Photoperiodic Modulation in Immune and Reproductive Systems in Japanese Quails (Coturnix japonica): A Morphometric Perspective.

The present study was designed to elucidate a relationship between lymphoid organs and reproductive activity in male Japanese quails (Coturnix japonica) bred in a temperate region of Pakistan (30.3753° N, 69.3451° E) in response to photoperiodic changes. The research focused primarily on the relative morphological changes in primary (thymus and bursa of Fabricius) and secondary (spleen) lymphoid organs with respect to seasonal variations in the histomorphometry of testicular tissue. For this purpose, a comparable number of clinically healthy Japanese quails were exsanguinated during active (April-May), regressive (September-October) and inactive (January-February) reproductive phases. Following an extensive gross measurement of lymphoid and reproductive organs, a histomorphometric analysis was performed on sampled tissues by employing ImageJ® software. Blood was collected for hormonal and leukocytic analysis. One-way ANOVA was used for statistical comparison. Testes had the highest parenchymal development in the active phase (80.66 ± 21.22 µm) and the lowest in the inactive phase (27.80 ± 7.22 µm). Conversely, a percentage change was evident in the sizes of primary (bursa: 61.5%, thymus: 46.9%) and secondary (spleen: 23.9%) lymphoid organs during inactive and active reproductive phases. This study demonstrated that a physiological trade-off is imperative between immune and reproductive systems for optimum survivability and reproductive performance.

Ultrasonography of the spinal cord and the collection of cerebrospinal fluid from the Atlanto-occipital space in goat.

Ultrasonography, a non-invasive and useful technique, is used for the examination of Atlanto-occipital space structural visualization. The collection of cerebrospinal fluid is more accurate and easier under ultrasound-guided procedure. In this study, longitudinal and transverse views of the Atlanto-occipital space were scanned and their different structural dimensions were measured in sixty healthy Beetal goats. In longitudinal plane, gap between skin and arachnoidea ranged from 8.71 to 10.21 mm (mean ± SD, 9.76 ± 0.44 mm). Depth of the subarachnoid gap dorsal and ventral to the spinal cord ranged from 2.14 to 3.23 mm (mean ± SD, 2.81 ± 0.33mm) and from 6.09 to 7.68 (mean ± SD, 7.02 ± 0.45 mm) respectively. Spinal cord diameter varied from 3.76 to 5.26 mm (mean ± SD, 4.57 ± 0.44 mm) and entire dural sac diameter varied from 12.59 to 15.69 mm (mean ± SD, 14.37 ± 0.74 mm). The spinal cord can be seen only in longitudinal plane over a distance of 1.81 to 2.93 mm (mean ± SD, 2.46 ± 0.35 mm). While in the transverse plane, gap between the skin and arachnoidea ranged from 11.01 to 13.11 mm (mean ± SD, 12.39 ± 0.54 mm). Depth of the subarachnoid space dorsal and ventral to spinal cord varied from 5.05 to 6.13 mm (mean ± SD, 5.59 ± 0.34 mm) and 4.12 to 5.25 (mean ± SD, 4.65 ± 0.29 mm) respectively. Spinal cord diameter ranged from 4.45 to 5.90 mm (mean ± SD, 5.24 ± 0.44 mm) and entire dural sac diameter varied from 14.68 to 16.96 mm (mean ± SD, 15.58 ± 0.57 mm). These standard measurements will be the reference values in healthy Beetal goats. Cerebrospinal fluid was colourless with the quantity of 2-4 ml (mean ± SD, 3 ± 0.89 ml). It was neither turbid nor coagulate. The white blood cell count was 10/µl and red blood cells were not present. Furthermore, total protein and glucose were also measured, which ranged from 23.5 to 28 mg/dl (mean ± SD, 25.78 ± 2.32 mg/dl) and 38-50 mg/dl (mean ± SD, 43.33 ± 4.60 mg/dl) respectively. Ziehl-Neelsen Staining and gram staining were negative.

Role of nanotechnology in animal production and veterinary medicine.

Nanotechnology is the discipline and technology of small and specific things that are < 100 nm in size. Because of their extremely miniscule size, any changes in their chemical and physical structure may show higher reactivity and solubility than larger particles. Nanotechnology plays a vital role in every field of life. It is considered one of the most bleeding edge field of scientific research. It has already several applications in a myriad of disciplines while its application in the field of animal production and veterinary medicine is still experimental in nature. But, in recent years, the role of nanotechnology in the aforementioned fields of scientific inquiry has shown great progress. These days, nanotechnology has been employed to revolutionize drug delivery systems and diagnose atypical diseases. Applications of nanoparticle technology in the field of animal reproduction and development of efficacious vaccines have been at the forefront of scientific endeavors. Additionally, their impacts on meat and milk quality are also being judiciously inquired in recent decades. Veterinary nanotechnology has great potential to improve diagnosis and treatment, and provide new tools to this field. This review focuses on some noteworthy applications of nanoparticles in the field of animal production and their future perspectives.

A review: Surveillance of lumpy skin disease (LSD) a growing problem in Asia.

Lumpy skin disease (LSD) is a viral disease caused by lumpy skin disease virus (LSDV), a member of Capripoxvirus, genus of Poxviridae family. It is a transboundary infection of monetary significance that primarily affects water buffaloes and cattle. LSD was known to be once endemic in Saharan regions of Africa but later on reported in central Asian and neighboring countries of Pakistan like, India, Iran and China. It is a vector borne disease and arthropods are believed to be the main perpetrators. It is discernible by its high morbidity and low mortality. Characteristic lumps on skin and high fever are considered as major signs while reduced milk production, infertility, early embryonic death and anorexia are some of the salient clinical manifestations of the disease. Additionally, nodules on mucosa of oro-pharynx, udder, genitalia and rectum are usually observed on examination. This article summarizes LSD outbreaks across Asia during last fifteen years. It is a general consensus amongst the veterinary community that disease is endemic in Pakistan as it shares borders with India, Iran and China where recent outbreaks are reported. Historically Pakistan is free of LSD, however it is at high risk of a LSDV outbreak as neighboring regions are becoming endemic. Vaccination, strict quarantine measures, limited movement of livestock along with vector control could be effective for preventing the spread of the disease. This review aims to summarize the latest developments in the epidemiology of LSD with the focus on transboundary spread, possible emergence and economic implications on Pakistan.