The dietary effects of two strain probiotics (Leuconostoc mesenteroides, Lactococcus lactis) on growth performance, immune response and gut microbiota in Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus).

The aquaculture industry has been growing rapidly over the past few decades to meet future animal protein demands. However, intensive aquaculture industry faces challenges such as growth abnormalities, high mortality rates, water quality and intestinal health deterioration. Administering probiotics can serve as a nutritional strategy to enhance the immune system and growth performance of fish influxes of gut microbiota. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of two dietary probiotic strains L. mesenteroides and L. lactis on the growth performance, immunity, and gut microbiota of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus). Fish were fed with basal and experimental diet supplemented by both L. mesenteroides and L. lactis bacteria at 106 cell/g for 8 weeks. Feeding a combination of L. mesenteroides and L. lactis resulted in significant improvements in feed utilization parameters (PER and FER) (P < 0.001), alternative complement pathway activity, intestinal lactic acid bacteria count (P < 0.012), mucus secretion (P < 0.002) and peroxidase activity (P < 0.001) compared to the control groups. Serum lysozyme activity also exhibited a significant increase in the L. mesenteroides and L. lactis dietary group (P < 0.011) compared to the control and single probiotic supplemented diet groups. Furthermore, Nile tilapia fed the L. mesenteroides and L. lactis supplemented diet showed enhanced growth performance metrics (weight gain, final weight and specific growth rate) compared to those fed control and single probiotic supplemented diets (P < 0.022). Additionally, superoxide dismutase activity was significantly elevated in the L.mesenteroides and L. lactis supplemented diet groups compared to the control and single L.mesenteroides supplemented diet groups (P < 0.017). These findings strongly indicate that a dietary combination of L. mesenteroides and L. lactis probiotics could function as a beneficial immunostimulant feed supplement in Nile tilapia aquaculture.

The efficacy of licorice root extract on meat amino acid, fatty acid, vitamin, and mineral composition and productivity of quail.

Background and Aim: Poultry meat is an excellent animal protein source accessible to many low-income families in developing countries. It is also part of a balanced diet and contains valuable nutrients necessary for maintaining human health. The poultry sector implements improved processes to increase the quality and nutritional value of poultry meat. This study aimed to determine the influence of licorice root extract on the amino acid, fatty acid, vitamin, mineral composition, nutritional value, and productivity of quail meat. Materials and Methods: Two groups were formed from Japanese quails: A control group and one experimental group, each consisting of 50 individuals. Quails from both the experimental and control groups received the same complete diet. Quails in the experimental group had licorice root extract added to their water at a dosage of 10 g/L, starting from the age of 3 days to 42 days of growth. At 42 days of age, 30 birds from each group were slaughtered to examine their meat productivity and chemical composition. The quail carcasses were analyzed for the following parameters: Live weight, carcass weight, nutritional value, mineral substances, vitamin content, fatty acid composition, amino acid composition, and amino acid score. Results: This study demonstrated that quails in the experimental group receiving water with licorice extract exhibited higher indicators than those in the control group. Calcium (21.05%), magnesium (20.83%), and phosphorus (23.53%) were the most elevated mineral substances in the meat of the experimental birds. Vitamins E (22.22%) and C (20.0%) showed the greatest increase in vitamin content. The fatty acid composition parameters 17:0 margaric acid (8.16%), 18:3 linolenic acid (6.25%), and 20:4 arachidonic acid (4.49%) showed the highest increase. There was a clear increase in the amino acids valine (4.61%), lysine (4.32%), threonine (5.99%), tryptophan (4.87%), phenylalanine (5.87%), and cysteine (14.17%). The application of licorice root extract also positively impacted the amino acid score of quail meat, except for leucine, which remained within the range compared with the control group. Quails in the experimental group weighed 7.96% more live weight before slaughter than the controls. Moreover, the carcass weight was in favor of the experimental group (8.59%). Conclusion: The use of licorice root extract positively influences the quality and biological value of quail meat. Data on amino acids, fatty acids, vitamins, trace elements, and other important components of quail meat will significantly expand our understanding of the biological value of licorice root extract. These findings can be used in the formulation of balanced diets for children and adults and highlight the importance of this issue.

Knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) of smallholder farmers on foot-and-mouth disease in Cattle in West Kazakhstan.

BACKGROUND: This study was performed to assess the knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAPs) of farmers and veterinary professionals towards foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) in the area studied. METHODS: The study was based on a comprehensive questionnaire administered through face-to-face interviews. Between January and May 2022, 543 households and 27 animal health practitioners (AHP) were visited in 4 provinces of the West Kazakhstan region to assess their KAPs towards FMD. RESULTS: A large proportion of herd owners (84%) had known the name of the disease, and nearly a half (48) of respondents had heard of FMD cases on farms in the neighbourhood. Oral mucosa lesions were the most consistent with clinical sign characteristic of FMD among farmers (31.4%), followed by hoof blisters (27.6%) and excessive salivation (18.6%). Farmers reported that new animal introduction was potentially the main factor associated with FMD occurrence in their herds. Over half of farmers (54%) interviewed prefer not to purchase livestock from unknown or potentially epidemiologically disadvantaged areas. CONCLUSION: All AHPs (27) reported that in their zone of veterinary responsibilities, vaccination against FMD is not practised because the area investigated possesses FMD-free status. However, in the past few years, numerous FMD outbreaks have been detected throughout the region. For this reason, immediate actions need to be taken to prevent further FMD occurrences by giving the region a status of an FMD-free zone with vaccination. The current study demonstrated that inadequate quarantine controls of imported animals, absence of regular vaccination and unrestricted animal movement within the country were the primary obstacles in controlling and preventing FMD in the investigated area.

Risk factors associated with lumpy skin disease in cattle in West Kazakhstan.

Lumpy skin disease is an important emerging disease posing a threat to the livestock industry worldwide. Moreover, factors involved in disease transmission in the field and at farm level remain unidentified. This research was based on a cross-sectional study using a questionnaire administered through face-to-face interviews with affected farmers. From January 2021 to July 2021, 543 households were visited in four provinces of the West Kazakhstan region to assess the prevalence of LSD and its associated risk factors. Animal and farm level risk factors were examined using univariable and multivariable mixed effect logistic regression. At animal level, the factors associated with LSD outbreaks include herd size Medium OR = 0.68, (95% CI: 0.54-0.84); large OR = 0.63, (95% CI: 0.49-0.81), purchasing animals OR = 11.67, (95% CI: 8.87-15.35), and selling animals during LSD outbreak OR = 1.24, (95% CI: 1.06-1.45). The overall animal level and herd level LSD prevalence were 10.2% (95% CI: 9.6 -0.10.9) and 49.2% (95% CI: 45.0 - 53.4) respectively. Our study demonstrates the dissemination of LSDV from primary outbreaks to new areas and risk factors associated with LSD in Kazakhstan. This finding will enhance knowledge on disease epidemiology and help develop coordinated actions in prevention and control of the possible LSD outbreaks.