Descriptive study of congenital anomalies encountered in ruminants in Elazig region of Turkey / Estudio descriptivo de anomalías congénitas encontradas en rumiantes en la región de Elazig en Turquía

Abstract Congenital malformations are abnormalities of structure, formation or function observable at birth that causes great economic losses in livestock industry. In this study, we describe the incidence of the main congenital anomalies encountered in the last year (June 2020-June 2021) in ruminants from Elazig region according to species, breed, age and sex, number of pregnancies, rectal examination, and method of conception employed. A total of 79 congenital anomalies encountered in 73 animals during this study were evaluated. Of 73 animals most of congenital anomalies were calves (84.93%) and males (68.49%). It was determined that the most common type of congenital anomaly in calves was hernia umbilicalis (21.51%) while in lambs and goat kids was atresia ani. Most of these anomalies were formed in the abdominal wall and organs of gastrointestinal system (46.84%). Congenital anomalies in calves and lambs were more frequently when they came from the first pregnancy of their dams, while in goat kids when their dam had the second pregnancy. Most of small ruminant that had congenital anomalies came from dams with multiple gestation. Rectal examinations performed in cattle during the early stages of gestation was probably one of a predisposing factor for the formation of congenital malformations in this specie. More studies that include the participation of diagnostic laboratories are needed to improve the characterization of congenital anomalies that contribute to the implementation of preventive and control measures in the herds of these species in our region.

Resumen Las malformaciones congénitas son anomalías de estructura, formación o función observables al nacer que provocan grandes pérdidas económicas en la industria ganadera.. En este estudio, se investigó la incidencia de las principales anomalías congénitas encontradas en el último año (junio de 2020-junio de 2021) en rumiantes en la región de Elazig. según especie, raza, edad, sexo, número de preñeces, examen rectal y método de concepción empleado . Se evaluaron un total de 79 anomalías congénitas encontradas en 73 animales . De 73 animales con anomalías congénitas, la mayoría eran terneros (84, 93%) y machos (68,49%). Se determinó que el tipo de anomalía más común en los terneros fue la hernia umbilical (21,51%) mientras que en corderos y cabritos fue la atresia anal. La mayoría de estas anomalías se formaban principalmente en los órganos de la pared abdominal y órganos del sistema gastrointestinal (46,84%). . Las anomalías congénitas en terneros y corderos eran más frecuentes cuando provenían de las madres de primera preñez , mientras que en los cabritos cuando las madres tenían su segunda preñez La mayoría de los rumiantes menores con anormalidades congénitas provenían de madres con gestaciones múltiples. El examen rectal realizado en las vacas durante los primeros estadios de la gestación, fue probablemente uno de los factores predisponentes para la formación de malformaciones congénitas en esta especie. Se requieren más estudios que incluyan la participación de laboratorios de diagnóstico para mejorar la caracterización de las anormalidades congénitas y contribuir a la implementación de medidas de prevención y control en los rodeos de estas especies en nuestra región.

Role of Bacterial and Parasitic Pathogens in Occurrence of Neonatal Diarrhoea in Goat-Kids

Infectious diarrhoea in neonates of animals is one of the most common and economically important conditions encountered in the livestock industry. Faecal samples (n=210) from diarrhoeic neonatal goat-kids of different livestock sheds of ICAR-CIRG, Makhdoom, Mathura (U.P.), were aseptically collected, and immediately processed for isolation of bacterial pathogens and parasitic evaluation. A total of 178 isolates of E. coli from 210 samples were identified on the basis of cultural, morphological, biochemical and molecular characteristics. Out of 178 E. coli isolates, 3.93 % (7/178) isolates were identified as STEC by PCR amplification of stx-1 and stx-2 gene. A total of 64 isolates of E. coli were sent to National Salmonella and Escherichia Centre, Central Research Institute, Kasauli for the serotyping. The common serogroups of E. coli responsible for neonatal diarrhoea in goat-kids were identified as O36, O26, O59, O29, O43, O91, O82, O9 and O171, out of which, 46.15% were O36, O26 and O59. Cryptosporidium spp. infection was detected in 46 samples out of 148 faecal samples by ZN staining and nested PCR.Based on cultural, morphological, biochemical and molecular characteristics,16 isolates of Salmonella spp. and 5 of Klebsiella spp. were identified from 210 fecal samples. The present study concluded that E. coli followed by Cryptosporidium spp. and Salmonella spp. were the prevalent infectious agents associated with neonatal diarrhoea in goat-kids

Metabolic stress and reproductive features in post-partum goats supplemented for a long period with detoxified castor meal as the source of dietary nitrogen / Estresse metabólico e características reprodutivas em cabras pós-parto suplementadas por longo período com mamona desintoxicada como fonte de nitrogênio na dieta

This study evaluated the effect of detoxified castor meal on the reproductive performance, metabolic stress, milk production, and kid development in peripartum goats. The diet of the animals were with (DCM, n= 20) or without (WDCM, n= 21) detoxified castor meal during the entire gestation and until weaning, 60 days post-birth. No differences were observed in the gestation period, litter size, rate of multiple births, and mortality between the two groups. The postpartum plasma concentrations of progesterone remained below 1ng/mL in all animals, thus, confirming the absence of active corpora lutea. The thickness of sternum adipose tissue and loin area, levels of urea and cholesterol, milk production, and daily weight gain in the kids were low in the DCM group when compared to those in the WDCM group (P< 0.05). To conclude, the use of detoxified castor meal in peripartum goats resulted in lower level of performance in the kids because of reductions in the amount of milk received from their mothers during lactation. In addition, the diet containing detoxified castor meals was not efficient in recovering from the loss of stored body reserves able to initiate the recovery of the cyclic activity of the goats.(AU)

Este estudo avaliou o efeito da torta de mamona desintoxicada na reprodução, no estresse metabólico, na produção de leite e no desenvolvimento de cabritos no periparto de cabras. Um grupo foi alimentado com torta de mamona (DCM, n=20), e o outro (WDCM, n=21) não recebeu tal suplemento , durante a gestação até o desmame, 60 dias pós-parto. Não foram observadas diferenças significativas no período de gestação, no número de cabritos, na taxa de partos múltiplos e na mortalidade entre os dois grupos. Em todos os animais, a concentração plasmática de progesterona ficou abaixo de 1ng/mL, confirmando a ausência de atividade lútea. A espessura da gordura subcutânea do esterno e da área de olho-de-lombo, a concentração de ureia e colesterol, a produção de leite e o ganho de peso dos cabritos foram menores no grupo DCM (P<0,05). Conclui-se que o uso de torta de mamona desintoxicada no periparto de cabra resultou em cabritos mais leves devido à redução na produção de leite das matrizes e as cabras não retornaram ao cio, pois não recuperaram a massa corporal.(AU)

Molecular Characterization of Diarrhoegenic Escherichia coli Isolated from Neonatal Goat-Kids

Faecal samples (n=300) from diarrhoeic neonatal goat-kids of different livestock sheds of ICAR-CIRG, Makhdoom, and field goat-kids of Mathura, UP were aseptically collected, and used for E. coli isolation. On the basis of cultural, morphological, biochemical and molecular characteristics, a total of 193 E. coli isolates were identified from 300 fecal samples. Out of 140 E. coli isolates, only 90 isolates could be serotyped at National Salmonella and Escherichia Centre, Central Research Institute, Kasauli, and the most common serogroups responsible for neonatal diarrhoea were found as O88 (n=11), O22 (n=10), O11 (n=8) and O83 (n=7). Congo red dye agar test was done to determine invasiveness of the isolates, and 77.20% (149/193)E. coli isolates showed Congo red binding activity. Identification of shiga toxin producing E. coli (STEC) was done by PCR amplification of its stx-1 gene, and 5.69% (11/193) isolates were identified as STEC. Pathotype specific primers were used to amplify bundle forming pilus (bfpA) gene of enteropathogenic E. coli (EPEC), and 35.23% (68/193) isolates were identified as EPEC. A multiplex PCR was performed to detect labile toxin producing enterotoxigenic E. coli (ETEC-lt), stable toxin producing enterotoxigenic E. coli (ETEC-st) and enteroinvasive E. coli (EIEC), and 24.35% (47/193), 2.59% (5/193) and 2.07% (4/193) isolates were determined as ETEC-st, ETEC-lt and EIEC, respectively. EPEC and ETEC-st were found as the most prevalent pathotypes associated with neonatal diarrhoea in goat-kids whereas; O88 and O22 were observed as the most common serogroups in causing diarrhoea in the neonatal goat-kids.

Effect of oral administration of Propionibacterium acnes on growth performance, DTH response and anti-OVA titers in goat kids

Immunostimulants are susbstances that stimuli the response of effector cells to activate the immune response such as antigen uptake, cytokine release or antibody response. These substances can increase resistence to infection by different types of microorganisms, reducing dependence of antibiotics used in livestock animals. Recent reports have demonstrated the positive effect of Propionibacterium acnes (P. acnes) to control animal diseases. In this study, we evaluated the effect of the non-specific immunostimulant P. acnes on immunological functions and growth performance in goat kids. Twenty five goat kids served as control group (A) and another 25 animals received P. acnes being the experimental group (B). Kids were challenged with ovalbumin (OVA) to assess humoral immunity. To assess in vivo cell immunity, delayed type hypersensitivity (DTH) test with phytohemagglutinin (PHA) was used, clinical signs and body weight were recorded each week until 9 weeks of age when the experiment ended. Blood samples were obtained to analyze serum proteins fractions and anti-OVA specific antibodies. No clinical signs of disease and no differences (p>0.05) on body weight between groups were recorded (7.32±0.81 kg in group A, 7.13±0.65 kg in group B). Goat kids from group B had more total protein (59.8±5g/l) and albumin levels (32.8±3.3g/l) than goat kids from group A (56.6±5.7 g/l, 29.6±3.9 g/l respectively) (p<0.05). DTH response in goat kids from group B on day 42 was higher (p<0.05) than group A. At day 63, goat kids from group receiving P. acnes had higher percentage (85.4) of anti-OVA IgM titers (p<0.05) than control group (57.7). In conclusion, the results showed that oral administration of P. acnes to goat kids improved some aspects of the immune system of the animals and it could be used to control goat diseases.