This study sought to explore the effect of the administration of long-term, exogenous oxytocin on buffalo milk. In this study, newly-calved postpartum buffaloes (Nili-Ravi) (n = 24) were divided equally into three groups: (control without oxytocin - CON, 10 i.u. oxytocin - LOW, 30 i.u. oxytocin - HIGH). Oxytocin was injected twice a day before each 154-day milking. Milk production, milk composition, somatic cell counts, and progesterone (P4) were evaluated daily, weekly, and fortnightly, respectively. Results revealed that the HIGH group produced high milk production and pH values, but lower milk density than the CON and LOW groups. The HIGH group and LOW group had higher milk fat and solid-not-fat (SNF) compared to the CON group. SNF and protein were higher in the LOW group than the CON group. Freezing point, lactose, solids, somatic cell count, and P4 were similar in all three groups. Overall, it can be concluded that long-term, exogenous oxytocin has a positive effect on milk production, fat, SNF, and protein, with a negative effect on milk pH. None of the oxytocin treatments affected somatic cell counts and P4 concentration in postpartum buffalo milk.

Resumo O presente estudo foi conduzido para examinar a prevalência pontual de parasitas gastrointestinais de codornas migratórias. Devido à sua importância econômica, o controle da ascaridiose é fundamental. Considera-se que a migração de aves aumenta a disseminação global e a transmissão entre espécies de patógenos. O presente estudo teve como objetivo detectar A. galli em codornas migratórias, um potencial fator de risco contributivo para a transmissão desse parasita para aves locais. Um total de 230 codornas migratórias foi capturado, usando redes de rotas migratórias no Baluchistão e examinadas sob o microscópio composto para a presença de A. galli. Convencionalmente, o A. galli foi identificado por sua morfologia com a presença de três grandes lábios e ausência de bulbo esofágico posterior. Os resultados revelaram que de 230, 120 (52,17%) codornas foram positivas para A. galli por direcionamento do gene COX1 (533 pb) usando PCR convencional. Além disso, o amplicon foi sequenciado, que mostrou 99% de similaridade com A. galli publicamente disponível no NCBI Gen Bank. A análise filogenética das sequências do nosso parasita isolado indicou a estreita relação com A. galli isolado de galinhas. Em conclusão, codornas migratórias e outras aves migratórias podem desempenhar papel fundamental na disseminação e transmissão desses parasitas e outros patógenos para as galinhas domésticas. Portanto, medidas rigorosas de biossegurança devem ser adotadas, especialmente para granjas comerciais.

Abstract The current study was conducted to examine the point prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites of migratory quails. Due to its economic importance, the control of ascaridiosis is critical. Migration of birds is considered to enhance the global spread and cross-species transmission of pathogens. The current study was aimed to detect A.galli in migratory quails, a potential contributory risk factor for transmission of this parasite to local birds. A total of 230 migratory quails were trapped using nets from migratory routes in Balochistan and examined under the compound microscope for the presence of A. galli. Conventionally, A. galli was identified by its morphology with the presence of three large lips and absence of posterior esophageal bulb. Results revealed that out of 230, 120 (52.17%) quails were positive for A. galli by targeting COX1 gene (533 bp) by using conventional PCR. Further, the amplicon was sequenced which showed 99% similarity with A. galli publically available in NCBI Gen Bank. Phylogenetic analysis of sequences of our isolated parasite indicated the close relationship with A.galli isolated from chickens. In conclusion migratory quails and other migratory birds may play a key role in spreading and transmission of these parasites and other pathogens to domestic chicken. Therefore, strict biosecurity measures should be adopted especially for commercial poultry farms.

The studies aimed to evaluate the pregnancy rate (PR) for timed artificial insemination (TAI) after G7G-Ovsynch, modified G7G-Ovsynch (MG7G-Ovsynch) and Ovsynch protocols and to assess the accuracy of using pregnancy-associated glycoproteins (PAGs) and plasma progesterone (P4) in pregnancy diagnosis compared with ultrasonography (US). In study 1, Holstein cows (n = 37) were bred by TAI following the G7G-Ovsynch protocol (n = 19) or MG7G-Ovsynch (n = 18). Pregnancy was evaluated by US at days 31, 59, and 87 after breeding. The PR was not different for the G7G-Ovsynch and MG7G-Ovsynch. Blood and milk samples were collected on day 3 after insemination and then weekly through day 59 post TAI in cows diagnosed as not pregnant on day 31 and through day 87 in pregnant cows. PAGs were measured using ELISA and P4 by radioimmunoassay (RIA). In the second study, Holstein cows (n = 212) were bred by TAI following G7G-Ovsynch protocol (n = 110) or standard Ovsynch (n = 102). Cows were subjected to pregnancy diagnosis on days 30, 60, and 90. A subset (n = 15 in each group) was subjected to blood and milk samples on days 30, 45, 60, 75, and 90 to measure PAGs and P4. In study 2, PR was not significantly different between synchronization protocols on days 30, 60, and 90. Pregnancy loss averaged 15% between day 30 and day 90. The use of PAGs and P4 proved equally effective in diagnosis of pregnancy. Thus, G7G-Ovsynch was deemed the protocol of choice in postpartum cows, and PAGs assayed in milk or plasma could be used to diagnose pregnancy.