Ukrainian Journal of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences
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Helminthоfauna of red deer (Cervus elaphus) and fallow deer (Dama dama) in the farm of the Western Polissia of Ukraine
Host animals – red deer (Cervus elaphus) and European fallow deer (Dama dama) for industrial cultivation in the conditions of the “Amila” farm in the Western Polissia of Ukraine can be the primary source of the spread of the helminthic infestation. Following this, in September 2022, samples of feces from a red deer (n = 22) and a European fallow deer (n = 5) were collected for coprological research. During the helminthological study of red deer from five lineages (Eastern European, English, Hungarian, Latvian crossbred, Lithuanian crossbred) in farms, Ostertagia leptospicularis mint eggs were found in faeces in 72.7 % of animals at an intensity of infestation of 6.0 ± 2.1 to 19.3 ± 5.6 EGF. As part of a two-component associative invasion, the species of helminth Ostertagia leptospicularis crossed together with the species Cooperia oncophora (18.2 %). In samples of deer feces, the intensity of Cooperia oncophora egg infestation ranged from 3.5 ± 1.5 to 4.5 ± 2.5 EGF. In the European fallow deer, a coprological examination of collected faecal samples revealed helminth eggs of Ostertagia leptospicularis in 80.0 % of animals with an average infestation intensity of 7.3 ± 2.6 EGF. As part of a two-component associative infestation, the helminth species Ostertagia leptospicularis ran together with the Tricostrongylus axei (20.0 %). The intensity of infestation with eggs of the helminth Trichostrongylus axei averaged 2.5 ± 0.5 EGF. However, in this study, the helminthic infestation was observed in most wild ruminants, but the average infestation intensity was low. In contrast to our previous study on the species distribution of parasites of red deer (Cervus elaphus), the relative abundance and prevalence of nematode eggs: Trichostrongylus, Ostertagia, Coperia, Habertia, Haemonchus, Aonchotheca (capillaria), Strongyloides and Mulleria larvae were generally much higher before deworming in animals on a deer farm. Our findings indicate that the potential for transmission of helminthic infestations is relatively low if monitoring studies on parasite infestation of wild ruminants and their planned deworming are carried out periodically
Activity of blood serum enzymes and their relationship with feeding and meat qualities in young pigs of different intrageneric differentiation according to the “formation intensity” index
The article presents the study results of the activity of blood serum enzymes, fattening, and meat qualities of young pigs of the universal direction of productivity, considering their intrabreed differentiation according to the “formation intensity” index. It was established that the activity of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) in the blood serum of young pigs of the large white breed corresponds to the physiological norm of clinically healthy animals; by the age of reaching a live weight of 100 kg, the thickness of lard at the level of 6–7 thoracic vertebrae and the length of the chilled carcass – I class and elite class. Taking into account the intrabreed differentiation of young pigs of the large white breed according to the “formation intensity” index, the animals of the experimental group I (∆ = 0.715–1.009) exceeded those of the same age as II (∆ = 1.011–1.356) in terms of average daily increase in live weight by 5.71%, age reaching a live weight of 100 kg – 1.28 %, fat thickness at the level of 6–7 thoracic vertebrae – 1.44 %. The pairwise correlation coefficient between biochemical indicators of blood serum and fattening and meat qualities of young pigs of the large white breed shows that this biometric indicator varies from -0.344 ± 0.1485 to +0.402 ± 0.1448. The maximum increase in additional production was obtained from young pigs of the first experimental group, in which the “formation intensity” index ranges from 0.715 to 1.009 points (+3.40 %). The criterion for selecting highly productive animals of the leading herd based on the absolute parameters of their offspring's fattening and meat qualities is their correspondence to the elite class, according to the “intensity of formation” index – 0.715–1.009 point
Hygiene products for udder health of lactating cows
The introduction of the “Milking Protocol” on the farm is a mandatory condition for preventing intramammary infections, maintaining cows' productivity, and improving milk quality. Treating udders with hygiene products is an effective preventive udder care measure in most dairy herds. The choice of an antiseptic agent for udder health should be based on its proven effectiveness, which is necessary to register the drug as a veterinary medicinal product. The purpose of the study was to get acquainted with the current literature on the use of hygiene products for the health of the udder of lactating cows. While writing this review article, we got acquainted with the results of modern scientific research, conducted their analysis and theoretical justification, and summarized the data obtained on using hygienic means for sanitizing the udder of lactating cows. For this purpose, the Polissia National University scientific library funds, scientific search systems Science-Direct, and PubMed were used. This means that sanitation of the mammary gland should have an antiseptic effect and keep the breasts in good condition. Declared composition of registered drugs in Ukraine: iodine, chlorhexidine, organic acids. Hygienic products include cosmetic surfactants that soften the skin and form a moisturizing hydrophilic layer on the skin. Means for udder hygiene, as a rule, are products of chemical origin, and using these drugs creates a risk of chemical elements entering the milk. An alternative to these potential dangers can be probiotic-based products that are environmentally friendly and harmless to the animal body. In the conditions of war and economic troubles, the specialists of the dairy industry are offered preparations of plant origin for the disinfection of cow udders, where medicinal plants are used as raw materials, from which infusions, decoctions, water extracts, alcohol- and oil-based solutions are prepared. Applying dipping procedures is an integral part of the preventive measures of the anti-mastitis program. The choice of means for disinfecting udders after milking must be made depending on the circulation of pathogens in the herd and consider all factors in the conditions of a specific product. In this regard, I believe that a promising direction of scientific research is the use of nanotechnology in the development of new antiseptics, the study of their effect on the health of the udder of lactating cows, the use of probiotics as a dip, as an alternative to substances of chemical origin
Prevalence of subclinical abortions in cows due to mycotoxicosis
The article presents data on the distribution and seasonal dynamics of subclinical abortions in cows with mycotoxin poisoning, particularly zearalenone. Subclinical abortion is a common phenomenon among cows in dairy farms and causes significant economic losses due to multiple unsuccessful inseminations, reduced animal productivity, and premature culling. The research aimed to study the seasonal fluctuations of hidden abortions in cows and the influence of the method of keeping in the conditions of feed contamination with microscopic fungi and their toxins. To diagnose hidden abortions, cows were diagnosed with the pregnancy on the 32nd day after insemination. When pregnancy was confirmed, the animals were examined for 92 days. At the same time, if the pregnancy was not confirmed, it was considered that an abortion had occurred. Seasonal fluctuations of subclinical abortions were established - the most significant number (up to 13.6 %) was diagnosed at the end of spring, associated with many animals entering the hunt after the transit period. It is also important that at that time, the number of mycotoxins in feed reached record values, which led to abortions due to toxic effects on the organs of the reproductive system in particular and the body in general. A large number of abortions (11.2 %) in the summer season was also confirmed. At the same time, animals kept free all year received a similar diet containing mycotoxins. At the same time, a concomitant negative factor was temperature shock at this time of year. This whole complex of reasons led to subclinical abortions followed by the resorption of the fetus. Sonographically, areas of reduced echogenicity of the uterus in cows after abortions were detected, which is evidence of the development of subclinical endometritis, confirmed by the uterus's heterogeneous echogenicity. In infertile animals, the presence of follicles with cavities and small yellow bodies that did not extend beyond the surface of the ovary was established sonographically. This indicates a hypofunctional state and impaired folliculogenesis and luteogenesis
Indicators of the behavior of highly productive cows under the conditions of using feed stations
The purpose of this work was to study the influence of feed stations on behavioral indicators of high-yielding cows. The research was conducted at two farms of TDV “Terezine” (Kyiv region) with different options for feeding fodder: from a feed table and a feed table + at feed stations. On each farm, a group of unpregnant high-yielding cows of the Ukrainian black-spotted dairy breed (II lactation and older) with a daily productivity of 30 kg and above during the calving period (2–3 months of lactation) was formed. Using feed stations for concentrated feeds affected the daily behavior of high-yielding cows. With this option of feeding, lower values of the duration of walking and standing were observed (by 16.3 and 9.6 min), as well as a slightly longer duration of lying down rest – by 17.4 min. The total feeding duration was longer due to the consumption of concentrated feeds at feeding stations, which was 25.6 minutes. At both farms, the peak of daily foraging activity occurred at 08:00 and 18:00. On average, during the day, cows approached the feed table and ate feed 8.7 times (maximum 12, minimum 6). At the farm with concentrated fodder feeding at feed stations, the average hourly duration of fodder consumption from the feed table was slightly lower (by 1–8 min) than at the farm where cows were fed only with fodder mixtures. At the farm, with the use of feed stations, the values of the indices of comfort, use of stalls, and feeding were 3.14, 1.62, and 0.03 % higher compared to the option where cows were fed only with feed mixtures. This trend is explained by a slightly higher duration of rest and general feed consumption and, accordingly, a lower duration of walking and standing of animals. Somewhat lower values were for the index of standing, discomfort, and drunkenness, which were higher for feeding feed from the feed table – by 1.79, 0.04, and 0.008%, respectivel
Effectiveness of complex treatment of cats for chronic kidney disease
Treatment of cats with chronic kidney disease should be aimed at slowing the progression of the disease, which contributes to the preservation of residual kidney function, the elimination of clinical signs of CKD, and the quality of life of sick animals. During the II stages of chronic kidney disease in cats, hyporexia (60 %), polyuria and polydipsia (50 %), anemia of mucous membranes (60 %), impaired coordination of movements (30 %), vomiting and ulcerative stomatitis (40 %), an increase in serum levels of creatinine and urea (P > 0.001), the level of symmetric dimethylarginine (P < 0.001), the concentration of cystatin C (P > 0.001), a decrease in the rate of glomerular filtration, the level of total calcium (P < 0.001), an increase in the level of inorganic Phosphorus and Potassium. Arterial hypertension was established in 8 cats; the risk was moderate (148 ± 4.7 / 98 ± 3.8 mmHg). Changes in the physical properties and chemical composition of urine have been established. The application of complex treatment of cats with II stages of chronic kidney disease for 14 days contributed to the restoration of appetite, increased motor activity, the absence of anemia of visible mucous membranes and vomiting, and a decrease in the level of polyuria and polydipsia was established. Hematological indicators improved, the content of symmetric dimethylarginine in blood serum (Р < 0.001), Cystatin C (Р < 0.001), the level of total calcium (Р < 0.001) normalized, azotemia decreased (Р < 0.001), the rate of glomerular filtration increased (Р < 0.001), the level of inorganic Phosphorus and Potassium (Р < 0.001). An increase (Р < 0.001) in the relative density of urine and a decrease in the content of protein and creatinine were noted in the urine. For arterial hypertension in cats with chronic kidney disease, life-long therapy is indicated, which is adjusted according to the needs and condition of the animal
Dynamics of clinical symptoms of damage to the shin of newborn Ukraini-an red dairy breed under industrial exploitation conditions
The analysis of the data of the 5-year monitoring of the visual (in points) examination of the firstborns (n = 1113) of the newly created Ukrainian red milk (URD) breed for the assessment of the clinical condition of the lateral surface of the lower leg under the conditions of unharnessed keeping on rubber mats is presented. An increase in the number of cows with damage to the epithelium of the leg skin (“gateway of infection”) along the chronological axis (2018–22), namely: from 33.88 ± 3.97 % to 55.95 ± 5.94 % (P < 0.01). Pronounced inflammatory phenomena (purulent-necrotic) in the area of the tibial joint increased by 15.05 % (P < 0.01), and symptoms of severe damage to all tissues of the tibial area with signs of lameness increased from 0.96 ± 0.96 % to 4.11 ± 0.95 % (P < 0.05). The dynamics of the increase in the symptom complex of shin pathologies in firstborns showed a positive correlative relationship with the growth of milk productivity (in 2018, the average milk yield for 305 days of lactation was 6999.13 kg, and in 2020 – 8947.25 kg). Still, the trend of increasing clinical damage to firstborns' shins remained even after the drop in productivity in 2021 to 7995.00 kilograms of milk. The analysis of the results of the study showed a tendency to decrease the adaptive properties of young cows of the URD breed, which probably can be connected with a high degree of Holsteinization of the population of the newly created breed, during which the negative microevolutionary consequences of the rapid transformation of the genotype were manifested, which require further research
Comprehensive characteristics of rectal morphology in chickens with different types of autonomous regulation
The influence of typological features of autonomous regulation on the dimensions, structure, and blood supply of the rectum in chickens has been studied. The experimental group consisted of clinically healthy adult chickens of the Isa-Brown breed, divided into two groups using electrocardiography and variation pulsometry methods: chickens with sympathetic-tonic regulation and chickens with sympathetic-normotonic regulation. In each group, the length and diameter of the rectum, the branching of its arterial vessels, and the microscopic structure of the intestinal wall were examined. The corresponding artery provides the blood supply to the rectum, the branching of which showed no significant differences between the poultry groups. The peculiarities of autonomous regulation significantly influence the morphological structure of the intestinal wall’s mucous and muscular membranes. The serous membrane does not respond to these features. Chickens with sympathetic-tonic regulation (ST chickens) are characterized by a greater thickness of all indicated membranes and, consequently, the entire intestinal wall. Chickens with sympathetic-normotonic regulation (ST-NT chickens) have a greater thickness only in the muscular plate of the mucous membrane and its longitudinal layer. Regarding the quantity of collagen and elastic fibers, ST chickens dominate the mucous membrane’s crypt area, while ST-NT chickens dominate the muscular membrane. However, the density of connective tissue fibers in the mucous membrane is much lower than in the muscular one. The quantity and distribution of plasma cells have similar patterns in both groups. Specific morphometric compensation between two functionally related indicators is also an important aspect. In this case, larger values of one indicator are combined with smaller values of another. For example, a smaller diameter of the rectum in ST chickens is associated with its greater length; a smaller number of goblet cells on one villus corresponds to a larger area of their secretory section; a larger area of the nerve node of the intramuscular nerve plexus is combined with a smaller number of these nodes per 1 cm² of the intestinal wall. Thus, the structure of the rectum in chickens, adapting to the corresponding type of autonomous regulation, maintains the balance at the level of individual membranes and the entire intestinal wall
Biochemical screening of Hisex brown cross chickens after multiple vaccinations
It is impossible to imagine the epizootic well-being of poultry without immunoprophylaxis. Today, there are many vaccines to prevent infectious diseases in poultry. Our work aimed to determine how repeated vaccination affects the biochemical parameters of poultry serum. The post-vaccination changes in the protein, lipid, and enzyme metabolism of the poultry of the experimental group, which received repeated vaccine prophylaxis, are highlighted in the work. The obtained blood serum samples on the 1st, 15th, 25th, 50th, 75th, 100th, and 120th days of the chickens' life were analyzed using a semi-automatic biochemical analyzer for the content of glucose, total protein, albumins, globulins, bilirubin, creatinine, uric acid, and alpha-amylase activity, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, lactate dehydrogenase, alkaline phosphatase, gamma glutamine transferase, and creatinine kinase. The conducted studies established an increase in indicators in the research group of 100-day-old chickens after the last vaccine prophylaxis complex compared to the control group, namely: hyperpotenemia by 8.6 %, hyperbilirubinemia by 19.6 %, hyperglycemia by 20.3 %, hyperenzymemia of alanine aminotransferase by 31 %, gamma glutamine transferase by 21.2 %, aspartate aminotransferase by 7.9 %, alpha-amylase by 3.9 %, alkaline phosphatase by 11.9 %, lactate dehydrogenase by 18.2 %. In connection with this, we can assume the stimulation of biochemical processes in the poultry's body against the background of vaccine prophylaxis
Sequence Analysis of Prion Protein Gene in Bhagnari Cattle Breed from the Hottest Region of Sibi, Balochistan, Pakistan
Prion diseases are a type of neurodegenerative disorder caused by the transmission of specific pathogens containing prion proteins. Due to the unique structural characteristics of Prion proteins (PrP), which differ from other types of proteins, the extended incubation period observed in the transmission of specific Prions can be attributed to these differences, at least in part. Prions are found in several other mammals and animals. Prions are unique among false protein folding abnormalities because these are infections and contain various strains of contagious agents associated with a unique in vivo phenotype. They can be acquired either by inheritance or sporadically. There are two types: classical and typical BSP. The objective of this study was to observe the Bhagnari cattle breed of Balochistan, Pakistan, and compare the PrP gene sequence of the Bhagnari with other reported sequences from Pakistan and other parts of the world. This research collected 40 Bhagnari cattle blood samples from Tali, Bhag Nari, and Sibi district areas. DNA extraction of each sample was performed by inorganic method, and then DNA amplification and sequencing of PRNP Gene was performed. The results of this research work showed different polymorphic variations (SNPs) in 16 samples. In this study, while mutations causing prion diseases in cattle were detected in Italian and German breeds, none were identified in the PRNP gene of the cattle population investigated, despite its association with neurological disorders