School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Resources (SVAR) Collections
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ItemEvaluation of three estrus synchronization protocols and conception among dairy cattle at Njeru Stock Farm, Uganda(Makerere University, 2026)Reproductive performance is still one of the most important factors that influence the profitability of a dairy herd, but there is a lot of poor reproductive performance in elite dairy herds. In extensive pasture-grazed systems, low conception and delayed breeding are mainly due to unobserved heats and variable ovarian cyclicity; therefore, structured hormonal oestrous synchronization protocols are essential to evaluate the time when heats occur and to maximize conception. This study aimed to assess and compare the efficiency of the single-agent and multi-agent hormonal synchronization on the onset of oestrous and conception in dairy cattle at Njeru Stock Farm, Uganda. An experimental study design was implemented using 27 (Holstein-Friesian) and 27 (Jersey) dairy cows that were divided into three treatment groups of 18 each: Treatment Protocol 1 (T1: PGF2α alone), Treatment Protocol 2 (T2: GnRH + PGF2α), and Treatment Protocol 3 (T3: PRID + GnRH + PGF2α). Treatment Protocol 3 gave a significantly higher oestrous response (83.3% (15/18 cows) than Treatment Protocol 2 (33.3% (6/18 cows)) and Treatment Protocol 1 (22.2% (4/18 cows)) (χ2= 15.343, df = 2, p = 0.000). The difference in oestrous response between Treatment Protocol 3 and Treatment Protocol 2 was highly significant (p = 0.009) and between Treatment Protocol 3 and Treatment Protocol 1 was highly significant (p = 0.001), while the difference between Treatment Protocol 1 and Treatment Protocol 2 was not significant (p = 1.000). With regard to Day 30 and Day 45 postAI, Treatment Protocol 3 resulted in a significantly higher conception of 77.8% (14/18 cows) than Treatment Protocol 2, 33.3% (6/18 cows) and Treatment Protocol 1, 22.2% (4/18 cows), with 2 cows in Treatment Protocol 3 conceiving during silent heat (χ2= 12.600, df = 2, p = 0.002). The pairwise comparisons showed that conception was significantly higher for Treatment Protocol 3 than for Treatment Protocol 2 (at P = 0.024) and Treatment Protocol 1 (at P = 0.003) and that there was no significant difference between Treatment Protocol 1 and 2 (at P = 1.000). The study revealed that multi-agent progesterone-primed synchronization (Treatment Protocol 3) was superior in increasing both oestrous onset synchrony and conception compared to single-agent and two-agent protocols, as it controlled follicular wave dynamics and overcame the limitation of ‘silent heat' during pasture grazing. The study recommends implementing Treatment Protocol 3 (PRID + GnRH + PGF2α) along with normal health and nutrition care to achieve maximum reproductive efficiency in dairy cows.
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ItemApplication of interferon gamma and urine lipoarabinomannan (LAM) assays in the evaluation of tuberculosis infection in cattle with low body conditions score in Sembabule District, Uganda(Makerere University, 2022)Bovine tuberculosis (bTB) is a neglected contagious zoonotic disease, imprinting major economic loses in agriculture and public health, yet the diagnosis still pose a serious challenge. WOAH approved BoviGam assay as a proficient test to be used during eradication programs because of its specificity and sensitivity However, it’s not yet applied widely across the globe. Lipoarabinomannan (LAM) assays have proven efficient in humans with advanced TB and could be applicable in cattle for rapid and early diagnosis of bTB. This research aimed to estimate the prevalence of bovine tuberculosis in low body conditioned cattle in the Sembabule using BoviGam, and to determine the diagnostic capability of a new rapid point-of care assay. Interferon gamma assay is a good test of choice and can be recommended for screening bTB in cattle, however, this can be accompanied by autopsy and microbiology since BoviGam positivity may not necessarily mean active tuberculosis. 14/369 (3.79%) were BoviGam positive and seven of the fourteen BoviGam positives (7/14) were lactating. Majority of the BoviGam positives were Friesians at 42.84% (6/14). Of the 310 animals tested with urine LAM, 59/310 (19.03%) were positive. LAM positive samples; of which one (1/59; 1.7%) was GeneXpert positive. This study revealed that bTB exists in low body conditioned cattle. Bovine Tuberculosis being a neglected reemerging infectious disease threatening lives of humans and animals. Access to rapid diagnostic kits to field veterinarians should be improved to facilitate early detection and safeguard diagnostic integrity. Low body conditioned cattle have the potential of being bTB positive even before clinical signs manifest. BoviGam® detects bTB infected cattle and it’s a good test for ruling out disease in control programs due to its high specificity. LAM Determine kits can further be improved to suit application in animal diagnostics. Further research should be conducted using BoviGam and microbiology on all domestic species in different parts of Uganda and to validate LAM assay so as to qualify it as a test in animals. Farmers should also be sensitized on the risk factors that expose their animals to M. bovis infection.
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ItemEffects of nutritional management practices on milk production among dairy farners in selected sub-counties of Lyantonde district-Uganda(Makerere University, 2026)This study assessed the effects of nutritional management practices on milk production among dairy farmers in four sub counties of Lyantonde district (Kasagama, Lyakajura, Mpumudde and Kinnuka). The specific objectives were to identify and characterize prevailing nutritional management practices, establish the levels of milk production and determine the effect of nutritional management practices on milk production. A crosssectional research design employing both quantitative and qualitative approaches was used. Data were collected from 384 dairy farming households selected across the sub-counties. Structured questionnaires, key informant interviews and focus group discussions were used for data collection. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Pearson chi-square tests, Analysis of Variance (ANOVA), Pearson correlation and binary logistic regression while qualitative data were analyzed using thematic analysis. The average milk production was 6.5 litres. Nutritional management practices were generally poor, with farmers relying on grass-only feeding, lacking fodder conservation (91.6%), using contaminated water sources (84.7%), experiencing unreliable water supply and practicing inconsistent calf feeding. ANOVA results indicated that feed type, fodder conservation, water cleanliness, water supply and calf feeding practices significantly affected milk production (p<0.001) whereas steaming-up practices had no significant effect (p>0.05). Pearson correlation analysis showed positive relationships between milk production and the use of grass, fodder, and concentrates (r=0.3360), year-round fodder conservation (r=0.3395), clean water access (r=0.3443) and proper calf feeding (r=0.2578). Binary logistic regression results showed that farmers using grass, fodder and concentrates were nearly twice as likely to achieve higher milk production (OR=1.9472, p=0.018) while consistent fodder conservation, clean water access, reliable water supply and proper calf feeding significantly increased the likelihood of higher milk production. However, steaming-up practices had no significant effect on milk production (p > 0.05). The study recommends strengthening farmer extension services on improved dairy nutrition, promoting fodder conservation, improving access to reliable clean water sources and supplementary feeding to enhance milk production.
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ItemCo-infections, risk factors and challenges to control of Sheeppox, Goatpox and Peste des petits ruminants in small ruminants in Sembabule District(Makerere University, 2025)Small ruminant production supports many households in sub-Saharan Africa as a source of livelihood and food security, however, diseases like Pestes des Petit Ruminants (PPR) and Sheep and Goatpox (SGP) which are highly contagious notifiable viral diseases of small ruminants that cause huge losses to livestock dependent livelihoods and economies. The two diseases share the same host species and coincidentally they sometimes co-exist in a single animal and cause a co-infection that is more challenging to manage. We conducted this study in Sembabule district to determine the Sero-prevalence, risk factors and challenges to the control of Goatpox (GP), Sheeppox, PPR and the co-infection of these diseases by AHW. A total of 703 blood samples were collected and processed for ELISA analysis to determine the Sero-prevalence of the two diseases, in addition, information about the risk factors associated with the occurrence of the two diseases of PPR, Goatpox and Sheeppox and challenges to their control were obtained using a questionnaire on 45 farmers and semi structured interviews to 18 Animal Health Workers in the study area. The Sero-prevalence of SGP and PPR was 5.40%, and 46.37% respectively. SGP and PPR co-infection prevalence was 4.13%. PPR was more prevalent than SGP in both species while sheep were slightly more seropositive SGP and PPR-SGP co-infection in this study area. Location of farms by sub-county, age group and herd size were found to be important risk factors for the Goatpox, Sheeppox and SGP-PPR co-infection in Sembabule district. Lwebitakuli sub-county had the highest Sero-prevalence for SGP and overall co-infection prevalence, while Lwemiyaga sub-county had the highest prevalence of PPR and according to the AHW, the challenges to the control of the two diseases included; uncontrolled livestock movements, continued open markets during outbreaks, inadequate availability of vaccines, vaccination as side effects and poor record keeping by farmers and we is therefore recommended that government should take up control of these diseases and approach to control them at ago like use of combined vaccine should be used.
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ItemAntibacterial drug quantities, prescription and dispensing practices among veterinary drug shops in Eastern Uganda(Makerere University, 2025)Antibacterial overuse in food-producing animals is a recognised driver of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), particularly in low- and middle-income countries where regulation of veterinary drug use is limited. In Uganda, veterinary drug shops play a central role in the distribution of antibacterial drugs, yet data on quantities sold, prescription and dispensing practices remain scarce, especially at the regional level. This study quantified antibacterial sales over a 12-month period and assessed prescription and dispensing practices among veterinary drug shops in Eastern Uganda. A cross-sectional study was conducted between August 2024 and January 2025 across 36 districts of Eastern Uganda. A total of 139 veterinary drug shops were surveyed using a structured questionnaire adapted from human medicine practices. Retrospective data on antibacterial drug sales over the preceding 12 months were extracted from shop records. Sales quantities were analysed using OIE criteria, and prescribing and dispensing practices were summarised using percentages and frequencies. Overall, 90478.51 Kg (90.478 tonnes) of antibacterials were sold during the 12-month period. Tetracyclines (59.19%), macrolides (11.57%), and fluoroquinolones (8.86%) were the most commonly sold antibacterial classes. According to the EMA Antimicrobial Expert Group (AMEG) classification, 72.7% of the sold antibacterials were low-risk for resistance development, while 95.0% were categorised as Very Critically Important Antimicrobials (VCIA) under the OIE classification. Based on the WHO criteria, most antibacterials sold (72.6%) were considered highly important for human medicine. Prescription and dispensing practices were generally poor, characterised by widespread non-prescription sales, reliance on verbal and farmer-initiated prescriptions, in-shop prescribing by unqualified attendants, inadequate client education, poor record keeping and weak inventory control practices. The findings indicate substantial sales of antibacterials through veterinary drug shops in Eastern Uganda, suggesting a high potential for use in Livestock production. However, actual consumption per unit of animal biomass could not be estimated due to the absence of reliable animal population data. The study highlights the need for enforceable national veterinary prescribing guidelines, mandatory prescription requirements, regular inspections of veterinary drug shops, training of drug shop attendants and standardised record-keeping systems. Routine National and Regional surveillance of antibacterial sales is recommended to support antimicrobial stewardship and inform policy decisions. Develop and distribute standardised, practical national guidelines for veterinary prescription and dispensing.