Thirteenth Week Research Articles

Efectos de la dieta alta en calorías y el ejercicio físico en el pez cebra (Danio rerio)

Zebrafish are becoming a valid model for investigating obesity and its associated disorders within a scientific context. The comprehension of the metabolic parameters linked to heightened body mass, adiposity, and energy expenditure stands as an indispensable endeavor in unraveling metabolic requisites among vertebrates. In this particular investigation, a cohort of 48 zebrafish specimens was scrutinized to determine the impact of physical exercise when subjected to a hypercaloric diet. The subjects were categorized into four distinct groups, each group respectively assigned to maintenance diets (GM, n=12, and GMex, n=12) or hypercaloric diets (GH, n=12, and GHex, n=12), with or without concurrent engagement in physical exercise. Applying a one-way ANOVA, with a significance level of P ≤ 0.05, the results revealed noteworthy findings. Among the GMex group, regarding body mass, a statistically significant variance was observed during the initial week (0.30g ± 0.10). This disparity demonstrated a reduction of 30.83% in the subsequent week, 33.59% in the fourth week, and 40.01% in the sixth week. Similarly, within the GH group, the analysis of variance unveiled significant deviations in body mass (in grams) from the inception of the study (0.32g ± 0.07), in comparison to measurements from the sixth through the thirteenth weeks. The GHex group exhibited significant differences in body mass between the first week (0.27g ± 0.08) and the subsequent weeks, extending until the thirteenth week. Furthermore, discernible variations in the length (in centimeters) of the zebrafish specimens were recorded, with statistical significance observed from the ninth (3.29cm ± 0.33) to the thirteenth weeks (3.61cm ± 0.33). The implementation of a hypercaloric diet yielded an augmentation in body mass. Additionally, the combination of this dietary regimen with physical exercise further contributed to an augmentation in the length of the zebrafish specimens. Collectively, the proposed model exhibited the capability to induce discernible metabolic effects, thereby enhancing our understanding of the intricate interplay between diet, exercise, and metabolic dynamics.

Dexmedetomidine, an alpha-2 adrenoceptors agonist, provides a neuroprotective effect for dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra and attenuates glucose imbalance in the 6-hydroxydopamine animal model of Parkinson’s disease

ABSTRACT Introduction Studies have shown that dexmedetomidine (DEX, an a2-adrenoceptors agonist) provides a neuroprotective effect and influences blood glucose levels. Here, we evaluated the effect of prolonged treatment with low doses of DEX on the survival rate of dopaminergic (DAergic) neurons in the substantia nigra and also serum glucose levels in 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) – induced Parkinson’s disease (PD) in the rat. Material and Methods The neurotoxin of 6-OHDA was injected into the medial forebrain bundle by stereotaxic surgery. DEX (25 and 50 µg/kg, i.p) and yohimbine, an a2-adrenoceptor antagonist (1 mg/kg, i.p) were administered before the surgery to the 13 weeks afterward. Apomorphine-induced rotational tests and blood sampling were carried out before the surgery and multiple weeks after that. Thirteen weeks after the surgery, the rats’ brain was transcardially perfused to assess the survival rate of DAergic neurons using the tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) immunohistochemistry. Results DEX remarkably attenuated the severity of rotational behavior and reversed the progress of the PD. It also increased the number of TH-labeled neurons by up to 60%. The serum glucose levels in 6-OHDA-received rats did not change in the third and seventh weeks after the surgery but decreased significantly in the thirteenth week. Treatment with DEX prevented this decrement in glucose levels. On the other hand, Treatment with yohimbine did not affect PD symptoms and glucose levels. Conclusion Our data indicate that DEX through neuroprotective activity attenuates the severity of 6-OHDA-induced PD in rats. DEX might also prevent hypoglycemia during the progress of the PD.

Effect of Adding Choline Chloride to the Diet in Milk Production of Holstein Cows

This study aimed to show the effect of adding choline chloride to the feed on milk production during the summer in central Iraq. This study was conducted at Al-Khalis cows station in Diyala Governorate during the period from 21/6 to 21/9/2022, where 25 Holstein cows between the ages of 3-5 years used, the cows were divided into five treatments, so that treatment T1 represents the control treatment (without adding Choline chloride), while treatments T2 and T3 add untreated and formaldehyde-treated choline chloride, respectively, to the concentrated feed with an amount of 35 g /cow /day, T4 and T5 add untreated and formaldehyde-treated Choline chloride, respectively, with an amount of 70 g /cow /day, It is noted from the results that there is a significant effect of the treatment of adding Choline chloride treated with formaldehyde T3 during the ninth and thirteenth weeks in the daily milk. In the ninth week, the average milk production was 14.50 kg / cow/day compared to 9.88 kg/cow/day in the control treatment, and the rest of the treatments were T4 and T5 were 11.25 and 10.00 kg/cow/ day respectively. In the thirteenth week milk yield was 12.50 kg/cow/day compared to 7.20 kg/cow/day in the comparison treatment, and the rest of the treatments T2, T4, and T5 were 8.75, 8.50, and 8.60 kg/cow/day, respectively. While the monthly and total milk production and the amount of fat and protein in milk for cows, there were no significant differences between the treatments, we conclude from the current experiment that adding Choline chloride treated with formaldehyde in an amount of 35 g / cow/day to the feed increases the daily milk production in some weeks for this experiment in the season Summer when the average Temperature Humidity Index for this season is 79 and cows are under heat stress.

Cultural differences in the relations between expressive flexibility and life satisfaction over time.

Expressive flexibility refers to the ability to assess situational demands and adjust one's emotion expressions via enhancement or suppression. It has been associated with lower levels of depressive and anxiety symptoms and greater social acceptance. These relationships, however, have not yet been examined across cultures-where prior research has found cultural differences in norms on emotion displays and their associations with mental health. This study examined expressive flexibility across three cultural groups and their associations with life satisfaction and depressive symptoms over time. 276 first-year college students (146 Asian American, 71 European Americans, and 62 Latinx Americans) completed two online surveys during the first (T1) and thirteenth week (T2) of the Fall 2020 academic semester. Results revealed no significant cultural group differences in the ability to enhance or suppress emotions. However, we found a significant ethnicity x enhancement ability interaction in predicting T2 life satisfaction, controlling for T1 life satisfaction, age, gender, and emotion regulation frequency. Specifically, greater ability to enhance one's emotions was significantly associated with higher life satisfaction over time among Asian Americans, but not for European Americans and Latinx Americans. Our findings illustrate the importance of not looking just at cultural group differences in the levels of expressive flexibility, but also at the associations between expressive flexibility and mental health.

Lymphomas in pregnancy.

Lymphoma in pregnancy is an uncommon occurrence. This diagnosis is challenging, and a multidisciplinary team of specialists in obstetrics, anesthesiology, neonatology, hematology psychology should participate in the management of this condition. The choice of treatment regimen depends on the histotype and the gestational age. In Hodgkin lymphoma, ABVD is safe if administered after the thirteenth week of pregnancy. In indolent non-Hodgkin Lymphomas (NHL) a watchful waiting approach is reasonable; in case of aggressive NHLs, if the diagnosis occurs in the first gestational weeks, a termination of the pregnancy might be considered or if it occurs after the thirteenth week of pregnancy, a standard R-CHOP regimen is safe. Regarding new anti-lymphoma drugs, available data on the potential fetotoxicity of these agents are limited. Data collection regarding the use of new drugs in pregnant patients is mandatory in order to learn more about their safety and facilitating clinical decision making in this setting of patients.

A Survey of Professionalism Traits among Education Students in Public University/ Kajian Tinjauan Tret Profesionalisme Mahasiswa Pendidikan Universiti Awam

A survey was conducted to identify the professionalism traits among education students, namely Manner Towards Teacher (AB), Appearance (PN), Oral Communication (KL), Respect (HM), Respect for Time (MM), Digital Communication (KD), Integrity (IG), Gratitude (BS), and Group Work (KK). The items were constructed based on operational definitions from the literature and adapted based on the current context. The first administration (pre) of the Educational Student Professionalism Trait Questionnaire (STPMP) was in the second week, while the second administration (post) was in the thirteenth week of the study session 2021/2022 semester 1. The administrations were done through the Google Form application on 126 students taking Teacher Professionalism Course. Both data sets were analyzed to identify professionalism traits (pre and post), professionalism traits based on gender, the relationship between dimensions, and dominant dimensions that are predictors of professionalism traits. STPMP had undergone a consistency verification process (N = 42) where the Cronbach’s Alpha (r) reliability index is at (.95). The findings of the study showed that the mean score for the professionalism traits of the education students is at a moderately high level, while the mean score for the professionalism traits of male students is higher than female students. Next, (BS) is the highest dimension, while (MM) is the lowest dimension. There is also a significant effect on the professionalism of the student (p <0.05); four dominant dimensions are KK (.185), MM (.158), BS (.149), and AB (.139). IG is the dimension least influencing the professionalism traits of educational students.

Эффективность применения микроводорослей в рационах лактирующих коров и их влияние на молочную продуктивность и биохимические показатели крови

The study of the effect of various feed additives in the diet of lactating cows is an urgent problem, since during this period of production use, animals experience increased loads - recovery after calving, negative energy balance of live weight, decreased appetite, high loads on milk synthesis. The aim of our research was to study the effect of a suspension of chlorella grown in an automatic mobile plant on the milk productivity of first-calf heifers and young cows at the beginning of lactation. We used zootechnical and biochemical studies. First-calf heifers and cows of the second lactation included 1 liter of liquid suspension of chlorella, grown according to the new, patented, technology of Amfor LLC. Monitoring of daily milk yield was carried out weekly during the first phase of lactation. The inclusion of chlorella suspension had a positive effect on milk synthesis. The addition of chlorella suspension effectively affected the daily milk yield of cows from the ninth to the twelfth week of lactation. Starting from the thirteenth week of lactation, the daily milk yield of cows in the experimental and control groups decreased, but remained at a high level. Biochemical studies of the blood of cows in the first phase of lactation did not reveal significant changes in metabolism. No metabolic diseases were detected by the veterinary service.

Effect of the Flipped Science Classroom on Academic Achievement of Grade Seven students

A pilot study was carried out in a local secondary school to measure the effectiveness of digital literacy in terms of flipped classroom teaching. A grade seven science class was purposefully flipped and compared with traditional teaching classroom arrangement to evaluate the student's academic achievement. The population of study comprises all male and female 259 students of class seven, first term of session 2019-20. Study sample was further divided into two groups: two sections of boys (61 male students) and two sections of girls (66 female students) were randomly selected as the experimental group, the flipped classroom. The remaining four sections (132 students) performed as a control group, the traditional classroom. Instructional strategies were the independent variable. Student's achievement grades in pretest, ongoing posttest assessments and term exam were dependent variables. Scores of pretest were compared with posttest ongoing assessments and school term exams. The analysis was made through t-test and ANCOVA. At the end of the thirteenth week, a Likert scale survey was conducted to evaluate the student's perception regarding the learning environment in flipped class. The results indicated that” (i) there is a statistically significant difference between achievement scores of the flipped class compare to traditional class students. Flipped class students achieved better results than conventional class learners. (ii) Analysis indicated that there is no significant difference in achievement scores among male and female students of the experimental and control group. (iii) Likert scale survey results showed students increased involvement, mutual interaction and in-depth learning in flipped classroom environment. This study is a contribution to a positive change in the prevailing education system of Pakistan by transferring a deeper understanding of the importance of student-centered learning. The technological tools motivate student of this age to collaborate academically and socially to become a self-standing, curious and creative learner.

SCREENING HERBICIDES FOR THE CONTROL OF DAVALLIA DENTICULATA

A weed control trial was carried out in an oil palm planting on peat soil to evaluate the efficacy of several herbicides against Davallia denticulata. Results from 13 weeks’ evaluation showed that tank-mix of 75 ml glufosinate ammonium 15% w/v plus 2.22 g saflufenacil 70% w/w in 10 L water, tank-mix of 50 ml triclopyr BEE 67.0% w/v plus 3 g saflufenacil 70% w/w in 10 L water and tank-mix 15 g metsulfuron-methyl 20% w/w plus 4 g saflufenacil 70% w/w in 10 L water were effective against the weed with more than 90 per cent control when the trial was terminated at the thirteenth week after treatment. Keywords: Davallia denticulata, weed management, saflufenacil

The Grain Replacement Value of Processed Cassava in Broiler Finisher Rations

EIGHT hundred Starbrow day-old broiler chicks were raised on deep litter on a commercial broiler starter ration. At the end of seven weeks the chicks were randomly and equally alloted to five experimental broiler finisher rations in which maize and gari constituted the main carbohydrate source in the proportions 58:0, 39:16, 29:24.5, 19:33 and 0.49% of ration, respectively. The protein source, groundnut cake, was varied accordingly such that the five rations were isonitrogenous and isocaloric. All other ingredients were mixed in the same amounts for all five rations which were balanced for essential nutrients. All chicks received ad libitum intake of feed and water from the eight week to the thirteenth week when the experiment was concluded. Feed consumption, growth rate, feed efficiency, dressed carcass percentage, liver Weight and abdominal fat percentage were used as parameters to evaluate the relative efficacy of the five ration treatments. 
 Birds on gari rations consumed 3.2% less feed on the average, than those on the Control maize ration, for nearly identical gains. Feed/gain ratio was, therefore, slightly lower for the gari treatments, the lowest value coming from the ration in which maize/gari ratio was 29%:24.5%. Average body weights, rate of gain and feed gain ratio were not significantly different. Variations in carcass and organoleptic measurements indicated no significant differences from dressed carcass percentage, liver weight percentage, tenderness, juiciness, colour or general acceptability. However, abdominal fat percentage was significantly [P<0.001] larger in the gari rations than the control maize ration. This value was highest in the ration that contained only gari as the major carbohydrate source. There was no significant difference in the iodine number of the abdominal fat of the five treatments. 
 The results of this study suggest that gari can replace all the maize in broiler finisher rations or constitute up to 49% of the whole ration, without any decrease in growth rate or carcass quality of broilers, provided such a ration is balanced for protein and amino acids. The best substitution level from this study appears to be at 50%, or 29% of the whole ration.

English

The study was carried out to determine effect of brewery effluent on the anatomical and morphological characters of Talinum triangulare. Seeds from matured T. triangulare were germinated and transplanted into plastic containers. The seeds were irrigated with 10, 20, 30 and 40% effluent concentrations respectively. A control experiment irrigated with normal water was also set aside. Data were collected on weekly basis until after the thirteenth week when the experiment was terminated. The plant showed significant reduction in the leaf area, seed number, shoot height, this morphological response is also associated with a reduction in various anatomical structure that were studied. The significant reduction was more obvious on plants irrigated with the 30 and 40% effluent concentrations. Stem tissue such as epidermis, cortical cell distance and vessel diameter showed significant reduction. The reduction in the morphological and anatomical character might be an adaptive mechanisms employed by the plant in order to cope with the heavy concentration of the effluent. This study showed that brewery effluents have toxic effect on the T. triangulare and the effects were more pronounced on those irrigated with 30 and 40% effluent concentrations. The physical and morphological characters observed in plants are the repercussion of the various endogenous characters among which are the anatomical characters.   Key words: Brewery effluent, vegetables, irrigation, plant cells.

METSULFURON-METHYL FOR THE CONTROL OF DIANELLA ENSIFOLIA

A weed control trial was carried out in a two-year-old immature oil palm planting to evaluate the efficacy of metsulfaron-methyl against Dianella ensifolia, an evergreen perennial shrub. Results from 13 weeks' evaluation showed that metsulfuron-methyl at 90 g a.i. per hectare alone was effective against the weed with 100 per cent control and there was no regrowth when the trial was terminated at the thirteenth week after treatment. Keywords: Dianella ensifolia, metsulfaron-methyl, weed management.

PERFORMANS PRODUKSI DAN TEBAL KERABANG BURUNG PUYUH BETINA(Coturnix coturnix japonica) UMUR 6-14 MINGGU PADA LAMA PENCAHAYAAN YANG BERBEDA

PERFORMANCE PRODUCTION AND EGG SHELL THICKNESS OF QUAIL (Coturnix coturnix japonica) AT 6-14 WEEKS OLD AT DIFFERENT LIGHTING LENGTH. This study was done to determine the effect of the lighting length on the performance of quail production at 6-14 weeks old. This research was conducted at the experimental laboratory of Animal Production Department, Faculty of Animal Husbandry Sam Ratulangi University Manado, during the period from January 7, 2017 to March 3, 2017. The ration used was SP-22 commercial feed by PT. Sinta Fredmill. The total of quails used were 80 birds. Birds were maintained in a 60cm x 40cm baterrey system, using 5 watts power light. The variables measured were feed consumption, egg production and peak production, egg weight, and thickness of the egg shell. The design used in this study was a completely randomized design with 4 treatments and 5 replications. Each replication of experiment involved 4 quails with the treatments; R0 = 12 hours of illumination; R1 = 16 hours of illumination; R2 = 20 hours of illumination; R3 = 24 hours of illumination. Feeding and drinking water were prepared ad libitum. The result of the analysis showed that duration of lighting did not affect the averages of feed consumption, egg production, egg weight and egg shell thickness, but peak production could be reached more than 80% at the thirteenth week. Therefore, it can be concluded that the addition of light for female quail production at 6-14 weeks old did not affect feed consumption, peak production, egg weight, and thickness of the egg shell Keywords: Quail, performance production, lighting length illumination

Goodpasture's syndrome in early pregnancy: A case report.

Goodpasture's syndrome (GPS) presenting during pregnancy is extremely rare and patients exhibiting hemoptysis and renal dysfunction in early pregnancy are uncommon. The present study reports the case of a 17-year-old diagnosed with GPS during the thirteenth week of pregnancy. Prompt recognition and immediate treatment (steroids and plasma exchange) was initiated. Renal function normalized following treatment and anti-GBM antibody became negative during hospital stay. However, due to irregular follow-up, the patient eventually succumbed. The case highlights that the current treatment plan for GPS should be revised to improve the outcome of pregnancy. In addition, it determines how important it is for obstetricians to consider whether a pregnancy should be terminated to improve the chances of survival of pregnant patients with GPS.

Physiological ripening of Anadenanthera colubrina (Vellozo) Brenan seeds

Abstract: The seed physiological maturity knowledgment is critical determine its maximum production and physiological quality. The objective of this study was to determine the ideal time to harvest by evaluating seeds physiological maturity. Seventeen weekly harvests of fruits and seeds from matrices located in the Brazilian city of Botucatu, SP, were performed from May to September 2001. Fruits size and weight, seed water content and dry matter, and germination and emission of primary root were evaluated. Seeds showed maximum dimension in the thirteenth week of collection, while the highest fruit weight was obtained in the twelfth week of collection. Water content decreased over time. Seeds dry matter showed its highest value in the sixteenth week harvest, while germination percentage showed its highest value between the fourteenth and fifteenth week harvest. The percentage of primary root emission was observed with maximum value in the tenth week harvest. Based on the results, it is concluded that the best Anadenanthera colubrina harvest season occurs between the fourteenth and fifteenth weeks.

Multiple Corpora Lutea in Dromedary Camels: Are They Associated with Multiple Pregnancies?

The aim of this study was to investigate whether multiple corpora lutea (CL) in dromedary camels were associated with multiple pregnancies. Three experiments were carried out. In the first experiment, reproductive tracts of 124 slaughtered female camels were examined for the incidence of multiple CL and the pregnancy status. In the second experiment, uteri and ovaries of 50 females were examined by ultrasound between the fourth and fifteenth weeks of pregnancy to estimate the number and location of the embryos/fetuses and the number of associated CL. In the third experiment, 20 females were mated and the pregnant animals were followed weekly to estimate the pattern of embryonic and fetal growth. At the slaughterhouse, multiple CL were detected in 44.4% of the pregnant animals. By ultrasonography, the incidence of twinning and triplets was 52%. The incidence significantly (P<0.05) decreased from the fourth to the thirteenth week of pregnancy. Intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR) was observed in all animals of twins and triplets. Only one viable fetus could be detected after the ninth week of pregnancy in each pregnant animal. Both conceptuses died in one animal. In conclusion, multiple CL in dromedary camels are usually associated with multiple pregnancies. IUGR occurred in all animals of twins/triplets, with only one fetus surviving after the ninth week of pregnancy.

Behavior and body mass changes of a mother and calf Pacific walrus (Odobenus rosmarus divergens) during the suckling period.

The behavior of a 13-year-old female Pacific walrus and her first calf is described during the first 7 months of the 19-month suckling period. The calf vocalized before 62% of suckling sessions. The mother immediately responded after 84% of vocalizations; after 44% she allowed a suckling session. The number of suckling sessions per 24-h period decreased from on average nine in the second week after birth to two by the thirteenth week. Thereafter, the number of suckling sessions fluctuated between 3 and 5/day. The average suckling session duration increased from 4 min/day to around 17 min/day. The average effective suckling time per session increased from on average 2 to 10 min. The number of breaks decreased during the study period from around 40 to 20 per session. The mother spent on average 47% of her time resting, the calf 44%. The remaining time was spent in locomotion, and suckling, playing, investigating, and looking. Mother and calf spent on average 51% of time indoors. The mother spent 43% of her time in the water, the calf 39%. The calf's body mass at birth was 55 kg; it increased to 178 kg at 27 weeks. The mother did not eat for the first 5 days after delivery, and she ate less than usual during the next 6 days. The mother's mass eventually stabilized at 1024 kg (>before gestation). The calf was not given formula and was weaned onto fish. This is the first detailed description of a captive Pacific walrus's suckling period. It could benefit the husbandry of future captive-born walruses, and may elucidate the behavior of wild walruses during suckling.

Effects of feeding lutein on production performance, antioxidative status, and milk quality of high-yielding dairy cows

This experiment was conducted to determine the influences of supplementing different levels of an additive containing lutein in the diet of Chinese Holstein lactating cows on production performance, antioxidative plasma metabolites, and milk quality. This study was performed on 60 multiparous Holstein dairy cows in peak lactation. The cows were randomly allocated to 1 of 4 homogeneous treatments, with lutein preparation (extracted from marigolds; effective lutein content was 2%) added at levels of 0, 100, 150, and 200g/d per head, with the actual available amounts being 0, 2, 3, and 4g of lutein/d per head, respectively. The experiment lasted for 13wk, with the first week for adaptation. Milk yield and milk compositions were recorded weekly, and milk concentrations of lutein, dry matter intake, and antioxidative blood index were analyzed in the first, fourth, seventh, and thirteenth week of the study. The results showed that adding lutein in the diet had no effect on dry matter intake compared with the control group; however, it slowed down the trend of decline in milk yield, and had a linear incremental effect on milk yield with increasing concentration of lutein. Dietary lutein tended to quadratically increase the percentage of milk fat, and linearly increased milk lactose concentration, with the highest value when treated at 200g of lutein preparation/d per head, and decreased somatic cell count, with the lowest values when treated with 150 and 200g of lutein preparation/d per head. The concentration of lutein in milk linearly increased with the incorporation of the additive, with a value of 0.59, 0.70, 1.20, and 1.50μg/100mL when treated with 0, 100, 150, and 200g/d, respectively. Total plasma antioxidant capacity tended to linearly increase in cows fed lutein preparation, whereas plasma superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase activities did not differ significantly. In conclusion, addition of lutein in the diet could improve the production performance and health status of dairy cows.

Study the Immune Response of Conjunctival Vaccinated Sheep and Goats with Locally Produced S19 Vaccine for Controlling the Brucellosis

Two flocks of sheep and goats (30 and 35 animals) were vaccinated by locally produced S19 vaccine, each animal instilled with 2 X 109 cfu in each drop conjunctively. From each flock, a group of 10 heads was used to study the immune response serologically at intervals 2, 4, 6, 8, and 19 week through blood samples using the rose bengal plate test (RBPT) and serum agglutination test (SAT) to determine Ab titres. The results of RBPT were 100% positive till 6 and 8 weeks in sheep and goats respectively, while SAT showed means of Ab titer after vaccination 100, 84, 47, 21, and 7 in sheep while in goats reached 144, 192, 100, 62, and 13. Also, the cellular immune response was evaluated by prepared Peptidoglycan Brucellin (PGB), which was injected in 10 guinea pigs through 4 concentrations 10, 100, 200, and 500 µg, 200 µg was used in brucellin test at the sixth and thirteenth week after vaccination, the antigen caused erythemia and induration in the vaccinated sheep and goats while the test give negative results in non-vaccinated animals. The study revealed that the conjunctival route is more safe, easy, and economic, and also the rapid reduce of Abs titer compared with subcutaneous route. Also, it is noticed that there were no side effects in the conjunctival route comparatively with subcutaneous route such as inflammation, abscess, and screw worm in the worm infestation in the site of injection. The study concluded the possibility of using conjunctival route in the vaccination campaign for controlling brucellosis in sheep and goats and also possibility of using one vaccine for different field animals against brucellosis.

Evaluation of the on-line electrical conductivity of milk in mastitic dairy cows

Mastitis is a persistent, inflammatory reaction of the udder tissue, which entails a decline in potassium, and is also responsible for a higher somatic cell count (SCC) and electrical conductivity (EC) of milk. The measurement of EC is an indirect, rapid method to detect subclinical mastitis from milk. The aim of this study was to analyse the EC of milk throughout the lactation, around the day of mastitis detection, and also to estimate its heritability based on data from a large-scale dairy farm. Shortly after calving the EC value generally decreases; however, it was discovered that from the thirteenth week onwards, substantial differences arise between the mastitic and healthy groups of cows. The authors observed a significant (P < 0.001) increase in EC before the detection of clinical mastitis. This higher value (around 11 mS) persisted for 4 days, then it gradually returned to the normal level. The EC of milk from daughters sired by different bulls responded differently in case of mastitis. The heritability of EC seems to be high (h2 = 0.56). Therefore, the EC trait can be a beneficial indicator in detecting mastitis and should be considered in sire selection.