Eurasian Journal of Veterinary Sciences - 2012; 28(2)

Attitudes to animal welfare and rights throughout the world in the modern era: A review

Serdar Izmirli, Clive J. C. Phillips — 2012-06-01

Animal rights and animal welfare issues are topical issues, with many people across the world expressing concern about the major welfare problems of animals. These problems are generally based on people attitudes that affect the animals' life. It is therefore important to learn about people's attitudes towards animal issues. We investigated society's opinions about the animals in a series of cross-cultural surveys. People who live in developed countries generally display more concern to animals than others, which appears due to their economic circumstances and ability to support high welfare systems. However, there is a common belief across societies that farm animal welfare should be maintained, and that we should support animal friendly rearing systems which at least ensure minimum standards of animal welfare. But, because of the high cost of animal friendly products many people are unable to consume these products. Besides, vegetarianism has been becoming more mainstream in many parts of the developed world over the last half century. Animal welfare concern is one of the important causes for avoiding animal products, especially meat. Most people support animal experimentation if these will be beneficial to human and animal lives. Gender is an important demographic determining factor, with females being generally more sympathetic to animals than males. Furthermore, large sized animals are generally accepted as more sentience animals. It is concluded that benign attitudes to animals are becoming more mainstream, particularly in relation to animals reared for meat.

May the fetal kidney measurements be collateral criteria on the prediction of gestational age in cattle?

Serkan Erdoğan, Mehmet Kılınç — 2012-06-01

Aim: This study aims to investigate the relationship between gestational age and developmental morphometric measurements of the kidneys. Materials and Methods: In the present study, 30 Holstein cattle fetuses were used. Ten fetuses, belonging to each of the early, mid- and late gestational stages were evaluated. Accordingly, in total, 60 kidneys were assessed after bilateral dissection for three different renal parameters (length, width, thickness). The morphometric data obtained from the kidneys was subjected to statistical analysis. Results: In general, throughout gestation, all renal measurements were significantly correlated with gestational age. The length and width of the right and left kidneys were highly (R2≥0.90) correlated with gestational age but, in comparison, the thickness of both kidneys was less correlated (R2≤0.86) with gestational age. All of the renal parameters were significantly correlated with the crown-rump length in the early, mid- and late stages of gestation but, the correlation between the thickness of the right kidney and crown-rump length was not significant in the late stage of gestation contrary to the left kidney. Moreover, the correlation between the cranial width of the left kidney and the crown-rump length was also shown to be insignificant. Conclusion: According to the results of this study, which was based on an anatomical approach to the correlation between organ development and gestational age; kidney measurements can be used as collateral criteria for the prediction of gestational age.

Individual and parentage testing in horses by PCR methodology

Mehmet Nizamlıoğlu, Ercan Kurar,, Zafer Bulut, Şeref İnal, Ferudun Erzurum — 2012-06-01

Aim: The objective of this study was to develop and test a microsatellite panel for parentage analysis in horses. Materials and Methods: A total of 189 blood samples were collected from four different horse breeds in Turkey. We selected five horse microsatellite loci and used to amplify genomic DNA by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The resulting PCR products were separated on polyacrylamide gels. Allele identification was conducted based on their base-pair size by comparing a size standard. Results: A total of 53 alleles was determined ranging from 9 to 13 at each locus. The observed heterozygosity (Ho) and expected heterozygosity (He) were ranged from 0.496 to 0.880 and from 0.800 to 0.851, respectively. Polymorphism information content (PIC) values were observed between 0.774 and 0.832. Power of exclusion (PE) at each microsatellite locus ranged from 0.619 to 0.702, resulting in a total PE value of 0.99060. Conclusion: These results indicate that this set of microsatellite is useful for horse parentage testing in Turkey. Due to possible high level of inbreeding in some breeds, the use of increased number microsatellite loci will thereby be appropriate for avoiding a false parenting and misidentification.

Diagnosis of mycoplasmosis in chicks by pathological and Real Time-PCR methods

Mehmet Tuzcu, Murat Özmen, S. Reyhan Karakoç, Nevin Tuzcu, Atila Yoldaş — 2012-06-01

Aim: The purpose of this study was to investigate the suitability of the Real Time-PCR in the diagnosis of mycoplasmosis and to determine the pathologic findings in lungs, air sacs, trachea, hearth, liver and kidney tissues. Materials and Methods: Conjunctiva and tracheal swab samples were taken from broiler chicks with respiratory disease complaints from 3 different breeders were used. Ten chicks from three separate flock in each breeders were collected. Trachea, air sac, lung, liver, kidney, and heart samples were also collected from the same chicks after necropsy in order to perform pathological, microbiological and Real Time-PCR analyses. Results: Clinically, nasal and conjunctival discharge and wheezing were observed. Macroscopic examination illustrated gross catarrhal exudation in trachea and bronchus. In microscopically, hyperplasia in trachea and bronchus epithelia, mucus producing cells and mononuclear cellular infiltration in lamina propria were observed. Mycoplasma spp. were successfully isolated in the tracheal tissue of 8 broiler chicks. M. gallisepticum specific nucleic acid was amplified from tissue and swab samples of 22 broiler chicks by RT-PCR. Conclusion: RT-PCR seems to be an alternative method when microbiological analyses are laborious or fails in diagnosis of mycoplasmosis.

Effects of vitamin C and vitamin E applications on wound healing and tissue mineral and hydroxyprolin levels in guinea pig

Saliha Filiz Pekcici Çuhadar, Seyfullah Haliloğlu — 2012-06-01

Aim: This study was performed for investigating the effects of vitamin E and vitamin C on guinea pig wound healing and tissue hydroxi-proline, iron (Fe), copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn) levels. Materials and Methods: A totally of 84 guinea pig were divided into four groups; the control group (saline, SC), vitamin C (150 mg/kg, SC), vitamin E (150 mg/kg, SC) and vitamin C + vitamin E groups. Vitamin and saline injections were applied 4 days before and 1, 4 and 7 days after the wound incision. A four centimeters full thickness skin incision wound was created on the lateral lumbar area. The wound area closed with basic separate sutures and leaved open to air. Seven rats from each group were sacrificed on the days of 4, 7 and 10 after the incisions. Wound tissue histopathologic exam was done and tissues hydroxi-proline, Fe, Cu and Zn levels were measured. Results: Tissue hydroxi-proline levels were highest at 7th day in all groups and tissue hydroxi-proline level was negative correlated with Cu and Zn levels. In the histopathologic examination at 4th day of incision, while reepithelisation was lowest in the vitamin E group, reepithelisation and fibroblast activity were highest in the vitamin C group. Reepithelisation was highest on vitamin C + E group at the 7th day of the incision. Conclusion: Vitamin C alone or vitamin C + E administrations may be positively effective on the healing of incisions.

Effects of ovarian steroids on oxidative stress in overiectomized rats

Aziz Bulbul, Recep Aslan, H. Ahmet Celik, Gulcan Avci, Fatih Fidan — 2012-06-01

Aim: Determining the effects of combined or separate estrogen and progesterone administration on lipid peroxidation, antioxidative activity (AOA), β-carotene, vitamin A and C levels in overiectomized rats. Materials and Methods: The study was conducted on 1 control and 3 trial groups each consisted of 10 overiectomized rats. Control group received sesame oil while progesterone group received 2 mg/rat/day progesterone, estrogen group 10 mg/rat/day 17β-estradiol and estrogen + progesteron group 10 mg/rat/day 17β-estradiol+ 2 mg/rat/ day progesterone for 10 days. Blood samples of rats were collected under general anesthesia after 2 hours following last administration and checked for malondialdehyde (MDA), AOA, β-carotene, vitamin A, and C levels. Results: Whole blood MDA levels in estrogen group were decreased as compared to control group while remained same in others. Plasma AOA levels of estrogen and estrogen + progesterone groups were higher (p<0.05) than control and progesterone groups. Plasma β-carotene levels were decreased in all trial groups when compared to control. Vitamin C levels of all groups were higher as compared to control group and were highest in estrogen + progesterone group. Conclusion: It can be concluded that estrogen decreases lipid peroxidation and increases antioxidant capacity besides effects positively the levels of antioxidant vitamins, particularly showing that mentioned level of estrogen act as an antioxidant.

Fleece qualities of Menemen sheep: I. Morphologic and physical qualities

Günnur Peşmen, Mehmet Yardımcı — 2012-06-01

Aim: The aim of this study is to determine the physical and morphological properties of fleece from Menemen sheep and to use this data for breeding and reform of Menemen sheep. Materials and Methods: This study was carried out on 98 Menemen sheep in a private company established in Karacaören area, Şuhut Town in Afyonkarahisar. Results: The results for greasy fleece weight, post-shearing live weight, clean fleece percentage, fineness, length, elasticity and strength were 1583.78 g, 51.68 kg, 66.78%, 30.91 μm, 36.35 mm, 32.60% and 20.69 cN/tex, respectively in Menemen ewes. Conclusion: Menemen fleece can be used as rawmaterial for carpet manufacturing. Moreover it can be observed that through reform study, fleece in fabric quality can be achieved. 1Emirdağ Meslek

Comparison of some morphological characteristics of native Turkish dog breeds

Metin Erdoğan, Cafer Tepeli, Ceyhan Özbeyaz, Mine D. Akbulut, Cevdet Uğuz — 2012-06-01

Aim: The objective of this study was to compare some morphological characteristics of the native Turkish dog breeds. Materials and Methods: A total of 130 dogs, comprised of 30 Kangal Shepherd Dogs, 33 Akbaş Shepherd Dogs, 14 white Kars Shepherd Dogs, 23 black Kars Shepherd Dogs, and 30 Turkish Tazı, were used in the study. Body measurements such as shoulder height (SH), rump height (RH), body length (BL), front chest width (FCW), chest depth (CD), chest girth (CG), head girth (HG), head length (HL), and muzzle length (ML) were taken in different aged dogs. Results: Morphological characteristics, specifically shoulder height (SH), rump height (RH), body length (BL), front chest width (FCW), chest depth (CD), chest girth (CG), head girth (HG), head length (HL), and muzzle length (ML), were 76.20, 76.26, 69.19, 26.32, 33.46, 94.01, 58.43, 35.50 and 14.76 cm in Kangal Shepherd Dogs; 68.11, 68.77, 61.97, 22.32, 28.66, 80.96, 51.88, 31.56 and 13.72 cm in Akbaş Shepherd Dogs; 66.63, 67.91, 64.55, 22.09, 27.44, 80.11, 55.36, 31.94 and 13.14 cm in white Kars Shepherd Dogs; 66.99, 68.05, 63.28, 21.06, 27.90, 78.52, 54.93, 30.39 and 13.16 cm in black Kars Shepherd Dogs; 62.45, 62.59, 51.44, 16.76, 25.30, 65.27, 35.87, 27.19 and 11.72 cm in Turkish Tazı, respectively. In conclusion, the study showed that the measurements of these traits in the Kangal Shepherd Dog were significantly greater than those in the other Turkish dog breeds (p<0.05). Conclusion: Detail studies are needed to determine breed characteristics and genetic characteristics of Turkish Tazı.

Basic exterior characteristics of Serbian Yellow Hound in Southern Serbia

2012-06-01

Aim: This study was carried out to determine the basic exterior characteristics of Serbian Yellow Hounds in southern Serbia. Materials and Methods: Research was conducted through measuring of exterior on 37 Serbian yellow hounds (20 males and 17 bitches) aged 1-9 years. Six exterior parameters (height at withers, body length, head length, skull length, nozzle length, chest circumference) were measured. Results: In males and bitches of the Serbian Yellow Hounds, average height at withers was 52.41±0.71 cm, average body length was 60.91±0.68 cm, average head length was 23.53±0.24 cm, average skull length was 12.03±0.17 cm, average nozzle length was 11.53±0.15 cm, and average chest circumference was 64.15±0.97 cm, respectively. When the measurements were separately evaluated as male and bitch of the dogs, differences between the genders were statistically significant (p<0.05) for all measurement except for nozzle length. Dogs are classified according to their age, differences between young (≤1 year) and mature (>1 year) dogs were statistically insignificant for all metrics (p>0.05). Correlations among the all measurement values except for between skull length and nozzle length were statistically significant (p<0.05). Conclusion: Further research of dogs on other mentioned locations in Serbia is necessary and all parameters necessary for standard creation and systematic breeding of Serbian yellow hound must be determined, based on thus obtained data.

Retrospective study of commercial poultry diseases

Ausraful Islam, Shankar Majumder, Asadur Rahman, Ashika Akbar Trisha, Ruhul Amin — 2012-06-01

The aim of this study was to explore the occurrence of different diseases among commercial chickens. A total of 232 commercial chickens were divided into different age groups and the whole year was divided into three seasons. The occurrence of parasitic diseases was the highest among layers (81.9%) and broilers (95.2%). Occurrence of bacterial diseases (p<0.01) and parasitic diseases (p<0.05) was significantly lower in summer than rainy and winter seasons. Viral diseases were observed among 25.2% layers and occurrence was significantly (p<0.01) higher in pullet stage (40.9%) compared to laying stage (8.2%). Occurrence of non-infectious (p<0.01) disease, cannibalism (p<0.05) and egg bound disease (p<0.05) was significantly higher in laying stage compared to pullet stage. Bacterial disease occurrence was significantly (p<0.01) lower in 8-21 days age group compared to 0-7 days age group of broilers. Occurrence of viral diseases was significantly (p<0.01) higher among broilers of 22-35 days age group compared to 0-7 days age group. Several infectious and noninfectious diseases are prevalent among the commercial poultry of Guibandha district which can be controlled by effective vaccination and good management practices.

Identification of animal species in rendering products by DNA technology

Ercan Kurar,, Yusuf Özşensoy, Müge Doğan Bülbül, Mehmet Nizamlıoğlu — 2012-06-01

After bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) outbreak, the use of especially ruminant byproducts in animal rations is under strict control. An animal feedstuff sample was sent from the Turkish Republic, Mersin Customs Directorate in order to identify the animal source. The feedstuff was declared as “hydrolyzed feather meal” in the custom declaration and health certificates. In microscopic inspections, pieces of feathers and hollow shafts were observed. As an alternative method, DNA was extracted by using standard phenol/chloroform and dodecyltrimethylammonium bromide (DTAB) methods. The DNA samples were amplified by Polymerase Chain Reactions (PCR) using poultry, ruminant, swine, horse and carnivore specific oligos. In PCR reactions, chicken, goat, horse and cat DNAs were used as positive controls. DNA free PCR reactions were also amplified as negative control in each system. The resulting PCR products were separated and visualized by electrophoresis on a 2% agarose gel. The findings suggested presence of poultry DNA in the feedstuff sample since two different poultry specific PCR primer pairs resulted in positive PCR products. However, no PCR products were observed in ruminant, swine, horse and carnivore PCR reactions. The results of this study thereby indicated that molecular biology techniques could successfully be used to identify source of heat proceeded animal byproducts.