https://ajvs.cl/index.php/ajvs <p> </p> <p><em>Austral Journal of Veterinary Sciences</em> (<em>AJVS</em>), formerly known as “Archivos de Medicina Veterinaria”, was first published in 1969 and, as part of the Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias (Faculty of Veterinary Sciences) of the Universidad Austral de Chile, it has been continuously publishing original articles for more than 50 years.</p> <p><strong>Journal Information</strong></p> <p>Publication Model: Open Access <br />Frequency: One (1) volume per year in continuous publication<br />Launch date: 1969<br />Peer Review Model: Double-blind; the names of reviewers are hidden from the author, and vice versa <br />Print ISSN: 0719-8000<br />Online ISSN: 0719-8132</p> Universidad Austral de Chile en-US Austral Journal of Veterinary Sciences 0719-8000 https://ajvs.cl/index.php/ajvs/article/view/474 <p>The study was carried out to determine comparatively the fattening performance, slaughtering, carcass, and meat quality characteristics of 3.5 month-old male kids of Damascus, Kilis and Hair goats under intensive fattening. Thus, 15 single male kids from each genotype were intensively fattened for 75 days. During the fattening period, dry vetch hay was given 100 g/head/day as concentrate feed ad libitum. In the study, the average live weights of Damascus, Kilis, and Hair male kids at the end of fattening were 32.20 kg, 30.14 kg and 32.54 kg/head, respectively (P&gt;0.05), while the average daily live weight gains of the kids were determined as 177 g/head in Damascus goat, 169 g/head in Kilis and 176 g/head in Hair goat. The lowest carcass weight was determined in Hair kids with 14.98 kg/head. The average head weights of the genotypes were 1.94 kg, 2.07 kg and 1.91 kg; hind limb weights were 2.33 kg, 2.28 kg and 2.10 kg (P&lt;0.05); forearm weights were 1.68 kg, 1.63 kg and 1.44 kg; kidney and pelvic fat weights were 64 g, 76 g and 46 g, respectively for Damascus, Kilis and Hair goats (P&lt; 0.01). <em>Musculus longissimus dorsi</em> (MLD) areas of Damascus, Kilis and Hair kid carcasses were determined as 16.74 cm2, 11.77 cm2 and 12.52 cm2 (P&lt;0.01), respectively, and pH values were statistically significant (P&lt;0.05) in the measurements made in MLD (5.38-6.34) and <em>Musculus semimembranosus</em> (MSM) (5.41-6.71) muscle groups at slaughtering, at 45th minute and at 24th hour. In conclusion, it was determined that the carcass and meat quality of male kids belonging to Damascus, Kilis and Hair genotypes can be improved with modern feeding methods balanced with protein and energy depending on the current fattening performances in the local geography.</p> Halit Deniz SIRELI Ali Murat Tatar Selçuk Seçkin TUNCER Ufuk Tansel SIRELI Copyright (c) 57 https://ajvs.cl/index.php/ajvs/article/view/473 <p>Feeding waste milk (WM) to calves is a common practice worldwide, but it poses risks due to potential pathogen transmission and antimicrobial residues. This study aimed to assess the efficacy of copper ion treatment of WM in a controlled trial and to evaluate its impact on calf health.</p> <p>A six-week controlled field trial was conducted with ten calves randomly assigned to receive either untreated WM (control group, n=5) or WM treated with copper ions (treatment group, n=5). The copper ion treatment involved a 15-minute copper release phase and a 15-minute copper recapture phase using an electrochemical device. WM samples were analyzed weekly for total bacterial count (TBC),&nbsp;<em>Staphylococcus</em>&nbsp;spp., coliforms, copper, and iron. Calf health was monitored weekly through clinical assessments, body weight, and blood analysis (including AST, GGT, GD, copper, and iron).</p> <p>Copper ion treatment significantly reduced bacterial contamination in WM. TBC,&nbsp;<em>Staphylococcus</em>&nbsp;spp., and coliforms were reduced by 98.38%, 97.30%, and 99.99%, respectively. The recapture phase effectively reduced the copper concentration in treated WM to non-toxic levels. However, unexpected iron contamination of the treated milk was detected. At Week 3, the treatment group exhibited elevated plasma AST, GD, and iron levels compared to the control group, with values exceeding the reference ranges. Two calves in the treatment group died during Week 3, with acute iron toxicosis as the likely cause. While the treatment effectively reduced bacterial counts in WM, unintended iron contamination from the treatment device compromised the health of two calves. Copper ion treatment effectively reduced bacterial contamination in WM in field conditions. However, we could not show clear evidence that the treatment did not affect calf health due to iron contamination of treated milk. Future research must focus on iron-free methods before re-evaluating the effects of copper treatment on calf health.</p> Miguel Salgado Fernando Ulloa Miguel Hernández-Agudelo Mauricio Cifuentes Carlos Tejeda Pamela Steuer Ricardo Chihuailaf Juan Pablo Soto Nivia Canales Copyright (c) 57 https://ajvs.cl/index.php/ajvs/article/view/472 <p>The aim of this study was to compare the sperm size and reproductive performance of tetraploid and diploid rainbow trout (<em>Oncorhynchus mykiss</em>) and to investigate the effects of polyploidy on reproductive success. The effects of different ploidy levels on sperm morphology, fertilization rates, embryo development and survival rates were evaluated. Tetraploid and diploid rainbow trout individuals were used in the study. Four different crossover combinations were tested: (i) Diploid male× Diploid female, (ii) Tetraploid male× Tetraploid female, (iii) Diploid male × Tetraploid female, (iv) Diploid female × Tetraploid male. Sperm sizes were measured by microscopic analysis and fertilization rates and survival of offspring were compared. Statistical analyses were performed using ANOVA and correlation tests. Sperm size from tetraploid males was found to be significantly larger than diploid individuals (p &lt; 0.05). In terms of fertilization rates, diploid × tetraploid crossovers showed significant fertilization success. When looking at embryo hatching rates, tetraploid individuals were lower; however, when looking at survival rates, there was no significant difference between the groups. In conclusion, tetraploidization may affect sperm size reproductive success. Improving reproductive results by crossing diploid and tetraploid individuals is considered a viable method. However, genetic and environmental factors need to be further investigated to fully understand how this process works.</p> Mustafa DO?AN Copyright (c) 57