Bangladesh Veterinarian

Pathology of Marek’s disease in layer chickens in Bangladesh

US Suma — 2018-12-30

We performed a pathological investigation of Marek’s disease in commercial layer chickens in Bangladesh. A total of 23 dead or sick birds, suspected of Marek’s disease, were obtained from 10 different layer farms of Mymensingh, Gazipur, Tangail and Pabna districts from March to November 2011. Lameness, torticollis and paralysis were characteristic clinical signs in the affected birds. At necropsy, diffuse enlargement or nodular lesions were found in the liver, spleen, proventriculus, heart, kidney, ovary and intestine. The highest number of tumours were in the proventriculus (17/23) followed by liver (13/23) and spleen (8/23). No gross lesions were found in the nerve plexus. Histologically, lymphomatous lesions were observed. In the liver and kidney, diffuse proliferation of pleomorphic lymphocytes was associated with extensive damage of the parenchyma, while the lesions in the proventriculus and intestine were characterized by diffuse and focal and nodular proliferation of lymphocytes. The findings of the present study suggest that Marek’s disease can be expected without obvious nervous lesions and the lymphomatous lesions could be diverse depending on the tissues involved.

Bangl. vet. 2017. Vol. 34, No. 2, 35-41

Prevalence and its influencing risk factors of subclinical mastitis in crossbred Friesian cows

SM Arman — 2018-12-30

The prevalence and risk factors associated with subclinical mastitis in crossbred Friesian cows in selected dairy farms were studied using California Mastitis Test (CMT). A total of 287 cows and 1148 quarters were examined. Cow parity, age, body condition score (BCS), milk yield and lactation stage were collected by using pretested questionnaire. The prevalence of subclinical mastitis was 41.1%. Among tested cows, 15.8% showed moderate and 5.5% strong reaction to CMT (P<0.05). Among quarters, 24.6% quarters were affected with subclinical mastitis of which 10.1% showed moderate and 1.9% strong reaction to CMT (P<0.05). Cows at parity 2 to 4 had a significantly (P<0.05) higher prevalence (46.5%) than those at parity 5 to 10 (30.3%). The prevalence of subclinical mastitis in different age groups of cows did not vary significantly. The cows with BCS 3.5 to 4 had significantly (p<0.05) higher prevalence of subclinical mastitis (43.5%) than those with BCS 4.5 (25.9%). Cows with 11-27 litres of milk yield had significantly (P<0.05) higher subclinical mastitis (44.3%) than that of 1 to 5 litres of their counterpart (38.6%). Cows at 31 to 90 (44.3%) days lactation had significantly (P<0.05) higher prevalence of subclinical mastitis than those at 181 to 285 days (37.2%). It is suggested that the prevalence of subclinical mastitis was influenced by the parity, BCS, milk yield and lactation stage in crossbred Friesian cows in Bangladesh.

Bangl. vet. 2017. Vol. 34, No. 2, 42-51

Socio-economic characteristics of dairy and non-dairy households of chars of Northern Bangladesh

MF Islam — 2018-12-30

Dairy and non-dairy households in chars in northern Bangladesh were compared. About 35% of dairy households earned money by selling milk along with labour. Dairy households owned more land than the non-dairy group. More dairy households (70%) had drinking water and 74% had sanitation facilities, while 49% and 44% non-dairy households had such facilities. The dairy households owned 3065 livestock, of which 946 were cattle; while non-dairy households owned 1915 livestock, including 17 cattle. Average daily income of each dairy household was 129 Taka (US$ 1 = Taka: 56.31), and for non-dairy household it was 109 Taka. Many dairy households had a bicycle (n = 54), radio (n = 59) and cell phone (n = 211), but fewer in the non-dairy had a bicycle (n = 8) and cell phone (n = 43). The livestock are living assets for the flood-prone households and source of daily income.

Bangl. vet. 2017. Vol. 34, No. 2, 52-60

Comparison of meat yield and quality characteristics between indigenous chicken and commercial broiler

N Farzana — 2018-12-30

Yield and quality of meats from commercial broiler and indigenous chickens weighing one kg each were studied during different periods of refrigeration. The chicken carcasses were stored at -20oC for 30 days and were analyzed on 0, 15 and 30 days. Carcass weight (%), shank weight (%), dressing (%), breast meat yield (%) were higher (P<0.05) in commercial broilers, but head (%), neck (%), thigh meat (%), drumstick meat (%) were higher (P<0.01) in indigenous chickens. Shank weight (%) decreased with storage time. Higher (P<0.01) percentage of dry matter (DM) and crude protein (CP) were found in indigenous chicken breast meat, while ether extract (EE) and total ash content were higher (P<0.01) in commercial broiler breast meat. Cooking loss (%) was higher in commercial broiler breast meat. The pH and CP (%) decreased, while DM (%), EE (%), Ash (%), Thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS) value, free fatty acid (FFA) value, and Peroxide value (POV) increased with storage time in both types of chicken. Sensory evaluation showed more juiciness in commercial broiler meat.

Bangl. vet. 2017. Vol. 34, No. 2, 61-70

Supplementation of spirulina (Spirulina platensis) on yolk colour, egg quality and production performance of laying hens

M Ahammed — 2018-12-30

A total of 96 Shaver 579 laying hens of 78 weeks of age were studied for the effects on egg production of dietary supplementation with spirulina (Spirulina platensis). The hens were divided into four dietary treatments with six replications of four birds in each group. Birds of three groups were supplemented with 0.1%, 0.2% and 0.3% spirulina and one group was kept as control. Yolk colour significantly improved (P<0.01) as compared to control, without affecting any other production performances. It is suggested that dietary supplementation of spirulina at 0.2 to 0.3% levels in aged laying hens enhanced egg yolk colour.

Bangl. vet. 2017. Vol. 34, No. 2, 71-78