Haematology of the Malaysian Swamp Buffalo (Bubalus bubalis)

R aematological values and total plasma protein concentration were determined from Jugular vein blood samples obtained from clinically healthy 2 to 4 year old swamp buffaloes of both sexes. The mean values for total RBC count, haemoglobin concentration and PCV were 8.8 X 106/ p.l, 13.4 g/dl and 39.2% respectively. The mean values for MCV, MCR and MCHC were 49.3 p.3, 16.5 pg and 34.1% respectively. The mean total WBC count was 10.7 X 103/p.l. The differential white cell counts for lymphocytes, neutrophils, monocytes, eosinophils and basophils were 54.2, 35.2, 3.7, 6.6 and 0.3 percent respectively. The mean total plasma protein value was 7.4 g/dl. Compared with the river buffalo and cattle, swamp buffaloes had higher total RBC count, haemoglobin concentration, PCV and total WBC count

Animal Health in the Tropics

Most developing countries in Africa and Asia are located in the tropics (23° north and south of the equator). The poor productivity of ruminants in these countries is mostly due to inadequate nutrition, infectious diseases, low rates of reproduction, poor genotype, high ambient temperatures and socioeconomic constraints. In addition to infectious diseases which have long since been eradicated or brought under control in developed countries, there are diseases unique to the tropical environment. In the past, the diagnosis of most diseases was based on serological tests. The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), a rapid method of identifying viral and bacterial infections, is contributing to the eradication or control of most epidemic diseases which inflict high mortality. Less attention has; however, been given to subclinical diseases which adversely affect reproduction, growrh rates and reduced performance (draught power, milk and meat). The interaction of veterinary epidemiology and agricultural economics has helped epidemiologists and veterinarians to focus on the economic importance of animal diseases. The emerging trends in animal health include new diagnostic methods using DNA probes, new vaccines, sustainable parasite control schemes and herd health monitoring. The study of infectious diseases of veterinary importance will continue to he supported by modern techniques of molecular biology. Veterinary curricula should emphasis both animal health and production in the context of current national development occurring in the livestock sector

Influência da estação do ano sobre a estrutura testicular em ovinos explorados no sul do Estado do Piauí

RESUMO: Objetivou-se avaliar a influência da estação do ano sobre a estrutura testicular de ovinos SRD. Foram utilizados 10 animais com idade entre dois e três anos. Os testículos foram seccionados e fixados em solução de Bouin por 24h. Os fragmentos foram submetidos ao processamento histológico, emblocados em parafina e corados com hematoxilina eosina. Foram avaliadas a proporção volumétrica dos compartimentos testiculares, o diâmetro dos túbulos seminíferos, altura do epitélio seminífero e frequências dos estágios do ciclo do epitélio seminíferos. Os dados foram submetidos à análise de variância a 5% de probabilidade, do programa estatístico SAS 9.0. Os resultados revelaram todos os valores pesquisados sofreram influência da estação do ano. O valor do diâmetro tubular foi de 143,98±17,83 e 170,37±26,64μm, a altura do epitélio seminífero foi de 44,92±9,23 e 50,06±13,61μm e a proporção volumétrica foi de 78,32±13,68 e 80,13±15,14% nos períodos seco e chuvoso, respectivamente. A quantificação das células germinativas e de Sertoli mostrou todos os valores foram maiores no período chuvoso quando comparados com o seco. Concluiu-se que a estação do ano interferiu na estrutura testicular, tendo em vista que todos os valores da proporção volumétrica dos componentes testiculares mostraram diferença significativa entre as estações do ano, pois os valores foram mais acentuados no período chuvoso