The study investigated the impact of parity and lactation stage on milk metabolic enzyme concentrations and their correlation with milk composition and yield in Red Sindhi cows. A total of 45 apparently healthy cows were selected from two cattle farms in Pakistan. Milk samples were collected, tested for subclinical mastitis, and analyzed for chemical composition and enzyme activity. Notably, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity increased significantly from 1st parity to 3rd, 4th, and beyond 4th parity during early, mid, and late lactation. Aspartate amino transferase (AST) concentration was higher from 1st to 2nd parity across all lactation stages, followed by a decrease with increasing parity. Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) concentration varied significantly during different lactation stages and parities concentration was significantly higher during early lactation of 4th parity cows, mid lactation of cows at >4th parity, and late lactation of 1st parity cows Additionally, milk fat and solid-not-fat (SNF) content were notably higher at >4th parity and 1st parity, respectively. Density of milk decreased and total solids (TS) increased with parity. Slightly higher pH was recorded in milk at 1stand 2ndparity. Protein, ash and chloride and milk yield increased with parity and lactation stage and milk yield .has positive correlation with AST and negative correlation with LDH and ALP. Ash, Fat Protein, and lactose have positive correlation with LDH, while chloride and pH have negative correlation with AST and LDH These findings provide valuable insights for the dairy industry.

Peste des petits ruminants (PPR) is a highly contagious viral disease that affects goats and sheep, causing severe clinical signs, high mortality, and significant economic losses in many developing countries. Pakistan is one of the endemic regions where PPR outbreaks caused by the Asian lineage IV virus have been reported frequently, affecting the livelihoods of millions of smallholder farmers who depend on these animals for food security and income generation. In this review, we provide a comprehensive overview of the current status, challenges and prospects for vaccine development against PPR in Pakistan. We discuss the epidemiology, diagnosis, and control of PPR in Pakistan, as well as the existing vaccines based on the attenuated strains and their limitations, such as low thermostability, short shelf life, and inability to differentiate between infected and vaccinated animals. We also highlight the recent advances in vaccine research and development, such as recombinant and vectored vaccines, thermostable formulations, and novel delivery methods that could overcome these limitations and enhance the immunogenicity and safety of PPR vaccines. We review the current and potential strategies for vaccine deployment, such as mass vaccination, targeted vaccination, ring vaccination, and their implications for the global eradication of PPR by 2030. We conclude by providing some recommendations for future research and development to improve vaccine efficacy, safety, and coverage in Pakistan, as well as to monitor the impact of vaccination on PPR incidence and prevalence.

Foot and mouth disease (FMD) is a highly contagious transboundary viral disease affecting livestock, causing significant economic losses. This sero-epidemiological study investigated FMD distribution and associated risk factors in cattle and buffaloes along the Pakistan–Afghanistan border. A total of 800 serum samples were collected from cattle (n = 610) and buffaloes (n = 190) and tested for antibodies against FMD viral structural proteins (SP) and non-structural proteins (NSP) using ELISA. Overall, 35.25% (282/800) of samples were NSP-positive, indicating natural infection. Serotype-specific analysis showed serotype O as the most prevalent (66.1%), followed by serotype A (50%) and Asia-1 (32%). Cattle exhibited higher FMD prevalence (37%; 95% CI: 33–40) than buffaloes (30%; 95% CI: 23–37). Significant spatial variations in SP and NSP Seroprevalence were observed across different areas. Risk factor analysis identified male sex, young age (1–2 years), crossbred and exotic breeds, summer season, large herd size, smallholders subsistence production systems, poor body condition, and animal movement as factors associated with significantly higher (p < 0.05) FMD circulation. These findings indicate that FMD is highly endemic in the border region and highlight the critical need for government-led mass vaccination campaigns, targeted risk-based surveillance, and stringent movement control to mitigate disease spread. Implementation of such control strategies is essential to safeguard livestock health and protect the regional economy from substantial losses.

Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR) is an economically devastating transboundary viral disease of small ruminants across Africa, Asia, and the Middle East. Despite effective live attenuated vaccines and the FAO/WOAH global eradication campaign targeting 2030, recurrent outbreaks persist, particularly among young goats. A major underrecognized obstacle is maternal antibody (MA) interference in goat kids, which compromises early-life vaccination and creates hidden immunity gaps within vaccinated herds. Maternal antibodies, acquired exclusively via colostrum, provide temporary passive protection but can neutralize vaccine virus and reduce effective seroconversion. This creates a critical “window of susceptibility” (typically 2–5 months of age) during which goat kids are neither protected against field infection nor responsive to vaccination. Reported estimates vary from approximately 70–100 days to detectability for up to 6 months, depending on the endpoint, assay, and study population. Conventional serosurveillance overestimates herd immunity because seropositive goat kids with residual MAs are falsely classified as protected. Fixed-age mass vaccination campaigns thus fail to achieve effective immunity in the most vulnerable age group. Strategies to overcome MA interference include delayed primary vaccination, booster schedules, targeted immunization, intranasal vaccination, and recombinant vaccines. Major barriers include poor farmer awareness, inadequate cold-chain infrastructure, and transboundary animal movement. Rapid farm turnover represents a separate operational barrier that further complicates vaccination timing. Achieving PPR eradication by 2030 requires a paradigm shift toward age-specific immunity in goat kids. Age-stratified protocols, farmer education, standardized diagnostic thresholds, rapid pen-side MA tests, and longitudinal studies in underrepresented regions including Pakistan are urgently needed.

180-day-old broiler chicks obtained from a commercial hatchery in Hyderabad.Group A is basal diet 21% protein without amino acid supplementation Group B: basal diet 21% protein+ low amino acid supplementation. Group C: 19% protein with medium amino acid supplementation. Group D: 17% protein high amino acid supplementation. Growth performance and nutrient digestibility data were collected. Analyzed using JMP software from SAS, USA. Group B higher live body weight (2235.67±12.09 g/b).Feed intake was highest in Group A. Best feed conversion ratio (FCR) observed in Group B Dressing percentage: Group A > Group B > Group D > Group C.Relative weight of liver and heart was significantly different among the groups. While relative weight of proventriculus, spleen and intestine were non-significantly different among the groups. Leg, femur, breast, drumstick, and wing weight were also non-significantly different among the groups. Regarding nutrients digestibility indicated that significantly higher dry matter digestibility was recorded in group B (22.51±0.78%) followed by D (20.41±0.22%), C (19.21±0.12%) and A (18.95±0.52%). Maximum (P> 0.05) ash digestibility was determined in group C (88.23±0.05%) followed by D (86.36±0.20%), B (85.36±0.32%) and A (93.33±0.15%). Significantly higher crude fiber digestibility was recorded in group B (69.49±0.12%) followed by A (58±0.25%), C (50.09±0.20%) and D (41.89±0.18%). Significantly higher fat digestibility was determined in group D (51.06±0.16%) followed by B (49.39±0.29%), A (49.26±0.25%) and C (44.56±0.16%).Significantly higher crude protein digestibility was determined in group A (60.39±0.35%) followed by C (56.23±0.07%), D (54.64±0.13%) and B (54.19±0.38%). Mortality percentage in group A, B, C and D was recorded as 3%, 2%, 2% and 2%, respectively. Increased Live Body Weight Group B (fed the basal diet with low amino acid) showed significantly higher live body weight compared to other groups. Improved Feed Efficiency The feed conversion ratio (FCR) was best in Group B. Dressing Percentage Group A had the highest dressing percentage followed by Group B, D, and C.