Qudrat Ullah | Ankara University (original) (raw)

Papers by Qudrat Ullah

Research paper thumbnail of Enhancing Metabolism and Milk Production Performance in Periparturient Dairy Cattle through Rumen-Protected Methionine and Choline Supplementation

Metabolites

For dairy cattle to perform well throughout and following lactations, precise dietary control dur... more For dairy cattle to perform well throughout and following lactations, precise dietary control during the periparturient phase is crucial. The primary issues experienced by periparturient dairy cows include issues like decreased dry matter intake (DMI), a negative energy balance, higher levels of non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA), and the ensuing inferior milk output. Dairy cattle have always been fed a diet high in crude protein (CP) to produce the most milk possible. Despite the vital function that dairy cows play in the conversion of dietary CP into milk, a sizeable percentage of nitrogen is inevitably expelled, which raises serious environmental concerns. To reduce nitrogen emissions and their production, lactating dairy cows must receive less CP supplementation. Supplementing dairy cattle with rumen-protected methionine (RPM) and choline (RPC) has proven to be a successful method for improving their ability to use nitrogen, regulate their metabolism, and produce milk. The detrim...

Research paper thumbnail of High seroprevalence of pathogenic Yersinia spp. in sheep and goats across nine government farms in the Pakistani Punjab

Journal of Infection in Developing Countries, Sep 30, 2019

Introduction: Seroprevalence of Y. enterocolitica and Y. pseudotuberculosis infections in animals... more Introduction: Seroprevalence of Y. enterocolitica and Y. pseudotuberculosis infections in animals and humans is not established in Pakistan. There are only a few reports on the prevalence of pathogenic Yersinia spp. and infections in small ruminants, however, the role of sheep and goats in the transmission of pathogenic Yersinia remains unclear. Methodology: A primary survey investigated the presence of anti-Yersinia antibodies among a small population of ruminants detected by recombinant antigen targets in nine government farms dispersed throughout the Punjab province of Pakistan. Results: Antibodies specific for Y. enterocolitica were detected in 7/9 sheep flocks and in 4/4 goat flocks. Antibodies specific for Y. pseudotuberculosis were detected in 4/9 sheep flocks. Two sheep flocks revealed the presence of both Y. enterocolitica and Y. pseudotuberculosis specific antibodies. Conclusion: Due to the high number of the population involved in raising small ruminants the risk to veterinary and public health must be rapidly determined.

Research paper thumbnail of Q Fever—A Neglected Zoonosis

Microorganisms, Jul 28, 2022

This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative... more This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY

Research paper thumbnail of Epidemiology and Associated Risk Factors for Brucellosis in Small Ruminants Kept at Institutional Livestock Farms in Punjab, Pakistan

Frontiers in Veterinary Science, Sep 2, 2020

Brucellosis is reportedly endemic in ruminants in Pakistan. Both Brucella abortus and B. melitens... more Brucellosis is reportedly endemic in ruminants in Pakistan. Both Brucella abortus and B. melitensis infections have been decumented in domestic animals and humans in the country. This study aimed to identify the burden of anti-Brucella antibodies in small ruminants as well as associated potential risk factors with its occurrence at nine institutional livestock farms in Punjab, Pakistan. The sera collected from equal number of sheep and goats (500 from each species) were screened by indirect-ELISA for anti-smooth-Brucella antibodies followed by a serial detection by real-time PCR. Overall, 5.1% (51/1000) seropositivity was registered corresponding to 5% (25/500) prevalence in goats and 5.2% (26/500) in sheep. Brucella-DNA could not be detected in any of the tested sera by real-time PCR. Multiple logistic regression model indicated that farm location (OR 34.05), >4 years of age (OR 2.88), with history of reproductive disorders (OR 2.69), and with BCS of ≤3 (OR 12.37) were more likely to test positive for brucellosis at these farms. A routine screening, stringent biosecurity, and quarantine measures are warranted for monitoring and eradication of the infection. Similarly, isolation and molecular investigation of the etiologic agent(s) are needed to understand the relationship of epidemiology and outbreaks of brucellosis in the country.

Research paper thumbnail of Brucellosis is Significantly Associated with Reproductive Disorders in Dairy Cattle of Punjab, Pakistan

Pakistan Journal of Zoology, 2019

Research paper thumbnail of An Overview of Comet Assay Application for Detecting DNA Damage in Aquatic Animals

Agriculture

This review discusses several research studies that employed comet assay to evaluate the environm... more This review discusses several research studies that employed comet assay to evaluate the environmental impact of genotoxins in aquatic environments. It focuses on in vivo and in situ studies of aquatic animals. New chemicals are being added each year to the existing burden of toxic substances in the environment. Excessive agricultural and industrial activities adversely affect biodiversity, threatening the survival of species in a particular habitat, as well as posing disease risks to humans. Some of the chemicals, e.g., pesticides and heavy metals, may be genotoxic to the sentinel species and/or to non-target species, causing deleterious effects in somatic or germ cells. Comet assay is a quick, sensitive, and low-cost technique for detecting DNA strand breakage. However, the comet assay has much more to offer than being an assay for testing DNA strand breaks in animal organs. The use of repair enzymes increases the range of DNA lesions that can be detected with the assay. Comparing...

Research paper thumbnail of Serological and Molecular Investigation of Coxiella burnetii in Small Ruminants and Ticks in Punjab, Pakistan

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, Nov 4, 2019

Coxiellosis is a zoonotic disease caused by the obligate intracellular bacterium Coxiella burneti... more Coxiellosis is a zoonotic disease caused by the obligate intracellular bacterium Coxiella burnetii affecting the productive and reproductive capabilities of animals. This study was conducted to gain insight into the seroprevalence of coxiellosis in small ruminants in seven farms of the Punjab, Pakistan. Potential risk factors were assessed. In total, 1000 serum samples (500 from sheep and 500 from goats) and 163 ticks were collected from the ruminants. All these 163 ticks were merged into 55 pools (29 pools for ticks from sheep and 26 pools for ticks from goat). Serum samples were investigated using an indirect ELISA and PCR. Coxiella burnetii DNA was detected in 29 pooled seropositive samples and 11 pooled ticks by real-time qPCR. Serological analysis revealed a prevalence of 15.6% and 15.0% in sheep and goats, respectively. A significant association was found between seropositivity and different variables like district, lactational status, reproductive status, body condition and reproductive disorders. Univariate analysis showed that detection of C. burnetii DNA in tick pools was significantly associated with the presence of ticks on sheep and goats. However, a non-significant association was found for the prevalence of C. burnetii DNA in serum pools. Hence, C. burnetii infection is prevalent in small ruminants and ticks maintained at livestock farms in Punjab, Pakistan.

Research paper thumbnail of A Comprehensive Review on Metallic Trace Elements Toxicity in Fishes and Potential Remedial Measures

Water

Metallic trace elements toxicity has been associated with a wide range of morphological abnormali... more Metallic trace elements toxicity has been associated with a wide range of morphological abnormalities in fish, both in natural aquatic ecosystems and controlled environments. The bioaccumulation of metallic trace elements can have devastating effects on several aspects of fish health, encompassing physiological, reproductive, behavioural, and developmental functions. Considering the significant risks posed by metallic trace elements-induced toxicity to fish populations, this review aims to investigate the deleterious effects of prevalent metallic trace elements toxicants, such as mercury (Hg), cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), lead (Pb), arsenic (As), and copper (Cu), on the neurological, reproductive, embryonic, and tissue systems of fish. Employing diverse search engines and relevant keywords, an extensive review of in vitro and in vivo studies pertaining to metallic trace elements toxicity and its adverse consequences on fish and their organs was conducted. The findings indicate that ...

Research paper thumbnail of Genetic polymorphisms in immune- and inflammation-associated genes and their association with bovine mastitis resistance/susceptibility

Frontiers in Immunology

Bovine mastitis, the inflammation of the mammary gland, is a contagious disease characterized by ... more Bovine mastitis, the inflammation of the mammary gland, is a contagious disease characterized by chemical and physical changes in milk and pathological changes in udder tissues. Depressed immunity and higher expression of inflammatory cytokines with an elevated milk somatic cell count can be observed during mastitis in dairy cattle. The use of somatic cell count (SCC) and somatic cell score (SCS) as correlated traits in the indirect selection of animals against mastitis resistance is in progress globally. Traditional breeding for mastitis resistance seems difficult because of the low heritability (0.10-0.16) of SCC/SCS and clinical mastitis. Thus, genetic-marker-selective breeding to improve host genetics has attracted considerable attention worldwide. Moreover, genomic selection has been found to be an effective and fast method of screening for dairy cattle that are genetically resistant and susceptible to mastitis at a very early age. The current review discusses and summarizes th...

Research paper thumbnail of Potential Applications of Moringa oleifera in Poultry Health and Production as Alternative to Antibiotics: A Review

Antibiotics, 2021

Because of developing bacterial resistance and increased public awareness of health and food safe... more Because of developing bacterial resistance and increased public awareness of health and food safety problems, the use of antibiotics as growth promoters in the chicken industry has been outlawed. This problem has spurred the poultry industry and sector to explore for safe antibiotic alternatives and to focus on developing better long-term feed management solutions in order to improve chicken health and growth. As a result, phytogenics have developed as natural antibiotic alternatives, with a lot of potential in the poultry industry. Moringa oleifera has gotten a lot of attention from researchers in the recent past as a natural product with a lot of health advantages for poultry. Moringa is known for its antimicrobial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and hypocholesterolemic properties, as well as its capacity to activate digestive enzymes in the stomach, owing to the presence of hundreds of essential ingredients. The potential influence of M. oleifera as a natural feed supplement on ...

Research paper thumbnail of REAL-TIME qPCR-BASED DETECTION OF C. burnetii DNA IN TICKS COLLECTED FROM SHEEP AND GOATS OF PUNJAB, PAKISTAN

Research paper thumbnail of Brucellosis is Significantly Associated with Reproductive Disorders in Dairy Cattle of Punjab, Pakistan

Pakistan Journal of Zoology, 2019

Research paper thumbnail of Water quality and health risk assessment of trace elements in surface water at Punjnad Headworks, Punjab, Pakistan

Environmental Science and Pollution Research

Pollution of the aquatic ecosystem due to different trace elements has become a global concern wh... more Pollution of the aquatic ecosystem due to different trace elements has become a global concern which has raised health-related issues for both aquatic and human life. Industrial and agricultural water run-off drained into the rivers and deposit trace elements in water, sediments and planktons. This study was designed to calculate the burden of trace elements such as aluminium (Al), arsenic (As), barium (Ba), and lead (Pb) in the river water of Punjnad Headworks, Bahawalpur, Punjab, Pakistan. Samples were collected from surface water, bed sediments and planktons during autumn, winter and spring seasons (September 2018 to May 2019). The results showed that the concentration of Pb was highest in surface water (453.87 mg L−1), while that of Al was highest in sediments (370.24 µg g−1) and plankton (315.05 µg g−1). A significant difference was found in metal concentrations among surface water, bed sediments and plankton at different sampling stations during various seasons. Importantly, the Exping (0.71, 1.23−3, 0.34, 0.02 for Pb, As, Al, and Ba, respectively) and Expderm (7.09−8, 1.2310, 3.42−8, and 2.48−9 for Pb, As, Al, and Ba, respectively) for trace elements were below 1.0 suggesting non-significant adverse effects of trace elements on human health. This study provided better understanding of various pollutants and their concentrations in water sources at the studied location.

Research paper thumbnail of Seroepidemiological Analysis of Contagious Caprine Pleuropneumonia through cELISA in Selected Districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa-Pakistan

American Scientific Research Journal for Engineering, Technology, and Sciences, 2016

Contagious caprine pleuropneumonia (CCPP) is a fatal disease of goats caused by Mycoplasma capric... more Contagious caprine pleuropneumonia (CCPP) is a fatal disease of goats caused by Mycoplasma capricolum subsp. capripneumoniae (Mccp).This disease has been causing huge economic losses to goat rearing farmers in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Seroepidemiological study of this disease was conducted for the first time in selected districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa namely Swat, Peshawar, Kohat and Dera Ismail Khan. Total 384 serum samples were collected randomly from goats having different ages and both sexes showing respiratory signs belonging to flocks with no vaccination history against CCPP. The serum samples were examined for Mccp directed antibodies using monoclonal antibody based cELISA. Out of total 384 samples 15 samples were detected positive on cELISA with 3.91% overall seroprevalence in the selected districts. The highest CCPP seroprevalence was recorded in district Swat (8.33%) followed by district Kohat and D.I Khan (3.13% in each district) and the lowest seroprevalence was observed in ...

Research paper thumbnail of Q Fever—A Neglected Zoonosis

Microorganisms

Q fever remains a neglected zoonosis in many developing countries including Pakistan. The causing... more Q fever remains a neglected zoonosis in many developing countries including Pakistan. The causing agent Coxiella (C.) burnetii is resistant to environmental factors (such as drying, heat and many disinfectants), resulting in a long-lasting infection risk for both human and animals. As the infection is usually asymptomatic, it mostly remains undiagnosed in animals until and unless adverse pregnancy outcomes occur in a herd. In humans, the infection leads to severe endocarditis and vascular infection in chronic cases. Limited data are available on molecular epidemiology and evolution of this pathogen, especially in ruminants. Genomic studies will help speculating outbreak relationships in this scenario. Likewise, pathogenesis of C. burnetii needs to be explored by molecular studies. Awareness programs and ensuring pasteurization of the dairy milk before human consumption would help preventing Q fever zoonosis.

Research paper thumbnail of Major Nutritional Metabolic Alterations Influencing the Reproductive System of Postpartum Dairy Cows

Metabolites, 2022

Early successful conception of postpartum dairy cows is crucial in determining the optimum reprod... more Early successful conception of postpartum dairy cows is crucial in determining the optimum reproductive efficiency and profitability in modern dairy farming. Due to the inherent high production potential of modern dairy cows, the extra stress burden of peri-parturient events, and associated endocrine and metabolic changes causes negative energy balance (NEBAL) in postpartum cows. The occurrence of NEBAL is associated with excessive fat mobilization in the form of non-esterified fatty acids (NEFAs). The phenomenon of NEFA mobilization furthers with occurrence of ketosis and fatty liver in postpartum dairy cows. High NEFAs and ketones are negatively associated with health and reproductive processes. An additional burden of hypocalcemia, ruminal acidosis, and high protein metabolism in postpartum cows presents further consequences for health and reproductive performance of postpartum dairy cows. This review intends to comprehend these major nutritional metabolic alterations, their mech...

Research paper thumbnail of An update for brucellosis in nomadic ruminants of Western Pakistan

Research paper thumbnail of Efficacy Evaluation of a Combined Hemorrhagic Septicemia–Mastitis Vaccine in Dairy Cows and Buffaloes

Animals

Hemorrhagic septicemia (HS) and mastitis caused by Pasteurella (P.) multocida, Staphylococcus (S.... more Hemorrhagic septicemia (HS) and mastitis caused by Pasteurella (P.) multocida, Staphylococcus (S.) aureus and Streptococcus (Str.) agalactiae are important ailments of the dairy industry especially in South Asia. The present study evaluates the efficacy of a locally prepared hemorrhagic septicemia (HS) and mastitis combined vaccine. To this end, a total of 70 HS, S. aureus and Str. agalactiae-free lactating (early stage of lactation) buffaloes (n = 45) and cows (n = 25), and 50 lactating (early stage of lactation) cows (n = 25) and buffaloes (n = 25) positive for S. aureus/Str. agalactiae were subjected to two doses of HS–mastitis combined vaccine with an interval of 21 days. Antibody response was monitored by ELISA up to six months (180 days). Antibody titers against HS and mastitis were significantly (p ˂ 0.05) higher in vaccinated groups as compared to the non-vaccinated groups. Cumulative mean somatic cell counts and mastitis severity scores in vaccinated groups were significant...

Research paper thumbnail of Sero-Epidemiology of Q Fever (Coxiellosis) in Small Ruminants Kept at Government Livestock Farms of Punjab, Pakistan

Pakistan Journal of Zoology

Research paper thumbnail of Incidence of Gastrointestinal Parasites in Pavo cristatus under Cage System and Comparative Efficacy of Two Anthelmintics

Pakistan Journal of Zoology

Research paper thumbnail of Enhancing Metabolism and Milk Production Performance in Periparturient Dairy Cattle through Rumen-Protected Methionine and Choline Supplementation

Metabolites

For dairy cattle to perform well throughout and following lactations, precise dietary control dur... more For dairy cattle to perform well throughout and following lactations, precise dietary control during the periparturient phase is crucial. The primary issues experienced by periparturient dairy cows include issues like decreased dry matter intake (DMI), a negative energy balance, higher levels of non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA), and the ensuing inferior milk output. Dairy cattle have always been fed a diet high in crude protein (CP) to produce the most milk possible. Despite the vital function that dairy cows play in the conversion of dietary CP into milk, a sizeable percentage of nitrogen is inevitably expelled, which raises serious environmental concerns. To reduce nitrogen emissions and their production, lactating dairy cows must receive less CP supplementation. Supplementing dairy cattle with rumen-protected methionine (RPM) and choline (RPC) has proven to be a successful method for improving their ability to use nitrogen, regulate their metabolism, and produce milk. The detrim...

Research paper thumbnail of High seroprevalence of pathogenic Yersinia spp. in sheep and goats across nine government farms in the Pakistani Punjab

Journal of Infection in Developing Countries, Sep 30, 2019

Introduction: Seroprevalence of Y. enterocolitica and Y. pseudotuberculosis infections in animals... more Introduction: Seroprevalence of Y. enterocolitica and Y. pseudotuberculosis infections in animals and humans is not established in Pakistan. There are only a few reports on the prevalence of pathogenic Yersinia spp. and infections in small ruminants, however, the role of sheep and goats in the transmission of pathogenic Yersinia remains unclear. Methodology: A primary survey investigated the presence of anti-Yersinia antibodies among a small population of ruminants detected by recombinant antigen targets in nine government farms dispersed throughout the Punjab province of Pakistan. Results: Antibodies specific for Y. enterocolitica were detected in 7/9 sheep flocks and in 4/4 goat flocks. Antibodies specific for Y. pseudotuberculosis were detected in 4/9 sheep flocks. Two sheep flocks revealed the presence of both Y. enterocolitica and Y. pseudotuberculosis specific antibodies. Conclusion: Due to the high number of the population involved in raising small ruminants the risk to veterinary and public health must be rapidly determined.

Research paper thumbnail of Q Fever—A Neglected Zoonosis

Microorganisms, Jul 28, 2022

This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative... more This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY

Research paper thumbnail of Epidemiology and Associated Risk Factors for Brucellosis in Small Ruminants Kept at Institutional Livestock Farms in Punjab, Pakistan

Frontiers in Veterinary Science, Sep 2, 2020

Brucellosis is reportedly endemic in ruminants in Pakistan. Both Brucella abortus and B. melitens... more Brucellosis is reportedly endemic in ruminants in Pakistan. Both Brucella abortus and B. melitensis infections have been decumented in domestic animals and humans in the country. This study aimed to identify the burden of anti-Brucella antibodies in small ruminants as well as associated potential risk factors with its occurrence at nine institutional livestock farms in Punjab, Pakistan. The sera collected from equal number of sheep and goats (500 from each species) were screened by indirect-ELISA for anti-smooth-Brucella antibodies followed by a serial detection by real-time PCR. Overall, 5.1% (51/1000) seropositivity was registered corresponding to 5% (25/500) prevalence in goats and 5.2% (26/500) in sheep. Brucella-DNA could not be detected in any of the tested sera by real-time PCR. Multiple logistic regression model indicated that farm location (OR 34.05), >4 years of age (OR 2.88), with history of reproductive disorders (OR 2.69), and with BCS of ≤3 (OR 12.37) were more likely to test positive for brucellosis at these farms. A routine screening, stringent biosecurity, and quarantine measures are warranted for monitoring and eradication of the infection. Similarly, isolation and molecular investigation of the etiologic agent(s) are needed to understand the relationship of epidemiology and outbreaks of brucellosis in the country.

Research paper thumbnail of Brucellosis is Significantly Associated with Reproductive Disorders in Dairy Cattle of Punjab, Pakistan

Pakistan Journal of Zoology, 2019

Research paper thumbnail of An Overview of Comet Assay Application for Detecting DNA Damage in Aquatic Animals

Agriculture

This review discusses several research studies that employed comet assay to evaluate the environm... more This review discusses several research studies that employed comet assay to evaluate the environmental impact of genotoxins in aquatic environments. It focuses on in vivo and in situ studies of aquatic animals. New chemicals are being added each year to the existing burden of toxic substances in the environment. Excessive agricultural and industrial activities adversely affect biodiversity, threatening the survival of species in a particular habitat, as well as posing disease risks to humans. Some of the chemicals, e.g., pesticides and heavy metals, may be genotoxic to the sentinel species and/or to non-target species, causing deleterious effects in somatic or germ cells. Comet assay is a quick, sensitive, and low-cost technique for detecting DNA strand breakage. However, the comet assay has much more to offer than being an assay for testing DNA strand breaks in animal organs. The use of repair enzymes increases the range of DNA lesions that can be detected with the assay. Comparing...

Research paper thumbnail of Serological and Molecular Investigation of Coxiella burnetii in Small Ruminants and Ticks in Punjab, Pakistan

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, Nov 4, 2019

Coxiellosis is a zoonotic disease caused by the obligate intracellular bacterium Coxiella burneti... more Coxiellosis is a zoonotic disease caused by the obligate intracellular bacterium Coxiella burnetii affecting the productive and reproductive capabilities of animals. This study was conducted to gain insight into the seroprevalence of coxiellosis in small ruminants in seven farms of the Punjab, Pakistan. Potential risk factors were assessed. In total, 1000 serum samples (500 from sheep and 500 from goats) and 163 ticks were collected from the ruminants. All these 163 ticks were merged into 55 pools (29 pools for ticks from sheep and 26 pools for ticks from goat). Serum samples were investigated using an indirect ELISA and PCR. Coxiella burnetii DNA was detected in 29 pooled seropositive samples and 11 pooled ticks by real-time qPCR. Serological analysis revealed a prevalence of 15.6% and 15.0% in sheep and goats, respectively. A significant association was found between seropositivity and different variables like district, lactational status, reproductive status, body condition and reproductive disorders. Univariate analysis showed that detection of C. burnetii DNA in tick pools was significantly associated with the presence of ticks on sheep and goats. However, a non-significant association was found for the prevalence of C. burnetii DNA in serum pools. Hence, C. burnetii infection is prevalent in small ruminants and ticks maintained at livestock farms in Punjab, Pakistan.

Research paper thumbnail of A Comprehensive Review on Metallic Trace Elements Toxicity in Fishes and Potential Remedial Measures

Water

Metallic trace elements toxicity has been associated with a wide range of morphological abnormali... more Metallic trace elements toxicity has been associated with a wide range of morphological abnormalities in fish, both in natural aquatic ecosystems and controlled environments. The bioaccumulation of metallic trace elements can have devastating effects on several aspects of fish health, encompassing physiological, reproductive, behavioural, and developmental functions. Considering the significant risks posed by metallic trace elements-induced toxicity to fish populations, this review aims to investigate the deleterious effects of prevalent metallic trace elements toxicants, such as mercury (Hg), cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), lead (Pb), arsenic (As), and copper (Cu), on the neurological, reproductive, embryonic, and tissue systems of fish. Employing diverse search engines and relevant keywords, an extensive review of in vitro and in vivo studies pertaining to metallic trace elements toxicity and its adverse consequences on fish and their organs was conducted. The findings indicate that ...

Research paper thumbnail of Genetic polymorphisms in immune- and inflammation-associated genes and their association with bovine mastitis resistance/susceptibility

Frontiers in Immunology

Bovine mastitis, the inflammation of the mammary gland, is a contagious disease characterized by ... more Bovine mastitis, the inflammation of the mammary gland, is a contagious disease characterized by chemical and physical changes in milk and pathological changes in udder tissues. Depressed immunity and higher expression of inflammatory cytokines with an elevated milk somatic cell count can be observed during mastitis in dairy cattle. The use of somatic cell count (SCC) and somatic cell score (SCS) as correlated traits in the indirect selection of animals against mastitis resistance is in progress globally. Traditional breeding for mastitis resistance seems difficult because of the low heritability (0.10-0.16) of SCC/SCS and clinical mastitis. Thus, genetic-marker-selective breeding to improve host genetics has attracted considerable attention worldwide. Moreover, genomic selection has been found to be an effective and fast method of screening for dairy cattle that are genetically resistant and susceptible to mastitis at a very early age. The current review discusses and summarizes th...

Research paper thumbnail of Potential Applications of Moringa oleifera in Poultry Health and Production as Alternative to Antibiotics: A Review

Antibiotics, 2021

Because of developing bacterial resistance and increased public awareness of health and food safe... more Because of developing bacterial resistance and increased public awareness of health and food safety problems, the use of antibiotics as growth promoters in the chicken industry has been outlawed. This problem has spurred the poultry industry and sector to explore for safe antibiotic alternatives and to focus on developing better long-term feed management solutions in order to improve chicken health and growth. As a result, phytogenics have developed as natural antibiotic alternatives, with a lot of potential in the poultry industry. Moringa oleifera has gotten a lot of attention from researchers in the recent past as a natural product with a lot of health advantages for poultry. Moringa is known for its antimicrobial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and hypocholesterolemic properties, as well as its capacity to activate digestive enzymes in the stomach, owing to the presence of hundreds of essential ingredients. The potential influence of M. oleifera as a natural feed supplement on ...

Research paper thumbnail of REAL-TIME qPCR-BASED DETECTION OF C. burnetii DNA IN TICKS COLLECTED FROM SHEEP AND GOATS OF PUNJAB, PAKISTAN

Research paper thumbnail of Brucellosis is Significantly Associated with Reproductive Disorders in Dairy Cattle of Punjab, Pakistan

Pakistan Journal of Zoology, 2019

Research paper thumbnail of Water quality and health risk assessment of trace elements in surface water at Punjnad Headworks, Punjab, Pakistan

Environmental Science and Pollution Research

Pollution of the aquatic ecosystem due to different trace elements has become a global concern wh... more Pollution of the aquatic ecosystem due to different trace elements has become a global concern which has raised health-related issues for both aquatic and human life. Industrial and agricultural water run-off drained into the rivers and deposit trace elements in water, sediments and planktons. This study was designed to calculate the burden of trace elements such as aluminium (Al), arsenic (As), barium (Ba), and lead (Pb) in the river water of Punjnad Headworks, Bahawalpur, Punjab, Pakistan. Samples were collected from surface water, bed sediments and planktons during autumn, winter and spring seasons (September 2018 to May 2019). The results showed that the concentration of Pb was highest in surface water (453.87 mg L−1), while that of Al was highest in sediments (370.24 µg g−1) and plankton (315.05 µg g−1). A significant difference was found in metal concentrations among surface water, bed sediments and plankton at different sampling stations during various seasons. Importantly, the Exping (0.71, 1.23−3, 0.34, 0.02 for Pb, As, Al, and Ba, respectively) and Expderm (7.09−8, 1.2310, 3.42−8, and 2.48−9 for Pb, As, Al, and Ba, respectively) for trace elements were below 1.0 suggesting non-significant adverse effects of trace elements on human health. This study provided better understanding of various pollutants and their concentrations in water sources at the studied location.

Research paper thumbnail of Seroepidemiological Analysis of Contagious Caprine Pleuropneumonia through cELISA in Selected Districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa-Pakistan

American Scientific Research Journal for Engineering, Technology, and Sciences, 2016

Contagious caprine pleuropneumonia (CCPP) is a fatal disease of goats caused by Mycoplasma capric... more Contagious caprine pleuropneumonia (CCPP) is a fatal disease of goats caused by Mycoplasma capricolum subsp. capripneumoniae (Mccp).This disease has been causing huge economic losses to goat rearing farmers in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Seroepidemiological study of this disease was conducted for the first time in selected districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa namely Swat, Peshawar, Kohat and Dera Ismail Khan. Total 384 serum samples were collected randomly from goats having different ages and both sexes showing respiratory signs belonging to flocks with no vaccination history against CCPP. The serum samples were examined for Mccp directed antibodies using monoclonal antibody based cELISA. Out of total 384 samples 15 samples were detected positive on cELISA with 3.91% overall seroprevalence in the selected districts. The highest CCPP seroprevalence was recorded in district Swat (8.33%) followed by district Kohat and D.I Khan (3.13% in each district) and the lowest seroprevalence was observed in ...

Research paper thumbnail of Q Fever—A Neglected Zoonosis

Microorganisms

Q fever remains a neglected zoonosis in many developing countries including Pakistan. The causing... more Q fever remains a neglected zoonosis in many developing countries including Pakistan. The causing agent Coxiella (C.) burnetii is resistant to environmental factors (such as drying, heat and many disinfectants), resulting in a long-lasting infection risk for both human and animals. As the infection is usually asymptomatic, it mostly remains undiagnosed in animals until and unless adverse pregnancy outcomes occur in a herd. In humans, the infection leads to severe endocarditis and vascular infection in chronic cases. Limited data are available on molecular epidemiology and evolution of this pathogen, especially in ruminants. Genomic studies will help speculating outbreak relationships in this scenario. Likewise, pathogenesis of C. burnetii needs to be explored by molecular studies. Awareness programs and ensuring pasteurization of the dairy milk before human consumption would help preventing Q fever zoonosis.

Research paper thumbnail of Major Nutritional Metabolic Alterations Influencing the Reproductive System of Postpartum Dairy Cows

Metabolites, 2022

Early successful conception of postpartum dairy cows is crucial in determining the optimum reprod... more Early successful conception of postpartum dairy cows is crucial in determining the optimum reproductive efficiency and profitability in modern dairy farming. Due to the inherent high production potential of modern dairy cows, the extra stress burden of peri-parturient events, and associated endocrine and metabolic changes causes negative energy balance (NEBAL) in postpartum cows. The occurrence of NEBAL is associated with excessive fat mobilization in the form of non-esterified fatty acids (NEFAs). The phenomenon of NEFA mobilization furthers with occurrence of ketosis and fatty liver in postpartum dairy cows. High NEFAs and ketones are negatively associated with health and reproductive processes. An additional burden of hypocalcemia, ruminal acidosis, and high protein metabolism in postpartum cows presents further consequences for health and reproductive performance of postpartum dairy cows. This review intends to comprehend these major nutritional metabolic alterations, their mech...

Research paper thumbnail of An update for brucellosis in nomadic ruminants of Western Pakistan

Research paper thumbnail of Efficacy Evaluation of a Combined Hemorrhagic Septicemia–Mastitis Vaccine in Dairy Cows and Buffaloes

Animals

Hemorrhagic septicemia (HS) and mastitis caused by Pasteurella (P.) multocida, Staphylococcus (S.... more Hemorrhagic septicemia (HS) and mastitis caused by Pasteurella (P.) multocida, Staphylococcus (S.) aureus and Streptococcus (Str.) agalactiae are important ailments of the dairy industry especially in South Asia. The present study evaluates the efficacy of a locally prepared hemorrhagic septicemia (HS) and mastitis combined vaccine. To this end, a total of 70 HS, S. aureus and Str. agalactiae-free lactating (early stage of lactation) buffaloes (n = 45) and cows (n = 25), and 50 lactating (early stage of lactation) cows (n = 25) and buffaloes (n = 25) positive for S. aureus/Str. agalactiae were subjected to two doses of HS–mastitis combined vaccine with an interval of 21 days. Antibody response was monitored by ELISA up to six months (180 days). Antibody titers against HS and mastitis were significantly (p ˂ 0.05) higher in vaccinated groups as compared to the non-vaccinated groups. Cumulative mean somatic cell counts and mastitis severity scores in vaccinated groups were significant...

Research paper thumbnail of Sero-Epidemiology of Q Fever (Coxiellosis) in Small Ruminants Kept at Government Livestock Farms of Punjab, Pakistan

Pakistan Journal of Zoology

Research paper thumbnail of Incidence of Gastrointestinal Parasites in Pavo cristatus under Cage System and Comparative Efficacy of Two Anthelmintics

Pakistan Journal of Zoology