Abattoir study of genital diseases of female Black Bengal goats

Pathological investigation of genital diseases in Black Bengal goats (Capra hircus) was done using slaughterhouse materials. A total of 256 female genitalia were collected from slaughterhouses of Kishoreganj district of Bangladesh during October 2016 to December 2018. The gross pathological changes were recorded and tissues from the affected organs were collected for histopathology. A total of 56 (21.9%) female genitalia showed one or more of the 84 different pathological changes. The prevalence of reproductive diseases increased with age: the highest number of lesions (34) was recorded in animals aged 19-24 months. The uterus showed the highest number of pathological lesions (44) followed by ovary (31), fallopian tube (5), cervix (2) and vagina (2). Major pathological changes were luteal cyst (7.4%), endometritis (6.3%) and pyometra (7.0%). The Bangladesh Veterinarian (2019) 36(1 - 2): 8-19

Evaluation of pregnancy diagnosis using ultrasonography in goats

Pregnancy status in 250 goats was determined by transabdominal ultrasonography. The registered hospital cases were divided into groups A (mated naturally; 88); B (postpartum reported unmated; 112) and C (pubertal unmated; 50). Animals found to be non-pregnant and free of uterine infection were labelled Group D and divided into synchronized (S) and control (NS) groups. GnRH followed byPGF2α nine days later was injected i.m. in group S, and NS group were allowed natural mating. All mated goats were checked monthly for pregnancy using ultrasonography. Pregnancy was diagnosed in 45.5, 4.5 and 0% from naturally mated, postpartum reported unmated and pubertal unmated cases, respectively. The oestrus detection and pregnancy rates varied significantly (P<0.001) between synchronized (n = 96; 70.8 and 54.4%, respectively) and NS group (n = 96: 54.0 and 28.6%, respectively). Pregnancy rates significantly varied in different months in gestation (P<0.05). Fetal viability rate was low in 1st month of pregnancy compared to other months (2nd, 3rd and >3rd). The confirmation of expected date of delivery (EDD) was low in 1st month of gestation compared to other months. Transabdominal ultrasonographic scanning helps to confirm pregnancy in goats. From 2nd month of gestation ultrasound scanning confirms pregnancy with viable fetus (83.3%). At 3rd month of pregnancy, this technique determined the EDD up to 94.2%. The Bangladesh Veterinarian (2019) 36(1 - 2): 42-48

Effects of aloe vera (Aloe barbadensis Miller) gel on growth performance and haemato-biochemical profiles in broiler chickens

The study was designed to assess the effects of aloe vera gel (AVG) on broiler growth performance and haemato-biochemical changes. “Lohman” day-old broiler chicks (n=48) were reared for 28 days. At day 13, chicks were randomly divided into four equal groups (12/group). Group A was non-treated control. Group B was supplemented with antibiotic (oxytetracycline hydrochloride) as a growth promoter in water. Group C and D were supplied AVG (1% and 2%) in drinking water. Antibiotic and AVG treated broilers had higher (P<0.05) live weight (1803.8 ± 63.6 gm and 1800.00 ± 64.2 gm) than control (1607.5 ± 41.7 gm). Total erythrocyte count (3.6 ± 0.1 x 106/uL), haemoglobin (9.9 ± 0.1 gm%) and packed cell volume (35.2 ± 0.4 %) were higher (P<0.05) in treated groups. It is suggested that the aloe vera gel supplementation (1-2%) may be used as an alternative to antibiotics for better growth performance in broilers without deleterious effects on haematobiochemical profiles. The Bangladesh Veterinarian (2019) 36(1 - 2): 25-32

Bacteriological investigation of pyometra of Black Bengal goats obtained at slaughter

Nine uteri of Black Bengal goats (Capra hircus) affected with pyometra were collected from three slaughterhouses at Kishoreganj district of Bangladesh. Both horns of each uterus were washed with phosphate buffered saline for isolation and identification of bacteria and its load. The bacterial loads in the uterus were high, ranging between 1 × 107 and 2.8 × 107. Six different bacterial species were identified and confirmed by Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR). There were five Escherichia coli, six Streptococcus sp., five Staphylococcus sp, one Salmonella sp., one Pasteurella sp. and one Bacillus sp. All had mixed infections containing two or three types of bacterial pathogens. Further studies are needed for the virulence determination and antibiogram profiles. The Bangladesh Veterinarian (2019) 36(1 - 2): 1-7

Ultrasound guided diagnosis of anoestrus and its treatment in postpartum crossbred Holstein-Friesian cows

This study was undertaken to determine the feasibility of using ultrasonography for diagnosis of postpartum anoestrus followed by its effective management and treatment in crossbred (Holstein-Friesian X zebu) cows. A total of 57 crossbred lactating cows with unobserved oestrus for ≥60 days postpartum was examined by ultrasonography at Central Cattle Breeding and Dairy Farm (CCBDF), Savar, Dhaka. Cows were divided into silent oestrus and true anoestrus groups by ultrasonography. The pregnancy was diagnosed transrectally using ultrasonography 28 - 35 days after AI. Cows with silent oestrus were treated with Cloprostenol (500 μg) followed by AI or with 2 doses of Cloprostenol 10 days apart followed by AI at observed oestrus. The true anoestrus cows were supplied with anthelmintic and vitamin ADE injection with balanced nutrition, treated with Gonadorelin (500 μg) followed by AI or with Gonadorelin followed by injecting Cloprostenol at 7 days interval and AI at observed oestrus. All cows with silent oestrus and true anoestrus were divided into different body condition score (BCS), milk yield, age and parity groups to determine their influence on outcome of treatment. Out of 57 anoestrus cows examined, 56% were confirmed as silent oestrus and 44% were confirmed as true anoestrus. In silent oestrus, 71% cows showed cyclicity and 43% became pregnant after treatment with Cloprostenol and 78% cows showed cyclicity and 50% became pregnant after treatment with 2 doses of Cloprostenol 10 days interval (P>0.05). In true anoestrus group, 60% cows showed cyclicity and 40% became pregnant when balanced diet was supplemented. Around 78% cows showed cyclicity and 44% became pregnant after treatment with Gonadorelin and 91% cows showed cyclicity and 55% became pregnant when Gonadorelin was followed by Cloprostenol at 7 days interval (P>0.05). Significant (P<0.05) influence of parity was observed in post-treatment cyclicity in true anoestrus cows. The Bangladesh Veterinarian (2019) 36(1 - 2): 33-41

Prevalence of lactic acidosis in cattle and treatment response in Dinajpur district

Cattle admitted as outpatients at the Upazila (Sub-district) Veterinary Hospital in Dinajpur district headquarter and adjacent farms were examined clinically for lactic acidosis, observing loss of appetite, rumen hypo-motility or atony, dehydration, acidaemia, diarrhoea, depression, incoordination, collapse, and recumbency in severe cases. Out of 424 cattle examined, 21 were diagnosed as lactic acidosis and were categorized on the basis of sex, breed and age. Affected animals were grouped into three. Group A was treated with stomachic mixture/sodium bicarbonate orally (Zymovet(R) Each sachet contains Ammonium Bicarbonate 5 gm, Sodium Bicarbonate 13 gm, Nux vomica 1.4 gm, Ginger Powder 300 mg, Gentian Powder 300 mg: The ACME Laboratories, Veterinary Division, Dhamrai, Dhaka, Bangladesh) and purgatives; Group B was treated with stomachic mixture/sodium bicarbonate orally and parenterally. Group C was treated with stomachic mixture/sodium bicarbonate orally and parenterally with antibiotic (oxytetracycline). The prevalence of lactic acidosis in indigenous and crossbred animals was 4.4 and 7.3%, respectively. Group C animals recovered more quickly. It is suggested that encouraging intake of hay or straw just before and after a concentrate meal will reduce the prevalence. The Bangladesh Veterinarian (2019) 36(1 - 2): 20-24

Comparative suitability of the feathers, peripheral blood and spleen tissue samples of chickens for the detection of Marek’s disease virus by polymerase chain reaction

A total of 24 clinical specimens (10 feathers, 8 peripheral bloods and 6 spleens) were collected from 10 suspected outbreaks of Marek’s disease (MD) from Mymensingh, Tangail, Gazipur and Pabna districts of Bangladesh. A polymerase chain reaction (PCR) protocol originally described by Silva (1992) was adopted to detect Marek’s disease virus (MDV) genome in these specimens. All the tested peripheral blood buffy coat samples (100%) were positive for MDV in PCR, while 70% of feather samples and 66.6% of spleen samples were positive. A band of 317 bp size was found in all positive samples. A few samples also yielded additional bands of 185 bp size and/or multiple bands of larger than 317 bp size, indicating the presence of both virulent MDV and the vaccine virus. The study suggests that peripheral blood and feathers from live birds, and feathers from dead birds are the samples of choice for the detection of MDV by PCR. The Bangladesh Veterinarian (2018) 35(1&2): 1-6

Vitrification of immature oocytes of goats in Bangladesh

Cryopreservation of oocytes and embryos by vitrification can have advantages in assisted reproductive technologies (ARTs) in mammals. The aim of this study was to establish an effective vitrification procedure and cryodevice for goat’s oocytes in Bangladesh. Cumulus oocyte complexes (COCs) were collected from ovaries from slaughterhouse. COCs with more than 3 layers of cumulus cells were selected. COCs were vitrified by two-step procedure using 7.5% and 15% dimethyl sulphoxide (DMSO) as cryoprotective agent (CPA), loaded on Cryotop or French mini-straw, then directly plunged into liquid nitrogen (LN2). Then the COCs containing Cryotop or French mini-straws were warmed in 0.25 M sucrose and 20% FBS-supplemented tissue culture medium (TCM) 199 followed by in vitro culture in 50 μl droplets of bicarbonate-buffered TCM 199 supplemented with 10% FBS, pyruvate, FSH and oestradiol for 24 h at 39°C with 5% CO2 in humidified air. After maturation culture, oocytes were denuded and examined under inverted microscope for presence of polar body as the indication of maturation. The in vitro maturation rate of goat’s oocytes after vitrification and warming was 39.3 ± 6.8%, 31.3 ± 9.4%, 61.6 ± 14.2% when using Cryotop (cryodevice), French mini-straws and without vitrification (control), respectively. Maturation rate was significantly higher (P<0.05) without vitrification. It is suggested that both Cryotop and French mini-straw are efficient cryodevices for vitrification of goat’s oocytes and further investigation is required to optimize the protocol for vitrification and warming procedure for the satisfactory survival of goat’s oocytes. The Bangladesh Veterinarian (2018) 35(1&2): 7-12

Histo morphometric evaluation of testes of Black Bengal goats

This study was designed to explore the gross and microscopic structures of the testes of Black Bengal bucks (n = 14) with special emphasis on the seminiferous tubules. A quantitative comparison of the various cell types in the seminiferous tubules of the testes were done. Biometrical values of testes were recorded. The left testes were significantly larger than the right. The mean length, width, weight and circumference of the left testis were 6.7 ± 0.1 cm, 3.9 ± 0.0 cm, 66.9 ± 0.8 gm and 13.4 ± 0.2 cm, respectively. The mean length, width, weight and circumference of the right testis were 6.3 ± 0.0 cm, 3.8 ± 0.0 cm, 66.5 ± 0.8 gm and 13.1 ± 0.1 cm, respectively. For microscopic studies tissue samples were evaluated with quantitative techniques. The testis was encapsulated by tunica toward the mediastinum testis. The testicular parenchyma was divided into convoluted seminiferous tubules and Leydig cells, which were found in the intertubular spaces. The Bangladesh Veterinarian (2018) 35(1&2): 40-46

Factors affecting the semen quality of breeding bulls

This study aimed to investigate the effects of breed, age, scrotal circumference, Body Condition Score (BCS), season and nutrition on bull semen quality at breeding bull station of Ejab Alliance Limited, Thakurgaon, Bangladesh. A total of 777 ejaculates were collected from 25 bulls (Holstein-Friesian-10; Sahiwal-15). All semen parameters were significantly (P<0.05) higher in Sahiwal bulls than in Holstein-Friesian. The volume, individual motility, mass activity and sperm morphology were significantly (P<0.05) higher in bulls aged >3.5 - 4.5 years than in younger (2.5 - 3.5 years) and older bulls (>4.5 years). Scrotal circumference significantly (P<0.05) affected all the parameters of semen quality. The highest values were observed in bulls with scrotal circumference 31.1 - 33.0 cm and the lowest in bulls with scrotal circumference of 33.1 cm and less. The volume, individual motility, mass activity and sperm morphology were higher (P<0.05) in bulls with BCS of 4 to 4.5 than in bulls with BCS of >4.5 to 5. Significantly (P<0.05) highest values regarding semen quality were in winter and the lowest in summer. Vitamin ADE supplementation significantly (P<0.05) improved the semen quality. It is suggested that Sahiwal breeds may be reared at the bull station in the subtropical climate of Bangladesh. Semen should be collected during winter in bulls of >3.5 to 4.5 years of age with moderate scrotal circumference and BCS. The Bangladesh Veterinarian (2018) 35(1&2): 32-39