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J. Ind. Vet. Assoc., Kerala. 10 (2) < <02

CONTENTS

Vol. 10 Issue 2 August 2012 < < JIVA 03

RESEARCH ARTICLES 5 - 49

CLINICAL REPORTS 50 - 56

1. Lipl 41 GENE SPECIFIC PCR FOR THE DETECTIONOF PATHOGENIC LEPTOSPIRES IN CATTLE Ambily R., Mini M., Siju Joseph and Vamshi Krishna S. 5

2. MICROMETRICAL OBSERVATIONS ON THE CENTRALCANAL OF SPINAL CORD IN GOAT FOETUSES

Maya S., Chungath J.J., Harshan K.R. and Ashok N. 8

3. HYPOLIPIDEMIC EFFECT OF Brassica Juncea(MUSTARD) IN ALLOXAN INDUCED DIABETIC RATSPreethy John and Aravindakshan C.M. 13

4. HISTOCHEMICAL OBSERVATIONS ONTHE LYMPH NODES OF GOAT FOETUSESAsha Antony., Maya S., Harshan K.R. and Chungath J.J. 17

5. COMPARISON OF DIFFERENT ENRICHMENT METHODS FOR DETECTION OF Listeria monocytogenes FROM MILK SAMPLES.Sunil B., Latha C., Remya Raveendran., Ajaykumar V.J. and

Vrinda Menon K. 20

6. SERUM INSULIN LEVELS AND LIPID PROFILES OFSTREPTOZOTOCIN INDUCED DIABETIC WISTAR RATSDhanush Krishna B., Suguna Rao and Satyanarayana M.L. 22

7. COMPARISON OF DIFFERENT COPROLOGICAL TECHNIQUES FOR DIAGNOSIS OF FASCIOLA INFECTION IN RUMINANTSDevi S., Talukdar S.K. and Das M.R. 27

30

9. EFFICACY OF SIMULTANEOUS USE OF ENROFLOXACINAND METRONIDAZOLE IN THE TREATMENT OFENDOMETRITIS IN CROSS BRED CATTLE - A FIELD TRIALViju Vijayan Pillai 37

10. AGE RELATED CHANGES IN THE THYROID FOLLICLESOF KUTTANAD DUCKSFirdous, A. D., Lucy K.M., Chungath J.J. and Ashok N. 40

45

12. SURGICAL REPAIR OF FRONTAL MENINGOCELE IN A KIDLaiju M Philip., Ranjith Mohan M., P. Francis Bastin and Sajesh M.G. 50

8. COMPARISON OF ANTIULCER ACTIVITY OFCurcuma Longa WITH Mentha PiperitaMeera Sumanth and Divya Edison

11. LIVESTOCK BASED SUSTAINABLE FARMINGSYSTEMS IN PARIYARAM PANCHAYATPrasanth V.

CONTENTS

13. EMBRYONAL RHABDOMYOSARCOMAIN A LABRADOR DOGJoseph Cyrus., Basavanagowda M.T.,

ShahidVaseem S.A. and Md. AbidHussain 53

55

15. OCCURRENCE OF GASTRIC ULCER IN SLAUGHTERED PIGSVasudevan V.N., Sameer S., Kuttinarayanan P. and Sathu T. 57

16. ANTHRAX IN CATTLE- IS BLEEDING FROM NATURALORIFICES A LEADING CLUE TO DIAGNOSIS?Krithiga K., Divakaran Nair N., Vijayan N., Dhanush Krishna B.,

Mammen J. Abraham and Lalithakunjamma C.R. 60

17. A CASE OF KING COBRA ENVENOMATION IN A COWShibu K. Jacob and Anu George 62

65

19. TRANSGENIC CHICKEN: METHODS AND APPLICATIONSStella Cyriac., Churchil R.R. and Gibin George T. 67

20. SUSTAINABLE HELMINTH PARASITECONTROL IN RUMINANTSLucy Sabu 72

21. NEW DUCK DISEASE (Riemerella anatipestifer infection)Aparna S. and Renjith R. 76

14. GASTROCNEMIUS MUSCLE RUPTUREIN A COW-A CASE REPORTSivaraman S., Venkatesakumar E., Vijayakumar G.,

Kumaresan A. and Subramanian M.

18. END STRAY DOG MENACE PERMANENTLY BY

SHORT COMMUNICATIONS 57 - 64

GENERAL ARTICLES 65 - 77

ASSOCIATION NEWS 78 - 80

END (EARLY NEUTERING IN DOGS) Narayanan M.K., Rajankutty K. and John Martin K.D.

The editor/editorial board and referees are in no way responsible individually orcollectively for the views, data and technical details presented in the contributed papers


1 2 3Ph.D Scholar, Professor and Head, Assistant Professor, 4M.V.Sc. Scholar Department of Veterinary Microbiology,

Lipl 41 GENE SPECIFIC PCR FOR THE DETECTION

OF PATHOGENIC LEPTOSPIRES IN CATTLE

1 2 3 4Ambily, R. , M. Mini , Siju Joseph and S. Vamshi Krishna

College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy

Lipl 41

INTRODUCTION

Leptospirosis is an emerging zoonotic

disease, with a great impact to bovine herds,

causing infertility, abortion, agalactia, and an

increase of mortality in infected herds. Leptospiral

mastitis is popularly known as flabby udder in

cattle. The animal responds to antibiotics, if the

infection is diagnosed in early stages. Microscopic

Agglutination Test (MAT) is considered as the gold

standard test (OIE, 2005). But it is difficult to

differentiate acute infections from chronic

infections by MAT, without paired serum samples.

Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) can be useful for

a rapid diagnosis of leptospirosis particularly acute

infections (Ramadass, et al., 1997 and Gravekamp,

et al., 1993). Many of the previously described

primers were amplifying both pathogenic and non

pathogenic serovars (Merien et al., 1992) whereas

several others like G1/G2 failed to amplify some of

the most pathogenic serovars like L. interrogans

serovar Grippotyphosa (Gravekamp, et al., 1993).

The present study describes the diagnosis of

leptospirosis in cattle by PCR using lipl 41 gene

which was reported to be conserved among the

pathogenic serovars.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Blood and urine samples (5 ml each) were

collected from a private dairy farm in Thrissur

which was reported to be having incidence of

haemorrhagic mastitis. Blood was collected in

citrated vials. The plasma was separated and

centrifuged at 12000 rpm for 15 minutes to pellet

the leptospires. The pellet was washed thrice in

PBS by centrifuging at 12000 rpm for 15 minutes

and resuspended in 100 µl sterile nuclease free

water. This suspension was kept in a boiling water

bath for 10 minutes and snap chilled on ice and

used as template in PCR. Serum was separated and

used in MAT.

ABSTRACT

Primers capable of amplifying the gene

coding for the outer membrane protein Lipl 41

of Leptospira sp. were used in a PCR for the rapid

diagnosis of leptospirosis in cattle. This gene was

found to be conserved among the pathogenic

serovars of Leptospira interrogans viz., Australis,

Autumnalis, Canicola, Grippotyphosa,

Hebdomadis, Icterrohemorrhagiae, Javanica,

Pomona and Pyrogenes as the amplicon of 1077

bp were obtained. Blood and urine samples

from six cows suspected of leptospirosis were

subjected to PCR using the above primers. Two

blood samples and one urine sample were found

to be positive. The specificity of the primers was

checked was by using the cultures of Pasteurella,

E. coli, Staphylococcus aureus and the

saprophytic Leptospira biflexa and it was found

that these were not amplified by these primers.


RESEARCH ARTICLE

Amplification of DNA was performed in 25

µl reaction mixture containing 14.5 µl of nuclease

free water, 2.5 µl of 10 X Assay Buffer, 1µl of dNTP

mix (Sigma), 1µl (25 pmol) of each primer (Sigma),

1 µl of Taq DNA Polymerase (3U/ µl) and 5 µl of

extracted DNA. The reaction components were

mixed and subjected to amplification in a thermal

cycler with an initial denaturation at 94 °C for 5

minutes followed by 30 cycles of denaturation at

94 °C for 1 minute, primer annealing at 57 °C for 1

minute and extension at 72 °C for 1 minute. The

final extension was carried out at 72 °C for 10

minutes. The primers which amplify 1077bp

fragment of lipl41 gene of pathogenic leptospira

were used (Senthilkumar et al., 2007). The

sequence of the forward primer was 5'-TG TTA

CCC ATG GGG AGA AAA TTA TCT TCT CT-3'.and

the reverse primer was 5'-AAA GGA CTC GAG TTA

CTT TGC GTT GCT TTC-3'. The analysis of PCR

products were carried out in one per cent agarose

gel stained with ethidium bromide (0.5 µg / ml). A

100 bp DNA ladder (MBI Fermentas) and

appropriate controls were incorporated to rule out

false positive and false negative results. The gel was

viewed under UV transillumination.

Microscopic Agglutination Test was

performed as per the OIE (2005). Serum samples

were serially diluted from 1:50 to 1:25600. Five

day old cultures of leptospires (Australis,

Autumnal i s , Canico la , Gr ippotyphosa ,

Hebdomadis, Icterohemorrhagiae, Javanica,

Pomona and Pyrogenes and L.biflexa serovar Patoc)

grown in Ellinghausen McCullough Johnson 8 Harris (EMJH) medium containing 2 x 10

organisms/ml were used as antigens. The serum

showing 50 per cent reduction in motility of

leptospires with or without agglutination with a

titre of 1 in 100 was considered as positive (OIE,

2005).

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

In the present study, the affected cow was

reported to be having pyrexia, anorexia and

agalactia. The milk was blood tinged with clots.

The udder was flabby without heat and pain and

all four quarters were equally affected which was

suggestive of leptospirosis (Durfee and Allen,

1980). As the course of this economically

important zoonotic disease varies from mild to

acute fatal forms, laboratory based techniques are

essential for arriving at a definitive diagnosis.

Detection of antibodies using MAT has been the

most common diagnostic method. However, there

are several difficulties that confuse interpretation

of MAT titers. Many animals with leptospirosis

present with clinical signs of disease prior to the

development of antibodies measurable by MAT.

On the other hand, there is a high prevalence of

subclinical infections that result in the persistence

of antibodies.

In recent years, PCR has been proved to be

a rapid diagnostic tool for the detection of

leptospiral DNA in clinical samples like urine (Van

Eys, et al., 1989) and serum (Merien, et al., 1992

and Gravekamp, et al., 1993), the success of which

depends on the method of DNA extraction. Boom

et al. (1997) opined that the addition of Guanidine

thiocyanate and Cetyl trimethyl ammonium

bromide followed by phenol extraction is an ideal

protocol for DNA extraction. Senthilkumar et al.

(2001) described DNA extraction using lysozyme.

In the present study, we used simple boiling

method to extract the leptospiral DNA which

makes the PCR technique an even more rapid and

cost effective technique. The presence of 1077 bp

amplicon was detected in the present study which

confirms the amplification of lipl41 gene of

pathogenic Leptospira (Senthil Kumar et al., 2007).


The presence of antibodies against L.

Pomona in the serum was detected by MAT and the

antibody titre was found to be 1: 400 which could

be considered as positive as per OIE (2005). In an

endemic area like Kerala, most of the animals

posses antibodies against leptospira and hence

antibody detection from serum samples is of

limited significance in diagnosing acute infections.

The gold standard test MAT is unable to

differentiate the active infection from carrier state

although it is the only test by which serovars can be

identified. Polymerase chain reaction is found to

be a promising tool for the early, rapid and specific

diagnosis of leptospirosis.

REFERENCES

Boom, R.C., Sol, J.A., Salimans, M.M.M., Jansen,

C.L., Wertheim-Van-Dillen, P.M.E. and

Noordaa, J. 1990. Rapid and simple method

for purification of nucleic acids. J. Clin.

Microbiol. 28: 495-503

Durfee, P.T. and Allen, J.D. 1980. Serological titres

of dairy cows over a 63 week period

following natural infection with Leptospira

interrogans serovar Hardjo. Australian Vet. J.

56 : 574-579

Gravekamp, C., Van de Kemp, H., Franzen, M.,

Carrington, D., Schoone, G.J., Van Eys, J.M.,

Everard, C.O.R., Hartskeerl, R.A. and

Terpstra, W.J. 1993. Detection of seven

species of pathogenic leptospires by PCR

using two sets of primers. J. Gen. Microbiol.

139: 1691-1700

Merien, F., Amouriax, P., Perolat, P., Baranton, G.

and Saint Girons, I. 1992. Polymerase chain

reaction for detection of Leptospira sp. in

clinical samples. J. Clin. Microbiol. 30:

2219-2224

Office International-des-Epizooties. 2005.

Leptospirosis In: Manual of standards for

diagnostic tests and vaccine. 4th ed., Paris

Ramadass, P., Meerarani, S. Senthilkumar, A.

Venkatesha, M.D. and Nachimuthu, K.

1997. Rapid diagnosis of leptospirosis by

polymerase chain reaction. Indian Vet. J. 74:

457-460

Senthikumar, A., Ramadass, P. and Nachimutu, K.

2001. Use of polymerase chain reaction for

the detection of leptospires in clinical

samples. Indian Vet. J. 78: 1087-1090

Senthilkumar, T. M. A., Subathra, M. and

Ramadass, P. 2007. Evaluation of

recombinant leptospiral antigen LipL41 in

enzyme -linked immunosorbent assay and

latex agglutination test for serodiagnosis of

canine leptospirosis. Vet. Arhiv. 77: 475-484

Van Eys, G.J.J.M., Grave Kamp, C., Gerritsen, M. J.,

Quint, W. Corneliseen, M.T.E., Schegget, J.T.

and Tersptra, W.J. 1989. Detection of

leptospires in urine by polymerase chain

reaction. J. Clin. Microbiol. 27: 2258-2262


1 3 4 Associate Professor, Professor (Retd.), Professor and Head,

Department of Veterinary Anatomy and Histology, College of 2 Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, Kerala. Professor

and Head, Department of Veterinary Anatomy and Histology,

College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Pookot, Wayanad,

Kerala.

MICROMETRICAL OBSERVATIONS ON THE CENTRAL

CANAL OF SPINAL CORD IN GOAT FOETUSES*

1 2 3 4Maya, S. , Chungath, J.J. , Harshan, K.R. and Ashok, N.

College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy..*Part of Ph.D. thesis submitted by first author to Kerala Agricultural University

INTRODUCTION

The position of the central canal is believed

to be central in the spinal cord as per earlier reports

in domestic animals (Dellmann and Mc Clure,

1975). But the studies on the developmental

changes in the position of the central canal in goat

at the micrometrical level are very scanty. So this

study was undertaken to illustrate the

micrometrical observations on the central canal of

goat at various stages of prenatal development.


The study was conducted on 52 goat

foetuses of different ages. The age was calculated

using the formula derived by Singh et al. (1979), for 1/3goat foetuses, W = 0.096 (t - 30), where, W =

Body weight of the foetus in g and t = Age of the

foetus in days. The foetuses were grouped into five

age groups corresponding to five months of

gestation. The fixative used was 10 per cent neutral

buffered formalin (NBF). Embryos and small

foetuses upto 50 days of gestation were fixed as

such in the fixative for 48 to 96 hours. In foetuses

from 50 days to 90 days, the vertebral column with

spinal cord inside was fixed. In foetuses above 90

days, the spinal cord was exposed by laminectomy,

dissected out and was cut into pieces of two to

three segments each and processed. These

specimens were dehydrated and embedded in ohigh melting paraffin (MP 58-60 C). Serial sections

of 5µm thickness were made. Histological

techniques like Ehrlich's haematoxylin and eosin

(H & E) staining, Holzer's method for glial fibres,

Van Gieson's method for collagen, Holmes silver

nitrate method for axis cylinders and myelin

sheaths, Sevier-Munger method, phosphotungstic

acid haematoxylin (PTAH) method and Aldehyde-

Thionine-PAS method for neural tissues (Luna,

1968) were employed. The micrometrical

observations were recorded by using an ocular

micrometer. The data collected were analysed

ABSTRACT

Micrometrical observations on the central

canal of goat at various stages of prenatal

development were studied using 52 foetuses of

various ages. By second month, the cross-section of

central canal was elongated and narrow especially in

the cervical region. The reduction in the size of central

canal was marked between third and fourth month.

All regions exhibited a size reduction of central canal

towards the end of gestation. During fourth and fifth

month of gestation, the position of the central canal

was a little dorsal in the cervical, cervical

enlargement, thoracic and lumbar regions of the

spinal cord but ventral or central in lumbar

enlargement and ventral in sacral regions, helping to

maintain a caudal flow of CSF.

RESEARCH ARTICLE


statistically following Snedecor and Cochran

(1985).


During the first month of gestation, the

ependymal layer of the neural tube was thin at the

basal plate but thick in the alar plate all along the

length of the neural tube except at the coccygeal

region, where its thickness was equal at both alar

and basal plates (Table 1).

Average height, width and ependymal layer

thickness of central canal are presented segment-

wise and region-wise in tables 2 and 3. By second

month, the cross-section of central canal was

elongated and narrow especially in the cervical

region. It was wider and longer at the first cervical

segment, but decreased in size at C2 and C4

segments. The C1 segment followed the same

pattern during later stages of gestation also. The

ependymal layer thickness showed a regional

variation during second month, with the minimum

thickness at the sacral region in the precoccygeal

cord. During later stages, it did not show much

variation in thickness between regions. By the fifth

month, a reduction was noticed in the ependymal

thickness at all regions (Table 3).

The reduction in the size of central canal was

marked between third and fourth month. The

height of the central canal decreased from 15.097

per cent of total spinal cord height at third month

through 5.380 at fourth, to 3.780 per cent at fifth

month at the cervical region. The corresponding

values were 13.235, 6.351 and 4.611 per cent at

cervical enlargement; 15.476, 7.267 and 5.110

per cent at thoracic; 16.030, 7.286 and 5.680 per

cent at lumbar; 15.502, 7.391 and 5.483 per cent

at lumbar enlargement; 20.080, 16.190 and

13.321 per cent at sacral and 49.020, 29.676 and

25.470 per cent at coccygeal region. It indicated a

size reduction at all regions towards the end of

gestation.

Even though the position of the central

canal is believed to be central in the spinal cord,

different developmental stages exhibited variation

to this principle. The region-wise average for

distances of dorsal median sulcus at dorsal surface

and ventral median fissure at ventral surface to

central canal is shown in table 4. The percentage of

these distances to total spinal cord height is shown

in table 5. The percentage of dorsal median sulcus

to central canal distance (DMS to CC distance) was

more than the percentage of ventral median fissure

to central canal distance (VMF to CC distance)

during second and third month of gestation. The

maximum DMS to CC distance percentage was at

the sacral region during fourth and fifth month, but

it was minimum at sacral region at second and

third month. It indicated a more ventral shifting of

the central canal towards the end of gestation in

the sacral region. In other regions, the upper end of

central canal started approximately from the

Table 1. Micrometrical data at the first month of gestation (Mean ± S.E), m


DMS CC: dorsal median septum to central canal distance

VMF CC: ventral median fissure to central canal distance

Table 4. Region-wise dorsal surface to central canal height and ventral surfaceto central canal height (Mean + S.E), µm

Table. 5 Region-wise average of percentage of dorsal median septum to central canal distance

and ventral median fissure to central canal distance to spinal cord height

central point itself. Later, the VMF to CC

percentage exceeded DMS to CC percentage

except at lumbar enlargement and sacral regions

during the fourth month and except in the sacral

region during the fifth month.

These percentage ratios between different

distances during fourth and fifth month of

gestation revealed that the position of the central

canal was a little dorsal in the cervical, cervical

enlargement, thoracic and lumbar regions of the


spinal cord but ventral or central in lumbar

enlargement and ventral in sacral regions. This

partially agreed with the observations of Taluja et

al. (1990) in goat foetuses as they observed the

location of the central canal a little dorsal, ventral

and approximately central in cervical, thoracic and

lumbar regions respectively. This feature probably

helped to maintain the caudal flow of CSF.

REFERENCES

Dellmann, H.D. and Mc Clure, R.C. 1975. Central

nervous system. Sisson and Grossman's The

Anatomy of the Domestic Animals. 5th ed.

(ed. Getty, R.). W.B. Saunders Company,

Philadelphia, pp. 1065-1080

Luna, L.G. 1968. Manual of Histological Staining

Methods of the Armed Forces Institute of

Pathology. 3rd edition. Mc Graw- Hill Book

Company, New York.

Singh, Y., Sharma, D.N. and Dhingra, L.D. 1979.

Morphogenesis of testis in goat. Indian

Journal of Animal Sciences. 49: 925-931

Snedecor, G.W. and Cochran, W.G. 1985.

Statistical Methods. 7th ed. The Iowa State

University Press, U.S.A

Taluja, J.S., Shrivastava, A.M. and Malik, M.R.

1990. Regional micrometry of spinal cord in

goat foetuses. Indian Journal of Animal Sciences.

60: 1076-1078


ABSTRACT

Effect of mustard(Brassica Juncea) seed powder

at two different doses (8g/kg and 2g/kg) on serum

cholesterol and serum triglyceride were studied in

alloxan induced diabetic rats. Administration of

mustard seed powder at the rate of 8g/kg for 30 days

produced significant reduction of serum cholesterol

and serum triglyceride. On the other hand changes in

rats fed with mustard seed powder at the rate of

2g/kg were not significant. The present study suggests

that mustard seed powder at high dose rate would be

considered as an effective hypolipidemic agent.

1 2MVSc Scholar, Associate Professor, Department of Veterinary

Pharmacology & Toxicology

HYPOLIPIDEMIC EFFECT OF

Brassica juncea (MUSTARD) IN ALLOXAN

INDUCED DIABETIC RATS*

1 2Preethy John and Aravindakshan C.M.

College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, Thrissur, Kerala.

*Part of MVSc thesis submitted to KAU.

INTRODUCTION

Diabetes mellitus is one of the oldest diseases

affecting millions of people all over the world.

Diabetes mellitus associated hyperlipidemia is a

current medical as well as a social problem. The

frequency of hyperlipidemia is very high

depending upon type of diabetes and degree of

control. Now a days, there is an increasing demand

for natural products with hypolipidemic property.

Present study is directed towards investigation on

the effectiveness of Brassica juncea (mustard) at

two different doses for the treatment of

hyperlipidemia associated with diabetes mellitus.


The experiment was conducted in thirty two

male albino rats weighing 150 200g. They were

mainta ined on ident ica l feeding and

managemental practice in the laboratory for one

week before the commencement of study. Well

dried seeds of mustard was taken and pulverized in

a blender to get fine powder. The rats were

randomly divided into four groups, each group

comprising of eight animals.

Group I: (T ) Normal control, no treatment was given.0

Group II: (T ) Alloxan (Diabetic) control, no 1

treatment was given.

Group III: (T ) Diabetic, feed incorporated with 2

Brassica juncea seed powder at a dose

of 2g / kg body weight from day 16 to

day 45 (30 days).

Group IV: (T ) Diabetic, feed incorporated with 3

Brassica juncea seed powder at a dose

of 8g / kg body weight from day 16 to

day 45 (30 days).

All the treatment groups except normal

control were made diabetic by subcutaneous

injection of alloxan monohydrate at a rate of 120

mg / kg body weight on zero day. After 16 days

blood glucose was estimated using O-toluidene

method. The ra t s showing modera te

hyperglycemia (200-250mg/100ml) were selected

for specific drug treatment.

T and T were administered the fine 2 3

mustard seed powder with feed daily at a dose of 2g /

kg and 8g/kg body weights respectively for 30 days.

Blood was collected on last day of the th

experiment (45 day) retro orbitally from the inner

canthus of the eye in fresh vials without any

anticoagulant.


RESEARCH ARTICLE

Estimation of Cholesterol

Cholesterol level in serum was estimated by

enzymatic CHOD-PAP method (Allain et al.,

1973) using kit from Agappe Diagnostics.

Estimation of Triglyceride

Triglyceride level in serum was estimated by

enzymatic GPO-PAP method (Nussel and Arav.,

1975) using kit from Agappe Diagnostics.

Statistical analysis of data

The data obtained were analyzed by using one

way Analysis Of Variance for comparison between

groups and student t test for within groups as

described by Snedecor and Cochran(1985). The

results are expressed as mean + standard

deviation

Figure 1

RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONth Serum cholesterol (mg %) estimated on 45 day

of the experiment is presented in Table 1.The

results are graphically represented in Fig.1.

Animals of Group II remained hypercholestero-

lemic throughout the period of study. There was

significant decrease in the cholesterol level of

Group IV compared to Group II. Group III had the

value 130.49 + 15.33 mg% which was not

significantly different from Group II.

The effects of treatments on serum Triglyceride thestimated on 45 day of experiment is shown in

Table-2 and is graphically represented in Figure-2.

Group II and Group III exhibited a maximum

Triglyceride level. Group IV showed a significant

reduction in triglyceride level.

Table1. Effect of Mustard seed powder at two different doses on serum cholesterol (mg%)

Animal No. Group I Group II Group III Group IV

1 49.23 165.43 118.10 150.39

2 72.31 162.14 134.48 113.39

3 73.85 152.26 121.55 120.47

4 83.89 173.66 126.72 104.45

5 53.08 199.18 130.17 110.79

6 90.77 171.19 111.21 125.98

7 87.69 148.97 141.38 109.45

8 102.31 158.85 160.34 118.90

Mean + SD 76.64 + 18.38 166.46 + 15.70 130.49 + 15.33 118.01 + 15.52


Grover et al., (2002) reported that Brassica

juncea in diet at a strength of 10 percent and

15percent showed significant antihyperglycemic

effect in alloxan-diabetic rats. Khan et al., (1995)

found that mustard seed powder exerted its

hypoglycemic activity by enhancing glycolysis,

glycogenesis and decreasing glycogenolysis.

According to Prince and Menon (1998), the

marked hyperlipidemia that characterized the

diabetic stage is a consequence of the uninhibited

action of lipolytic enzymes on the fat depots.

Hypolipidemic activity of mustard seeds may be

due to its insulinomimetic activity.

CONCLUSION

The results of present study indicated that

the mustard seed powder at high dose (8g/kg body

weight) is having potent hypolipidemic effect. But

the serum cholesterol and triglyceride levels in

Table 2. Effect of Mustard seed powder at two different doses on serum Triglyceride (mg%)

Animal No. Group I Group II Group III Group IV

1 48.73 173.47 106.77 152.12

2 61.39 162.59 134.48 146.62

3 77.22 135.37 121.53 132.82

4 81.65 182.99 130.83 95.75

5 54.43 193.20 145.11 82.63

6 90.51 179.59 90.98 142.86

7 87.34 121.77 157.14 105.02

8 96.20 147.62 166.17 132.82

Mean + SD 74.68 + 17.68 162.08 + 25.04 133.14 + 25.65 121.14 + 24.22

Figure 2


animals treated with mustard at 2g/kg body weight

remained similar to that obtained for diabetic

control ie, no hypolipidemic effect for low doses of

mustard.

REFERENCES

Allain, C.C., Poon, L.S., and Chan, C.S.G. 1974.

Enzymatic determination of serum

cholesterol. Clin. Chem. 20: 470-475.

Grover, J.K., Yadav, S. and Vats, V. 2002.

Hypoglycemic and antihyperglycemic

effect of Brassica juncea diet and their

effect on hepatic glucose content and key

enzymes of carbohydrate metabolism.

Mol. Cell. Biochem. 241 (1-2): 95-101

Khan, B.A., Abraham, A. and Leelamma, S. 1995.

Hypoglycemic action of Murraya koenigii

(curry leaf) and Brassica juncea (mustard):

Mechanism of action. Indian J Biochem

Biophys. 32(2):106-108

King, H., Aubert, R.E. and Herman, W. H. 1998.

Global burden of diabetes, 1992- 2025:

Prevelance, numerical estimates and

projections. Diabetes Care. 21(9): 1414-

1431

Nussel, S. G. and Arav, E. 1975. Determination of

serum triglyceride by enzymatic method.

Medicine. 10: 25-26

Prince, P.S.M. and Menon, V.P. 1998.

Hypoglycemic activity of Syzigium cumini

seeds: effect on lipid peroxidation in alloxan

diabetic rats. J. Ethnophamacol. 61: 1-7

Snedecor, G.W. and Cochran, W.G. 1985.

Statistical Methods Eight edition. Oxford

and IBH publishing company, Calcutta,

p.534


HISTOCHEMICAL OBSERVATIONS ON

THE LYMPH NODES OF GOAT FOETUSES*

Asha Antony, Maya S., Harshan K.R. and Chungath J.J.

College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy.*Part of M.V. Sc. thesis submitted by first author to Kerala Agricultural University

1 2MVSc Scholar, Associate Professor, Department of Veterinary

Anatomy and Histology, College of Veterinary and Animal 3 4Sciences, Mannuthy, Kerala, Professor (Retd.), Professor and

Head, Department of Veterinary Anatomy and Histology,

College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Pookot, Wayanad,

Kerala.

ABSTRACT

Prenatal histochemical studies on the lymph

nodes of goat were conducted in six caprine foetuses

in the last month of gestation. Lymph nodes exhibited

only traces of glycogen, weak activities of acid and

alkaline phosphatases and weak reaction for lipids.

But deposition of fat was seen around the capsule of

superficial lymph nodes from fourth month onwards,

for providing protection.

INTRODUCTION:

The lymph nodes are the only lymphatic

organs located in the course of lymphatic vessels,

with the characteristic function of filtering of the

lymph before it flows into the venous system. The

activated immune cells proliferate in the lymph

nodes and produce antibodies to protect the body

against disease and infection. Although research

has been conducted on the histochemistry of

lymph nodes in other species of animals, the

prenatal histochemical studies on the caprine

lymphatic system are scanty. Hence this study was

conducted to explore into the histochemical

changes occurring in the lymph nodes of goats

during the prenatal life.


The study was conducted on six caprine

foetuses in the last month of gestation. The age of

the foetuses was calculated using the formula

derived by Singh et al. (1979), for goat foetuses, 1/3W = 0.096 (t - 30), where, W = Body weight of

the foetus in g and t = Age of the foetus in days.

Representative lymph nodes from five major

lymphocenters were dissected out from the

foetuses, viz. parotid and mandibular lymph nodes

from lymphocenters of the head, prescapular

lymph node from neck, caudal mediastinal lymph

node from thoracic cavity, jejunal mesenteric

lymph node from abdominal viscera, and

prefemoral lymph node from abdominal wall. For

detection of carbohydrates the material was fixed o

in chilled acetone at 4 C. The specimens were

dehydrated and embedded in high melting o o

paraffin (MP 58 C - 60 C). Serial sections of five

micron thickness were cut. For studies on lipids

and phosphatases, frozen sections of 10 to 20 µm

thickness were also prepared.


Carbohydrates

Lymphocytes in the lymph nodes

exhibited PAS positive reaction and traces of

glycogen granules in the cytoplasm by last month

of gestation (Fig. 1). This was in confirmation to

the findings of Lillie and Fullmer (1976) in the


RESEARCH ARTICLE

lymphoid cells of animals.

Small lymphocytes exhibited traces of

glycogen granules in the cytoplasm but these

granules were absent in the large and medium

sized lymphocytes. These differences may be

attributed to a change in the structure of cells

during the course of development. Banks (1981)

reported that presence of glycogen indicated the

cells' ability to store this most important

intracellular polysaccharide inclusion which

served a nutritive function as the storage form of

energy of cells.

Enzymes

A weak activity of acid phosphatase was

detected in the medullary cords, capillary

endothelium and cortex of lymph nodes (Fig. 2).

Similar reports were given by Gomori (1941) in

both human and animal lymph nodes. Acid

phosphatase activity is indicative of the lysosomal

activity. So the weak reaction indicated that the

lysosomal activity was reduced during foetal

stages.

A weak activity of alkaline phosphatase

(Fig. 3) was also detected in the medullary cords

and capillary endothelium of lymph nodes.

Similar observations were made by Smith (1958) in

mice. Najpande and Srivastava (1974) reported

that the enzyme was localized in the areas where

active differentiation was taking place, while it

disappeared from other parts where differentiation

phase had already been completed.

The cortex also showed a weak reaction for

alkaline phosphatase similar to the reports of

Gadre et al. (2001) in calves.

Lipids

Lymph nodes showed only a weak reaction for

lipids when stained with oil red 'O' (Fig. 4). Similar

reports were made by Magnusson and Majeed

Fig. 1. Parotid lymph node showing presence of

glycogen (145 days). Best's Carmine x 400

1. Cortex 2. Capsule 3. Accumulation of fat

Fig. 2. Mandibular lymph node showing

weak acid phosphatase activity (145 days).

Gomori's method x 100.

Fig. 3. Prefemoral lymph node showing weakalkaline phosphatase activity (145 days).

Gomori's method x 100.


Fig. 4. Prescapular lymph node showing

weak reaction for lipids (145 days).

Oil red 'O' x 100.

Fig. 5. Parotid lymph node (99 days). H& E x 100.

1. Cortex 2. Capsule 3. Accumulation of fat

(1978) in mesenteric lymph node of old rat. But

Gomori (1946) was unable to find lipase activity in

human spleen and lymph node. Banks (1981)

reported that detection of lipids indicated the

presence of fatty acid metabolism as an important

source of activated acetate to drive the

tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle. The weak reaction

in this study indicated lesser storage activities

during developmental periods.

Capsular surface of the superficial lymph

nodes showed deposition of fat from fourth month

onwards by 99 days of gestation (Fig. 5). This might

be a protective adaptation for the peripheral

nodes lying near the movable parts of the body.

REFERENCES

Banks, W.J. 1981. Applied Veterinary Histology.

Williams and Wilkins, Baltimore, p. 572

Gadre, K.M., Malik, M.R. and Ramakrishna, V.

2001. Handbook of Calf Lymph Node.

Jaypee Brothers Medical Publishers, New

Delhi, p. 20

Gomori, G. 1946. Distribution of lipase in tissues

under normal and under pathologic

conditions. Arch. Path. 41: 121-129

Li l l ie, R.D. and Ful lmer, H.M. 1976.

Histopathological Technique and Practical

Histochemistry. Tenth edition. The

Blakiston Company, New York, p. 800

Magnusson, G. and Majeed, S. 1978.

Histochemical study of mesenteric lymph

node in old rats. Lab. Anls. 12: 99-102

Najpande, P.G. and Srivastava, R.K. 1974. A note

on the localization of alkaline phosphatase

in thirty-day-old sheep foetuses. Indian J.

Anim. Sci. 44: 503-505

Singh, Y., Sharma, D. N. and Dhingra, L.D. 1979.

Morphogenesis of testis in goat. Indian J.

Anim. Sci. 49: 925-931

Smith, C. 1958. Studies on the thymus of the

mammal histology and histochemistry of

embryonic and early postnatal thymuses

of C57BL/6 and AKR stain mice. Am. J.

Anat. 116: 611-630


COMPARISON OF DIFFERENT ENRICHMENT

METHODS FOR DETECTION OF

Listeria monocytogenes FROM MILK SAMPLES*

1 2 3Sunil B ., Latha C ., Remya Raveendran .,

4 5Ajaykumar V.J. and Vrinda Menon K.


*Part of ICAR Out reach Programme on Zoonotic Diseases

Listeria monocytogenes

1 2 3 Associate Professor, Associate Professor and Head, Senior 4 5Research Fellow, PhD Scholar, Assistant Professor,

Department of Veterinary Public Health, College of Veterinary

and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy

ABSTRACT

This study was conducted to compare the

performance of different enrichment methods like

the use of listeria enrichment broth (LEB), modified

LEB (MLEB) and University of Vermount Medium

(UVM broth) with four different concentrations of

acriflavine and nalidixic acid for their ability to detect

and recover L. monocytogenes from milk samples.

Listeria monocytogenes (MTCC 1143) strain

obtained from the Institute of Microbial Technology,

Chandigarh was used in the study. The result of the

present study shows that the LEB and UVMa are

superior compared to other enrichment procedures

used in the study followed by UVMb, MLEB, UVMc

and UVMd. This study also reveals that there is no

advantage in increasing the concentration of

acriflavine and nalidixic acid in UVM for inhibiting

the growth of contaminant bacteria.

INTRODUCTION

Listeria monocytogenes is recognized as a

foodborne pathogen of major significance. This

species is responsible for both sporadic and

epidemic cases of listeriosis associated with a

variety of foods, including meat products, raw

vegetables, coleslaw, and dairy products. Currently

there is a great deal of interest in culture media and

methods for the selective recovery of Listeria spp.

from food specimens, which stems from increasing

human outbreaks of listeriosis (Vlaemynck et al.,

2000). These outbreaks emphasize the need for

more effective detection and recovery methods for

Listeria monocytogenes, especially from dairy

products. The aim of this study was to compare the

performance of different enrichment methods like

listeria enrichment broth (LEB), modified LEB

(MLEB) and University of Vermount Medium

(UVM broth) with four different concentrations of

acriflavine and nalidixic acid in their ability to

detect and recover L. monocytogenes from milk

samples.


Strain Listeria monocytogenes (MTCC

1143) strain obtained from the Institute of

Microbial Technology, Chandigarh was used in the

study.

Enrichment media LEB, MLEB and UVM

broths (Himedia) were compared. The UVM broth

with four different concentrations of acriflavin and

nalidixic acid were subjected to the study. The

concentrations used include UVMa (acriflavin

12mg/L and nalidixic acid 20mg/L), UVMb

(acriflavin 18.5 mg/L and nalidixic acid 20 mg/L),

UVMc (acriflavin 25mg/L and nalidixic acid

20mg/L) and UVMd (acriflavin 50 mg/L and

nalidixic acid 40 mg/L). Thus, a total of six different

enrichment techniques were tried.

Samples and inoculation Pasteurized

milk samples screened and found negative for the

RESEARCH ARTICLE


presence of Listeria monocytogenes were used to

spike the culture. The Listeria monocytogenes 3concentration was adjusted to 1.5 x 10 organisms/

ml using Mac Farland standards. One milliliter of

this was added to 9 ml of milk samples and was o incubated at 30 C for around 12 hrs. After this the

enumeration of Listeria monocytogenes in this 2

sample revealed 2.1 x 10 organisms/ ml of sample.

One ml of these samples was then inoculated to

9 ml of all the six different types of enrichment o

broths and was incubated at 30 C for 24 hours.

After this, the broth samples were serially diluted in

normal saline and plated into PALCAM agar for the

purpose of enumeration. The entire procedure

was repeated thrice

RESULT

After the 12 hour incubation the milk

sample had a total Listeria monocytogenes count of 2

2.1 x 10 organisms/ml. The counts obtained using

different enrichment broths are given in the

following table. One way ANOVA and Duncans

Multiple Range Test (DMRT) were performed and

it was found that no significant difference was

observed between LEB and UVMa. These two

broths were significantly different from the others.

Table 1. The Listeria monocytogenes Count

obtained using different enrichment procedures.

Sl Enrichment Yield In Palcam Agar

No. Broth Cfu/ml

1 2 34 4 4

1 LEB 3.3x10 3.7 x10 3.5 x104 4 4

2 MLEB 2.5x10 2.3 x10 2.7 x104 4 4

3 UVMa 3.1x10 3 x10 3.4 x104 4 4

4 UVMb 2.8x10 3 x10 3x102 2 2

5 UVMc 2.6x10 2.7 x10 2.5 x102 2 26 UVMd 1.2x10 1.4 x10 1.6 x10

DISCUSSION

The result of the present study shows that the

LEB and UVMa are superior compared to other

enrichment procedures used in the study followed

by UVMb, MLEB, UVMc and UVMd. The ability of

LEB and UVM in the recovery of Listeria

monocytogenes has been reported in previous

studies (Patel and Beuchat, 1995; Suh, J.H and

Knabel, 2001). So, based on the results of this

study, these two media can be suggested especially

to recover organism from pasteurized milk, where

there are competing thermoduric bacilli. As

reported earlier by Salam et al. (2010), this study

also reveals that there is no advantage in increasing

the concentration of acriflavine and nalidixic acid

in UVM for inhibiting the growth of contaminant

bacteria.

REFERENCES

Patel, J, R. and Beuchat, L.R. 1995. Evaluation of

enrichment broths for their ability to recover

heat injured Listeria monocytogenes. J. Appl.

Bacteriol. 78(4) : 366-72

Salam, A.E., Zeinab,M., Ghany ,A.E and Tahan

M.H.E. 2010. The comparison between

different enrichment broth media and

selective solid media for growing of

Salmonella typhimurium and Listeria

monocytogenes. J. Agric. Chem. and

biotech. mansoura Univ. 7: 351-363

Suh, J.H and Knabel, S.J. 2001. Comparison of

d i f fe rent enr ichment bro ths and

background flora for detection of heat-

injured Listeria monocytogenes in whole

milk. J. Food. Prot. 64(1): 30-36

Vlaemynck, G., Lafarge, V., Scotter, S. 2000.

Improvement of the detection of Listeria

monocytogenes by the application of ALOA,

a diagnostic chromogenic isolation

medium. J. Appl. Microbiol. 88: 430-441


1PhD Scholar, Department of Pathology, College of Veterinary 2and Animal Sciences, KVASU, Mannuthy, Professor,

Department of Pathology, Veterinary College, Bangalore, 3Professor and Head, Department of Pathology, Veterinary

College, Bangalore.

SERUM INSULIN LEVELS AND LIPID PROFILES OF

STREPTOZOTOCIN INDUCED DIABETIC WISTAR RATS*

1 2 3Dhanush Krishna B , Suguna Rao and M.L. Satyanarayana

Department of Pathology, Veterinary College, KVAFSU, Hebbal, Bangalore

*Part of MVSc. thesis submitted by the first author to KVAFSU, Bidar

ABSTRACT

The purpose of this study was to determine

the serum insulin levels and lipid profiles in

experimentally induced diabetes in Wistar rats.

Twenty rats were randomly separated into two groups

of ten rats each. Group I served as normal control and

group II served as diabetic. Experimental diabetes

mellitus was induced in groups II rats with single

intraperitoneal administration of streptozotocin

(STZ) (45mg/kg) dissolved in 0.1M cold citrate buffer

(pH 4.5.) The Group I was given citrate buffer alone.

The induction of diabetes was confirmed by

estimating the blood glucose levels after 72 hours of

STZ injection and animals showing the blood glucose

level above 300 mg/dL were considered as diabetic. th th thThe blood was collected at 15 , 30 and 45 days

post STZ injection of the present study. The result

revealed a significant (P < 0.001) increase in the

serum level of total cholesterol, triglyceride and

blood glucose level of diabetic rats when compared

with the normal control rats while a significant (P <

0.001) decrease in the serum insulin level(RIA) and

body weight was obtained. The present study

showed that induction of diabetes using STZ resulted

in decreased serum insulin levels, hyperglycemia and

hyperlipidemia in rats.

INTRODUCTION

Diabetes mellitus (DM) describes a

metabolic disorder of multiple etiologies

characterized by chronic hyperglycemia with

disturbances of carbohydrate, fat, and protein

metabolism resulting from defects in insulin

secretion, insulin action, or both (WHO).

Statistical projection about India suggests that the

number of diabetics will rise from 15 million in

1995 to 79.4 million by 2025, making it the

country with the highest number of diabetics in the

world (King et al., 1998).

Experimental induction of diabetes

mellitus in animal models is essential for the

advancement o f our knowledge and

understanding of the various aspects of its

pathogenesis and ultimately finding new therapies

and cure. Streptozotocin (STZ) has been

extensively used to induce diabetes for various

diabetes studies in laboratory animals (Calabresi

and Chabner, 1985). Diabetes is generally

accompanied with lipid metabolism abnormality

known as diabetic dyslipidaemia which increase

the risk for coronary heart disease. The aim of this

work is to study the progression of STZ induced

diabetes on the serum insulin levels and lipid

profiles of adult male Albino Wistar rats.

RESEARCH ARTICLE



Animals

Male Albino Wistar rats weighing 180-

260g were obtained from Central Animal Facility,

Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore. Rats were

maintained under standard laboratory conditions.

They were fed with commercially available rat feed

(Amruth Feeds, Bangalore) and water ad libitum

throughout the study. The animals were randomly

allocated into two groups, group I as normal

control, while group II as diabetic group. The use of

animals was approved by the Institutional Animal

Ethics Committee of Veterinary College,

Bangalore. The experiment was conducted for a

period of 45 days.

Diabetes Induction

Diabetes was induced in group II by

intraperitoneal administration of STZ (Sigma

Chemicals, USA) at a dose rate of 45 mg/kg of body

weight dissolved in citrate buffer (pH 4.5). Control

rats were injected with citrate buffer alone. Three

days after streptozotocin administration, the

glucose levels were determined to confirm

diabetes. Rats exhibiting fasting blood glucose

levels >300mg/dL were considered for the study.

Biochemical analysis

The animals were overnight fasted before

their blood glucose level was measured. Blood was

collected from retro-orbital plexus of the rats

under light ether anaesthesia at different time rd th th thintervals from 3 , 15 , 30 to 45 days of

experiment. The blood glucose levels and serum

lipid levels were measured using commercially

available biochemical kits (Span Diagnostics,

Bangalore) according to standard procedures

(Tietz, 1976). The estimation of serum insulin

levels was done by radio-immunoassay (RIA) using

iodine labelled insulin assay kit (BARC, Mumbai).

Statistical Analysis

Statistical analysis was performed using

Graph Pad Prism for Windows Version 5.0, 2009.

All values are presented as Mean ± Standard Error

(SE). The data were analysed using paired sample

student t test (p < 0.001; two tailed).


A significant (p < 0.001) decrease in the

body weight was observed in the diabetic group

when compared to the control (Table 1). The blood

glucose level was significantly increased (p <

0.001) in diabetic group (Table 1). The mean (±

SE) values of serum cholesterol and triglycerides rdwere found to be progressively increasing from 3

day (P<0.001) to the final day of the experimental

study (Table 1). Throughout the experiment, there

was a significant reduction (p < 0.001) in the

serum insulin level of diabetic group (Table 2).

Streptozotocin is a naturally occurring

product produced by Streptomyces achromogenes

which has been extensively used to induce

diabetes for various diabetes studies in laboratory

animals. Streptozotocin was observed to cause a

massive reduction of the â- cells of the islets of

Langerhans and induce hyperglycaemia as

reported by a number of workers (Babu and

Prince, 2004). STZ has been reported to be

capable of generating reactive oxygen species

resulting in oxidative stress and cell death

(Szkudelski, 2001).


Table 1: Effects of STZ on the body weight (g), blood glucose (mg/dL), serum cholesterol (mg/dL) and

serum triglyceride (mg/dL)

Days Parameter Group I Group IIa bBody weight (g) 213.16±8.02 241.83±3.34 a b3rd day Blood glucose(mg/dL) 106.00± 5.18 428.50±6.74

a bCholesterol(mg/dL) 43.03±1.82 74.98±4.25 a bTriglyceride(mg/dL) 98.85 ± 2.18 211.10±3.41

th a a15 day Body weight (g) 228.16±6.63 212.66±2.30 a bBlood glucose(mg/dL) 103.83± 3.60 474.66±5.57

a bCholesterol(mg/dL) 42.71±1.86 91.90±5.53 a bTriglyceride(mg/dL) 98.51±1.20 248.95±3.16

th a b30 day Body weight(g) 250.33±4.47 189.66±3.16 a bBlood glucose(mg/dL) 106.83±4.24 513.66±7.09


th a b45 day Body weight(g) 281.83± 3.38 169.00±2.93 a bBlood glucose(mg/dL) 107.13±3.21 557.83±5.71


Values are given as Mean (± SE) for ten rats in each group.

For each parameter, means bearing the same superscript do not differ significantly at P <0.001.

Table 2: Effects of STZ on the serum insulin (µU/mL) level

Days Parameter Group I Group IIth a b15 day Serum insulin(µU/mL) 56.86±1.73 16.03±0.39 th a b30 day Serum insulin(µU/mL) 56.51±1.80 12.29±0.33 th a b45 day Serum insulin(µU/mL) 56.75±1.78 11.22±0.44

Values are given as Mean (± SE) for ten rats in each group.

For each parameter, means bearing the same superscript do not differ significantly at P <0.001.

In the present study, diabetes was induced

in rats by administration of STZ which was

characterized by polyuria, polydipsia, weight loss

and decreased physical activities. The present

findings appear to be in consonance with the

findings of many earlier workers (Shenoy and

Ramesh, 2002).

The elevation in the serum glucose level

and decline in serum insulin level of diabetic

control animals may be attributed to the specific

destruction of â- cells by STZ which produces the

hormone insulin for normal glucose homeostasis


(Kumar et al., 1999). Insulin enables the cells to

absorb glucose from the blood and also helps in the

utilization of the glucose in the cells by glycolysis,

tricarboxylic acid cycle, hexose monophosphate

shunt, and glycogenesis. In STZ induced diabetes,

â cells fail to produce insulin which causes excess

glucose accumulation in the blood instead of being

utilized or stored. The decline in the mean insulin

values observed in the present study has also been

reported by many earlier workers (Punitha et al.,

2005 and Wadood et al., 2007).

Hyperlipidemia is a recognized complica-

tion of DM characterized by elevated levels of

cholesterol, triglycerides and phospholipids and

changes in lipoprotein composition. One of the

major pathogenesis of lipid metabolism

disturbances in diabetes is the increased

mobilization of free fatty acids from adipose tissue

and secondary elevation of free fatty acid level in

the blood due to insulin deficiency or insulin

resistance. The excessive lipolysis in diabetic

adipose tissue may lead to increased free fatty

acids in circulation which enter the liver and are

esterified to form triglycerides. The fatty acid

compositions of various tissues are altered in both

experimental and human diabetes (Tilvis and

Miettinen, 1985). The finding in the present study

is in correlation with the findings of Pepato et al.

(2005) and Sharma et al. (2008).

In conclusion, the present study

demonstrated that administration of STZ had both

potential hyperglycemic and hyperlipidemic

activity in male Wistar rats.

REFERENCES

Babu, P.S . and Pr ince , P.S .M. 2004.

Antihyperglycaemic and antioxidant effect

of hyponidd, an ayurvedic herbomineral

formulation in streptozotocin-induced

diabetic rats. J. Pharm. and Pharmacol. 56:

1435-1442

Calabresi, P. and Chabner, B.A. 1985.

A n t i n e o p l a s t i c a g e n t s . I n : T h e

pharmacological basis of therapeutics. Edt. thGoodman, A. and Rall, J.W. Edn. 8 .,

Pergmann Press, New York. pp 1209-1263

King, H, Aubert R.E. and Herman, W.H. 1998.

Global burden of diabetes 1995-2025:

Prevalence, numerical estimates and

projections. Diabet. Care. 21: 1414- 31

Kumar, K. K., Augusti, K.T. and Vijayammal, P. L.

1999. Hypoglycaemic and anti-oxidant

activity of Salacia oblonga Wall. extract in

streptozotocin induced diabetic rats. Ind. J.

Physiol. Pharmacol. 43(3): 510-514

Pepato, M.T., Mori, D.M., Baviera, A.M., Harami,

J.B., Vendramini, R.C. and Brunetti, I.L.

2005. Fruit of the jambolan tree (Eugenia

jambolana Lam.) and experimental

diabetes. J. Ethnopharmacol. 96: 4348

Punitha, I.S.R., Shirwarikar, A. and Shirwarikar A.

2005. Antidiabetic activity of benzyl tetra

isoquinoline alkaloid alkaloid beriberine in

STZ nicotinamide induced type 2 diabetic

rats. Diabetologia Croatica. 34(4): 117-128

Sharma, B., Balomajumder, C. and Roy, P. 2008.

Hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic effects of

flavonoid rich extract from Eugenia

jambolana seeds on streptozotocin induced

diabetic rats. Food Chemi. Toxicol. 46:

2376-2383

Shenoy, A.G. and Ramesh, K. G. 2002. Improve-

ment of insulin sensitivity by perindopril in

spon taneous l y hype r t en s i ve and

streptozotocin-diabetic rats. Ind. J.

Pharmacol. 34: 156-164


Szkudelski, T. 2001. The mechanism of alloxan

and streptozotocin action in cells of the rat

pancreas. Physiol. Res. 50: 536-546

Tietz. 1976. Fundamentals of clinical chemistry.

W.B.Saunders Co., Philadephia.

Tilvis, R.S. and Miettinen, T.A. 1985. Fatty acid

composition of serum lipids, erythrocytes

and platelets in insulin-dependent diabetic

women. J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab. 61:

741745

Wadood, N., Nisar, M., Rashid, A., Wadood, A.,

Nawab, G. and Khan, A. 2007. Effect of a

compound recipe (medicinal plants) on

serum insulin levels of alloxan induced

diabetic rabbits. J. Ayub. Med. Coll.

19(1):32-38

World Health Organization, “Definition, diagnosis

and classification of diabetes mellitus and its

compl ica t ions ,” Repor t o f WHO

Consultation, Geneva, Switzerland, 1999


ARANYAKAM

The annual state convention for the year

2012 of the Indian Veterinary Association, Kerala,

Kerala Veterinary Surgeons Service Association and

Animal Husbandry Officer's Association Kerala

nomenclatured as ARANYAKAM is being held at

Lakkidi, Wayanad, during 28th, 29th and 30th

December 2012.

COMPARISON OF DIFFERENT COPROLOGICAL

TECHNIQUES FOR DIAGNOSIS OF FASCIOLA

INFECTION IN RUMINANTS*

1 2 3Devi S , Talukdar S K and Das M R

College of Veterinary Sciences, Khanapara, Guwahati, Assam

*Part of MVSc thesis submitted by the first author to Assam Agricultural University

1Veterinary surgeon, Veterinary dispensary, Kumaramputhur, 2Palakkad, Kerala, Asso. Professor, Department of Parasitology,

3College of Veterinary Sciences, Khanapara, Assam, Professor,

Department of Parasitology, College of Veterinary Sciences,

Khanapara, Assam

ABSTRACT:

In the present study fecal samples collected

from 50 animals slaughtered at local abattoirs located

at Killing Village (Nineth mile) and Dwarandha,

Khanapara, Assam were screened for the presence of

Fasciola infection by five different faecal examination

methods such as , standard sedimentation method,

zinc sulfate centrifugal floatation, alkaline digestion

method, formol-ether method and ethyl acetate

sedimentation method . Among the methods of faecal

examinations compared, alkaline digestion method

could detect maximum number 17 (34 Percent) of

samples as positive for Fasciolosis, followed by ethyl

acetate sedimentation method 13 (26 Percent),

formol-ether method Standard sedimentation

method 10 (20 Percent) and Zinc sulfate centrifugal

floatation method 3 (6 Percent).

INTRODUCTION

Fasciolosis, the liver fluke disease, is a

disease of domesticated livestock caused by

digenetic trematode Fasciola hepatica, Linnaeus,

1758 and Fasciola gigantica, Cobbold, 1855.

The liver fluke infection is found in dairy

animals, wild ruminants, pig, horse, elephants and

occasionally in human beings. The disease is

cosmopolitan in distribution with tropical region

having Fasciola gigantica, while Fasciola hepatica is

common in temperate zones though some part of

the world may have both the parasites.

In India fasciolosis associated with tropical

liver fluke Fasciola gigantica continues to be a

major cause of morbidity and mortality in

ruminants. There have been numerous reports on

the incidence of this disease from different parts of

the country varying from 30-80 percent

(Borkakotty et al., 1984) with almost 70 percent

cattle/buffalo carrying the infection in Kashmir.

Confirmatory diagnosis of the disease is

done by routine faecal sample examination. But

interpretation is generally variable depending

upon host, age, defecation rhythm, egg laying

rhythms, sampling techniques etc. In addition to

sedimentation method a number of tests are

routinely used for detection of helminth eggs and

protozoan cysts in the faecal material of animals

and stool sample of human beings. The field

veterinarians mainly confine to sedimentation

method for detection of liver fluke eggs in the dung

sample of livestock, although it sometimes fail to

deliver desired result. Hence it is envisaged to

compare the different methods of coprological

examination used for detection of other

helminthic eggs or protozoan cysts with that of

sedimentation method to find out the best.


RESEARCH ARTICLE

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

Faecal samples of 50 animals were

collected. Each sample was examined by five

different methods for the presence of Fasciola eggs

viz.

1. Zinc sulfate centrifugal floatation method

(Soulsby, 1982)

2. Ethyl acetate sedimentation method

3. Alkaline digestion method (Vohra and

Agarwal, 2006).

4. Formol-ether method (Vohra and Agarwal,

2006).

5. Standard sedimentation method (Soulsby,

1982)

Each sample was examined 5 times before

considering it as negative.

RESULTS :

The results of the different methods of

examinations are given in Table 1 and Figure1.

Methodof exa-

mination

No. ofsamples

examined

No. ofsamplesfound

positive

Percentage

Valueof Chi-Square

Zinc sulfatefloatationMethod

Etyhl acetatesedimentation

Method

AlkalineDigestionMethod

Formol EtherMethod

StandardSedimentation

Method

50

50

50

50

50

3

13

17

10

10

6

26

34

20

20

*12.60

Figure 1: Results of different coprological methods

*ZSF-Zinc Sulfate Centrifugal Floatation

Method, *EAS-Ethyl Acetate Sedimentation

Method, *AD-Alkaline Digestion Method, *FE-

Fo r m o l - E t h e r M e t h o d , * S S - S t a n d a r d

sedimentation Method

DISCUSSION:

The diagnosis of Fasciola infection is

mainly by detecting the eggs in faeces. The main

disadvantage of this technique is that it cannot

detect the infection in the prepatent period,

during which the maximum damage to the liver

occurs. Also eggs are released sporadically from

the bile duct and consequent incorrect sampling

can lead to false negative results.

Among the faecal examination methods,

the most commonly used method in the diagnosis

of fasciolosis is standard sedimentation method.

Comparitively less works have been done for

comparing different faecal examination

techniques used in case of other flukes with

standard sedimentation test to see whether they

can be applied for diagnosis of fasciolosis. In the

present study a total of 50 faecal samples were

examined by five different faecal examination

techniques and the results were compared to find

out the most suitable test for diagnosis of

fasciolosis. Out of 50 samples examined 10 (20

percent) samples were positive by standard

sedimentation method, 3 (6 percent) samples *P<0.05.

Table 1: Results of different coprological methods


were positive by zinc sulfate floatation method, 13 (26

percent) samples were positive by ethyl acetate

sedimentation method, 17 (34 percent) samples were

positive by alkaline digestion method, and 10 (20

percent) samples were positive by formol ether

method.

Thus the alkaline digestion method which is

commonly used in diagnosis of schistosomiasis was

found to be the best amongst the different

coprological tests conducted in the present study as

noted above, while the standard sedimentation and

formol-ether method could detect the same number

of animals positive for fasciolosis. The alkaline

digestion method thus proved superior over other

methods perhaps because it was able to disintegrate

faecal material better (Vohra and Agarwal, 2006) and

also more quantity of sample is processed by this

method when compared to others.

Ethyl acetate sedimentation method could

detect a slightly higher number of samples as positive

for Fasciola infection, when compared to standard

sedimentation method and formal ether method. Of

all the five methods, zinc sulfate centrifugal floatation

method, which is commonly used for diagnosis of

protozoan infection could detect the lowest number

of animals as positive for fasciolosis (Weller et al.).

REFERENCES

Borkakoty, M.R., Das, M.R. and Gogoi, A.R. 1984.

Incidence of gastrointestinal parasitic

infection in cattle in Kamrup district of

Assam with special reference to the

prevalent species of coccidia. J.Anim.Hlth.,

23 :57-62

Soulsby, E.J.L. 1982. Helminths, Arthropods and

Protozoa of Domesticated Animals. Seventh

Edition, The English Language Book Society

and Baillier, Tindal and Cassel Ltd., London

Vohra, S. and Agarwal, M.C. 2006. Prevalence of

caprine schistosomiasis as determined by

different coprological methods. Indian Vet.

J., 83: 1160-1163

Weller, T.H., Captain, Dammin, G.J., Major,

Patterson, K. and Sgt. Harwood, E.L. 1945

The Acid-Ether Centrifugation and the Zinc

Sulfate Flotation Techniques as Methods for

the Recovery of the Eggs of Schistosoma

mansoni Am. J. Trop. Med. 25 : 367-374


EFFICACY OF SIMULTANEOUS USE OF ENROFLOXACIN AND

METRONIDAZOLE IN THE TREATMENT OF ENDOMETRITIS

IN CROSS BRED CATTLE - A FIELD TRIAL.

Viju Vijayan Pillai

Resident Veterinarian, Humane Animal Society, Coimbatore

ABSTRACT

The present study evaluate the efficacy of

simultaneous use of enrofloxacin and metronidazole

in the treatment of endometritis (clinical and

subclinical) in crossbred cattle. Twenty seven animals

diagnosed with endometritis (11 heifers and 16

pluriparous) were subjected to treatment with 1.5 g of

enrofloxacin and 2.5 g of metronidazole intravenously

for 5 consecutive days. The efficacy of treatment was

assessed by observation of changes in vaginal

discharge and the performance of the treated animals

in terms of pregnancy rates. All the animals responded

to the treatment with a pregnancy rate of 55 percent

to 63 percent.

INTRODUCTION

Reduced reproductive performance in

dairy cattle is often caused by uterine disorders.

Endometritis is termed as the inflammation of

endometrium and underlying glandular tissue

without any systemic signs (Bondurant, 1999). For

confirmation of endometritis, microbiological

examination of uterine swabs with or without

histological examination of endometrial biopsy is

must. (Bonnet et al.,1991). But, these procedures

are impractical for the veterinarians in rural field

conditions. Moreover, in subclinical endometritis

there will not be any visible change to the uterine

discharge and hence difficult to diagnose at the

time of artificial insemination. Besides acute

metritis and chronic endometritis, recent reports

on a negative impact of subclinical endometritis on

reproductive performance have been published.

Hence, Whiteside test, a simple test to detect

endometritis can be used in field conditions to

detect both clinical and subclinical endometritis.

Commonly used treatment of endometritis

involves the use of intrauterine infusions like

Lugols Iodine which may cause irritation to the

uterine lining. Use of intrauterine antibiotic

infusions is also controversial (Paisley et.al, 1986).

The most appropriate method is to subject the

animal to systemic antibiotic therapy after isolation

and antibiotic sensitivity test, which is difficult

under field conditions. Hence the present study

deals with assessing the efficacy of combination of

systemic antibiotics against both aerobes and

anaerobes (enrofloxacin and metronidazole

respectively) in crossbred cattle diagnosed with

endometritis.


The study was conducted at Coimbatore.

A total of 64 animals were selected for the present,

of which 27 animals were diagnosed with

endometritis (either clinical or subclinical) based

on reproductive history, color and nature of vaginal

discharge and Whiteside test. Uterine discharge

was collected aseptically from the animals selected

for the study and subjected to Whiteside test.

Appearance of yellow colour was taken as a

positive indication. The colour reaction was also


RESEARCH ARTICLE

positive in subclinical cases. Samples negative for

colour reaction and without any clinical signs were

considered normal. Out of the total of 27 animals

tested positive for either clinical or subclinical

endometritis were subjected to a treatment with

1.5g Enrofloxacin (Enrocin, 15 ml containing

Enrofloxacin 100mg/ml) and 2.5 g Metroniodazole

(Metrogyl, 500ml containing Metronidazole

5mg/ml) intravenous for 5 consecutive days. At

estrus subsequent to treatment, all animals were

subjected to artificial insemination (AI). Pregnancy

was confirmed 3 months post AI by transrectal

palpation.

Table 1. Incidence of clinical and subclinical

endometritis in crossbred cattle .

Type Number % Incidence

Normal 37 57.81

Clinical 8 12.5

Subclinical 19 29.69

Table 2. Statistics showing distribution of animals

subjected to treatment

Animal Clinically SubclinicalAffected

Heifer 3 8

Pluriparous 5 11

Total 8 19

Table 3. Statistics showing pregnancy rate in

animals subjected to treatment.

Number of Pregnant Pregnancyanimals rate (%)

Heifers 11 7 63.63

Pluriparous 16 9 56.25

ClinicallyAffected 8 5 62.5

SubclinicallyAffected 19 11 57.89


Vaginal discharge observed in the animals

subjected to this study varied from apparently

normal appearance to turbid, thick and

mucopurulent. Out of the 64 animals subjected to

screening, 37 were found normal, 8 affected

clinically and 19 sub clinically. The percentage of

subclinical endometritis was found to be 29.69.

Detection of subclinical endometritis was based on

Whiteside test, where the change in colour is

correlated to the number of leukocytes present in

the discharge. Normal discharge has significantly

less number of leukocytes to cause a change in

colour, whereas there is moderate to very high

number of leukocytes in subclinical and clinical

endometritis which caused proportionate change

in colour. The prevailing subclinical endometritis

could have been a major cause of repeat breeding

as it cannot be detected at the time of AI.

Subsequent to systemic treatment using

enrofloxacin and metronidazole, the turbidity

considerably decreased and discharge was

observed to be clear and transparent in all clinically

affected animals in the subsequent estrus, which is

an indication of healthy uterus (Roberts, 1986).

Also both groups of animals under treatment

(clinical and subclinical) were tested negative

when subjected to Whiteside test. Artificial

insemination carried out in estrus subsequent to

treatment resulted in 63.63 % and 57.89 %

pregnancy rate in heifers (n=7/11) and pluriparous

cows (n=9/16) respectively. The percentage of

conception was 57.89 % in sub clinically

affected animals (n=11/19) and 62.5 % in animals

with clinical endometritis (n=5/8) (Table 2).

Aerobic as well as anaerobic organisms

should be considered while selecting antibiotics

for the treatment of endometritis. Combination of

Enrofloxacin (against aerobes) and metronidazole



(against anaerobes) has good efficacy in the

treatment of endometritis. This combination also

proves good in chronic infection as both aerobic

and anaerobic organisms exist in chronic uterine

infections (Baishya et al., 1998).

The treatment of both clinical and

subclinical endometritis with systemic antibiotics is

an effective alternative to protocols based on

intrauterine therapy. Compared to intrauterine

therapy, the degree of damage caused to the

glandular epithelium is very less when systemic

antibiotics are used and thereby also advantageous

to the animal's future reproductive performance.

REFERENCES

Baishya, S.K., Das, K.K., Rahman,H and Borgohain,

M. 1998. Antibiogram of bacteria isolated

from uterine discharge of repeat breeding

buffaloes. Indian Journal of Comparitive

Microbiology, Immunology and Infectious

Diseases 19: 145-169

Bondurant, R.H. 1999, Inflammation in the Bovine

Female Reproductive tract. Journal of

Animal Science 77: 101-110

Bonnett, B.N, Martin, S.W., Gannon, V.P., Miller,

R.B., and Etherington, W.G.,1991.

Endometrial biopsy in Holstein-Friesian

dairy cows.III. Bacteriological analysis and

correlations with histological findings.

Canadian Journal of Veterinary Medicine.

55:168-173

Paisley, L., Mickelsen, W. and Anderson, P. 1986.

Mechanism and therapy for retained fetal

memberanes and uterine infections of

cows: A review. Theriogenology 25: 353-

381

Purohit, G.N., Gupta, K.A., Vyas, K., Gupta, A.K.,

Garg, N., Chaturvedi, R.K., Pareek, P.K.,

and Sharma, S.S., 2003. Use of

fluroquinolones for treating subclinical

uterine infections. The Blue Cross Book

21:19-20

Roberts, S.J., 1986. Veterinary Obstetrics and rdGenital Diseases, 3 edition. S. J Roberts-

Woodstock, NY, pp:359-381

Singh Jagir, Ghuman S.P.S., Dadarwal. D.,

Honparkfe. M., and Singh. N., 2009.

Evaluation of a systemic antibiotic

treatment of chronic endometritis in

Buffaloes. Intas Polivet 2009 Vol 10.: 25-28

RESEARCH ARTICLE


LIVESTOCK BASED SUSTAINABLE FARMING

SYSTEMS IN PARIYARAM PANCHAYAT*

V. Prasanth

Assistant Director, Special Livestock Breeding Programme, Kannur

*Part of PGDAEM Project Report submitted to National Institute of

Agricultural Extension Management, Hyderabad

INTRODUCTION

Farming System is an integrated set of

activities that farmers perform in their farms using

their resources and circumstances to maximize the

productivity and net farm income on a sustainable

basis (Sathyanarayana, 2008). It is a complex

interrelated matrix of soils, plants, animals,

implements, labor and capital. A judicious mix of

more enterprises should complement the farm

income and help in recycling farm resources. It

involves complex combinations of inputs,

managed by environmental, political, economic,

institutional and social factors. Farming system is

an approach built on the principles of productivity,

profitability, stability and sustainability. Irrigated

mixed farming systems have shown the greatest

increase in productivity particularly in the humid

regions of Asia (FAO CDR, 2009). Keulen and

Schicre (2004) reported that crop-livestock

systems play a major role in the dynamics of many

agricultural systems. It was demonstrated that the

appropriate use of local feed resources and

indigenous livestock breeds requires the close

integration between crops and livestock within the

system (Preston and Rodriguez, 2004). Presently

there is an imbalance between supply and

demand for food in Kerala. Even with existing

technologies and resources, food production can

be raised substantially through special efforts. Due

to increasing trends in the consumption of milk,

meat and egg, the demand for these is likely to

increase. People in this panchayat are not

ABSTRACT

A study was conducted to understand

existing livestock based farming systems, to assess

constraints in the farm environment, to find out most

accepted farming system and to develop

economically viable and efficient integrated farming

system in Pariyaram panchayat. Sixty farmers were

interviewed. Eighty percentages of livestock farmers

are above 50 years of age. Thirty five percentage of

farmers treat livestock farming as their main income

source. A downtrend towards rice cultivation was

noticed among dairy farmers. Forty percentage of

livestock farmers had three or more cattle. Fifteen

percentage of farmers have 10 or more number of

cattle. Sixty percentage of the farmers were getting 10

liters of milk per animal per day. Only 15 percentage

of farmers are cultivating fodder in their premises. All

livestock farmers have at least a few coconut trees as a

subsidiary income. Most of the respondents' children

are well educated. Most of the farmers are

economically and socially sound. Increased feeding

cost is the major problem being faced by livestock

farmers. Ninteen combinations of livestock based

farming systems were identified in Pariyaram

panchayat. From this study it could be inferred that

farming system which mainly contains livestock,

coconut and rice with added options of fodder,

biogas, vegetables and poultry is the most sustainable

livestock based farming system in Pariyaram

panchayat. For reducing the feed cost, fodder

cultivation and rice cultivation should be

encouraged. For increasing the profit from livestock

farming, biogas plant has to be installed. Selling

products as value added ones will increase profit.

Proper awareness programmes are needed for

attracting youngsters to this sector.

RESEARCH ARTICLE


farmers having at least two cattle and those who

used to consult dispensary promptly for veterinary

aid. Questionnaire was prepared in such a manner

that questions were specific and without any scope

for ambiguity. Sixty farmers actively involved in the

livestock farming were interviewed with the help of

questionnaire.


Results were col lected from 60 th

respondents during the period from January 15 to th

February 15 2010. During the interview process,

it was found that 19 combinations of farming

systems are being practiced in Pariyaram

panchayat (Table 1).

Table 1. Different farming systems identified in Pariyaram panchayat

Livestock + Poultry + Biogas + Fodder + Rice + Coconut + Vegetables + Banana

Livestock + Biogas + Fodder + Rice + Coconut + Areca nut + Vegetables + Rubber + Pepper

Livestock + Poultry + Coconut + Areca nut

Livestock + Fodder + Coconut + Areca nut + Vegetables + Rubber

Livestock + Poultry + Coconut + Vegetables

Livestock + Coconut + Areca nut + Cashew nut

Livestock + Fodder + coconut + Areca nut

Livestock + Poultry + Rice + Coconut + Areca nut

Livestock + Coconut

Livestock + Coconut + Areca nut

Livestock + rice + Coconut + Vegetables + Rubber

Livestock + Fodder + Rice + Coconut + Vegetables + Cashew nut

Livestock + Poultry + Rice + Coconut + Vegetables

Livestock + Poultry + Biogas + Fodder + Coconut + Areca nut + Vegetables

Livestock + Poultry + Fodder + Rice + Coconut + Areca nut + Vegetables + Rubber

Livestock + Poultry + Fodder + Rice + Coconut + Cashew nut + Vegetables + Rubber

Livestock + Rice + Coconut + Areca nut + Vegetables

Livestock + Rice + Coconut + Areca nut

Livestock + Poultry + Rice + Coconut + Areca nut + Rubber

generally doing monocrop cultivation. Different

farming systems are being practiced. Different

systems have its own merits and demerits. Hence

this study was conducted to understand existing

farming systems, to assess constraints in the farm

environment, to find out most accepted farming

system and to develop economically viable and

efficient integrated farming system in Pariyaram

panchayat.


The first and foremost aim was to find out

different farming systems and constraints in the

farm environment. Personal interview with the

help of questionnaire was done with the livestock


Farmers rearing livestock as major

livelihood activity were interviewed. Out of 60

farmers, three were 21 to 30 years of age group,

three were 31 to 40 years, six were 41 to 50 years

and 48 were above 50 years. Eighty percentage of

the livestock farmers were above 50 years of age.

From this result it is clear that younger generations

are not showing favorable attitude towards

livestock farming. Old people who are rearing

livestock for the past many years are still continuing

in this sector. Fifty seven respondents were male

farmers and three were females. The study tends to

support the livestock rearing is still with male

population. Female members are supporting in

activities, but major policy decisions are being

taken by male section.

Among the respondents, 21 are doing

livestock rearing as their main income source

(35%). Thirty percentage of total respondents are

depending mainly on daily wage labor and 20

percentage on agriculture. Sixty five percentage of

total respondents consider livestock farming as

their supporting activity. Eighteen farmers are

having 31 to 100 cents of dry land holding. That

comes 30 percentage of total respondents. Fifteen

farmers i.e. 25 percentage of total respondents

were with 31 to 100 cents of paddy field. One

striking point is that only 55 percentage of the

livestock farmers were having paddy field. This

shows a downtrend towards rice cultivation among

dairy farmers. There is a chance that, this trend

may adversely affect livestock farming also.

Forty percentage of livestock farmers have

a herd size of three cattle. An encouraging finding

is that 15 percentage of farmers are with ten or

more number of cattle. Only 10 percentage of

farmer were with less than three cattle. Only 24

farmers were rearing poultry. That comes only 40

percentage of total farmers. Egg is having very good

market price in these days. Still the response is not

good for poultry rearing, among livestock farmers.

In the Kerala condition, for maintaining dairy farm

in an economically feasible manner, there should

be a minimum milk production of 10 liters per day

per animal during the milking period. In this study

an important finding was that 60 percentage of the

farmers got 10 liters and above milk yield per

animal per day. Mini dairy farms with increased

production potential are the need of the present

situation in Kerala (Gopalakrishnan, 2009). Prabhu

(2007) reported that livestock based enterprises

can provide livelihood security to farmers and are

ideal for the homestead-based agriculture

particularly in Kerala for small and marginal

farmers.

Regarding the biogas plant, the

involvement of the farmers was not good. Only 15

percentage of the farmers installed biogas plant.

Biogas plant is an added income source to the

farmers as a source of cooking gas. In the fodder

cultivation sector, the response is a mixed one.

Fifty percentage of the farmers are cultivating

fodder. Fodder cultivation is a way to reduce

feeding cost of animals. Sixty percentage of the

farmers have rice cultivation. For economically

maintaining cattle farm, the rice paddy production

is an unavoidable factor. Maximum number of

farmers have 31 to 100 cents of rice cultivation (35

percentage). Livestock farmers have coconut

cultivation as a subsidiary income source. Sixty

percentages of the farmers have only up to five

coconut trees. Fifteen percentage of farmers have

more than 20 coconut trees. Good response is not

seen in the areca nut cultivation sector. Only 65

percentage of livestock farmers have areca nut as a

subsidiary income source. Fifty five percentage of

the farmers have vegetable cultivation to a limited

extend, on a average 5 to 10 cents. Increased


market price for rubber has influenced the

livestock farmers also. Thirty percentage of them

started rubber plantations. Five percentage of

farmers have banana cultivation, 10 percentage

have pepper cultivation and 10 percentage have

cashew nut cultivation.

Regarding the social status of the farmers'

family, an encouraging finding is that out of 51

farmers, 21 have plus two qualified children,

another 21 have graduates as children, three have

post-graduates and rest three have their children

professionally qualified. When we come to core

issues in the animal husbandry sector, it is very

much clear that increased feeding cost is the major

problem being faced by livestock farmers. Ninety

percentage of the respondents are with this

opinion. It is very clear that, as we are purchasing

all the raw materials for compound feed

preparation from other states, naturally the feed

cost will increase. But we should concentrate on

fodder cultivation, rice paddy production,

nonconventional feeds utilization and on scientific

feeding practices for limiting the feeding expenses.

Five percentage of farmers were having

low market price of milk as a major issue. Another

important finding is that five percentage of the

farmers responded as they have no problems in the

animal husbandry sector. These advanced farmers

who are doing the management aspects in a

perfect scientific manner. Sixty five percentage of

the farmers are with an opinion that, by reducing

the feed and fodder cost, more and more younger

generations can be attracted to this sector. Fifteen

percentage have an opinion that by effective

awareness campaigns, the attitude of youngsters

can be made favorable to this sector. Eighty

percentage of the farmers agreed that, the

particular livestock based farming system being

followed by them are profitable. Fifteen

percentage reported that farming system is not

profitable and the rest five percentage said that are

running the system on no profit-no loss basis. Only

five percentage of the farmers are preparing value

added live stock products like ghee, curd etc., for

sale.

There are 19 combinations of livestock

based farming systems practiced in Pariyaram

panchayat. Wikipedia (2009) reported than an

integrated farming system consists of a range of

resource saving practices that aim to achieve

acceptable profits and high and sustained

production levels; mixed farming systems are the

largest category of livestock systems in the world.

Narain et al. (2008) reported the advantages of the

diversification of arid farming systems. Out of 60

farmers interviewed, in addition to livestock, 36

have rice cultivation, 33 have vegetable

cultivation, 24 have fodder cultivation and 24

have poultry as subsidiary. All 60 have at least a few

coconut trees.

Livestock + Coconut + Rice is a favorable

combination of farming system in this panchayat.

The sustainability of the system can be improved

by adding vegetables, poultry, fodder and biogas to

this system. The response towards biogas has to be

improved, as only nine farmers out of interviewed

60 are using this scope. Rice cultivation among

livestock farmers is an advantage in reducing the

feed cost. Forty percentage of farmers are

cultivating fodder. That also reduces the feed cost.

REFERENCES

FAO CDR, 2009. Mixed farming systems and the

environment. FAO corporate document

repository. Cited in http:// www.fao.org.

Gopalakrishnan, P. 2009. New nandinis needed. stMathrubhumi daily, 1 December, 2009


Keulen, H.V. and Schicre, H. 2004. Crop-livestock

systems: old wine in new bottles?. th

4 International crop science congress.

Wageningeon University and Research

Centre, Wageningen, Netherlands. Cited in

http:// www.cropscience.org.au

Narain, P., Singh, M.P., Kar, M., Kathju, S. and

Kumar, P. 2008. Diversification of Arid

Farming systems. Cited in http://www.

vedamsbooks.com

Prabhu, M.J. 2007. Livestock based enterprise,

ideal for livelihood security. Hindu daily, th

26 July 2007

Preston, T.R. and Rodriguez, L. 2004. Livestock

feed resources within integrated farming

systems. University of Agriculture and

Forestry, Thu Duc, Ho Chi Minh city,

Vietnam. Cited in http://ces.iisc.ernet.in/

hpg/envis/for doc 930.html

Sathyanarayana, K.V. 2008. Farming systems

approach. Introduction to agricultural

extension management. Study materials for

Post Graduate Diploma in Agricultural

Extension Management, course 101.

National Institute of Agricultural Extension

Management, Hyderabad: 61-90

Wikipedia, 2009. Cattle feeding. Wikipedia the

free encyclopedia.Cited in http://en.

wikipedia.org


BEST SCIENTIFIC PAPER AWARD OF

INDIAN VETERINARY ASSOCIATION, KERALA

Indian Veterinary Association, Kerala has decided to give best scientific paper awards annually for the best papers published in Journal of Indian Veterinary Association, Kerala from the year 2012. The awards will be for a best Clinical paper and a best Research paper. The award consists of a citation and a cash award which will be distributed in the Veterinarians Annual Convention.

SURGICAL REPAIR OF FRONTAL MENINGOCELE

IN A KID

1 2 3 4Laiju M Philip. , Ranjith Mohan M. , Francis Bastin , and Sajesh M.G.

Animal Husbandry Department, Government of Kerala

INTRODUCTION

Meningocele is a herniation of either the

cerebral or spinal meninges through a congenital

defect in the skull or the vertebral column. It forms

a hernial cyst that is filled with cerebrospinal fluid

but does not contain neural tissue. The anomaly is

designated a cranial meningocele or spinal

meningocele, depending on the site of the defect.

Meningocele is formed during embryonic

development, because of the incomplete closure

of neural tube (Ghonghadze T. et al., 2011). It has

been reported in white German Holstein calf

(Buck, B. C. et al., 2009), female jersey calf (Justin

William et al., 2011) and a buffalo calf (Ayyappan, S.

et al., 1996). Surgical treatment of cranial

meningocele has been reported in Iranian calves

(Kohli, R.N. and Naddaf, H.,1998) and Meuse-

Rhine-Yssel calf (Back, W. et al., 1991). Since

reports regarding meningocele in kid were scanty,

a case of successful surgical repair of frontal

meningocele in a day old kid is placed on record.

CASE PRESENTATION

A day old male kid was presented to

Veterinary Polyclinic, Mannarkkad with a

complaint of swelling on the forehead at birth

(Fig.1). The kid was recumbent and it had difficulty

in sucking milk from the udder. On palpation, the

swelling was found to be fluid filled and turgid in

consistency and situated on the cranial midline of

the head, extending from the middle third of

forehead above the eye upto the muzzle.

1Veterinary Surgeon, Veterinary Polyclinic, Mannarkkad, 2Veterinary Surgeon, Veterinary Dispensary, Karakurissi,3 4Senior Veterinary Surgeon, Mannarkkad, Veterinary Surgeon,

Veterinary Dispensary, Muthukurissi

ABSTRACT

A frontal meningocele was diagnosed in a day

old male kid. After radiographic evaluation and

laboratory examination, the meningocele was

successfully repaired surgically.

Aseptic aspiration of the swelling revealed clear

and colourless fluid (Fig. 2). Plain ventro-dorsal

and lateral radiograph (Fig. 3) of the head region

revealed homogeneous appearance inside the

swelling suggestive of fluid content and absence of

involvement of brain tissue. Laboratory

examination of the fluid revealed consistency of

cerebrospinal fluid (Table. 1). Hence decided to

perform exploratory surgery.

Fig. 1. Meningocele in a kid on presentation

CLINICAL REPORT


Table. 1 Laboratory evaluation of the aspirated fluid

PARAMETER VALUE

Glucose 5 mg/dl

Protein 1.6 g/dl

Albumin 0.7 g/dl

Globulin 0.9 g/dl

The site was prepared aseptically. Aseptic

puncture by a needle permitted drainage of about

350 ml fluid to relieve the pressure in the brain.

The kid was premedicated using xylazine at the

rate 0.01 mg/kg body weight and induced by

ketamine hydrochloride at the rate 2.5 mg/kg body

weight intravenously . The kid was placed in sternal

recumbency and an elliptical skin incision was

made. The underlying tissues were separated from

the skin by blunt dissection and then resected

leaving sufficient tissues to permit simple

apposition and to cover the hole. The cranial

defect measured 3.5 centimetres rostrocaudally

on the frontal bone with a width of 2 centimetres.

The brain was visible through a cavity formed due

to the incomplete apposition of the frontal bones

(Fig.4).

Scarified the edges of the cranial cavity to

facilitate closure by first intension healing. The

underlying fascia was apposed covering the frontal

bones using chromic catgut 1/0 in a simple

continuous pattern. The skin incision was apposed

using nylon in a horizontal mattress pattern after

trimming the excess skin (Fig.5). Parenteral

medication with Inj. Chloramphenicol and Inj.

Meloxicam were given for 5 days and the skin th

sutures were removed on the 10 post operative

day (Fig.6). The kid had an uneventful recovery but

with mild deficit in visual function.

Fig. 2. Aspirated fluid

Fig. 3. Ventro- Dorsal and Lateral radiographs

Fig. 4. Incomplete apposition of the frontal bonesrevealed during surgery

Fig. 5. After surgery



DISCUSSION

Meningocele is a form of encephalocele,

known as cranium bifidum, is a neural tube defect

characterized by sac-like protrusions of the brain

and the membranes that cover it, through the

openings of the skull. These defects are caused by

failure of the neural tube to close completely

during fetal development. It causes a groove down

the middle of the skull, or between the forehead

and nose, or on the back side of the skull. If the

bulging portion contains only cerebrospinal fluid

and the overlaying membrane, it may be called a

meningocele. The only effective treatment is

reparative surgery, generally performed within one

to two days after birth. Surgery aimed to remove

the protrusions and to correct the deformities,

essentially relieving pressure that can delay normal

brain development. The surgical procedure and

intra-operative findings were similar to those in

calves earlier reported (Kohli and Naddaf, 1998).

Radiographic and ultrasonographic examination of

a meningocoele at the anterior fontanelle has been

described in a two-and-a-half month old calf (Back

et al., 1991). Recovery depends on the type of

brain tissue involved and location of the lesion and

extends damage to the brain tissues. When the

bulging material consists of primarily cerebrospinal

fluid, a complete recovery can occur. Slight

reduction in sight may due to the pressure injury to

the brain.

REFERENCES

Ayyappan, S., Balasubramanian, S., Subramanian, A.

and Dhanapalan, P. 1996. Congenital

Meningocoele in a buffalo calf - A Case

report. Cheiron 25: 162-63

Back, W., Van Den Belt, A.J.M., Lagerweij, E., Van

Overbeeke, J. J. and Van der Velden, M. A.

1991. Surgical repair of cranial meningocele

in a calf. Vet. Rec. 128: 569-71

Buck, B.C., Ulrich, R., Wohlke, A., Kuiper, H.,

Hewicker-Trautwein M, Distl O. 2009. Two

rare brain malformations in black and white

German Holstein calves Dtsch Tierarztl

Wochenschr. 116(5):192-9

Ghonghadze, T., Lekiashvili, M., Gogatishvili, T

and Pagava, K. 2011. Encephalocele and

skeletal malformations (case report).

Georgian Med News. 193: 97-99

Justin William., Shiju Simon, B.M., Ayyappan, S.,

Ramani, C., Velavan and Suresh kumar, R.

2011. Surgical Management of Cranial

Meningocoele in a calf Tamilnadu J. Vet. and

Anim. Sciences 7 (3) 164-166

Kohli, R.N. and Naddaf, H. 1998. Surgical Treatment

of Cranial Meningocele in Iranian Calves.

Vet.Rec. 142:145

Fig. 6. Tenth day after surgery

CLINICAL HISTORY AND PROCEDURE

A 3 year old male yellow Labrador was

presented to the hospital with a mass observed in

the upper palate region and which was growing.

On clinical examination and radiography the oral

tumor was found to involve the palate and the

maxillary bone. Owners opted for surgical

resection after ascertaining complete blood counts

and routine biochemical tests which were found to

be within the normal limits.

The mass was resected under sedation

with xylazine, induction with propofol and

maintenance with halothane. Simple interrupted

sutures were placed in situ and parenteral nutrition

was used so as to facilitate no oral feeding for the

first three days. Ceftriaxone at 20mg/ kg BW was

used as the post operative antibiotic. The pet was thdischarged on the 4 day once oral feeding

resumed. The biopsy sample on histopathology

revealed a high grade sarcoma of the class of

embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma. Histopathology

revealed a malignant neoplasm comprising of

spindle shaped cells with moderate to abundant

cytoplasm. Nuclei were prominent and vesicular.

Numerous strap cells were present with high

ABSTRACT

A case report of an aggressive embryo

rhabdomyosarcoma in a Labrador that had

recurred in a week post surgery.

EMBRYONAL RHABDOMYOSARCOMA

IN A LABRADOR DOG

Joseph Cyrus, Basavanagowda M.T.,

ShahidVaseem S.A. and Md. AbidHussain

Compassion Unlimited Plus Action (CUPA)

Animal Care Hospital, R.T. Nagar, Bangalore, Karnataka, India

Embroyonal Rhabdomyosarcoma situated dorsally

in the palate involving the palate.

The surgical site after resection of the

embroyonal rhabdomyosarcoma.

mitotic activity and the intervening stroma showed

evidence of hemorrhage and necrosis. thOn the subsequent review on 10 day post

surgery, the mass has doubled its size. Though

chemotherapy was tried with vincristine and


CLINICAL REPORT

prednisolone the animal developed severe

respiratory stridor and dysnpnoea and succumbed

the following day.

DISCUSSION

Oral tumors are one of the most common

cancers seen in veterinary patients(Dhaliwalet

al.,1998). Sarcomas are believed to the most

common oral malignant tumor in dogs and the

most common sites are the gingival and palate.

They are rapidly dividing and extensively invade

local soft tissue and bone and the recurrence rate

after surgery is reported (DeBowes,2005) to be

high as seen in this case. Surgical resection remains

the current recommendation as these respond

poorly to chemotherapy and are also radioresistant

(King et al., 1997).

REFERENCES

De Bowles, L.J., 2005. Disorders of the oral cavity.

In: BSAVA Manual of Canine and Feline nd

Gastroenterology, 2 Ed., Edt. Hall, E.J.,

Simpson, J. W. And Williams, D. A., BSAVA,

Dhaliwal, R.S., Kitchell, B.E. and Manfra Maretta

S., 1998. Oral tumors in dogs and cats I.

Diagnosis and clinical signs. Compend Cont.

Educ. Pract. Vet. 20:1011

King, G.K., Bergman, P.J. and Harris, D., 1997.

Radiation oncology of the head and neck

tumors, Vet Clin North Am Small Anim.

Pract. 27:101


INTRODUCTION

Rupture of Gastrocnemius muscle is a rare

and mostly it is associated with deficiencies of

calcium, phosphorus, and vitamin D. It may also be

due to the complication of downer cow syndrome

in which prolonged recumbency causes myositis

and rupture of gastrocnemius muscle (Mercks

Manual 2011). This article reports a rare case of

Gastrocnemius muscle rupture and its classical

clinical sign for the easy diagnostic purpose.


A six year old crossbred Jersey cow was

brought to the Veterinary College and Research

Institute Teaching Hospital, Namakkal with the

history of limping of hind limb while return from

grazing. Clinical examination revealed that there

was no fracture in the left hind limb and the animal

could not bear weight on its left hind limb. The left

hock was touching the ground. The Achilles tendon

was not ruptured but fully relaxed on palpation.

On palpation of the the gastocnemius muscle area

it was flaccid and the limb was flexed. All other vital

parameters were within normal limits.The

treatment was not attempted as the owner was

unwilling.


Gastrocnemius muscle rupture was usually

from trauma, unexpected mounting by the bull or

a downer cow trying to rise. The affected animals

were unable to extend the hock. The animal

usually walked on its hocks if the rupture was total

or with flexion and dropping of the hock if rupture

was partial. (Jackson and Cockcroft, 2002). The

severity of the rupture could be detected by the

relaxation of the tendon. In complete rupture, the

tendon was relaxed and the hock rested on the

ground. Jumping or falling with legs extended

under the body had been reported to be the

frequent cause (Nuri altug et al., 2007). Either the

rupture may occur immediately after an injury or

the muscle or tendon may be weakened enough so

that mild strain may completely rupture it later.

Prolonged recumbency resulting to myositis and

struggling to rise leads to rupture of one or both of

these muscles. Injection of irritating medicaments

into the gastrocnemius muscle may cause necrosis

and rupture. Rupture of Achilles tendon also

produces identical clinical signs. When the muscle

is completely ruptured the standing animal rests

their hock of the affected limb on the ground

surface, which is diagnostic. Successful treatment

is extremely rare. A splint or cast that maintains the

hock in extension, supplementing vitamins and

minerals and proper nursing shall be tried. Rupture

is usually traumatic. In this present case it is

GASTROCNEMIUS MUSCLE RUPTURE

IN A COW-A CASE REPORT

1 2 3 S. Sivaraman , E. Venkatesakumar , G. Vijayakumar4 5

A. Kumaresan and M. Subramanian

Veterinary College and Research Institute, Namakkal, Tamil Nadu

1,2&4 3 5Assistant Professors, Associate Professor, Professor and

Head, Department of Veterinary Clinical Medicine, Ethics and

Jurisprudence


CLINICAL REPORT

suspected to be due to malicious injury to the

gastrocnemius muscle.

REFERENCES

Jackson, G.G.P. and Cockroft, P.D. 2002 : Clinical

Examination of Farm Animals: p. 180

Nuri altug, 2007 Bull Vet Inst Pulaway: 51,615

Mercks Manual, 2011. Rupture of the Gastrocne-

mius muscle or tendon. Cited in http://www.

merckvetmanual.com

Fig: Gactrocnemius muscle rupture in a

cow-Hock touching the ground.


OCCURRENCE OF GASTRIC ULCER

IN SLAUGHTERED PIGS*

1 2 3 1Vasudevan V.N. , Sameer S. , Kuttinarayanan P. and Sathu T.

College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, Kerala

*Part of this research work was presented at the Kerala Veterinary Science Congress, 2011

1 2 3Assistant Professor, M.V.Sc Scholar, Professor & Head,

Department of Livestock Products Technology (Meat

Technology Unit)

ABSTRACT

The primary purpose of meat inspection is to

detect and prevent public health hazards, but it also

plays a pivotal role in monitoring animal diseases and

pre-slaughter animal welfare standards. There is a

growing interest in using post-mortem observations

collected at abattoirs as indicators of on-farm and

pre-slaughter welfare of meat animals. These are

oesophago-gastric ulceration in pigs, which are not

examined routinely, but might be used as a welfare

indicator. The types of stress that can result in gastric

ulcers in pigs include forced immobilisation, floor

type (slatted floors) in the piggery, un-enriched

environments, social stress from mixing, rearing in

confinement, high stocking densities, stressful

transport conditions, transfer to an unfamiliar

environment and concurrent diseases. A preliminary

study was conducted at the Meat Plant, College of

Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, Kerala in

which the stomach of 37 slaughtered pigs from three

different farms of Kerala were examined to provide

an estimate of the incidence of oesophago-gastric

ulcers. Stomach collected were opened through the

greater curvature and the mucosal surface was gently

cleaned using water. The gross appearance of the

pars oesophagea was visually graded using a four-

point scale ranging from normal, hyperkeratotic,

eroded or ulcerated with or without stenosis. Over

78 percent of stomach had neither an oesophago-

gastric ulcer nor visible pre-ulcerative changes

(Grade 0), 18.9 percent of stomach had

INTRODUCTION

The primary purpose of meat inspection is

to detect and prevent public health hazards, but it

also plays an integral part in the overall monitoring

system of certain animal diseases and the

verification of compliance with animal welfare

standards. Post-mortem measurements collected

at abattoirs are used as indicators of on-farm and

pre slaughter animal welfare standards. Only a

limited number of features that are presently

collected during routine post-mortem meat

inspection are used as welfare indicators, but there

are other more useful features though not

examined which include oesophago-gastric

ulceration in pigs (Swaby and Gregory, 2012). It is

well recognised that stress is implicated in the

formation of gastric ulcers, especially when there is

either impaired blood supply to the mucosa or the

feeding regime increases exposure of the mucosa

of the pars oesophagea to acidic conditions. The

types of stress that can result in gastric ulcers in pigs

include forced immobilisation, floor type (slatted

floors) in the piggery, un-enriched environments,

social stress from mixing, rearing in confinement,

hyperkeratosis of the epithelium lining the pars

oesophagea (Grade 1). The frequency of mild

ulceration (Grade 2) was 2.7 percent and none of the

stomach revealed severe (Grade 3) ulceration. The

incidence reported in this investigation may be only

indicative and further studies using large sample

observations are suggested.


SHORT COMMUNICATION

high stocking densities, stressful transport

conditions, transfer to an unfamiliar environment

and concurrent diseases which cause anorexia.

The present study was conducted to collect

preliminary observations on the occurrence of

oesophago-gastric ulcers in pigs slaughtered in a

low-throughput multispecies abattoir in Kerala.


This pilot study was conducted at the Meat

Plant, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences,

Mannuthy, Kerala, where the stomach of 48

slaughtered pigs (Cross-bred Large White

Yorkshire, 6-8 months age, 17 males and 31

females) from four different farms of Kerala were

examined. The duration of rest or fasting was not

considered for the present study. The stomach of

the slaughtered pigs were examined at

approximately 90 min post-sticking. Stomach

collected were opened through the greater

curvature, emptied and the mucosal surface was

gently cleaned using water. The gross appearance

of the pars oesophagea was visually graded using a

four-point scale by comparing with images of

gastric ulcers from the web page of Department of

Primary Industries and Fisheries, Queensland

Government, as follows: 0 = normal shiny white

squamous epithelium; 1 = parakeratosis of the

pars oesophagea and thickened epithelium, with

little or no sloughing; 2 = erosions and/or mild

ulcers with extensive sloughing of the epithelium;

and 3 = developed ulcers, with haemorrhage and

stenosis present.


The frequency of different grades of gastric

ulcers observed is presented in Table1.Many of the

stomach were bile stained. Stomachs awarded a

Grade 1 or 2 were classed as having 'mild' lesions,

whilst Grade 3 stomach were classed as 'severe'.

Over 77 percent (37 nos.) of stomach had neither

an oesophago-gastric ulcer nor visible pre-

ulcerative changes (Grade 0), 18.8 percent (9 nos.)

of stomach had hyperkeratosis of the epithelium

lining the pars oesophagea (Grade 1). The

frequency of mild ulceration (Grade 2) was 2.7

percent (2 nos.) and none of the stomach revealed

severe (Grade 3) ulceration.

Table1: Occurrence of different grades of

gastric ulcers in slaughtered pigs

Ulcer severity score Mean frequency %

Grade 0 77

Grade 1 18.8

Grade 2 4.2

Grade 3 0

None of the pigs in this study showed

severe oesophago-gastric ulceration and 77

percent of the pigs showed no gross signs of

ulceration. The implication is that low grade ulcers

may be more frequent, but severe ulceration may

be less common. The frequency of severe ulcers in

the present study was lower than those reported in

recent years for other countries, where it has often

been about 15percent (Eisemann et al., 2002,

Elbers et al.,1995).

If it is decided in future to introduce

welfare-specific features into post-mortem meat

inspection, it is suggested that only severe grades

should be included in the case of gastric ulcers.

Mild signs of the ulcers need not be considered as

they were more likely to develop as a result of

withholding feed for 24 h or less in combination

with transport stress (Lawrence et al., 1998). The

advantage of using severe ulcers in a welfare

assessment is that those lesions can be painful as

well as reflect some of the standards of handling and

husbandry which relate to stress (Friendship, 1999).


CONCLUSION

From the present study it was concluded

that severe ulcerative lesions were considered

more suitable in a welfare assessment than mild

lesions. However, observing the incidence of

gastric ulcer alone may not give a definitive

conclusion about pre-slaughter animal welfare. In

addition, ulcer assessment at slaughter may not

give a complete picture of an animal's history with

respect to this lesion as deaths from haemorrhage

arising from gastric ulcers are more likely during

early life. Detailed investigations incorporating

large sample observations from pigs slaughtered

after exposure to various kinds of stressors are

suggested.

REFERENCES

Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries,

Queensland Government. Home page nd

url:www.dpi.qld.gov.au. Accessed on 3

October, 2011

Eisemann, J.H.,Morrow, M., Todd, M., Davies,

P.R. and Zering, K. 2002. Effect of feed

withdrawal prior to slaughter on

prevalence of gastric ulcers in pigs. J. Am.

Vet. Med. Assoc., 220: 503-506

Elbers, A.R., Hessing, M.J., Tielen, M.J. and Vos,

J.H. 1995. Growth and oesophagogastric

lesions in finishing pigs offered pelleted

feed ad libitum. Vet. Rec., 136 :588-590

Friendship, R. 1999. Gastric ulcers In B.E. Straw, S.

D'Allaire, W.L. Mengeling, D.J. Taylor, (Eds)

Diseases of swine, Blackwell Science,

Oxford, UK

Lawrence, B.V., Anderson, D.B., Adeola, O. and

Cline, T.R. 1998. Changes in the pars

oesophageal tissue appearance of the

porcine stomach in response to

transportation, feed deprivation and diet

composition. J. Anim. Sci., 76: 788-795

Swaby, H. and Gregory, N.H. 2012. A note on the

frequency of gastric ulcer detected during

post-mortem in a pig abattoir. Meat Sci.,

90: 269-271


Grade 1 Changes

Grade 2 Changes

ANTHRAX IN CATTLE- IS BLEEDING FROM NATURAL

ORIFICES A LEADING CLUE TO DIAGNOSIS?

1 2 3 4Krithiga K , Divakaran Nair N , Vijayan N , Dhanush Krishna B ,5 6

Mammen J. Abraham and Lalithakunjamma C R


1 2,3 4 5Academic consultant, Professors, Ph.D. scholar, Associate 6Professor, Professor and Head, Department of Veterinary

Pathology, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences,

Mannuthy, Kerala Veterinary and Animal Sciences University,

Kerala

ABSTRACT

Anthrax, one of the most dreaded zoonotic

diseases is characterized by sudden death in cattle. It

is normally considered that oozing of unclotted tarry

blood from the external natural orifices is suggestive

of Anthrax. Here we report two cases of anthrax in

cattle wherein bleeding in any form was not

detected. One was from a cross-bred cow and

another from a bullock, which were brought for

necropsy examination with a history of sudden

death from the nearby slaughter house. The

carcasses were bloated and rigor mortis was partial.

The peripheral blood smear examination from both

the cases revealed the presence of truncated,

capsulated, short rods of Bacillus anthracis. This

clearly warrants the need for examination of

peripheral blood smear examination before

attempting autopsy, as anthrax in an occult form may

be present in the cases, which may definitely pose a

zoonotic risk.

INTRODUCTION

Anthrax is one of the most dreaded

zoonotic diseases and it is caused by Bacillus

anthracis. A wide range of animals including

humans are susceptible, cattle and sheep being

most commonly affected. The acute form of the

disease is characterized by sudden death in cattle

without any prior sign of illness (Jones et al., 1997).

In acute form there may be high fever, muscle

tremors and difficult breathing seen shortly before

the animal collapses and dies. Unclotted tarry

blood may exude from body openings and the

body may not stiffen after death (OIE, 2011).


Two animals, brought for necropsy

examination at the Department of Veterinary

Pathology, College of veterinary and Animal

Sciences, Mannuthy from the nearby slaughter

house, formed the study material. One was a

cross-bred cow and another was a bullock, both

with a history of sudden death. The external

examination and microscopic examination of the

peripheral blood smears were performed and the

results are discussed below.


External examination

Both the animals did not reveal any

bleeding from the natural orifices. The carcasses

were bloated and rigor mortis was partial.

Microscopic examination

Peripheral blood smear examination from

both the cases revealed the presence of truncated,

capsulated, short rods suggestive of Bacillus

anthracis (Fig.1).

SHORT COMMUNICATION



The signs of anthrax in cattle are variable and

may be overlooked in cases of short duration. A

number of pathological and environmental factors

cause blood stained discharges from the mouth,

nose or anus of a carcass. It is normally considered

that oozing of unclotted tarry blood from the

external natural orifices is suggestive of Anthrax

(Jones et al., 1997 and Merck Manual, 2011). But

in the above two cases no bleeding could be

appreciated from external natural orifices which

were in accordance with previous report (Lewerin

et al; 2010). This clearly warrants the need for

Fig. 1. Microscopic examination- Peripheral

blood smear- Short rods with truncated ends

and appearing capsulated- Leishman's stain 1000X

examination of peripheral blood smear

examination before attempting autopsy in cases of

sudden death, as anthrax in an occult form may be

present in the cases, wherein the classical signs

such as bleeding from external orifices may not be

present and which may definitely pose a zoonotic

risk.

REFERENCES

Jones, C.T., Hunt, R.D. and King, N.W. 1997.

Veterinary Pathology. Sixth edition. William

and Wilkins, USA. p: 415

Merck Manual 2011. Anthrax. Online edition.

OIE 2011. Anthrax - General disease information

sheets. p:2

Lewerin, S. S., Elvander, M., Mark, T. W., Hartzell,

L.N., Norstrom, A. K., Ehrs, S., Knutsson, R.,

Englung, S., Andersson, A.C., Granberg, M.,

Backman, S., Wikstrom, P. and Sandstedt,

K. 2010. Anthrax outbreak in a swedish beef

cattle herd- first case in 27 years: case

report. Acta Veterinaria Scandinavica. 52:7

http://www.actavetscand.com/content/52/1/7

Smith, C. 1958. Studies on the thymus of the

mammal histology and histochemistry of

embryonic and early postnatal thymuses of

C57BL/6 and AKR stain mice. Am. J. Anat.

116: 611-630

INTRODUCTION

In India, snake bite is an important cause of

accidental deaths in man. Although, exact data on

snake bite death in animals are not available, it is

not uncommon, especially in rural areas.

King Cobra is the world's longest venomous

snakes with a length up to 5.6m (Mehrtens, 1987).

They fall under the family Elapidae. The species,

Ophiophagus hannah is found predominantly in

the forests of India. It has proteroglyph dentition ie.

two short fixed fangs in the front of the mouth

which inject venom into the prey. Venom of King

Cobra primarily contains neurotoxins, but it also

contains cardiotoxin (Behler, 1989). Toxic

constituents are mainly proteins and polypeptides

(Roy et al., 2010). This article describes a case of

cobra envenomation in a cow.


A four year old high yielding Jersey cross-

bred dairy cow was reported to be found dead in

the barn on an evening. The animal had no

previous history of illness and it was grazed in the

fields nearby and fed with cut grass, brought from

those fields. It had been milked at 3.00 P.M on that

day. At 6.00 P.M the animal was found lying dead

in the barn.

Post mortem examination was carried out

in the next day morning. On examination of the

carcass, there were multiple bite marks with blood

clots on the medial side of all limbs. On retracting

the skin, multiple fang marks were observed in the

areas corresponding to the blood clots. On

detailed examination of the internal organs, it was

observed that, there was congestion and oedema

of lungs. Also the right chambers of the heart were

dilated. No other gross lesions were seen.


The presence of multiple fang marks,

occurrence of sudden death, bite during the day

time, presence of only the gross lesions of

respiratory failure and the proximity to Periyar

National Reserve suggested the death was

probably due to bite of King Cobra. The study

area, ie, Aruvappulam village shares the boundary

with the Periyar National Reserve which is

1 Veterinary Surgeon, Veterinary Dispensary, Chittilancherry2 PhD scholar, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences,

Mannuthy

ABSTRACT

The incidence of death of a cow bitten by

King Cobra was elaborated which happened in

Aruvappulam, a village of Kerala state, India.

Although it was believed that large animals like cattle

would not get killed by snake bites due to their size,

the cow described in the situation died within hours

of bite. It had got multiple bites, as common for King

Cobra. There were apparently no gross lesions,

except for respiratory failure.

A CASE OF KING COBRA ENVENOMATION

IN A COW

1 2Shibu K. Jacob and Anu George

Animal Husbandry Department, Kerala

SHORT COMMUNICATION


inhabited by large number of various snakes

including King Cobra.

It was reported by Gwaltney-Brant (2010)

that, large animals like cattle seldom die as a direct

result of snake bite due to their size. The venom

injected would not be enough to kill them. But the

cow described above, died within hours of bite. It

was in accordance with Nelson (1989) who

described that the venom of Elapid snakes is

predominantly neurotoxic, which causes paralysis

and death due to respiratory failure within 20

minutes to 6 hours. Radostits et al (2000) and Vani

Prasad and Koley (2006) also reported similar

findings.

The cow had got multiple bites, which

coincides with the report by Carswell (2010), that

King Cobra is capable of delivering multiple bites in

a single attack. Shea (2005) suggested that the

species is capable of delivering a large quantity of

venom injecting a dose of 200- 500 mg on average.

Again, Bawaskar (2008) opined that cobra venom

is of small molecular size and hence rapidly

absorbed into the circulation and also observed

that Cobra bite occurs during daytime and the

venom is potent cardiotoxic, neurotoxic,

hemotoxic and cytotoxic. In his studies, Punde

(2008) observed that King Cobra bites' are

common in the morning and evening than during

night, which had happened in this case also and

the venom con ta in s neu ro tox in and

cholinesterase. During a bite, venom is forced

through the snake's 1.25 - 1.5 cm fangs into the

wounds. Toxins attack the central nervous system.

Envenomation progresses to cardiovascular

collapse and the victim falls into a coma. Death

soon follows due to respiratory failure. Ganthavorn

(1971) opined that neurotoxic poisoning is the

main systemic effect of King Cobra bite poisoning.

Chauhan (2010) reported that the presence of

hyaluronidase, phosphodiesterase and peptidase

in cobra venom is responsible for oedema,

erythema, haemolytic anaemia, and swelling of

facial and laryngeal tissues, hemoglobinuria,

cardiac irregularities, and fall in blood pressure,

shock and neurotoxicity.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

The authors acknowledge the help rendered by

Dr. Jacob Alexander, Laboratory Officer,

Veterinary Clinical Laboratory, Trivandrum and Dr.

Deepu Philip Mathew, Veterinary Surgeon,

Veterinary Poly Clinic, Chengannur.

REFERENCE

Bawaskar, H.S. 2008. Snake bite poisoning.

Proceedings of SNA-CON 2008 at Little

Flower Hospital, Angamaly, Kerala

Behler, C.M. 1989. Simon and Schuster's guide to

reptiles and amphibians of the world. Simon

and Schuster fireside publishers, New York,

256p

Carswell, D. 2010. King Cobras can be found in

many places in Thailand, majority being in

the Khao sok. Cited in http://www.

articlesalley.com

Chauhan, R.S. 2010 Textbook of Veterinary

Pathology, IBDC publishers, Lucknow, 651p

Ganthavorn, S. 1971 A case of King Cobra Bite.

Toxicon 9 (3):293-294.

Gwaltney-Brant, S.M. 2010. The Merck Veterinary thManual.(10 Ed.) Kahn, C.M. (ed.) MERCK

Publishing, New Jersey, 2945p

Mehrtens, J.M. 1987. Living snakes of the world.

Sterling Publishing, New York, 480p

Nelson,B.K. 1989. Snake envenomation.

Incidence, Clinical presentation and


management. Med. Toxicol. Adverse Drug

Exp., 4 (1) : 17-31

Punde, D.P. 2008. Snake bite (perspective of

elapidae bites in rural Maharashtra)

Proceedings of SNA-CON 2008 at Little

Flower Hospital, Angamaly, Kerala

Radostits, O.M., Gay, C.C., Blood, D.C. and

Hinchcliff, K.W. 2000. Veterinary Medicine th(9 Ed.) W.B. Saunders, London, 1704-1731

Roy, A., Zhou, X.D., Chong, M.Z., Dieter d' hoedt,

Foo, C.S., Rajagopalan, N., Nirthanam, S.,

Bertrand, D., Sivaraman, J. and Kini, R.M.

2010 . S t ruc tu ra l and func t iona l

characterisation of a novel homodimeric 3-

finger neurotoxin from the venom of

Ophiophagus hannah (King Cobra) J. Biol.

Chem. 285: 8302-8315

Shea, M.O. 2005. Venomous snakes of the world.

Princeton University press. New Jersey,

160p

Vani Prasad, V. and Koley, K.M. 2006. Synopsis of

Veterinary Pharmacology and Toxicology

Vahini Publications. 324-325


END STRAY DOG MENACE PERMANENTLY BY

END (EARLY NEUTERING IN DOGS)

1 2 3Narayanan M.K. , Rajankutty K. and John Martin K.D.


Rabies is a widely distributed zoonotic viral

disease which is present in all continents except

Antarctica. Human mortality from endemic rabies

was estimated to be 55,000 deaths per year, with

dog bites being the most important source of

human infection and children below 15 years age

representing nearly half of those bitten (Knobel et

al., 2005; World Health Organization, Accessed

September 2011).To be successful, a control

strategy needs to include collaboration from

different sectors, support of the media and

participation of the community..

Culling dogs by different means (gas,

shooting, poison, etc.) has never had a significant

impact on rabies mitigation. The population

turnover may be so high that removal is quickly

replaced by higher survival rates of the remaining

animals (World Health Organization, 2005,

Accessed September 2011)

Present Animal Birth Control Programme

(ABC) could not achieve its goal in population

control of stray dogs due to many resons. Over

population of stray dog is an unsolved social

problem in Kerala. Even with best possible effort by

the various government machineries, human

population control in our country is still not

achieved and we can imagine the problems of dog

population control which is a species 15% more

prolific than human beings. India is one of the

many countries with an open garbage system

where there is plenty of food available to the stray

dogs and other animals make the situation graver.

We must ensure that all stray dogs must be

neutered at puppy age and send for adoption or

send back to the same place after vaccination and

more emphasis should be done in education and

early neutering campaigns.

Even after many years of endless

discussion about neutering adults and millions of

companions animals being euthanized it is time to

stop the back door approach to animal control.

The new concept of Early Neutering in dogs (END)

can overcome these problems in an ethical way.

The pilot study was carried at Kerala

Veterinary and Animal Sciences University

Veterinary Hospital, Kokkalai, Thrissur.

All the animals were operated under atropine -

xylazine ketamine- diazepam protocol . “to

effect” general anaesthesia.

The result of the study was quite

encouraging to adopt it for the permanent solution

for the stabilization and control of stray dogs in a

phased manner. In contrast to the present ABC

programme, catching of puppies and maintenance

of puppies were easy at 2-3 months age. Handling

of puppies during pre surgical, surgical and post

surgical period was not a problem. Surgical

procedure adopted in the study was found simple

1 2 3 Asst Professor of Surgery, Professor & Head, Associate

Professor, Department of Veterinary Surgery and Radiology.


GENERAL ARTICLE

to perform by a veterinarian receiving a short

training in surgery under any field veterinary

hospital situation. Healing of wound in puppies

were faster with no complications in females and

no need for suture removal in males after

vasectomy as a small incision can close with a

single simple interrupted suture using catgut.The

sterilized puppies were well accepted by the

public and rehabilitation by adoption is the biggest

advantage of this project. The cost for capture,

maintenances and surgery could be reduced

considerably.

The abandoned stray puppies get a better

shelter and care by adopting them as a pet. The

number of stray dogs can be stabilized by this

method.

CONCLUSION

The Early Surgical Neutering (END) is a

permanent,safe and effective way for Animal Birth

Control Programme.(Similar to family planning

system in human being).The effect ive

implementation of END programme by Local Self

Government can reduce the number of stray dog

population.

As the veterinary professions moves to a

new generation, there is a cry not to do mass

euthanasia, but the reality is that there is a large

over supply of dogs that have nowhere to go. The

solution is neuter them before the unwanted litters

are produced. This will avoid financial, physical

and emotional burdens on the public and prevent

the unethical euthanasia for control of problems of

pet population in a civilized society. This problem

has to be managed professionally by the help of

professionals like veterinarians.

For Technical Support-contact Kerala

Veterinary and Animal Sciences University,

Kerala.(Author can be contacted by e- mail-

[email protected] Mob 9447019009)

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

The author is thankful to the Department

of Animal Husbandry, Kerala for the fund provided

and the Dean and DAR, KVASU for the facilities

provided.


INTRODUCTION

During the last two decades, significant

progress has been made in our understanding

about the molecular basis of the genetics of growth

and development. This knowledge coupled with

techniques designed to introduce foreign DNA

into the genome of poultry has the potential to

enhance current breeding practices for genetic

improvement. Gene transfer in poultry could

provide a means of introducing new genetic

variation and changes in genotypes that can

increase economic value. However, before this

becomes a reality the means of producing

transgenic poultry must become routine. Several

techniques are currently in use or under

development which could take the production of

transgenic poultry beyond the laboratory into the

industrial sphere.

TRANSGENESIS

Transgenesis is the process of introducing

an exogenous gene, the transgene into the genome

of the animal. A transgenic chicken is a bird

carrying recombinant molecules that were

intentionally introduced by human intervention in

contrast to spontaneous mutation. The foreign

gene integrated into the genome of the transgenic

animal is called 'transgene' and the protein coded

TRANSGENIC CHICKEN: METHODS AND APPLICATIONS

1 2 3Stella Cyriac , R. R. Churchil and Gibin George T.


by the transgene is called as 'Transgenic product'.

Transgenesis includes the stable integration of the

transgene within the host's genome and its

transmission to progeny through normal breeding

programmes.

All methods of producing transgenic

poultry rely on techniques designed to insert novel

genetic material into cells that will give rise to germ

cells. Germ cells like mature oocyte and

spermatozoa or newly fertilized egg/zygote or

early embryo or Primordial Germ Cells (PGC) can

be used as the target for introducing the transgene.

The various periods of germ cell development also

represent several windows of opportunity for

direct intervention to produce transgenic poultry.

The first successful development of

transgenic chickens was reported by Salter et al.

(1986) who used replication competent

reticuloendotheliosis virus (REV). Since then, lot of

advancements has taken place in the production

of transgenic poultry. The domestic chicken is

poised to become a major animal bioreactor for

the production of commercial quantities of

therapeutic proteins in eggs, moving the domestic

fowl into the realm of protein bioprocessing.

Transgenic chickens have been developed to act as

bioreactor to produce many valuable

therapeutically important biomolecules like

human paratharmone (Lee et al., 2007),

interferons (Rapp et al. 2003) and human

antibodies (Lillico et al., 2007) etc. Recently, the

scientists have successfully developed genetically

modified chickens that do not transmit avian

influenza virus to other birds by internal

1Ph. D. Scholar, Department of Poultry Science, College of 2Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy. Associate

Professor, Institute of Poultry Production and Management, 3TANUVAS, Chennai. M.V.Sc. Student, Department of

Livestock Products Technology, COVAS, Mannuthy.


GENERAL ARTICLE

transmission (Lyall et al., 2011). This would not

only protect the health of poultry but could also

reduce the risk of bird flu epidemics leading to new

flu virus epidemics in the human population.

CURRENT METHODOLOGIES

The different methodologies employed for

the production of transgenic poultry are:

1. Virus Mediated Gene Transfer

This is the nature's natural gene delivery

system. For poultry, retroviral and lentiviral gene

transfer are the most successful methodology to

date. These viruses have an RNA genome, which is

transcribed through the virus's own reverse

transcriptase into DNA in infected cells and

subsequently integrated into the genome of the

cell. Infection of chick embryos with retroviral

vectors has successfully produced transgenic

chickens by exploiting the natural abilities of

retroviruses to enter cells and inherent into the

host chromosomes. Viral vectors that are used for

infection of ova (Shuman, 1984) or PGCs are

injected at the time of oviposition directly into the

blastoderm or close to the blastoderm. The first

successful development of transgenic chickens was

reported by Salter et al. (1986) using

reticuloendotheiosis virus. Masamichi et al. (2005)

have reported that the maximal level of transgene

expression could be obtained by injecting a

replication-defective retroviral vector into the

heart of embryos after 55 h of incubation.

Likewise, Kawabe et al. (2008) also found that both

the transduction efficiency and transgene

expression were the highest when the viral solution th th

was injected into 14 or 15 stage embryo.

Recently, using this method hens were generated

that express reporter genes such as â-lactamase

and LacZ (Harvey et al, 2002; Mozdziak et al.,

2003). Interestingly, the ubiquitous expression of

â-lactamase resulted in some secretion of the

protein into the egg white. This tantalizing result

was later applied to the expression of a human

interferon (IFN-â-2b) in egg white (Rapp et al.,

2003). Lillico et al. (2007) reported an efficient

system of making transgenic birds that deposit high

levels of commercially relevant proteins in eggs

using a lentiviral vector to drive the expression of

another human interferon (IFN-â-1a) and a

humanized single-chain Fv-Fc antibody with the

potential for treating malignant melanoma.

However, t echn ica l and sa fe t y

considerations limit the usefulness of virus

mediated gene transfer, particularly in agricultural

applications. In order to overcome these

disadvantages, non viral based technologies for

gene transfer have been developed.

2. DNA Microinjection

Microinjection of foreign DNA into the

pronucleus of a newly fertilized egg is the common

method for introducing genes in mammals (Fig. 2).

However, microinjection is much more technically

difficult in freshly laid eggs compared with

mammals because a fertile freshly laid chicken egg

contains approximately 50,000 to 60,000 cells

when it is laid. Therefore, DNA microinjection has

not been extensively attempted in freshly laid eggs.

On the other hand, fertile embryos need to be

collected by sacrificing the hen to carryout

microinjection in chicken eggs. The basic method

currently in use is a three stage system of Perry

(1988) for post-ovipositional stages of

development. First newly fertilized eggs

surrounded with a capsule of albumen are

removed from the magnum and cultured for about

18 to 24 hours in synthetic oviductal fluid without

a shell. Stage two requires transfer of the egg to an

eggshell, completely sealed with no simulated air

space. After 2 to 4 days, the embryo is transferred

to a larger shell with an upper air space for the

remaining period of incubation. The efficiency of

this process was low, and only a few transgenic

birds have been produced through DNA injection

(Love et. al., 1994).

A f u n d a m e n t a l p r o b l e m w i t h

microinjection in the production of transgenic

livestock is the low efficiency of integration of

exogenous DNA. Furthermore, it is very expensive



and laborious to obtain zygote by super ovulation

and surgical collection. Also, this method requires

special equipments and specific skill and is not

useful for birds.

3. Embryonic Stem/ Primordial Cell Mediated

Gene Transfer

Embryon ic S tem (ES ) ce l l s a re

undifferentiated cells that have the potential to

differentiate into any type of cell (somatic and germ

cells) and therefore to give rise to a complete

organism. The primordial germ cells are the

precursors of cells which compose the germ line

and they are excellent candidates for genetic

modification. The first step is to obtain primordial

germ cells or cells that will give rise to the germ line

from the embryo and culture them in conditions

that keep the cells in a relatively undifferentiated

state. The desired DNA sequence is then inserted

by homologous recombination into the in vitro co-

culture of ES or Primordial Germ (PG) cell along

with the vector having a desirable gene sequence.

Genetically modified ES and PG cells can also be

produced by infection with replication-defective

retroviral vectors, by lipofection and by

electroporation. The transfected cells are then

incorporated into a recipient embryo at the

blastocyst stage of development. The result is a

chimeric chicken in the founder generation. If

some of the transfected embryonic stem cells also

contribute to the germline of the chimera, it can

serve as the founder of a transgenic line. A chimeric

intermediate produces both transgenic and normal

birds in the first generation. The transgenic

offspring breed true from the second generation

onwards. The first germ line chimeric chicken was

produced by the transfer of cells from the

unincubated embryo (Petitte et al., 1990).

4. Nuclear Transfer

Other available gene transfer strategy for

generating transgenic livestock is the transfer of

nucleus into an enucleated ovum or into the

enucleated one celled embryo (Fig. 2). The present

methods for nuclear transfer have low overall

efficiency; typically between 0 and 3 per cent and

are error prone. High technical skills and intensive

labor are also required. This is the technique by

which the clones (like dolly) are produced.

Nuclear transfer involves the manipulation of

single celled zygote. Nuclear transfer is a difficult

procedure in chicken due to the presence of yolk

material and inaccessibility of single celled

embryo.

5. Artificial Chromosomes

Artificial chromosomes can carry

extremely large DNA fragments (1 million bases -

1Mb or more). They are autonomous, self-

regulating sequences possessing a centromere,

two telomeres and origins of replication. Artificial

chromosomes have been used to insert suitable

loci into chicken to produce valuable

biomolecules.

6. Testis Mediated Gene Transfer (TMGT)

In TMGT exogenous genes are introduced

into spermatogonia and spermatozoa in the testis

by using lipofection reagents and spermatozoa

ejaculated from this testis are used for artificial

insemination. The efficiency of TMGT can be

improved by using lipofection reagents. Min et al.,

(2011) have obtained a success rate of 7.89 per

cent in producing transgenic chicken using this

method.

7. Sperm Mediated Gene Transfer (SMGT)

SMGT is based on the ability of sperm cells

to bind and internalize exogenous DNA and to

transfer it into eggs at fertilization. This technique

offers a powerful tool in the fields of animal

transgenesis and biotechnology, due to the

potential application to all species whose

reproduction is mediated by gametes, in

particular, to those that have a relevant scientific

and commercial importance and are refractory to

microinjection. The first report on production of

transgenic animal by stable integration of foreign

DNA by SMGT and its transmission to the

progenies by Mendelian inheritance was provided

by Lavitrano et al. (1989). In SMGT, artificial

insemination is carried out using transgenic

spermatozoa and the sperm cells are made

transgenic using various methods like transfection

with nude DNA, electroporation, Restriction

Enzyme Mediated Integration (REMI), receptor-

mediated gene transfer, intracytoplasmic sperm

injection (ICSI) and lipofection. SMGT, when

applied to chicken, has additional advantages: low

cost and ease of use. Churchil (2005) developed

transgenic spermatozoa in chicken and found

lipofection and REMI improved the efficiency of

exogenous DNA uptake.

DETECTION OF TRANSGENE

Detection of exogenous DNA in embryos

can be carried out by simple PCR amplification,

using the whole genomic DNA of preimplantation

embryos. Optical and electron microscopy

autoradiography were used to visualize the

localization and count of the foreign DNA in

spermatozoa and this is now replaced by fluroscent

in situ hybridization. In SMGT, the internalization

of foreign DNA into the sperms can be determined

by PCR and Dot / Southern Hybridization of sperm

genomic DNA. PCR or Southern blotting of

genomic DNA can measure the presence of

foreign DNA in the blastocyst, embryo or young

animal. The expression of the transgene is usually

estimated by measuring the enzyme activity coded

by the transgene (chloramphenicol acetyl

transferase, â-galactosidase, green fluorescent

protein etc.) or by Western analysis or enzyme

linked immunosorbant assay (ELISA) of the gene

products.

UTILITIES OF TRANSGENIC CHICKEN

l Improved food quality: Manipulation of

biosynthetic pathways, reduced or improved

fat/ composit ion and overal l body

composition (lean/fat ratio).

l Improved food quantity: Improvement in feed

efficiency, rate of gain, overall body

composition and size.

l Bio-pharming: By using chickens as 'bio-

reactors' to produce valuable proteins such as

insulin, factor VIII, human growth hormone,

cytokines, monoclonal antibodies etc. and

many life saving drugs. The low cost of feeding

a hen, the naturally sterile environment of the

egg, the large amount of protein produced

per egg, and the large number of eggs

produced per hen per year make them ideal

for the production of proteins for human

medicine.

l Xenotransplantation: Transplantation of

animal organs in human including blood

transfusion. However this is utility is not

available with chicken due to its small sized

organs.

l Biological Model: Beyond their utility in many

commercial and industrial applications

transgenic chickens hold intrinsic value as

model systems in biological research.

CONCLUSION

Transgenesis can improve animal health

and well-being, decrease negative impacts on the

environment and enhance safety and nutritional

quality of food, thereby improving food security in

nations around the world. But there are some

ethical and welfare concerns about transgenic

chicken which should be addressed over by safety

and product approvals through a science-based

regulatory process, building public confidence,

balance of increase in scientific knowledge and

ethics and market acceptance. It is hardly possible

to predict the future when it comes to the

commercialization of science, but in the next 25

years, it is reasonable to expect that, in basic

science, agriculture and protein bioprocessing, the

transgenic chicken will contribute to provide

benefits to society in several ways.

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Associate Professor, Department of Veterinary Parasitology

Parasites of domestic ruminants directly or

indirectly contribute to reduced sustainability

affecting food security in subsistence or small scale

farming systems. Annual losses due to nematode

parasites have been estimated to be US $ 222 m,

45 m and 42 m in Australia, South Africa and

Uruguay respectively. For many decades

anthelmintic (AH) drugs have represented the

corner stone of control of these parasitic diseases.

By virtue of their remarkable efficacy, broad

spectrum of activity, ease and safety of use and

relative cheapness, modern AHs fostered the

notion that diseases could be kept permanently in

check, if not eradicated by their frequent use.

The commercial AH drugs available to

control gastrointestinal nematodes in sheep and

goats belong to three broad spectrum families: the

benzimidazoles , the imidazoth iazoles /

tetrahydropy- rimidines and the macrocyclic

lactones depending on the mechanism of action.

The 1960- 1980s were the halcyon days for

livestock producers and those pharmaceutical

companies who were fortunate to have

marketable broad spectrum AH products during

that time. The forerunners to the true broad

spectrum AH wonder drug was thiabendazole and

the discoverers (Merck Sharp and Dohme)

demonstrated the economic benefit of monthly

treatment by wide advertisement. Next AH was

levamisole HCl, the distributor recommended that

the farmer can save a lot of money by half dosing.

The general notion at that time was that control of

worms in livestock could be achieved by the

simple expedient of one or several treatments and

hence there is no need for further research on

parasites. For many decades, no other AH family

emerged from research and development from the

different pharmaceutical companies. After 25

years in 2008 a new molecule (monepantel) was

developed and marketed for sheep in Europe and

Australia.

Anthelmintic Resistance (AR) has occurred

in all target organisms in chronological sequence of

their release. One unfortunate fact was that their

very success was largely responsible for their

downfall. These compounds were overused,

misused or applied incorrectly. Now the

companies have realized that the only way to

preserve the lifelong effectiveness of their product

was to use them sparingly and often combined

with other means of control.

Cost of AH research

The increasing cost of AH development

was largely brought about by the ever increasing

rigor imposed by drug registration authorities

which insist on 'zero risk'. The estimated time gap is

10 years and the cost was estimated to be US $ 30

m in 1960s to 230 m in 1980s. Consolidation of

companies over the last 15 years have drastically

reduced the number of companies devoted to

GENERAL ARTICLE


veterinary drug discovery.

Anthelmintics still and will for the

foreseeable future comprise the largest sector of

the animal pharmaceutical industry. But the return

from veterinary products is less rewarding that

many pharmaceutical companies conclude that it

is financially unrewarding to invest in veterinary

AH research.

Responsible use of AHs

Judicious use of AHs has been suggested to

preserve their effectiveness. One method

proposed is through government intervention. This

has been implemented in Scandinavia where AHs

for use in production animals are sold only on

prescription from veterinarians who first must

make a diagnosis of parasitism. This practice relies

on a more therapeutic than prophylactic approach

and often takes no account of subclinical losses.

Those associated with sheep and goat industries in

Australia and South Africa have realized that the

only way these industries can cope with parasites is

to 'live with parasites'. Maintaining a level of

parasitism in the flock is good thing for inducing

and maintaining naturally acquired immunity in

grazing animals as well as for preserving AH

susceptibility by not exposing the entire worm

population to drug selection. Methods like

WormBoss (Australia) and FAMACHA (South

Africa) have been developed by parasitologists to

manage parasitism in the flock.

Thus there has been a paradigm shift in the

way to deal with parasites in production animals-

from the chemical 'big hit' approach to something

more like 'parasite management', i.e. living with

parasites. These novel control methods will assist in

maintaining parasite infections below the

economic threshold. However, to be seriously

considered for adoption, livestock producers will

need assurance that they will achieve a reliable

benefit if used correctly.

It is clearly felt that chemotherapy will

continue to provide cures for most of infections,

but there is also need to provide a new set of

methods to allow their effects to be extended.

Another point is that parasite eradication in most

cases is impracticable and generally not necessary

to achieve an acceptable control of most parasites.

Integrated Parasite Management (IPM)

The IPM refers to the integration of several

components which when used alone would not

give the desired effect. It should have the potential

to bring down parasite population over successive

generations, reducing the need for regular AH

treatment. As a consequence, some level of

parasitism and production loss should be tolerated

in this venture. It involves the monitoring of

parasite infection/resistance and the rational use of

effective drugs in combination with non-chemical

methods.

Non chemotherapeutic approaches

Though non-chemical approaches like

worm vaccines and nematophagous fungi have

been active research areas for several decades, it is

apparent that further work remains to be done

before commercial products become available.

Anthelmintic plants

Modern pharmacopeia has its foundation

in drugs derived from plants or synthetic analogues

of herbal compounds. Plants with anti-parasitic

properties are referred to as bioactive forage.

Nematocidal activity of tannins has been reported

as early as 1960s and recently, has gained renewed

interest as potential components of non-chemical

parasite control strategies. Anti-parasitic properties

of condensed tannins present in tanniferous plants

are mediated via either a direct anthelmintic

and/or an indirect nutritional mechanism.


Condensed tannins can affect parasitism by

increasing protein availability through the

protection of dietary proteins from degradation in

the rumen.

Immunonutrition

Improved host nutrition leads to enhanced

immunity (resistance) and increased productivity

(resilience) in parasitized animals. Most research

on nutritional control of parasitism has

concentrated on protein supplementation. In

general, strategic supplementation should target

those times when nutrient requirements are

needed the most and provide those nutrients

which are deficient such as protein, energy,

minerals or trace elements. The economic viability

of diet manipulation in developing countries have

been illustrated by the positive effects obtained by

use of low cost resources, like non-protein nitrogen

and energy sources like maize or molasses.

Copper Oxide Wire Particles (COWP)

COWP were originally developed to

overcome copper deficiency in ruminants. They

are merely small pieces of copper oxide wire

contained within a gelatin capsule. On

administration the capsule dissolves in the rumen

and the copper particle pass into abomasum,

where they lodge in the mucosal folds and release

ionic copper over an extended period of time. This

method has been shown to effectively reduce

Haemonchus contortus infection by 75 percent

and extend protection against further in goats.

Genetically resistant stock

Breeding to obtain livestock that are

genetically resistant or resilient to nematode

infection is the ultimate in sustainable parasite

control. There is huge, untapped genetic resource

awaiting investigation in the vast array of breeds

found throughout the tropics/subtropics. They

have evolved through the extreme selection

pressure induced by the combination of

environmental stress, malnutrition, continuous

and massive parasitic challenge, often without any

remedial treatment. Exploiting genetic resistance

of livestock to disease in general and to parasites in

particular, represents the ultimate approach

towards sustainable parasite control, especially for

the resource-poor farmers. In the case of selecting

animals for resilience the objective is to minimize

the pathogenic and clinical effects of infection.

Homoeopathy

Producers in several Latin American and

European countries have adopted homeopathy for

herd treatment. This can be recommended only

after getting sufficient supporting data as well as

approval from the Veterinary Council of India.

Control of Toxocara vitulorum

Calf mortalities due to the large round

worm, T. vitulorum can be prevented by the

simple expedient of treating all calves with

pyrantel or a broad spectrum AH at 10-16 days of

birth. This is very economical and it prevents

contamination of soil with worm eggs. Calves

acquire infection from larvae excreted through

milk of the dam up to 10 days of parturition.

Piperazine compounds should not be used as the

drug cannot eliminate immature worms. For

adoption of procedures that are different from

existing practices, massive education programs are

needed. The application of research should reach

the end users by employing various mass

communication tools.

Deworming in ruminants

Selective Treatment Scheme is based on

the fact that only a small proportion of animals in

the herd carry large worm burdens. It aims at

drenching only those animals. By reducing the


number of treatments, the selection pressure for

AH resistance in worm population is reduced

(improving refugia both inside and outside the

hosts) as well as the cost of AH treatment.

It is time to accept that the livestock sector

is facing three main challenges- to produce more

(food security), produce better (food safety) and

produce friendly (environmental services). This is a

complex situation and must be realized that the

time of easy parasite control is over. In future we

will have to rely on combinations of strategies and

practices which will most likely require more work

and monitoring.

REFERENCE

Henrioud, A N. 2011. Towards sustainable

parasite control practices in livestock

production with emphasis in Latin America.

Vet. Parasitol. 180: 2-11

Ketzis, J.K., Vercruysse, J., Stromberg, B.E., Larsen,

M., Athanasiadou, S. and Houdijk, J.G.M.

2006. Evaluation of efficacy expectations for

novel and non-chemical helminth control

strategies in ruminants. Vet. Parasitol. 139:

321-335

Molento, M.B. 2009. Parasite control in the age of

drug resistance and changing agricultural

practices. Vet. Parasitol. 163: 229-234

Torres-Acosta, J.F.J and Hoste, H. 2008. Alternative

or improved methods to limit gastro-

intestinal parasitism in grazing sheep and

goats. Small Rum. Res. 77: 159-173

Waller, P.J. 1997. Nematode Parasite Control of

Livestock in the tropics/subtropics: the need

for novel approaches. Int. J. Parasitol. 27:

1193-1201

Waller, P.J. 2006. From discovery to development:

Current industry perspectives for the

development of novel methods of helminth

control in livestock. Vet. Parasitol. 139: 1-14


ABSTRACT

New duck disease is a contagious ,widely

distributed disease affecting young ducks, turkey

,waterfowls ,chickens and pheasants. The disease

has been reported in Kerala in an organized poultry

f a r m a t t a c h e d t o Ve t e r i n a r y c o l l e g e

Pookode,Wayanad during October 2006. Severe

depression, inco-ordination ,droopiness, tremors of

head and neck, poor feed intake, reluctance to swim,

purulent oculo-nasal discharge, greenish diarrhea are

the clinical signs leading to death. Diagnosis is based

on clinical signs, lesions and isolation and

identification of the causative organism . Careful

management practices are important for prevention

of infection . Isolation of the organism from an

outbreak in Pookode farm, Wayanad and recent

reports of the outbreak of new duck disease world

wide show that Riemerella anatipestifer infection may

pose a threat to the duck industry

NEW DUCK DISEASE

(Riemerella anatipestifer infection)

1 2Aparna S and Renjith R

Animal Husbandry Department, Kerala

INTRODUCTION

Riemerella anatipestifer formerly known as

Pasteurella anatipestifer and Moraxella anatipestifer is

the causative agent of a contagious, widely

distributed disease called new duck disease that

primarily affects young ducks and turkeys (Hirsh

et al., 2004). Other waterfowls, chicken and

pheasants may also be affected. Synonyms of this

disease include duck septicemia, anatipestifer

syndrome, anatipestifer septicaemia and infectious

serositis. It is important in Veterinary medicine as it is

reported world wide as the cause of epizootic

infectious polyserositis of domestic ducks. The

disease has been reported in Kerala in an organized

poultry farm attached to Veterinary college Pookot,

Wayanad during October 2006 (Priya et al., 2008).

The organism is probably egg transmitted, with lateral

spread most commonly via the respiratory route.

Economic loss to the duck industry from the

disease is due to mortality reaching upto 5 to 75

percent and also due to weight loss and

condemnation. Ducklings of 1 to 8 weeks of age are

highly susceptible. Ducklings under 5 weeks of age

usually die in 1 to 2 days after clinical signs appear,

older birds survive longer. Concomitant diseases,

environmental conditions and other stress factors

predispose ducklings to the disease.

CLINICAL SIGNS

Severe depression, inco-ordination,

droopiness, neck tucked in, disinclination to move,

tremors of the head and neck, poor feed intake,

reluctance to swim, purulent oculo-nasal discharge,

greenish diarrhea and death.

POSTMORTEM LESIONS

Congestion of lungs, enlarged pinkish liver and

enlarged purple spleen and enteric lesions are noted.

Beak is often congested. Pericarditis, perihepatitis,

airsacculitis are also noticed. Fibrin deposition on

the serosa of heart, liver and airsacs, meningitis,

osteomyelitis and focal pneumonia are seen

occasionally. Inspissated caseous deposits are seen

in the posterior aspects of the abdominal airsacs. The

walls of other airsacs may be thickened. Airsacs may

get extremely affected and there may be caseous

salphingitis. Chronic arthritis with erosion of the joint

cartilage may be noticed. In addition, Riemerella

anatipestifer may be found as the causal agent in a

condition where the skin of ventral abdomen is

thickened.

1 2 Research Assistant IAH & VB, Palode, Veterinary Surgeon,

Veterinary Dispensary Alamukku, Thiruvananthapuram

GENERAL ARTICLE


DIAGNOSIS

Diagnosis is based on clinical signs, lesions

and isolation and identification of the causative

organism. Colibacillosis, chlamydiosis and

pasteurellosis also show similar signs and lesions.

(Paul Mc Mulin., 2004). Biochemical characteristics

can be used to differentiate this organism from E. coli

and Pasteurella multocida that cause important

diseases of duck.

MORPHOLOGY AND STAINING

Riemerella anatipestifer organisms are Gram

negative, nonmotile, nonsporulating rods. The

organism occurs singly in pairs or in short chains.

The cell vary from 0.2 to 0.4 micrometre in width to 1

to 5 micrometre in length. Many cells stain bipolar

with wright's stain, and a capsule can be

demonstrated in Indian ink preperations (Sandhu

and Rimler,1997).

GROWTH REQUIREMENTS AND

COLONIAL MORPHOLOGY

The organism grows well on chocolate agar,

blood agar or trypticase soya agar. Growth on

trypticase soya agar can be enhanced by the addition

of 0.05 percent yeast extract and 5 percent new born

calf serum. Growth is more abundant with increased

carbon dioxide. Maximum growth usually occurs in 048-72 hr when incubated at 37 C in a candle jar.

Colonies on blood agar, when grown 24hr at 037 C in a candle jar, are 1-2 mm in diameter, convex,

entire, transparent, glistening and butyrous (Sandhu

and Rimler, 1997).

BIOCHEMICAL CHARACTERISTICS

Carbohydrate are not fermented, although

some researchers have reported acid production in

glucose, maltose, inositol and fructose by some

strains. Gelatin is usually liquefied and litmus milk

may slowly turn alkaline. Indole and Hydrogen

sulphide are not produced. Nitrate is not reduced to

nitrite and starch is not hydrolysed. There is no

growth on Mac Conkey agar and no hemolysis on

blood agar. The organism is oxidase -ve and catalase

+ve, phosphatase is produced (Sandhu and Rimler,

1997) .

TREATMENT AND CONTROL

A combinat ion of penic i l l in and

streptomycin or sulfaquinoxaline can be used for

initial treatment, but an antibiotic sensitivity test

should be performed. Priya et al., (2008) reported

that all their 5 isolates of Riemerella anatipestifer

from an outbreak at Pookot farm, Wayanad district

were resistant to penicillin, oxytetracycline and co-

trimoxazole but were sensitive to enrofloxacin,

gentamicin, chloramphenicol and amoxicillin.

Treatment of the affected birds in their study with

enrofloxacin @ 5mg/kg body wt i.m for 5 days gave

good response and recovered rapidly.

CONTROL

Careful management practices are

important for prevention of infection. Rigid

sanitation and depopulation are necessary for

elimination of the disease. Good husbandry

methods, especially avoiding contaminated

environmental conditions and stress is very

important . However a bacterin and more recently a

live vaccine are available for control of the disease in

ducks.

Recent reports of the outbreak of New

duck disease world wide and Isolation of the

organism from an outbreak in Pookot farm, Wayanad

points to an impending threat to duck farming sector.

REFERENCE

Hirsh, D.C., Maclachlan, N.J. and Walker, R.C. 2004 nd Veterinary Microbiology, 2 Edn. Blackwell

publishing professional, Iowa

Paul Mc Mulin. 2004 Anatipestifer disease,New duck

syndrome, Duck septecaemia - A pocket guide

to poultry health and diseases.

Priya, P.M., Deepthi, S.P., Balusamy, C., Ramesh

Kumar, P. and Senthamilselvan, P. 2008.

Studies on outbreak of New duck disease in

Kerala,India. Int. J. Poult. Sci. 7(2). 189-190

Sandhu, T.S. and Rimler, R.B. 1997 Riemerella

anatipestifer infection. In Calnek BW. ed. thDiseases of poultry, 10 ed., Ames: Iowa State

Univ Pr, pp. 161-166


WORLD VETERINARY DAY CELEBRATIONS 2012

World Veterinary Day celebrations 2012

held at Green Land Farm House, Nelliyampathy,

Palakkad on 27 & 28 April 2012 under the

auspices of Kerala Veterinary Surgeons Service

Association was inaugurated by the Sri V.

Chenthamarakshan, Hon: MLA, Nenmara at a

grand function presided by Dr. K.C. Prasath

President KVSSA.

The summer issue of JIVA 2012 was

released by handing a copy to Prof. Dr. V.

Purushothaman, Director Center for Animal

Health Studies, Tamilnadu Veterinary and Animal

Sciences University, Chennai. Hon. MLA in his

inaugural address had extended whole hearted

support and cooperation for the genuine issued

faced by veterinarians in the state and assured

necessary propaganda for encouraging animal

husbandry activities among rural farmers. Dr. K.C.

Prasath in his presidential address stressed the

importance of World Veterinary Day celebrations

and the relevance of the current years theme

'Antimicrobial Resistance'. Dr. Joby George

General Secretary KVSSA welcomed the

gathering. Felicitations were offered by Dr K.R.

Arun Kumar, President IVA, Dr. Sisy Philip, General

Secretary, AHOAK and Dr. P.S. Shameem

Abubaker, Chairman, Organising Committee. Dr

K.R. Arun Kumar drew the attention of audience to

the remarkable growth of association in the past

few years as clearly evident from the participation

of more than 120 veterinarians in the programme

and congratulated the organizing committee for

arranging the programme in a grand manner. He

assured full support for creation of transfer norms

and functional reorganization of the department.

Dr. B. Biju, General Convenor delivered vote of

thanks.

Scientific Seminar on "Antimicrobials: a

true One Health issue -

Dr. V.

Purushothaman, Director TANUVAS, Chennai

was also held.

Agrand get together of veterinarians and

their family members, cultural evening with an

orchestra and variety entertainments, inaugurated

by noted Malayalam poet and lyricist

was organized on 27th

April 2012. Around 120 veterinarians and their

family members participated in the two day

programme.

''Challenges and

opportunities in veterinary field”

Sri.

Murugan, Kaattakkada

ASSOCIATION NEWS


WORLD ZOONOSES DAY - 2012 COMMEMORATED

The World Zoonoses Day 2012 commemoration was held at a glittering function at Hotel Royal Park, Alappuzha on 06/07/2012.The forenoon seminar session was moderated by Dr E Sreekumar, Scientist, Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Bio Technology. Dr Rani S S, Asst Director, LMTC (Challenges in Rabies control in Kerala) and Dr R Rajendran , Deputy Director, NCDC, Govt of India (Eco Epidemiology of Mosquito borne viral diseases) presented their papers which was followed by an active open forum.

The Quiz programme, VETQUEST, on Zoonoses, for school students was held from 2pm. Dr Jyothish Babu and Dr Sumi Cheriyan were the masters of the programme with online support by Dr. Jothimon. The students, by their brilliant performance, proved beyond doubt that the

younger generation is well informed on Zoonoses. The valedictory session was inaugurated by Dr K G Suma, Director of Animal Husbandry and presided over by Dr. K R. Arunkumar, State President, IVA. Dr. C. Sreekumar, General Secretary, IVA welcomed the gathering. The Director also inaugurated the CDIO sponsored Pilotprogramme of State Level Screening of Vets for Brucella and Leptospira. The young winners of State Level Painting Competition organised by KVSSA and VETQUEST were honoured by the dignitaries. The Quiz programme, VETQUEST, on Zoonoses for school students was held during the programme. The valedictory session was inaugurated by Dr K G Suma, Director of Animal Husbandry and presided over by Dr K R Arunkumar,State President, IVA. Dr C Sreekumar, GeneralSecretary, IVA welcomed the gathering.

FORTHCOMING EVENTSWORLD RABIES DAY 2012

World Rabies Day 2012 is being

conducted at Hotel National Park, Ettumanoor,

Kottayam on September 28th 2012. Dr. Ilona

Otter, DVM, Clinical Director of Worldwide

Veterinary Service India International Training

Center, Nilgiris and Dr. Mini Vasudevan of

Humane Animal Society, Coimbatore are the

Chief Guest sharing their experiences in Animal

Birth Control Programme.


Dr. N. Madhavanunny, Assistant Professor, Dept of Clinical Vet. Medicine, CV & AS,

Mannuthy, receiving the award for the best research article presented in the Clinical

Medicine session of VIII th annual congress of Indian Society for Advancement of

Canine Practice (ISACP) held at Shere-Kashmir university, Jammu, 2011. He received

the award during the International congress of Indian Society for the Advancement of

Canine Practice, held at RAJUVAS, Bikaner, Rajasthan.

Dr. Reghu Ravindran, Head of the Department, Department of Parasitology COVAS,

Pookot won the prestigious Krishivigyan award of Govt. of Kerala. CONGRATULATIONS

Dr. ReghuRavindran.

Dr. Shibu Simon, Assistant Professor, Animal Reproduction, Gynaecology and Obstetrics Unit, University Veterinary Hospital, Kokkalai,Thrissur, Kerala. Completed e-CPD (Continuing Professional Development) course on Abdominal Ultrasonography

thOnline, conducted by the Royal Veterinary College, University of London from 16 April th

to 27 May 2012 (6 weeks). The RVC is offering many such e-CPD courses on payment basis. Details can be had from www.rvc.ac.uk/cpd.

Dr. Syam K. Venugopal, Associate Professor, Dept of Vet. Surgery and Radiology, CV &

AS, Mannuthy, received the prestigious Prof. S. S. Mishra award for the best research

article published in the Indian Journal of Canine Practice, during the year 2011. He

received the award during the International congress of Indian Society for the

Advancement of Canine Practice , held at RAJUVAS, Bikaner, Rajasthan.

SIGN POST & ACHIEVEMENTS

Dr. P.M. Mathew (71). Joint Director (Rtd.) passed away on 11/06/2012.

An Alumini of COVAS. Mannuthy of 1964 batch, he served the Animal

Husbandry Department in Kozhikode, Ernakulam, Idukki and retired as

the District Animal Husbandry Officer, Pathanamthitta. He is survived by

his wife and two sons.

Dr. A. Muhammed Khaleel (61), Asst.Director (Rtd.) passed away

on 18/07/2012. An Alumini of COVAS, Mannuthy of 1968 batch, he

served the Animal Husbandry Department in various offices and got

retired from service as SVS, VH,Kattanam in Alappuzha District.

Dr. K.V Pushyamithran Sreevilas, Rtd. Deputy Director expired at Thalayolapparambu.

OBITARY

U


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