Bangladesh Journal of Veterinary Medicine (BJVM)

Selection of suitable crossbred cattle for beef fattening program in Dhaka district of Bangladesh

Lam Yea Asad — 2026-06-19

Background: This study evaluated four crossbred cattle groups used for beef fattening in Dhaka district, Bangladesh, by comparing production performance, feed intake, feed cost, daily meat value, and profit. The objective was to identify the crossbred group most suitable for commercial beef fattening under farm conditions.

Methods: Data were collected at Sadeeq Agro Farm, Dhaka, from April to July 2023, around the Eid-ul-Azha marketing period. Forty cattle were assigned to four breed groups (n=10 each): Holstein Friesian×local, Brahma×local, Sahiwal×local, and Red-Sindhi×local. Data were analyzed in SPSS version 26.0 by one-way ANOVA under a completely randomized design, and mean differences were separated using Duncan's multiple range test at P<0.05.

Results: Holstein Friesian×local cattle had the highest body weights at both 2-3 years (742.70±23.79 kg) and 3-4 years (903.90±17.68 kg). Brahma×local cattle achieved the highest average daily weight gain (0.68±0.02 kg/day), daily meat value based on weight gain (576.40±19.29 BDT/day), and profit (248.05±21.06 BDT/day). Holstein Friesian×local cattle consumed the most roughage (14.70±0.30 kg/day) and concentrate (5.30±0.15 kg/day) and had the highest feed cost (380.50±10.42 BDT/day), whereas Red-Sindhi×local cattle had the numerically lowest feed cost (313.50±9.13 BDT/day).

Conclusion: Among the four crossbred groups, Brahma×local cattle offered the most favorable balance of daily gain, feed cost, daily meat value, and profit. Brahma crossbreds therefore appear suitable for beef fattening when breeding is managed through controlled mating and supported by appropriate feeding.

Optimization of ultrasound guided ovum pick up technique in Bangladeshi crossbred dairy cattle

Md. Anisur Rahman — 2026-06-20

Background: Ovum pick-up (OPU) is a key assisted reproductive technology (ART) for accelerating genetic improvement in dairy cattle, though its efficiency depends on follicular dynamics and oocyte quality. The study highlighted that OPU technology remains underutilized in Bangladesh, where oocytes for embryo production have traditionally been collected from slaughterhouse-derived ovaries. However, ultrasound-guided OPU allows controlled and repeated oocyte recovery from live donor animals of known genetic merit. In tropical systems like Bangladesh, variability may constrain outcomes. This study evaluated estrogen-based follicular wave synchronization on follicular characteristics, oocyte recovery, and oocyte quality in Bangladeshi crossbred dairy cattle.

Methods: Eighteen clinically healthy Bangladeshi crossbred dairy cows were subjected to two OPU sessions at 14 days intervals: (1) control (non-stimulated) and (2) hormone stimulated following insertion of a progesterone releasing intravaginal device (CIDR®) combined with estradiol benzoate and cloprostenol administration. Follicles were counted at Day 5 post-synchronization using transrectal ultrasonography. Recovered cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs) were morphologically graded according to IETS standards. The data were analyzed using an independent samples t-test to compare the means between the control and hormone-stimulated groups.

Results: Hormone-synchronized sessions produced higher mean follicle numbers and oocyte recovery than control sessions in both animal categories. Mean total follicle number increased from 24.10 to 37.40 in heifers and from 28.70 to 42.10 in cows. Mean recovered oocytes increased from 10.20 to 18.30 in heifers and from 12.50 to 21.10 in cows. Recovery rate also increased from 42.32% to 48.93% in heifers and from 43.55% to 50.12% in cows.

Conclusion: Estrogen-based follicular wave synchronization prior to OPU significantly improves follicular coordination, increases oocyte recovery efficiency, and enhances the yield of high quality oocytes in Bangladeshi crossbred dairy cattle. Implementation of estrogen synchronization protocols may optimize OPU-IVP systems and support sustainable genetic improvement under tropical production conditions.

Integrated saliva-mediated self-cleaning and wound-healing mechanisms in animals: a hypothesis

Tauqeer Ahmad — 2026-06-19

Background: Animals are continuously exposed to environmental contaminants, microbial agents, ectoparasites, and minor injuries, yet many species maintain hygiene and recover from superficial wounds without external intervention.

Objective: This hypothesis manuscript proposes an integrated innate defense model in which grooming behavior, saliva-derived antimicrobial and wound-repair factors, tear antimicrobial activity, and sebaceous secretions act together to support self-cleaning and tissue repair.

Proposed mechanism: Animal saliva contains bioactive components, including lysozyme, lactoferrin, histatins, immunoglobulins, and growth factors, that may contribute to microbial control and wound healing when animals lick their skin, fur, or wounds. Tear secretions similarly contain antimicrobial proteins that protect the ocular surface and assist in debris clearance, whereas grooming behavior distributes saliva and skin lipids while mechanically removing dirt and parasites.

Hypothesis: These interacting behavioral, biochemical, and physiological pathways may be especially active during rest periods, when animals are undisturbed and able to groom. The proposed framework suggests that saliva-mediated grooming, tear antimicrobial activity, and skin secretions constitute a coordinated, evolutionarily conserved innate defense system that contributes to hygiene maintenance, infection prevention, and wound repair.

Research needs: Further comparative and mechanistic studies are needed to test this model and to explore whether saliva-derived antimicrobial and healing compounds can inform bio-inspired veterinary and biomedical therapeutic strategies.