Abstract: It was aimed to monitor postpartum (pp) uterine involution and follicular wave pattern by transrectal ultrasonography and detection of concentrations of milk progesterone (P4) in eleven water buffaloes during the summer season in Turkey. The data obtained from the first day of calving to positive pregnancy diagnosis were evaluated on a daily basis. Uterine position scores and nonechogenic material showed a decreasing grade pattern related to the time (P < 0.0001). A time effect was evident with uterine horn thickness (P < 0.05) or intercaruncular zone thickness (P < 0.01) and uterine horn lumen (P < 0.01). Uterine horn thickness showed a gravidity x time interaction (P < 0.05). Gravidity x time interaction was not evident in total uterine horn thickness but time effect was seen (P < 0.0001). Time effect was also evident for the thickness of uterine body (P < 0.0001) and cervix uteri (P < 0.01). The uterine body and horns were returned to previously nongravid state on day 26.00 ± 2.38 and the interval from calving to complete disappearance of uterine fluid was accomplished on day 31.44 ± 3.23 pp. The previously gravid and nongravid uterine horns, uterine body and cervix uteri involuted on day 31.42 ± 1.39, 28.37 ± 0.65, 29.37 ± 0.73 and 27.87 ± 0.47 pp, respectively. The interval from calving to first observation of dominant follicle of nonovulatory wave was 18.54 ± 6.91 days and on average 3.45 ± 1.91 nonovulatory waves were observed. Postpartum first ovulation occurred on day 64.45 ± 18.49. One and two wave models or combination of both waves were observed. The interval from calving to pregnancy was 72.36 ± 21.33 days. The maximum concentrations of milk P4 during short or normal cycles and pregnancy were 0.62 ng/mL, 2.2 ng/mL, and 4.04 ng/mL, respectively. In conclusion, the presence of one or two waves should be considered when estrous synchronization programmes are planned in Anatolian water buffaloes during summer season. Key words: Anatolian water buffalo, uterine involution, follicular dynamics, summer
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Abstract: Birds serve as good biomonitors in determining environmental pollution. As for indicators of environmental pollution, we detected blood heavy metal levels in 32 female and 32 male local Feral pigeons in the central districts of Şanlıurfa, located in southeastern Turkey, in one month of each season. The samples were analyzed by coupled plasma-mass spectrometry. Lead (Pb) levels were measured as 233.1 ± 25.7 µg/kg for Haliliye, 101.2 ± 29.7 µg/kg for Karaköprü, 81.3 ± 22.7 µg/kg for Eyyübiye, and 48.1 ± 27.1 µg/ kg for Suruç, whereas cadmium (Cd) levels were measured as 30.6 ± 12.6 µg/kg for Haliliye, 35.7 ± 9.2 µg/kg for Karaköprü, 28.1 ± 8.7 µg/kg for Eyyübiye, and 16.8 ± 4.1 µg/kg for Suruç. The results showed that Pb and Cd levels were higher in males. Pb levels were highest in Haliliye, which is a heavy traffic zone, and Cd levels were highest in the Karaköprü where unplanned settlement is observed. Seasonal monitoring demonstrated that Pb levels were highest in spring, and Cd levels were highest in spring and autumn. Conclusively, in this air pollution study considering the central districts of Şanlıurfa, it is suggested to increase the use of public transport, encourage the use of alternative energy resources, to adopt a planned urbanization approach and increase afforestation. Key words: Feral pigeons, biomonitoring, cadmium, blood, lead
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Abstract: In this study, the effects of adding enzyme to the diets containing guar meal (GM) on the egg yolk fatty acids, cholesterol, and some blood plasma parameters of hens were examined. This study was carried out in the chicken coop of the Experimental Animals Ethics Committee, Faculty of Agriculture. This study constitutes the second phase of the study titled “Effects of dietary guar meal with or without beta-mannanase on performance and egg quality traits in laying hens”, previously published. The experimental period lasted 126 days. Ninety-six Lohman Brown hens at the age of 56 weeks were and kept in individual cages. They were divided into 8 treatment groups as of: 0% guar meal (GM0) (control); 0% GM + 0.05% beta-mannanase (GM0E), 8% GM (GM8), %8 GM + 0.05% beta-mannanase (GM8E), 16% GM (GM16), 16% GM + 0.05% beta-mannanase (GM16E), 24% GM (GM24) and 24% GM + 0.05% beta-mannanase (GM24E). A lighting period of 16.5 h light and 7.5 h dark was applied throughout the experiment. As a result of the study, it was found that the effects of the treatments on the egg yolk total cholesterol, egg yolk total saturated fatty acids, total unsaturated fatty acids, blood triglyceride, blood glucose, blood total cholesterol, and blood calcium amounts were significant (p < 0.05) and their effects on the blood total protein and blood phosphorus amount were not significant (p > 0.05). According to the results of this study, it was concluded that using up to 8% GM in the diets did not cause a negative effect on the blood parameters of the hens. Key words: Guar meal, laying hen, egg yolk, fatty acids, cholesterol, blood parameters
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Abstract: The current research investigated the growth performance, hematology, serum biochemistry of Japanese quails fed Neem (Azadirachta indica) and Tulsi (Ocimum sanctum) leaves powder with basic diet. A total number of 300 one-week old Japanese quail chicks were divided randomly into four dietary treatments with five replicates each (15 birds per replicate). Dietary treatments were: T0 or control or basal diet, T1 (Neem 0.5%), T2 (Tulsi 1%) and T3 (Neem 0.25% + Tulsi 0.5%) in basal diet. Growth performance parameters (feed intake, body weight, weight gain and feed conversion rate) were determined weekly. Hematology, serum biochemistry, carcass traits were evaluated on 35 days of the age. Neem and Tulsi alone and their combination as a dietary supplement, significantly (p ≤ 0.05) increased the body weight and body weight gain. The combination of Neem and Tulsi also resulted in significantly lower FCR. Carcass traits were significantly (p ≤ 0.05) better in T3 except for the liver weight that was nonsignificantly (p > 0.05) different among the treatment groups. Hemato-biochemical parameters (glucose, hemoglobin, WBCs, MCH, total cholesterol, HDL and LDL cholesterol, total protein) were different significantly different (p ≤ 0.05) among the treatment groups. However, RBCs, HCT, MCV, MCHC, platelets, triglycerides and VLDL were not affected by herbal treatments (p > 0.05). It was concluded that a combination of leaves ‘powder of Neem and Tulsi can be used for improving the growth performance, carcass traits and health of the Japanese quails. Key words: Body weight, blood profile, meat yield, herbal diet, health
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Abstract: This study was conducted to determine the appropriate mixture rates of Hungarian vetch and oat varieties in Kırşehir province of Turkey for two years 2017–2019. In this study, the yield and quality characteristics of single and mixed cultivations of three oat (Avena sativa L.) varieties and Hungarian vetch (Vicia pannoica Crantz) were determined. Yield characteristics such as green forage and dry matter, crude protein and digestible dry matter yields and quality characteristics such as crude protein ratio, neutral detergent fiber, acid detergent fiber, digestible dry matter, total digestible nutrient, dry matter intake and relative feed value were examined in the single and mixed cultivations. The result of the two-year research indicated that the highest green forage, dry matter, crude protein and digestible dry matter yields were obtained from the mixture of 25% HV + 75% O mixture of Saia oat variety (18.3, 5.7, 0.76, 3.6 t ha–1, respectively). The highest crude protein, total digestible nutrients, relative feed value and the lowest ADF, NDF ratio were obtained from the single cultivation of Hungarian vetch (18.1%, 65.6%, 163.1 and 27.7%, 38.4%, respectively). In conclusion, with respect to the investigated quality parameters with forage yield, 50% HV + 50% O mixtures can be suggested. Key words: Crude protein, dry matter yield, acid detergent fiber, relative feed value
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Abstract: Many local breeds belonging to different livestock species such as cattle are in danger of extinction, since farmers prefer high-yielding breeds as well as intensive selection pressure. This fact leads to conduct suitable breeding and conservation programs in worldwide. Revealing genetic diversity is the first step for applying breeding and conservation programs. In this respect, this is the first comprehensive study aimed to review current genetic diversity and phylogenetic relationships among native Turkish cattle breeds based on previous microsatellite marker studies. Compared to other local cattle breeds reared in different regions of the world, native Turkish cattle breeds hold a huge genetic diversity. On the other hand, the population size of native Turkish cattle breeds has been decreasing since 1991, and local breeds are crossed with exotic ones. It is thought that crossbreeding practices are leading to genetic erosion of native Turkish cattle breeds, while decreasing in population size will negatively affect genetic diversity in the future. Local cattle herds may be raised separately from exotic ones by smallholder farmers who are financially supported by the government. This kind of application may prevent genetic erosion and let the local herds to be raised in naturally adapted regions. Key words: Anatolian cattle, genetic variability, simple-sequence repeat (SSR) markers
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Abstract: The present study aims to evaluate the effect of lower or higher eggshell temperatures from days 7 to 21 on hatching performance, bone and blood parameters, and egg production along with the age of laying chickens. A total of 3150 eggs obtained from a white egg-type breeder were divided randomly into 3 groups of 1050 eggs. From 7 to 21 days, eggs were incubated at one of three eggshell temperatures: Control (IC) 37.5 °C, low (IL) 36.9 °C, and high (IH) 38.5 °C. At hatch, chicks were weighed, and blood was collected to measure total Ca, inorganic P, and ALP level weights, dimensions, and ash contents of femur, humerus, and tibia were obtained. A total of 240 chicks from each incubation temperature were reared up to 58 weeks. The results showed that hatchability was similar among the eggshell temperature groups. The IL chicks had the heaviest chick weight and yolk free chick weight. The IH group had reduced chick weight compared to IL and IC but increased lengths of tibia and humerus, ash contents of tibia and femur, and blood Ca levels at the day of the hatch. Laying hens from the IH group had impaired body weight during the laying cycle. At 58 weeks, there was no effect of eggshell temperature on egg production, bone length, and width. IH hens had lower tibia ash and serum Ca but higher P and ALP levels compared to IL and IC groups. However, bone mineral content and mineral density were similar for hens from different eggshell temperature groups. In conclusion, it appeared that although chicks from the IH group had reduced chick weight, they had improved bone morphology and ash content of bones compared to IC and IL at hatch. However, IH hens could not maintain the higher ash content during the grow-out and laying periods. The results indicate that the positive effect of IH incubation temperature on bone morphological measurements and ash content of tibia would not be long term. Key words: Incubation temperature, laying chick, laying hen, bone, egg production
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Abstract: The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of supplementation of beta-glucan to the basal diet of laying quails exposed to lead (Pb) toxicity. A total of 112 birds were randomly divided into 4 groups. The first group was fed a corn-soybean based basal diet without any supplementation (control). The second (Pb) and third (beta-glucan) groups were supplemented with 100 mg/kg of Pb (as Pb acetate) and 100 mg/kg of beta-glucan, respectively. The fourth group (Pb + beta-glucan) was fed a basal diet supplemented with 100 mg/kg of Pb and 100 mg/kg of beta-glucan. It was determined that serum total protein, albumin, and creatinine values of the Pb + beta-glucan group partially improved (P < 0.05) with the addition of beta-glucan, but globulin and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) values were similar to the Pb group (P < 0.001). Globulin and albumin/globulin ratio were not affected by the supplements. Aspartate aminotransferase (AST) (P < 0.01) and alanine transaminase (ALT) (P < 0.001) enzyme activities in the beta-glucan and Pb + betaglucan groups were similar to the control group, unlike the Pb group. However, ALP enzyme activity was similar in all supplemented groups, unlike the control group (P < 0.01). Malondialdehyde (P < 0.001) was reduced in the liver, heart, and kidney tissues of betaglucan supplemented groups compared to the Pb group. Glutathione levels of liver and heart tissues in the Pb + beta-glucan group were significantly higher than in the Pb group (P < 0.001). Catalase and glutathione peroxidase activities were also significantly increased in all tissues by supplementation of beta-glucan as compared to the Pb group. The caspase-3 and caspase-9 protein expression levels in the liver tissue of the beta-glucan group decreased (P < 0.001) compared to the Pb group. As a result, we conclude that beta-glucan helps reduce the harmful effects of Pb toxicity in laying quails. Key words: Beta-glucan, lead toxicity, oxidative damage, apoptosis, quail
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Abstract: This study was carried out to determine the effect of addition colemanite, ulexite, and etibor-48 to diet including low Ca and P on the rumen development of Akkaraman lambs. Five treatment groups were consisted of standard Ca and P content (S), low Ca and P content (L), colemanite additive (C), ulexite additive (U), and etibor-48 additive (E) groups. Fifty Akkaraman male lamb weaned at 2.5 months old were used. Lambs were distributed to individual cages with 10 heads in each group; at the end of 90 days, 6 animals from each group were slaughtered and volumetric development of rumen and development of papillae were determined. The rumen empty weight significantly increased in E and U groups (P ˂ 0.05). The addition of U, E, and C had possitive effect on length, width, and density of papillae in dorsal and ventral region and sacs compared to L group (P ˂ 0.05). The length, width, and density of papillae in ventral region were significantly higher than those of the dorsal region (P ˂ 0.05). The length, width, and density of papillae in dorsal and ventral regions are seen in atrium ˃ dorsal ˃ caudodorsal sacs and craniaventral ˃ ventral ˃ caudoventral sac, respectively. Key words: Colemanite, ulexite, etibor-48, lamb, rumen, papilla
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Abstract: Primary hypoadrenocorticism is characterized by insufficient adrenocortical hormonal secretion of glucocorticoids and mineralocorticoids, which causes unspecific signs and laboratory alterations such as hyponatremia and hyperkalemia, resulting in a low relation between these two electrolytes. The aim of this work was to carry out a retrospective study with data obtained from the medical records of 32 dogs with a proven diagnosis of hypoadrenocorticism between the years 2011 and 2018. The parameters weight, sex, reproductive condition, breed, and age were analyzed, as well as the results of laboratory tests of dogs with confirmed hypoadrenocorticism. There was no breed or sex predisposition. There was no association of the categories with the cortisol value after adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), through the Chi-square tests and univariate logistic regression. There was no correlation between the numerical variables and cortisol value after ACTH, except for chlorine and ALT. The predictive values for the baseline serum cortisol concentrations of 0.8 µg/dL, 1 µg/dL, and 2 µg/dL were evaluated. Although a serum basal cortisol concentration equal to or less than 1 µg/dL has high sensitivity and specificity for a diagnosis of the disease, basal cortisol concentration alone cannot be used to diagnose the disease. Key words: Hypoadrenocorticism, Addison’s disease, dogs, canine, electrolytes
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