Large Animal Review

Electrophoretic serum protein profile of cattle suffering from bronchopneumonia

Ahmed Khiredine Metref — Mon, 20 Oct 2025 10:09:58 +0200

Bovine Respiratory Diseases (BRD) is a common devastating disease for cattle breeding, both calves, beef and dairy cows, but chiefly in calves. Our study, enrolling 200 cattle, aimed to determine the serum protein fractions and Albumin to Globulin ratio in two groups of cattle (157 healthy cattle and 43 with clinically diagnosed bronchopneumonia) from different age categories, beef and dairy cows, diverse physiological status, both male and female, and to evaluate the feasibility of using these biochemistry parameters as diagnostic biomarkers, in order to reduce a various para-clinical examinations. All the 200 obtained blood samples were analyzed through serum protein electrophoresis on buffered agarose gel at pH 9.1 using an automated electrophoresis system Hydrasys (Sebia Corporate, and we determined one of selected acute phase protein concentrations: haptoglobin. results were expressed as mean ± standard deviation (SD), The Shapiro–Wilk test was used to check normality before performing parametric tests such as Student test and Analysis of variance. One-way nonparametric analysis of variance was applied to compare groups (Kruskal–Wallis test), when the assumptions of one-way ANOVA were not met. Regardless to age, sex and physiological status, serum protein concentrations were found to be significantly higher (p<0.001) in cattle suffering from bronchopneumonia, as compared to healthy ones. the concentrations of γ-globulins differed significantly between the evaluated groups of bovines with higher values in animals with bronchopneumonia (p<0.01), also for β globulins. Haptoglobin concentrations greater than 0.41g /l were observed in ten (10) cows from the same breeding (5%) diagnosed with bronchopneumonia. In unhealthy cattle a marked shift in the concentrations of most protein fractions was observed, with significantly higher mean values of α₁-globulins (p<0.001). Given that the α-globulin fraction includes many of the acute phase proteins such as haptoglobin. Also, serum proteins electrophoresis measurements in the monitoring of animals with respiratory diseases. Therefore, we could evaluate EPS instead of acute phase protein to determine the individual proteins responsible for changes in the electrophoretic pattern of serum proteins in cattle with bronchopneumonia.

Effect of organic acids salts supplementation on milk production, milk composition and blood parameters in early lactation dairy cows

Mon, 20 Oct 2025 00:00:00 +0200

This study evaluated the effects of organic acids salts supplementation on early-lactation Montbéliarde (MO) and Normande (NO) dairy cows. Seventy cows (36 MO, 34 NO) were allocated to two groups (n = 35 each). The supplemented group (OA) received 50 g/cow/day of calcium and sodium malate and propionate salts from calving to 65 days postpartum, while the control group (CON) received no additives. Daily milk production was recorded for each cow, and milk composition (protein, fat, lactose) was analyzed on Days 15, 35, and 65 postpartum. Blood samples were collected on Days 7, 14, and 21 postpartum to determine biochemical parameters. Organic acids salts supplementation significantly increased milk yield and improved milk fat, protein, and lactose yields and percentages. A significant interaction between supplementation and breed was observed for milk yield and lactose. Significant effects were also found for blood glucose, triglycerides, albumin, total protein, and calcium concentrations. Higher blood glucose levels suggest enhanced energy status, potentially reducing hepatic steatosis risk by lowering triglycerides and non-esterified fatty acids accumulation. Increased plasma protein and albumin levels indicate improved liver function and protein synthesis, supporting milk production. Higher blood calcium concentrations suggest better metabolic adaptation to lactational demands. Overall, organic acids salts supplementation may maintain health and productivity during early lactation, reducing production losses and improving dairy farm profitability.

Validation of cow-side chemical tests for early pregnancy diagnosis in dairy cattle in Ethiopia: a comparative field study with transrectal ultrasonography and progesterone rapid test kit

Mon, 20 Oct 2025 10:13:09 +0200

Early pregnancy diagnosis in dairy cows is crucial for timely identification of non-pregnant animals, enabling prompt re-breeding or culling to improve reproductive efficiency. Lack of early pregnancy detection tool has been the biggest hurdle in reproductive management of dairy cows. Conventional diagnostic methods such as ultrasonography and hormone assays are often inaccessible at field level and unaffordable to smallholder farmers in low-resource settings. This study aimed to evaluate inexpensive, non-invasive, easy-to-use cow-side chemical tests for early pregnancy detection and compare their accuracy against transrectal ultrasonography (gold standard) and a commercial progesterone rapid test kit. A total of 191 Holstein-Friesian cows were tested using three chemical methods—copper sulfate tests in milk (3%, 5%, 7% CuSO₄ solutions), a barium chloride urine test (1% BaCl₂ plus urine protein dipstick), and a sodium hypochlorite urine test (10% NaClO) alongside a commercial progesterone rapid test kit (P4 Gold), and trans-rectal ultrasonography as gold standard. The overall pregnancy rate was 74.9% (143/191) using ultrasonography. The 3% CuSO₄ and 1% BaCl₂ tests demonstrated excellent diagnostic performance, each achieving 79.2% and 72.3% pregnancy, respectively; followed by NaClO urine test detected 70.2%. The specificity and sensitivity were 80.0% and 100.0% for 3% CuSO₄ test, and 85.4% and 92.3% for 1% BaCl₂ tests, respectively. Test agreement with ultrasonography were 85.9% and 90.6%, for 3% CuSO₄ and 1% BaCl₂, respectively. There was a significant difference in test results with 3% CuSO₄ performing better than all tests followed by 1% BaCl₂ (Chi Sq.=52.8, P<0.001; Chi Sq.=50.5, P<0.001, respectively) though overall test agreement with ultrasonography was better with 1% BaCl₂. The specificity and sensitivity for NaClO were 75.0% and 96.9%, respectively. The rapid P₄ kit identified 91.4% of pregnancies closely matching ultrasound results. This is the first study to directly validate these simple chemical tests in cattle against ultrasonography. The findings demonstrate the practicality, affordability, non-invasive and effectiveness of milk- and urine-based chemical tests for early pregnancy detection in cows, particularly in resource-limited and smallholder environments. These cow-side tests have the potential to substantially reduce open days and improve herd reproductive performance by enabling earlier intervention.

Investigation of the Relationship Between Vitamin D Levels, Fibrinogen, and Platelet-to-Lymphocyte Ratio (PLR) in Neonatal Calves with Diarrhea

Tahir ÖZALP, Hasan ERDOGAN, Songul ERDOGAN, Kerem URAL — Mon, 20 Oct 2025 00:00:00 +0200

Neonatal calf diarrhoea (NCD) causes significant economic losses due to high mortality rates and growth retardation, with both infectious and non-infectious factors playing a role in its etiology. Biomarkers such as vitamin D, fibrinogen, and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) are important in inflammatory processes, with low vitamin D levels being associated with both acute and chronic disease states. This study aims to determine the relationship between vitamin D levels, fibrinogen, and PLR values, evaluating their potential diagnostic and prognostic utility in calves with neonatal diarrhoea, offering the possibility of identifying new, non-invasive tools for detecting non-infectious diseases. The study involved 80 diarrhoeic and 20 healthy Holstein calves, with clinical evaluations performed to assess dehydration status, vital parameters, and hematological profiles. Blood samples from both groups were analyzed for platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio, 25-hydroxyvitamin D3, and fibrinogen levels. The study found lower vitamin D and higher fibrinogen levels in infected calves. Pathogen-specific differences were observed, with lower vitamin D and higher fibrinogen in Cryptosporidium sp. and E. coli-Cryptosporidium sp. co-infections, and rotavirus infection linked to thrombocytopenia and lower PLR. PLR showed the highest diagnostic accuracy in Giardia and Cryptosporidium co-infections. This study highlighted the role of vitamin D deficiency, fibrinogen concentration, and the PLR index in modulating immune responses and inflammation in neonatal calf diarrhoea, suggesting that PLR could serve as a valuable biomarker for assessing inflammation severity in field conditions, with further research needed to confirm its clinical applicability.

Retrospective Clinical Study of Rumen Foreign Body Syndrome in Small Ruminants: Diagnostic Approach and Outcomes from a Veterinary Teaching Hospital Case Series (2016–2022)

Mon, 20 Oct 2025 10:15:50 +0200

Rumen foreign body syndrome is an underdiagnosed condition in small ruminants due to its nonspecific clinical presentation and the limited availability of literature on the subject. This retrospective study aims to describe the clinical, laboratory, imaging, and necropsy findings associated with rumen foreign bodies in sheep and goats hospitalized at the Veterinary Teaching Hospital of Lodi between September 2016 and March 2022. Medical records of all small ruminants admitted during this period were reviewed, and cases with a final diagnosis of rumen foreign body syndrome were included. Data collected included anamnesis, clinical presentation, laboratory findings, ultrasonography, radiography, treatment, follow-up, and necropsy outcomes. Out of 348 cases, 15 animals were diagnosed with rumen foreign body syndrome. Of these, 9 died and 6 recovered. The most significant clinical finding was altered ruminal motility, observed in 80% of cases, often in association with ruminal atony, tympany, and abdominal distension. Hypothermia was identified as a negative prognostic factor. Blood gas analysis, performed in 11 animals, revealed acid-base imbalance in 8 cases (73%) and hyperlactatemia in 7. Radiography was diagnostic in all 7 animals in which it was performed. In 5 of the 9 deceased animals, the diagnosis was established only at necropsy. Most foreign bodies consisted of plastic materials; less frequently, bezoars or ropes were found. This study highlights the importance of integrating anamnesis, clinical examination, and imaging, particularly radiography, for the timely diagnosis and management of rumen foreign body syndrome in small ruminants.

Investigation of Chlamydia abortus and Brucella Species of Sheep in Siirt Region by Serological and Molecular Methods

Muazzez YEŞİLYURT, Aliye GÜLMEZ SAĞLAM — Mon, 20 Oct 2025 00:00:00 +0200

Chlamydiosis and brucellosis, which cause abortion cases in animals, are among the major zoonotic agents that are widely distributed across the world. This study aimed to identify Chlamydia abortus (C. abortus) by using serological and molecular methods and Brucella spp. by using conventional bacteriological, serological, and molecular methods in blood and vaginal swab samples collected from aborted sheep in the Siirt region in Turkiye. In the study, 200 vaginal swab samples and blood samples were collected from 350 sheep with a history of abortion. The 350 serum samples collected from the aborted sheep were tested for C. abortus by ELISA and Brucella spp. by the Rose Bengal Plate Test (RBPT) and the Serum Agglutination Test (SAT). Furthermore, vaginal swab samples collected from the same sheep were analysed by conventional and molecular methods for Brucella and molecular methods for C. abortus. As a result of the serological analysis, it was found that C. abortus was 11.42% and Brucella spp. was 22.28% and 11.71% in terms of RBPT and SAT, respectively. However, as a result of the Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) analysis, no positive results were obtained for C. abortus. Conventional bacteriological and molecular analysis of vaginal swab samples indicated that B. melitensis was identified in 11 (5.5%) isolates. According to biotyping tests, B. melitensis biotype 1 was identified in 2 isolates and B. melitensis biotype 2 in 7 isolates. By using the disk diffusion method, all B. melitensis isolates (100%) were found to be susceptible to doxycycline, tetracycline, gentamicin, streptomycin, and ciprofloxacin. Consequently, it was determined that C. abortus and B. melitensis may play a role in abortion cases in the Siirt region. It is thought that the sensitivity of the isolates obtained to the antibiotics used will contribute to the treatment of Brucella species, which pose a significant risk to public health.

Effect of Aspergillus oryzae phytase on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, organs weight, and health status of broilers fed a corn soybean meal-based diet

Sungbo Cho, Usman Ali, IN HO KIM — Mon, 20 Oct 2025 10:22:14 +0200

Phytase is a key enzyme that degrades phytate, increases availability of phosphorus and other essential nutrients in poultry by breaking down this antinutritional plant compound. Phytase has been extensively used in poultry diets and can be derived from various microorganisms, including bacteria, fungi, and yeasts. This study specifically explored the effects of varying dietary levels of Aspergillus oryzae (A. oryzae) phytase on body weight (BW), body weight gain (BWG), feed intake (FI), feed conversion ratio (FCR), digestibility, organs weight, and health indicators including footpad lesion score, intestine lesion score, and fecal score in broilers. In total, 1512 one day old broiler chicks (ROSS 308) with average BW of 48 g were randomly allocated to four dietary treatments in a completely randomized design and fed a corn soybean meal-based diet supplemented with 0, 500, 1000, or 1500 FTU/kg of A. oryzae phytase for a period of 32 days. Each treatment consisted of 21 replicates and each replicate contained 18 birds. The data were collected throughout the experimental period, as well as at the end of trial and analyzed using General Linear Model (GLM) procedure in SAS. Results indicated that 1500 FTU/kg phytase supplementation significantly improved BWG during the starter (d 1 to 9), grower (d 10 to 21) and overall (d 1 to 32) period as well as the FI during the starter (d 1 to 9) and grower (d 10 to 21) period of the experiment. However, phytase supplementation at any level did not affect the FCR, mortality, nutrient digestibility, organs weight, or health related indicators such as foodpad or instestinal lesion scores, and fecal score. These findings suggest that A. oryzae phytase supplementation enhances BWG and FI of broilers by mitigating phytate’s antinutritional effects, without altering digestibility and health status, thereby supporting its potential as a sustainable and environmental friendly nutritional strategy in the modern broiler production systems.

A study on surgical management of benign oral tumours (odontoma) in buffaloes: a series of eight cases

Mon, 20 Oct 2025 00:00:00 +0200

Oral tumors in bovines are generally rare and mostly benign, particularly involving the lower mandibular incisors. This study focuses on eight cases of oral tumours in female buffaloes, documenting their clinical presentation, diagnostic approach, surgical management and follow up. The buffaloes were aged between 3 to 10 years and were presented with outgrowth on lower jaw from 1 month to 2 years. Clinical examination and radiography revealed involvement of anterior mandible, often with calcification. Histopathological analysis was done in 3 buffaloes, which reported; chronic active inflammation, myxoma, and fibroma durum.

The odontoma’s were surgically resected using a wire saw or surgical blade under sedation (Xylazine or midazolam) and mental nerve block in 6 buffaloes. Silk sutures were applied for mucosal apposition and to stop bleeding followed by bandaging. Post-operative care included antibiotics and anti-inflammatory medication. Post-operated follow up at 15 days and 4 months was done. One buffalo showed development of a large growth in the same region within 15 days of surgery, which was histologically diagnosed as chronic active inflammation and was suspected for hematoma or abscess but the owner did not bring the buffalo for further investigation.

The study recommends surgical resection of odontoma in buffaloes for a favourable outcome. Mucosal closure of wound with sutures helps in healing.

Right Flank Celiotomy for Bovine Fetal Remnants : A Case Series

Pururava Sharma, Pravesh Kumar, Akshay Sharma, Depika Thakur, Dawa Yangka — Mon, 20 Oct 2025 10:25:26 +0200

Fetal mummification and maceration are significant gestational pathologies in cattle, characterized by fetal death and subsequent intrauterine retention of fetal tissues, often beyond the expected term. These conditions arise due to various etiologies including umbilical cord torsion, hormonal imbalances, infectious agents, and failure of cervical dilation or luteolysis. The current study documents five cases of fetal mummification and maceration in Jersey crossbred cows, each exhibiting unique clinical presentations and diagnostic features. All animals had previously received prostaglandin F₂α (PGF₂α) treatment from local para-veterinarians, yet failed to expel the retained fetus, necessitating referral for further evaluation. Thorough obstetrical examinations—including per-vaginal and transrectal assessments were instrumental in confirming intrauterine fetal death and characterizing the extent of pathology. Ultrasonographic examination using a 7.5 MHz linear rectal transducer provided definitive visualization of intrauterine contents, differentiating mummified fetuses from macerated remains. Sonographic findings ranged from compact, echogenic fetal masses without fluid in mummification cases to hyperechoic bony fragments within heterogeneous, fluid-filled uteri in maceration. Due to failure of medical management, all five cows underwent right flank celiotomy. Surgical intervention involved exteriorization of the uterus, manual evacuation of retained fetal contents, uterine lavage, and layered closure using standard surgical techniques. The intraoperative findings corroborated the diagnosis, with maceration cases showing extensive necrotic debris and purulent exudate, while mummification cases presented dry, leathery fetuses within contracted uteri. Postoperative care included NSAIDs, antibiotics, fluid therapy, and daily monitoring. All cows recovered uneventfully and were discharged on the fifth postoperative day with recommendations for 60 days of sexual rest. During a three-month follow-up, no surgical complications or systemic illnesses were observed. Estrus returned in all animals within 2.5–3 months post-surgery, and three cows successfully conceived following artificial insemination in the fourth month. The remaining two cows were not rebred due to owner preference. This study highlights the diagnostic challenges and therapeutic considerations in managing fetal mummification and maceration. While PGF₂α remains the first-line therapy, surgical intervention is warranted in refractory cases. Celiotomy, when executed with proper technique and post-operative care, offers a viable and fertility-preserving solution. The use of transrectal ultrasonography was pivotal in case differentiation, guiding both diagnosis and treatment strategy. These findings emphasize the importance of early, accurate diagnosis and timely intervention for favorable reproductive outcomes. With appropriate management, even severe cases of fetal retention can resolve with restoration of reproductive function, as demonstrated in this case series.