https://hdl.handle.net/13049/6 2026-10-07T23:55:56Z 2026-10-07T23:55:56Z Seifu, Eyassu Madibela, Othusitse Ricky Boitumelo, Wame Shimane Angassa, Ayana Mpho, Kennedy Molapisi, Moenyane Kobue-Lekalake, Rosemary Haki, Gulelat Desse Bultosa, Geremew Teketay, Demel https://hdl.handle.net/13049/839 2026-10-07T09:18:32Z 2026-05-24T00:00:00Z

Effects of season, parity and stage of lactation on yield, composition and microbial quality of milk from camels raised in Tsabong, Botswana Seifu, Eyassu; Madibela, Othusitse Ricky; Boitumelo, Wame Shimane; Angassa, Ayana; Mpho, Kennedy; Molapisi, Moenyane; Kobue-Lekalake, Rosemary; Haki, Gulelat Desse; Bultosa, Geremew; Teketay, Demel Background: Introduced to Botswana in the early 20th century, dromedaries remain little exploited for milk production. In Tsabong, the herd is mainly used for tourism, and no study has yet assessed influencing factors on milk yield or composition. Aim: This study was conducted to assess the effects of season, parity, and stage of lactation on the yield, composition, and quality of camel milk at the Tsabong Ecotourism Camel Park. Methods: Twenty lactating camels, averaging eight years old and at various lactation stages (early, mid, and late) and parities (2–6), were studied. They browsed freely during the day and received 3 kg of a 1:1 saltbush–sorghum bran supplement at night, with unlimited access to water and salt. Milk yield was measured every three days over six weeks. A total of 560 records were collected during the dry season and 640 during the wet season. Milk samples for chemical and microbiological analysis were collected six times over a two-week period. Data were analysed using SAS for non-balanced data. Results: Milk yields were significantly higher during the wet season (1,340 ml/day) than during the dry season (781 ml/day). In the dry season, milk yield decreased as parity increased, while in the wet season, milk yield increased up to the fifth parity before declining. The stage of lactation significantly influenced fat, protein, solids-not-fat (SNF), and density in the dry season. Early lactation milk had higher protein, SNF, and density, while fat content peaked in mid lactation. In the wet season, only the protein content varied significantly across lactation stages. Parity significantly affected titratable acidity, protein, and lactose in the dry season, and protein, lactose, total solids, SNF, and pH in the wet season. The highest values were observed in camels at their second parity during the wet season. Fat and total solids were higher in the wet season overall. Coliform counts were generally higher in samples collected during the wet season. Salmonella was detected in 3.42% of dry season samples and 1.7% of wet season samples, highlighting public health concerns. Conclusions: These findings highlight the need for improve Journal Article

2026-05-24T00:00:00Z Basher, Abdallah A. Ahmed, Abdelkareem A. Pfukenyi, Davies M. Essa, Mohamed Osman Abdalrahem Husien, Hosameldeen Mohamed Saleh, Ahmed A. Adam, Saber Y. Cai, Demin https://hdl.handle.net/13049/838 2026-10-07T08:29:10Z 2026-02-05T00:00:00Z

Assessment of the Welfare of Working Horses: Combining Clinical Evaluations with Indirect Indicators Basher, Abdallah A.; Ahmed, Abdelkareem A.; Pfukenyi, Davies M.; Essa, Mohamed Osman Abdalrahem; Husien, Hosameldeen Mohamed; Saleh, Ahmed A.; Adam, Saber Y.; Cai, Demin Assessing the welfare of the working horses is crucial for identifying health and management issues and implementing effective solutions. This study evaluated the welfare of working horses in South Darfur, Sudan, by integrating clinical examination with indirect indicators through owner interviews. A total of 400 horse–owner pairs were included. Most horses (61.7%) worked every day, and 77% of owners reported using whips to encourage movement. Clinical assessment revealed that 29.0% of horses were thin, over half had dirty coats, 50.5% harbored external parasites, 43% had abnormal discharges, 25.0% showed poor hoof health, and many exhibited gait abnormalities. Behavioral assessments indicated that fewer than 40% of horses displayed alert attitudes, while over half responded indifferently to stimuli. Horses working daily tended to be thin, have skin lesions, and show gait problems, reflecting poor welfare. Horses with better attitude responses were more frequently fed and worked fewer days per week. Overall, the findings highlight poor physical, behavioral, and management conditions among working horses, emphasizing the urgent need for owner education, training programs, and further research to improve their welfare in the study area. Journal Article

2026-02-05T00:00:00Z Raboloko, Obuile O Tlhako, Nametso D Lekgowe, Judah O. Rakobe, Gregory T. Strysko, Jonathan Strysko, Jonathan Redding, Laurel f Mannathoko, Naledi Mokgwathi, Kitso Ntereke, Tlhalefo D. Gatonye, Teresia Zankere, Tshiamo Segwagwe, Basiamisi V.E. Lautenbach, Ebbing Parsons, Brianna E. Ramabu, Solomon S. https://hdl.handle.net/13049/837 2026-10-06T08:16:05Z 2026-05-01T00:00:00Z

Knowledge, attitudes, and practices associated with antimicrobial use and antimicrobial resistance among livestock farmers in Botswana Raboloko, Obuile O; Tlhako, Nametso D; Lekgowe, Judah O.; Rakobe, Gregory T.; Strysko, Jonathan; Strysko, Jonathan; Redding, Laurel f; Mannathoko, Naledi; Mokgwathi, Kitso; Ntereke, Tlhalefo D.; Gatonye, Teresia; Zankere, Tshiamo; Segwagwe, Basiamisi V.E.; Lautenbach, Ebbing; Parsons, Brianna E.; Ramabu, Solomon S. Introduction: Improper antimicrobial use (AMU) in livestock production is a key driver of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Despite this, data on AMU among livestock farmers in low- and middle-income countries remains limited. The present study assessed knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) regarding AMU and AMR amongst livestock farmers in Botswana. Methods: A cross-sectional Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices (KAP) survey was conducted among livestock farmers in southern Botswana, with participant recruitment facilitated by district veterinary service officers. Informed consent was obtained from all participants and surveys were administered by trained research personnel using visual aids to enhance participants recall. Responses to open-ended survey questions assessing knowledge were graded on a standardized 0–5 scale using a rubric while attitude and behavior questions were assessed using binary Yes/No responses. Results: A total of 191 farmers participated in the study (71 % male; median age 52 years; median farming experience 14 years). All farmers (100 %,191/191), reported using either antimicrobials or anthelmintics (ivermectin), in the preceding 12 months, accounting for a total of 3322 treatment episodes. Tetracyclines were the most commonly used antimicrobials (53 %,1756/3322), followed by sulphonamides (18 %, 34/191). Cephalosporin, fluoroquinolone and aminoglycoside use was not reported. The farmers, who primarily reared cattle, small ruminants, and chickens, most commonly procured antimicrobials and anthelmintics at agriculture supply stores (91 %,174/191) typically with the guidance of veterinarians or animal health technician (veterinary paraprofessionals), but without a prescription from the veterinarians. Most farmers (66 %,127/191) used antimicrobials for treatment purpose, mainly to treat enteric illness. A total of 34 % of farmers (64/191) reported using antimicrobials for prophylactic purposes. Knowledge about the principles of prudent AMU was generally good although awareness of AMR was limited. Conclusion: AMU was relatively common among livestock farmers in southern Botswana, primarily for treatment of diseases, with tetracyclines being the most commonly used antimicrobials. Overall, farmers demonstrated generally good knowledge about the principles of prudent AMU. However, comprehensive knowledge of AMR was sub-optimal, reaffirming the need for policy interventions to enhance antimicrobial stewardship in the livestock sector. Journal Article

2026-05-01T00:00:00Z Huang, Shirui Gao, Yiqin Tyasi, Thobela Louis Ahmed, Abdelkareem A. Kim, In Ho Liu, Hao-Yu Adam, Saber Y. Cai, Demin https://hdl.handle.net/13049/836 2026-10-07T01:01:18Z 2026-04-26T00:00:00Z

Targeting Mycotoxin Toxicity: From Molecular Mechanisms to Nutritional Interventions Huang, Shirui; Gao, Yiqin; Tyasi, Thobela Louis; Ahmed, Abdelkareem A.; Kim, In Ho; Liu, Hao-Yu; Adam, Saber Y.; Cai, Demin Mycotoxin contamination is an important threat to food and feed safety as well as human and animal health, with particular emphasis on oxidative stress, apoptosis, autophagy, inflammation, and dysbiosis. Mycotoxins represent major health threats because they disturb cellular homeostasis and induce oxidative damage. Nutritional factors, such as dietary antioxidants and bioactive chemicals, can influence the body’s reaction to mycotoxin exposure, either reducing or increasing its effects. This study discusses how mycotoxins (aflatoxin B1, deoxynivalenol, and ochratoxin A) induce oxidative stress by producing reactive oxygen species (ROS)-mediated DNA damage, which induces cellular damage and activates apoptosis, an intended cell death process that is critical for tissue integrity. Furthermore, mycotoxins alter autophagy, a cellular degradation process that can be beneficial or destructive depending on the situation, affecting cell survival. The inflammatory response is particularly important because mycotoxin-induced oxidative stress and cell damage activate inflammatory pathways, which contribute to tissue injury and disease progression. Nutritional factors high in antioxidants, anti-inflammatory substances (Lycopene, Curcumin, Thyme oil, Gum Arabic, and Ginger), probiotics, and prebiotics show potential in mitigating these negative consequences by reducing oxidative stress and inflammation. Advances in molecular biology and omics technologies (transcriptomics, proteomics, metabolomics, and single-cell sequencing) can lead to better knowledge of the underlying pathways, allowing for more tailored nutritional recommendations and medicinal interventions. Finally, combining dietary modulation with mycotoxin risk management is a viable path for protecting health and increasing resilience to mycotoxin-related toxicities in animals. Journal Article

2026-04-26T00:00:00Z