Maedi-Visna: Sero-prevalence and risk factors in sheep population of South Wollo and North Shewa Zones, Ethiopia

Maedi-Visna (MV) is a chronic disease of adult sheep characterised by progressive interstitial pneumonia and other syndromes such as meningo-encephalitis, indurative mastitis, and arthritis. The study was conducted to determine the serological epidemiology and associated risk factors of Maedi-Visna in the highland of the North Shewa and South Wollo zones of the Amhara region, Ethiopia. A total of 807 serum samples were collected randomly from purposely selected areas and examined using an indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay to screen specific antibodies against Maedi-Visna. The data were analysed using logistic regression. The overall seroprevalence of Maedi-Visna was 11.7%. The highest and lowest seroprevalence were in Basona-Werena (19.2) and Legambo (6.1%) districts, respectively. As per peasant associations, the highest and lowest seroprevalence were in the Agricultural Research Centre (63.5%) and Kormargefya (0.8 %), respectively. Despite the variation in prevalence level, the disease was insidiously disseminated to all the other study districts and peasant associations. The final multivariable logistic model identified age OR = 5.04 (95% CI: 1.19–21.43), production system OR = 6.96 (95% CI: 3.79–12.78) and body condition score OR = 10.12 (95% CI: 3.63–28.19) as the most important risk factors in relation to MV seroprevalence. This finding showed a higher prevalence of Maedi-Visna in research centre and ranches, which can be a source of Maedi-Visna virus infection in other parts of sheep producing areas. Therefore, strict and regular screening tests should be carried out during the introduction of new flocks and before the distribution of crossbreed rams, particularly from ranches and research centres to smallholder farmers

Sero-prevalence of Border Disease Virus Antibodies in Recently Introduced Dorper Sheep Flocks at Debre Birhan Agricultural Research Center, Ethiopia

A study was conducted to investigate the serological prevalence of Border Disease Virus (BDV) antibodies in newly introduced Dorper sheep flocks at Debre Birhan Agricultural Research Center (DBARC), Amhara Region, Ethiopia. Blood samples were collected from the jugular vein of 186 sheep in the research center and the serum was decanted and sent to the National Animal Health Diagnostic and Investigation Center, Sebeta, Ethiopia for laboratory examination. All serum samples were examined using blocking ELISA test with a sensitivity of 94.3% and specificity of 93.7% to detect antibodies for BDV. Of these, 55 (29.57%) tested sero-positive and the rest 131 (70.43%) tested sero-negative for BDV antibodies. The sero-prevalence of sheep born in the research center was found at 23.97% (29/121) whereas the sero-prevalence of those sheep imported directly from abroad was found at 40% (26/65). In this research, a higher prevalence of BDV antibodies were recorded in the imported sheep than in the sheep which are born in the research center and the difference in prevalence between the two groups was found statistically significant (P<0.05). Therefore, it is of utmost importance to study the status of the disease from indigenous breeds of sheep and utilize more sensitive tests such as RT-PCR

Comparative efficacy of major anthelmintic against naturally infected Fasciola species infection in local sheep at Debre-Birhan Agricultural Research Center, Ethiopia

This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of eight major anthelmintic against Fasciola species in naturally infected sheep. In a randomized trial, 90 sheep were divided into 8 treatment groups of 10 animals each and one untreated control group of ten sheep. Prior to treatment, the animals were examined for Fasciola eggs. After the examination, they were found positive. On day zero, each group was administered to one of the following eight anthelmintic; Albex 10 %, Expitol, Tribex 10 %, Fascinex (Triclabendazole), Zerofen 10%, Albendazole, Ridafluke, and Tetraclozan. Faecal samples from each animal were examined for Fasciola eggs on day zero and then on 7, 10, 14, 21 days and 10 weeks post treatment using the sedimentation technique. Necropsy examination was performed on selected animals for 21 days and 10 weeks of post treatment on selected animals. Ridafluke showed highest efficacy against fascioliasis with 99.6 mature and 94.3 of immature worm count reduction proportion for 21 days post treatment and 91.8 % of adult worm reduction 10 weeks after treatment followed by Tribex 10% solution that showed 96 % and 98.7 % mature and immature worm count reduction, respectively, and 83.6% after 10 weeks post treatments. On the contrary, Fascinex (Triclabendazole) treatment group yielded much lower efficacy with mean 98.3% of mature Fasciola worms being recovered after 10 weeks post treatments. On the other hand, the adult Fasciola worm recovery showed high resistance in all broad spectrums anthelmintic treatment groups where Expitol and Tetraclozan showed 64 % and 63.3 % reduction of adult worms. The findings of this study indicated that the treatment group of Ridafluke and Tribex 10% showed highest efficacy and is a primary drug of choice against Fasciolosis in sheep of the study area

Evaluation of two estrus synchronization protocols in dairy cattle at North Shoa zone Ethiopia

This study was initiated to change the hesitation of the farmer on the effectiveness of estrus synchronization under their (Ethiopian small holder) livestock management system using two synchronization protocols. Non-pregnant animals with normal reproductive tract and that fulfilled the preconditions for estrus synchronization were considered for treatment & assigned into two synchronization protocols (single PGF2α injection; and double PGF2α injection). Among 94 (27 heifer and 67 cows) synchronized cows using one and two injections of PGF2α protocols 26 heifers and 63 cows (89/94.7%) were exhibited estrus by visual observation and rectal palpation the remaining 5 (5.3%) did not illustrate heat. The overall pregnancy was 59.6 % with overall birth 94.3 %. High pregnancy was obtained in the double injection of PGF2α treatment group (63.1 %) than animals treated with one shot protocol 55.8 % there were statistically significant difference between treatments (p<0.05). Higher pregnancy was obtained from cross breed animals than local breeds. More over most of the animals come to estrus greater than 96 hrs. There was also significant difference between technicians on detecting the CL and conception. The estrus response, conception rate, pregnancy rate and calving rate was higher in both protocols so producers or farmers can use either the two protocols to achieve remarkable result but tight follow-ups and more resources are need to be exploited at farmer level

Evaluation of immune response of small ruminant flocks to ovine Pasteurellosis and Peste Des Petits Ruminants vaccines in North Shewa, Ethiopia

The present study was conducted to evaluate the flock immune response of small ruminants to ovine pasteurellosis Bio type A and Peste des petits ruminants (PPR) vaccines and to determine their effects on the morbidity and mortality of animals due to ovine pasteurellosis and PPR from October 2017 to November 2019 in selected districts of the north Shewa Zone, Ethiopia. A total of 553 serum samples were collected and examined by using the Competitive Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay and an indirect haemagglutination inhibition test for PPR and ovine pasteurellosis antibodies, respectively. Based on the results, the number of animals with an antibody titer of 1:10 after 28 days and six months of vaccinations of P. multocida Biotype A was 161 (93.1%) and 152 (81.7%), respectively. Also, the positive antibody level (i.e., percent of colour inhibition PI &gt; 50) after 28 days and 12 months of PPRV vaccinations was 82 (86.3%) and 69 (69.7%), respectively. There was a statistical difference (p &lt; 0.001) between the antibody levels after 28 days and six months of vaccination against ovine pasteurellosis and after 28 days and 12 months of vaccination (p &lt;0.01) for PPRV vaccines. During three consecutive years of intervention, out of a total of 2350 study animals, 500 cases (21.3%) showed respiratory signs, out of which 45 (1.9%) died. The PPR and ovine pasteurellosis vaccines applied in the field were effective in developing antibodies above the threshold herd immunity level of 80% and 70% respectively.Periodic vaccination against ovine pasteurellosis and PPR according to the epidemiology of the diseases results in a significant reduction in morbidity and mortality of small ruminants. Therefore, the current ongoing efforts to control ovine pasteurellosis and PPR of small ruminants through vaccination should be encouraged and strict sero-surveillance and monitoring of these diseases should be done side by side

Evaluation of Two Estrus Synchronization Protocols in Dairy Cattle at North Shoa Zone Ethiopia

This study was initiated to change the hesitation of the farmer on the effectiveness of estrus synchronization under their (Ethiopian small holder) livestock management system using two synchronization protocols. Non-pregnant animals with normal reproductive tract and that fulfilled the preconditions for estrus synchronization were considered for treatment & assigned into two synchronization protocols (single PGF2α injection; and double PGF2α injection). Among 94 (27 heifer and 67 cows) synchronized cows using one and two injections of PGF2α protocols 26 heifers and 63 cows (89/94.7%) were exhibited estrus by visual observation and rectal palpation the remaining 5 (5.3%) did not illustrate heat. The overall pregnancy was 59.6 % with overall birth 94.3 %. High pregnancy was obtained in the double injection of PGF2α treatment group (63.1 %) than animals treated with one shot protocol 55.8 % there were statistically significant difference between treatments (p<0.05). Higher pregnancy was obtained from cross breed animals than local breeds. More over most of the animals come to estrus greater than 96 hrs. There was also significant difference between technicians on detecting the CL and conception. The estrus response, conception rate, pregnancy rate and calving rate was higher in both protocols so producers or farmers can use either the two protocols to achieve remarkable result but tight follow-ups and more resources are need to be exploited at farmer level

On Farm Trial of Prostaglandin Based Estrus Synchronization Protocols in Selected Milk-shed Areas of Amhara Region, Ethiopia

The present study was conducted from 2019 to 2020 in the Debre Birhan area of the Amhara region, Ethiopia, aiming to evaluate the effect of single-dose prostaglandin hormone in dairy cows and heifers at the smallholder farmer level. A total of 458 dairy cows and heifers were treated with 2ml of Synchromate® hormone, and after 77.82±2.74 hours, 286 of which (62.4%) were reported to have manifested estrus signs. Insemination was performed to 215 animals, 71 animals were not inseminated (the time for AI was passed when checked by rectal palpation) because of later reports by farmers after the cessation of estrus periods. Of the 215 animals that were inseminated, 82 (38.1%) conceived, and from the 82 animals that conceived, 79 (96.3%) gave birth. Estrus response and conception rate have not shown a significant difference between parity and body condition scores. However, treatment to estrus interval has been found to be significantly (p<0.05) influenced by parity, cows had shorter intervals than the heifers. This study indicated that there were problems in the detection and reporting of estrus response by the smallholder farmers, hence, requiring continuous training on dairy cow management