Blood antioxidant profile and lipid peroxides in dairy cows with clinical mastitis

Aim: To evaluate blood antioxidant profile and lipid peroxides in dairy cows with clinical mastitis. Materials and Methods: Twelve cases of clinical mastitis in cross-bred cows were selected based on physical examination of udder and milk, California Mastitis Test (CMT), Somatic Cell Count (SCC) and confirmation by bacteriological examination of milk and requisite biochemical tests. Twelve lactating cows showing negative CMT reaction and SCC <2x105 cells/ml were considered as healthy control. Antioxidant parameters measured in blood were superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase activities and reduced glutathione (GSH) concentration. Erythrocytic lipid peroxidation (LPO) was measured in terms of malondialdehyde (MDA) production. Results: Significant (P<0.05) decrease in blood SOD and catalase activities, GSH concentration and an increase in erythrocytic lipid peroxides was observed in cows with clinical mastitis. Conclusion: It is concluded that there is a compromise in antioxidant defense of the body in dairy cows with clinical mastitis resulting in oxidative damage, therefore, necessitate the use of antioxidants and other protective compounds along with conventional therapy for mastitis control. [Vet World 2013; 6(5.000): 271-273

Comparative evaluation of polymerase chain reaction assay with microscopy for detection of asymptomatic carrier state of theileriosis in a herd of crossbred cattle

Aim: This study aims to develop and to standardize a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay that will diagnose clinical as well as carrier state of the disease and to compare the results with conventional microscopy technique. Materials and Methods: A herd of crossbred cattle with the previous history of theileriosis in village Lahli, district Rohtak, Haryana, was selected for this study. A total of 29 blood samples were collected randomly from cows including five clinically ill cattle. Blood smears from all animals and lymph node biopsy smears from animal with swollen lymph nodes were examined microscopically after conventional Giemsa staining. Phenol chloroform isoamyl alcohol method was used for extracting DNA from blood. Previously published primers targeting cytochrome b gene sequence of Theileria annulata were used in the PCR assay that was standardized to use in the laboratory. Results: Out of 29 samples tested,18 (62.06%) were found positive for theileriosis by PCR assay, whereas only 10 (34.48%) samples were detected positive by conventional microscopic technique using Giemsa staining method. Conclusions: On the basis results of comparative studies, it can be concluded that PCR assay is a more sensitive than microscopic examination for detection of theileriosis. This can be attributed to the ability of PCR assay to detect small amounts of genomic DNA of T. annulata or low parasitemia in cows. Therefore, PCR assay can serve as a more sensitive tool to detect Theileria for detection of theileriosis even in asymptomatic carrier cattle which is important for the implementation of successful control programs

Evaluation of serum mineral status and hormone profile in goats and some of their inter-relations

Aim: The present study was carried out with the objective to estimate the serum mineral status, and hormonal profile of goats in Kashmir valley. Materials and Methods: Thirty female goats (n=30) were selected randomly from three districts (ten from each district) of Kashmir valley. Serum minerals were estimated by atomic absorption spectrophotometry and hormones by radioimmunoassay (RIA) technique using gamma scintillation counter (I125 calibrated), at Nuclear Research Laboratory, IVRI, Izatnagar. Results: Mean&#177;SE value of calcium (Ca), phosphorus (P), magnesium (Mg) was 10.46&#177;0.76, 5.12&#177;0.31, 2.11&#177;0.24 mg/dl respectively, whereas copper (Cu,) iron (Fe), zinc (Zn) and cobalt (Co) was 0.548&#177;0.094, 1.548&#177;0.173, 0.864&#177;0.211 and 0.027&#177;0.003ppm, respectively. Non-significant (p<0.01) difference was found in the serum mineral concentrations between and within the goat of different districts. Serum mineral concentrations in goat were in slightly deficient range. Mean&#177;SE value of serum estrogen (E2 ) in pg/ml, progesterone (P4), triiodothyronin (T3) and tetraiodothyronin (T4) in ng/ml of goat was 19.35&#177;0.45, 1.37&#177;0.141, 1.16&#177;0.163 and 31.09&#177;1.15, respectively. Steroid and thyroid hormone levels were towards the lower side of the normal range. Wide variations were noted in the correlations between serum minerals and steroid and thyroid hormones indicating diverse interrelations between minerals and hormones. Conclusion: Most of the animals showed deficient serum mineral status. Mineral deficiency affects hormone status and impairs production potential of animals. Based on these findings supplementation of mineral to goat of Kashmir valley is imperative. [Vet World 2013; 6(6.000): 318-320