Somchai Sajapitak

Background and Aim: Metabolic adaptation during the transition period is a major determinant of reproductive performance in dairy cows. Insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), a key regulator of the somatotropic axis, links nutritional status with endocrine function and postpartum reproductive recovery. Fermented potato protein (FPP), a value-added agro-industrial by-product, has improved protein digestibility and may contain bioactive compounds that modulate metabolic pathways. However, its effects on endocrine regulation and reproductive performance in tropical crossbred dairy cattle remain poorly understood. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of FPP supplementation on serum IGF-1 concentrations, skeletal muscle IGF-1 mRNA expression, and the interval from calving to first postpartum estrus. Materials and Methods: Two experiments were conducted. In Experiment 1, ten clinically healthy Bos taurus × Bos indicus crossbred dairy heifers were randomly assigned to either a control group or an FPP-supplemented group (30 g/head/day; n = 5/group) for 45 days. Serum IGF-1 concentrations were quantified using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, whereas skeletal muscle IGF-1 mRNA expression was determined by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. In Experiment 2, twenty-four transition dairy cows (parity 1-2; n = 12/group) received either the basal diet or FPP supplementation from 3 weeks prepartum to 6 weeks postpartum. The interval from calving to first postpartum estrus was monitored using an automated pedometer and confirmed by transrectal ultrasonography. Results: FPP supplementation significantly increased serum IGF-1 concentrations on day 30 (17.97 ± 4.93 vs. 7.82 ± 0.87 ng/mL; p = 0.016) and day 45 (18.45 ± 4.13 vs. 7.72 ± 0.75 ng/mL; p = 0.016), whereas no significant differences were observed on days 0 and 15 (p > 0.05). Skeletal muscle IGF-1 mRNA expression did not differ between groups (0.82 ± 0.07 vs. 0.84 ± 0.14; p = 0.90). Cows supplemented with FPP exhibited a numerically shorter interval from calving to first postpartum estrus than controls (43.83 ± 2.40 vs. 50.00 ± 2.06 days), although the difference was not statistically significant (p = 0.06). Conclusion: FPP supplementation increased circulating IGF-1 concentrations without altering skeletal muscle IGF-1 mRNA expression, suggesting that its biological effects are mediated primarily by systemic endocrine regulation rather than by local tissue-specific mechanisms. Although improvement in postpartum reproductive recovery was not statistically significant, the concurrent increase in circulating IGF-1 and shorter estrus interval indicate that FPP may represent a sustainable nutritional strategy for improving metabolic adaptation in tropical dairy cattle. Larger studies are warranted to confirm its reproductive benefits and establish its role in precision nutritional management. Keywords: agro-industrial by-product, dairy cattle, endocrine regulation, fermented potato protein, insulin-like growth factor-1, postpartum estrus, reproductive performance, somatotropic axis.

The objective was to detect T. gondii and various protozoan oocysts in the feces of sheltered cats in Thailand using two molecular approaches, Sanger sequencing and un-targeted Next-generation sequencing (NGS). A total of 166 fecal samples from shelter cats, in 26 samples, Toxoplasma gondii oocyst–like structures were detected. The harvested oocysts were grouped into nine pooled samples. DNA was extracted from all pooled samples and tested using quantitative PCR (qPCR), employing coc1 and coc2 primers, which are commonly used to amplify Apicomplexan DNA. The sequenced of the qPCR products were analyzed by Sanger sequencing. Sequence from all pooled samples had similarity to Cystoisospora spp. To further characterize the oocyst species, NGS was performed. Bioinformatic analysis was conducted using a de novo assembler to generate scaffolds, which were then aligned against a custom database of coccidian whole-genome references. This analysis revealed the presence of T. gondii DNA in three pooled samples. In addition, DNA from other protozoan parasites—including Eimeria spp., Cystoisospora spp., Besnoitia besnoiti, Hammondia hammondi, and Cryptosporidium parvum—was also detected. These findings indicate that T. gondii is circulating among shelter cats, many of which were formerly stray. Moreover, NGS sequencing provided more comprehensive information on the diversity of coccidian species in cat feces compared with Sanger sequencing of PCR-amplified targets.

Background and Aim: Bovine mastitis is one of the most serious issues in dairy production. It is caused by contagious and coliform pathogens such as Staphylococcus spp., Escherichia coli, and Klebsiella pneumoniae. In addition, the emergence of drug-resistant bacteria raises urgent concerns in the field of drug treatment, thus requiring the exploration of alternative treatments. Bacteriophage therapy has been shown to be a promising alternative approach for the control of antibiotic-resistant pathogens. In this study, we aimed to isolate phages specific to contagious mastitis and coliform mastitis, characterize the isolated phages, and examine their ability to lyse bacteria in pasteurized milk samples. Materials and Methods: The Staphylococcus phage vB_Sau-RP15 isolated from raw milk in our previous study was used in this study. Other three phages, vB_Eco-RN12i1, vB_Kpn-RN14i1, and vB_Ssc-RN20i3, were isolated from wastewater using E. coli 5823, K. pneumoniae 194, and Staphylococcus sciuri MM01 as hosts, respectively. The host range and efficiency of plating (EOP) were determined following phage isolation. Moreover, the lysis activities of these phages against their hosts were investigated in pasteurized milk using a multiplicity of infections (MOIs) of 10 and 100 at 37°C. Phages were applied using individual and combination phages. Results: According to the EOP results, all phages showed high specificity to their respective hosts. They are tailed phages with distinct morphologies. Individual phage treatments in spiked pasteurized milk with their respective bacterial hosts significantly reduced the bacterial counts in both MOI conditions during the first 2 h of the treatment (approximately 1–8 log reduction compared to the control). Although these phages specifically infected only their hosts, the phage cocktail resulted in a better result compared to the use of individual phage. However, bacterial regrowth was observed in all experiments, which may be related to the development of phage-insensitive mutants. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that the application of phages could be used to treat bovine mastitis. Phage cocktail is suitable to promote the efficacy of phage treatment in pasteurized milk. However, when considering the use of phages in dairy cows, certain phage properties in raw milk and in vivo and ex vivo should be highlighted to ensure their effectiveness as biocontrol agents for bovine mastitis treatment. Keywords: bovine, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, mastitis, phage, Staphylococcus.

Avian influenza (AI) is a viral infection that profoundly affects global poultry production. This study aimed to identify the spatial and temporal factors associated with AI in Thailand, using a geographic information system (GIS)–based multi‐criteria decision analysis (MCDA) approach. We discovered that high‐risk areas for AI were primarily concentrated in the central and lower northern regions of the country, with fewer occurrences in the northeastern and southern regions. Model validation using historical outbreak data showed moderate agreement (AUC = 0.60, 95% CI = 0.58–0.61). This study provides valuable insights for planning national AI surveillance programs and aiding in disease prevention and control efforts. The efficiency and effectiveness of disease surveillance at the national level can be improved using this GIS‐based MCDA, in conjunction with temporal risk factor analysis.

Background and Aim: Swine enteric colibacillosis caused by Escherichia coli is a major problem in the swine industry, causing diarrhea among swine and resulting in substantial financial losses. However, efforts to counter this disease are impeded by the increase in antimicrobial resistance (AMR) worldwide, so intensive research is being conducted to identify alternative treatments. This study isolated, characterized, and evaluated the efficacy of bacteriophages to control pathogens causative of swine enteric colibacillosis. Materials and Methods: Five sewage samples were collected from different areas of a swine farm in Suphanburi province, Thailand and the bacteriophages were enriched and isolated, followed by purification by the agar overlay method using E. coli RENR as the host strain. The selected phages were characterized by evaluating their morphology, while their specificity was verified by the host range test. The efficiency of plating and multiplicity of infection (MOI) were also determined. Results: Four selected phages, namely, vB_Eco-RPNE4i3, vB_Eco-RPNE6i4, vB_Eco-RPNE7i1, and vB_Eco-RPNE8i3, demonstrated different patterns of host range and phage efficiency. They significantly decreased E. coli concentration at the tested MOIs (0.01–100) from 1 h onward. However, bacterial regrowth was observed in all phage treatments. Conclusion: This study shows the potential of using phages as an alternative treatment for swine enteric colibacillosis. The obtained results demonstrated that the selected phages had a therapeutic effect against pathogens causative of swine enteric colibacillosis. Therefore, phages could be applied as an alternative treatment to control specific bacterial strains and reduce AMR arising from the overuse of antibiotics.

Background: Decreased feed intake is a common stress response presented after weaning that leads to a negative effect on performances. Health management and feed supplementation were commonly used to solve such problems. The objectives of this research were to study the effects of nutritional stress and the benefit of fermented potato protein supplementation in intact nursery gilts. Methods: Prepubertal nursery gilts were assigned into the following feed treatments for 30 days: 1) normal feed, 2) normal feed with fermented potato protein (FPP) supplementation, 3) restricted feed which received 60% amount of normal feed and 4) restricted feed with FPP supplementation. Result: Serum IGF-1 and IGF1 mRNA expression of semitendinosus muscle were significantly increased by FPP supplementation (P less than 0.05). All pig groups showed no different on serum cortisol and hypothalamic Kiss1 mRNA expression levels. The degree of feed restriction was suggested to be an important determinant of response of serum IGF-1, cortisol and hypothalamic Kiss1 mRNA expression. In this study, an elevated serum IGF-1 concentration correlated with IGF1 mRNA upregulation in a muscle rather than in a liver.