Eurasian Journal of Veterinary Sciences - 2023; 39(3)

Investigation of Some Physio-Chemical and Microbiological Quality of Fresh Meat Sold Online

Tahir Yilmaz, Egemen Gurdemir, Ayse Nizamlioglu, Yasin Akkemik, Ahmet Guner — 2023-09-01

Aim: The research was carried out to draw attention to online fresh meat sales and the precautions to be taken in this area by determining some quality characteristics of fresh meat sold online. Materials and Methods: The pH values of the samples were determined using a digital pH meter and the temperature values were determined using an infrared sensor-operated immersion thermometer. The color values of the samples were determined by measuring the L*, a*, and b* color values with a Chromameter color measuring device. The total viable counts was determined in Plate Count Agar medium, coliform bacteria number in Violet Red Bile Agar medium, Staphylococcus spp. number in Baird Parker Agar medium supplemented with Egg Yolk Tellurite Emulsion using classical culture techniques. Results: The mean pH values of pieced, cubed and minced meat purchased online and customers were respectively 5.62/5.62, 5.64/5.70, and 5.81/5.84. The average temperature values of pieced, cubed, and minced meat purchased online and customers were respectively 11.35/11.1°C, 11.26/11.7°C, and 12.07/12.7°C. Total viable counts of pieced, cubed, and minced meat purchased online and customers were respectively determined as 5.69/5.09, 6.34/5.68, and 7.01/6.36 log10 cfu/g. Temperature values and microbiological results determined in both meat samples purchased online with cold chain and customers without cold chain were similar. Conclusion: In light of the results, it is thought that the temperature values, packaging forms, and shipping conditions of online meat should be more prominent in the reorganization of legislation.

Effects of Different Rearing Systems on Growth and Fattening Performance of American Bronze Turkeys

Emre Arslan, Orhan Cetin — 2023-09-01

Aim: This study was carried out to investigate the effect of different rearing conditions on the growth and fattening performance of American bronze turkeys. Materials and Methods: In the study, data from a total of 123 American bronze turkeys were analyzed. The hatchlings, whose hatching weight was measured, were reared together for the first 10 weeks, and then divided into the experimental groups. The intensive rearing system group (control group) was fed only with concentrated ad libitum. Pasture groups are semi-intensive and extensive rearing systems. The semi-intensive group was subjected to 75% restricted feeding of the concentrate that the intensive group should consume. The turkey flock in the extensive rearing system was fed 50% of the feed that the turkeys in the intensive rearing system group should consume. Pasture groups benefited from the pasture between 09:00-17:00. The growth and fattening performances of the turkeys were examined by regular weighing and measurements every two weeks as they were being reared in these growing conditions between the ages of 10-32 weeks. Results: The 32-week live weights of turkeys were found to be 4.60-4.70 and 4.52 kg in females and 7.58-7.79 and 6.71 kg in males, in intensive, semi-intensive, and extensive systems, respectively. The effect of the rearing system was significant in males at 12-32 weeks, moreover, a difference was determined among groups in females at 14-28 weeks. Conclusion: As a result of, American bronze turkeys can be suitable breed for pasture conditions. Based on the live weight gain and feed efficiency values of the study groups, this breed can continue to grow for longer than 32 weeks when quality pastures are provided.

Impact of deformed wing virus master variants (DWV-A, DWV-B, and DWV-C) in managed honey bee colonies of Türkiye

Mustafa Emin Oz, Oguzhan Avci, Muge Dogan — 2023-09-01

Aim: This study aimed to determine the deformed wing virus (DWV) master variants in managed honey bee hives in Central Anatolia and the Mediterranean Regions of Türkiye. Also, the relationship of DWV genotypes circulating in the apiaries with clinical signs observed in honey bee hives was investigated. Materials and Methods: For this study, adult honey bees were collected from the same 25 hives in the spring-summer and autumn seasons of 2019 from the provinces of Aksaray, Isparta, Karaman, Konya and Nigde. DWV-specific nucleic acid and DWV genotypes were detected by DWV real-time RT-PCR assay and ABC assay, respectively. Results: Deformed wing virus infection was detected in each sampling season. While many colonies were without any clinical signs, in some of the apiaries where samples were collected, wing deformity, trembling, paralysis, swelling in the abdomen, loss of productivity, and dead bees were observed. The prevalences of DWV-A, DWV-B, and DWV-C in adult honey bees were 62%, 82%, and 24%, respectively. The dominant genotype detected in bee hives was the DWV-B master variant (98%). Also, the virus load of the DWV-A master variant was high in all of the honey bee hives with wintering losses. Conclusion: In this present study, data on the current status of DWV master variants circulating in Turkey and their impacts on honey bee colonies are reported for the first time. Thus, it is thought that DWV, which causes yield losses at varying rates in every season of the year in Turkish bee hives, should be carefully monitored.

Geometric Morphometric Analysis of the Condylus Occipitalis and Foramen Magnum in Sheep and Goat

2023-09-01

Aim: The aim of this study was to reveal the dimorphic structures of the foramen magnum and condyle occipitalis through an interspecies shape analysis and to determine the variability between sheep and goats. Materials and Methods: The study includes data from 81 skulls (46 sheep and 35 goat) for this aim. The foramen magnum frame shape and the condyle occipitalis variation were determined using type I (anatomical) and type III (semilandmarks). Results: Accordingly, was determined 30.76, 14.94 and 14.07 of the total shape variation of PC1, PC2 and PC3, respectively. It was determined that condylus occipitalis was primarily responsible for the shape variation according to PC1, and foramen magnum was responsible for the secondarly. It was found to explain the shape variation of the right condyle occipitalis to a great extent compared with PC2, while in PC3, it caused the entire right condyle occipitalis to explain the shape variation of the extreme lateral corner of the left condyle occipitalis and the left edge of the foramen magnum. The discriminant function analysis determined the Procrustes and Mahalanobis distances to be 0.12293879 (p < 0.0001) and 67.7482 (p < 0.0044), respectively. Conclusion: As a result, the geometric morphometry method is regarded to be a useful tool for detecting changes in skull shape between species and can thus be used successfully for taxonomic, archaeological, and forensic research.

The enigmatical manipulators in the capsule synthesis of Pasteurella multocida: Iron acquisition proteins

2023-09-01

Aim: Spontaneous capsular loss or capsular changes in Pasteurella multocida can result from repeated laboratory passages, positive or negative regulatory genes, or an unknown gene. This study, it was aimed to compare the properties of phenotypic, genotypic, and biotypic of each non-typical, and typical Pasteurella multocida strain, to determine the dominant genes on capsule synthesis. Materials and Methods: Fifty-six strains, which capsular type was determined, and thirty -six, which capsular type was not determined, were used in this study. Multiple linear regression analysis was used based on the presence of dominant genes (serogroup, serotype, toxin, adhesin, iron acquisition, and protectin) in the isolates. Results: When colony morphologies of strains were evaluated of these strains by culture methods, mucoid colony formation was commonly detected in typical strains (87.5%), in contrast to non-typical strains (27.7%). In typical strains, the highest percentages of ptfA, ompA, and tadD genes were 78.57%, 75%, and 69.64%, respectively. In non-typical strains, the highest rates of ompA, ptfA, and tadD genes were 61.1%, 52.78%, and 52.78%, respectively. According to multiple linear regression analysis results, the together hgbA with hgbB genes caused the increase of capsule synthesis in these strains. The presence of the ompA gene in these strains was secondly a induction on these strains. Other genes were not effective in capsule synthesis in these strains. Conclusion: It was determined that the most significant effect in the forming of non-typical P. multocida strains was related to not enough HgbA and HgbB genes. It was supposed that P. multocida may not be heavily encapsulated under iron-restricted conditions. Consequently, P. multocida may change its capsule or lose its capsule related to iron acquisition proteins.

Lungworm infections in small ruminants in Uşak province

Ercan Erot, Mustafa Kose — 2023-09-01

Aim: This study was carried out to determine the prevalence of lungworm infections in small ruminants in the Uşak province. Materials and Methods: The study was carried out by testing the stool samples of 250 sheep and 250 goats collected from 5 different localities in the Uşak province using the Baermann-Wetzel method. Results: While the prevalence of lungworm infections was 9.6% in sheep, it was 34.4% in goats. The prevalence of infection was found to be 22% in all sheep and goats. While the prevalence of lungworm infections in sheep was determined to be 9.8% in females, no infection was found in males. The prevalence of infection in goats was determined as 33.3% in females and 53.8% in males. The prevalence of Muellerius capillaris was 5.6%, Dictyocaulus filaria 2%, Protostrongylus sp. 1.2% and Cystocaulus ocreatus 0.8% in sheep. In goats, the prevalence of M. capillaris was 34.4% and C. ocreatus was 0.4%. Mix infections caused by two lungworm species were detected in three sheep. However, mix infection was detected in only one goat. When the prevalence of lungworm infection in sheep was compared according to breeds, infection was detected in two of the five sheep breeds. The prevalence of lungworm infection was 14.1% in Eşme breed sheep and 9.1% in Kıvırcık breed sheep. Conclusion: The prevalence and risk status of lungworm infections in small ruminant breeding have been demonstrated. In addition, it has been determined that raising sheep and goats together and grazing animals from different age groups together may pose a risk in terms of lungworm infections.