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The susceptibility of larval stages of Schistosoma nasale, S. spindale, S. indicum, amphistomes, echinostomes, etc., in Indoplanorbis exustus, the snail intermediate host, depends on their age, body weight and other limnological properties. So, a good number of healthy sexually mature I. exustus snails were collected randomly from different water sources of Assam and released in previously prepared biologically balanced aquaria to maintain in laboratory condition to know the biology and development. The newly hatched snails numbering 70 in each group were maintained at laboratory at a constant temperature of 15°, 20°, 25°, 30° and 35°C and room temperature (20.02–31.75°C) which showed maximum survivability at 20°C. The highest growth rates in terms of shell diameter (10.63 ± 0.162 mm) and body weight gain (435.83 ± 23.367 mg) were found to be at room temperature at 6th week of age. The snails became sexually mature as early as 50 days at 30°C and as longer as 125 days at 20°C. Fluctuating room temperature was found to be more conducive for fecundity wherein as many as 22833 numbers of eggs were hatched out from 1033numbers of egg cluths. It can be concluded that temperatures, therefore, played an important role in regulating survivability, growth, sexual maturity and fecundity. Abbreviations: °C: degree Celsius; mm: millimeter; mg: milligram; ml: milliliter; LSD: Least Significant Difference; ANOVA: Analysis of variance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Theileriosis, an important tick-borne hemoprotozoan disease that can reduce production and productivity, results in severe economic loss in goat industry. Due to lack of facilities and interest of the researchers the sub-clinical form of theileriosis caused by Theileria luwenshuni was under diagnosed in Assam, India. Therefore, a study was carried out to determine the prevalence of theileriosis in goats from Kamrup (Metro) district of Assam. A total of 454 blood samples collected from goats revealed 39.87 % (181/454) infection with Theileria sp. The genomic DNA extracted from blood samples amplified for a fragment of 18S ribosomal RNA (18S rRNA) gene employing polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using Theileria genus specific primers showed distinct bands at 1098 bp in agarose gel. The resultant PCR products were sequenced and BLAST analysis indicated 99.9% homology with T. luwenshuni. Parasitological methods and PCR technique followed by sequence analysis suggest infection with T. luwenshuni was associated with theileriosis in investigated goats. The results of the present study showed PCR to be more efficient in detection of Theileria positive cases than the microscopic method. Abbreviations: rRNA: Ribosomal ribonucleic acid; PCR: polymerase chain reaction; ml: milliliter; EDTA: Ethylene Diammine Tetraacetic Acid; °C: degree Celsius; DNA: Deoxyribonucleic acid; ME: microscopic examination; sp.: species; V-volt; µg: micro gram; TAE: Tris-acetate-EDTA; F: forward; R: reverse; NCBI: National Center for Biotechnology Information; BLAST-n Basic Local Alignment Search Tool for nucleotide. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Earlier antibiotics were used for growth promotion and prophylactics against gastrointestinal diseases but the injudicious use of antibiotics could lead to bacterial resistance and certain amount of residues in animal products. Therefore, maintenance of intestinal microflora balance through a non-antibiotic approach is urgently needed and for that probiotics is now preferred over antibiotics. The application of probiotics had gained significant attention in developing suitable alternatives of antibiotics in the swine industry. Methods: The experiment was conducted by considering n=27 number female post weaned piglet which were distributed into three groups (3 replicates of 3 each) and supplemented with basal diet either without probiotics (C) or with a probiotic of dairy-based (Lactobacillus acidophilus NCDC-15) or swine based (Pediococccus acidilactici FT28) to evaluate the effect of probiotics on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, blood biochemical profile, immune status and faecal microbial count in growing pigs. Conclusion: Improvement in terms of growth performance, digestibility of CP, N retention found. The serum A: G ratio, triglyceride, glucose and cholesterol level lower (p<0.05) in TPedic group compared to other treatment groups. The cell-mediated and humoral immune response was significantly higher (P<0.001) in probiotics supplemented animals, nonetheless, swine based probiotic had better (P<0.001) response as compared to dairy based probiotics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The conventional faecal examination fails to detect the visceral schistosomosis accurately, hence examination of slaughtered animals are imperative. Therefore, both faecal samples and slaughtered animals were examined to record the prevalence of visceral schistosomosis caused by Schistosoma spindale. A total of 420 faecal samples were collected before slaughter of the animals. The collected mesenteries and livers were collected and examined post slaughter. Coprological examination revealed average of 10.00% infection rate with S. spindale, while 25% infection rate on detection of worm pairs in mesenteric and portal veins examination reflecting the higher prevalence in older animals (8–<8 years) and lowest in younger animals (2–<4 years). The study also revealed that S. spindale infection based on worm pair detection showed an increasing trend from the month of June onward reached highest and lowest peak in the month of July and March, respectively while in coprological examination the highest peak was observed in August and the lowest in March. The morphologically identified adult fluke was authenticated through amplification of 28S RNA gene and mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 gene. Hence, both slaughtered animal examination and molecular techniques can be applied for surveillance of schistosomosis for effective control measures. Abbreviations: PCR: polymerase chain reaction; DNA: Deoxyribonucleic acid; RNA: Ribonucleic acid; COI: cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1; min: minutes [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A total of 150 ejaculates, 10 from each of 15 swamp buffalo bulls comprising each group 5 animals were used in the study to observe the seasonal effect in sperm biochemical and semen quality. Methods: Clinical and andrological examinations, and monitoring of semen production and quality were carried out on fifteen mature, healthy swamp buffalo bulls in North East India. Seminal characteristics were compared between three seasons of the year (Summer, March-June; Monsoon, i.e. July–September; Autumn, i.e. October–November and winter, i.e. November–February) with distinct ambient temperature and humidity. Results: All bulls were diagnosed as clinically healthy and with good libido throughout the period of study. Ejaculate volume, mass activity, HOST and acrosomal integrity differ significantly (P < 0.05–0.001) between all seasons, whereas initial sperm motility, sperm concentration and abnormalities did not differ significantly. The total protein, total cholesterol and total lipid of seminal plasma of swamp buffalo semen differ significantly between all the seasons. In conclusion, climatic changes did not seem to largely affect semen sperm output or viability, although the proportions of some semen characteristics and biochemical constituents altered season wise. Conclusion: Seasonal changes moderately appear to cause deleterious changes in sperm quality in swamp buffalo. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study was undertaken on the indigenous sheep of Assam to evaluate their carcass traits. In this investigation, 30 male and 20 female sheep were used to study certain important carcass traits viz., age at slaughter, weight at slaughter, hot carcass weight (HCW) and dressing percentage (DP%). The overall least-squares means for age at slaughter, weight at slaughter, HCW and DP % were recorded as 7.286 ± 0.12 months, 9.852 ± 0.25 kg, 4.634 ± 0.13 kg and 47.024 ± 0.14% respectively. The corresponding values for male and female sheep were recorded as 7.210 ± 0.13 months and 7.400 ± 0.15 months; 10.030 ± 0.26 kg and 9.674 ± 0.22 kg; 4.741 ± 0.12 kg and 4.528 ± 0.14 kg; 47.080 ± 0.15 % and 46.968 ± 0.18 % for age at slaughter, weight at slaughter, HCW and DP% respectively. Key words: Indigenous sheep of Assam, carcass traits, age at slaughter, weight at slaughter, hot carcass weight and dressing percentage. Introduction The indigenous sheep of Assam is one of the valuable germplasms of the country which is mainly reared for meat purpose. They have many unique characteristics such as high fertility, high productivity, resistance to certain diseases, heat tolerance, economic converter of poor quality feed to high quality meat etc. In spite of the above facts, very few scientific works to assess the performance potential of indigenous sheep of Assam has so far been carried out. Keeping in view of the above, the proposed investigation was planned to investigate the carcass traits in indigenous sheep of Assam. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rotavirus (RV) has been considered as one of the most important cause of severe gastroenteritis among human infants and the neonates of most farm animal species worldwide. The present study was undertaken to detect rotavirus from faecal samples of bovine calves and to investigate genotypic distribution of rotavirus among bovine population during the period from June 2014 to May 2015. A total of 196 faecal samples were collected from both diarrhoeic and non-diarrhoeic calves with age group up to 4 months from different places of Assam, India. Screening of the 196 samples by RNA-PAGE revealed 26 (13.26%) to be positive for bovine RV with characteristic migration pattern of group A RV. The same number samples screened by RT-PCR revealed 71 (36.22%) to be positive for both VP7 and VP4 genes of group A bovine RV. RT-PCR was found to be more sensitive than RNA-PAGE. All non-diarrhoeic samples were negative for RV. Genotyping of RV was carried out by nested-multiplex PCR using type-specific primers of common genotypes. Study revealed that, the most common genotype circulating among bovine population of Assam is G10P[11]. Of 71 RV positive samples, 24 (33.80%) samples were found to be typeable for G10P[11] RV genotype while rest 47 samples were either non-typeable or mixed type. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The prevalence of nasal schistosomosis was studied for a one year from March 2014 to February 2015 in Kamrup district of Assam, India. The nasal swabs/washing/scrappings were collected from different age groups of 363 cattle to detect the monthly, seasonal, age-wise and sex-wise prevalence of nasal schistosomosis. Then the collected swabs/scrapping were examined under microscope to see the presence of eggs of Schistosoma nasale for prevalence of nasal schistosomosis. The study revealed 9.92% cattle infected with nasal schistosomosis. The highest prevalence of nasal schistosomosis (18.92%) was recorded in the month of July while it was lowest (2.70%) in the month of December. Seasonal prevalence was the highest in monsoon (16.18%) and the lowest in winter (3.26%). Age-wise highest prevalence was found in the age group of 8->8 years (15.38%) and lowest in the age group of below 2 years (2.17%). Sex-wise prevalence rate was slightly higher (13.29%) in males than in females (7.32%). Significant difference (p<0.01) in prevalence of nasal schistosomosis was seen amongst the months and seasons and non-significant amongst the age and between sexes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this study was to use human held ketone meter for the estimation of ß-hydroxybutyrate (ketone body) for the diagnosis of sub-clinical ketosis in goat. A total of 210 samples from pregnant and lactating doe in Guwahati, Assam and nearby area were collected in aseptic condition from the Jugular Vein. Goats having blood ketone level more than 0.4 mmol/l and glucose level less than 30 mg/dl were considered positive for sub-clinical ketosis. Total 24 goats were diagnosed subclinical ketotic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In vitro capacitation allows for a greater understanding of the mechanisms underlying fertilization and the development of improved reproductive techniques for improving fertility rates in porcine. Tyrodes albumin lactate pyruvate (TALP) and modified Krebs Ringers Broth (m-KRB) are two medias that are commonly used in research experiments to induce capacitation in boar spermatozoa (Cañón-Beltrán et al., Theriogenology, 198, 2023 and 231; Oberlender et al., Archivos de Medicina Veterinaria, 44, 2012 and 201; Sahoo et al., International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, 241, 2023 and 124502). Moreover, understanding the morphological and functional changes in boar spermatozoa at different hours of capacitation periods might aid in the development of novel techniques for improving sperm quality and increasing the litter size. This study was carried out to investigate the effect of Tyrode albumin lactate pyruvate and modified Krebs Ringers Broth media on in vitro capacitation of HD-K75 boar spermatozoa at three different periods of incubation. A total of 24 ejaculate from four clinically healthy, 10-12 months aged HD-K75 boars, maintained at ICAR-All India Coordinated Research Project (AICRP) on pig were selected. Semen was collected by 'Simple fist' method using a portable dummy. The semen samples having 200 mL volume, 103 × 10 6 spermatozoa/ml concentration and 70% initial motility were selected and split into two parts and suspended in TALP and m-KRB media, respectively, and incubated for 5 h at 37°C. Seminal parameters viz. sperm viability, plasma membrane integrity and acrosomal integrity were estimated in the samples at 0, 3 and 5 h of incubation. This study revealed that there was significant variation between media in live acrosome-reacted (p < .05) and HOST-reacted (p < .01) spermatozoa, while between capacitation periods significant (p < .01) variation was observed in hyperactivated spermatozoa, live acrosome-reacted spermatozoa, HOST-reacted spermatozoa, FITC-labelled PSA, extracellular protein and sperm cholesterol. Non-significant variation was observed in total phospholipid. TALP showed overall better consequence on sperm viability, plasma membrane and acrosomal integrity of boar spermatozoa. From this study, it could be concluded that both TALP and m-KRB media were virtuous to induce capacitation in HD-K75 boar spermatozoa. TALP media, however, had a better effect on sperm viability, plasma membrane and acrosomal integrity of boar spermatozoa. Out of the three different periods, 3 h capacitation period resulted in significantly (p < .01) higher incidence of sperm viability, plasma membrane and acrosomal integrity in HD-K75 boar spermatozoa., (© 2024 Wiley‐VCH GmbH. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between the levels of insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) in serum and seminal plasma and the characteristics of semen in Beetal bucks (Capra hircus). A total of 12 adult Beetal bucks were involved in the study, with each buck providing six ejaculates collected using a standard artificial vagina (n = 72 total). Only qualified semen samples (volume of 0.7 mL, a mass motility rating of 3+ or higher on a 0-+ scale, and individual progressive motility of 80% or more) divided into three fractions were processed for estimation of IGF-1 and other seminal parameters like motility, viability, acrosome integrity, sperm abnormality and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity. The first and second fraction were diluted and extended with Optixcell extender (1:15 ratio). The first ejaculate fraction was processed for studying fresh semen parameters and the second fraction was cryopreserved for evaluating frozen semen parameters. French mini straws (0.25 mL) were used for semen filling, and polyvinyl alcohol powder of different colours was used for sealing the extended semen. The third fraction of each ejaculate was centrifuged at room temperature (1100 × g for 7 min) to separate the seminal plasma. Additionally, blood samples were taken from each buck on the same day as semen collection, resulting in a total of 36 blood samples. The results revealed a significant positive correlation (r = .4243; p < .05) between the concentration of IGF-1 in both serum and seminal plasma of the Beetal bucks. Furthermore, the concentration of IGF-1 in serum showed significant positive correlations with sperm viability (r = .554; p < .05), acrosome integrity (r = .527; p < .05), post-thaw sperm motility (r = .407; p < .01), post-thaw sperm viability (r = .426; p < .01) and post-thaw acrosome integrity (r = .333; p < .05). However, it had a significant negative correlation with SOD activity in fresh semen (r = -0.458; p < .01). Moreover, the concentration of IGF-1 in seminal plasma demonstrated significant positive correlations with individual progressive motility (r = .341; p < .05), sperm viability (r = .527; p < .05), acrosome integrity (r = .539; p < .05), sperm plasma membrane integrity (r = .464; p < .05), post-thaw sperm motility (r = .644; p < .01), post-thaw sperm viability (r = .643; p < .01), post-thaw acrosome integrity (r = .487; p < .01) and post-thaw sperm plasma membrane integrity (r = .521; p < .01). Additionally, it showed a significant negative correlation with SOD activity in both fresh semen (r = -0.714; p < .01) and frozen semen (r = -0.558; p < .01) of Beetal bucks. Based on these findings, IGF-1 in seminal plasma can be considered as a potential biomarker for the selection of bucks for breeding purposes., (© 2023 Wiley-VCH GmbH. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Biodegradable calcium phosphate nanoparticles offer a viable substitute for traditional adjuvants such as aluminum in vaccine production. Calcium phosphate nanoparticle adjuvanted with outer membrane vesicle (OMV) of gram negative bacteria may induce efficient immune response in the host. The present study was carried out to evaluate the potential of a mucosal vaccine formulation of calcium phosphate (CAP) nanoparticle using OMV of Riemerella anatipestifer (RA) as antigen against New Duck disease in ducks. The work was initiated with isolation, identification of RA, followed by OMV production and extraction. The CAP-OMV nanoparticle was prepared and characterized. The efficacy of the vaccine formulation and toxicity were studied in ducks. The average OMV yield in terms of protein concentration was found to be 122.33 ± 3.48 mg per liter of BHI broth. In SDS-PAGE, isolated OMVs exhibited presence of 16 distinct protein bands with molecular weight ranging from 142.1 to 12.1 kDa. Seven protein bands of 74.1, 69.3, 55.5, 50.6, 45.6, 25.1 and 13.1 kDa were detected relatively more distinct. The major bands detected in our findings were 42 kDa, 37 kDa and 16 kDa that corresponds to OmpA, OmpH, P6 respectively. The mean zeta size (±SD) and potential of the nanoparticle were 246.20 ± 0.53 nm and -25.60 ± 5.97 respectively. In transmission electron microscopy (TEM), the nanoparticles exhibited an average diameter of 129.80 ± 11.10 nm and displayed spherical morphology. The median protective dose (PD50) of CAP-OMV nanoparticle was 1881.10 μg of protein. Group I ducks received 3762 μg of protein (entrapped protein in CAP-OMV nanoparticle) via intra nasal route and it showed the highest serum IgG and secretory IgA level than other immunized groups. All experimental ducks were challenged with 10 × LD50 on 35 days of post primary immunization. Group I showed 100 % survivability in the challenge study. No gross and biochemical indication of acute or chronic toxicity were recorded. In conclusion, our results suggest that CAP-OMV nanoparticle can be a safe and efficient mucosal vaccine delivery system for RA, eliciting strong immune response in the host., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2023 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Different nanoparticles (NPs) are currently being investigated for their potential role as cryoprotectant during semen cryopreservation in several mammalian species. It may be possible to improve semen quality following cryopreservation by supplementation of NPs in the freezing extenders. The present study was carried out in semen collected from four (4) Assam Hill Goat bucks (10 ejaculates per buck) to investigate the effect of supplementing zinc oxide (ZnO) and selenium (Se) NPs in Tris-citric acid-fructose yolk (TCFY) extender on in vitro sperm quality and in vivo fertility rate after freeze-thawing. The size morphology and zeta potential of ZnO and Se NPs were evaluated prior to its incorporation in the freezing extender. Qualified semen samples (> 70% progressive motility) were divided into five (5) aliquots and then diluted in TCFY extender containing ZnO and Se NP supplementation at different concentrations (T 0 , control; T 1 , 0.1 mg/mL ZnO NPs; T 2 , 0.5 mg/mL ZnO NPs; T 3 , 0.5 µg/mL Se NPs; and T 4 , 1 µg/mL Se NPs). Diluted semen was packed in 0.25 mL straws and then stored in liquid nitrogen. After thawing, post-thaw in vitro sperm attributes were evaluated. Finally, the effect of NPs on in vivo fertility rate was checked in heat-synched does (n = 70) by artificial insemination (AI) using straws that showed superior results during the in vitro study. Results showed that ZnO and Se NPs were poly-crystalline in nature with particle size below 100 nm (nm). The evaluated post-thaw sperm in vitro attributes were significantly (p < 0.001) higher in T 1 in comparison to T 0 . The antioxidant enzyme activities were significantly (p < 0.001) higher in T 1 . Lipid peroxidation (LPO) profile was significantly (p < 0.001) lower in T 1 . Sperm motility and mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) had a highly significant (r = 0.580, p < 0.05) association in T 1 . No significant (p > 0.05) differences in pregnancy rates were recorded after AI in the different treatments. In conclusion, extender supplemented with 0.1 mg/mL ZnO NPs improved post-thaw semen quality of goat spermatozoa consequently by increasing activities of endogenous antioxidant enzymes thereby lowering LPO levels. However, improved in vitro outcomes might not correspond to improved field fertility outcomes., (© 2023. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature.)

Background: Semen cryopreservation is a complex process during which there is alteration in the expression of sperm and seminal plasma proteins, molecular weight of protein or loss of membrane proteins during the process. In order to compensate for these changes, different membrane stabilizers are used in freezing semen extenders. However, there is scarcity of such studies during cryopreservation of goat semen., Objective: To investigate the effect of membrane stabilizers on sperm membrane protein expression during cryopreservation of goat semen., Materials and Methods: A total of 36 semen ejaculates from nine Assam Hill Goat bucks aged 2 to 2.5 years was collected by artificial vagina method. Three membrane stabilizers, each at two different concentrations viz. 50 and 80 mM sucrose, 50 and 100 mM trehalose, and 100 and 150 ng per mL IGF-1 (insulin-like growth factor 1 protein) were added to Tris-citric acid fructose egg yolk glycerol (TCFEYG) extender and semen samples were cryopreserved. The sperm membrane protein profile was studied in fresh and cryopreserved semen by SDS-PAGE., Results: SDS- PAGE of sperm membrane extract of fresh semen revealed the presence of 24 protein bands with molecular weights ranging from 10 kDa to 240 kDa. Samples supplemented with 50 mM sucrose and 80 mM sucrose revealed 21 protein bands with molecular weights ranging from 10 kDa to 240 kDa. All the 21 protein bands were same as those observed in the sperm membrane of fresh spermatozoa, except that the 23 kDa, 29 kDa and 42 kDa bands were absent in frozen semen. Similarly, frozen semen extended with 50 mM trehalose and 100 mM trehalose revealed 22 protein bands with molecular weights ranging from 10 kDa to 240 kDa, but lacking the 29 kDa and 42 kDa bands. Proteins with molecular weights of 29 kDa, 130 kDa and 240 kDa were absent in frozen semen supplemented with 100 ng per mL IGF-1 and 150 ng per mL IGF-1., Conclusion: The present study revealed that supplementation of tris basic extender with trehalose at 100 mM and or IGF-1 at 100 ng/mL or 150 ng per mL improves the post-thaw semen characteristics and protects certain fertility related sperm membrane proteins. Doi.org/10.54680/fr23510110612.

The present study was undertaken to elucidate mRNA expression pattern of RIG-I and serum cytokines profile alterations in indigenous ducks of Assam, India viz. Pati, Nageswari and Cinahanh in response to natural infections of duck plague virus. Field outbreaks of duck plague virus were attended during the study period for collection of tissue and blood samples. The ducks under study were divided into three distinct groups as per health status i.e. healthy, duck plague infected and recovered. Results from the study revealed that RIG-I gene expression was significantly upregulated in liver, intestine, spleen, brain and PBMC of both infected and recovered ducks. However, fold changes in RIG- I gene expression was lower in recovered ducks as compared to infected ones which indicated continued stimulation of RIG-I gene by the latent viruses. Both serum pro and anti-inflammatory cytokines were elevated in infected ducks as compared to healthy and recovered ducks, indicating activation of inflammatory reactions in the ducks due to virus invasion. The results from the study indicated that innate immune components of the infected ducks were stimulated in order to make an attempt to resist the virus from the infected ducks., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare the following financial interests/personal relationships which may be considered as potential competing interests: Dr. Dhruba Jyoti Kalita reports financial support was provided by Department of Biotechnology, Government of India., (Copyright © 2023 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Staphylococcus aureus are Gram positive bacteria known to acquire antibiotic resistance rapidly and pose a major challenge to clinicians worldwide. Infections by methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) are usually associated with increased mortality and prolonging of treatment. Samples (n = 706) from diverse sources (livestock, pets, animal handlers, human hospital) were collected and screened for the presence of MRSA by phenotypic and genotypic methods. The incidence of Staphylococcus aureus was greater in goats (42.00%; 28.20 - 56.80%, confidence interval [CI] 95.00%) followed by cattle (13.50%; 9.20 - 18.80%, CI 95.00%), humans (12.90%; 9.30 - 17.40%, CI 95.00%) and dogs (12.90%; 8.10 - 19.20%, CI 95.00%). Significantly higher incidence of MRSA was observed in dogs (65.00%; 40.80 - 84.60%, CI 95.00%), compared to other hosts namely cattle (48.00%; 26.50 - 64.30%, CI 95.00%), humans (35.00%; 20.20 - 52.50%, CI 95.00%) and goats (10.00%; 1.20 - 30.40%, CI 95.00%). All the S. aureus isolates were further screened for thermostable nuclease ( nuc gene) by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The incidence of nuc gene in cattle, dog, goat and human were found to be 3.30% (1.30 - 6.60%, CI 95.00%), 5.20% (2.30 - 9.90%, CI 95.00%), 28.00% (16.20 - 42.50%, CI 95.00%) and 9.10% (6.00 - 13.00%, CI 95.00%), respectively. Comparative evaluation of two PCR primers ( mecA -162 and mecA -310) indicated the former one as more rational choice for detection of MRSA. Overall, the results of our study indicated possible risk of zoonotic transmission of MRSA from canines., Competing Interests: Authors declare no competing interest., (© 2023 Urmia University. All rights reserved.)