Imtiaz Ahmad Khan

Prevalence and risk factors of bovine tuberculosis in Nili Ravi buffaloes in the Punjab, Pakistan

Abstract The present study was executed to determine the magnitude of bovine tuberculosis (BTB) in buffaloes in native type of husbandry practices and impact of certain factors in the prevalence of bovine tuberculosis in buffaloes in the Punjab, Pakistan. Three year cross sectional study was carried out on female population of Nili Ravi buffaloes (n = 2526) maintained at 10 Government Livestock Experimental Stations, and peri urban areas of the three major cites i.e., Lahore, Faisalabad and Okara. These animals were screened with comparative intradermal tuberculin test (CIDT) by using two types of tuberculins i.e., mammalian and avian. The reaction of tuberculins injected was interpreted after 72 hours post injection. The data were analyzed by Chi-square test and Pearson correlation. Relative risk and other associated factors were calculated to describe the association with prevalence of tuberculosis in buffaloes. The prevalence of bovine tuberculosis on the basis of CIDT was 12.72%. The BTB among different livestock farms varied significantly (P<0.001) from 8.52 to 19.04%. The results of epidemiological factors revealed a significantly (P<0.001) greater percentage of tuberculin reactors in >8 years old age, body weight >550 kg, 3-6 parity, pregnant animals, and animals with >7 liters milk yield. The husbandry factors which greatly influence the prevalence was poor feeding (RR=2.615), high fly density (RR= 1.3474), poor management (RR=1.315), contact with wildlife (RR=1.4507), poor farm conditions (RR=1.4708), quarantine measures (RR=1.1557) and poor sanitation of farm (RR= 1.3701).

Analysis of different toxic impacts of Fipronil on growth, hemato-biochemistry, protoplasm and reproduction in adult cockerels

Abstract Fipronil (FIP), a broad-spectrum phenylpyrazole, is extensively used across the globe to control pests and as a veterinary drug. Incorrect use of FIP leads to contamination of soil and water ultimately causes toxic effects in non-target organisms. Therefore, the present experimental study was aimed to determine the deleterious effects of sub-lethal concentrations of FIP in adult cockerels. FIP mixed in corn oil was administered orally in different groups as follows: A = control, B = 1.5 mg/kg, C = 2.5 mg/kg, D = 3.5 mg/kg and E = 4.5 mg/kg body weight for 60 d. Signs of toxicity like anemic comb, tremors, gasping and watery droppings were evident in birds exposed to higher levels. The feed intake, body weight, absolute and the relative weight of different organs were significantly (p ≤ .05) decreased in birds exposed to higher concentrations. Histomorphometric analysis of small intestine in birds exposed to higher levels of FIP showed decreased villus height and crypt depth of duodenum, jejunum and ilium. Histologically, congestion in liver, pyknosis of hepatocytes and congestion in kidneys along with necrosis of tubular epithelial cells and increased urinary spaces were observed in birds. Microscopically, seminiferous tubules exhibited necrotic nuclei of the spermatids, arrest of process of spermatogenesis and admixture of necrotic cells in testes of exposed birds. Moreover, significantly (p ≤ .05) decreased hematological parameters such as erythrocytes counts, hemoglobin concentrations and hematocrit, while increased total leukocyte counts were recorded in birds. Furthermore, significantly (p ≤ .05) increased concentrations of serum urea, creatinine, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase and cardiac isoenzyme (CK-MB), while reduced serum testosterone levels were recorded in birds. Results revealed significantly (p ≤ .05) increased frequency of micronuclei in erythrocyte and bone marrow cells. The findings of our study demonstrated that FIP induces deleterious impacts on multiple tissues in birds even at low doses.

Pathophysiology of peste des petits ruminants in sheep (Dorper & Kajli) and goats (Boer & Beetal)

Peste des petits ruminants (PPR), an economically important viral transboundary disease of small ruminants is not only prevalent in Pakistan but also in other countries where people rely on agriculture and animal products. The present study was aimed at describing the pathology and antigen localization in natural PPR infections in local (Kajli sheep; Beetal goats) as well as imported small ruminant breeds (Dorper sheep; Australian Boer goat). Morbidity and mortality rates were significantly (P < 0.001) higher in indigenous Kajli sheep (75.37 and 32.80%) and Beetal goats (81.10 and 37.24%) as compared to Dorper sheep (6.99 and 1.48%) and Australian Boer goat (5.01 and 2.23%). Affected animals exhibited high fever, severe diarrhea, abdominal pain, respiratory distress and nodular lesions on lips and nostrils. Thick mucous discharge was oozing out from nostrils. On necropsy, lungs were congested and pneumonic, with nodular and cystic appearance. Intestines were hemorrhagic with zebra stripping. Characteristic histopathological lesions of PPR were noted in intestines, lymphoid organs and lungs. In GI tract, stunting and blunting of villi, necrotic enteritis, and infiltration of mononuclear cells in duodenum, jejunum and ileum. Small intestines exhibited diffuse edema of the submucosa along with proliferation of fibrocytes leading to thickened submucosa which has not been reported previously. Lymphoid organs showed partial to complete destruction of lymphoid follicles. Lesions of the respiratory tract included depictive of bronchopneumonia, severe congestion of trachea and apical lobe of lungs with deposition of fibrinous materials. Histopathological lesions of respiratory tract were severe and characteristic of broncho-interstitial pneumonia, bronchopneumonia, interstitial pneumonia and fibrinous pneumonia. The alveoli were filled with edematous fluid mixed with fibrinous exudate, numerous alveolar macrophages, mononuclear cells along with thickened interalveolar septa and presence of intranuclear eosinophilic inclusion bodies. One-Step RT-PCR using NP3 and NP4 primers confirmed a PPR virus of 352 bp size in spleen, lungs and mesenteric and brachial lymph node samples. It was concluded that morbidity and mortality due to PPR were significantly higher in indigenous breeds of sheep and goat as compared to imported sheep and goat breeds. PPR has rendered various lesions in GI and respiratory tract which are characteristic in nature for the diagnosis of the disease under field condition.

Does Interrelationship of Allopregnanolone andTetrahydrodeoxycorticosterone during Pregnancy and Postpartum Depression Exist? A Review of the Current Evidence

Pregnancy and postpartum changes affect more than a half of women in the world. Neuroactive steroids play a vital role in mental health, behavior, mood development, neuron-protection and memory. This review sums up what is wellknown regarding the two types of neuroactive steroids viz. allopregnanolone (ALP) and tetrahydrodeoxycorticosterone (THDOC). There is a strong correlation between body progesterone concentration and ALP production. The stage of estrus cycles determines the levels of ALP in body, however, THDOC is a stress induced neuroactive steroid and its level is changeable with the type and severity of stress. The physiological response of stress is affected by THDOC and influences paraventricular nucleus in hypothalamus which in turn controls hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal and gonadal axis. Both neuroactive steroids are potent endogenous modulators of γ-aminobutyric acid type A (GABAA) receptors and their production gets higher during pregnancy. Now a question arises “do both classes of neuroactive steroids have a potent correlation in their action?” This manuscript will bring you up to date on the interaction and function of these two during pregnancy and postpartum depression.