Influence of age on the spermiogramic parameters of native sheep

The study was conducted to evaluate the qualities of ram semen in different age groups (one to four years) were evaluated. The parameters included testes length (cm), testes breadth (cm), scrotal circumference (cm), live weight (kg), semen volume (ml), PH, sperm concentration (x109), motility (%), percentage of live, dead and normal, abnormal spermatozoa of native sheep. The average semen volume (ml) found to be 0.60, 0.91, 0.85 and 0.87; sperm concentration (109/ml) 1.03, 3.27, 4.45 and 4.17 and finally motility (%) were found to be 68.07, 75.03, 75.01 and 76.25 respectively for the 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th year age of native ram. The effects of age on all parameters (testes length, semen volume, semen pH, sperm concentration, motility, viability, normal spermatozoa) were significant except testes breadth and scrotal circumference. The value of all of these parameters increased linearly up to three years with the increase of age except PH. The result of the present study indicated that scrotal diameter, serving capacity; normal and live spermatozoa were comparatively better during the 3rd year than the 1st and 2nd year of age while the values were almost similar at 3rd and 4th year of age. With the increasing of age, the semen quality improved and stabilized up to at the age of 3 years

Preservation of liquid semen and Artificial Insemination in native sheep

An experiment was undertaken to determine the conception rate of native sheep by using Artificial Insemination with liquid ram semen. The semen was collected from ram using artificial vagina and the was stored in a refrigerator (40C) for three days. The volume of semen was extended with egg yolk citrate diluter. A total of 63 ewes were inseminated with stored liquid semen collected from 15 rams by AV method. The total number of spermatozoa, live-dead, normal-abnormal, sperm motility and the pH was observed regularly. The average semen volume per ejaculate was 0.76-1.00ml and the sperm concentration was 2.37x109 – 4.30x109 per ejaculate. The number of normal spermatozoa and the pH was almost similar irrespective of days of storage. Number of live spermatozoa and the sperm motility were reduced with the increasing age of semen. The average conception rate (%) was obtained as 63.61, 61.90, 52.38 and 47.61 with sperm in zero, 1st, 2nd and 3rd day storage respectively

Bayesian estimation of true prevalence, sensitivity and specificity of indirect ELISA, Rose Bengal Test and Slow Agglutination Test for the diagnosis of brucellosis in sheep and goats in Bangladesh.

&lt;p&gt;The true prevalence of brucellosis and diagnostic test characteristics of three conditionally dependent serological tests were estimated using the Bayesian approach in goats and sheep populations of Bangladesh. Serum samples from a random selection of 636 goats and 1044 sheep were tested in parallel by indirect ELISA (iELISA), Rose Bengal Test (RBT) and Slow Agglutination Test (SAT). The true prevalence of brucellosis in goats and sheep were estimated as 1% (95% credibility interval (CrI): 0.7-1.8) and 1.2% (95% CrI: 0.6-2.2) respectively. The sensitivity of iELISA was 92.9% in goats and 92.0% in sheep with corresponding specificities of 96.5% and 99.5% respectively. The sensitivity and specificity estimates of RBT were 80.2% and 99.6% in goats and 82.8% and 98.3% in sheep. The sensitivity and specificity of SAT were 57.1% and 99.3% in goats and 72.0% and 98.6% in sheep. In this study, three conditionally dependent serological tests for the diagnosis of small ruminant brucellosis in Bangladesh were validated. Considerable conditional dependence between IELISA and RBT and between RBT and SAT was observed among sheep. The influence of the priors on the model fit and estimated parameter values was checked using sensitivity analysis. In multiple test validation, conditional dependence should not be ignored when the tests are in fact conditionally dependent.&lt;/p&gt;</p

Prevalence and identification of subclinical mastitis in cows at BLRI Regional Station, Sirajganj, Bangladesh

Objective: The study was conducted to assess the prevalence of subclinical mastitis in dairy cows at Baghabari milk shed area of Sirajganj and Pabna districts in Bangladesh. Materials and methods: A total of 300 milk samples were collected from crossbred dairy cows, and the milk samples were subjected for using California Mastitis Test (CMT). Besides, data related to farm management were taken from 60 farmers through direct interviews. The CMT was compared with White Slide Test (WST) and Surf Field Mastitis Test (SFMT). The samples showing strong positive reaction to mastitis by CMT were used for the isolation of associated bacteria using conventional bacteriological examinations and biochemical properties. The isolated bacteria were subjected for antibiogram studies by disc diffusion method. Results: Out of 300 samples, 153 (51%) revealed positive reactions denoting that the cows were suffering from subclinical mastitis. Of the 153 samples, 39(13%) were trace-positive, 56(18.56%) were weak-positive, 33(11%) were distinct-positive, and the rest 25(8.3%) samples were strongly positive. In comparison economically among CMT, WST and SFMT, SFMT was found to be the cheapest and easiest. In this study, the cows were mostly infected with mixed infection with Staphylococcus spp., Streptococcus spp., Escherichia coli, Salmonella spp., and some cows had single bacterial infection. It was observed that most of the microorganisms were sensitive to Gentamycin, Amoxicillin and Ceftriaxone, and were resistant to Penicillin, Ciprofloxacin and Colistin sulphate. Conclusion: Overall prevalence of subclinical mastitis in the crossbred dairy cows at Sirajganj and Pabna district is 51%. It indicates that subclinical mastitis is a major threat for dairy industry in the studied areas. Early detection and appropriate preventive measures are suggestive to successful control of the disease. [J Adv Vet Anim Res 2017; 4(3.000): 295-300

Prevalence and molecular detection of the causal agents of sub-clinical mastitis in dairy cows in Sirajganj and Pabna districts, Bangladesh

Objective: The present research work was undertaken with the objectives to investigate the prevalence and molecular detection of the causal agents of sub-clinical mastitis (SCM) in cows at milk shed areas in Sirajganj and Pabna districts, Bangladesh. Materials and methods: A total of 300 milk samples were randomly collected from Baghabari milk shed areas of Sirajganj and Pabna districts. The milk samples were subjected for California Mastitis Test (CMT) for identifying SCM. Total 81 positive samples were then used for the isolation and identification of associated bacteria and fungi using conventional microbiological examination and biochemical tests, followed by confirmation by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using specific primers. Besides, universal primers were used for amplification and sequencing of PCR products where specific primers were not used. Results: The overall prevalence of SCM was 51% (n=153/300). Based on bacteriological examination and biochemical tests, several bacteria were identified in this study; the orgnaisms included Staphylococcus sp. (45.68%), Streptococcus uberis (14.81%), Escherichia coli (9.88%), Proteus sp. (19.75%), Salmonella sp. (1.23%), Acinetobacter sp. (7.41%), and fungus (1.23%). PCR technique confirmed the bacteria as Staphylococcus aureus (279-bp), Streptococcus uberis (884-bp), E. coli (16SrRNA 585-bp, stx1 606-bp, rfbO157 497-bp) and Salmonella sp. (Inv-A gene796-bp). Conclusion: This study reveals that SCM in dairy cattle is persisting in Sirajganj and Pabna districts of Bangladesh. Hygienic practices should be improved, and providing technical intereventions may reduce the rate of SCM in the study areas. [J Adv Vet Anim Res 2017; 4(4.000): 378-384