FARMERS’ KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDE AND PRACTICES OF MASTITIS IN DAIRY COWS AT SELECTED AREAS OF BANGLADESH

The research work was designed to assess farmers’ knowledge, attitude and practices about bovine mastitis. The data were collected by using structured questionnaire through face to face interview techniques among the 65 dairy farmers of Dhaka, Mymensingh, and Gazipur. Disproportionate stratified random sampling was used to select the farmers based on study areas. Most of the studied farms are small (75.4%) in the studied area, only a few (10.8%) farms were large in Dhaka. In Gazipur and Mymensingh almost (86.2%) firms were small and rest of (13.8%) was medium. According to farmer’s knowledge, major cause of mastitis was microorganisms (46.15%), but 20% farmer reported that it is due to injury and 27.69% farmer don’t know the causes of the mastitis. Most of the farmers (87.7%) think that the source of infection is unhygienic floor, but others have no clear conception about it. Before milking only 23.10% farmers’ wash the whole udder where 58.5% used single towel. About 76.9% farmers have no knowledge of screening mastitis and only 9.2% of total farmers performed regular mastitis checking. Among the farmers, 55.4% are used antiseptic solution during washing the floor and others wash their floor only by water. Highest number of farmer use Tube well water (44.6%) for daily management of their farms. Most of the farmer takes suggestions from village doctor or pharmaceutical representative (64.62%) for maintaining the diseases condition. This study recommends that identification of factors associated with sub-clinical mastitis will help to take necessary steps to reduce the prevalence of sub-clinical mastitis. The most effective way to control sub-clinical mastitis is to take preventive measures such as regular cleaning of the floor, keeping the udder clean, milkman's cleanliness, and dry cow therapy especially in high yielding dairy cows.

DETECTION OF MULTI–DRUG RESISTANT SALMONELLA FROM MILK AND MEAT IN BANGLADESH

This study was conducted to investigate the prevalence of Salmonella spp. in milk, chicken meat and beef and to determine the multi-drug resistance (MDR) profile of Salmonella spp. in Mymensingh and Gazipur districts, Bangladesh. A total of 169 samples of milk (n=108), chicken meat (n=51) and beef (n=10) were collected from Bangladesh Agricultural University (BAU) dairy farm, American dairy farm, Gazipur and different small dairy farms of municipal area during July 2016 to June 2017. Salmonella spp. were isolated on various selective agar media such as: Salmonella-Shigella (SS) agar, Xylose-Lysine Deoxycholate (XLD) agar, Eosine-Methylene Blue (EMB) agar. Identification of Salmonella spp. was done by colony characteristics, Gram staining, biochemical test and Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR). Multi-drug resistant Salmonella spp. was detected by disc diffusion test using 10 commonly used antibiotics. The overall prevalence of Salmonella spp. in all food samples was 21.89%. A total of 29 (56.86%) chicken meat, 02 (1.85%) milk, and 06 (60%) beef samples were Salmonella spp. positive. Antibiogram study showed that an overall 89.19% of Salmonella spp. was found multi-drug resistant. Specifically 100%, 66.67% and 93.10% of the Salmonella spp. isolates originated from milk, beef and chicken meat respectively were multi-drug resistant. The result of this study suggests that MDR Salmonella spp. is prevalent in the milk and meat which might cause public health hazard if proper hygienic measures are not undertaken at farm and marketing level.

DETERMINATION OF AN EFFECTIVE MEDIA AND ITS HORMONE AND PROTEIN SUPPLEMENNTATION FOR IN VITRO MATURATION OF OOCYTES OF INDIGENOUS ZEBU COWS

In vitro maturation (IVM) of oocytes is the first important step for successful in vitro embryo production of any mammalian species. The objectives of the present study were to determine an effective basic medium and its hormone and protein supplementation for IVM of oocytes of indigenous zebu cows. The oocytes were derived from ovaries of locally slaughtered cows after aspiration of follicle. The oocytes were cultured in medium for 24 hrs at 38.5ºC with 5% CO2 in humidified air for maturation. The maturation of oocytes was evaluated by examining the presence of first polar body extrusion in denuded oocytes under inverted microscope. To determine an effective basic medium, the oocytes were cultured in fetal bovine serum (FBS) supplemented tissue culture medium (TCM), modified synthetic oviduct fluid (mSOF) and Tyrodes albumin lactate pyruvate (TALP) medium. The maturation rate was significantly higher (74±4.2) in TCM medium than that of TALP medium (58.2±6.2). To determine an effective hormone supplementation for maturation medium, the oocytes were cultured in either in follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) or gonadotrophin supplemented TCM. The maturation rate of oocytes was significantly (p>0.05) higher (73.3±4.0) in FSH supplemented medium than that of gonadotrophin supplemented counterpart (60.2±6.6). To determine an effective protein supplementation, the oocytes were cultured in FBS, oestrus cow serum (OCS) and bovine serum albumin (BSA) supplemented TCM 199. The maturation rate of oocytes were 73.0±5.9, 71.1±2.8, and 62.5±9.4 in medium supplemented with FBS, OCS and BSA respectively (p>0.05). In conclusions, TCM supplemented with either FBS, OCS or BSA as protein and FSH as hormone may be used as medium for IVM of oocytes of indigenous zebu cows.

SEROPREVALENCE OF EQUINE BRUCELLOSIS: FIRST REPORT IN BANGLADESH

Despite the endemicity of brucellosis, there is no report on the equine brucellosis in Bangladesh. The Rose Bengal Test (RBT) was used to determine the seroprevalence of Brucella antibodies amongst 112 horses from different areas of Bangladesh. The overall seroprevalence of equine brucellosis was 1.79%.The prevalence recorded in Ghatail area was 3.45% and there was no positive reactor in Shakipur and Savar areas. Sex wise prevalence showed that the prevalence was 3.08%in female and 0.00% in male horse. Only the adult (>3 years of old) horses showed the positive RBT reaction (2.35%), whereas young (<3 years of old) horses did not showed positive RBT reaction. The present study reports the first serological prevalence of Brucella infection in horses in Bangladesh. There is need for the inclusion of horses in brucellosis surveillance and control strategies in Bangladesh to safeguard people from high risk.

PREVALENCE OF PARASITIC INFECTIONS OF GAME BIRDS IN DHAKA CITY CORPORATION, BANGLADESH

Game birds are silent controller of maintaining ecological balance. To study the prevalence of intestinal parasites in game birds, a total of 60 birds (budgerigar, parrot, cockatoo, dove, turkey and teeter) were collected from several places of Dhaka Municipality area, during the period of June 2017 to November, 2017. Alongside the effects of age, sex, season and treatment on the prevalence of parasitic infection in game birds were studied. Coprologic analysis revealed that the overall prevalence of intestinal parasitic infection was 45%, of which 21.67% of Ascaridia galli, 10% for Balantidium coli and 13.33% for Eimeria spp. The prevalence of Ascaridia galli was 28.7%, t 22.22% and 16.6% in teeter, budgerigar and parrot respectively. Eimeria spp. (16.67%) in budgerigar. The prevalence of Ascaridia galli was highest (25%) followed by Eimeria spp (16.67%) in parrot. The prevalence of Ascaridia galli in cockatoo was 16.67%. In dove prevalence of Balantidium coli (44.44%) was highest followed by Ascaridia galli (22.22%). The prevalence of Eimeria spp. and Balantidium coli were highest (25%) followed by Ascaridia galli (12.50%) in turkey. The prevalence of Ascaridia galli was highest (28.57%) followed by Eimeria spp (14.23%) in teeter. Age of this game birds had significant (p> 0.05) influence on the infections and odds ratio of Chick (<6 month) vs young (>6 month to 1 year), young vs adult (>1 year) and chick vs adult were 1.28, 1.08 and 1.4 respectively. The sex of the game birds had significant (p>0.05) influence on the infections with intestinal parasites and odds ratio of male vs female was 0.81. Game birds had significant (p>0.05) on the infection in the seasons of the year and odds ratio of summer vs winter was 2.12. Game birds had significant (p>0.05) on the infection in the treatment given and the odds ratio of treated vs non-treated was 0.89. It may be concluded that game birds, irrespective of age, sex, season, treatment, intestinal parasites are the serious threat to game birds in Dhaka Municipality area, Bangladesh.

EFFECT OF GREEN TEA POWDER AS AN ALTERNATIVE OF ANTIBIOTIC ON GROWTH PERFORMANCE, MEAT QUALITY AND BLOOD LIPID PROFILE OF BROILER

A study was conducted with green tea powder to evaluate the effect on broiler growth, meat quality and the development of internal organ. The broiler growth, meat quality and the blood profile have been improving day by day by using green tea powder with poultry feed. The experiment design should be well planned. Biosecurity of experimental design was maintained properly. Feed intake, feed conversion ratio is efficient in experiment birds. The live weight gain was significantly (P<0.05) higher in the group of Green Tea in the feed. The initial body weights of group To, T1, T2, T3 and T4 day of the experiment were 176.8 ±1, 184.2±1.3, 185.1±1, 190.2±084, 180.2±1.22 gm respectively and after 35th day of experiment final body weight were 1972±3.22, 1992±2.77, 1940±3.17, 1778±3.52, 1918±2.81 gm respectively. The net body weight gains were 1795.2±2.22, 1807.8±1.47, 1754.9±2.17, 1727.8±2.68, 1737.8±1.52 gm respectively and economics of production were analyzed and found the net profit per broiler. Green tea powder has significantly impact on feed intake To, T1, T2, T3 and T4 respectively 3058± 4.23, 2971±4.01, 2995±5.57, 3208±4.3 and 3226±5.25 and increase body weight. Here the total cholesterol is lower in the group of broiler supplied green tea 0.5% and compare to other group of GT and antibiotic group. Triglyceride level showed significant (P<0.01) differences among different groups where highest level was found in T1 and lowest in T3 groups due to green tea powder concentration of blood plasma of broiler chicken.

EFFECTS OF PROBIOTICS AND PHYTOEXTRACTS ON GROWTH AND IMMUNOMODULATING PERFORMANCES OF BROILER CHICKENS

An investigation was carried out to find out the effects of probiotics and phytoextracts (Korolla- bitter melon, Triphala-traditional three herbal components and Safi-commercial polyherbal products) on growth, hemato-biochemical (TEC, TLC, ESR, Hb concentration, PCV, ALT, AST, Cholesterol, Tryglyceride, HDL and LDL) and immunomodulating performance of broiler chickens. The study was performed from February to April, 2017. A total of 150, seven-days-old broiler chicks were divided into five (05) groups using 30 chicks in each group. The group A was designated as control group (without probiotics and phytoextracts), with probiotics (Exolution®) Group B, with phytoextract (Korolla-bitter melon) Group C, Triphala-traditional three herbal components Group D and Safi Group E. Chicks were reared for 35 days and body weight were measured on weekly basis. Broilers were sacrificed at the end of 35 days and blood samples were taken for hematological analysis. Serum samples were also taken for biochemical tests. Broilers in all treatment groups were necropsied at the end of the experiment to observe and determine the weight of the gross lymphoid organs (spleen, thymus and bursa of Fabricious). Both body weight gain, hematological parameters like TEC, TLC, Hb concentration and PCV values and size of lymphoid organs (spleen, thymus, Bursa of Fabricious) were increased in birds supplemented with probiotics and phytoextracts as compared with control group. In biochemical parameters, AST and ALT values were decreased significantly (p<0.05 and p<0.01) in groups B, C, D, E from that of the control group. The findings of the experiment would help us to assess the use of proper feed additives as healthy growth promoter and immunomodulator in broiler chickens.

SEASONAL VARIATION OF GILL, SKIN, MUSCLE, LIVER AND KIDNEY PATHOLOGY OF MRIGAL (Cirrhinus cirrhosus) IN CULTURAL POND FISHERIES, MYMENSINGH, BANGLADESH

An investigation on the seasonal variation of gill, skin muscle, liver and kidney pathology of Mrigal (Cirrhinus cirrhosus) was carried out from four Government (Govt.) and four Private (Pvt.) fish farms, Mymensingh, Bangladesh during June, 2010 to May, 2012. Fish sampling and water quality parameters were monitored monthly basis. For histopathological studies skin, muscle, gill, liver and kidney were collected, processed and stained in Haematoxylin and Eosin. Histologically, Mrigal of different fish farms were more affected in colder months. All the investigated organs of Mrigal were exhibited few abnormalities during summer, however, mild hyperplasia, haemorrhage, partial loss of secondary gill lamellae, marked and hypertrophy was observed during the rainy season. Several pathological changes like necrosis, fungal granuloma, protozoan and monogenean cyst, vacuolation, melanomacrophase, haemorrhage, hypertrophy, hyperplasia and clubbing were recorded in all the investigated organs. Among them fish gills and skin were more affected followed by liver and kidney. In some cases, large bacterial colony and protozoan cyst were observed in the secondary gill lamellae of Mrigal. The ectoparasites were very common in gills and skin of all fishes. Water quality parameters were taken and management practices were investigated fortnightly interval in different farms. These were almost similar for all experimental ponds. The risk of being infestation by parasites of carp significantly (p<0.001) increased when the water quality parameters such as temperature, dissolved oxygen, pH, ammonia, hardness, alkalinity, transparency and depth of water etc. were not maintained the optimum level.

EFFICACY OF MEDIUM CHAIN FATTY ACIDS AND SACCHAROMYCES CEREVISIAE ON GROWTH PERFORMANCE OF BROILER

The study was conducted to determine the effect of medium chain fatty acids and Saccharomyces cerevisiae on performance in broiler birds. A field trial was carried out on 200 broiler chicks ((Lohman) dividing them into four treatment groups each having 50 birds such as treatment group 1 (T1), treatment group 2 (T2), treatment group 3 (T3), and a control group (C). The treatment group 1 (T1) was supplied with a standard feed containing medium chain fatty acids (MCFA) and Saccharomyces cerevisiae (S. cerevisiae type boulardii 2.0x1010 CFU/gm).Treatment group 2 (T2) was supplied with a standard feed rich in medium chain fatty acids (MCFA). Treatment group 3 (T3) was supplied with a standard feed having Saccharomyces cerevisiae (S. cerevisiae type boulardii 2.0x1010 CFU/gm. MCFA and S. cerevisiae lacked standard feed was given to the control group(C). The inclusion rate of MCFA per kilogram of feed was 2 gm for 10 days, 1.5 gm for successive 10 days and 1gm for next 8 days, and of Saccharomyces cerevisiae was 0.2gm for 10 days, 0.15 gm for successive 10 days and 0.10 gm for next 8 days during the study period of 4 weeks. Weekly weight gain and, at the end of the study, body weight, feed consumption, FCR and mortality rate were recorded. Analysis of data revealed that the final average body weight and average weight gain of the birds belonging to the groups T1, T2 and T3 were higher (p< 0.01) than the control group. FCR was 1.36, 1.37, and 1.38 for the treatment group T1, T3 and T2 respectively which were better than (p<0.05) control group. There was no significant difference between the treatment group T2 and T3 but there was significant difference between the treatment group and control group (p<0.10) in terms of feed consumption. In case of livability, there was significant difference among bird groups T1, T2, T3 and control group (p<0.01). Data analyses regarding organ weight showed that the addition of MCFA and SC in the diet of treatment group one (T1) significantly increased (p<0.01) the weight of intestine with chymus, intestine without chymus, gizzard, head and neck by 41%, 17%, 5%, 8% and 11% respectively compared with control group. No significant differences were observed among the experimental groups for the weight of liver, spleen, and pancreas.

BIOCHEMICAL AND PATHOLOGICAL EFFECTS OF PALM, MUSTARD AND SOYBEAN OILS IN RATS

The investigation was conducted to determine the effects of different edible oils in experimental animals. A total of 36 male Long Evans rats of one month age were randomly divided into four equal groups. Rats of Group A were kept as control by feeding rat pellet. Rats of Group B, C and D were fed rat pellet by mixing of palm, mustard and soybean oils respectively, at the dose of 15 % in feed for 6 months. The methods included determination of weight gains, lipid profiles and histopathological lesions in different organs: aorta, liver, heart and kidneys at 0 day, 3 months and 6 months interval. All experimental rats exhibited progressive weight gain during the research period and soybean oil treated group showed the highest significant (P<0.01) body weight gain (153 %) but mustard oil resulted significant (P<0.05) increased liver weight (4.557g) after 6 months. Soybean oil showed significant (P<0.01) increased total cholesterol (204.25 mg/dl), HDL (53.15 mg/dl) and LDL (113.06 mg/dl) than other groups. Triglyceride levels of all oil treated groups were significantly (P<0.05) lower than control group. Histopathology revealed that palm oil fed group had fatty liver, narrowed blood vessel and thickened aorta of heart. Soybean oil fed group also showed narrowed blood vessels but mustard oil fed group showed no noticeable change in the mentioned vital organs. After the investigation, mustard oil proved comparatively better than palm and soybean oil.