Studies on Capacitation and the Effects of Cooling and Low Temperature Storage on Stallion Sperm Function

This study was undertaken to assess stallion sperm function under two sets of conditions 1) liquid storage at

Anhidrosis

Anhidrosis with emphasis on etiopathogenesis is reviewed in this paper. Anhidrosis, a non-sweating syndrome in horses, first reported in 1925, was mainly observed in temperate horses introduced into the hot humid environment. This phenomenon is believed to be a compensatory mechanism for profuse sweating. Anhidrosis can cause reduced performance; elevated respiratory rate, discomfort, varying degree of anorexia and alopecia. Death may ensue as a result of a heat stroke. Feeding, hypothyroidism, hereditary factors, exhaustion of adrenaline, electrolyte imbalance and atrophy of sweat gland may contribute to anhidrosis. The condition can easily be diagnosed from clinical signs. There is no specific treatment, but transferring the horse to a cooler climate or stabling under air-conditioning, in conjunction with vitamin E or ethy lenediamine dihydrioidide, may improve the condition

Plasma fatty acid profile comparisons between the lesser mouse deer (Tragulus javanicus) and the common muntjac (Muntiacus muntjak)

The Lesser Mouse Deer and the Common Muntjac are native to the South-east Asian region. The main aim of this study was to compare the extent of plasma fatty acid unsaturation between these two species. Dietary unsaturated fatty acids are expected to undergo extensive biohydrogenation and saturation in the gut of the Common Muntjac, as is expected for a 'true' ruminant. Being a 'partial' ruminant, the Lesser Mouse Deer is expected to allow some dietary unsaturated fatty acids to escape rumen biohydrogenation, thus allowing accumulation of more unsaturated fatty acids in the plasma. Six Lesser Mouse Deer and six Common Muntjac, kept for recreational purposes, were used in this study. Plasma fatty acids were extracted from blood and feed samples, methylated using 14 % boron triflouride and separated using gas liquid chromatography. It was found that both species had higher unsaturated fatty acid content in their plasma compared to saturated fatty acids. This is different from domesticated ruminants where saturated fatty acids usually are about 60 % of total plasma fatty acids. The plasma unsaturated fatty acid content of the Lesser Mouse Deer is marginally higher (52.9 %) than the Common Muntjac (51.8 %). However, the Lesser Mouse Deer had higher plasma n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) at 16 %, and a more balanced n-3 PUFA content. This resulted in better and lower n-6 PUFA: n-3 PUFA ratios in the Lesser Mouse Deer (4.2). These findings could be attributed to the reduced biohydrogenation and destruction of dietary unsaturated fatty acids in the gut of Lesser Mouse Deer, thus enabling more of these fatty acids to be absorbed by the body. In conclusion, true and partial wild ruminants found to have different plasma fatty acid profile as a result of their differences in gut function and morpholog

Canine plasma and tissue fatty acid profiles and their correlation with hair coat conditions

This study was initiated to study the probable relationships between the fatty acid profiles of the plasma, skin, liver and brain and to determine their correlations with hair coat conditions in owned and stray dogs. A total of35 dogs were used in this study. Twenty-three owned dogs obtained from the University Veterinary Hospital (UVH dogs) were subjected to blood sampling and hair coat scoring only. Twelve euthanized dogs were sourced from a local animal shelter (LAS dogs) and blood, brain, liver and skin samples were obtained. Hair coat scores were performed under standardized conditions and was found that the UVH dogs (median score = 4.1) had significantly better scores compared to LAS dogs (median score = 3.1, P<0.05). The UVH dogs had significantly lower (P<0.05) n-6:n-3 ratios and lower plasma arachidonate content. The skin and plasma fatty acid profiles correlated well with each other but no correlation was evident between the brain and plasma fatty acid profiles. Increased amounts of plasma and skin n-3 and n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids were associated with better hair coat conditions. However, plasma n-6 fatty acids seemed to .have a stronger positive correlation to hair coat scores in dogs (p = 0.683, P<0.05) compared to plasma n-3 fatty acids (p = 0.512, P<0.05) and fatty acid profiles from other tissues. In summary, this report underscores the importance of n-3 and n-6 fatty acids to the hair coat condition of dogs kept under humid tropical conditions

Microbiological quality of cooked meat products sold in Kelantan, Malaysia during Ramadhan month

The Ramadhan fast is a form of worship where Muslims spend the daylight hours in a complete fast. During the month of Ramadhan, a large number of people tend to purchase food from stalls or bazaars for breaking fast. It is crucial that the foods prepared and sold are handled in a clean and safe manner. Thus, this research focused on evaluating the microbiological quality of cooked meat products (beef and chicken) from food bazaars and street-vended foods in 10 districts throughout the state of Kelantan. A total of 100 samples were collected from all 10 districts in Kelantan and were tested for coliform, Escherichia coli, Salmonella spp., and Staphylococcus spp. Microbiological analysis of the meat samples showed unsatisfactory results where a total of 42% of the samples were found unsatisfactory for coliform. The overall prevalence for Staphylococcus spp. in beef and chicken were 19.6% and 12.9%. Escherichia coli were detected in 23.9% of beef and 12.9% of chicken. Non-compliances for Salmonella were found in 13% and 9.3% of beef and chicken samples. This study determined the presence of foodborne pathogen in cooked meat products and indicated the possibilities of cross contamination and lack of hygiene during food handling

Plasma n-3 and n-6 fatty acid profiles and their correlations to hair coat scores in horses kept under Malaysian conditions

A survey was carried out to determine the relationship between plasma fatty acid profiles and hair coat scores of horses kept under Malaysian conditions. Thirty-seven Thoroughbred horses with an average age of seven years were included in this study. The surveyed population comprised 27 geldings and 10 mares from the Kuala Lumpur City Hall stables at Titiwangsa (TTW, n=7) and Bandar Tun Razak (BTR, n=7), the Equine Unit, Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM, n=7), the Royal Malaysian Police stables (RMP, n=8) and the Selangor Turf Club (STC, n=8). Plasma and feed fatty acid profiles were determined using gas chromatography and the hair coat score determined using a seven-point scoring system (1=worst hair coat condition; 7=best hair coat condition). Results showed that feed and plasma fatty acids profiles were variable across sampling locations. The n-6:n-3 ratios in feeds ranged from 6.8 (BTR) to 17.2 (UPM). Only plasma oleic and linolenic acids were different (P<0.05) across sampling locations. The STC horses had the best hair coat score (median score=7, P<0.05). It was found that total n-3 fatty acids were highly correlated with hair coat scores ( rho =0.686, P<0.01). A significant inverse correlation between n-6:n-3 ratio and hair coat scores ( rho =-0.755, P<0.01) was also noted. This meant that increasing plasma n-3 fatty acids and decreasing n-6:n-3 ratios were associated with better hair coat scores in these horses

Emerging diseases of goats in Malaysia

Malaysia is aggressively reviving its sluggish small ruminant industry via imports of high and good quality productive goats. However, certain diseases especially the ones which take an insidious course may be missed (rather long incubation period) during quarantine. This paper describes the first definite outbreak of caprine arthritis encephalitis (CAE) and coenuriasis in goats. The disease was confirmed via clinical signs, pathology, and virus isolation (CAE). Further corrective and preventive measures are being discussed

Corpora lutea diameter, plasma progesterone concentration and follicular development in PGF2α and CIDR estrus synchronized goats.

The current study compares the number and diameter of the corpora lutea (CL),plasma progesterone concentrations and follicular development in PGF2α and CIDR synchronized estrus cycle, their subsequent estrus cycles, and in unsynchronized,naturally cycling Boer x Feral crossbred goats. The PGF2α group was synchronized with a double intramuscular injection of 125 μg cloprostenol 11 days apart, the progesterone group was synchronized with CIDR left in place for 17 days, while the third group was not synchronized and served as control. All the estrus synchronized goats ovulated and formed normal CL while 25% in the subsequent estrus cycle and 50% of the naturally cycling goats did not ovulate and hence might be a cause of reduced fertility in the goats. The diameter of the CL, and the plasma progesterone concentration between the PGF2α synchronized (11.9±0.5 mm; 3.51±0.19 ng/ml) and their subsequent estrus cycle (12.0±0.4 mm; 3.22±0.71 ng/ml), as well as between CIDR synchronized (12.3±0.4 mm; 5.98±1.11 ng/ml) and subsequent estrus cycle (12.5±0.8 mm; 4.25±1.37 ng/ml) were not significantly different (P>0.05) but were higher than in the unsynchronized goats (9.3±3.8 mm;2.99±s1.64 ng/ml). The day of emergence and duration of follicular waves, as well as the maximum diameter attained by the largest follicle in the follicular waves was unaffected irrespective of whether PGF2α or CIDR was used for estrus synchronization. This indicated that the morphology and function of the CL did not influence these aspects of follicular development in non-seasonally polyestrus Boer crossbred goats in the humid tropics

Estrus response and follicular development in boer does synchronized with flugestone acetate and PGF2α or their combination with eCG or FSH

The effects of different estrus synchronization techniques on follicular development and estrus response were studied in 81 nulliparous Boer does. The does were divided into nine groups. Eight of the nine groups were synchronized with prostaglandin F2-alpha (PGF2α) or flugestone acetate (FGA) or their combinations, and the ninth group was a control group. In addition to the above combinations, four of the eight synchronized groups were given 5 mg follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and the remaining four groups were administered 300 IU equine chorionic gonadotrophin (eCG). Posttreatment follicular development was monitored until ovulation occurred using a real-time B-mode ultrasound scanner (Aloka, 500 SSD, Japan), with a 7.5-MHz transrectal linear probe. All the does from the synchronized groups that were given eCG exhibited oestrus while only 88.9% of the does synchronized with FSH showed estrus. The estrus response was observed to be the least among the does synchronized with PGF2α + FSH (33.3%) combination followed closely by the FGA + FSH (42.9%) combinations. It was observed that the combinations of FGA + PGF2α + FSH resulted in increased percentage of estrus response, duration of estrus, and ovulation. The number of follicles was higher (P < 0.05) in FSH-synchronized groups than the eCG-synchronized groups. It was concluded that the best estrus synchronization protocol in goats is the FGA + eCG with or without PGF2α. However, the PGF2α + FGA + FSH method of estrus synchronization is the most promising combination for further development as a better alternative to estrus synchronization with eCG in does