Assylbek Zhanabayev

Background and Aim: Canine transmissible venereal tumor (CTVT), also known as transmissible venereal sarcoma, is a naturally occurring, contagious neoplasm primarily transmitted by the transfer of viable tumor cells during mating. Although the disease is widely distributed worldwide, epidemiological and clinicopathological data from Central Asia remain scarce. This study aimed to characterize the epizootological distribution, clinical manifestations, hematological and biochemical alterations, microbiological findings, and morphological features of CTVT in dogs presented to a Veterinary Diagnostic Center in Astana, Kazakhstan. Materials and Methods: A prospective observational study was conducted from February 2024 to February 2025. A total of 2,500 dogs were screened, and 425 dogs with tumor-like lesions underwent clinical, laboratory, cytological, histopathological, and microbiological investigations. Twenty-three dogs with confirmed CTVT were included in the final analysis. Animals were categorized according to the presence (n = 13) or absence (n = 10) of purulent complications. Clinical examination, complete blood count, serum biochemical analysis, cytological evaluation using smear-imprint and fine-needle aspiration techniques, histopathological assessment, and microbiological testing were performed. Statistical analyses included Student’s t-test, Mann–Whitney U test, Fisher’s exact test, and odds ratio estimation, with significance set at p < 0.05. Results: CTVT accounted for 23 of 425 tumor-bearing dogs (5.4%). The disease was more frequently observed in males (73.9%) and in dogs aged 1.5–5 years (65.2%). Mixed-breed dogs represented the largest affected group (47.8%). Clinically, all dogs exhibited friable genital masses accompanied by hemorrhagic discharge, while purulent exudation occurred in 56.5% of cases. Extragenital involvement was identified in 8.7% of dogs. Animals with purulent complications showed significantly elevated heart rate and respiratory rate (p < 0.001), leukocytosis, reduced hemoglobin concentration, and lower hematocrit values. Biochemical analysis revealed increased concentrations of urea, creatinine, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, bilirubin, and alkaline phosphatase in dogs with purulent lesions. Cytological examination demonstrated round tumor cells with eccentrically positioned nuclei, coarse chromatin, prominent nucleoli, abundant cytoplasmic vacuoles forming a characteristic “string-of-pearls” pattern, and marked mitotic activity. Histopathological findings confirmed the diagnosis and supported the observed cytomorphological features. Conclusion: This study provides the first comprehensive clinicopathological, epizootological, microbiological, and morphological characterization of CTVT in dogs from Kazakhstan. Male sex, reproductive age, and inadequate reproductive control were associated with disease occurrence. Cytoplasmic vacuolization and high mitotic activity were reliable morphological indicators of CTVT. The findings provide valuable baseline data to improve diagnosis, surveillance, and disease management strategies in Central Asia. Keywords: biochemistry, canine transmissible venereal tumor, cytology, dog, epidemiology, histopathology, microbiology, oncology.

Background and Aim: Manchurian quails are valued in commercial poultry farming for their early meat maturity, rapid generational turnover, and high egg-laying potential. However, concerns over antibiotic use in feed have heightened inter­est in sustainable alternatives such as phytobiotics. Despite evidence supporting phytogenic feed additives, limited studies have examined their effects in Manchurian quails under multiphase feeding regimens. This study evaluated the effects of phytobiotic-enriched, extruded feeds (BioFeed-P) across three feeding phases (“Starter,” “Grower,” and “Layer”) on growth performance, egg productivity, and product quality in Manchurian quails. Materials and Methods: A total of 1600 1-day-old quails were randomly allocated into experimental group (EG) and con­trol group (CG) at two commercial farms (JEBE; Zhailybayev Experimental Breeding Enterprise and ECO-KO; Ecological Cooperative Kazakhstan Organization)in Kazakhstan. EG received phytobiotic-enriched multiphase feeds, whereas CG was provided standard commercial diets. Growth rate, feed conversion ratio (FCR), survivability, and egg production were mea­sured over a 90-day period. Product quality was assessed by analyzing egg morphology, chemical composition, and mineral profiles. Statistical analyses included the Student’s t-test, correlation analysis, and determination of effect size. Results: Quails in EG showed significantly higher body weight gain (186.3 g vs. 135.3 g; relative gain 415.5% vs. 297.5%; p = 0.003, Cohen’s d = 1.12) and improved FCR (2.05 vs. 2.45; p = 0.001). Egg-laying intensity was greater in EG at both ECO-KO (64.4% vs. 41.3%; p = 0.004) and JEBE (69.0% vs. 40.0%; p = 0.003). Egg morphology showed modest changes: Heavier albumen, reduced shell weight, and lighter yolk pigmentation. Chemical analyses revealed slight decreases in pro­tein and fat fractions accompanied by minor increases in carbohydrate and ash content, while the mineral composition remained stable. Mortality was lower in EG (3.8% vs. 7.7%), with no adverse health effects. Conclusion: Phytobiotic-enriched multiphase feeds significantly enhance growth efficiency and reproductive output in Manchurian quails without compromising mineral egg quality. These findings support phytobiotics as sustainable alter­natives to antibiotics in commercial quail farming. Future research should include long-term reproductive assessments, economic cost–benefit analyses, and molecular studies to elucidate the underlying mechanisms. Keywords: egg production, feed additives, growth performance, phytobiotics, quail farming, sustainable poultry nutrition.

Background and Aim. Gastrointestinal helminth infections significantly reduce ruminant productivity. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and assess the efficacy of a new treatment regimen against sheep intestinal cestodes and nematodes in Northern Kazakhstan. Materials and Methods. In 2024, to identify the species and infestation level of parasites, the digestive tracts of 29 sheep, aged 5-9 months, were examined by helminthological dissection, and 200 faecal samples were analysed using the Fülleborn and McMaster methods at two farms in the Tayinsha District. To test the treatment scheme, two groups (control and experimental) were formed, each containing 15 sheep. All animals had mixed infection with strongyles and Moniezia spp. Initially, each sheep was treated with Alvet (Nita-Farm, Russia) at the recommended dosage. Additionally, each sheep in the experimental group received 3 g of the phytobiotic Sangrovit Extra (Phytobiotics Futterzusatzstoffe, Germany) daily for 8 weeks. The treatment efficacy was measured on days 30, 60, 90, and 120 after deworming to assess the prevalence and infestation intensity of helminths. Results. Parasitological research showed that 93.1% of sheep were infected with Trichostrongylidae spp., Moniezia expansa, Trichuris ovis and Skrjabinema ovis. Mixed infestations of 2 to 4 species were found in 68.8% of the sheep. The infection rates of Moniezia spp. and strongyles were 13.3% and 26.7%, respectively, 4 months after deworming in the experimental group. In comparison, these rates were 3.5 and 2.5 times lower, respectively, than in the control group. Conclusion. Using Sangrovit Extra effectively inhibited small ruminant intestinal helminth infestation.

Nematodes of the superfamily Trichostrongyloideaare significant pathogens affecting domestic ruminants. Accurate taxonomy of trichostrongyloid nematodes forms the foundation for proper diagnosis and is essential for identifying eggs in feces, free-living larvae in pastures or fecal cultures, and larval or adult forms collected from hosts. These diagnostic and research needs are complicated by the challenge of identifying all developmental stages of trichostrongyloid nematodes in domestic ruminants, which continues to hinder effective diagnosis and control strategies.This article presents the results of coproscopic examinations conducted on 490 headsof pasture-raised cattle from three age groups across six farms in the Akmola region of Kazakhstan. The parasitic fauna identified included species from the class Nematoda, suborder Strongylata, family Trichostrongylidaespp.; the suborder Ascaridata, genus Neoascaris, species Neoascaris vitulorum; and protozoan pathogens from the class Conoidasida, order Coccidiida, family Eimeriidae, including Eimeria zuernii, Eimeria bovis, and Eimeria smithi.The prevalence of Trichostrongylidaespp. infection was 45.9%, with a high intensity of infection (II) of 800±86 eggs per gram of feces. Eimeria zuerniiwas found in 24.5% of animals (II: 500±48 oocysts/g), Eimeria bovisin 51.8% (II: 600±62 oocysts/g), and Eimeria smithiin 17.9% (II: 250± oocysts/g). Notably, Neoascaris vitulorumwas identified for the first time in cattle in the Akmola region, with a prevalence of 2.2% and an infection intensity of 200±20 eggs per gram.The high degree of polyparasitism with both nematodes and coccidia underscores the urgent need to develop and implement effective, region-specific measures for the control and prevention of parasitic diseases in cattle.

Totally 97 sources from digitalized databases were analyzed with aim to assess the epidemiological significance and the introducing risk of feline intestinal zoonotic protozoa infections into Kazakhstan from neighboring countries. It was concluded that pet and stray cats in China, Russia, Central Asian countries and Kazakhstan serve as reservoirs for Toxoplasma gondii, Cryptosporidium spp., and Giardia duodenalis. They pose a significant threat to both humans and animals but are often overlooked due to a lack of awareness at the regional level. The diseases caused by them can be classified as neglected feline and human parasitic infections in Kazakhstan. To implement the One Health Concept, it is necessary to consolidate research and coordinate the work of public health, veterinary, and ecological services at an intergovernmental level for the study the molecular epidemiology and systematic monitoring the catborne zoonotic protozoa among definitive and intermediate hosts’ populations and environment.

Objects for Targeted Surveillance (OTS) are infrastructure entities that can be considered as focal points and conduits for transmitting infectious animal diseases, necessitating ongoing epidemiological surveillance. These entities encompass slaughterhouses, meat processing plants, animal markets, burial sites, veterinary laboratories, etc. Currently, in Kazakhstan, a funded research project is underway to establish a Geographic Information System (GIS) database of OTSs and investigate their role in the emergence and dissemination of infectious livestock diseases. This initial investigation examined the correlation between brucellosis outbreaks in cattle and small ruminant farms in the southeastern region of Kazakhstan and the presence of OTSs categorized as “slaughterhouses,” “cattle markets,” and “meat processing plants. The study area (namely Qyzylorda, Turkestan, Zhambyl, Almaty, Zhetysu, Abay and East Kazakhstan oblasts), characterized by the highest livestock density in the country, covers 335 slaughterhouses (with varying levels of biosecurity), 45 livestock markets and 15 meat processing plants. Between 2020 and 2023, 338 cases of brucellosis were reported from livestock farms in this region. The findings of the regression model reveal a statistically significant (p<0.05) positive association between the incidence of brucellosis cases and the number of OTSs in the region. Conversely, meat processing plants and livestock markets did not exhibit a significant influence on the prevalence of brucellosis cases. These results corroborate the hypothesis of an elevated risk of brucellosis transmission in regions with slaughterhouses, likely attributable to increased animal movements within and across regions, interactions with vehicles and contact with slaughterhouse staff. These outcomes mark a pivotal advancement in the national agricultural development agenda. The research will be extended to encompass the entire country, compiling a comprehensive OTS database.

In vitro fertilization (IVF) technologies have great potential in the preservation of endangered species. In the current study, an IVF experiment was carried out to evaluate whether reproductive technologies are suitable for Kazakh Whiteheaded cattle, aimed at preserving this breed whose population has reduced drastically over the last thirty years. The reproduction characteristics of Kazakh Whiteheaded cows were compared to Aberdeen Angus cows. Transvaginal ultrasound-guided ovum pick up sessions were carried out followed by in vitro embryo production and embryo transfer and pregnancy diagnosis. The total and viable oocytes per OPU procedure were 12.8 ± 1.18 and 8.7 ± 0.85 for the Aberdeen Angus breed, and 8.8 ± 1.04 and 6.2 ± 0.83 for the Kazakh Whiteheaded breed. Similarly, the mean number of cleaved oocytes and morula/blastocyst stage embryos produced by OPU/IVF were 4.8 ± 0.49 and 1.4 ± 0.15 for the Aberdeen Angus breed, and 2.4 ± 0.46 and 0.18 ± 0.05 for the Kazakh Whiteheaded breed (p ≤ 0.02). From fifty Kazakh Whiteheaded donor animals, 2585 oocytes were aspirated following six ovum pick up sessions. One thousand eight hundred and seventy-six (72.5%) oocytes were chosen for maturation and were further fertilized. The number of embryos cleaved was 720 (38.3% out of oocytes fertilized) on day four post-fertilization. Of these cleaved embryos, 56 (7.5%) developed into the late morula/blastocyst stage on day seven post-fertilization, averaging 1.12 embryos per donor animal. Pregnancy was detected in 12 recipients; 4 healthy calves have been born to date. The outcomes of our study have demonstrated that reproductive technologies can be applicable in preserving the endangered Kazakh Whiteheaded cattle. The findings in this report will enhance knowledge of the reproductive characteristics of endangered domestic animals and help develop sophisticated reproductive protocols for animals with unique reproductive mechanisms.

Invasive diseases of sheep are widespread worldwide, including in Kazakhstan. Recently, in the Akmola farms of Kazakhstan, there has been an increase in the spread of gastrointestinal diseases in sheep. The study aimed to assess the Prevalence (P) of sheep parasitosis in Northern Kazakhstan to develop effective prevention and control measures. Five-hundred and sixty-four sheep were studied in four rural districts and three economic entities located on the territory of the Tselinograd district of the Akmola for the presence of Ecto and endoparasites. The most frequent parasites were Nematoda such as Trichostrongylidae spp., Nematodirus spp., Skrjabinema ovis, Cestoda such as Moniezia spp., protozoa such as Eimeria spp., arthropods such as Melophagus ovinus, Bovicolaovis and Dermacentor and Wohlfarthia magnifica larvae. The P of Trichostrongylidae spp., Moniezia spp., Eimeria spp., Melophagus ovinus, Bovicola ovis, Dermacentor, and Wohlfarthia magnifica in small cattle of the study area were 77.1, 23.0, 55.4, 50.5, 62.6, 34.3 and 13.1%, respectively. For the first time, Skrjabinema ovis with P = 3.1% and an intensity of 150±22 eggs/g and Trichuris ovis with P = 4.7% and an intensity of 350±23 eggs/g were recorded in sheep in the Akmola region. For the successful development of industrial sheep breeding, as well as optimal animal husbandry in individual farms, it is necessary to provide animals with high-quality feed and maintenance, as well as take measures to reduce infectious and invasive diseases.

Lumpy skin disease (LSD) is an emerging disease of cattle in Kazakhstan and the means of transmission remains uncertain. In the current study, retention of Lumpy Skin Disease Virus (LSDV) by three Stomoxys species following intrathoracic inoculation was demonstrated under laboratory conditions. A virulent LSDV strain was injected into the thorax of flies to bypass the midgut barrier. The fate of the pathogen in the hemolymph of the flies was examined using PCR and virus isolation tests. LSDV was isolated from all three Stomoxys species up to 24h post inoculation while virus DNA was detectable up to 7d post inoculation.

In this study, Stomoxys species (S. calcitrans, S. sitiens and S. indica) were examined to improve on the current technique for mass rearing using a method of combined incubation parameters. Moreover, the reproductive potential of immature forms at various stages of development was defined. Immature forms of stable flies were incubated according to species. There was no significant difference in the number of immature forms obtained among species incubated under the same conditions. Six incubation parameters were used in combination, at temperatures (T) of 32°C, 27°C and 22°C and relative humidity (RH) of 90% and 70% RH. The combined method resulted in a higher number of eggs hatching at 32°C and 90% humidity as well as an increase in the number of larva pupated and emergence of imago at 27°C and 70% humidity.