1.
Seroprevalence Of Toxoplasma Gondii Antibodies In Captive Birds Of District Lahore & Kasur, Pakistan
by Freeha Amin (2014-VA-954) | Dr. Khalid Mehmood Anjum | Dr. Shahzad Ali | Dr. M. Afzal Rashid.
Material type: ; Literary form:
not fiction
Publisher: 2016Dissertation note: Toxoplasmosis is the furthermost zoonosis globaldiseases which isinitiated by the protozoan parasite Toxoplasma (T.) gondii. Felidae,(Felis silvestris) are the only definitive hosts.All warm-blooded vertebrates, mammals and birds, turn out to beseptic by consumption sporulated T. gondii oocysts in the environment or by ingesting T. gondii tissue cysts within the tissues of intermediate hosts. Climatic aspects influence the oocysts in the atmosphere. Tropical countries have higher seroprevalence due to humid and warm climate.The main reason of human seroprevalence, are dietary habits (categories of meat or vegetables consumed, cooking technique of meat,vegetable cleaning, hand washing, etc.) economic, cultural social habits, quality of water, and sanitation coverage. Pet birds are act as natural pools for many pathogens. The lifeless infected birds eaten by cats, the catscome to be infected and afterwards eliminated oocysts.
The current study wasdesigned toconclude the seroprevalence of T. gondii in captive birds (Domesticated and caged) in district Kasur and Lahore, Pakistan.The study area was comprised of two geologically altered districts. Fifteen different sampling sites areas were UVAS-C and A-block, Pattoki; Defence Colony, Kasur; Village Kyloon Kalan, Kasur; Kyloon Khurd, Kasur;Khudian Khas, Kasur;Gulburg Colony, Kasur; Kacha Paka, Kasur; Dowlay Wala, Kasur;Pet Market, Pattoki; Tollinton Market, Lahore;Elahabad City, Kasur; Village Wadana, Kasur; Mustafa Abad, Kasur; The Educator School, Pattoki.
A total of 200 bird’sblood samples were collected. All birds’ sample were collectedrandomly from Pet Markets (n = 44), Captive Breeding Centres (n = 93)and Homes (n = 63).
One ml of blood was taken from wing vein and stored in sterile clean test tube.Serum samples were analyzed using Latex Agglutination Test (LAT).Thirty seven serum samples (18.5%) were found to be seropositive for T. gondii antibodies out of 200. Apparently, highest seroprevalence (66.7%) was documented inDefence Colony, Kasur and no seropositive case was reported from Mustafa Abad, Kasur and The Educator School, Pattoki.
Several parameters(order/species, habitat, feeding and drinking behavior and environmental conditions of the birds) were observed for the seroprevalence of T.gondii antibodies. In order, Galliformes 11.9%, Anseriformes15.8%, Psittaciformes 29.4% Columbiformes, 22.4%,Passeriformes 41.7%were seropositive for antibodies against T. gondii by Latex Agglutination Test.According to species level parameter, the Turkey (Meleagri gallopavo) 20%, Indian Peacock(Pavo muticus) 5.6%, Common Quail(Anser domesticus) 10.7%, Duck (Bucephala albeola) 17.2%, White Goose (Corturnix coturnix) 11.1%, Grey Parrots (Psittacus erithacus) 50%, Budgerigar (Melopsittacus undulatus)20%,Fischer's Lovebird (Agapornis fischeri)25.0%, Sulphur-Crested Cockatoo (Cacatua galerita) 50%, Dimond Dove(Geopelia cuneata) 50%,Eurasian collared-dove(Streptopelia decaocto)40%, Khumra33.4%,Rock Pigeons (Columba livia) 11.2%, Domestic Pigeons (Columba livia domestica) 27.3%, Tricoloured Munia (Lonchura malacca)50%,Zebra Waxbill (Amandava subflava) 50%, Society Finch(Lonchura striata domestica) 75% were seropositive for T. gondii antibodies.None of White Peahen(Pavo cristatus),Desert Finch(Rhodospiza obsoleta), Guinea fowl(Numida meleagris),and White-throated Munia (Euodice malabarica) serum sample was seropositive for T.gondii antibodies.
Gender wise study shows that out of total sera samples male seroprevalence rate were20.9%,while in the female 16.8%. Out of total samples in domesticated birds the seroprevalence rate were14.3%, breeding centers 15.1%,pet market of districts Kasur and Lahore 31.9%.The rate of seroprevalence in natural source drinker were 20.4%, while in contaminated drinker were 14.4%.
The present study provided evidence of T. gondii infection in domesticated and caged birds in district Kasur and Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan. As, T. gondii is zoonotic agent which can be transferred from these birds to human being having close contact with them. There is dire need of prevention and control of said diseases in our domesticated and caged birds.
Availability: Items available for loan: UVAS Library [Call number: 2692-T] (1).
3.
Comparative Efficacy Of Natural And Synthetic Anti-Stressorson Growth Performance, Carcass Cut-Up Yield, Meat Quality And Physiological Response During Cyclic Heat Stress In Broilers
by Ali Aslam Bhatti (2015-VA-429) | Dr. Shahid Mehmood | Mr. Faisal Hussain | Dr. M. Afzal Rashid.
Material type: ; Literary form:
not fiction
Publisher: 2017Dissertation note: Global warming is causing severe effects on climatic condition of Pakistan. The temperature during summer reaches more than 50oC, causing problem to control inside temperature of poultry houses. To overcome the negative effects of heat stress, different (synthetic) anti-stressors are being used in poultry industry. A total of 360 day-old Cobb-500 broiler chicks were procured from the commercial hatchery and were placed according to Completely Randomized Design. These birds were subjected to “Cyclic Heat Stress” of 35±1oC and 75±5% relative humidity for 8 hours per day in the last two weeks (4th and 5th). During this period, 5 dietary treatments {Control, Chia Seed (5g/kg), Turmeric powder (5g/kg), Betaine (3g/kg) and Vitamin C (650mg/kg)} were supplemented through feed. All the treatments were replicated 6 times with 12 birds per replicate. The effect of these treatments were evaluated for growth performance,carcass cut-up yield, meat quality,physiological response and lipid-oxidation profile of broilers exposed to cyclic heat stress. The data collected were analyzed through Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) technique with the help of SAS 9.4 for Windows x64 based systems. The means were compared with Duncan’s Multiple Range (DMR) test.The results of present studyshowed that bird supplemented withChia Seed had significantly highestbody weight, feed conversion ratio, feed efficiencyand production number. Whereas, Betainesupplemented birds had highest feed consumption. Similarly, in carcass yield and meat quality Turmeric supplemented birds had higher head (%), neck (%), meat color at 2 hr meat color 24 hr and cholesterol, while, Chia Seed supplementation resulted in higher breast (%). Different anti-stressors like Chia Seed and Turmeric showed better antioxidant status of broiler meat.
CONCLUSION
Based on the findings of the present study it can be concluded that:
1. Broilers supplemented with Chia Seed had better growth performance, breast yield and economics.
2. Turmeric supplementation had showed decreased cholesterol level, better meat quality and minimum drip loss (%).
3. Betaine supplementation had showed better feed consumption and apparently better immune status of broilers.
4. Turmeric and Chia Seed had showed better antioxidant status in broilers meat.
SUGGESTION AND RECOMMENDATIONS:
Suggestion for future researcher
Present study has focused on comparison of different anti-stressors for growth performance, meat quality, blood metabolites and immune status. Based on the findings and personal experience here are few suggestions for future researchers.
1. Future researcher may investigate different inclusion levels of Chia Seed, Turmeric and other natural anti-stressors or their phase feeding for better growth performance and meat quality during heat stress.
2. Future researchers should also investigate the gene expression and heat shock proteins followed by supplementations of different anti-stressors.
3. Chia Seed has good fatty acid and Turmeric has good antioxidant profile, so future researchers may also work on the meat fatty acid and antioxidant profile.
Availability: Items available for loan: UVAS Library [Call number: 2789-T] (1).
