Serum samples from 600 sheep were collected from 5 different provinces randomly chosen in South Africa. Two sheep abattoirs (representing formal slaughter of sheep) and 1 rural location (representing informal slaughter of sheep) per province were also selected randomly. The serum samples were tested for anti-Toxoplasma gondii IgG antibodies using 2 different serological tests: an indirect fluor...

The families of TGF-β proteins are the most important growth factors in the ovary for growth and differentiation of early ovarian follicles. Three related oocyte-derived members of the transforming growth factor-β superfamily namely growth differentiation factor 9 (GDF9), BMP15 and BMPR-IB have been shown to be essential for follicular growth and ovulation. Different mutations in the GDF9 gene ...

The FecB, a mutation in the bone morphogenetic protein receptor IB (BMPR-IB) gene, which increases the fecundity of Booroola Merino sheep, and FecGH, a mutation in the Growth and Differentiation Factor 9 (GDF9), which affects the fecundity of Cambridge and Belclare sheep in a dose sensitive manner, were analyzed as candidate genes associated with the prolificacy in Rayini goats. These polymorph...

Abstract Background Orf virus (ORFV) is a member of the genus Parapoxvirus and family Poxviridae. The has worldwide distribution infects sheep, goats, humans, wild animals. However, due to complex structure poxvirus, underlying mechanism entry infection by ORFV remains largely unknown. ORF047 encodes protein named L1R. Poxviral L1R serves as receptor-binding blocks binding independently glycosa...

and 9 strains of African horse sickness virus) (5). The RT-qPCR tests confi rmed BTV viremia. The yak species in its natural biotope is usually rarely exposed to competent Culicoides vectors. Antibodies against BTV have been found in many wild ruminants (6), and our results extend the number of ruminant species susceptible to BTV. In the northern European BT outbreak, lesions in cattle and shee...

Silvopastoralism based on livestock feeding forage trees is becoming a sustainable alternative to traditional grazing the open pastures of dry tropical Central America. Four autochthonous trees, Acacia pennatula, Enterolobium cyclocarpum, Gliricidia sepium and Guazuma ulmifolia, one exotic (Moringa oleifera) tree are preferred species for these silvopastoral systems. Little known, however, abou...

background: studies concerning ticks were of interest to evaluate the distribution and composition of species affecting live stock, thus it was a main step in our knowledge of the pathogens that they may transmit by tick. methods: a collection of 21 adult female and 15 male hard ticks, all is representing a single species of tick collected under the tail of wild goat. the specimens preserved in...

Abstract Bluetongue (BT) is an economically important arboviral disease of sheep, cattle, goats, and wild ruminants, particularly in America Europe. However, it has remained uncontrolled due to the evolution >32 serologically distinct BT virus (BTV) serotypes lack broad-spectrum vaccines. While outer VP2 VP5 proteins, involved cell penetration, are less conserved, certain core BTV protei...

The cation binding characteristics of the mutant E327A formed in the sheep al isoform of the Na+,K+-ATPase were examined using [3H]ouabain binding as a function of monovalent cation concentrations. Equilibrium competition binding assays in the presence of Mg2+, inorganic phosphate and various amounts of unlabelled ouabain indicated that both wild-type sheep al protein and the E327A mutant expre...