenolic content, sensory evaluation

Salmonella is one among the most important biological contaminants in drinking water that possess safety hazards to human life. Faecal contamination of the water, indirectly from the household sewage discharge, municipal sewage etc. attributes to the repeated detection of Salmonella in water. This study aimed to investigate the occurrence of Salmonella and physico- chemical quality evaluation of samples of water collected from food retail outlets of Thrissur and Kollam districts. A total of 50 water samples (25 each from Thrissur and Kollam districts) used for cooking purpose were collected over a period of six months, March to August 2023. Water samples were subjected to comparative evaluation of physico-chemical qualities viz., pH, turbidity, total dissolved solids (TDS) and hardness. Collected water samples were examined for Salmonella spp. by conventional culture method and PCR. Genus specific and virulence genes of the isolates were detected using polymerase chain reaction. The occurrence of Salmonella spp. in samples of water collected from Thrissur was 24 per cent whereas in Kollam district it was only four per cent. The overall occurrence of Salmonella spp. in samples of water collected from both districts was 14 per cent. Physico-chemical parameters of water samples viz., pH, turbidity, total dissolved solids and hardness were within the BIS prescribed standards. The molecular characterisation of Salmonella spp. detected 16S rRNA in all isolates but invA and spvA genes were detected only in 14.28 per cent of the isolates. Hence proper disinfection of water and food sanitation in the retail outlets will help to minimize the risk of foodborne pathogens Keywords: Salmonella, water, physico-chemical quality, food retail outlets

The present study aimed to assess the effect of gamma irradiation and thermal pasteurisation on the functional quality of liquid whole egg. Three separate liquid whole egg (LWE) homogenate samples were used in the study: Control untreated LWE (C), gamma irradiated at a previously validated pasteurisation dose of 3kGy, and thermally pasteurised at a core temperature of 60±1°C for 3.5 min (T). Samples were analysed for their functional properties on the day of pasteurisation.The foaming capacity and foaming stability were significantly (p

With the escalating demand for sustainable energy solutions, unconventional sources are gaining attention, including the utilisation of pork fat for biodiesel production. This study investigates the influence of different pig feeding systems, namely swill and concentrate, on the characteristics and performance of biodiesel derived from pork oil. Twelve Large White Yorkshire piglets were divided into two treatments: one following standard feeding practices (T1), and the other exclusively fed with swill (T2). The pigs were slaughtered, and their fat was processed into biodiesel through transesterification. The fuel properties of the biodiesel were analysed, including kinematic viscosity, flash point, fire point, gross calorific value, and low-temperature fuel properties. Additionally, engine performance and exhaust emissions of a biodiesel blend (B20) derived from pork oil were evaluated and compared to commercial diesel fuel using a Kirloskar single-cylinder diesel engine connected to an eddy current dynamometer. Results indicate that both T1 and T2 B20 biodiesel exhibit favourable characteristics comparable to diesel, with promising fuel density, injection duration, mass flow rate, brake-specific fuel consumption, and brake thermal efficiency across various load conditions. Moreover, critical factors such as cetane number and gross calorific value suggest suitable ignition qualities and energy content, highlighting the potential of pork oil-derived biodiesel as a sustainable alternative fuel source. Keywords: Biodiesel, pork fat, swill, concentrate feeding systems

Critical-sized long bone defects are those that would not heal spontaneously despite surgical stabilisation. The use of bioceramic scaffold has shown promising results in the repair of bone defects. The present study was undertaken to evaluate the serum biochemical parameters of Wistar rats treated for critical-sized segmental bone loss using biphasic hydroxyapatite (HA) and β-tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP) bioceramic scaffolds. The study was conducted in eighty male Wistar rats aged between 8-12 weeks, weighing 200-250 g body weight with critical-sized segmental defects in the femur. A 6 mm segmental mid-diaphyseal femoral defect was created under general anaesthesia. The bone defect was bridged with bioceramic scaffolds and retained in position with microplate and screws. Serum biochemical parameters serum calcium, phosphorous, acid phosphatase and alkaline phosphatase were evaluated four weeks before surgery, immediately after surgery and 4th, 8th, 12th, and 16th week after surgery. The evaluation of both serum calcium and phosphorous were found to be reliable indicators of new bone formation and mineralisation, whereas the evaluation of both serum acid phosphatase and alkaline phosphatase were found to be reliable indicators of bone healing during the treatment of critical-sized long bone defects in rats using biphasic hydroxyapatite and β-tricalcium phosphate bioceramic scaffolds Keywords: Beta-tricalcium phosphate, bioceramic scaffold, hydroxyapatite, serum acid phosphatase, serum alkaline phosphatase, serum calcium, serum phosphorous

Gangrenous mastitis is one among the major economically important health constraint faced by goat farmers. Occurrence of gangrenous mastitis is a result of combination of host, agent and environmental factors. Alteration in any of the host, agent and environmental factors can lead to an increase in bacterial concentration and the expression of virulence factors resulting in gangrenous mastitis. The present study was conducted over a period of two years from September 2021 to September 2023. The study subjects included 30 goats affected with gangrenous mastitis, managed under semi- intensive and intensive system. The selected animals included Malabari, Jamnapari and Malabari crossbreds with age group ranging from one to eight years, parity number ranging from one to six and stage of lactation ranging from peri-parturient period, early lactation and late lactation. Information regarding the host associated and environmental risk factors were collected by a prepared proforma. Disease diagnosis was made based on clinical examination, examination of udder and milk changes. Epidemiological analysis revealed a higher occurrence of gangrenous mastitis in crossbred goats. The occurrence was also higher in the age group of 3-4 yrs, during periparturient period and in herd without proper management practices. Absence of herd and management practices like proper disinfection and isolation of animals to new shed during parturition significantly caused occurrence of gangrenous mastitis. Proper awareness regarding the epidemiological factors leading to gangrenous mastitis can help in future control strategies of caprine gangrenous mastitis. Keywords: Goat, gangrenous mastitis, epidemiology

This study examined the impact of stress mitigation measures on the live body weight loss and skin lesion scores of Large White Yorkshire pigs after a 200 km transportation by road. Twenty-four LWY pigs were randomly allotted into four groups of six each: control group (T1 ), pigs injected with vitamin E and selenium (T2 ), pigs administered hydrogen rich water (T3 ), and pigs exposed to monochromatic blue light (T4 ). Hydrogen-rich water administration (T3 ) resulted in the highest live body weight loss, while exposure to monochromatic blue light (T4 ) induced the lowest. Shrinkage during transport mirrored the live body weight loss trend. Significant differences emerged in skin lesion scores, notably in the hindquarter and tail regions. Monochromatic blue light exposure (T4 ) correlated with reduced aggressive behaviour, evidenced by lower hindquarter skin lesion scores. Conversely, hydrogen-rich water administration (T3 ) resulted in higher tail region skin lesion scores. The findings suggest that exposure to monochromatic blue light may have a calming effect during transport and can be recommended as a stress mitigation strategy to enhance overall animal welfare during transportation Keywords: Transportation stress, body weight loss, shrinkage, aggressive behaviour

This study investigated the incorporation of wheat bran into semi-dry fermented carabeef sausages, analysing their physico-chemical properties, sensory properties and microbiological quality, with an emphasis on the impact of refrigerated storage. Utilizing buffalo meat, which is prominent in India’s meat industry due to its health benefits and minimal religious consumption restrictions, this research focused on enhancing the dietary fiber content of sausages a product traditionally low in fibers. Wheat bran, known for its high fiber content and health benefits, was integrated at varying levels (6%, 8% and 10%) into sausage formulations. The treatment that included 8% wheat bran emerged as the optimum choice based on cooking yield and sensory attributes, exhibiting significant improvements in moisture retention and overall acceptability compared to the control. Over 60 days of refrigerated storage, both control and most accepted treatment sausages demonstrated a reduction in pH and moisture content, with an increase in microbial counts and indices of oxidative and nitrogenous degradation. Despite these changes, the sensory parameters of treatment sausages with 8% wheat bran were maintained at acceptable levels throughout the storage period. This study concludes that the incorporation of fibre into fermented carabeef sausages can improve sensory attributes and extend the product’s shelf life, suggesting a promising approach for enhancing the nutritional profile and storage stability of meat products. Keywords: Fermented carabeef sausage, dietary fibre, wheat bran, storage study

Animal models have been critical in understanding the pathogenesis, transmission, and therapeutic interventions for COVID-19, caused by SARS-CoV-2. The primary challenges include species-specific differences in viral receptor expression, particularly the ACE2 receptor, and immune system responses, which can affect how closely these models mimic human COVID-19 pathology. Additionally, ethical concerns around the use of animals, especially non-human primates, and logistical issues such as high costs, housing requirements, and limited availability of certain models, further complicate research efforts. Transgenic mice expressing human ACE2 (hACE2) are widely used because of their ease of handling and cost-effectiveness. Other animal models include non-human primates, hamsters, cats, and ferrets, which were used to study viral transmission and host-pathogen interactions. The rapid dynamics of the SARSCoV-2 evolution is one of the challenges and the complementary use of multiple models provides a more comprehensive understanding of the disease. Nonetheless, these models have been essential for rapid advancements in COVID19 vaccine and therapeutic development, offering insights that continue to guide public health strategies. The review discusses the various animal models used in SARS-CoV-2 research, the outcomes, and the challenges and questions to be addressed Keywords: Animal models, SARS-CoV-2, COVID-19

A study was conducted at Avian Research Station, Thiruvazhamkunnu to study the effects of dietary supplementation of postbiotics derived from probiotic culture of Lactobacillus plantarum on growth performance and carcass characteristics of broiler chicken from day-old to 42 days of age. A total number of 180, day-old chicks were randomly allotted into six dietary treatment groups, viz., T1, T2, T3, T4, T5 and T6 having three replicates of ten birds each, in a completely randomised design. The birds in control group (T1) were fed with a standard broiler ration (SBR) formulated as per BIS (2007).The treatment group T2 were fed with the SBR containing chlortetracycline. Diets for T3 to T6 were formulated by inclusion of 0.15 per cent postbiotic (T3), 0.3 per cent postbiotic (T4), 0.45 per cent postbiotic (T5) and 0.6 per cent postbiotic (T6), respectively.Supplementation of 0.45 per cent postbiotic exhibited significantly (p

The study was carried out to assess the impact of heat stress on dairy cows in late gestation and their newborn calves. Study was conducted in two phases in crossbred cattle during last trimester of pregnancy, maintained in University Livestock Farm and Fodder Research Development Scheme, Mannuthy, KVASU. December to February with minimum THI was taken as season 1 and March to May with maximum THI as season 2 of the study. Microclimatic data in the animal shed was recorded three times at three days intervals. The ambient temperature, relative humidity and THI obtained during season 2 was significantly (p

The study aimed to evaluate suitable hormonal treatment regimen for inducing oestrus in postpartum anoestrus Vechur cows and its reproductive outcome. The efficiency of Ovsynch and Ovsynch + progesterone protocols in 12 anoestrus cows was studied. Six anoestrus cows were kept as untreated control and they were observed for a period of 180 days postpartum. Both treatment protocols resulted in a complete oestrus induction response of 100 per cent. The interval from treatment to induced oestrus was significantly lower in the Ovsynch group (50.10 ± 1.44 h) than in the Ovsynch + progesterone (54.40 ± 0.48 h) group. In comparison to the control group, treatment group animals displayed a high intensity score for oestrus. The duration of oestrus in the Ovsynch group (26.41 ± 0.53 h) was significantly longer than the control (24.45 ± 0.46 h) group and the Ovsynch + progesterone group (24.13 ± 0.42 h). The overall conception rate for three consecutive AI in Ovsynch, Ovsynch + progesterone and control group were 66.67, 83.33 and 33.33 per cent, respectively. The calving to conception intervals were significantly (p

The research focused on development of fish feed utilising poultry by-product meal (PBM) as a substitute for fish meal (FM) and evaluating its shelf life under aerobic packaging conditions. Initially, a basal diet (C) was formulated to meet the nutritional requirements for optimal growth of Tilapia by using FM as the major protein source. After analysing the nutritional composition of PBM, an isoproteinaceous diet (T) was formulated by replacing FM with PBM. The product was packed in HDPE bags and kept at room temperature and analysed for physico chemical and microbial characteristics for 45 days at weekly intervals. Moisture content of both C and T decreased significantly (p0.05) was found between C and T. The TBARS value of both C and T followed an increasing trend. This increase in C was not significant (p

The aim of this study was to assess effectiveness of transversus abdominis plane block as part of a multimodal anaesthetic protocol in controlling perioperative nociception/ pain in dogs that underwent mammary tumour excision. The study included twelve dogs belonging to different breeds and ages. The dogs were classified according to the American Society of Anaesthetists (ASA) classification of physical status, based on their pre-anaesthetic evaluations and were divided into two groups: I and II, each with six dogs. Dogs in both groups received dexmedetomidine for premedication and diazepam-propofol for induction. Group I dogs were subjected to Transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block and Group II dogs were given butorphanol. Pain score was assessed using the Glasgow Composite Measure Pain Scale (GCMPS-SF) at one hour post-operatively. The pain score was significantly lower in Group I. None of the dogs in Group I required rescue analgesia. TAP block proved beneficial in mitigating nociception and postoperative pain in dogs undergoing mammary tumour excision. Keywords: Mammary tumour resection, TAP block, post-operative pain

Ethnoveterinary medicine focuses on the practical use of community or area based traditional and indigenous knowledge including the collection, preparation and administration of medicinal plants or plant parts for curing diseases of animals. Hydnocarpus pentandra is a plant endemic to South India which is traditionally known for the antileprotic activity of its seed oil. Diverse pharmacological activities of the plant extracts depend on the presence of its secondary metabolites. The present research was conducted to explore the phytochemical constituents present in the acetone solvent extract of the seeds of H. pentandra. Preliminary phytochemical screening of the extract using colorimetric reactions revealed the presence of steroids, triterpenes, diterpenes, flavonoids, alkaloids and carbohydrates. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis revealed the presence of different compounds which included paromomycin, D-streptamine, carnegine, 4-propyl acridine and R-limonene. The acetone extract could be considered as a potent source of new molecules with different pharmacological actions. Keywords: Hydnocarpus pentandra, phytochemical screening, secondary metabolites

The current study was conducted to evaluate the quality of specific fractions of three Large White Yorkshire (LWY) boar semen samples. Fifteen semen samples were collected by gloved hand method as an initial 10 mL of sperm rich fraction (SRF- F1), remaining SRF (F2) and whole semen. Samples were evaluated for colour, volume, pH, sperm concentration and progressive motility. The first 10 mL of SRF of boar semen contained 25 per cent of the total ejaculate spermatozoa and was able to withstand cooling, freezing and thawing better than the spermatozoa of the bulk ejaculate. A significant difference between the fractions was observed in the volume of semen ejaculated, pH and sperm concentration across different fractions of the same ejaculate. The differences in semen fractions were attributed to the differences in the composition of seminal plasma of the initial fraction of SRF Keywords: Boar semen, sperm rich fraction, semen evaluation

In pigs, stress factors such as pathogenic infections, environmental conditions, and various managemental practices can lead to a disease condition known as Porcine respiratory disease complex (PRDC). The main viral agents associated with this condition are Porcine circovirus 2 (PCV2), Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV), swine influenza virus (SIV), porcine respiratory coronavirus (PRCV), and pseudorabies virus. A study was undertaken to assess whether PCV2 and PRRSV, alone or in combination, are present in cases of respiratory ailments of pigs in North Kerala. The presence of PCV2 was detected by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) targeting the open reading frame 2 (ORF2) of the virus and PRRSV was detected by reverse transcriptase PCR (RT-PCR) targeting ORF6. A total of 54 tissue and lung samples were collected and screened for the presence of PCV2 and PRRSV. Of the samples tested, PCV2 could be detected in 22 (40.74 %) and PRRSV could be detected in 13 (24.07 %) samples. Two tissue samples showed mixed infections with PCV2 and PRRSV. The result shows that viral agents associated with PRDC are prevalent in pigs in North Kerala and that coinfections are also present. Keywords: Porcine respiratory disease complex, Porcine circovirus 2, Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus, polymerase chain reaction

Bovine meat and milk factors (BMMF) having structural similarity to plasmids of Acinetobacter baumanni and some single stranded (ss) DNA viruses are free circulating replication-competent circular ssDNA molecules which were first isolated from serum of Bos taurus animals. Isolation of BMMF from tissues of multiple sclerosis as well as some cancers led researchers to conclude that the consumption of these agents through milk and meat have a positive correlation with these diseases and that the absence of such molecules in B. indicus animals could account to the low occurrence of cancer in those areas consuming products of indigenous animals. Hence, the present study was designed to investigate its presence in Deoni, one of the indigenous cattle breeds of India. The DNA isolated from milk samples were subjected to rolling circle amplification (RCA) using exo-resistant random primers. The products of RCA were then used as template for PCR for amplification of circular DNA. The amplicons obtained of size around 2000bp were cloned in E. coli and sequenced. The BLASTn, multiple sequence alignment and phylogenetic analysis of the obtained sequences were carried out to identify the similarities of these isolates. The sequence showed maximum homology with either BMMF2 or plasmids of Acinetobactor spp. Replication initiation protein (Rep) which showed similarity to bacterial plasmids was present in the sequence. This is the pioneer report on the presence of BMMF in milk of indigenous cattle of India. Keywords: BMMF, replication-competent, circular ssDNA, Deoni

Substance P, a neurotransmitter in the central and peripheral nervous system, is considered as a biomarker of pain due to its key role in nociception. But recent researches have proved the increased expression of Substance P and its receptors in human breast cancers and their role in its progression. Canine mammary glands and spontaneously occurring neoplasms in them are considered best models for human breast cancers. Hence as a preliminary study, the present research work was undertaken to assess the level of Substance P in dogs with mammary tumours in comparison to healthy dogs. From the dogs brought for ovariohysterectomy and mammary tumour resection, 20 female dogs were selected for the study. Signalment and detailed history regarding each dog were recorded. All the dogs were subjected to thorough preanaesthetic evaluation and were grouped into Group I (mammary tumour) and II (control group) with 10 dogs each. Blood was collected from all the dogs and serum was separated and stored at -20ºC for estimation of substance P. The same was performed using sandwich ELISA technique with canine specific Substance P ELISA kit. The values obtained for Group I and II were statistically analysed using independent t- test. The level of substance P was significantly higher in the dogs of Group I when compared to Group II Keywords: Substance P, mammary tumour, dogs

The increasing incidence of tick-borne diseases and the growing resistance to conventional acaricides underscore the urgent need for innovative and sustainable tick management strategies. This study investigates the potential of assembly and sex pheromones for the control of larval stages of Rhipicephalus sanguineus, the brown dog tick, which poses significant health risks to dogs. The ticks were collected from various canine hosts in Thrissur, Kerala and subjected to Petri-dish bioassays using vapour patches impregnated with synthetic assembly pheromone (AP) and sex pheromone (SP), both individually and in combination. The efficacy of these semiochemicals was assessed based on the attraction and clustering behaviour of unfed larvae and partially fed adult ticks over a 24-hour period. Results demonstrated a significantly higher attraction to AP-impregnated patches, with notable efficacy observed in causing tick aggregation, particularly beyond 30 min of exposure. While SP also showed potential in attracting ticks, the combination of SP and AP did not result in a synergistic effect. The study highlights the potential of using semiochemicals as an environmentally sustainable alternative to traditional acaricides, highlighting their role in integrated pest management strategies Keywords: Rhipicephalus sanguineus, adenine, guanine, xanthine, 2,6-DCP, Petri-dish bioassay

An insecticidal efficacy of silver nanoparticles (AgNps) synthesised from aqueous leaf extract of Eucalyptus tereticornis, was carried out against adults, larval and pupal stages of Haematobia flies. In in vitro adulticidal and larvicidal assays the mortality ranged between 30.0 to 67.0 and 5.0 to 75.0 per cent in treated groups after 24 hours at different concentrations, respectively. The inhibition of pupation ranged between 5.0 to 30.0 per cent after 24 hours by dipping method. The lethal concentration values were calculated for all the assays. The probit analysis revealed the significant (p

Increasing incidence of prolonged oestrus reported in cross-bred dairy cows bred through artificial insemination (AI), is attributed to various causative factors and underlying mechanisms. The present study was to assess the pattern of follicular growth, oestrogen secretion, and conception on the first and second day of oestrus and to understand the influence of thermal stress as a causative factor for oestrus prolongation. The year-round study involved 52 crossbred cows intensively managed under a hot humid climate, during their second and third months postpartum. Animals were examined for the status of ovarian follicles, oestrogen level, and conception to AI on Day 0 and Day 1 of oestrus confirmation and the findings were compared across seasons. While oestrus detection rate (ODR) and conception of AI were lowest during the summer season attributable to maximum TS, better ODR (P

Schistosomosis is a prevalent zoonotic parasitic disease affecting both humans and animals on a global scale, with an estimated 165 million cattle and 200 million people impacted worldwide. Eventhough, serological methodologies designed for the identification of specific antibodies targeting parasitic antigens are esteemed for their high sensitivity, there are criticisms due to their incapacity to reliably indicate active infection, inability to correlate with the intensity of infection and lack of specificity. Enhancing the specificity of serological assays presents a significant challenge, primarily attributable to the identification and synthesis of specific antigens. In addressing these limitations, recombinant technology with specific immunogenic proteins as candidate antigens emerges as a viable alternative. In this study, induction of 22.6 kDa recombinant tegument protein of Schistosoma spindale was achieved using 0.6 mM concentration of IPTG at 37°C for four hours. Nickel chelating affinity chromatography was employed for protein purification, yielding maximum protein concentration at 75mM elution. Subsequently, the dialysis technique was employed to remove contaminants, while lyophilisation method was employed for protein concentration. The protein concentration post dialysis was measured at 0.220 mg/mL, while lyophilisation resulted in a concentration of 2mg/m Keywords: 22.6 kDa tegumental protein, Schistosoma spindale, dialysis, lyophilisation

Gastric ulcer is a significant clinical issue in dogs, with higher prevalence in mature animals and often occurs secondary to systemic diseases such as hepatic or renal disorders, Addison’s disease or shock. This case report highlights a four-and-a-half-year-old intact male Rottweiler presented with persistent vomiting, anorexia, abdominal pain and anemia. Diagnostic imaging, including radiography, ultrasonography and endoscopy, revealed gastric ulceration and the presence of radiopaque lead pellets in the pyloric region of the stomach. Histopathological examination confirmed extensive gastric mucosal damage.Treatment included the elimination of lead, fluid therapy and administration of proton pump inhibitors, antibiotics and mucosal protectants. Incorporating psyllium husk into the diet helped to enhance lead excretion. Follow-up imaging after two weeks showed absence of lead pellets and normal gastric mucosa. This case underscores the importance of comprehensive diagnostic and therapeutic approaches for chronic gastric ulcers in dogs, emphasising the role of multimodal imaging and targeted treatment strategies. Keywords: Dog, gastric ulcers, diagnostics, therapeutics

Abstract Background Studying movement patterns of individual animals over time can give insight into how they interact with the environment and optimize foraging strategies. Humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) undertake long seasonal migrations between feeding areas in polar regions and breeding grounds in tropical areas. During the last decade, several individuals have had up to a 3-month stop-over period around specific fjord-areas in Northern Norway to feed on Norwegian spring-spawning (NSS-) herring (Culpea harengus L.). Their behavioral patterns during this period are not well understood, including why some whales seemingly leave the fjords and then later return within the same season. Methods To investigate whale behavior during this seasonal stopover, we classified humpback whale tracks into five distinct movement modes; ranging, encamped, nomadic, roundtrip and semi-roundtrip. A behavioral change point analysis (BCPA) was used to select homogeneous segments based on persistence velocity. Then, net squared displacement (NSD) over time was modeled to differentiate movement modes. This study also manually identified longer roundtrips away from the fjords that lasted several days and examined movement modes within these. Results Inside the fjord systems, encamped mode was most prevalent in December–January, suggesting the whales were mainly foraging on overwintering NSS-herring in this area. During the same winter seasons, half of the whales left the fjords and then returned. We hypothesize that these trips serve as ‘searching trips’ during which the whales seek better feeding opportunities outside the fjords. If better foraging conditions are not found, they return to the fjords to continue their feeding. The overall most common mode was ranging (54%), particularly seen during the start of their southwards migration and in areas outside the fjord systems, indicating that the whales mainly moved over larger distances in the offshore habitat. Conclusions This study serves as a baseline for future studies investigating both the searching trip theory and humpback whale behavior in general, and confirms that this method could be useful to analyze local scale movement patterns of satellite tagged whales.

This paper presents a potential strategy for the development of an antiviral agent against FMDV, specifically O Pan-Asia-2, A Iran 05 and SAT2/EGY/2012. Examining the potential use of interferon from the Bovine Ephemeral Fever Virus (BEFV) as a therapy is an intriguing approach. In order to test the cell toxicity and anti-FMDV in African green monkey kidney cell (Vero) and Baby Hamster Kidney Cell (BHK) cell lines up to serial dilutions of 10-7, BEFV was used to produce interferon in Vero and MDBK cell lines 12, 24, and 48 hours after cell infection. The in vitro findings showed that the cell safety and the ability of the prepared interferon to exhibit antiviral effects against various three FMDV serotypes, especially when administered shortly before or concurrently with the virus, are encouraging. The highest anti-FMDV effective dilution of the obtained interferon, either by Vero or MDBK cells, ranged from 10-3 to 10-4. This suggests that the interferon may be able to activate cellular antiviral mechanisms and disrupt FMDV infection. The next critical step will be conducting further in vivo studies to evaluate the efficacy, safety, and potential side effects of the interferon-based treatment. This will provide important insights into virus-host interactions and the broader therapeutic potential of this approach. Some key areas for future research could include: expanding the testing of the interferon against additional FMDV serotypes to assess its breadth of coverage; Optimizing the administration parameters, such as timing, dose, and route, to maximize the antiviral effect, Investigating the specific mechanisms by which the interferon inhibits FMDV replication and spread, Evaluating the interferon's impact on disease progression and transmission in animal models, Assessing any potential negative effects or toxicity in the treated animals. The development of effective antivirals against FMDV is critical for controlling outbreaks and protecting livestock. This research represents a promising line of investigation that warrants further study.

The rationality in the use of veterinary drugs among sheep farmers has been a concern, particularly in remote areas of Lesotho. In this light, a descriptive survey was conducted where a cross-sectional design was employed to collect the data on the availability and rational use of veterinary drugs from a total of 102 sheep farmers. SPSS (Version 20.00) was used for data analysis, where the crosstabs within descriptive statistics were used to determine percentages while the significance was tested using both the Chi-square test and Fisher‘s exact test. Sheep farming in the study area is mostly dominated by adult men who are mostly married and have attained primary school leaving certificates, as reflected by 51.9% and 48.7% in rural and peri-urban villages, respectively. The use of commercial drugs for the control of diseases surpasses the use of medicinal plants, as demonstrated by 95.8% and 86.8% of responses in the rural and peri-urban villages, respectively. Moreover, the greater proportion of sheep farmers (83.3% and 89.1% in the rural and peri-urban, respectively) have not been trained on the use of veterinary drugs; however, it was observed that most of them diagnose and treat their animals on their own. The availability of veterinary services among sheep farming communities is very poor and mostly, farmers rely on farm feeds and hawkers as sources of drugs. The common method for dosage measurement is by guessing the animal’s body weight. Most farmers are not aware of the withdrawal period following animal treatment as reflected by 78.2% and 63.8% of farmers in rural and peri-urban villages, respectively. Veterinary drugs are mostly stored at room temperature. In conclusion, the availability of veterinary drugs among farming communities is very poor and drugs are mostly irrationally used.

Hard corals are precious marine creatures that comprise a complex form of symbiosis between symbiont algae and coral holobiont. For decades, corals have been challenged by disastrous events of climatic and anthropogenic etiologies. Such complex interactions have resulted in devastating disease episodes among coral populations worldwide. There is a scarcity of information about diseases of hard corals in the Gulf of Aqaba, Red Sea, Egypt. Therefore, the current study aims to investigate various diseases of hard corals in this pristine habitat within the Red Sea. Whitening and dark green dots were the most noticeable morphopathology among hard coral samples collected from Gulf of Aqaba. Some human-based pathogens, such as Rothia kristinae, Cupriavidus pauculus, and Delftia acidovorans, were isolated from some of the examined coral tissues, while the Burkholderia cepacia group was isolated from the nearby sediment. The final identities of the above-mentioned bacterial isolates have been molecularly confirmed using 16S RNA sequence analysis. Pathologically, diseased corals have been observed with changes such as some forms of tissue losses, degenerative changes, and eosinophilic granular amoebocytes/agranular cells infiltration. The frequent detection of some microbial pathogens of human origin could suggest deleterious forms of environmental pollution of anthropogenic origin. Ultimately, the entire existence of hard coral populations is mostly threatened by swiftly erupting climatic changes as well as environmental aquatic pollution. Thus, the current study concludes the real need for extensive ecological, biological, pathological, and immunological studies to determine the eminent threats and propose possible control means for better/sustainable hard coral populations.

Gumboro, or infectious bursal disease (IBD), represents a significant threat to poultry worldwide due to its genetic and pathogenic variations. Viruses can mutate and produce new variants, which can have an impact on the epidemiological situation. The study will determine and assess the genetics, protein sequence, and pathogenicity of IBDV present in broiler flocks in different locations within Ismalia and Dakahlia Governorates, Egypt, in 2022. A total of 150 bursa samples were collected from 15 broiler flocks exhibiting symptoms indicative of IBDV infection. The VP2 (viral protein2) gene was partially detected and then subjected to complete gene sequencing in order to summarize the key genetic mutations found and histopathological examination. The results demonstrated that 12 out of 15 farms were infected with IBDV. Genetic analysis revealed that 10 of the 12 identified strains belonged to genogroup 3, which was similar to previous Egyptian strains. The remaining two strains were of genus 1. The VP2 gene's hypervariable region displayed amino acid alterations at several positions. Classic IBDV strains (genogroup 2) showed similar amino acid profiles. Amino acid alterations were identified in the VP2 gene, indicating that classic IBDV strains may cause damage to the bursa of Fabricius, leading to immunosuppression. In Egypt, vvIBDV (very virulent infectious bursal disease virus) strains have led to recurring outbreaks and high chick mortality rates. These findings are anticipated to contribute to the latest features of IBDV in the examined regions. Therefore, it is recommended that IBDV immunization programs in Egypt, where live attenuated virus vaccinations are common, be reevaluated. It is also recommended that the evaluation of clinical signs in broiler chicken flocks over time be monitored for diagnosis.

Nowadays, diseases are a major concern in fish production, particularly in gills, which play a crucial role in blood oxygenation, acid-base balance, osmoregulation, and waste elimination. Fungal infections, particularly Branchiomyces, cause respiratory problems in fish. This study aims to determine the causative agent causing high mortality in common carp, Cyprinus carpio, in the middle Euphrates in Iraq. One hundred infected fish were sampled for microbial, histological, and molecular examination. Gill tissue was examined as well for histological alterations, and DNA was isolated from Branchiomyces and amplified with universal primers. Microscopically identifying Branchiomyces spp. using lactophenol staining, non-separated hyphae and spores (5–9 m in size) at various stages inside the structures of gill tissue were present. Histopathological examination revealed hyperplasia of epithelial cells and infusion of gill filaments, while primary gill filaments displayed severe hemorrhage and edema. Hyphae of Branchiomyces have been detected between necrotic and edematous myofiber. The ITS PCR products of the fungal isolate were found to be positive at 540 bp molecular weight. Economic losses can occur as a result of fish infections caused by Branchiomyces. Histopathological lesions in gill tissue indicated the presence of Branchiomyces infection, which was confirmed by molecular and microscopical examination.

This research aimed to study the effect of supplementation of Lactobacillus brevis and a combination of Lactobacillus brevis and Enterococus faecalis on growth performance, bacterial population and serum biochemical parameters in broilers. A total of 200 one-day-old chicks were obtained from a local hatchery. They were divided into four groups: group 1 served as a control, group 2 received commercial probiotics, group 3 received Lactobacillus brevis, and group 4 received the combination. The main parameters measured through 6 weeks were body weight, food intake, food conversion ratio (FCR), blood total protein, albumin and cholesterol. In addition to enumeration of bacteria from cloaca and caecum. The results showed a statistically significant increase in body weight (26%) for the group receiving the combined supplementation compared to the control. Similarly, there was a significant increase in FCR for this group compared to the control. The results also showed an increase in the Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) count in the caecum and a decrease in the total late count (TPC) and coliform count, showing the inhibitory effect of LAB. Also, there was a significant decrease in cholesterol and albumin level, while there was no difference between the different groups regarding protein level. The results showed that Lactobacillus brevis and Enterococus faecalis have a good potential to be used as probiotics in poultry.

Prevalent etiological agents and treatment options are essential for diagnosing and managing fish diseases. Therefore, in this study, enumeration and identification of the total bacterial count in water, skin, and gastrointestinal tract of 75 moribund cultured Clarias gariepinus from different culture facilities were investigated using standard microbiological procedures. Following that, the antibiotic susceptibility of the isolated bacteria to eight antibiotics was tested using the Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method. Various clinical signs and pathological lesions were observed on the sampled moribund fish. Total bacterial count varied significantly (P < 0.05) regardless of the types of culture facilities. Bacteria species from eight different genera were present, comprising three Gram-positive bacteria; Bacillus subtilis, Streptococcus agalactiae, and Staphylococcus aureus; and five Gram-negative bacteria; Aeromonas hydrophila, Citrobacter freundii, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Salmonella enterica were identified in which Gram-negative bacteria (> 70 %) were the most prevalent type of bacteria isolated. There was an association between the bacteria species isolated from the water and the different parts of the fish sampled regardless of the culture facilities. The antibiogram of the bacteria recovered revealed different sensitivity and resistance profiles. More than fifty percent of the Gram-negative bacteria were sensitive to ciprofloxacin, while the Gram-positive bacteria were susceptible to ciprofloxacin and gentamycin (> 40 %). Amoxicillin, ampicillin oxytetracycline, and tetracycline resistance were high in the bacteria isolates. This study confirmed the presence of antibiotic-resistant pathogenic bacteria isolated with a multiple antimicrobial resistance (MAR) index of 0.63 - 0.75, indicating indiscriminate and irrational use of antibiotics.

A biomarker is defined as a detectable biomarker of a specific state and is often measured in urine, blood, milk, sweat, tear or soft tissue, either in physiological or pathological conditions. Of these commonly used biomarkers specifically for heart injury, there are cardiac troponin I (cTnI) and N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide. The cardiac troponin I is a sensitive biomarker formed by the injured cardiac cells and hence is used in humans for the early discovery of cardiac injury, and in parallel, it is used for prognostic purposes. Veterinary medicine widely uses cTnI as a marker for myocardial injury. In equines, cTnI was found to be a useful marker for the diagnosis of either primary or secondary myocardial injuries. It has also been used in newborn dogs to predict hypoxia and cardiac injury as a result of perinatal asphyxia. In neonatal calves with congenital heart anomalies, it was reported that the affected animals had a higher concentration of cTnI. In lambs with myocarditis, it was reported that significant levels of serum cTnI were detectable in diseased cases compared to healthy ones. This review article was written to emphasize the clinical significance of cTnI as a sensitive biomarker for cardiac injury in animals either in physiological or pathologic states. It has been concluded from several pathological and physiological studies that cTnI is a highly specific cardiac biomarker. It can detect myocardial injury due to primary cardiac disorders such as pericarditis, endocarditis and myocarditis. Also, it can predict cardiac injury in some non-cardiac-affected cases that can affect the heart, such as racing competitions, long road transportation, extensive training, difficult parturition, Downer syndrome, general anesthesia, infestation with external parasites such as ticks, calcium injection in extremely high doses, injection of cardiac glycosides, and use of the electroejaculation method to collect semen.

Egyptian consumers' demand and preference for sauces like mayonnaise have increased lately. The processing and packaging techniques of such products may safeguard the consumer from bacterial hazards, although mold and/or mycotoxins are still expected hazards in such products.Therefore, the current investigation is intended to determine the incidence of mold and aflatoxin B1 in commercial mayonnaise sold in Egyptian markets.A total of thirty mayonnaise samples were arbitrarily gathered from Cairo and Giza governorates in order to determine the presence of mold using cultivation techniques and AFB1 using a low-cost high-recovery fluorescence detector (FLD) in combination with an easy-to-use, highly specific and specially developed High-Pressure Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) assay that adhered to green chemistry principles.About 53.33% of the examined samples were positive for AFB1, while mold couldn’t be detected in any of the examined samples. It was also discovered that 43.33% of AFB1 in total samples was below the maximum permitted threshold. Therefore, more attention is required from the authorities for continuous examination of such products that are present in the market for the incidence of chemical contamination with aflatoxin.