Juan J. Morales¹, Rubén Loeza^1,2, Álvaro A. Ángeles², Felipe Montiel^1*

¹Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia

Universidad Veracruzana

Circunvalación S/N Esquina Yañez, C.P. 91710, Veracruz, Ver., México

²Campo Experimental “La Posta”

Instituto Nacional de Investigación Forestal, Agrícola y Pecuaria

Carretera Federal Veracruz-Córdoba, Paso del Toro, Ver., México

(Received October 08, 2008; accepted September 07, 2009)

Morales, J.J., Loeza, R., Ángeles, Á.A. and Montiel, F. 2009. Effect of high-energy diets on the performance of lactating sows in tropical climate. J. Appl. Anim. Res., 36: 175-178.

To study the effect of high-energy diets on performance of lactating sows in a tropical climate, 78 multiparous PIC sows on d 100 of gestation were divided into 4 groups (20x3, 18x1). From d 7 before parturition (d- 7) until d 21 of lactation (weaning), sows were fed ad libitum diets containing 3.2, 3.3, 3.4 or 3.5 Mcal ME/kg. At farrowing, BW was not different among diets (P>0.05), but at weaning it was lower for the control diet (P<0.05). BFT and BCS at farrowing and weaning and overall feed, energy and protein intake were lower for control group (P<0.05). Litter weight at birth was higher for the 3.5 Mcal ME/kg diet (P<0.05), and at weaning it was lower for the control diet (P<0.05). Weaning-first service interval was longer in control group (P<0.05). In conclusion, increasing the dietary energy content by adding fat improved the overall performance of lactating sows in a tropical climate and prevented them from decreasing their voluntary feed intake.

Keywords: Dietary energy, dietary fat, feed intake, lactation, sows.

A. Plascencia^*, E.G. Alvarez^*, M. Montaño^*, J. Salinas-Chavira^†, R.A. Zinn^‡1

^*Universidad Autónoma de Baja California

México

^†Universidad Autónoma de Tamaulipas

México

^‡Department of Animal Science

University of California

Davis 95616, USA

(Received January 16, 2009; accepted August 18, 2009)

Plascencia, A., Alvarez, E.G., Montaño, M., Salinas-Chavira, J. and Zin n, R.A. 2009. Effects of dietary calcium levels on growth-performance and digestive function in cattle fed a high-fat finishing diet. J. Appl. Anim. Res., 36: 179-184.

A growth performance and digestion trial was conducted to evaluate the influence of dietary calcium level on the feeding value of a high-fat (11%) finishing diet. Treatments consisted of three levels of dietary Ca: 0.50, 0.70 and 0.90% (DM basis). Ca source was limestone and yellow grease was included as supplemental fat. There were no treatment effects (P>0.20) on DMI. Increasing dietary Ca level enhanced ADG (P<0.10) and feed conversion (F:G, P<0.05). There were both linear (P<0.05) and quadratic (P<0.10) effects on dietary NE. Increasing Ca level from 0.7 to 0.9% increased dietary NEg by 8.0%. Carcass dressing percentage and LM area increased (P<0.10) with increasing dietary Ca level. There were no treatment effects (P>0.10) on total tract digestion of OM, ADF, lipid, starch or N. However, increasing Ca level from 0.7 to 0.9% decreased ruminal digestion of OM (P<0.05), ADF (P<0.10) and feed N (P<0.05), but enhanced (P<0.10) ruminal microbial efficiency and (P<0.01) ruminal N efficiency. Postruminal Ca disappearance tended to be greater (P<0.10) with 0.9% dietary Ca. Increasing dietary calcium level did not affect (P>0.20) either ruminal pH or ruminal soluble Ca. It is concluded that dietary Ca levels greater than 0.7% (DMB) are necessary to achieve optimal performance of feedlot steers fed a high-fat finishing diet.

Key words: Calcium, cattle, digestion fat, feedlot.

A. Ratriyanto^1,2, M. Eklund¹, D. Jezierny¹, R. Mosenthin^1*

¹Institute of Animal Nutrition

University of Hohenheim

Emil-Wolff-Str. 10, 70599, Stuttgart, Germany

²Department of Animal Science

Sebelas Maret University

Jl. Ir. Sutami 36A, 57126, Surakarta, Indonesia

(Received April 3, 2009; accepted September 11, 2009)

Ratriyanto, A., Eklund, M., Jezierny, D. and Mosenthin, R. 2009. Effect of betaine on ileal and total tract digestibilities and concentrations of bacterial metabolites in piglets. J. Appl. Anim. Res., 36: 185-190.

To investigate the effects of dietary betaine supplementation on ileal and total tract nutrient digestibilities and intestinal bacterial fermentation characteristics, 4 barrows (8.6 kg) were fitted with simple T-cannulae at the distal ileum. They were randomly allocated to a basal diet without or with 4.5 g betaine per kg assay diet (Betaine) with 4 repeated measurement periods. The betaine supplementation increased (P<0.05) ileal digestibility of dry matter by 1.2 percentage units and tended to increase ileal crude fiber (P=0.068) and glycine (P=0.057) digestibilities by 7.5 and 3.3 percentage units, respectively. Furthermore, betaine supplementation tended (P=0.117) to increase total tract crude fiber digestibility by 4.7 percentage units. Moreover, dietary betaine inclusion increased ileal short-chain fatty acid and fecal diaminopimelic acid concentrations (P<0.05), which indicates intensified intestinal bacterial activity. In conclusion, dietary betaine stimulates bacterial fermentation of fiber in the small and large intestine.

Keywords: Betaine, piglets, digestibility, bacterial fermentation.

Z. Saadatfar*, M. Asadian

Department of Anatomical Science

School of Veterinary Medicine

Ferdowsi University of Mashhad

Mashhad, 91775-1793, Iran

(Received January 13, 2009; accepted May 14, 2009)

Abstract

Saadatfar, Z. and Asadian, M. 2009. Anatomy of pancreas in mynah (Acridotheres tristis). J. Appl. Anim. Res., 36: 191-193.

In the present study the histology of the exocrine and endocrine portions of pancreas in Mynah have been studied. Mynah’s pancreas had three lobes. Acini were round to oval in shape with large granules. Ducts in exocrine part had simple to stratified cuboidal epithelium with muscular layer around and without any gland. In dorsal lobe, A islets were more than B islets and in ventral lobe, B islets were more than A islets. B islets were composed of B cells and D cells at the periphery. The structure of mynah’s pancreas was similar to that of other avian species with minor differences.

Key words: Avian pancreas, anatomy, histology, Mynah.

A. Nabipour, E. Alishahi, M. Asadian

Department of Anatomical Sciences

School of Veterinary Medicine

Ferdowsi University of Mashhad

Mashhad, 91775-1793, Iran

(Received February 23, 2009; accepted August 21, 2009)

Abstract

Nabipour, A., Alishahi, E. and Asadian, M. 2009. Some histological and physiological features of avian kidney. J. Appl. Anim. Res., 36: 195-198.

The detailed histology of the kidney was studied in rock dove, collared dove and owl (3 each). Each kidney consisted of a caudal, a middle and a cranial division. The cortex made up the vast majority of the kidney with only a small portion as medulla. They were arranged in cones of different lengths, which were distributed randomly within the kidney. Medullary nephron tubules were arranged in a sequential manner in all birds. Thick and thin limbs of Henle were separated by the collecting ducts. Histological and features of each component of nephron have been discussed.

Key words: Bird, kidney, histology, cortex, medulla.

J.H. Avellaneda-Cevallos¹, O. D. Montañez-Valdez^2*, S. González-Muñoz³, J. Pinos-Rodríguez⁴,  R. Barcena-Gama³, A. Hernández-Garay³

¹Unidad de Investigación Científica y Tecnológica

Universidad Técnica Estatal de Quevedo

Km 1.5 vía Quevedo-Santo Domingo, Quevedo, Ecuador

²Centro Universitario del Sur de la Universidad de Guadalajara

Departamento de Desarrollo Regional

Ciudad Guzmán Jalisco, México

³Colegio de Postgraduado

Montecillos, Texcoco Edo. de México, México

⁴Universidad Autónoma de San Luís Potosí

S.L.P. México

(Received January 24, 2009; accepted August 16, 2009)

Abstract

Avellaneda-Cevallos, J.H., Montañez-Valdez, O.D., González-Muñoz, S., Pinos-Rodríguez, J., Bárcena-Gama, R. and Hernández-Garay, A.. 2008. Effect of exogenous fibrolytic enzymes on dry matter and cell wall in vitro digestibility of Guinea grass hay. J. Appl. Anim. Res., 36: 199-202.

This experiment was conducted to study the effect of an exogenous fibrolytic enzymatic mixture (Fibrozyme 0, 1.0, 1.5 g enzyme/kg DM) on in vitro degradation (IVD) of dry mater (DM), neutral (NDF) and acid (ADF) detergent fibers of Guinea grass (Panicum maximum var. Mombasa) hay cut at 35 and 90 d. First phase of Tilley and Terry technique was used with 24, 48 and 72 h incubation. The IVD of DM at 72 h for Guinea grass cut at 35 d was higher than that of Guinea grass cut at 90 d. For all testing times the IVD of ADF of Guinea grass cut at 35 d was higher than that of Guinea grass cut at 90 d. Compared to the control, the enzyme increased IVD of ADF cut at 35 d for all incubation times. However, at 90 d IVD of ADF only increased at 24 h of incubation with enzyme. According to these results, the exogenous fibrolytic enzymatic mixture increases the in vitro digestibility of the cell wall of Guinea grass hay.

Keywords: Fibro-enzymes, Guinea-grass, in vitro.

B.K. Swain*, E.B. Chakurkar

ICAR Research Complex for Goa

Ela, Old Goa-403402, India

(Received December 26, 2008; accepted April 30, 2009)

Swain, B.K. and Chakurkar, E.B. 2009. Assessment of problend supplementation on the performance, and economics of production of Vanaraja chickens. J. Appl. Anim. Res., 36: 203-206.

To study the effect of dietary supplementation of Problend, (a mixture of probiotics , enzymes and yeast) on the growth performance and economics of production,160 (3 wk) Vanaraja chicks were randomly distributed into 4 equal groups and fed on a standard diet supplemented with 200, 300 or 400 mg Problend kg-1 diet. The body weight gain and feed conversion ratio improved (p<0.01) by supplementation of 400 mg Problend. The retentions of dry matter, protein and fat increased (P<0.01) with Problend supplementation. However, the cost of meat production increased only at the highest level. It is concluded that 400 mg problend per kg diet improved performance and economics of production of Vanaraja chickens.

Key words: Probiotics, enzymes, yeast, performance, nutrient utilization, economics, Vanaraja chickens.

Z.H. Sun^1,2, Z.R. Tang¹, Y.L. Yin^1*, R.L. Huang¹, T.J. Li¹, S.X. Tang¹, Z.L. Tan^1*

¹Key Laboratory for Agro-ecological Processes in Subtropical Region

Institute of Subtropical Agriculture

CAS, Hunan, 410125, P.R. China

²Graduate School of the Chinese Academy of Sciences

Beijing 100039, P.R. China

(Received January 04, 2009; accepted August 15, 2009)

Sun, Z.H., Tang, Z.R., Yin, Y.L., Huang, R.L., Li, T.J., Tang, S.X. and Tan, Z.L. 2009. Effect of dietary supplementation of galacto-mannan-oligosaccharides and chitosan on performance and serum immune parameters of 28-day weaned piglets challenged with pathogenic E. coli. J. Appl. Anim. Res., 36: 207-211.

To determine the effects of galacto-mannan-oligosaccharides (GMOS) and chitosan (COS) on growth performance and serum immune parameters 40- 28-d weaned castrated Duroc × Landrace ×Yorkshire piglets (8.09 ± 1.87 kg) were challenged with three kinds of pathogenic E. coli (serotype 09, 0141 and 064) and randomly assigned to four treatment groups fed a maize-soybean meal diets containing either no addition (control), 250 mg/kg of lincomycin (LIN), 250 mg/kg of COS (COS) or 2000 mg/kg of GMOS (GMOS), respectively, in a four-week feeding experiment. The feed/gain of control group was poorer than that of other groups with no difference in average daily gain or feed intake. The serum concentrations of IgG, IgA, IgM, IL - 6, IL – 2 and IL - 1β in experimental groups were higher when compared to control group (P<0.05). The results indicate that GMOS and COS supplemented in weaned piglets diet can improve growth performance and enhance immune function.

Key words: Chitosan, galacto-mannan-oligosacharides, immune response, growth performance, weaned piglets.

Xiucai Hu^1*, Aijun Lü^1,3*, Hong Chen^1,2,3, Xueyuan Gao¹, Haixia Xu¹, Chunlei Zhang¹, Xingtang Fang¹, Chuzhao Lei²

¹Key Laboratory for Biotechnology on Medicinal Plants of Jiangsu Province

Institute of Cellular and Molecular Biology

School of Life Sciences, Xuzhou Normal University

Xuzhou 221116, China

²College of Animal Science and Technology

Northwest A&F University

Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology for Agriculture

Yangling 712100, China

(Received December 15, 2008; accepted July 31, 2009)

Hu, X., Lü, A., Chen, H., Gao, X., Xu, H., Zhang, C. and Fang, X. 2009. Preliminary evidence for association of prolactin and prolactin receptor genes with milk production traits in Chinese Holsteins. J. Appl. Anim. Res., 36: 213-217.

Genetic polymorphisms of prolactin (PRL) and prolactin receptor (PRLR) genes in Chinese Holstein cattle were detected by PCR-SSCP methods. Polymorphisms were observed in both genes and direct sequencing confirmed the A>G mutation at position 8398 in exon 4 of PRL gene and the A>C mutation at position 7866 in intron 9 of PRLR gene. The frequencies of allele A/B and C/D were 0.894/0.106 and 0.781/0.219 for PRL and PRLR genes, respectively. Chinese Holstein cows with genotype BB were observed to be higher milk yielders than genotypes AA and AB (P<0.05). It is concluded that the polymorphism in the PRL gene may be a genetic marker in breeding for milk yields in Holsteins, but further validation is required.

Key words: Cattle, milk yield, prolactin gene, prolactin receptor gene, polymorphism.

U.G. Simsek^a1, M. Ciftci^b, I.H. Cerci^b, M. Gurses^a, M. Guvenc^c

^aDepartment of Animal Science

^bDepartment of Animal Nutrition

Faculty of Veterinary Medicine

University of Firat, Elazig–Turkey

^cDepartment of Biology

University of Adiyaman

Adiyaman-Turkey

(Received December 30, 2008; accepted April 28, 2009)

Simsek, U.G., Ciftci, M., Cerci, I.H., Gurses, M. and Guvenc, M. 2009. Effect of improved housing design and sexing on carcass traits and fatty acid composition of meat in broiler chicken. J. Appl. Anim. Res., 36: 219-222.

To study the effects of improved housing design (sand bedding and provision of perches) and sexing on carcass traits and fatty acid composition, 480 Ross-308 chicks were assigned to two groups including equal number of male and female. At d 42, 8 representative males and 8 females were slaughtered from each group. Their carcasses were evaluated. Fatty acid composition of whole carcass (4 males, 4 females) and meat from breast and left thigh from the remaining 4 males and 4 females were evaluated. Carcass traits did not differ between groups. Total PUFA, ω-3 and ω-6 ratios increased and total SFA and MUFA ratios decreased (P<0.001), in the improved housing group. Total SFA was found to be higher in female than male broiler (P<0.05). It was concluded that improved housing with perches and sand bedding improved chicken meat quality and increased total polyunsaturated fatty acid ratio of the meat. Sexing significantly affected fatty acids composition of meat.

Key words: Broiler chicken, housing design, sexing, carcass traits, meat fatty acid composition.

N.W. Selapa^{1, 2,*}, K.A. Nephawe¹, A. Maiwashe¹, D. Norris², J.W. Ngambi²

¹ARC-Animal Improvement Institute

Private Bag X2, Irene 0062, South Africa

²University of Limpopo

Private Bag X1106, Sovenga 0727, South Africa

(Received February 19, 2009; accepted July 7, 2009)

Selapa, N.W., Nephawe, K.A., Maiwashe, A., Norris, D. and Ngambi, J.W. 2009. Analysis of feed intake of individually fed beef bulls using random regression models. J. Appl. Anim. Res., 36: 223-226.

To estimate genetic parameters for weekly feed intake (FI) of beef bulls records of FI on Bonsmara bulls (n = 3 012) for 5 years were analyzed using random regression model (RRM). The model included the fixed linear regression of cumulative feed intake on third order orthogonal Legendre polynomials (OLP) of the actual days on test (d 7 to 84 weekly) for starting age group and contemporary group effects. Random regressions on third order OLP were included for additional random effect of weaning-herd-year (WHY) effect and additive genetic effect of the animal and on fourth order for the additional random permanent environmental effect of the animal. The residual effects were assumed to be independently distributed with heterogeneous variance for each measurement period. The first additive genetic eigenfunction (with 95.6% additive genetic variance contribution) revealed that selection for decreased cumulative FI at any test day would tend to decrease cumulative feed intake throughout the test and vice versa. Random regression model could be used in genetic evaluation of cumulative feed intakes of individually fed beef bulls in South Africa.

Keywords: Cumulative feed intake, Random regression model, beef bulls.

J.I. Aguilera-Soto^a*, R.G. Ramirez^b, C.F. Arechiga^a, F. Mendez-Llorente^a, M.A. Lopez-Carlos^a, J.A. Piña-Flores^a, C.A. Medina-Flores^a, H. Rodríguez-Frausto^a, D. Rodríguez-Tenorio^a, H. Gutiérrez-Bañuelos^a

^aUnidad Académica de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia

Universidad Autónoma de Zacatecas

Carretera Panamericana Zacatecas Fresnillo Km 31.5

El Cordovel Enrique Estrada, Zacatecas, 98500, México

^bFacultad de Ciencias Biológicas

Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León

Ave. Universidad S/N, Cd. Universitaria

San Nicolás de los Garza, Nuevo León, 66450, México

(Received December 15, 2008; accepted April 27, 2009)

Aguilera-Soto J.I., Ramirez, R.G., Arechiga, C.F., Mendez-Llorente, F., Lopez-Carlos, M.A., Piña-Flores J.A., Medina-Flores C.A., Rodriguez-Frausto H., Rodriguez-Tenorio D. and Gutierrez-Bañuelos H. 2009. Effect of feed additives on digestibility and performance of Holstein cows fed wet brewers grains. J. Appl. Anim. Res. 36: 227-230.

To evaluate different feed additives in cows fed wet brewer’s grain, 5 ruminal-cannulated Holstein cows (470±45 kg; 18±3 kg d-1 milk), were allotted to a 5x5 Latin-square design. A total-mixed diet containing 33% wet brewers grains (WBG) was provided including: 1) no additives (Control), 2) 1% sodium bicarbonate, 3) 1% sodium bentonite, 4) 33 mg kg-1 sodium monensin and 5) 200 mg kg-1 fibrolityc enzymes. Cows fed bicarbonate or enzymes had significantly higher dry matter intake (DMI). However, apparent digestibility of different nutrients did not differ (P>0.05) among dietary treatments. Similarly except acetate:propionate ratio (A:P) none of the ruminal parameters differed among groups. A:P followed the same pattern as DMI. Cows given monensin, enzymes and bicarbonate yielded more milk than control or those given bentonite. Except bentonite all additives increased milk yield.

Keywords: Wet brewer grains, dairy cattle, feed additives, ruminal digestion, milk yield.

L.Y. Wu¹, Y.J. Fang, R.B. Tan, K.J. Shi

Hubei Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition and Feed Science

Wuhan Polytechnic University

Wuhan 430023, P.R. China

(Received December 26, 2008; accepted March 30, 2009)

Wu, L.Y., Fang, Y.J., Tan, R.B. and Shi, K.J. 2009. A comparison of cecal microflora and volatile fatty acid concentration in goslings fed diets supplemented with or without a dried Bacillus subtilis culture. J. Appl. Anim. Res., 36: 231-234.

Bacillus subtilis, a Gram-positive, aerobic, nonpathogenic, endospore-forming bacterium was evaluated for its probiotic potential in the cecum of goslings. One hundred and twenty one-day-old goslings, randomly divided into two dietary treatments, were fed basal diet without or with 250 mg dried Bacillus subtilis culture (DBSC)/kg for 4 wk. The cecal chyme of 24 goslings on each treatment was collected for analyses at 28 d of age. Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium counts were significantly increased and the harmful bacteria (P<0.05), Escherichia coli count was markedly reduced in goslings fed diet with DBSC (P<0.05). The total volatile fatty acid (VFA), acetic and butyric acid concentration increased on DBSC supplementation resulting in lower pH. This study indicated that the diet supplemented with Bacillus subtilis significantly improved the cecal ecosystem of goslings by increasing the probiotics population and volatile fatty acid (VFA) concentration.

Key words: Bacillus subtilis, gosling, Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium, Escherichia coli, volatile fatty acid, cecum.

K. Ognik¹, I. Sembratowicz

Department of Biochemistry and Toxicology

Faculty of Animal Biology and Breeding

University of Life Sciences in Lublin

Akademicka 13, 20-934 Lublin, Poland

(Received January 6, 2009; accepted July 13, 2009)

Ognik, K. and Sembratowicz, I. 2009. Influence of synthesized 5-oxo-1,2,4-triazyne derivative on some immunological and hematological indices of Turkey. J. Appl. Anim. Res., 36: 235-237.

To evaluate the influence of different rates of new synthesized 5-oxo-1,2,4-triazyne derivative on some nonspecific immune indices and hematological parameters of turkey hens, 6-week-old BUT-9 turkey hens were given this compound in drinking water. It did not affect the immune response of birds but at the rate of 30 μg/kg bw/day it caused an increase in Ht value and Hb value of turkey-hens.

Key words: 5-Oxo-1,2,4-triazyne derivative, immunological and hematological indices, Turkey hens.

Gouri Jaiswal, Sanjeev Kumar**, Yogendra Prasad¹, D.P. Singh

Molecular Genetics Laboratory

Central Avian Research Institute

Izatnagar-243 122, India

(Received January 07, 2009; accepted May 10, 2009)

Jaiswal, G., Kumar, S., Prasad, Y. and Singh, D.P. 2009. PCR-RFLP analysis of IL-2Rγ and IL-15Rα genes in Kadakanath native chicken. J. Appl. Anim. Res., 36: 239-242.

DNA polymorphism at Interleukin-2R γ-chain (IL-2Rγ) and Interleukin-15R α-chain (IL-15Rα) genes were studied by PCR-RFLP technique in 48 random bred Kadaknath native chicken, 24 in high and 24 in low immunocompetence (IC) index groups. Amplification of these regions yielded products of 600 and 1120 bp, respectively. Hph I digestion of IL-2Rγ PCR product generated fragments of 465 and 454 bp sizes. Two types of homozygotes (465bp and 454 bp fragments) and heterozygotes (both 465 and 454 bp fragments) were observed. The gene and genotypic frequencies of A and B alleles and AA, BB and AB genotypes were 0.19 and 0.81 and 2.33, 65.12 and 32.56, respectively. PCR-RFLP analysis of IL-2Rγ gene with Pst 1, Dde 1 and Taq 1 showed monomorphic pattern in all the individuals. High IC-index group demonstrated higher magnitude of all IC-traits. BB genotype demonstrated higher HA titre than the AB genotype in both the lines. Hinf I PCR-RFLP of IL-15Rα revealed monomorphic banding pattern in all the samples analyzed. Hph I PCR-RFLP of IL-2Rγ region may lead to development of molecular marker for high humoral immune response in chicken.

Key words: Kadakanath, native chicken, polymorphism, IL-2Rγ, IL-15Rα, PCR-RFLP.

S.M. Jazayeri-Shooshtari¹, Z. Namdar¹, S.M. Owji², D. Mehrabani^*3, S. Mohammadi-Samani⁴,   N. Tanideh⁵, A.A. Alizadeh², H. Namazi⁶, A. Amanollahi¹, Z. Rajaee¹, L. Bidaki¹

¹Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation

²Department of Pathology

³Gastroenterohepatology Research Center

⁴School of Pharmacy

⁵Comparative Medicine Research Center

Department of Pharmacology

⁶Department of Orthopedic Surgery

Shiraz University of Medical Sciences

Shiraz, Iran

(Received March 29, 2009; accepted August 20, 2009)

Jazayeri-Shooshtari, S.M., Namdar, Z., Owji, S.M., Mehrabani, D., Mohammadi-Samani, S., Tanideh, N., Alizadeh, A.A., Namazi, H., Amanollahi, A., Rajaee, Z. and Bidaki, L. 2009. Healing effect of lamotrigine on repair of damaged sciatic nerve in rabbit. J. Appl. Anim. Res., 36: 243-249.

To determine the effect of lamotrigine, an antiepileptic drug, on sciatic nerve regeneration and repair, 30 male white 2000±100 g New Zealand rabbits were divided into two equal groups of case and control. The right sciatic nerve of all animals was transected in the mid-thigh region and was sutured immediately. In the case group, lamotrigine was implanted at the site of nerve but the control group received nothing. Each group was divided into 3 equal subgroups. The subgroups A, B and C were sacrificed after 14, 45 and 90 d post-operation, respectively. Electromyographic and histopathological examinations were carried out for each animal. Histological study revealed a significant prominent repair and proliferation of Schwann cells in the case group after 14 and 45 d and a relatively complete repair after 90 d post-operation. As lamotrigine could enhance the proliferation of Schwann cells, it played an important role in the regeneration of the injured sciatic nerve.

Key words: PNS, injured peripheral nerve, lamotrigine, Schwann cells, rabbit.

S.R. Shi*^†, Z.Y. Wang^*1, H.M. Yang*, D.F. Sheng*, J. Lu*

^*College of Animal Science and Technology

Yangzhou University

Yangzhou, Jiangsu Province 225009, P.R. China

^†Poultry Institute

Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences

Yangzhou, Jiangsu Province 225009, P.R. China

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

Shi, S.R., Wang, Z.Y., Yang, H.M., Sheng, D.F. and Lu, J. 2009. Optimization of fasting and excreta collection period in geese for true metabolisable energy assay. J. Appl. Anim. Res., 36: 251-254.

To determine the optimal fasting and excreta collection period for true metabolisable energy (TME) assay in geese, 24 ganders (25 weeks) were equally divided into four groups by the body weight. Three experimental groups were randomly selected and assigned to different fasting periods (24, 32, 40 h) followed by tube feeding of 85 g corn (experiment 1) or 60g alfalfa (experiment 2) and the fourth group (control group, no feed intake with 40 h fasting period) was used to determine the endogenous energy losses. The excreta from all groups were collected at 16, 24, 32, 40 and 48 h after tube-feeding. Excreta dry matter (DM), DM digestibility, AME and TME of 85 g corn and 60 g alfalfa were determined in experiment 1 and 2, respectively. Excreta DM collected from 24 h fasting group was higher than that of 40 h fasting group in both experiments (P<0.05). In each fasting period of both experiments, excreta DM increased as collection period increased after tube-feeding, while DM digestibility, AME and TME decreased. It was concluded that the optimal fasting and excreta collection period for TME bioassay should be “24+24h” in geese.

Key words: Geese, metabolisable energy, fasting period, excreta collection period.

U. Macías-Cruz^a, F.D. Álvarez-Valenzuela^a, A. Correa-Calderón^a, L. Molina-Ramírez^b, A. González-Reyna^c, S. Soto-Navarro^d, L. Avendaño-Reyes^a,*

^aInstituto de Ciencias Agrícolas

Universidad Autónoma de Baja California

Blvd. Delta s/n, Ejido Nuevo León, Baja California, México, 21705

^bCentro de Bachillerato Tecnológico Agropecuario No. 41

Poblado Benito Juárez, Valle de Mexicali, Baja California, México, 21900

^cUnidad Académica Multidisciplinaria de Agronomía y Ciencias

Universidad Autónoma de Tamaulipas

Ciudad Victoria, Tamaulipas, México, 87149

^dDepartment of Animal and Range Sciences

New Mexico State University

Las Cruces, NM, 88003

(Received March 20, 2009; accepted September 1, 2009)

Macías-Cruz, U., Álvarez-Valenzuela, F.D., Correa-Calderón, A., Molina-Ramírez, L., González-Reyna, A., Soto-Navarro, S. and Avendaño-Reyes, L. 2009. Pelibuey ewe productivity and subsequent pre-weaning lamb performance using hair-sheep breeds under a confinement system. J. Appl. Anim. Res., 36: 255-260.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of hair sheep sires on reproductive performance of Pelibuey ewes and to compare pre-weaning growth traits of their offspring. Forty-three Pelibuey ewes were randomly distributed in 3 groups to be mated by 3 breed sires (Dorper, Dr; Katahdin, Ka and Pelibuey, Pb). Fertility, fecundity and prolificacy were similar (P>0.05) among the three breed sires. In ewes mated to Dr, gestation length was 1.8 and 3.3 d shorter (P<0.01) than those mated to Ka or Pb sires, respectively. Birth weight, weaning weight and average daily gain up to weaning were higher among single born Ka lambs. Weaning litter weight per ewe lambing was greater (P<0.04) in ewes mated to Dr and Ka sires. In conclusion, Pelibuey ewes under a confinement system crossed with Dr or Ka sires improved their reproductive efficiency; moreover, pre-weaning traits of their lambs were also improved.

Key words: Sheep, Katahdin, Pelibuey, Dorper, cross breeding, pre-weaning performance.

Pushpendra Kumar*, K.G. Kumar, T.K. Bhattacharya, B. Bhushan, A. Sharma, S.P.S. Ahlawat

Molecular Genetics Laboratory, Animal Genetics Division

Indian Veterinary Research Institute

Izatnagar-243 122, India

(Revised received June 26, 2008; accepted August 18, 2009)

Kumar, P., Kumar, K.G., Bhattacharya, T.K., Bhushan, B., Sharma, A. and Ahlawat, S.P.S. 2009. Molecular and cytogenetic evaluation of four Indian breeds of sheep. J. Appl. Anim. Res., 36: 261-265.

This study was conducted to evaluate four breeds of Indian sheep namely Marwari, Mandya, Madras Red and Muzaffarnagari at cytogenetic and molecular genetic levels. The Karyotype revealed 54 numbers of chromosomes in both the sexes. The NORs were found on the telomeric ends of chromosomal pairs 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5. C-bands were found on all the autosomes while sex chromosomes were C-band negative. The G-bands were found on all metaphase chromosomes. The RAPD experiments produced 6 to 15 fingerprints with size ranging from 0.3 to 1.9 kb. The intrabreed homogeneity estimated in terms of band sharing frequency (BSF) was highest (0.95) in Marwari breed, whereas, lowest magnitude (0.90) was observed in Muzaffarnagari breed. The genetic distance based on MAPD was highest (9.5) between Marwari and Muzaffarnagari, whereas, the lowest magnitude (4.9) was found between Mandya and Muzaffarnagari breeds. It may be concluded that all four breeds of sheep studied have similarity in chromosomal configuration based on C, G and NOR banding patterns. The results will help in characterization and ultimately conservation of these sheep breeds.

Key words: Chromosome, Banding, Evaluation, RAPD, RFLP, Sheep.

M. Davarmanesh¹, M. Mardani¹, H. Mirkhani², A. Monabbati³, N. Tanideh^2,4, D. Mehrabani^5*

¹Department of Oral Medicine and Diagnosis

Faculty of Dentistry

²Department of Pharmacology

³Department of Pathology

School of Medicine

⁴Comparative Medicine Research Center

⁵Gastroenterohepatology Research Center

Nemazee Hospital, University of Medical Sciences

Shiraz, Iran

(Received February 26, 2009; accepted August 17, 2009)

Davarmanesh, M., Mardani, M., Mirkhani, H., Monabbati, A., Tanideh, N. and Mehrabani, D. 2009. Effect of dexamethasone premedication on oral mucositis in hamster. J. Appl. Anim. Res., 36: 267-270.

To determine the protective effect of dexamethasone on the course of an experimental oral mucositis, 75 male adult golden hamsters were randomly divided into five equal groups. The control group received no medication. The other four groups received 5-fluorouracil on days 1-2, one hour after daily injections of either normal saline or dexamethasone in three doses and continued till d9. Along 16 d of experimental period to cover oral mucositis resolution, all animals were blindly subjected to scratching by needle tips over the cheek pouches on d 4 to potentiate oral mucositis. Macroscopic assessments were performed on d 6, 9, 16 and microscopic assessments in sacrificed animals on days 9 and 16 using a valid scoring systems and a blood sampling for microbiological culture in two randomly selected animals from each group (d 9). A significant protective role of dexamethasone was observed at high and moderate doses on the course of oral mucositis development. Our findings showed that in the course of the current chemotherapeutic regimens, premedication of dexamethasone could effectively intervene against development of oral mucositis.

Key words: Dexamethasone, prophylaxis, oral mucositis, hamster.

J.I. Aguilera-Soto^a*, R.G. Ramirez^b, C.F. Arechiga^a, H. Gutiérrez-Bañuelos^a, F. Mendez-Llorente^a, M.A. Lopez-Carlos^a, J.A. Piña-Flores^a, H. Rodríguez-Frausto^a, D. Rodríguez-Tenorio^a

^aUnidad Académica de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia

Universidad Autónoma de Zacatecas

Carretera Panamericana Zacatecas Fresnillo Km 31.5

El Cordovel Enrique Estrada, Zacatecas, 98500, México

^bFacultad de Ciencias Biológicas

Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, Ave. Universidad S/N

Cd. Universitaria, San Nicolás de los Garza, Nuevo León, 66450, México

(Received December 15, 2008; accepted July 10, 2009)

Aguilera-Soto, J.I., Ramirez, R.G., Arechiga, C.F., Gutierrez-Bañuelos, H., Mendez-Llorente, F., Lopez-Carlos, M.A., Piña-Flores, J.A., Rodriguez-Frausto, H. and Rodriguez-Tenorio, D. 2009. Effect of fermentable liquid diets based on wet brewers grains on performance and carcass characteristics by growing pigs. J. Appl. Anim. Res., 36: 271-274.

To evaluate growth and carcass characteristics of pigs fed graded levels of fermentable liquid diets (FLD) based on wet brewers grains (WBG), 32 Landrace x York male pigs (32±4 d; 9.7±1.2 kg) were allotted to one of the four treatment diets containing 0, 15, 30 and 45% WBG (dry matter basis). Animals were weighed every 20 d and dry matter intake (DMI) by pen was recorded daily. At 95 kg pigs were slaughtered and carcass characteristics were measured. Average daily gain of pigs was significantly different among  treatments being higher for 0% WBG (660 g day-1) followed by 15% (553), 30% (537) and 45% (507), similar trend was observed for DMI (1895 g day-1, 1881, 1823 and 1771, respectively). Moreover, carcass dressing was significantly different among treatments (71.5%, 70.1, 68.9 and 67.8, respectively). Even though, growth performance was negatively affected by FLD, feeding costs were reduced even when the fattening period was longer. It is suggested that animals may be fed on 30% WBG diets in post-weaning periods and 30 or 45% during growing and finishing periods.

Keywords: Wet brewer grains, fermentable liquid diets, growing pigs, performance, dressing per cent.

Panagiotis D. Katsoulos^1*, Georgios Christodoulopoulos¹, Anastasios Minas², Konstantinos Pourliotis³, Georgios Theodoropoulos⁴

¹Clinic of Medicine, School of Veterinary Medicine

University of Thessaly

P.O. Box 199, Karditsa, 43100, Greece

²Laboratory of Microbiology

Faculty of Health Professions

Technological Educational Institution of Larissa

Larissa, Greece

³Clinic of Farm Animals

Veterinary School

Aristotle University of Thessaloniki

Thessaloniki, Greece

⁴Department of Anatomy and Physiology of Farm Animals

Faculty of Animal Science and Aquacultures

Agricultural University of Athens

Athens, Greece

(Received March 9, 2009; accepted August 14, 2009)

Katsoulos, P.D., Christodoulopoulos, G., Minas, A., Pourliotis, K. and Theodoropoulos, G. 2009. Use of liver enzyme activities for the diagnosis of fasciolosis in cattle. J. Appl. Anim. Res., 36: 275-277.

A diagnostic protocol for fasciolosis in cattle developed by Clinic of Farm Animal Medicine in Veterinary School of Karditsa, based on the combination of coprological examination and determination of serum liver enzymes at a minimum of 20 animals of the herd, was evaluated in a high risk cattle herd. Presence of eggs in 60% of fecal samples and increased AST (100% samples) as well as γ-GT (80% samples) confirmed the presence of both immature and mature flukes. This helped in deciding that the treatment suitable for both kinds of flukes be given.

Key words: Cattle, Fasciola hepatica, herd health management.

K.J. Khaledi^1*, J.M. Panandam^2,3, S.S. Siraj⁴, A.A. Maheran⁵

¹Department of Agriculture

Islamic Azad University

Shahr-e-Ray Branch, Tehran, Iran

²Department of Animal Science

Faculty of Agriculture

³Institute of Tropical Agriculture

⁴Department of Biology, Faculty of Science

⁵Department of Agriculture Technology

Faculty of Agriculture

Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400, UPM Serdang, Malaysia.

(Received February 9, 2009; accepted April 25, 2009)

Khaledi, K.J., Panandam, J.M., Siraj, S.S. and Maheran, A.A. 2009. Estimation of inbreeding coefficient in Rusa deer (Cervus timorensis) using microsatellite loci in Malaysia. J. Appl. Anim. Res., 36: 279-281.

To estimate inbreeding coefficient in a small and closed population of Rusa deer (Cervus timorensis) in Malaysia, 38 individual mares were typed from blood samples at thirty nine sets of primer pairs for bovine and reindeer microsatellite loci. The mean number of alleles was 6.77±4.49 per polymorphic loci. The gene  diversity over all individuals and loci was 0.52. Departure from Hardy-Weinberg proportions was tested only for two loci (BMS789, BM121). The mean heterozygosity was 0.51±0.30. The associated estimates of FIS was 0.04 ranging between -0.79 and 0.61. The FIS estimate, as well as the mean intraindividual kinship values, was quite low, indicating that the studied population does not suffer from ill effects of inbreeding.

Keywords: Inbreeding coefficient, Rusa deer, microsatellite loci.

Rana Ranjeet Singh^1*, Triveni Dutt ², H.C. Joshi ³, R.R.K. Sinha⁴, Mukesh Singh⁵

Division of Livestock Production and Management

Indian Veterinary Research Institute

Izatnagar, 243 122 India

(Received January 28, 2009; accepted July 30, 2009)

Singh, R.R., Dutt, T., Joshi, H.C., Sinha, R.R.K. and Singh, M. 2009. Effect of body condition score on performance traits in crossbred dairy cows. J. Appl. Anim. Res., 36: 283-286.

Sixty crossbred cows from three different genetic groups (1/2 Holstein Friesian (F) × ½ Hariana (H), 1/ 2F ×1/4 Brown Swiss × 1/4 H), (1/2F×1/4 Jersey × 1/4 H) were randomly selected to study body condition score after calving and its association with performance traits. The correlations between body condition score and body weight at different stages of lactation were positively significant. The correlations between body condition score and peak yield were negative and significant at 42nd (-0.316) and 56th (-0.404) day of lactation. The effect of body condition score on other performance traits was found to be non- significant. It is concluded that high producing cows mobilize greater amount of body condition score than the low producing cows in early lactation.

Keywords: Body condition score, crossbreds, peak yield, days to first observed heat.

F.G. Véliz^a, M. Mellado^b, E. Carrillo^c, C.A. Meza-Herrera^d, R. Rivas-Muñoz^c

^aUniversity Autonoma Agraria Antonio Narro

Department of Veterinary Science, Torreon, Mexico

^bUniversity Autonoma Agraria Antonio Narro

Department of Animal Nutrition, Saltillo, Mexico

^cTecnologic Institute of Torreon

Torreon, Mexico

^dUnidad Universitaria de Zonas Áridas

University Autonoma Chapingo, Bermejillo, Mexico

(Received January 1, 2009; accepted August 15, 2009)

Véliz, F.G., Mellado, M., Carrillo, E., Meza-Herrera, C.A. and Rivas-Muñoz, R. 2009. Effects of a long daily photoperiod on milk yield and ovarian activity of Saanen goats in northern Mexico. J. Appl. Anim. Res., 36: 287-290.

To study the effect of a long daily photoperiod on milk yield and milk components, 38 pluriparous lactating Saanen goats were randomly exposed, after kidding, to either a natural photoperiod (<13 h) or a long photoperiod (16 h) between January and April. Long daily photoperiod increased (P<0.01) milk yield (3.0 ± 0.1 vs 2.5 ± 0.1 l d-1) on d 42 to 84. From d 56 to 84 of lactation milk fat was higher (+ 0.5 percentage points; P<0.05) in goats subjected to natural photoperiod than long photoperiods. Photoperiod had no effect on milk lactose, protein or ovulation in goats. These data indicated that increased postpartum photoperiod during winter months in northern Mexico substantially increased milk production in Saanen goats, which might constitute a management strategy for dairy goat producers to increase milk yield.

Key words: Milk yield, milk composition, photoperiod, ovulation.

Yangzom D. Bhutia¹, Mohini Saini², Anil K. Sharma³, Bhaskar Sharma⁴, Devendra Swarup^1*

¹Division of Medicine

²Centre for Wildlife

³Division of Veterinary Pathology

⁴Division of Biochemistry

Indian Veterinary Research Institute

Izatnagar-243 122, India

(Received November 12, 2008; accepted August 14, 2009)

Bhutia, Y.D., Saini, M., Sharma, A.K., Sharma, B. and Swarup, D. 2009. Efficacy of Curcuma longa extract against DMBA induced skin cancer in rats. J. Appl. Anim. Res., 36: 291-296.

The study was aimed to evaluate the antineoplastic property of 70% ethanolic extract of Curcuma longa extract both in vitro and in vivo. In vitro study was conducted using B16F10 melanoma cell line and the cytotoxic activity of the extract was evaluated using Trypan Blue Dye Exclusion test, MTT assay and apoptosis. In vivo study comprised of safety testing and evaluating the chemopreventive effect of the extract on 7, 12- dimethyl-benz[a]anthracene (DMBA)-induced skin cancer in Wistar rats. The extract revealed in vitro cytotoxic activity and caused apoptosis in nearly 80% of the cells as studied by FACS. 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg C. longa administered orally 15 d before initiation and continued till the end of experiment caused significant delay in the onset and reduction in overall incidence and average number of lesions in rats. There were mostly papilloma and squamous cell carcinoma in positive control but only mild papillomatous lesions without any evidence of infiltration in C. longa treated groups. The tumor remained suppressed as long as the extract was fed but its withdrawal led to recurrence. These findings are suggestive of the continued ingestion of C. longa to benefit from its anticarcinogenic potential.

Key words: Curcuma longa, anticancer, cytotoxicity, apoptosis.

Vandana D. Pradhan, K. Ghosh

Department of Autoimmune Disorders

National Institute of Immunohaematology

Indian Council of Medical Research

13th floor, King Edward Memorial Hospital, Parel, Mumbai 4000 012, India

(Received February 19, 2009; accepted July 23, 2009)

Abstract

Pradhan, V.D. and Ghosh, K. 2009. Development of anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCA) and vasculitis in BALB/c mice: a prototype of human ANCA associated disease. J. Appl. Anim. Res., 36: 297- 302.

To investigate whether immunization in BALB/c mice with ANCA will induce ANCA associated vasculitis that will serve as an animal model for the diseased mice were immunized with myeloperoxidase (MPO), proteinase3 (PR3) and ‘a granule’ extract of polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) using purified human whole antibody to MPO and PR3 and also the F(ab’)2 fractions of MPO-ANCA and PR3-ANCA. Control mice were immunized with normal human IgG. Mice immunized with purified MPO and PR3 as well as with human IgG-ANCA and its F(ab’)2 fractions, developed ANCA and AAV, while control mice did not develop these autoantibodies or the disease. This ANCA could be induced in BALB/c mice by antigen and antibody immunizations and these mice showed the possible development of ANCA related vasculitis indicating a likely pathogenic role of ANCA.

Key words: Anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCA), BALB/c mice, vasculitis, myeloperoxidase (MPO), proteinase3 (PR3).

S.M. Rakei¹, A. Rahmanian¹, A. Saffarian¹, R. Shafeian¹, D. Mehrabani^2*

¹Department of Neurosurgery

School of Medicine

Shiraz University of Medical Sciences

Shiraz, Iran

²Gastroenterohepatology Research Center

Department of Pathology

Nemazee Hospital, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences

Shiraz, Iran

(Received April 6, 2009; accepted November 9, 2009)

Abstract

Rakei, S.M., Rahmanian, A., Saffarian, A., Shafeian, R. and Mehrabani, D. 2009. Function recovery after transplantation of fetal brain tissue into injured spinal cord in experimental rats. J. Appl. Anim. Res., 36: 303-306.

To determine the effect of transplantation of fetal brain tissue on regeneration of injured spinal cord and the limb function recovery, forty 30-week old male Sprague-Dawley 350-450 g rats were randomly and equally divided into two groups. In 5 pregnant rats the fetuses were removed and the embryonic brain tissues were sectioned into 0.05 mm segments under microscope. The vertebral column was exposed and a 0.1 mm segment of spinal cord medulla at the T10-T11 level was completely dissected in all rats of both groups. A 0.05 mm segment of rat fetus brain was implanted into the injured section of spinal cord of all rats in the case group. No further intervention was done in the control group. After 24 h lower extremity paraplegia was confirmed in all rats. After six weeks, no locomotor improvement was seen in the control group (Basso-Beattie-Bresnahan locomotor rating scale, BBB=0). 15% of rats in the case group had some degrees of recovery from spinal cord injury. Our findings suggest that fetal neural transplants could potentially be an effective surgical intervention for treatment of SCI even though more investigations are warranted.

Key words: Function recovery, transplantation, fetal brain, injury, spinal cord, rat.