Prevalence of bovine trypanosomosis and tsetse fly density in Loka Abaya and Derara districts in Sidama Regional State, Ethiopia.

Animal trypanosomosis is a significant livestock disease with economic and social repercussions, reducing the supply of animal products and restricting the utilization of animals for traction and transportation. In Ethiopia, it is prevalent and poses a major hindrance to the advancement of animal production. This repeated cross-sectional study was aimed at assessing seasonal variation in bovine trypanosomosis prevalence and tsetse fly density and identifying the potential risk factors in the Loka Abaya and Derara districts of the Sidama National Regional State. Blood samples were collected from 964 cattle, 484 samples during the dry season, and 480 during the wet season. The buffy coat method was employed to analyze these samples. Furthermore, 78 standard NGU traps were set up at various locations in the two districts during both seasons for entomological investigation. The overall apparent prevalence of trypanosomosis was 9% (95% CI 7.3-11.0), without a significant difference (p > 0.05) between the dry season (7.4%) and wet season (10.6%). The apparent prevalence was significantly higher in Loka Abaya (11.8%) than in Derara (6.3%) district (OR = 2.04; p = 0.003) and in cattle with black coat color (29%) than in mixed color (6.8%) (OR = 5.3; p < 0.001). The majority of infections were caused by Trypanosoma congolense (70%), followed by T. vivax (29%), and mixed infections (1%) with the two species. The average packed cell volume (PCV) was significantly (p < 0.0001) lower in infected animals (20.7 ± 4%) compared to uninfected ones (25.5 ± 5.4%), in cattle examined during the dry season (24.1 ± 6%) versus the wet season (26.1 ± 4.7%), in cattle sampled from the Loka Abaya district (24.2 ± 5.5%) versus Derara district (26 ± 5.3%), and in cattle with poor body condition (23.6 ± 5.7%) compared to those with good body condition (26.5 ± 5.3%). A total of 5282 flies were captured during the study, with 4437 (84%) being tsetse flies (Glossina pallidipes), 439 (8.3%) Tabanids, 190 (3.6%) Stomoxys spp., and 216 (4.1%) Musca spp. The apparent density (AD) of G. pallidipes was 28.4 flies/trap/day, showing no statistically significant difference between wet (32.1) and dry (24.6) seasons (p > 0.05). The AD of G. pallidipes was significantly (p < 0.001) higher in the Loka Abaya district (57.3) than in the Derara district (0.9). The study highlights a moderate trypanosomosis apparent prevalence and high AD of G. pallidipes, showing significant variation between the study districts but no seasonal difference. The observed apparent prevalence of trypanosomosis and tsetse fly density notably affects animal health and productivity. As a result, strategies for vector control like insecticide-treated targets, trypanocidal medications for infected animals, and community-based initiatives such as education and participation in control programs are recommended.

Quantitative proteomics reveals significant variation in host responses of cattle with differing buffalo fly susceptibility.

Background: Control of buffalo flies (Haematobia irritans exigua, BFs) relies mainly on chemical methods; however, resistance to insecticides is widespread in BF populations. Breeding for resistance to BFs represents a possible alternative, but direct phenotyping of animals is laborious and often inaccurate. The availability of reliable diagnostic biomarker(s) to identify low BF carrier cattle would facilitate rapid and accurate selection for genetic improvement. However, limited information is available regarding differences amongst cattle in host responses to BF infestation. Methods: This study investigated the variation in Brangus cattle serum proteomic profiles before (naïve) and after peak BF exposure, in low (LF) and high BF burden (HF) cattle. Cattle were phenotyped for susceptibility based on BF counts on multiple dates using visual and photographic techniques. The relative abundance of serum proteins in cattle before and after exposure to BFs was analysed using sequential window acquisition of all theoretical fragment ion mass spectrometry (SWATH-MS). Results: Exposure to BFs elicited similar responses in HF and LF cattle, with 79 and 70 proteins, respectively, showing significantly different abundances post exposure as compared to their relevant naïve groups. The comparison of serum samples from naïve HF and LF cattle identified 44 significantly differentially abundant (DA) proteins, while 37 significantly DA proteins were identified from the comparison between HF and LF cattle post-exposure to BFs. Proteins with higher abundance in naïve LF cattle were enriched in blood coagulation mechanisms that were sustained after exposure to BFs. Strong immune response mechanisms were also identified in naïve LF cattle, whereas these responses developed in HF cattle only after exposure to BF. High BF cattle also showed active anticoagulation mechanisms in response to BF exposure, including downregulation of coagulation factor IX and upregulation of antithrombin-III, which might facilitate BF feeding. Conclusion: Underlying differences in the abundance of proteins related to blood coagulation and immune response pathways could potentially provide indirect indicators of susceptibility to BF infestation and biomarkers for selecting more BF-resistant cattle.

Bovine leukemia virus transmission rates in persistent lymphocytotic infected dairy cows.

Bovine leukemia virus (BLV) establishes a lifelong persistent infection in dairy cattle. White blood cell count (WBC) is correlated with proviral load in the blood and milk of BLV-infected cattle, and testing WBC can be used to assess both BLV infectiousness levels and risk of BLV transmission from different types of infected animals. The objective of the study was to compare effective transmission rates (ß) and the basic reproduction ratio (R o) among two types of BLV-infected dairy cows in Chile: those affected with persistent lymphocytosis (PL) vs. aleukemic (AL).The estimated (ß) coefficient was higher in PL cattle [1.1; 95% Confidence interval (CI) (-1.6, 3.8)], compared to AL cattle (-3.1; 95% CI = -3.7, -2.5). In addition, the R o was higher in PL cattle (60.4; 95% CI = 3.5; 820.6), compared to AL cattle (1.5; 95% CI = 0.7, 3.1). The ratio between PL/AL expected rate of cases was 73.9. The estimated effective transmission rate and the Ro were higher in PL cattle compared to AL cattle. The WBC test is a convenient alternative that can be considered for risk identification and risk management of BLV infection in dairy herds; particularly in livestock regions where laboratory capacity is limited (e.g., use of PCR or gene sequencing techniques) and/or molecular tests are not cost-effective. Therefore, when prevalence of infection is high, the removal of PL cattle should be engaged to control BLV within-herds.

The role of cattle manure-driven polysaccharide precursors in humus formation during composting of spent mushroom substrate.

The study examined the impact of adding cattle manure to the composting process of Agaricus bisporus mushroom substrate on compost humification. A control group CK comprised entirely of Agaricus bisporus mushroom substrate, while the experimental group CD (70 percent Agaricus bisporus mushroom substrate and 30 percent cattle manure) comprised the two composting treatments that were established. The study determined that the addition of cow dung has promoted the formation of humus components. Particularly, humic substance (HS-C) and humic acid (HA) increased by 41.3 and 74.7%, respectively, and the ratio of humic acid to fulvic acid (HA/FA) also increased by 2.78. It showed that the addition of cow dung accelerated the synthesis and decomposition of precursors, such as polysaccharides, polyphenols, and reducing sugars. Thereby promoting the formation of humic acid. Network analysis revealed that adding cow dung promoted microbial interactions increased the complexity and stability of the bacterial and fungal symbiotic network, enhanced cooperation and reciprocity among microbes, and assisted in transforming fulvic acid (FA) components. Structural equation modeling (SEM) is a multivariate data analysis method for analyzing complex relationships among constructs and core indicators. SEM illustrated that introducing cattle manure into the composting process resulted in alterations to the correlation between physicochemical parameters and the microbial community, in addition to humus formation. Polysaccharides are the primary precursors for polymerization to form HA, which is an essential prerequisite for the conversion of fulvic acid to humic acid. Additionally, microbes affected the formation of humus, with bacteria substantially more influential than fungi. These findings provide new ideas for regulating the degree of humification in the composting process and have important practical implications for optimizing mushroom cultivation and composting techniques today.

Theileria orientalis Ikeda infection does not negatively impact growth performance or breeding soundness exam results in young beef bulls at bull test stations.

Introduction: Theileria orientalis Ikeda genotype is an emerging cattle disease in the US. Since 2017, when T. orientalis Ikeda was discovered in beef cattle in two counties in Virginia, cattle infections have risen to include ~67% of Virginia counties and 14 states. Consistent with New Zealand studies, many infected herds in Virginia were >90% positive upon initial testing without overt evidence of infection. Central bull tests present a unique opportunity to study the effects of T. orientalis Ikeda infections, as bulls from multiple source herds are consolidated. The objective of this study was to determine if infection with T. orientalis Ikeda affected the average daily gain (ADG), adjusted yearling weight (AYW) and breeding soundness of bulls at two test stations in Virginia over a period of years. Materials and methods: The bulls were fed and housed similarly to compare their growth performance and breeding soundness. For T. orientalis Ikeda testing, DNA was extracted from whole blood for quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Results: The number of bulls infected with T. orientalis Ikeda at initial delivery to the stations increased significantly over the years studied. Multivariable linear regression models, using Angus bulls from Virginia test stations, indicated no significant effect on ADG or AYW in bulls that became test positive during the test or were positive for the duration, compared to Angus bulls that were negative for the duration. At LOC A, the odds of passing a breeding soundness exam (BSE) were not significantly different for bulls that turned positive during the test or were positive for the duration, compared to bulls that were negative for the duration of the test. At LOC B, bulls that became positive during the test were 2.4 times more likely (95% CI: 1.165-4.995, p = 0.016) to pass their BSE compared to bulls that remained negative throughout the test. Discussion: We do not suppose that an obscured infection of T. orientalis Ikeda is protective for bulls to pass a BSE. However, this study demonstrates an obscured infection of T. orientalis Ikeda does not negatively affect weight gain or achievement of a satisfactory BSE rating at the central bull test stations in Virginia.

Sample Type and Processing Plant Differences in the Proportion of Enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli O157 and Non-O157 Serogroups in Feces and on Hides of Cull Dairy Cattle at Slaughter.

The study was conducted to determine the proportion and concentration of enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC) O157 and six non-O157 (O26, O45, O103, O111, O121, and O145) serogroups and identify seasonal and processing plant differences in feces and on hides of cull dairy cattle processed in commercial slaughterhouses in the United States. Approximately 60 rectal and 60 hide-on samples from matched carcasses were collected in each of three processing plants, in two periods; summer of 2017 and spring of 2018. Samples before enrichment were spiral plated to quantify EHEC, and postenriched samples underwent culture methods that included immuno-magnetic separation, plating on selective media, and PCR assays for identification and serogroup confirmation of putative isolates. An isolate was considered EHEC O157 positive if it harbored serogroup-specific (rfbE), Shiga toxin (stx1 and/or stx2), and intimin (eae) genes and EHEC non-O157 positive if at least one of the non-O157 serogroup-specific, stx1 and/or stx2, and eae genes was identified. Generalized linear mixed models were fitted to estimate overall proportion of positives for EHEC O157 and non-O157 EHEC serogroups, as well as seasonal and processing plant differences in fecal and hide-on proportion of positives. The fecal EHEC proportion at the sample level was 1.8% (95% CI = 0.0-92.2%) and 4.2% (95% CI = 0.0-100.0%) for EHEC O157 and EHEC non-O157, respectively. Hide sample level proportion of positives was 3.0% (95% CI = 0.0-99.9%) for EHEC O157 and 1.6% (95% CI = 0.0-100.0%) for EHEC non-O157. The proportion of EHEC O157 and non-O157 significantly differed by processing plant and sample type (hide vs. feces), but not by season. The association between proportion of EHEC serogroups in feces with the proportion on hides collected from matched cattle was 7.8% (95% CI = 0.6-53.3%) and 3.8% (95% CI = 0.3-30.8%) for EHEC O157 and non-O157, respectively. Taken together, our findings provide evidence of a low proportion of EHEC serogroups in the feces and on hides of cull dairy cattle and that their proportion varies across processing plants.

Association analysis of HSP90AA1 polymorphism with thermotolerance in tropically adapted Indian crossbred cattle.

Raising cattle is a lucrative business that operates globally but is confronted by many obstacles, such as thermal stress, which results in substantial monetary losses. A vital role of heat shock proteins (HSPs) is to protect cells from cellular damage. HSP90 is a highly prevalent, extremely adaptable gene linked to physiological resilience in thermal stress. This study aimed to find genetic polymorphisms of the HSP90AA1 gene in Karan Fries cattle and explore their relationship to thermal tolerance and production traits. One SNP (g.3292 A > C) was found in the Intron 8 and three SNPs loci (g.4776 A > G, g.5218T > C and g.5224 A > C) were found in the exon 11 of 100 multiparous Karan Fries cattle. The association study demonstrated that the SNP1-g.3292 A > C was significantly (P < 0.01) linked to the variables respiratory rate (RR), heat tolerance coefficient (HTC) and total milk yield (TMY (kg)) attributes. There was no significant correlation identified between any of the other SNP sites (SNP2-g.4776 A > G; SNP3-g.5218T > C; SNP4-g.5224 A > C) with the heat tolerance and production attributes in Karan Fries cattle. Haploview 4.2 and SHEsis software programs were used to analyse pair linkage disequilibrium and construct haplotypes for HSP90AA1. Association studies indicated that the Hap3 (CATA) was beneficial for heat tolerance breeding in Karan Fries cattle. In conclusion, genetic polymorphisms and haplotypes in the HSP90AA1 were associated with thermal endurance attributes. This relationship can be utilized as a beneficial SNP or Hap marker for genetic heat resistance selection in cow breeding platforms.

Evaluation of feeding different forms of therapeutic diet on the feed intake, digestibility, feed efficiency, and growth of calves experimentally infected with foot-mouth disease virus.

Oral ulcers induce acute weight loss due to anorexia in foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) infected cattle. We hypothesized that providing a palatable form of a therapeutic diet (TD) in different physical forms would increase the feed intake, digestibility and restoration of body weight. A TD was formulated with 19% CP and 2.9 Mcal ME/kg on dry matter basis. Bull calves of 10-12 months with mean body weight of 123 ± 1.3 kg were experimentally infected with FMDV (n = 18) and offered one of the following three forms of the TD (n = 6/group) for 6 weeks post-FMDV infection (WPI): (i) TD in mash form (TDM) (ii) TD in cooked form (TDC) and (iii) TDC + customised nutrient supplement (TDCNS) such as Zn, Cu, Cr, Mn, and Se. The CNS was fed before the TDC. A group of uninfected control (n = 4) was fed TDM. Green fodder was offered in the afternoon. Dry matter intake (DMI) of TD and green fodder were recorded at 24 h interval till WPI 6. Body weight (BW) was recorded at weekly interval. Digestibility trial was conducted at WPI 6. The palatability of the TD was scored from 1- 4 and healing of tongue ulcers was analyzed by Kaplan-Meier survival curve. The results indicated that the physical form of TD increased the total DMI by WPI 3, which was supported by the restoration of BW and higher palatability score. The digestibility of all the proximate principles except EE was significantly higher (P < 0.05) in the groups that were fed TDC. It was concluded that feeding TD irrespective of the physical form, restored the ADG and DMI in the calves by WPI 3. Further, feeding cooked form of TD increased the digestibility in the FMDV infected calves and supplementation of CNS hastened the healing of glossal ulcers.

Characterization of the adaptive cellular and humoral immune responses to persistent colonization of Brucella abortus strain RB51 in a Jersey cow.

Brucella abortus strain RB51 is the commercial cattle vaccine used in the United States (US) and many parts of the world against bovine brucellosis. RB51 was licensed for use in 1996, and it has been shown to be safe and efficacious in cattle, eliciting humoral and cellular responses in calves and adult animals. In 2017, an epidemiological trace-back investigation performed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) identified human cases of brucellosis caused by infection with RB51. These infections resulted from the consumption of unpasteurized dairy products, which were traced back to otherwise healthy animals that were shedding RB51 in their milk. At the current time, six adult Jersey cows have been identified in the U.S. that are shedding RB51 in milk. One of the RB51 shedding cattle was obtained and housed at the National Animal Disease Center (NADC) for further study. Improved understanding of host cellular and humoral immune responses to RB51 in persistently colonized cattle may be achieved by the characterization of responses in shedding animals. We hypothesized, based on the lack of RB51 clearance, that the RB51 shedder animal has a diminished adaptive cellular immune response to RB51. Our data demonstrate that in the presence of persistent RB51 infection, there is a lack of peripheral anti-RB51 CD4+ T cell responses and a concurrently high anti-RB51 IgG humoral response. By understanding the mechanisms that result in RB51 persistence, the development of improved interventions or vaccinations for brucellosis may be facilitated, which would provide public health benefits, including reducing the risks associated with the consumption of non-pasteurized milk products.

Transient efficacy of buparvaquone against the US isolate of Theileria orientalis Ikeda genotype in sub-clinically infected cattle.

Introduction: Theileria orientalis, an economically significant tick-borne hemoparasite, infects cattle globally. The T. orientalis Ikeda genotype, transmitted by Haemaphysalis longicornis ticks, is associated with clinical manifestations characterized by anemia, abortions, and mortality, although subclinical infections prevail. Despite the common occurrence of subclinical infections, therapeutic interventions targeting T. orientalis Ikeda in such cases are currently lacking, impeding effective parasite control measures. To address this critical knowledge gap, we assessed the efficacy of buparvaquone (BPQ) in eliminating the T. orientalis Ikeda, US isolate, in sub-clinically infected cattle. Methods: Twelve sub-clinically infected calves, identified by the presence of T. orientalis in peripheral blood alongside the absence of fever and anemia, were enrolled in the study. Six calves received two treatments of the BPQ label dose (2.5 mg/kg) at a 48-h interval, while additional three calves received the drug at a dosage of 6 mg/kg following the same regimen. Three untreated calves served as controls. Results and discussion: Endpoint and quantitative PCR analyses revealed that BPQ exerted a transient effect on T. orientalis parasitemia. Parasites remained undetectable in peripheral blood until weeks 4 and 11 post-treatment in animals administered 2.5 mg/kg and 6 mg/kg of BPQ, respectively. Intriguingly, following recrudescence, administering 6 mg/kg to animals previously treated with 2.5 mg/kg did not result in a reduction in parasite load. Pharmacokinetic analysis data suggested that escalating the dosage led to a less than proportional increase in serum concentrations of BPQ. Moreover, a significant yet reversible decrease (p < 0.05) in blood urea nitrogen was observed in animals treated with the drug, irrespective of the dosage. Despite parasitemia relapse, animals treated with 6 mg/kg BPQ exhibited a noteworthy decrease (p < 0.05) in IgG levels specific to the T. orientalis major piroplasm surface protein compared to controls and animals treated with 2.5 mg/kg of the drug. Conclusion: BPQ did not demonstrate efficacy in clearing subclinical T. orientalis Ikeda infection. Future investigations are warranted to explore innovative therapeutic modalities that, in synergy with vaccines and diagnostic assays, can facilitate the development of comprehensive programs aimed at controlling and eradicating this parasite.

Continuous sampling of healthy and mastitic quarters of lactating cattle by ultrafiltration after intramammary ceftiofur hydrochloride administration.

BACKGROUND: Pharmacological activity of intramammary drugs depends on adequate drug concentrations within the cistern, but sampling is often limited. Insight into the active drug concentration within the mammary cistern may assist in determining effective and appropriate therapeutic decisions for cows being treated for mastitis. OBJECTIVE: Evaluate the disposition of ceftiofur hydrochloride administered intramammary in diseased and nondiseased quarters. Whole milk and ultrafiltrate sampling techniques were compared. ANIMALS: Ten mature, late lactation Holstein (n = 9) and Jersey (n = 1) dairy cows (422-670 kg) with naturally occurring clinical mastitis, producing between 1.4 and 15.9 kg/day of milk. METHODS: Ultrafiltration probes were placed in both mastitic and healthy quarters. Each quarter was treated with 2 doses of 125 mg ceftiofur hydrochloride suspension, and whole milk and milk ultrafiltrate samples were collected. Ceftiofur concentrations in composite whole milk and milk ultrafiltrate were analyzed. RESULTS: The maximum concentration of ceftiofur was higher in ultrafiltrate samples, but no differences were identified in healthy or mastitic quarters. The use of ultrafiltration probes provides a novel technique for free drug concentrations within the mastitic and healthy bovine mammary gland. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: Significant inter- and intracow variability and lower daily milk weights may overestimate ceftiofur concentrations available within the cistern. The pharmacokinetic (PK) parameters reported in milk ultrafiltrate will help establish a link between the PK and the corresponding drug effect, potentially providing a meaningful rationale for the selection of a safe and effective dose in cows with mastitis.

Occurrence, serotypes and virulence characteristics of Shiga toxin-producing and Enteropathogenic Escherichia coli isolates from dairy cattle in South Africa.

Shiga toxin-producing and Enteropathogenic Escherichia coli are foodborne pathogens commonly associated with diarrheal disease in humans. This study investigated the presence of STEC and EPEC in 771 dairy cattle fecal samples which were collected from 5 abattoirs and 9 dairy farms in South Africa. STEC and EPEC were detected, isolated and identified using culture and PCR. Furthermore, 339 STEC and 136 EPEC isolates were characterized by serotype and major virulence genes including stx1, stx2, eaeA and hlyA and the presence of eaeA and bfpA in EPEC. PCR screening of bacterial sweeps which were grown from fecal samples revealed that 42.2% and 23.3% were STEC and EPEC positive, respectively. PCR serotyping of 339 STEC and 136 EPEC isolates revealed 53 different STEC and 19 EPEC serotypes, respectively. The three most frequent STEC serotypes were O82:H8, OgX18:H2, and O157:H7. Only 10% of the isolates were classified as "Top 7" STEC serotypes: O26:H2, 0.3%; O26:H11, 3.2%; O103:H8, 0.6%; and O157:H7, 5.9%. The three most frequent EPEC serotypes were O10:H2, OgN9:H28, and O26:H11. The distribution of major virulence genes among the 339 STEC isolates was as follows: stx1, 72.9%; stx2, 85.7%; eaeA, 13.6% and hlyA, 69.9%. All the 136 EPEC isolates were eaeA-positive but bfpA-negative, while 46.5% carried hlyA. This study revealed that dairy cattle are a major reservoir of STEC and EPEC in South Africa. Further comparative studies of cattle and human STEC and EPEC isolates will be needed to determine the role played by dairy cattle STEC and EPEC in the occurrence of foodborne disease in humans.Please kindly check and confirm the country and city name in affiliation [6].This affiliation is correct.Please kindly check and confirm the affiliationsConfirmed. All Affiliations are accurate.

Dynamic changes in and correlations between microbial communities and physicochemical properties during the composting of cattle manure with Penicillium oxalicum.

BACKGROUND: Penicillium oxalicum is an important fungal agent in the composting of cattle manure, but the changes that occur in the microbial community, physicochemical factors, and potential functions of microorganisms at different time points are still unclear. To this end, the dynamic changes occurring in the microbial community and physicochemical factors and their correlations during the composting of cattle manure with Penicillium oxalicum were analysed. RESULTS: The results showed that the main phyla observed throughout the study period were Firmicutes, Actinobacteria, Proteobacteria, Bacteroidetes, Halanaerobiaeota, Apicomplexa and Ascomycota. Linear discriminant analysis effect size (LEfSe) illustrated that Chitinophagales and Eurotiomycetes were biomarker species of bacteria and eukaryote in samples from Days 40 and 35, respectively. Bacterial community composition was significantly correlated with temperature and pH, and eukaryotic microorganism community composition was significantly correlated with moisture content and NH4+-N according to redundancy analysis (RDA). The diversity of the microbial communities changed significantly, especially that of the main pathogenic microorganisms, which showed a decreasing trend or even disappeared after composting. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, a combination of high-throughput sequencing and physicochemical analysis was used to identify the drivers of microbial community succession and the composition of functional microbiota during cattle manure composting with Penicillium oxalicum. The results offer a theoretical framework for explaining microecological assembly during cattle manure composting with Penicillium oxalicum.

Biological aspects of the lingual papillae of the Arab Zebu cattle: a new perspicuity of its chad ecological adaptations.

BACKGROUND: Our research is the first to explore the ultrastructural features of the lingual papillary system of Arab Zebu cattle, highlighting their Chadian environmental adaptations. RESULTS: There were two types of papillary systems: gustatory (fungiform and circumvallate) and mechanical (filiform, conical, and lentiform). The dorsal surface of the apex and rostral parts of the body had well-developed filiform papillae, whereas the tip's surface had mucosal folds, tubercles, and few filiform papillae. The torus lingua's dorsal surface displayed few lentiform papillae, while two conical papillae subtypes and numerous circumvallate papillae were present on its lateral surfaces. A slight median ridge on the dorsal surface of the body had not been described previously. Six filiform papillae subtypes were identified: long and rod-like on the tip; tongue-like and elongated on the lateral area of the apex and body; transient conical and leaf-like on the median line. The accessory processes were: one pair (on long, tongue-like, and transient conical), two pairs (on leaf-like and elongated), and four pairs on the large conical papillae. The two fungiform papillae subtypes were surrounded by a groove and had taste pores (3-5 on the oval and 5-9 on the round papillae). The U-shaped annular bad were observed around the ovoid circumvallate papillae, and the circular bad were observed around the round ones. The circumvallate had taste pores (8-14 on the round's dorsal and lateral surfaces and 6-10 on the ovoid's lateral surface). CONCLUSION: The papillary system's regional divergence was specialized for its harsh and semi-harsh diet.

A review of emerging technologies, nutritional practices, and management strategies to improve intramuscular fat composition in beef cattle.

The flavour, tenderness and juiciness of the beef are all impacted by the composition of the intramuscular fat (IMF), which is a key determinant of beef quality. Thus, enhancing the IMF composition of beef cattle has become a major area of research. Consequently, the aim of this paper was to provide insight and synthesis into the emerging technologies, nutritional practices and management strategies to improve IMF composition in beef cattle. This review paper examined the current knowledge of management techniques and nutritional approaches relevant to cattle farming in the beef industry. It includes a thorough investigation of animal handling, weaning age, castration, breed selection, sex determination, environmental factors, grazing methods, slaughter weight and age. Additionally, it rigorously explored dietary energy levels and optimization of fatty acid profiles, as well as the use of feed additives and hormone implant techniques with their associated regulations. The paper also delved into emerging technologies that are shaping future beef production, such as genomic selection methods, genome editing techniques, epigenomic analyses, microbiome manipulation strategies, transcriptomic profiling approaches and metabolomics analyses. In conclusion, a holistic approach combining genomic, nutritional and management strategies is imperative for achieving targeted IMF content and ensuring high-quality beef production.

Characterization of smallholder irob cattle production system: contributions to develop a breeding program.

An exploratory survey (i) to investigate livestock production system, reproductive and production performance of Irob cattle and (ii) to recognize constraints to cattle production was conducted in eastern Tigray zone, northern Ethiopia. Six tabias (the smallest administrative unit consisting of several villages) were chosen using purposive sampling method and households from each tabia were randomly selected. Mixed crop-livestock farming system dominates the study area. Overall herd size was 5.3 ± 2.7, with each herd comprising of 1.7 ± 1.2 cows, 1.4 ± 0.9 oxen, 0.5 ± 0.7 heifers, 0.5 ± 0.7 bulls and 1.2 ± 0.9 calves. Cattle are kept for draught power (index = 0.43), milk (index = 0.32), income (index = 0.15), manure (index = 0.06) and crop threshing (index = 0.04). Major feed resources in the study area were natural pasture, crop residue and cactus pear (Opuntia ficus-indica). Overall mean (± SD) for age at first services (AFS), age at first calving (AFC), calving interval (CI), days open (DO), daily milk yield (DMY) and lactation length (LL) was 28.3 ± 3.9 months, 37.4 ± 5.5 months, 15.5 ± 4.1 months, 6.5 ± 1.8 months, 1.7 ± 0.4 L and 7.4 ± 2.0 months, respectively. There was no significant (p > 0.05) difference in performance traits between districts. Well-known cattle production constraints in order of significance were feed, disease and parasites, AI, water and veterinary service. In conclusion, the study shown importance of taking into account the production environment in developing breed improvement program and recommends fit management system.

Seroprevalence and Risk Factors Associated with Leptospirosis in High-Risk Occupational Groups in the State of Gujarat as Determined by IgM ELISA and MAT Test: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Background: Leptospirosis is a reemerging zoonosis affecting humans and animals worldwide in tropical and subtropical countries. The study was conducted to estimate the seroprevalence of leptospirosis in high-risk occupational groups (cattle farm workers, poultry farm workers, and slaughterhouse workers) in the state of Gujarat and to determine related risk factors for leptospirosis. Methods: Using an interview-guided questionnaire, a cross-sectional study was conducted involving 123 people in high-risk occupational groups (namely, cattle farm workers, poultry farm workers, and slaughterhouse workers) from five districts of the state of Gujarat, India. The participants' serum samples were screened for antileptospiral antibodies by using Immunoglobulin G (IgG) and Immunoglobulin M (IgM) enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) followed by a microscopic agglutination test (MAT). The Chi-square (χ2) test and odds ratio were calculated using IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, version 22 (IBM Corp., Armonk, N.Y., USA) to ascertain the associated risk factors. Results: Regarding demographic information, this study included 104 men and 19 women in high-risk occupational groups. The overall seroprevalence of antileptospiral antibodies in these high-risk workers was 46.3%. The seroprevalence was the highest among poultry farm workers (56.6%), followed by cattle farm workers (54.5%) and slaughterhouse workers (25.6%). The MAT in combination with IgM is adequate for the serological diagnosis of leptospirosis, but we have also employed IgG ELISA to understand the chronic infection in these high-risk occupational groups as exposure was both past and present. Tests were conducted for antibodies against various Leptospira serovars in the major serogroups; frequent serovars included Hurstbridge, Panama, Javanica, Tarassovi, Copenhageni, Pomona, and Weaveri, among others. The significant (P < 0.05) risk factors associated with leptospirosis in these high-risk occupations reported to be living in field areas, the presence of livestock in the neighborhood, working in slaughterhouses, drinking water from natural water resources, contact with animals such as dogs or livestock, and wounds during occupational practice. Conclusion: Considering the high seroprevalence of leptospirosis, high-risk occupational groups should be regularly screened for potential development of the fatal disease. Hurstbridge was found to be the most prevalent serovar in the studied population, followed by Panama, Javanica, and Tarassovi.

Consequences of gene editing of PRLR on thermotolerance, growth, and male reproduction in cattle.

Global warming is a major challenge to the sustainable and humane production of food because of the increased risk of livestock to heat stress. Here, the example of the prolactin receptor (PRLR) gene is used to demonstrate how gene editing can increase the resistance of cattle to heat stress by the introduction of mutations conferring thermotolerance. Several cattle populations in South and Central America possess natural mutations in PRLR that result in affected animals having short hair and being thermotolerant. CRISPR/Cas9 technology was used to introduce variants of PRLR in two thermosensitive breeds of cattle - Angus and Jersey. Gene-edited animals exhibited superior ability to regulate vaginal temperature (heifers) and rectal temperature (bulls) compared to animals that were not gene-edited. Moreover, gene-edited animals exhibited superior growth characteristics and had larger scrotal circumference. There was no evidence for deleterious effects of the mutation on carcass characteristics or male reproductive function. These results indicate the potential for reducing heat stress in relevant environments to enhance cattle productivity.

Pathogenic Leptospira interrogans in Jos North Abattoir, Nigeria: Occurrence, serology, and molecular characterization.

Leptospirosis, a neglected zoonotic disease, adversely affects animal, human health, and socioeconomic conditions, particularly in developing countries like Nigeria. This study aimed to determine the occurrence and molecular identification of pathogenic Leptospira spp. among abattoir workers, cattle, and rats in Jos North, Plateau State, Nigeria. Using a cross-sectional study design, a total of 394 samples were collected, including 149 urine samples from abattoir workers, 125 urine samples from cattle bladders, and 120 bladders from trapped rats. Samples were processed and cultured in Ellinghausen McCullough Johnson Harrison (EMJH) medium and examined under a darkfield microscope. Positive cultures were confirmed using the Microscopic Agglutination Test (MAT) and nested Polymerase Chain Reaction (N-PCR) targeted the 16 S rDNA gene. Results revealed a prevalence of 33.76 % for Leptospira spp. across all samples, with the highest occurrence in abattoir workers (13.96 %), followed by rats (13.45 %), and cattle (6.35 %). The MAT showed L. interrogans serovar Hardjo str. Hardjoprajitno as the most prevalent serotype (41.61 %), followed by L. interrogans serovar Icterohaemorrhagiae str. RGA (34.31 %). N-PCR confirmed the presence of pathogenic Leptospira spp., showing bands of 1200 bp. Phylogenetic analysis of the 16 S rDNA gene sequences revealed close similarities to known pathogenic Leptospira strains from Brazil and the USA. The study underscores the significant public health risk posed by leptospirosis in Jos North and highlights the need for improved diagnostic capabilities, increased awareness, and effective control measures to mitigate the disease burden. Enhanced surveillance and preventive strategies are crucial to protect both animal and human health in the region.

Annual number of generations and biology of non-parasitic phase of Rhipicephalus microplus in irrigated and non-irrigated pasture in a tropical region.

This study aimed to verify the number of R. microplus annual generations in irrigated and non-irrigated pastures compared to the constant ideal environment. It also sought to evaluate the biology of the non-parasitic phase of this tick for each generation in these different areas of pasture; assess the larvae population dynamics in the pasture of each tick generation, and evaluate the R. microplus population dynamics parasitizing cattle in non-irrigated pasture. In the field experiment, two sub-areas were subjected to artificial irrigation (IRRI-A and IRRI-B) with artesian water, while the other two remained non-irrigated (NIRRI-A and NIRRIG-B). When more than 75 % of the total surviving engorged females from all 90 repetitions of each area (irrigated or non-irrigated) produced mature larvae within one tick generation, two cattle were infested with approximately 10,000 R. microplus larvae from the tick colony used in this study. On the 22nd day post-infestation, a new tick generation was started by releasing these females in different areas (IRRI-B and NIRRIG-B). This procedure was repeated successively, and each year was analyzed independently. In both the non-irrigated and irrigated areas, there were five generations of R. microplus per year. It can be observed that there the number of annual generations of ticks in this region has increased when compared to 30 years ago. Under the constant ideal temperature and humidity conditions (B.O.D. chamber), R. microplus completed an average of 6.59 generations. In the environment, the longest generation was the first (July to October), while the 2nd, 3rd and 4th (December to March) were the most similar to B.O.D. conditions. Although the number of generations was the same in the different areas, the population density of R. microplus larvae was higher in the irrigated area, probably because the irrigation provided milder temperatures, higher relative humidity and lower saturation deficit values during about eight hours per day. Between the 3rd and 5th generation of ticks, there was an overlap of larvae in the pastures, belonging to different generations, and at each peak of infestation observed in cattle between these generations, there were up to 30 % of larvae from the previous generation, and consequently up to 70 % of larvae from the new generation.