Asian Journal of Research in Animal and Veterinary Sciences
Not a member yet
374 research outputs found
Sort by
Enhancing Smallholder Sheep Farmers\u27 Livelihoods through Collective Marketing Interventions: Evidence from Mwanga District in Tanzania
No full textThis study evaluated the effectiveness of collective marketing interventions in improving the livelihoods of smallholder sheep farmers in Mwanga district, Tanzania, addressing a significant research gap in the literature on collective marketing within this specific context. While various socio-economic interventions, including market associations, sheep producer groups, and market information systems, have been implemented in Mwanga district since 1990 to boost farmer incomes, limited research has quantitatively assessed their impact on smallholder sheep farmers\u27 livelihoods. Using a quantitative survey design, data were collected from 283 households randomly selected from a total of 384, using questionnaires. Descriptive statistics and multiple regression analysis were used to analyze the data. Results indicated that participation in collective marketing interventions significantly impacted smallholder sheep farmers\u27 income, as influenced by gender, education, farming experience, practices, and asset ownership (cell phones, bicycles). Specifically, sheep producer groups and market information systems demonstrated the strongest positive correlation with increased income. The ANOVA results (p < 0.001) indicated a significant relationship between the independent variables (sheep producer groups, market associations, and market information systems) and the dependent variable (livelihood improvement). These interventions facilitated improved access to technology, extension services, microfinance credit, communication, and market linkages. The study concluded that strengthening producer groups and market information systems is crucial for enhancing smallholder sheep farmers\u27 household income. These findings highlight the need for policies supporting producer group development and reliable market information dissemination for long-term sustainability. Continued investment in these interventions, coupled with strategies to address gender disparities and enhance access to education and technology, is essential for maximizing their impact and ensuring the long-term economic well-being of farming households in Mwanga district. Further research should explore the long-term sustainability and scalability of these interventions across diverse agro-ecological zones
An Assessment of the Carcass Composition and Meat Quality of Boran Crossbred Cattle Finished Using Different Strategies
No full textA study was performed to evaluate the effects of finishing practices and slaughter periods on carcass composition and quality of meat from Boran crossbred bulls. Fifty-four (54) bulls aged 2.5 - 3 years with initial body weight of 205 ± 1.89 kg were allocated to three finishing practices: sole grazing (P1), grazing with supplementation (P2) and feedlot finishing (P3). Three (3) bulls from each practice were slaughtered at 45 (S1), 60 (S2) and 75 (S3) days of finishing period, when the non-carcass components and carcass composition were assessed. The carcass pH was measured at 24- and 48-hours post-slaughter in the Longissimus thoracis et lumborum (LTL) muscle. The meat colour, cooking loss and shear force were determined after ageing portions of LTL muscle for 4, 8, 12, and 16 days. The feedlot finished bulls (P3) produced higher (P<0.05) internal fat (2.26 kg), heart-lung-liver weight (11.91 kg), carcass length (164 cm), and chest depth (42.43 cm) than those on P2 compared to their counterparts. The late slaughter period (S3) resulted in the highest (P<0.05) carcass length (155.97 cm) and chest depth (40.94 cm) compared to slaughter periods S2 (129.65 and 37.16) and S1 (133.41 and 36.77), respectively. Significant interactions between finishing practice and slaughter period were observed for carcass length, chest depth, hide weight, GIT weight (empty), tenderness, and redness colour. Lightness L* colour intensity was highest in S3 (45.96), while redness were significantly higher in P1 (10.47) than in P2 (9.83) and P3 (8.71). Bulls on P3 exhibited significantly more tender meat (shear force of 41.71 N/kg) compared to P1 (44.41 N/kg) and P2 (45.4 N/kg). In conclusion, 75 days of feedlot finishing and 12-day ageing produced acceptable tender meat and colour. Further research is needed on the influence of the current finishing strategies on consumer preferences
Gross and Histological Changes of the Female Reproductive Organ Following Chronic Tramadol Hydrochloride Administration in Albino Wistar Rat
No full textThis study was aimed to investigate the gross and histological changes associated with oral administration of tramadol hydrochloride on the ovaries and uterus of female wistar albino rat. Tramadol is a centrally active synthetic opioid analgesic that is used extensively for pain management, and has been associated with significant physiological and behavioral side effects, which include dependence and reproductive toxicity. A total of 20 mature female wistar rats were used. They were divided into two groups: a control group (n=10) were given feed and water only, and the treatment group (n=10) were administered with 50mg/kg/day of tramadol hydrochloride orally for 28 days. The body weight of the laboratory animals was measured using sensitive weighing balance, and is done at the beginning and termination of the study. At the beginning of the experiment the mean weight of the control group was 96.2grams and at the end of the experiment was 101.8grams, also the mean weight of the treated group before drug administration was 111.9grams and after drug administration was 105.7grams. The results showed gradual decrease in body weight in tramadol-treated group, this could be due to reduced appetite and gastrointestinal effects of the drug. At the termination of the study animals were humanely stunned using chloroform and their ovary and uterus were obtained. The organs were fixed in 10% buffered formalin, and stained using Hematoxylin and Eosin and the slides were examined using light microscope at x40 magnification. Histological findings in the control group revealed normal architecture of the uterus and ovaries, while the treatment group showed ovarian wall degeneration, atrophy of the ovarian follicles, and congestion of the ovarian blood vessels. In the uterus there was atrophy of the endometrial glands, vacuolation of the uterine cell.In conclusion, tramadol hydrochloride administrationhas a significant adverse effect on the female reproductive system of albino rats
Assessing the Feasibility of Using Ambient Temperature Semen and Prostaglandin-Based Synchronisation in Beef Cattle under Tropical Conditions of Tanzania
No full textArtificial insemination (AI) services for the Mpwapwa breed of cattle in Tanzania have been in abeyance for many years, largely due to difficulties of supply of liquid nitrogen to remote and rural areas. Historically, AI using unfrozen ambient temperature or chilled semen have been effective alternatives to cryopreserved (frozen) semen, subsequently, AI using ambient temperature semen could form the basis of an AI service for the Mpwapwa region (and other similar areas across East Africa). However, the feasibility of using ambient temperature semen needs testing in field conditions. In this study 151 Mpwapwa cows were synchronised using a standard 14-day double prostaglandin (PG) programme and inseminated using ambient temperature semen (AT). Cows showing oestrus after the first PG injection were inseminated accordingly; all other cows were inseminated at ~56 hours after second PG. Bulls were then run with the cows for 60 days, after which conception rates to AI and overall pregnancy rates were determined by transrectal ultrasonography. Conception rates to AI with AT semen were 62% (94/151), while final pregnancy rates (after natural mating) were 96% (145/151). In this study, the conception rate to AI with ambient temperature semen was at least as good as that which has been achieved with frozen semen under similar conditions, and costs were at least half of the costs to create and use frozen semen, demonstrating the potential of AT semen to be used in rural Tanzania
Epidemiological Survey of Clinical Conditions in Companion Animals in Dhaka, Bangladesh: A Retrospective Analysis
No full textA case-control study was conducted to ascertain the prevalence of clinical diseases and conditions of dogs and cats attended at the Vet and Pet Care (VNPC), the oldest one stop pet care center in Bangladesh, from March 2023 to January 2025. A total of 1926 cases of different clinical diseases and conditions were recorded during the study period. Cases were primarily categorized as infectious, non-infectious, and non-specific diseases, and the prevalence of clinical conditions was estimated on the basis of age and breed. The highest prevalence was recorded in infectious diseases in both dogs and cats (49.79% and 52.43%, respectively), but non-infectious diseases were found to be the lowest in both dogs and cats (18.93% and 18.75%, respectively). Among them, disease-specific prevalence was mostly found in dogs: anorexia (7.41%), mange (6.38%), fever (6.17%), accidental injury (5.76%), maggot infestation (5.56%), etc. Meanwhile, noticeable cases were diagnosed in cats as feline panleukopenia (FPV) (7.22%), abscess (5.97%), neutering (5.90%), salmonellosis (5.35%), etc. The prevalence of anorexia in dogs (3.7%) and abscesses in cats (3.68%) were found to be the highest at the older age (> 36 months), whereas anorexia (2.88%) and FPV (4.58%) were estimated to be the highest in dogs and cats below 12 months’ age, respectively. In relation to breed, abscess in local dogs and fever in other exotic breeds were recorded as 2.67% and FPV in mixed breeds (3.19%) were found to be the most prevalent diseases. While the study is limited by its focus on a single clinic and missing details like control data and diagnostics, it still offers valuable insights that can help improve pet care and disease preventive strategies in developing countries like Bangladesh
Prevalence and Antimicrobial Resistance Pattern of Salmonella Isolated from Table Eggs in Chitwan District, Nepal
No full textEgg-borne salmonellosis is a significant global public health concern. The rise in antimicrobial resistance in Salmonella has emerged as a worldwide challenge in recent decades. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of Salmonella in table eggs and determine the antimicrobial resistance profiles of the isolates in Chitwan District, Nepal. A total of 146 table eggs—106 from retail shops and 40 from layer farms—were collected between September and December 2022 using purposive sampling. Standard microbiological techniques including pre-enrichment, selective enrichment, culture isolation on XLD agar, and a series of biochemical tests were employed for Salmonella identification. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST) was conducted using the disc diffusion method against five commonly used antibiotics: ceftriaxone, tetracycline, chloramphenicol, enrofloxacin, and ciprofloxacin.The overall prevalence of Salmonella in table eggs was 6.16%. Retail shop samples showed a higher contamination rate (7.55%) compared to those from layer farms (2.5%). Within the retail samples, Salmonella was recovered from 2.73% of egg shells, 1.36% of contents, and 1.36% of both shell and contents. Conversely, only one positive isolate (0.68%) was found in eggshells from farm-sourced samples, with no detection in contents. Statistical analysis revealed no significant difference (p > 0.05) in contamination between shell and content, or between sources. However, eggshell contamination was generally more common, indicating greater external exposure to bacterial pathogens, likely during post-farm handling. The antibiotic sensitivity test showed that all isolates (100%) were resistant to enrofloxacin, while resistance rates to ciprofloxacin, tetracycline, and chloramphenicol were 36.3%, 27.3%, and 18.2%, respectively. The lowest resistance was observed against ceftriaxone (9.1%). Notably, 18.18% of isolates exhibited multidrug resistance (MDR), defined as resistance to three or more antibiotic classes. In conclusion, this study reveals a modest but significant prevalence of Salmonella contamination in eggs, with elevated risks linked to retail-sourced eggs and external shell contamination. The documented resistance to critical antibiotics, including fluoroquinolones, adds urgency to national surveillance and stewardship programs aimed at controlling the spread of AMR pathogens from food sources to humans
Gross Pathology of Ruminal Tympany and Acute Congestive Heart Failure in an Adult Crossbred Dairy Cow
No full textThis paper reports a case of ruminal tympany and acute congestive heart failure (ACHF) encountered at necropsy of a crossbred dairy cow. On 21 July 2025, the cow was found dead in the morning in a dairy cattle farm composed of crosses of Friesian, in Mbeya City, Tanzania. According to the animal attendant, the previous daytime the animal had normal appetite and did not show any clinical signs. The owner requested a necropsy service to establish the cause(s) of death of the cow. Necropsy revealed abdomen and rumen distension, excessive accumulation of fermentation gases in the rumen, pulmonary congestion, flabby myocardium, cardiac chambers dilatation, and about one kilogram of a thrombus in the cardiac chambers as gross pathological findings. Based on history and the findings, the animal was diagnosed to have died of primary ruminal tympany and ACHF due to entrapment of normal gases of fermentation in stable foams after ingestion of bloat-causing forages which produce stable foams, and dilated cardiomyopathy, respectively. The diagnosis of primary ruminal tympany was reached after ruling out secondary ruminal tympany due to lack of characteristic gross pathological findings. Dilated cardiomyopathy was diagnosed as the cause of ACHF after excluding other cardiac diseases based on absence of pathognomonic lesions. Although both ruminal tympany and ACHF are common, their co-occurrence as cause of death is rare. In this case the stress of ruminal tympany could have exacerbated a pre-existing subclinical dilated cardiomyopathy leading to ACHF. Dilated cardiomyopathy is a hereditary disease. In cattle the diseases has been reported in different breeds and countries including Simmental-Red Holstein in Switzerland; Holstein-Friesian in Canada, Australia, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Japan, Sweden, and Denmark; and Red Danish Dairy, Holsteins, and Red Holsteins in Denmark. Having a genetic etiology, the occurrence of dilated cardiomyopathy in the cow could be associated with the importation of bulls, heifers, and semen for breeding purposes from countries affected by dilated cardiomyopathy; and being a cross of Friesian, the genotype of the cow could have predisposed her to dilated cardiomyopathy
Analysis of Economic Values for Beef Traits of Ankole Cattle under Semi-arid Area of Mwanza Region, Tanzania
No full textThe study utilized economic and animal performance data of Ankole herd at Tanzania Livestock Research Institute (TALIRI)-Mabuki to analyze economic values of beef traits. Sequential bio-economic modeling methodology involving formulation of profit function was used to estimate economic values of traits influencing investment and revenues of beef production. Fecundity trait studied was calving interval which generated economic value of 833.15. Developmental traits analyzed were age at maturity and age at first calving, which generated economic values of 83.86 and 19, respectively. Weaning weight generated very high positive economic value of 1496.18 contrarily to other studied growth traits (body weight and post-weaning daily gain which generated economic values of -6.09 and -53.69, respectively). Longevity displayed a negative economic value of lowest magnitude (-4.03). Therefore, under the prevailing conditions, selection for growth traits, which is normally prioritized in breeding for beef, showed low potential of impacting profitability improvement. Lowering of the herd mean for calving interval owes to be among the key productivity enhancement strategies for the farm. It was concluded that, in order to realize the benefits of selection, there is the need to parallel the genetic improvement initiative with strategies for lowering production costs, particularly feeds costs
Effect of Turmeric (Curcuma domestica) Powder and Multi-Enzyme Supplementation on Intestinal Villus Morphology in Broiler Chickens
No full textAims: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of turmeric powder (Curcuma domestica Val.) and multi-enzyme supplementation on intestinal villus morphology, particularly villus height, surface area, and number, in broiler chickens.
Study Design: The experiment was conducted using a Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with five dietary treatments and six replications per treatment.
Place and Duration of Study: The research was carried out at the Poultry Production Laboratory, Faculty of Animal Science, Universitas Brawijaya, Indonesia, over a period of 6 weeks.
Methodology: This study employed a Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with five treatments and five replications. A total of 300 day-old Lohmann broiler chickens were randomly allocated into five treatment groups: P0 (Control): Without feed additive supplementation, P1: 0.3% turmeric flour + 0.01% multienzyme, P2: 0.6% turmeric flour + 0.01% multienzyme, P3: 0.9% turmeric flour + 0.01% multienzyme, P4: 1.2% turmeric flour + 0.01% multienzyme. Each experimental unit consisted of 12 birds per pen, resulting in 60 birds per treatment group. At day 35, jejunum samples were collected from one bird per replicate (n=5 per treatment) for histological examination. Tissue sections were prepared using standard paraffin embedding and stained with Hematoxylin-Eosin (H&E). Villus height, surface area, and number were measured under 40× magnification using image analysis software. Data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA followed by Duncan\u27s Multiple Range Test at P<0.05 significance level.
Results: There were no statistically significant differences (P > 0.05) in villus height, surface area, or number among treatment groups. However, descriptively, treatment P4 (1.2% turmeric + enzyme) showed the highest average values for villus height (673.76 µm), surface area (1056.16 µm²), and number (9.12 per transverse cut), compared to the control group.
Conclusion: Although statistical significance was not observed, the combination of turmeric powder and multi-enzyme supplementation showed a positive numerical trend in improving the morphology of intestinal villi in broiler chickens. This suggests potential benefits in gut health and nutrient absorption efficiency
Repeat Breeding Syndrome and its Management Protocols in a Dairy Farm
No full textAims: The study involved sixty dairy cows aimed at identifying causes of repeat breeding syndrome, assessing the responses to three hormonal protocols, and evaluating conception rates following natural and artificial insemination.
Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted at Dairy Castle Farm in Birol, Dinajpur (25°31\u27–25°46\u27 N; 88°26\u27–88°38\u27 E), from June 2018 to May 2019. The area has a humid subtropical climate (20–35°C, 70% humidity).
Methodology: Three protocols—Select synch, Ovsynch, and PGF2α plus PGF2α—were administered based on rectal palpation findings. Estrus was detected via visual signs and vaginal electrical resistance thrice daily. Cows in estrus were inseminated by Artificial Insemination and natural service. Pregnancy was confirmed by non-return to estrus within 21 days and rectal palpation at 90 days post-insemination.
Results: Approximately 54.72% of cows were diagnosed with cystic ovarian degeneration. Estrous response rates were high across all protocols: 100% for Select synch and Ovsynch, and 89.47% for PGF2α plus PGF2α. The mean onset of estrus was similar among groups: 49 ± 3.41 hours for Select synch, 48.6 ± 2.98 hours for Ovsynch, and 44.26 ± 15.8 hours for PGF2α plus PGF2α, with no significant differences observed. Duration of estrus also showed no significant differences: 40.1 ± 3.85 hours for Select synch, 47.1 ± 5.61 hours for Ovsynch, and 37.5 ± 13.44 hours for PGF2α plus PGF2α. The conception rates following induction of estrus by Select synch (GnRH+PGF2α) protocol, Ovsynch (GnRH+PGF2α+GnRH) and PGF2α plus PGF2α protocol in dairy cows served naturally used in this experiment were 100%. It can be concluded that hormonal treatments may effectively use for improving conception rates in repeat breeder dairy cows.
Conclusion: Hormonal protocols effectively synchronized estrus in Repeat Breeding Syndrome (RBS) cows. To improve RBS management: Ensure strict semen quality control during storage/transport, train AI technicians in proper insemination techniques and timing and prioritize natural service where AI infrastructure is inadequate