Veterinary Integrative Sciences

Effect of dietary Extracellular polymeric substances from Lactic acid bacteria on disease resistance and immune response in the whiteleg shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei)

Nguyen Huu Thanh — 2024-10-09

Extracellular polymeric substances (EPSs) are known to have prebiotic properties, promoting the growth of beneficial bacteria in the intestinal tracts of humans and animals. To investigate the prebiotic potential of EPSs isolated from lactic acid bacteria (LAB), specifically Lactiplantibacillus plantarum and Bifidobacterium bifidum, the study examined changes in intestinal LAB and Vibrio parahaemolyticus populations, as well as immune responses in the Pacific white shrimp, Litopenaeus vannamei. The results showed that dietary supplementation with EPSs increased the population of LAB while reducing the level of V. parahaemolyticus in the shrimp gut. Additionally, EPSs were found to enhance the cellular immune responses of the shrimp, including total haemocyte count, respiratory bursts, phenoloxidase activity, and superoxide dismutase activity. Shrimp that were not fed EPSs and later inoculated with V. parahaemolyticus registered a mortality rate of 91%. In contrast, shrimp fed with EPSs showed greater resistance to V. parahaemolyticus, with mortality rates ranging from 27-30% post-infection. These findings suggest that EPSs produced by LAB could be utilized as a potential prebiotic substitute for antibiotics in shrimp feed to inhibit the growth of V. parahaemolyticus, a significant pathogen in aquaculture. The prebiotic and immune-enhancing properties of EPSs demonstrated in this study highlight their potential as a sustainable and eco-friendly approach to disease management in shrimp farming.

Physiological performance and productivity of quail layer period supplemented with coconut shell liquid smoke grade 3

Rizki Maulana Fadhila — 2024-10-18

Coconut shell liquid smoke (CSLS) contains flavonoids, tannins, and saponins. It has antioxidant characteristics that can help quail to overcome oxidative stress. This study aimed to analyze the effect of coconut shell liquid smoke grade 3 on the physiological performance and productivity of the quail layer period. The research method used a completely randomized design consisting of 5 treatment levels with 3 replications, namely P0 (control), P1 (0.25 mL/L CSLS), P2 (0.50 mL/L CSLS), P3 (0.75 mL/L CSLS) and P4 (1 mL/L CSLS). Variables measured included physiological performance (hematology, superoxide dismutase, malondialdehyde and heterophil/lymphocyte ratio), productivity (water intake, feed intake, egg production, egg mass, and feed conversion ratio), and physical egg quality (egg weight, thick egg white height and percentage of eggshell). The results showed that supplementing CSLS had no significant effect (P > 0.05) on productivity and physical egg quality. The optimum FCR value was obtained at P1 (3.35). Hematology and stress indicators in P1 revealed that quail supplemented with CSLS can lower oxidative stress. It was concluded that CSLS could reduce oxidative stress in the quail layer period. It was found that the optimum stress indicators and FCR were obtained at a dose of 0.25 mL/L CSLS (P1).

Motility degradation rate, plasma membrane integrity, and kinematics during cryopreservation of boar (Sus scrofa domesticus) spermatozoa in different freezing extenders and thawing temperatures

Santiago T. Peña Jr. — 2024-10-24

Despite the very limited use of frozen-thawed semen (FTS) in pig artificial insemination, FTS in some instances can be truly beneficial as it is not constrained by time (shelf-life) and space (regional quarantine) restrictions unlike fresh-extended semen (FES). It also allows long-term banking of highly valuable genetics particularly during epidemics. This study compares existing and currently available freezing extenders used in boar semen cryopreservation aimed to optimize protocols useful for in-country local swine industry with special focus on the motility degradation rate (MDR), and plasma membrane structural (percent live) and functional (HOST reactive) integrity. Treatment samples from ten freezing runs using five different sperm-rich fractions were frozen using three different cooling/freezing extenders (CE/FE): A) LEYGE, B) BF5, and C) Cryoguard (~500 x 10⁶ spz/mL) in liquid nitrogen (LN2) vapor, thawed either at ~38°C or ~50°C for 20 sec, and examined using the Sperm Class Analyzer® CASA system. LEYGE had significantly the highest MDR from about 50% reduction post-thawing to 70% one hour thereafter. Cryoguard consistently had the lowest MDR although closely similar to BF5. There was a minimal effect on the plasma membrane functional integrity and was primarily limited to LEYGE and BF5. A fertility trial is recommended to attest the performance of FTS vs FES in terms of conception rates and the litter size following post-cervical AI before full-scale production and potential adoption by the breeder swine industry.

Computational multi-epitope based design of a multivalent subunit vaccine against co-infecting African swine fever virus and porcine circovirus type 2

Lauren Emily Fajardo — 2024-10-31

African swine fever virus (ASFV) and porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) are two prevalent and economically significant viruses causing high rates of pig mortality and large-scale losses to global pork production. Since there is currently no vaccine simultaneously targeting both viruses, this study aimed to computationally design a safe, stable, and effective multi-epitope based multivalent subunit vaccine against co-infecting ASFV and PCV2. Cytotoxic T-lymphocyte (CTL), helper T-lymphocyte (HTL), and linear B-lymphocyte (LBL) epitopes were screened from sequences of the Rep, Cap, and ORF3 PCV2 proteins. PCV2 epitopes predicted to be antigenic, non-allergenic, and non-toxic were linked to previously screened ASFV epitopes and Vibrio vulnificus FlaB flagellin as an adjuvant to create the final vaccine construct, which underwent physicochemical assessment and structure prediction. The vaccine construct was predicted to be stable, soluble, non-cross-reactive, antigenic, and nonallergenic. An immune simulation demonstrated that the vaccine could elicit robust antibody, T-cell, and B-cell responses. The vaccine construct stably docked to TLR5 and formed significant molecular interactions. A 200-ns molecular dynamics simulation showed that the vaccine-TLR5 complex exhibited stability and compactness throughout the run. These results show that the designed vaccine is safe, stable, and effective and warrants experimental validation.

Assessment of growth performance, blood biochemical parameters, and intestinal microbiota in common carp (Cyprinus carpio) following dietary Tinospora cordifolia root and stem powder supplementation

Zahraa Mohammed Ridha Al-Turaihi — 2024-11-01

There is a growing concern regarding the use of antibiotics in aquaculture. The main problem is related to the increase of resistance to antibiotics by pathogenic bacteria. Medicinal plants can be used as an alternative to antibiotics to enhance fish health in general, but their usage is still limited. This paper aimed to evaluate the efficacy of Giloy (Tinospora cordifolia) as a feed supplement and its effect on growth indices, blood biochemical parameters, and intestinal microbiota in common carp (Cyprinus carpio). Fish were fed on T. cordifolia root (R) and stem (S) powder for 8 weeks at two levels (4 and 6 g kg⁻¹) and the experimental diets were labeled as 4R, 6R, 4S, and 6S, respectively. The outcome of the present study demonstrates that fish fed on T. cordifolia at 6 g kg^⁻¹ had significantly enhanced growth performance and blood biochemical indices. Furthermore, there was a significant elevation in the total bacterial count and lactic acid bacteria. In contrast, the level of blood glucose decreased significantly (p < 0.05) with T. cordifolia supplementation. The present study shows that T. cordifolia significantly promotes weight gain and feed utilization efficiency, the intestinal microbiota, and the general health of C. carpio, suggesting that it can serve as a natural alternative to antibiotics for fish in aquaculture enterprises.

Effect of commercial bile acid and bovine bile extract supplementation on the growth performance, carcass traits, nutrient digestibility, serum lipid profile, meat quality, and economic aspect in broilers fed a high-oil diet

Noor Rizky Irmasari Hasibuan — 2024-11-07

This experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of commercial bile acid (CBA) and bovine bile extract (BBE) in high-oil broiler feed on the growth performance, carcass traits, nutrient digestibility, serum lipid profile, meat quality, and income over feed and chick cost (IOFCC) of broilers. A total of 240 one-day-old Cobb broilers were divided into eight treatments with six replicates of five birds each. This experiment used eight diets: a basal diet with 3% crude palm oil (CPO), a high-oil diet with 8% CPO, and three variations of the high-oil diet supplemented with different levels of CBA and BBE (200, 400, and 600 mg/kg). Dietary supplementation with 600 mg/kg BBE increased growth performance on day 32 (P < 0.05). No significant differences in carcass percentage was found between treatments. However, birds fed the high-oil diet (8% CPO) had a higher percentage of abdominal and gizzard fat than those fed other diets (P < 0.05). Dietary supplementation with CBA and BBE increased fat digestibility. Supplementation with 600 mg/kg BBE positively affected meat quality by increasing crude protein and decreasing ether extract content (P < 0.05). These results suggest that BBE supplementation could be improved performance, carcass traits, fat digestibility, meat quality, and IOFCC of broiler chickens.

Awareness of antibiotic use and antibiotic resistance among stakeholders in the pig value chain: A preliminary report

Asinamai Athliamai Bitrus — 2024-11-11

A growing threat to global health is antibiotic resistance, which is caused by the inappropriate use of antibiotics. This study was designed to assess the level of awareness of pig farmers and other stakeholders in the pig production value chain with regards to knowledge, attitude, and practices on antibiotic use and resistance in Jos metropolis and Kanke LGA of Plateau State. A qualitative approach using a pretested 80-point structured questionnaire shared by sending a web-link through social media (WhatsApp), email, and via interview of farm owners (single farm visit) was employed. The findings from the assessment revealed a mixed understanding among pig farmers regarding the prudent use of antibiotics, with areas of both good knowledge and potential misconceptions observed. The farmers used antibiotics therapeutically and oxytetracycline (31%), sulfadimidine (17%), and gentamicin (12%) were the most commonly used antibiotics. Knowledge on antibiotic residue and withdrawal period was generally poor. Farmers (61.5%) reported not keeping track of the antibiotics used on their farmers, and many farms do not have effective farm biosecurity measures in place. Overall, the farmers had general awareness on the concepts of antibiotic resistance and antibiotic use, however, they are not aware of the local agency (NAFDAC) regulating the use of drugs in food animals and which antibiotics have been banned for use in humans and animals. It was concluded that there is a need to improve access to government veterinary services for pig farmers on the Plateau, while addressing the identified awareness gaps on antibiotics and encouraging rational use

The current and advanced situation of ram semen quality in Bangladesh

Mohammad Asaduzzaman — 2024-10-21

This study aimed to survey the literature on Bangladeshi rams’ semen characteristics, quality evaluation, and production required for sheep breeding and production strategy programs. The ram potentiality must be assessed to optimize production performance and maximize stakeholders’ use of high genetic values. This is usually accomplished through an andrological examination of the male, which evaluates the characteristics and quality of the sperm produced. Microscopic semen evaluations, such as sperm motility, viability, normal morphology, plasma membrane integrity, and acrosome integrity, and macroscopic semen evaluations, such as semen volume, color, and pH, enable the identification and removal of clear-cut cases of male infertility or subfertility. Therefore, the current paper reviewed, discussed, summarized, and compared all the research performed on Bangladeshi rams’ semen characteristics, quality evaluation, and production.