scholarly journals COVID-19 in Farm Animals: Host Susceptibility and Prevention Strategies

Animals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 640
Author(s):  
Sachin Subedi ◽  
Sulove Koirala ◽  
Lilong Chai

COVID-19 is caused by the virus SARS-CoV-2 that belongings to the family of Coronaviridae, which has affected multiple species and demonstrated zoonotic potential. The COVID-19 infections have been reported on farm animals (e.g., minks) and pets, which were discussed and summarized in this study. Although the damage of COVID-19 has not been reported as serious as highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) for poultry and African Swine Fever (ASF) for pigs on commercial farms so far, the transmission mechanism of COVID-19 among group animals/farms and its long-term impacts are still not clear. Prior to the marketing of efficient vaccines for livestock and animals, on-farm biosecurity measures (e.g., conventional disinfection strategies and innovated technologies) need to be considered or innovated in preventing the direct contact spread or the airborne transmission of COVID-19.

Author(s):  
F.M. Colles ◽  
S.J. Hedges ◽  
R. Dixon ◽  
S.G. Preston ◽  
P. Thornhill ◽  
...  

Campylobacter from contaminated poultry meat is a major source of human gastroenteritis worldwide. To date, attempts to control this zoonotic infection with on-farm biosecurity measures have been inconsistent in outcome. A cornerstone of these efforts has been the detection of chicken infection with microbiological culture, where Campylobacter is generally not detectable until birds are at least 21 days old. Using parallel sequence based bacterial 16S profiling analysis and targeted sequencing of the porA gene, Campylobacter was identified at very low levels in all commercial flocks at less than 8 days old that were tested from the UK, Switzerland, and France. These young chicks exhibited a much greater diversity of porA types than older birds testing positive for Campylobacter by culture or qPCR. This suggests that, as the bacteria multiply sufficiently to be detected by culture methods, one or two variants, as indicated by porA type, dominate the infection. The findings that: (i) most young chicks carry some Campylobacter and (ii) not all flocks become Campylobacter positive by culture, suggest that efforts to control infection, and therefore avoid contamination of poultry meat, should concentrate on how to limit Campylobacter to low levels by the prevention of the overgrowth of single strains. Importance: Our results demonstrate the presence of Campylobacter DNA amongst faecal samples from a range of commercially reared meat chicks that are less than 8 days of age, consistent across 3 European countries. The recently developed, sensitive detection method indicates that infection occurs on commercial farms much earlier and more widely than previously thought, which opens-up new opportunities to control Campylobacter contamination at the start of the food-chain, and reduce the unacceptably high levels of human disease.


2016 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 196-199 ◽  
Author(s):  
Y. de Haas ◽  
P. C. Garnsworthy ◽  
B. Kuhla ◽  
E. Negussie ◽  
M. Pszczola ◽  
...  

Climate change is a growing international concern, and it is well established that the release of greenhouse gases (GHG) is a contributing factor. So far, within animal production, there is little or no concerted effort on long-term breeding strategies to mitigate against GHG from ruminants. In recent years, several consortia have been formed to collect and combine data for genetic evaluation. The discussion areas of these consortia focus on (1) What are methane-determining factors, (2) What are genetic parameters for methane emissions, (3) What proxies can be used, and what is their association with methane emission, and (4) How to move on with breeding for lower emitting animals? The methane-determining factors can be divided into four groups: (1) rumen microbial population, (2) feed intake and diet composition, (3) host physiology and (4) host genetics. The genetic parameters show that enteric methane is a heritable trait, and that it is highly genetically correlated with dry matter intake. So far, the most useful proxies relate to feed intake, milk mid IR spectral data and fatty acids in the milk. To be able to move on with a genetic evaluation and ranking of animals for methane emission, it is crucial to make measurements on commercial farms. In order to make that possible, it will be necessary to develop phenotypes that can be used by the farmer to optimise the production on farm level. Also, it is crucial to develop equipment that makes it possible to make measurements without interfering with everyday routines or identify proxies that are highly related to methane and which could easily be measured on a large scale. International collaboration is essential to make progress in this area. This is both in terms of sharing ideas, experiences and phenotypes, but also in terms of coming to a consensus regarding what phenotype to collect and to select for.


Author(s):  
J.S. Clark

Agroforests and woodlots offer Northland hill country farmers investment and diversification opportunities. Agroforests have less effect on the "whole farm" financial position than woodlots, especially where a progressive planting regime is adopted and where no further borrowing is required. Establishment and tending costs for agro-forests are lower, and returns come much sooner. The proven opportunity for continued grazing under trees established in this manner, apart from a short post-planting period, further enhances the agroforesty option. Even where there is reluctance on a farmer's part to plant trees on high fertility land, the expected financial returns from agroforests on low and medium fertility land will increase the overall long-term profitability and flexibility of the whole farming operation. Woodlots may be more appropriate on low fertility areas where weed reversion is likely. Joint ventures may be worth considering where farm finances are a limited factor. Keywords: On-farm forestry development, Northland hill country, agroforestry, woodlots, diversification, joint ventures, progressive planting regimes, grazing availability.


2020 ◽  
Vol 16 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lalitha Vivekanandan ◽  
Roxanne Gekonge Mandere ◽  
Sivakumar Thangavel

Background: Constipation is a common, predominant, chronic gastrointestinal functional disorder. The drugs available to treat constipation are limited because of their side effects in long term use. So we need of efficacious drug to treat constipation. Sapindus emarginatus Vahl belongs to the family Sapindaceae, commonly known as soapnut. Traditionally used for the antipruritic, antifertility, constipation, and anti-inflammatory agents. Objective: The present study was undertaken to evaluate the laxative activity of hydroethanolic pericarp extract of Sapindus emarginatus (HESE) in animal models. Methods: The saponin content in extract was measured by gravimetric analysis. The laxative activity of hydroethanolic pericarp extract of Sapindus emarginatus is evaluated by the weight of feces matter, charcoal meal hyperperistalsis test, and loperamide induced constipation model. Results: The saponin content of the soapnut pericarp was 13.48 % and the extract was found to be 11.92 %. The results obtained from these models showed a significant dose-dependent increase in fecal weight, peristalsis index, and moisture content compared to control animals. Conclusion: The present study concluded that the oral administration of HESE showed a significant laxative activity by using different animal models. The presence of triterpene saponins is responsible for this activity. Further studies are needed to confirm their mechanism behind the laxative effect. The administration of extract was found to be a valid candidate in constipation therapy.


2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (04) ◽  
Author(s):  
K B SAXENA ◽  
A K CHOUDHARY ◽  
RAFAT K SULTANA

Pigeonpea [Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp.] is a favourite crop of rain-fed farmers due to its high food value, drought tolerance and various soil improving properties. The productivity enhancement of this crop has been a long-term goal at the national level but with a little success. In this context, the advent of hybrid breeding technology with over 30% on-farm yield advantages has provided a much-needed breakthrough. The hybrids in pigeonpea were bred using a stable CMS system and natural out-crossing. It is believed that the adoption of locally adapted hybrids would contribute significantly towards both family income and nutrition.


Zootaxa ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 2794 (1) ◽  
pp. 57 ◽  
Author(s):  
ROBIN KUNDRATA ◽  
LADISLAV BOCAK

Pseudothilmanus Pic, 1918 is redescribed and two species, P. alatus Pic, 1918 and P. marginatus Pic, 1918, are placed in the genus. The subgenus Drilothilmanus Pic, 1918 is synonymized with the nominotypical genus on the basis of low morphological divergence and redundancy in classification. Pseudothilmanus is newly classified in the family Rhagophthalmidae, in contrast to the original placement in Drilidae. Diagnostic characters for Pseudothilmanus and both species placed within the genus are illustrated.


SAGE Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 215824402110223
Author(s):  
Jahanzaib Haider ◽  
Abdul Qayyum ◽  
Zalina Zainudin

This study analyzes the leverage policies of the family and non-family firms of eight East Asian Economies (Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, and Taiwan) by using combined data of 690 family and non-family firms with 3,224 firm–years over the period 2006–2010. This study has used an ordinary least squares (OLS) regression for analyzing the data for the first question, while for the second question, logit regression has been used as the dependent variable (a binary variable). Prior research on family and non-family firms has revealed that family firms issue less (high) debt than non-family firms. Our analysis on a sample of East Asian Economies discloses that family firms have significantly different leverage levels than non-family firms, but their signs are not consistent. On the contrary, when the owner works as CEO/Chairman or member of the Board of Directors, then the family firms issue less debt than the non-family firms. Besides that, this study adds a new question that has not been addressed in the prior studies. The new question has focused on the speed of leverage adjustment. It is found that family firms and non-family firms regarding their debt maturity structure (short-term debt and long-term debt), the speed of leverage adjustments, and their decision to issue securities (i.e., debt vs. equity) are not significantly different. This study concluded that though family firms have a strong influence on each economy, but in South-East Asian countries, leverage policies of the family firms are not much different than that of non-family firms.


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