The Effect of Quercus infectoria Acorn on Clinical, Hematobiochemical Parameters of Pregnant Albino Rats

Background: Quercus infectoria is a kind of forest tree widely used for livestock feeding within the northern parts of Iraq with little was known about the Quercus infectoria toxicity mainly in pregnant animals. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the potential effect of Quercus infectoria acorn on the pregnant albino rats. Methods: This study was conducted on the Wistar pregnant rats, using aqueous extract of the acorn at doses of 2 grams/ rat for a period of 10 days. The effect of the quercus acorn on the animal behavior, pregnancy hematobiochemical parameters was investigated compared to the control groups. Result: Neither mortality, nor significant changes in animals’ behavior were detected in treated rats; whereas, abortion and early parturition with lower weight of the pups were observed in treated pregnant rats. Significant increases in red blood cells, packed cell volume, hemoglobin concentration, means corpuscular volume and means corpuscular hemoglobin and levels of neutrophils and eosinophil were reported in treated rats compared to the control groups. Besides, blood urea nitrogen and aspartate aminotransferase were significantly increased in the treated group. Study results suggest that the aqueous extract of Quercus infectoria acorn has potential toxic effects on pregnancy.

Effect of Leukoreduction on Hematobiochemical Parameters and Storage Hemolysis in Canine Whole Blood Units

Storage lesions (SLs) occur when the red blood cell quality is altered during the preservation of blood units. Pre-storage leukoreduction would limit the number of SLs. The aims of this study were to evaluate the effectiveness of a leukoreduction filter for human use and the effect of pre-storage leukoreduction on some ematobiochemical parameters in stored canine whole blood. Seven canine blood units were tested. Each one was divided into two units—one leukoreduced (LRWB) and one non-leukoreduced (nLRWB). On each unit, we determined the complete blood count (CBC), lactate-dehydrogenase (LDH), electrolytes (Na+, K+, Cl−), morphological index (MI) and hemolysis, on storage days 0, 7, 14, 21, 28, 35, and 42. Leukoreduction allowed a 98.30% recovery of the RBC count, retaining 99.69% and 94.91% of WBCs and PLTs, respectively. We detected a significant increase of LDH and MI with strongly higher values in nLRWB compared to LRWB. A progressive increase in electrolytes and LDH concentrations was observed as indices of stored hemolysis. LDH showed significantly lower values in LRWB units compared to nLRWB, suggesting its release from leukocytes. In the majority of units, hemolysis reached 1% on the 42nd day of storage. We assert the human leukoreduction filter effectiveness on canine whole blood, and we recommend using nLRWB before day 14, especially for critically ill patients. The difference of the basal hemolysis (day 0) percentages observed between subjects suggests that more studies should be performed to confirm a possible inter-individual donor biological variability of RBC membrane resistance, as happens in humans.

Assessment of novel probiotic strains on growth, hematobiochemical parameters, and production costs of commercial broilers in Bangladesh

Background and Aim: The use of antibiotic growth promoters (AGPs) in the poultry industry has raised concern because of their potential harm to human health. Emerging evidence suggests that probiotics are a safer substitute, although little research has explored this in Bangladesh. We recently isolated local bacterial strains with probiotic properties. We aimed to determine their impact on the growth, hematobiochemical parameters, and production costs of broiler chicks relative to that of a commercial probiotic (CP) and AGP. Materials and Methods: Day-old male broiler chicks (Cobb 500, n=63) were divided equally into three experimental groups (three replicates per group and seven chicks per replicate). First group was fed a basal diet supplemented with the AGP, ciprofloxacin (CTL group), second group was fed a basal diet supplemented with the CP, Protexin® (CP group), and the third group was fed a basal diet supplemented with our isolated bacterial strains (study probiotic [SP] group) for 36 days. Body weight was recorded daily, and relative growth rate (RGR), feed conversion ratio (FCR), and organ weights and carcass yields were calculated at the study's end. Blood obtained on day 36 was used to determine the number of red blood cell (RBC) and white blood cells (WBCs), hemoglobin (Hb) concentration, packed cell volume, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, as well as levels of serum glucose, total and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, and triglycerides (TGs). Total production costs were estimated by summing the variable and fixed costs. Results: Chicks in both the CP and SP groups experienced significant decreases in blood glucose levels and significant increases in BW, RGR, FCR, levels of RBC and WBC, Hb concentration, and packed cell volume compared with those in the CTL group (p<0.05 for all). Our data suggested a numerical reduction (p>0.05) in levels of total cholesterol, TGs, and HDL in the SP and CP groups when compared to the CTL group. In addition, both CP and SP treatments resulted in significant (p<0.05) gains in net profit compared with the treatment given to the CTL group. Conclusion: Administration of probiotics, either from a commercialized or local source, led to greater improvements in growth, hematological parameters, and net profits of broiler chicks when compared with that of an AGP. This suggests that they are suitable alternatives to the AGPs used in poultry feed and that our isolated strains, in particular, are an ideal option for farmers in Bangladesh.

Diagnostic Approaches to Tendon, Ligament and Joint Affections in Equine with Special Reference to Tendon Elastography

The present study was conducted in 20 clinical cases of equines with musculoskeletal disorders. The fore and hind limbs were collected from the cadavers euthanized for causes unrelated to lameness and anatomical dissection of these limbs was done to ascertain the location of various tendons. Detailed signalment, history, gait abnormalities, physical examination, flexion test and hematobiochemical parameters were recorded for each animal. A 7-12 MHz transducer was used for evaluation of the tendons, ligaments and joints in equine. Ultrasonography, elastography and radiography (if required) were conducted on all the animals. It was concluded that ultrasonography is important for the diagnosis of tendon and tendon sheath affection, hematoma, abscess and joint affections in equine. Elastography was used to assess the mechanical properties of tendons qualitatively and quantitatively. It allowed the detection of tissue strain and provided valuable mechanical information about equine tendon injuries.

A broad insight onto the distribution pattern of Dirofilaria immitis in community dogs in Nepal

Background Nematodes of the genus Dirofilaria are widespread vector-borne helminths (VBH) of increasing relevance. Indeed, dirofilariosis is frequently diagnosed in domestic pets, often dogs, associated with a severe clinical condition known as heartworm disease caused by D. immitis . Assessing the distribution pattern of canine dirofilariosis is pivotal to undertake appropriate control measures and define the risk of infection in animals and humans. This study revealed the occurrence of D. immitis in naïve community dogs from Nepal. Methods An epidemiological study was performed in 2019 in Siddharthanagar (Lumbini region, Nepal). A total of 150 blood specimens were examined using direct microscopy, buffy coat centrifugation and modified Knott's method aiming at isolating and identifying Dirofilaria microfilariae. In addition, hematobiochemical parameters, including packed cell volume (PCV), alanine aminotransferase (SGPT), aspartate aminotransferase (SGOT), alkaline phosphate (ALP), creatinine, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), urea and total protein were analyzed, along with a clinical scoring (i.e., body temperature and respiratory rate) of the animals enrolled in this study. Results Out of 150 dogs sampled, 29 (19.3%) had D. immitis microfilariae. The prevalence of the infection varied according to the technique used, ranging from 16.0% to 19.3% based on direct blood smear microscopy and modified Knott method, respectively. The infection rate was significantly ( P <0.05) higher in dogs aged more than 3 years. A positive correlation was observed between SGPT and SGOT and the presence of microfilariae ( P <0.05). Conclusion The current findings revealed the presence of D. immitis in dogs from Nepal, thus providing an explanation for the diagnosis of this VBH is human cases. Further investigations are warranted to accurately define the prevalence of the infection in other pets, instrumentally to reduce the potential burden on the infection in dogs and, accordingly, to control the spread of this parasite to humans.

Acute and Sub-acute Oral Toxicity Assessment of a Standardized Polyherbal Preparation POL-6 in Rats

Background: A standardized polyherbal preparation (POL-6) containing six plant extracts Hypericum perforatum, Bacopa monnieri, Centella asiatica, Withania somnifera, Ocimum sanctum and Camellia sinesis have good antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and immunomodulatory activities. The present study was carried out to evaluate the safety profile of POL-6 through acute and subacute oral toxicity models in Wistar rats. Methods: In acute safety evaluation, a single dose of 2000mg/kg of POL-6 was given orally to five rats and was observed for 14 days. In subacute safety evaluation POL-6 at the doses of 250, 500 and 1000 mg/kg was given orally to the rats once a day for 28 days. The animals were observed for the signs of toxicity and mortality during the study period. Results: In acute toxicity evaluation, POL-6 treatment did not show any toxic signs and mortality in animals during the observation period. In subacute toxicity studies, no changes were seen in any of the dose levels of POL-6 treatment during the total body weights, organ weights and hematobiochemical parameters examination of the rats. No lesions were seen during the gross/histopathological examination. Conclusion: The study revealed that administration of POL-6 for 28 days showed no significant treatment generated toxic effects in the animals, hence it can be considered as non-toxic if it is ingested in a time not greater than a month.

Comparative studies on the effects of lincomycin and bacitracin on hematobiochemical and immunological parameters in broiler chickens

A total of 100 one-day-old healthy broiler chicks were used to study the effects of lincomycin and bacitracin on some hematobiochemical and immunological parameters. Chicks were divided into four equal groups, 25 each. The first group was kept as control; the 2nd group was received 0.5 g of lincomycin per liter; the 3rd group was received 100 mg bacitracin per liter and the 4th group was administered both lincomycin and bacitracin, each at the above-mentioned dose. Drugs were given in drinking water for 5 successive days from 20th to 25th day of age. Bodyweight was recorded at the beginning of the experiment and at 1st-day post administration where body performance was recorded. One day post administration, blood samples were collected for estimation of hematobiochemical and immunological alterations. The obtained results revealed that broiler chicks administered lincomycin or bacitracin or both revealed a marked increase in bodyweight, weight gain, phagocytic activity, phagocytic index, erythrocytic count, hemoglobin level, packed cell volume, total leukocytic count, serum total protein, albumin, total globulin, α, β and γ globulin. Furthermore, a significant elevation in malondialdehyde associated with a marked reduction in albumin-globulin ratio, serum total lipid, cholesterol and triglyceride and a significant decrease in catalase and superoxide dismutase, were recorded, compared with the control group. In conclusion, lincomycin and bacitracin either alone or in combination have positive impacts on growth performance, immunological and hematobiochemical parameters of broiler chickens. So, it is recommended to use both drugs as growth promoters in broiler chickens.