Heat stress in poultry is a serious concern, affecting their health and productivity. To effectively address the issue of heat stress, it is essential to include antioxidant-rich compounds in the poultry diet to ensure the proper functioning of the redox system. Microalgae (Spirulina platensis) are rich in antioxidants and have several health benefits in humans and animals. However, its role in health and production and the underlying mechanism in heat-stressed broilers are poorly understood. This study aimed to determine the effect of microalgae supplementation on the health and production of heat-stressed broilers. Cobb500 day-old chicks (N = 144) were raised in litter floor pens (6 pens/treatment and 8 birds/pen). The treatment groups were: 1) no heat stress (NHS), 2) heat stress (HS), and 3) heat stress + 3% microalgae (HS+MAG). The broilers in the HS+MAG group were fed a diet supplemented with 3% microalgae, whereas NHS and HS groups were fed a standard broiler diet. Broilers in the NHS were raised under standard temperature (20°C–24°C), while HS and HS+MAG broilers were subjected to cyclic heat stress from d 22 to 35 (32°C–33°C for 8 h). Heat stress significantly decreased the final body weight, whereas the supplementation of microalgae increased the final body weight of broilers (P < 0.05). The expressions of ileal antioxidant ( GPX3 ), immune-related ( IL4 ), and tight-junction ( CLDN2 ) genes were increased in microalgae-supplemented broilers compared to heat-stressed broilers (P < 0.05). The ileal villus height to crypt depth ratio was improved in microalgae-supplemented broilers (P < 0.05). In addition, microbial alpha, and beta diversities were higher in the HS+MAG group compared to the HS group (P < 0.05). There was an increase in volatile fatty acid-producing bacteria at the genus level, such as Ruminococcus, Ocillospira, Lactobacillus, Oscillobacter, Flavonifractor, and Colidextribacter in the group that received microalgae supplementation. In conclusion, dietary supplementation of microalgae improved the growth performances of heat-stressed broilers by improving their physiogenomics. Thus, the dietary inclusion of microalgae can potentially mitigate heat stress in broilers.

The eggshell is the outermost covering of an egg that provides physical and chemical protection. It is a major source of calcium and minerals for the growing embryo during incubation. The egg industry suffers from a considerable economic loss due to poor eggshell quality. Therefore, developing an accurate and precise method of determining eggshell quality is crucial in improving eggshells in subsequent generations of breeding stock. Hence, this study aimed to develop a method to accurately and precisely determine 1) eggshell thickness using a scanning electron microscope (SEM) and 2) eggshell mineral components using an SEM-Energy Dispersive Spectrometry (EDS) system. Four types of table eggs (N = 48; 12 eggs/group): Cage-Free Organic from the US Mainland (CFO-M) and Hawaii (CFO-H), Caged Non-Organic from the US Mainland (CNO-M), and Hawaii (CNO-H) were sourced from the grocery store. Approximately 0.5 mm² pieces of eggshells from the equator region of the egg were taken and processed for visualization under the SEM. Three distinct layers of eggshell were identified under SEM: the outermost cuticle, the middle palisade, and the innermost mammillary region. The results showed that CFO-H eggs have a greater eggshell thickness (380.43 ± 2.69 µm) and effective thickness (306.28 ± 4.15 µm). Similarly, the mammillary knob count was denser in CNO-H eggs (186 ± 23.02 knobs/0.5 mm²). Calcium (97.36 ± 0.17%) was the highest among minerals in lower palisades (LP). The magnesium concentration was lowest in the LP region, whereas the phosphorus concentration was highest in the upper palisades. Our study established a scientific method to assess the eggshell quality and biochemical characteristics of eggs through SEM and EDS. This method can be used as a marker for selecting superior parent stock to improve eggshell quality in subsequent generations of breeding stock.

Background: A male Japanese spitz (3 years) was brought at Himalayan Animal Rescue Trust (HART), Pokhara with a complaint of swollen gums and loss of appetite. A lobulated tumorous mass was seen at the gingival region on physical examination.Objectives: Diagnosis and treatment of condition detected in the dog was the major objective.Methods: Impression smear of tumor cell was prepared and was observed under oil immersion microscope (100x).Results: Microscopic examination shows the presence of vacuolations within the cytoplasm and the condition was diagnosed to be CTVT.Treatment: Chemotherapy was performed using the most effective cytostatic agents I.e. Vincristine sulphate (once a week, I/v). The chemotherapy was repeated for 3 doses till the tumor gets completely regressed.Conclusion: The condition was resolved after third session of chemotherapy. Myelosuppression and gastrointestinal effects like vomiting are the major complications of using vincristine.

In this study, chopping board meat samples collected from meat shops of Bharatpur Metropolitan City, Nepal, were screened for the presence of Escherichia coli (E. coli), with a special emphasis on the identification of extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL)-producing strains. Representatives from the meat shops were also interviewed to understand the sanitary status and hygienic practices. E. coli bacteria were detected in one third (33/99) of the meat samples, while none of the samples had ESBL-producing strains. While 60.6% (60/99) of the meat shop personnel wore protective clothing, 15.15% (15/99) used gloves, and only 5.05% (5/99) had separate equipment for cleaning the viscera of animals. This study highlights the need for the regular screening of meat samples to identify pathogenic bacteria such as E. coli and for improvements in the sanitary status and hygienic practices of retail meat shops in Bharatpur Metropolitan City, Nepal.

This study was undertaken to find out the prevalence of diseases in broilers age group 1-14 days at Chitwan district, Nepal. This subjective study was carried out using the secondary data retrieved from National Avian Disease Investigation Laboratory (NADIL). Chitwan and Veterinary Teaching Hospital (VTH), Agriculture and Forestry University (AFU), Rampur, Chitwan in last two years viz. June 2016 to June 2018. The cases recorded were categorized and those up-to age 14 days old broiler chicks (n=1112) were selected for the study. Data and Informations were entered in Microsoft Excel 2010 and analyzed using SPSS ver. 22. Results illustrates that the average flock size was 913.51± 918.49 with a range from 30 to 10000 chicks. The case was reported highest in 14^th day followed by 12^th and 10^th day. The prevalence of bacterial disease was found to be highest (57.46%) followed by mycoplasma infection (10.61%) and metabolic diseases (10.16%). Prevalence of Colibacillosis was highest (43.25%) followed by Salmonellosis (12.85%) and Chronic Respiratory Disease (CRD) (10.61%). The level of chicks’ average mortality was 2.14% of total flock size. The Pearson’s correlation between flock size and mortality was found to be 0.82, which was highly significant (p<0.01). The mortality varies significantly (p<0.01) with change in seasons, the prevalence of disease was higher in summer (32.28%) followed by winter (29.13%). Prevalence was recorded as 65.19% among age group 8-14 days and followed by 1-7 days age group (34.80%). Thus, disease management during second week followed by the first week can decrease the disease prevalence and mortality of chicks and increase the efficiency of farm. Int. J. Appl. Sci. Biotechnol. Vol 8(1): 102-107

Dog play an important role as companion and guard animal. In Nepal, most dogs are free to roam and only few of household keep the dog as owned-dog. This study was carried out at Bharatpur Metropolitan City, Chitwan where 95 dogs owned families who owned 119 dogs were purposively surveyed with well-structured pretested questionnaire to collect baseline data on owned dog demographics, assess knowledge, attitudes and practices of dog owners concerning dogs. In the study, the sex ratio was found 1:1 in the population. Median age of population was found to be 2.5 years and range from 1 month to 12 year. Respondents showed no any specific preference for keeping dogs i.e. 39.5% for male, 23.5% for female and while 37% does not concern about the sex and most animals were kept for companionship (52.9%). Of those surveyed mixed dogs, of no definable cross, were most common, followed by Japanese Spitz (23.5%) and German shepherd (11.8%). Results show that 92.1% of respondent have knowledge on vaccination schedule while 94% of dog were vaccinated and 82.4% dog were routinely de-wormed. Study findings revealed that majority owner reported the dog were not facing any major problem (84.9%) while some are facing ecto-parasite problem ( 7.5 %) followed by dermatological problem (2.5%), endo-parasite problem (2.4%) and viral disease (1.6%). Among the total population only in 15.1% neutering was done Thus, based on the findings of present study, it is concluded that focus should be given to animal birth control program (ABC) while developing health management strategies. Meanwhile, further study covering wider geography and considering the major risk factors is recommended. Keywords: Animal Birth Control (ABC); Disease; Dog and Vaccination Schedule