Veterinarija ir Zootechnika

This study aimed to determine selected reproductive parameters, including estrus synchronization response, pregnancy rate, and prolificacy, in Bulgarian local goats subjected to estrus synchronization and artificial insemination (AI) with frozen semen during the breeding season. The investigation was carried out on 101 lactating Bulgarian local goats during the breeding season. Estrus synchronization (ES) was performed using intravaginal sponges containing 60 mg medroxyprogesterone acetate for 14 days, followed by an intramuscular injection of 500 IU PMSG (pregnant mare serum gonadotropin) on the day of sponge removal. The response to synchronization was assessed based on changes in the vaginal appearance. A single artificial insemination with frozen semen was conducted 48–52 hours after sponge removal. Pregnancy diagnosis was performed on day 35 after AI. Based on ultrasound pregnancy diagnosis and kidding data, pregnancy rate (PR) and prolificacy were recorded. The registered estrus synchronization response, pregnancy rate, and prolificacy were 100%, 22.7%, and 108.6%, respectively. In conclusion, the applied estrus synchronization protocol and artificial insemination with frozen semen during the breeding season provided acceptable pregnancy rates and prolificacy in Bulgarian local goats, particularly when the primary objective is acceleration of genetic progress in the flock. Further investigations into factors affecting the success of these assisted reproductive technologies are necessary to improve their efficiency.

This study aimed to evaluate monthly variations in testicular measurements and semen characteristics in young Tazegzawt rams. Ten yearlings rams, aged of 11 months at the beginning of the experiment were monitored over a one-year period (January-December). Body weight (BW), scrotal circumference (SC), testis diameter (TD), testis length (TL), semen characteristics and sperm kinematic parameters were recorded monthly. Significant differences were observed among months of the year for body weight, testicular measurements and semen parameters (P<0.05), whereas differences among individual rams were significant only for body weight and testicular traits. Testicular size was lowest from January to March and increased progressively from May to November reaching peak values in October and November, followed by slight decline in December. Semen volume and sperm concentration were lowest during winter and early spring, increased from late spring to autumn, and reached maximum values in December for semen volume (1.13 ml) and in October–November for sperm concentration (≈2.2 × 10⁹ spermatozoa/mL). Sperm motility showed marked seasonal variation, with minimal values in winter and early spring and maximal values (≈100%) recorded in September and October. Sperm velocity parameters peaked during late summer and autumn, indicating fast but mostly non-progressive motility. In conclusion, optimal semen quantity and quality in young Tazegzawt rams were observed from late spring through autumn, whereas reproductive performance declined during winter and early spring. These findings provide valuable information for the conservation and reproductive management of this endangered Algerian sheep breed.

This investigation sought to determine the seasonal fluctuations in the occurrence of Theileria spp., Babesia spp., and Anaplasma spp. within herbivorous farm animals, encompassing various species such as cattle, sheep, goats, and lambs, within the Erbil region. A total of 244 animals were assessed throughout four distinct seasons: Winter, Spring, Summer, and Autumn. Seasonal prevalence rates were computed by dividing the number of infected animals by the total number of animals examined within each season. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was employed to identify and quantify parasitic infections present in the blood samples. In general, 84.2% of the animals exhibited positive results for one or more blood parasites, with Theileria spp. demonstrating the highest prevalence at 41.4%. Seasonal fluctuations in parasite prevalence were documented, Theileria prevalence peaks in Summer at 59.72% and declines to its lowest point in Autumn (21.66%). Babesia spp. and Anaplasma spp. exhibited comparable seasonal trends, characterized by elevated prevalence rates in Spring and Summer. This investigation underscores substantial seasonal and species-specific disparities in the prevalence of Theileria spp., Babesia spp., and Anaplasma spp., thereby implying the necessity for focused parasite control measures within the context of livestock management.

The study aimed to investigate transcriptomic mechanisms underlying natural resistance to avian leukosis virus subgroup J (ALV-J) in chickens by comparing resistant and susceptible individuals using high-throughput RNA sequencing. The PRJNA685043 RNA-Seq dataset available on the FAANG data portal was used for analyses. The gene expression profiles of chicken liver tissues from ALV-J-resistant and ALV-J-susceptible birds (N = 6; 3 resistant and 3 susceptible) were analyzed to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs), differential transcript usage (DTU), and associated molecular pathways that may contribute to viral resistance. Transcript quantification was performed using kallisto, followed by differential gene expression (DGE) analysis with DESeq2 and DTU evaluation using a combined DRIMSeq–DEXSeq–stageR workflow. Functional characterization and interaction profiling were conducted using STRING and additional regulatory analyses. The analysis identified 36 significant DEGs, including 32 upregulated and 4 downregulated genes in resistant chickens. Key genes were associated with mitochondrial regulation, calcium signaling, DNA damage response, and suppression of tumorigenesis. DTU analysis revealed 22 genes exhibiting significant isoform switching, suggesting alternative splicing as an additional regulatory layer. Interaction network assessment highlighted limited but meaningful relationships among DEGs and DTU genes, indicating that multiple independent pathways may contribute collectively to resistance.

Feline coronavirus (FCoV) is highly prevalent in multi-cat environments and may mutate to cause feline infectious peritonitis (FIP). This single-site retrospective case study analysed breeding and diagnostic data from a private cattery in Estonia (10 FCoV-free queens, 4 FCoV-shedding toms, and 29 kittens) to evaluate whether virus-free queens can be bred with shedding toms without subsequent infection in queens or offspring. Natural matings were conducted under strictly controlled conditions, limited to 90-minute sessions twice daily for three consecutive days, in a room without shared litter boxes, food, water, or enrichment. FCoV infection status was monitored using repeated faecal RT-PCR and serological testing before and after mating. All queens remained negative for FCoV on faecal RT-PCR and serology six months after breeding, and all kittens tested negative by faecal RT-PCR up to three months of age. No clinical or reproductive complications were observed. Within the limitations of a retrospective case study, these findings indicate that time-limited mating under strict environmental control was associated with no detectable FCoV transmission in this setting. This approach may be relevant for breeders and veterinarians managing FCoV-free breeding stock where virus-negative toms are not available.

Bull sperm cryopreservation induces significant cellular damage through reactive oxygen species generation and oxidative stress, compromising motility, membrane integrity, and fertilizing capacity. Bull spermatozoa are particularly vulnerable due to limited cytoplasmic antioxidant defenses and high metabolic activity.The aim of this study wasto evaluate the protective effects of vitamin C, vitamin E, their combination, and vitamin E combined with Rosmarinus officinalis essential oil on bull sperm quality parameters following cryopreservation.Epididymal spermatozoa from ten bulls were collected and divided into five groups: control (Tris-based extender), vitamin E (0.5 mg/mL), vitamin C (0.25 mg/mL), vitamin E+C association (Vit E-C) (0.5 and 0.25 mg/mL), and vitamin E+essential oil association (Vit E-EO) (0.5 mg/mL+1 µl/mL). Post-thaw sperm quality was assessed using computer-assisted sperm analysis for motility and kinematic parameters, hypo-osmotic swelling test for membrane integrity, and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances assay for lipid peroxidation. All antioxidant treatments improved sperm parameters compared to control. Vitamin E+essential oil combination demonstrated the highest total motility (73.8±5.6% vs. control 64.3±3.5%) and progressive motility (33.7±7.1% vs. control 24.4±3.2%). This treatment also achieved superior kinematic parameters including curvilinear velocity (47.8±2.4 vs. 34.3±0.7 µm/sec), straight-line velocity (23.7±1.6 vs. 14.7±0.5 µm/sec), and membrane integrity (23±4% vs. 14±2%). Vitamin E+essential oil showed the greatest reduction in lipid peroxidation(0.26 vs. 0.35 nmol MDA/10⁸ spermatozoa). Antioxidant supplementation, particularly vitamin E combined with essential oil, significantly enhances bull sperm cryopreservation outcomes through synergistic protective mechanisms against oxidative damage and membrane destabilization.

Postpartum metabolic and inflammatory disorders, including ketosis, puerperal paresis, and mastitis, profoundly affect milk composition and have significant implications for dairy herd productivity and health. This study aimed to investigate breed-related differences in milk chemical composition between Holstein-Friesian and Simmental cows during early lactation prior to therapeutic intervention. A total of 360 cows were examined and grouped by disease and breed. Milk was analyzed for fat, protein, casein, lactose, solids-not-fat, fatty acid profiles (saturated, unsaturated, polyunsaturated), BHB, acetone, minerals (Ca, P, Mg), milk urea, citrate, somatic cell count, and pH (mastitis). ANOVA assessed breed differences, while correlation and regression analyses evaluated associations among metabolic markers and milk components. Chi-Square tests examined breed-specific differences within disease categories. Holstein-Friesian cows with ketosis showed higher BHB (450±30 μmol/L) and acetone (2.5±0.2 mmol/L) compared to Simmental (BHB 380±25 μmol/L; acetone 1.8±0.2 mmol/L; p<0.001), reflecting enhanced lipid mobilization. In mastitis, reductions in protein (Holstein 2.9±0.2% vs Simmental 3.0±0.2%; p<0.002) and lactose (4.0±0.1% vs 4.1±0.1%; p<0.001) were more pronounced in Holstein-Friesians. Puerperal paresis was associated with lower milk calcium (95±5 mg/100 mL vs 100±4 mg/100 mL; p<0.001), phosphorus, and magnesium in Holstein-Friesians. Regression models showed that BHB and acetone explained up to 72% of protein variation, while Chi-Square tests confirmed significant breed-specific metabolic differences. However, mechanistic explanations for breed differences remain unclear, and potential confounders such as diet, housing, and environmental factors were not fully controlled, limiting causal inference. These findings highlight milk composition as an integrated biomarker system for monitoring postpartum metabolic and inflammatory stress. Understanding breed-specific responses may inform targeted nutritional strategies, early detection, and precision herd management, enhancing both animal welfare and milk productivity.

Abstract Various serotypes of Actinobacillus pleuropneumonia are caused factors of porcine pleuropneumonia and lead to significant economic loss in whole word. Effective antibiotic therapy requires the data on individual serotype resistance and its coinfection variants. The aim of present study was to disclose A. pleuropneumonia epidemiology of swine farming in Ukraine during 2022–2024. The isolates from 16 provinces of Ukraine were analyzed with RT-PCR and microbial culture techniques to identify serotype and its antibiotic resistance. Four and five serotypes colocation observed only in 2 provinces. Besides, the infections caused by one serotype were observed in 79% cases, while coinfection cases of two and three A. pleuropneumoniae serotypes detected in 21% of all studied regions. Totally, 12 different serotypes were identified in all locations. The serotypes 8 and 2 were most prevailing and together consist 51% of all cases. The results on antibiotic resistance demonstrated significant diversity with respect to various antibiotic classes. However, isolated A. pleuropneumoniae strains exhibited high sensitivity to both β-lactams and quinolones while highest resistance detected with respect to macrolides and lincosamides. In spite of large spread of both 8 and 2 serotype, serotype 2 resistance to tetracyclines was significantly low and consists 2.8%. In contrast, serotype 8 resistance to tetracyclines made up 68.5%. Besides, inverse data on serotype 8 and 2 strains sensitivity to tetracyclines was detected as 13.9% and 80.6% respectively. Obtained data have shown that most of isolated strains were sensitive to cephalosporines, fluoroquinolones, and β-lactams while these strains exhibited high resistance with respect to macrolides and lincosamides. In addition, intermediate resistance was detected with respect to tetracyclines. Together, observed results evidence that multi-resistant A. pleuropneumoniae strains to macrolides, lincosamides, and tetracyclines could be generated in Ukraine recent years.