Search

The primary goal of this research was to elucidate the novel influence of Brachiaria decumbens supplementation on broiler chicken growth performance, nutritional digestibility, cecal microbiota, intestinal histomorphology, carcass characteristics, and meat quality. A total of 300 male day-old Ross 308 broiler chickens were randomly subjected to six different treatment groups having five replicates per treatment with 10 birds in each replicate. In treatment 1, broiler chickens were fed commercial diets with no added additives; in treatment 2, broiler chickens were offered commercial diets containing 100 mg/kg of the antibiotic oxytetracycline. However, in treatments 3, 4, 5, and 6, broiler chickens received similar commercial diets supplemented with 25 mg/kg, 50 mg/kg, 75 mg/kg, and 100 mg/kg of B. decumbens ground leaf powder, respectively, without antibiotics. Throughout the 42-day trial, the body weight gain and total feed intake for each replicate were recorded every week to determine the growth performance. Then, on 21th and 42nd day, ten broilers from each treatment (two in each replicate) were randomly selected and slaughtered to assess the digestibility of nutrients, histomorphology of the small intestine, the population of the cecal microbiota, carcass characteristics, as well as quality of both breast and drumstick muscle. There were differences (p 0.05) in the growth performance, apparent ileal nutrient digestibility, intestinal histomorphology, carcass characteristics, and meat quality. Animals supplemented with 25 mg/kg of B. decumbens had higher growth performance and better ileal nutrient digestibility of protein, fiber, and ether extract, as well as higher villi height and carcass percentage with superior meat quality. Besides, the growth of E. faecalis during the starter phase was inhibited. In summary, B. decumbens supplementation at 25 mg/kg may be suggested as an optimal dose of as a prophylactic as well as an alternative for antibiotic growth promoter in stimulating the productivity of commercial broilers. This unconventional phytobiotic supplementation could be the key to replacing unnecessary antibiotics used in poultry feed.

Pneumonic mannheimiosis is a widespread respiratory bacterial disease of small ruminants caused by Mannheimia haemolytica serotype A2. The disease is known to affect the respiratory organs of infected animals, but its effect on other vital and reproductive organs has not been fully explored. Previous studies have demonstrated increased serum pro-inflammatory cytokine concentration post-challenge with M. haemolytica A2 and its LPS, indicating systemic inflammation in the host. This study determined the potential tissue changes and alterations of sperm parameters due to infection of M. haemolytica A2 and its LPS endotoxin. In this study, twelve experimental bucks were randomly assigned to three groups of four bucks each: group 1 (control group) were intranasally inoculated with 2 mL of PBS pH 7.0, group 2 received 2 mL of 1.2 × 10

Aspergillosis is an infectious mycotic disease which mainly affects chicks at 1 to 3 weeks of age. This report describes an outbreak of aspergillosis in 13-day-old broiler chicks reared in an open-sided poultry house on deep litter system. The total number of birds kept in the affected house was 4000 with the mortality rate of 5%. The farmer noticed signs of weakness since the arrival of day-old chicks, and eventually, 200 chicks died within 13 days. Clinical signs observed were stunted growth, dyspnoea, torticollis, incoordination, swollen hock joint, and crooked toes. Postmortem findings revealed yellow to white caseous nodular lesion at the air sacs and lung with granular appearance upon cross section. The feed and organs samples were collected for microbiological and histopathological evaluation. Aspergillus spp. were isolated on Sabouraud dextrose agar (SDA) with whitish to grey-green appearance and stained using lactophenol cotton blue. Periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) staining in the brain tissue revealed the presence of fungal hyphae and vesicle. Histopathological findings revealed alveolar emphysema, atelectasis, thrombosis, and pneumonic lung with granulomatous tissue and granulomatous encephalitis. Culling of the affected birds and removal of the contaminated bedding and feed in the house are essential measures to control and prevent the disease occurrence. Treatment using fungicide such as copper sulphate is recommended to prevent further spread of the disease in the flock.

Mycoplasma ovis (formerly Eperythrozoon ovis) is an epierythrocytic parasitic bacterium of small ruminants known as haemotropic mycoplasma, which is transmitted mechanically by biting flies and contaminated instruments. Acute mycoplasmosis causes severe haemolytic anaemia and mortality in young animals. At the same time, chronic disease may produce mild anaemia and varying degrees of morbidity depending on several factors, including age, reproductive status, the plane of nutrition, immunological status and the presence of concurrent infection. Haemotropic Mycoplasma ovis is currently recognised as an emerging zoonotic pathogen which is widely distributed in the sheep and goat producing areas of tropics and subtropics, where the disease is nearly endemic. Human infection has been reported in pregnant women, immunocompromised patients and people exposed to animals and arthropods. The current diagnosis of haemoplasma relies on microscopic evaluation of Giemsa-stained blood smear and PCR. Although there are few published reports on the incidence of haemotropic Mycoplasma ovis infection of small ruminants in Malaysia, information on its prevalence, risk factors, severity and economic impacts is grossly inadequate. Therefore, a large-scale survey of small ruminant flocks is necessary to elucidate the current seroprevalence status and molecular characteristics of haemotropic M. ovis infection in Malaysia using ELISA and PCR sequencing technologies. In the future, surveillance programs, including vector forecast, quarantine, monitoring by periodic surveys and public enlightenment, will limit the internal and transboundary spread of M. ovis, enhance control efforts and mitigate production losses in Malaysia. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1007/s11250-020-02357-9) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Previous investigations have revealed that lipopolysaccharide (LPS) endotoxin from certain Gram-negative bacteria could adversely affect the reproductive system of female animals. However, it is unknown whether LPS endotoxin of Mannheimia haemolytica serotype A2, the principal causative bacteria that cause pneumonic mannheimiosis in small ruminants, may also induce similar insidious effects. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the effects of M. haemolytica serotype A2 and its LPS endotoxin on the responses of female gonadal hormones (progesterone and oestrogen), pro-inflammatory cytokines (interleukin-1β, interleukin-6), acute-phase proteins (haptoglobin and serum amyloid A) and cellular changes via histopathology study of female reproductive organs of the treatment does. Twelve clinically healthy, non-pregnant, crossbred does were randomly allocated into three equal groups. Group 1 was administered intranasally with 2 ml of sterile phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) and served as a negative control group. Group 2 was challenged intranasally with 2 ml of bacterial inoculum containing 10

Fast-growing broilers faced with various leg health problems are in crucial need of an adequate nutritional supply of both calcium and phosphorus. The aim of the current work was to study the effect of different level of monocalcium phosphate supplementation on the health performance, haematology, and biochemistry changes of commercial broiler chickens. A total of 108 broiler birds (Cobb 500) were randomly divided into three treatment groups with six replicates consisting of six birds per replicates. Treatment 1 (control) was fed with available commercial starter and finisher diets containing dicalcium phosphate. Treatments 2 and 3 were fed with the same commercial diets but supplemented with 0.5% and 1.0% of monocalcium phosphate respectively. Throughout the 42 days of feeding trial, broilers from each treatment group were observed and recorded daily for any abnormal signs of leg disorders. Six broilers were randomly selected on days 21 and 42 from each treatment group where blood samples were collected via the brachial vein into anticoagulant (EDTA) and plain blood tubes for haematology and biochemistry analysis. Leg weakness, lameness, recumbency, and splay legs were the main findings observed in broiler demonstrating leg problems. The total broiler culled because of leg problem was relatively highest in T3 (4 broilers), followed by T1 (2 broilers), and T2 (none). There were significant differences (P ˂ 0.05) in the WBC, total protein, albumin, globulin, and alkaline phosphatase on day 21. Only WBC and alkaline phosphatase exhibited significant differences (P ˂ 0.05) between groups on day 42. Broilers supplemented with 0.5% MCP (T2) revealed the highest significant values compared to the other treatment groups for both starter and finisher phases. There were no significant differences (P > 0.05) in the other parameters. In summary, 0.5% monocalcium phosphate was recommended as supplementation through this study; as it improves the overall health performances of the commercial broiler chickens.

Sudden death is usually the main finding in field animals during haemorrhagic septicaemia outbreaks caused by Pasteurella multocida type B:2 that causes acute, fatal and septicaemic disease in cattle and buffaloes. This situation may be due to failure in early detection of the disease where early treatment of antibiotics may improve the prognosis of the animal and other surviving animals. Thus, there is a grey area on the knowledge on the potential usage of pro-inflammatory cytokines and acute phase proteins as early biomarkers in the diagnosis of haemorrhagic septicaemia. In addition, exploration of the cerebrospinal fluid during infection has never been studied before. Therefore, this study was designed to fill up the grey areas in haemorrhagic septicaemia research. Twenty-one buffalo calves were divided into seven treatment groups where group 1 was inoculated orally with 10 mL of sterile phosphate-buffered saline pH 7 which act as a negative control group. Groups 2 and 3 were inoculated orally and subcutaneously with 10 mL of 1012 colony-forming unit of P. multocida type B:2. Group 4 and 5 buffaloes were inoculated orally and intravenously with 10 mL of lipopolysaccharide broth. Groups 6 and 7 were administered orally and subcutaneously with 10 mL of outer membrane protein broth. During the post-infection period of 21 days, blood and cerebrospinal fluid were sampled for the analyses of pro-inflammatory cytokines, acute phase proteins and cytological examination. Buffalo calves infected with P. multocida and its immunogens via different routes of inoculation showed significant changes (p

The present study aims to determine the hematology, serum biochemistry, and acute phase proteins (APPs) responses of both serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in sheep fed with low and high levels of Brachiaria decumbens (B. decumbens) diets at different time phases. A total of 30 6-month-old male Dorper cross sheep were randomly divided into three treatment groups consisted of 10 sheep each. Treatment 1 (control) sheep were fed with Pennisetum purpureum and concentrates as the basal diet, whereas Treatments 2 and 3 sheep were fed with low (10%) and high (60%) level of B. decumbens, respectively. The hematology results revealed that there were significant differences (p

Previous studies have shown that Mannheimia haemolytica A2 is the principal microorganism causing pneumonic mannheimiosis, a major bacterial respiratory disease among sheep and goats. The effect of this bacteria on the respiratory system is well-established. However, its effect on the reproductive physiology remains unclear. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the alterations in the level of pro-inflammatory cytokines and testosterone hormone post-inoculation with M. haemolytica serotype A2 and its lipopolysaccharide (LPS) endotoxin which were hypothesized to affect the reproductive functions of bucks. Twelve clinically healthy adult male goats were divided equally into three groups. Goats in group 1 were treated with 2 ml of sterile phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) pH 7.0 intranasally (negative control), group 2 with 2 ml of 109 colony-forming unit (CFU) of M. haemolytica serotype A2 intranasally (positive control), and group 3 were treated with 2 ml of lipopolysaccharide extracted from 109 CFU of M. haemolytica serotype A2 intravenously. Following inoculation, blood samples were collected via jugular venipuncture into plain tubes at pre-determined intervals for serum collection to determine the concentration of interleukin (IL)-1β, IL6, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, and testosterone hormone by using commercial ELISA test kits. Results from this study demonstrated that the inoculation of M. haemolytica A2 and its LPS increases the concentration of pro-inflammatory cytokines but decreases the concentration of testosterone hormone in challenged animals at most time points throughout the 56 days experimental period (p < 0.05). This study suggests that the M. haemolytica A2 and its LPS could alter the concentration of pro-inflammatory cytokines and testosterone hormone, which in turn, may negatively affect the reproductive functions of bucks.

Contagious ecthyma (Orf) is a viral skin condition caused by a parapoxvirus. It results in cutaneous lesions that destroy the hides and skin of the infected host. In this study, the pathogenicity of Malaysian isolates of Orf virus (UPM 1/14 and UPM 2/14) was evaluated in a rat model using different inoculation sites with/without dexamethasone administration. A total of 50 rats were used in this study. For the first part of the study, 35 rats were divided into three groups; group 1 (n = 15) was inoculated with 0.5 mL of UPM 1/14 (tissue culture infective dose 50% (TCID50) 108.1/mL) while group 2 (n = 15) was inoculated with 0.5 mL of UPM 2/14 (TCID50 107.2/mL) each at the dorsum (n = 5), ear pinna (n = 5), and labial commissure (n = 5). Group 3 (n = 5) served as the control and was administered 0.5 mL of phosphate-buffered saline in all the sites mentioned above. In the second study, 15 rats were divided into three groups: a dexamethasone group (n = 5) which was given 10 mg/kg of dexamethasone once daily for 3 days, a non-dexamethasone group (n = 5), and a control (n = 5). Intradermal inoculation of 0.5 mL of UPM 1/14 was administered to each rat in the dexamethasone and non-dexamethasone groups at the dorsum, ear pinna, and labial commissure, respectively. Clinical signs and histopathological changes were evaluated for 14 days post inoculation for the first experiment and 7 days for the second experiment. Mild hyperemia was observed in the dorsum, ear pinna, and labial commissures of all inoculation groups. Group 1 (ORFV UPM 1/14) had a higher (P 0.05) in the mean thickness of the stratum basale of the ear pinna and labial commissure between the dexamethasone and non-dexamethasone groups. Orf virus was detected by PCR from the skin tissues of rats with lesions using F1L and B2L viral genes. In conclusion, Malaysian isolates of Orf virus were seen to be mildly pathogenic to rats. The difference in inoculation sites and the induction of immune suppression were observed to present varying pathological responses in rats.

Pasteurella multocida is responsible for one of the major animal diseases with economic importance in both developed and developing countries. P. multocida B:2 causes haemorrhagic septicemia (HS) in cattle and buffaloes, which result in heavy economic losses through direct effect, resulting in high mortality rates and indirect effects through impairment of the animal productivity. It is well known that HS affects mainly the respiratory and digestive tracts of host animals. However, involvement of the reproductive system in the pathogenesis of HS has not been reported previously. This study was designed to present detailed detection and histopathological changes of the reproductive system and mammary glands of buffaloes experimentally infected with P. multocida B:2. Briefly, nine healthy buffalo calves aged 8-month-old were divided into three groups of three calves each. Calves from groups 1 and 2 were inoculated subcutaneously and orally with 10 mL of 1 × 1012 cfu/mL of P. multocida B:2, respectively, while calves of group 3 were inoculated orally with 10 mL of phosphate buffer saline as a sham control. All the calves in group 1 had to be euthanized after 12 h post-infection, while calves in group 2 were euthanized after day 21 post-infection. Successful isolation and PCR confirmation of P. multocida B:2 was achieved from different parts of the reproductive system, including ovary, oviduct, uterine horn, uterine body and vagina as well as mammary glands and supramammary lymph nodes of the buffaloes in group 1 after 12 h post-infection. However, P. multocida B:2 was not detected in the reproductive organs of buffaloes in group 2 and group 3 after 21 days post-infection. Significant differences (P