Determination of the factors affecting live weight gain using factor analysis and stepwise regression model

Nucleotide variability of partial somatotropin hormone (STH) gene in mithun (Bos frontalis)

Subodh Kumar, Saurabh Gupta, Ram Prasath Manohar V., S.M. Deb, Abhijit Mitra, Arjava Sharma and K.M. Bujarbaruah (India)

Molecular method of sex identification in Siberian White crane (Grus eucogeranus)

Influence of dietary cinnamon oil supplementation on fatty acid composition of liver and abdominal fat in broiler chicken

Physicochemical changes in quail eggs (Coturnix coturnix japonica) after storage at different temperatures

Efficacy of in-feed valnemulin hydrochloride for the treatment and control of ileitis in weaning and growing pigs

Relationship between hygienic aspects and milk production characteristics of Holstein cows

Effects of dietary Tribulus terrestris L. powder on growth performance, body components and digestive system of broiler chicks

Plasma and amniotic fluid nitric oxide level and adenosine deaminase activity in sheep

^aDepartment of Animal Sciences

The University of Arizona, Tucson, 85721, USA

^bCAPS Inc., Amarillo, TX 79109, USA

(Received October 28, 2008; accepted March 06, 2009)

McMurphy, C.P., Duff, G.C., Harris, M.A., Sanders, S.R., Chirase, N.K., Bailey, C.R. and Ibrahim, R.M. 2009. Effect of humic/fulvic acid in beef cattle finishing diets on animal performance, ruminal ammonia and serum urea nitrogen concentration. J. Appl. Anim. Res., 35: 97-100.

This study was designed to investigate the effects of a humate supplement on rumen ammonia N (RAN), serum urea N (SUN) and live performance in beef cattle finishing diets. Twenty-four English cross steers (BW 432±5 kg) were stratified by weight, randomly assigned to individual pens and fed one of the four diets, containing 0 (control), 0.5, 1.0 or 1.5% humic/fulvic acid, for 56 d. Control diets contained 33.3 mg/ kg monensin. Steers were weighed at d 0, 28 and 56. Blood (jugular veni-puncture) samples and rumen (esophageal tube) samples were taken prior to feeding on d 0 and there after prior to and 4 h post feeding on d 28 and 56. Rumen fluid pH was determined immediately, acidified with HCl and stored (-20C) for subsequent RAN analysis. Serum was also stored (-20C) for analysis of SUN. During the 56 d period there was no difference in DMI (P>0.58), ADG (P>0.24) or G:F (P>0.28) between treatments. There were no two or three way interactions for SUN (P>0.95), RAN (P>0.87) or rumen pH (P>0.15). There was a tendency for a cubic response (P<0.10) for RAN and SUN, however, no biological significance could be determined. These results suggest that humic/fulvic acid does not affect DMI, ADG, G:F, SUN, RAN and pH in finishing steers when compared to those fed monensin.

Keywords: Beef cattle, humate, humic/fulvic acid.

¹Department of Ophthalmology

²Department of Pathology

³Gastroenterohepatology Research Center

Shiraz University of Medical Sciences

Shiraz 71345-1744, Iran

(Received June 19, 2008; accepted January 30, 2009)

Nejabat, M., Astaneh, A., Eghtedari, M., Mosallaei, M., Ashraf, M.J. and Mehrabani, D. 2009. Effect of honey in Pseudomonas aeruginosa induced stromal keratitis in rabbits. J. Appl. Anim. Res., 35: 101-104.

To evaluate the healing effect of honey in Pseudomonas aeruginosa induced keratitis, 26 eyes of 26 white New Zealand Rabbits were experimentally infected with P. aeruginosa. Ten eyes were treated with a 90% concentration of natural honey, 10 with topical 0.3% ciprofloxacin and 6 eyes were left untreated. After one week, the eyes were enucleated and evaluated clinically and microscopically. All corneas showed an opaque stromal infiltration at least 20 h post injection with progressive expansion only in the untreated group. There were no significant differences in clinical signs between honey and ciprofloxacin groups while hypopyone formation and clinical infiltration were greater in the control group. Cellular infiltration and density of organism were comparable in the two groups. Corneal perforation was found to be greater in the control group. It is concluded that, topical application of honey may be as effective as ciprofloxacin in P. aeroginosa induced keratitis.

Keywords: Honey, healing, keratitis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, ciprofloxacin.

Department of Animal Science

Faculty of Agriculture

Akdeniz University

07059 Antalya, Turkey

(Received April 3, 2008; accepted December 8, 2008)

Alkan, S., Karabag, K., Galic, A. and Balcioglu, M.S. 2009. Effects of season and line on egg yield traits in Japanese quails. J. Appl. Anim. Res., 35: 105-108.

This study was conducted to determine the effects of season and lines on age at sexual maturity, body weight at sexual maturity and some egg yield traits in 11 generations of selected Japanese quail. The material used in this research was selected from high (HL) or low (LL) body weight Japanese quail lines according to 5-week body weights and their random bred control line and layer line (L) for 120 d egg production. Average egg weight was the lowest in summer and in LL line, which also had lowest total egg number, total egg weight and hen day egg production. Maximum eggs were produced by L line, while heaviest eggs were produced by HL line. The highest and lowest ages at sexual maturity were determined in winter and summer seasons, respectively. Also, the heaviest first egg weight was found in winter season. It is concluded that lines and seasons generally affected quail egg production.

Key words: Selection, egg traits, temperature-humidity, sexual maturity, Japanese quail.

¹Instituto de Ciencias Agrícolas

Universidad Autónoma de Baja California

Mexicali, B.C. Av. Obregón y Julian Carrillo S/N

Mexicali. B.C. México C.P. 21100

²Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Autónoma de Baja California, calle Dr. Humberto Torres

Sanginés S/N Centro Cívico, Mexicali, B.C. México. C.P. 21100

³Facultad de Zootecnia

Universidad Autónoma de Chihuahua

Perif. Fco. R. Almada Km 1, Chihuahua, Chih. México. C.P. 31453

(Received September 8, 2008; accepted January 17, 2009)

Correa-Calderón, A., Leyva, C., Avendaño, L., Rivera, F., Diaz, R., Alvarez, F.D., Ardon, F. and Rodriguez, F. 2009. Effect of artificial cooling and its combination with timed artificial insemination on fertility of Holstein heifers during summer. J. Appl. Anim. Res., 35: 109-112.

In order to evaluate artificial cooling and timed artificial insemination (TAI) protocol on fertility during summer months, 90 Holstein heifers were randomly and equally assigned to three treatments: a) control group (S) with visual heat detection and insemination a.m-p.m after heat detection; b) a group (TAI+C) using a norgestomet ear implant (3 mg) plus an injection of 3 mg of norgestomet and 5 mg of estradiol valerate. The implant was removed after 9 d and 500 IU i.m of eCG were administered at the same time, plus a cooling period with spray and fans beginning at time of implantation until 21 d after AI; c) a third group (C) with heat detection and AI a.m-p.m, starting the artificial cooling when animals initiated in the treatment until 21 d after AI. Temperature-humidity index (THI) averaged 85 during the trial. T3 concentration increased in treatment groups. Conception rate among treatment groups was similar (P>.05). Artificial cooling increased heifers comfort and TAI plus cooling did not show any improvement on fertility.

Keywords: Holstein heifers, heat stress, conception rate, artificial cooling, fixed time insemination.

¹Veterinary Medicine Department

Veterinary Faculty

Complutense de Madrid University

28040-Madrid, Spain

²Veterinary Medicine Service

Veterinary Faculty

Las Palmas de Gran Canaria University

35413-Arucas (Las Palmas), Spain

(Received September 10, 2008; accepted February 10, 2009)

Caro, A., Ynaraja, E. and Montoya, J.A. 2009. Effects of short-term treatment with pimobendan in dogs with myxomatous valve disease. J. Appl. Anim. Res., 35: 113-117.

The aim of the study was to evaluate the short-term effects of pimobendan, a novel drug, in dogs with naturally occurring mitral valve myxomatous disease. The study involved twenty dogs with no previous treatment. The results show that pimobendan is well tolerated and can be administered effectively and safely in the treatment of congestive heart failure myxomatous mitral valve disease of the dog.

Keywords: Pimobendan, CHD, myxomatous mitral valve, heart, dog.

¹Animal Science Department

Agricultural Faculty, Yüzuncü Yil University

65080 Van-Turkey

²Animal Nutrition Department

Veterinary Faculty, Yüzüncü Yil University

Van-Turkey

³Medical School of Akhisar

Celal Bayar University

Manisa-Turkey

⁴Republic of Turkey

Ministry of Environment and Forestry

Van Country Management

Van-Turkey

⁵Ministry of Agricultural and Rural Affairs

Gevas District Management

Van-Turkey

(Received April 7, 2008; accepted February 10, 2009)

Demirel, M., Bolat, D., Eratak, S., Çelik, S., Bakici, Y., Çelik, S. and Güney, M. 2009. Effect of various additives and harvesting stages on rumen degradation of sunflower silages. J. Appl. Anim. Res., 35: 119-124.

To study effective degradability (nylon bag technique) of sunflower silage, as influenced by harvesting stage (blooming, milk or dough) or molasses (m)/ urea (u) mixture, seven different silage samples for each harvest stage [sunflower (SF) and 6 mixtures (2%mSF, 4%mSF, 2%m+0.5%uSF, 2%m+1%uSF, 4%m+0.5%uSF, 4%m+1%uSF)] were incubated for 70 days in 1 litter jars. The DM and CP effective degradation of SF silage was found to be similar at blooming and milking stage and higher than that of dough stage (P<0.05). The effective degradation of ADF and NDF of SF silage at milking and dough stages was lower than that of blooming stage. The positive effects of molasses and molasses+urea additives on effective degradability were observed. It was concluded that decreased degradability of nutrient matters because of its advanced vegetational stage could be partly compensated by using different amount of molasses and molasses+urea additives.

Keywords: Sunflower silage, harvesting stage, molasses, molasses+urea, effective degradability.

Northeast Institute of Geography and Agroecology

Chinese Academy of Sciences

Harbin, Heilongjiang, 150081, P.R. China

(Received July 16, 2008; accepted January 30, 2009)

Sun, H.X. and Zhou, D.W. 2009. Prediction of diet composition and intake of sheep grazing soybean and maize residues. J. Appl. Anim. Res., 35: 125-129.

This study aimed to quantify diet composition and daily DM intake of sheep grazing soybean and maize residues in the northeast of China. The diet composition and daily DM intake were evaluated using concentrations of odd alkane in residue and feces, combined with the method of total fecal collection. The average available dry matter was 1722 kg ha-1 and 408 kg ha-1 for soybean and maize residues, respectively, leaf being the most predominant. Weeds constituted a major component of dry matter intake. The ME and CP intake for soybean residue could satisfy the requirement of growth for sheep to some extent. But maize residue could only provide the ME and CP for maintenance. It was concluded that soybean residue is a more valuable feed source than maize residue for grazing sheep and classified grazing strategy should be considered in these regions.

Key words: Diet composition, intake, sheep, soybean, maize, residue.

¹Dipartimento di Scienze Sperimentali e Biotecnologie Applicate

Facoltà di Medicina Veterinaria

Università degli Studi di Messina

98168 Messina, Italy

²Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia

90100 Palermo, Italy

(Received September 08, 2008; accepted February 4, 2009)

Piccione, G., Casella, S., Giannetto, C., Monteverde, V. and Ferrantelli, V. 2009. Exercise-induced modifications on haematochemical and electrophoretic parameters during 1600 and 2000 meters trot races in Standardbred horses. J. Appl. Anim. Res., 35: 131-135.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the modifications of some haematochemical and electrophoretic parameters during two different workloads in Standardbred horses. Ten clinically healthy horses were divided into two equal groups, taking part in an official trot race at 1600 or 2000 meters course, respectively. Blood samples were collected from each horse at rest, after warm up, 0, 30 and 60 min after the end of the race. Serum concentrations of albumin, globulins, total proteins, total cholesterol, triglycerides, glucose, hydroxybutyrate, urea, creatinine, creatine kinase (CK), glutamate pyruvate transaminases (GPT) and glutamate oxalacetate transaminases (GOT) were assessed. Exercise increased triglyceride, glucose, creatinine and CK and decreased GOT which tended to reach rest level 60 min after exercise. Globulins were affected by exercise but there was no set pattern.

Key words: Athletic horse, haematochemical parameters, electrophoretic parameters, trot races, workload.

Fish Disease Laboratory

Department of Aquaculture

Faculty of Agriculture

Kochi University

200 Monobe otsu, Nankoku shi

Kochi 783-8502, Japan

(Received January 23, 2009; accepted March 08, 2009)

Hossain, M.M.M., Kawai, K. and Oshima, S. 2009. An inactivation method of Edwardsiella tarda vaccine for fish. J. Appl. Anim. Res., 35: 137-142.

The vaccine potential of inactivated E. tarda V-1 strain produced by pressure with French pressure cell (No 5501, OHTAKE Mfg, 941, Tokyo, Japan) was investigated. A major antigen at 37 kDa of E. tarda was obtained by SDS-PAGE and Western blot analysis. Pressure (PKC) killed E. tarda (600 kgf/cm2 for 5 min) showed enough antigen sustainability with moderate killing activity. Fish immunized with PKC showed no significant differences (P<0·05) with fish immunized with formalin (FKC) and low ampearage electric current (ECKC) in serum agglutination titers, but showed significantly higher bactericidal activity than fish immunized with FKC and ECKC. This study suggests pressure killed E. tarda (PKC) as a new vaccine candidate.

Keywords : Edwardsiella tarda, bacterial inactivation, pressure killed bacteria, low-ampearage electric current, immunization, agglutination and bactericidal activity.

^aDepartment of Animal Science

Faculty of Agriculture

University of Harran

Sanliurfa, Turkey

^bInstitute of Animal Science

University of Bonn

Endenicher Allee 15, 53115 Bonn, Germany

(Received July 9, 2008; accepted January 28, 2009)

Can, A., Hummel, J., Mobashar, M., Boeser, U. and Südekum, K-H. 2009. Comparison of sheep ruminal fluid with sheep and horse faeces as inoculum for in vitro gas production measurements. J. Appl. Anim. Res., 35: 143-148.

A total of 22 ruminant feedstuffs, 14 forages and 8 concentrates, originating from Turkey were used to determine kinetics of in vitro gas production using the Hohenheim gas test (HGT) protocol with multiple readings. Three different inocula sources were ruminal fluid (RF) from fistulated sheep, horse faecal suspension (HFS) and sheep faecal suspension (SFS). Maximum rate of gas production was highest with SFS 2.21 ml/h. The best regression equation for predicting 24 h rumen fluid gas production (ml) was obtained with HFS at 48 h [y = 0.92 ±0.03 x + 9.90 ±1.17; residual standard deviation, 4.43; coefficient of determination, 0.86]. However, more research is required to standardize and optimize the HFS method.

Key words: Horse, sheep, rumen, faeces, in vitro gas production, degradation kinetics.

Instituto de Investigaciones en Ciencias Veterinarias

Universidad Autónoma de Baja

California, Mexicali, B.C. 21100, México

(Received September 11, 2008; accepted January 27, 2009)

Plascencia, A., González-Vizcarra, V.M., López-Soto, M.A., May, D., Pujol, L.C., Ruiz, G.F. and Vega, S.H. 2009. Influence of cracked, coarse ground or fine ground corn on digestion, dry matter intake and milk yield in Holstein cows. J. Appl. Anim. Res., 35: 149-154.

Four ruminally cannulated Holstein cows (526±41 kg) with 112 d in milk were used in a 4x4 Latin square design. To evaluate the influence of corn processing on performance and digestive function, four dietary treatments were compared: 1) steam-flaked corn (SFC, density = 0.31 kg/l); 2) coarsely-ground corn (DRCG, density = 0.55 kg/l); 3) medium-coarsely ground-corn (DR-MG, density = 0.50 kg/l) and 4) fine ground corn (DR-FG, density = 0.45 kg/l). There were no effect (P>0.05) of coarseness of grind of dried rolled corn (DRC) on DMI, digestion or milk yield. Finely ground corn increased ruminal propionate concentration and decreased ruminal pH and acetate-to-propionate ratio. SFC increased (P<0.05) total tract digestion of OM, NDF, starch and DE content of diet. Even though, no difference in DMI and milk yield were observed among treatments, SFC increased (P<0.05) milk efficiency. It is concluded that feeding value of dry-processed corn to lactating cow diets was not enhanced by reducing the particle size of the kernels beyond to that obtained following coarse rolling.

Key words: Corn processing, cows, digestion, milk yield.

¹College of Life Science and Technology

Yancheng Teachers University

Yancheng Jiangsu Province, P.R. China, 224002

²Animal Science and Technology College

Yangzhou University

Yangzhou Jiangsu Province, P.R. China, 225009

(Received July 23, 2008; accepted February 24, 2009)

Rong-qing, G., Lan-ping, W., Hong, C., Yong-hong, Li., De-jun, J. and Chun-fang, C. 2009. Variations in the promoter region, the first exon and part of the first intron of bovine growth hormone gene. J. Appl. Anim. Res., 35: 155-158.

Variations in the promoter region, the first exon and part of the first intron of bovine growth hormone (bGH) gene were identified from five indigenous Chinese bovine species. Cloned and sequenced amplified fragments revealed two different bands (450bp and 453bp) compared with the GenBank bGH sequence M57764. Two new SNPs in Leiqiong cattle and one SNP in Gayal were identified in the promoter region. Four new SNPs were identified in Leiqiong cattle and one both from Mongolian cattle and Bazhou yak at the same position within the first intron. Regulatory elements of TATA box, CRE, NRE3, dPit1 and pPit1 were also identified in the promoter region of GH in five bovine species, suggesting to be strictly conservative during the course of evolution.

Keywords: Bovine, growth hormone gene, variation.

Department of Anatomical Sciences

Faculty of Veterinary Medicine

Shahre-kord Islamic Azad University

P.O. Box 166, Shahrekord, Iran

(Received July 24, 2008; accepted March 17, 2009)

Mobini, B. 2009. A preliminary histomorphometrical study on pancreas of duck. J. Appl. Anim. Res., 35: 159-160.

To detect the volume densities of different stromal and parenchymal structures of pancreas by morphometric studies six pairs of Iranian west domestic ducks (26-30 weeks) were used. Except for the exocrine tissue and blood vessels, the volume densities of other tissue structures of pancreas in male were more than female. In duck, pancreas has highly exocrine function and amount of enzyme production may be higher in the dorsal lobe of female, but the endocrine hormones (particularly glucagon) are more in ventral lobe of male.

Key words: Histomorphometric, pancreas, Iranian west ducks, volume density.

¹Department of Agricultural Economics

Faculty of Agriculture

Ataturk University

Erzurum, Turkey

²Hinis Vocational Training School

Animal Husbandry

Ataturk University

Hinis/Erzurum, Turkey

(Received June 3, 2008; accepted November 20, 2008)

Isik, H.B., Topcu, Y. and Guler, O. 2009. Determination of the factors affecting live weight gain using factor analysis and stepwise regression model. J. Appl. Anim. Res., 35: 161-164.

To examine the most important factors on weight gains of Brown Swiss (BS) and Holstein Friesian (HF) calves using factor and stepwise regression analyses 53 BS and 41 HF calves were observed from parturition to six months of age. The results showed that physical characteristics, feeding type, gender and breed all played an important role on weight gains of calves.

Keywords: Weight gain, feeding type, factor analysis, stepwise regression.

Animal Genetics Division

Indian Veterinary Research Institute

Izatnagar-243 122, India

(Received July 31, 2008; accepted January 27, 2009)

Kumar, S., Gupta, S., Manohar R.P.V., Deb, S.M., Mitra, A., Sharma, A. and Bujarbaruah, K.M. 2009. Nucleotide variability of partial somatotropin hormone (STH) gene in mithun (Bos frontalis). J. Appl. Anim. Res., 35: 165-168.

A fragment of 544 bp corresponding to exon 1 and 2 of somatotropin hormone (STH) gene was amplified in 90 mithun (Bos frontalis). The nucleotide sequence similarity of mithun with zebu cattle, yak, exotic cattle and buffalo was found to be 99.6, 99.4, 98.9 and 93.5%, whereas, the corresponding figures for deduced amino acid sequence were 100, 100, 99.4 and 98.8%, respectively. The PstI and PvuII PCR–RFLP analysis produced bands of 479, 65 and 448, 96 bp, respectively, in all the animals indicating no mutant allele and hence monomorphism in the mithun population studied. The sequence of the amplicon was submitted to GenBank (Accn no. EU166347).

Keywords: Bos frontalis, exon 1-2, mithun, PCR-RFLP, Pst I, PvuII, somatotropin hormone.

¹College of Animal Science and Technology

Yangzhou University

Yangzhou, 225009, China

²Faculty of Veterinary Science

University of Nyala

P.O. Box 155, Nyala, Sudan

(Received August 21, 2008; accepted February 1, 2009)

Bao, W.B., Musa, H.H., Luan, D.Q., Zhang, H.X. and Chen, G.H. 2009. Molecular method of sex identification in Siberian White crane (Grus eucogeranus). J. Appl. Anim. Res., 35: 169-172.

For sex identification nondestructive sampling method was used to collect feathers from Siberian White crane to extract genomic DNA. Thereafter, three combinations of primers were used to amplify the EE0.6 sequence. The male birds displayed only one distinct amplified band, whereas, females displayed two bands. The results concluded that PCR technique for sex-related gene amplification is successful for sex identification of Siberian White crane. This method may also guide for accurate sex identification of other endangered birds.

Keywords: EE0.6 sequence, Siberian White crane, sex identification.

Department of Animal Nutrition

Faculty of Veterinary Medicine

University of F2rat

Elaz2g, Turkey

²Department of Biology

Faculty of Science

University of Adiyaman

Adiyaman, Turkey

(Received June 23, 2008; accepted November 10, 2008)

Dalkilic, B., Ciftci, M., Guler, T., Cerci, I.H., Ertas, O.N. and Guvenc, M. 2009. Influence of dietary cinnamon oil supplementation on fatty acid composition of liver and abdominal fat in broiler chicken. J. Appl. Anim. Res., 35: 173-176.

The potential effects of essential oil from cinnamon on fatty acid compositions of liver and abdominal fat in broilers were studied. Two hundred and forty 5-d-old commercial broiler chicks (Ross–308) were divided into 4 equal groups of 60 birds in each and randomly assigned to four treatment diets with four replicates. Experimental groups were; corn-soybean meal basal diet (Control), basal diet supplemented with 10 mg/ kg Avilamycin (Antibiotic), 500 or 1000 ppm of cinnamon oil (C500, C1000). Poly unsaturated fatty acid (PUFA), omega–3 and omega–6 fatty acid levels of liver lipids were found higher but saturated fatty acid (SFA) levels were found lower in cinnamon oil added groups. The lowest mono unsaturated fatty acid (MUFA) level and the highest SFA level of abdominal fat were found in control group. Supplementation of cinnamon oil to diets could be considered as a natural alternative for producing poultry meat with more desirable PUFA.

Keywords: Broiler, cinnamon oil, fatty acid composition, liver, abdominal fat.

¹Sección de Estudios de Posgrado e Investigación en Alimentos

Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas

Instituto Politécnico Nacional

²Departamento de Producción Agrícola y Animal

Universidad Autónoma-Metropolitana, Unidad Xochimilco

México D.F.

(Received June 27, 2008; accepted March 16, 2009)

González Sánchez, J.F., Chamorro Ramírez, F.H. and Unzón, H.H. 2009. Physicochemical changes in quail eggs (Coturnix coturnix japonica) after storage at different temperatures. J. Appl. Anim. Res., 35: 177-180.

This study was conducted to evaluate the physicochemical properties of quail eggs stored at three temperatures: 3-5C (A), 19-23C (B) and 32C (C) after 10, 20, 30, 40, 50 or 60 d. As period of storage increased, the egg quality deteriorated and the deterioration rate increased with temperature. Biochemical changes during egg storage, were responsible for weight loss and interior quality deterioration, such as albumen height, yolk height, yolk index and air cell size. The loss in weight was related to the temperature and time storage conditions. It is concluded that for longer storage (60 d) quail eggs should be stored at round 4C.

Key words: Quail egg, storage, quality, characteristics.

¹Faculty of Veterinary Medicine

Aristotle University of Thessaloniki

541 24 Thessaloniki, Greece

²Foundation of Biomedical Research of the Academy of Athens

11 527, Athens, Greece

³NAGREF-Veterinary Research Institute

57 008, Thessaloniki, Greece

(Received September 30, 2008; accepted March 16, 2009)

Tzika, E.D., Papatsiros, V.G., Kyriakis, S.C., Alexopoulos, C., Lymberopoulos, A.G. and Kyriakis, C.S. 2009. Efficacy of in-feed valnemulin hydrochloride for the treatment and control of ileitis in weaning and growing pigs. J. Appl. Anim. Res., 35: 181-184.

To evaluate effect of in-feed valnemulin hydrochloride on control of proliferative enteropathy in weaning and growing pigs, 288 weaned piglets from a farm with a previous history of ileitis outbreaks were divided in three groups. The first group served as negative control, the second one received 50 ppm in-feed valnemulin hydrochloride, while the third one received 100 ppm in-feed tylosin phosphate for 21 d. Valnemulin hydrochloride and tylosin showed an effect in reducing diarrhea due to ileitis and the prevalence of Lawsonia intracellularis in faecal samples at the end of the growing period. There was also a significant improvement of productive parameters (body weight, ADG, FCR). Conclusively, the administration of valnemulin hydrochloride via feed, at the inclusion level of 50 ppm and for 21 d, controls ileitis significantly in weaned and growing piglets.

Keywords : Valnemulin hydrochloride, Ileitis, pigs.

Department of Animal Science

Faculty of Agriculture

University of Ondokuz Mayis

55139-Kurupelit, Samsun, Turkey

(Received August 22, 2008; accepted January 24, 2009)

Atasever, S. and Erdem, H. 2009. Relationship between hygienic aspects and milk production characteristics of Holstein cows. J. Appl. Anim. Res., 35: 185-188.

This study was conducted to determine the relationship between hygienic aspects and milk production characteristics in Holstein cows raised at the Black Sea region of Turkey. With 28 d intervals, hygiene status of udder and rear legs (UHS and HLS) were scored from cows presented in 70±14, 140±14 and 210±14 d in milk into 4 seasons. Hygienic aspects of lactating cows were assessed by a 1-5 scale where higher points indicated the cleaner ones. It was determined that hygiene scores reduced at both winter and spring seasons and also at earlier and later periods of lactation. Except for daily milk yield (dMY), all milk production characteristics (MPC) values were (P<0.01 and P<0.001) correlated with UHS and LHS. Thus, close relationships between MPC and hygienic status of cows clearly indicated that managemental factors related to cow cleanness in dairy farms play an important role to obtain higher milk especially at hot or rainy seasons and at the beginning or later lactation stages.

Key words: Milk production, udder hygiene, leg hygiene, Holstein.

¹Department of Veterinary Parasitology

College of Veterinary & Animal Sciences

Mannuthy, Thrissur, Kerala, India

²Department of Veterinary Parasitology

³Department of Animal Biotechnology

Madras Veterinary College

Chennai-600 007, India

(Received November 3, 2008; accepted March 3, 2009)

Rajagopal, A., Basith, S.A., Gomathinayagam, S. and Dhinakarraj, G. 2009. Evaluation of PCR and IFAT in the diagnosis of canine ehrlichiosis. J. Appl. Anim. Res., 35: 189-191.

The results of nested PCR were correlated with that of indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT) on 50 matched samples. The results were concordant in 44 out of 50 cases. PCR was concluded to be more suitable than IFAT in the diagnosis of early and subclinical infections of canine ehrlichiosis and served as a reliable indicator for determining the significance of persistent antibody titers.

Key words: Ehrlichia canis, nested PCR, IFAT.

Ahmet Ôahin*

Animal Science Department

Agriculture Faculty

Mustafa Kemal University

Hatay, 31034-Turkey

(Received July 8, 2008; accepted January 15, 2009)

Ôahin, A. 2009. Effects of dietary Tribulus terrestris L. powder on growth performance, body components and digestive system of broiler chicks. J. Appl. Anim. Res., 35: 193-195.

To test whether Tribulus terretris (TT) vegatative powder can be used as alternative to antibiotics in the diet of broiler chicks, 240 mixed sex day old broiler chicks were divided equally into four treatment groups fed basal diet supplemented with 0.06% alfamune and 0.025% flavomycine (control) or 4, 8, 12 g TT powder per kg. At all levels TT treated birds ate and gained less during 0–35 d. However, during the last week they ate at higher rate and exhibited compensatory growth. TT treated birds did not utilise food efficiently. TT decreased carcass yield (%) and increased weights of proventriculus, ileum + jejunum and empty gut. TT-treated broiler chicks survived as well as antibiotic supplemented ones. The use of TT powder as a feed additive may serve to produce antibiotic free poultry meat for better acceptability among consumers.

Keywords: Tribulus terrestris, feed additive, growth, body components, digestive morphology, antibiotic free poultry meat.

¹Department of Biochemistry

²Department of Gynecology and Reproduction

Faculty of Veterinary Medicine

University of Kafkas

36100, Kars, Turkey

(Received May 17, 2008, accepted November 16, 2008)

Atakisi, O., Atakisi, E., Pancarci, S.M. and Ozcan, A. 2009. Plasma and amniotic fluid nitric oxide level and adenosine deaminase activity in sheep. J. Appl. Anim. Res., 35: 197-199.

The objective of this study was to determine nitric oxide (NO) levels and adenosine deaminase (ADA) activities in plasma of pregnant (10) and non-pregnant (10) ewes and amniotic fluid at parturition in ewes. Plasma ADA activity was highest in pregnant ewes (P<0.001), whereas, NO level was highest in amniotic fluid. This is the first study to report ADA activities and NO levels in amniotic fluid of healthy pregnant ewes at parturition. The future studies are warranted to clarify the role of ADA activities and NO levels in amniotic fluid in relation to pregnancy and parturition.

Key words: Ewe, adenosine deaminase, nitric oxide, amniotic fluid, pregnancy.