Open Journal of Animal Sciences 

About: Open Journal of Animal Sciences is an academic journal published by Scientific Research Publishing. The journal publishes majorly in the area(s): Animal science & Biology. It has an ISSN identifier of 2161-7597. It is also open access. Over the lifetime, 475 publications have been published receiving 2929 citations. The journal is also known as: OJAS.

Effect of garlic powder on performance and lipid profile of broilers

Abstract: This experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of feeding garlic powder (GP) on the performance, digestibility, digestive organs, carcass cuts and lipid profile of broilers. A total of 270 day-old Cobb-500 chicks were used in the experiment. Birds were partitioned into three experimental groups of 90 birds in each. Each treatment was composed of 6 replicates with 15 birds in each. The control group was fed with a commercial starter and finisher diet. The second and third groups were supplemented with GP at the rate of 0.2% and 0.4% respectively. In the last week of experiment, 18 birds from each experimental group (3 birds per replicate) were used in a metabolic trial. At the time of termination of the experiment, the same number of birds were killed for digestive organs and carcass components measurements. Blood samples from 3 birds per replicate were collected on 3 rd , 5 th and 6 th week post feeding from wing vein for blood lipid profile determination. Total cholesterol (COL), triglycerides (TG), high density lipoprotein (HDL), low density lipoprotein (LDL) levels were determined. Results of this study showed that GP had no significant effects on broilers weight gain, feed intake (FI), feed conversion ratio (FCR), carcass cuts, visceral organs. However, GP decreased (P < 0.05) COL, TG, LDL and increased HDL levels compared to control birds. The dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP) and ether extract (EE) digestibility were improved by feeding GP. It can be concluded that GP could provide positive advantages in broilers performance.

Association between growth rates, age at first calving and subsequent fertility, milk production and survival in Holstein-Friesian heifers

Abstract: Age at first calving (AFC) affects the profitability of dairy enterprises This study examined the relationships between AFC and subsequent fertility, milk production and survival up to third calving in UK Holstein-Friesian heifers; Study 1 comprised 134 consecutively born heifers from the same herd (AFC 764 ± 8 days) and Study 2 contained 445 heifers born on 17 farms (AFC 796 ± 6 days) Growth rates and fertility during rearing were monitored and animals were subsequently divided into four AFC groups for analysis: 30 months The actual AFC reflected both growth rate and heifer fertility, with later calving heifers already lighter by 6 months of age The proportion conceiving to first service was highest (93% and 84% for Studies 1 and 2, respectively) for the youngest AFC group Fertility in the first lactation was best in cows calving at 23 - 25 months and worst in the oldest AFC group Milk production parameters in the first and second lactations were broadly similar between AFC groups but significantly more heifers with an AFC 44% of their days alive spent in milk production compared with only 18% - 40% in cows calving at ≥26 months Hence cows with an AFC 075 kg/d up to 15 months and good heifer fertility and resulted in the best subsequent performance

Maternal dystocia in cows and buffaloes: A Review

Abstract: The maternal causes of dystocia in cattle and buffaloes are analyzed. Uterine torsion appears to be the most frequent maternal cause of dys-tocia in buffaloes whereas improper cervical dilation appears to be more frequent maternal cause of dystocia in cattle. Failure of uterine expulsive forces (Uterine Inertia) and neo-plasm’s of vagina, vulva and uterus are com-monly seen in cows and buffaloes. The various maternal causes of dystocia in cattle and buf-faloes and their management are described.

Immunoglobulin transport during gestation in domestic animals and humans - a review.

Abstract: Maternal immunity is the main early defense against infectious agents in newborns. Immunoglobulin G (IgG) is indispensable for immune defense against infectious agents. IgG is transported through either the colostrum or the placenta. Immunoglobulins are antibodies, and the five different classes of these antibodies are IgG, IgA, IgM, IgD and IgE. Through their biological function of binding antigens, antibodies facilitate the removal of antigens from the body. The placenta is a temporary maternal-fetal organ, whose principal function is to allow the controlled exchange of metabolites between mother and embryo/fetus during gestation. The placenta types in different species are classified by the number of membranes separating the maternal and fetal blood circulation. Humans, lagomorphs and rodents have hemochorial placentas, which require a receptor for IgG transfer. In other animals, such as horse and pig (epitheliochorial placenta), ruminants (synepitheliochorial placenta) and carnivores (endotheliochorial placenta), antibodies are transferred via the colostrum and absorbed by passive diffusion. This review covers immunoglobulin transport in several types of placentas.

Combining genome wide association studies and differential gene expression data analyses identifies candidate genes affecting mastitis caused by two different pathogens in the dairy cow.

Abstract: Mastitis is a costly disease which hampers the dairy industry. Inflammation of the mammary gland is commonly caused by bacterial infection, mainly Escherichia coli, Streptococcus uberis and Staphylococcus aureus. As more bacteria become multi-drug resistant, one potential approach to reduce the disease incidence rate is to breed selectively for the most appropriate and potentially protective innate immune response. The genetic contribution to effective disease resistance is, however, difficult to identify due to the complex interactions that occur. In the present study two published datasets were searched for common differentially expressed genes (DEGs) with similar changes in expression in mammary tissue following intra-mammary challenge with either E. coli or S. uberis. Additionally, the results of seven published genome-wide association studies (GWAS) on different dairy cow populations were used to compile a list of SNPs associated with somatic cell count. All genes located within 2 Mbp of significant SNPs were retrieved from the Ensembl database, based on the UMD3.1 assembly. A final list of 48 candidate genes with a role in the innate immune response identified from both the DEG and GWAS studies was further analyzed using Ingenuity Pathway Analysis. The main signalling pathways highlighted in the response of the bovine mammary gland to both bacterial infections were 1) granulocyte adhesion and diapedesis, 2) ephrin receptor signalling, 3) RhoA signalling and 4) LPS/IL1 mediated inhibition of RXR function. These pathways comprised a network regulating the activity of leukocytes, especially neutrophils, during mammary gland inflammation. The timely and properly controlled movement of leukocytes to infection loci seems particularly important in achieving a good balance between pathogen elimination and excessive tissue damage. These results suggest that polymorphisms in key genes in these pathways such as SELP, SELL, BCAR1, ACTR3, CXCL2, CXCL6, CXCL8 and FABP may influence the ability of dairy cows to resist mastitis.