IRAQ JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH

This study was carried out in The Sheep and Goat Research Station- Shatrah, Agriculture Directorate in Dhi-Qar, Ministry of agriculture, from 20/8/2015 to 30/11/2015 to understand the impact of adding different levels of carob pods powder to sheep food on the body weight in post birth period, rate of increase the weight, and daily milk production in three periods: the first period (P1) 2 weeks after birth, the second period (P2) four weeks after birth, third period (P3) after six weeks of birth, experience coefficients as follows: the first treatment (A) used as treatment compared to control and treatment of second and third (B, C) the added carob powder quantity of 30 and 60 grams per kg feed transactions experience respectively. The results of the current study showed that: no significance differences in productive performance (body weight and weight increase) and the amount of milk production in all periods, significance improvement in most sensual qualities of milk produced for transactions using carob compared treatment control.
In conclusion the addition of carob pods in sheep diets did not have any significant effect on the production performance and the quantity of milk produced.

Investigate was conducted at Rumination researches station the station which belong to State office of Agricultural researches on a flock of Awassi sheep on production season 2015/2016, the target is prediction of some productive of blood characters (birth and weaning weights, average gain weight from birth to weaning and daily milk production) through blood characters. The studied growth characters increased according of glucose, cholesterol. Triglyceride levels increased in blood, while blood regression on protein level in blood was negative , the growth did not effected by other blood characters which were under study. The regression of daily milk production was negative and highly significant (p<0.01) on glucose level, while the regression of milk production was not significant on other blood characters. The conclusion of obtained results was that can depending on some blood characters as a guide or as a indicator for improving growth characters and milk production on sheep.

This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of temperature variation (monthly and periods) round the year on some semen characteristics of seven Awassi rams aged 2-4 years and body condition score 3.02- 4.13 kept at the same management scheme and food regimen. Nine traits were surveyed for one year (October 2014-September 2015) and showed monthly significant differences (p<0.05) in all of it. Best semen traits (appearance, concentration, mass and progressive motility and dead sperm%) were found in April, May, Sep. and Oct., while low semen quality (volume, appearance, mass and progressive motility) were in February. Statistical analysis of monthly temperatures showed that there are no significant differences among some months, so they are collected in three thermal periods (low, moderate and high temperatures), the moderate period revealed significant increase (p<0.05) in conc., mass and progressive motility and pH in comparison with other periods. In conclusion, either monthly or periods temperature variations were found to have an effective rolls in most of the traits of Awassi ram semen, although, it produce good semen quality continually round the year.

This experiment was conducted to study the effect of three levels of dietary supplementation with Black seed (BS) and Rosemary (RM) on growth and some carcasses characteristics. Twelve Awassi Lambs aged 8-9 months old and weighing an average 38±0.5 kg were divided in to 4 treatments of three Lambs in each, control (T1) which were fed on basal diet only, T2 (2.5 gm BS + 2.5 gm RM/kg concentrate diet) , T3 (3.75 gm BS + 3.75 gm RM/kg concentrate diet) and T4 (5 gm BS + 5 gm RM/kg concentrate diet). The obtained results showed significant improve (p˂0.05) for T2 and T3 in gross , daily gain weight and feed conversion ratio compared to T1. There was significant increase (p<0.05) in total prime cutting percentage for T2, T3 and T4 compared to T1. A significant decrease (p<0.05) in total secondary cutting percentage for T2, T3 and T4 compared to T1, and there was a significant increase (p<0.01) in Shoulder percentage for T2, T3 and T4 compared to T1. While the percentage of Neck was decrease significantly (p<0.05) in T2 and T3 compared to T1. And T1 was significantly increase (p<0.05) in Breast percentage compared to T4. From these results bring to light importance of Black seed and Rosemary as feed supplementation in improvements growth, feed conversion ratio and prime cutting percentage in Awassi Lambs.

This study was conducted at Animal Fields, Animal production Department, College of Agriculture, Tikrit University for the period from 16th June 2012 up to 8th May 2013. In this experiment, thirty six Awassi male lambs at the age of four months and average body weight was 22.0 kg. When used these animals were divided into two treatments (18 in each treatment), the animals in the first group were sheared, while those in the second group were level kept without sheared, however, the animals in each group were randomly divided into three sub-groups according to the Vit. E administration level, each sub-group contain 6 animals. All animals were fed on the basic diet fed animals of the Animal Resource Fields with a rate of 2.5% B.W., in addition roughages (hay) were continuously offered along the experimental period . The aims of this experiment are to know the effect of shearing and Vit. E administration for reducing the heat stress and their effects on the productive some heat response traits. N/L index was not highly differ in winter season compared with summer season in spite of higher values were reported during winter for those un-sheared animals compared with those sheared animals. The sheared animals and Vit. E (200) administration showed better in reducing heat stress .Shearing reduced respiration rate and it reduced the effect of heat stress of animals, also Vit. E reduced the respiration rate during summer months compared with winter months, while the effect of shearing and Vit. E administration showed better results in reducing the respiration rate compared with other treatments. Shearing reduced average body temperature, while Vit. E had not significantly effect on this trait , in spite of 200 mg Vit. E administration showed the lowest body temperature during different studied months. Heat tolerance coefficient was not affected by shearing or Vit. E administration, while temperature humidity index recorded higher during summer months and reached 82.55 and 50.55 during winter months, while temperature July and August was ranged between 36.87, 37.52 C and the relative humidity ranged between (16.40 , 29.63) and in winter the temperature was 9.45-12.48 for January and February the relative humidity ranged between 63.00, 68. 97 respectively. Heat stress caused a reduction in thyroid hormones and was not statistically affected on T3 and T4 concentrations, while the combined effect of both factors caused a reduction in heat stress and increased T4 content in animal blood by using 400 mg of Vit. E. Shearing had a positive effect on Cortisol hormone concentration, also Vit. E caused an increase in cortisol hormone Concentration.

This study was conducted at Animal Fields, Animal Resources Department, College of Agriculture, Tikrit University for the period from 16th June 2012 up to 8th May 2013, to know the effect of shearing and Vit. E to reduce heat stress and to study their effects on the productive and physiological traits of Awassi lambs in Salahaddin province. In this experiment, thirty six Awassi male lambs at the age of four months and average body weight was 22.0 kg. When used these animals were divided into two treatments (18 in each treatment), the animals in the first group were sheared, while those in the second group were level kept without sheared , however, the animals in each group were randomly divided into three sub-groups according to the Vit. E administration level, each sub-group contain 6 animals. All animals were fed on the basic diet fed animals of the Animal Resource Fields with a rate of 2.5% B.W. , in addition roughages (hay) were continuously offered along the experimental period. The aims of this experiment are to know the effect of shearing and Vit. E administration for reducing the heat stress and their effects on the productive, wool traits :
- At age of six months, shearing and Vit. E administration had not effect in wool physical traits (staple and fiber lengths, no. of crimps, fiber diameter and greasy and clean wool weights) while at the age of 9 and 12 months, wool traits values were better recorded of animals sheared and administrated with 200 mg of Vit. E.

This study was conducted in the fields of animal production department belonging to the department of Agricultural Research- Ministry Of Agriculture from 21/10/2016 to 30/12/2017. This study was aimed to see the effect of different levels of mono hydrolysis creatine added to the diets of goats kids in some quantitative and qualitative characteristics of meat we used 20 goats kids, average weight (18.27±0.39) kg and ages between 4-5 months.
The results of the statistical analysis above the fourth treatment (containing 9 g creatine) significantly (p<0.05) showed the other treatments for the water holding capaacy of each muscle (LD, SM and IS). The results did not show significant differences in the Thaw loss of each muscle (LD, SM and IS). As for the loss of cooking, the results showed significant differences (p<0.05) for the LD muscle. The first treatment was the highest while there were no significant differences for both SM and IS. The results showed significant differences (p<0.05) for some Seusory evaluwtiovs (Flavour, aroma, broth, tenderness, juiciness and general receptivity), which exceeded the second and third treatment of the flavour and the second treatment of the tenderness, juiciness and general receptivity.

This study was conducted in Sheep and Goat Research Station Belonging to Public Authority for Agricultural Research in Abu Ghrib (20 km from Baghdad) for the period 1/6/2015 to 15/8/2015, and use of 21 Cypriot goats aged 1.5-2 years old and weighing 35-54 kg. goats were divided randomly into three groups (7 goats each group) The first group was considered control group and second group was given 30 ml / per animal from 3-Omega and third group) was given 45 ml / per animal from 3-Omega . for the purpose of knowing the effect of omega- 3 on milk production and some thermoregulatory responses.
The results showed a significant effect for supplementation of omega -3 in the production of milk goats within months\' experience, It overtook third -treatment was significantly (p≤0.05) during the first week for the months of June (871.42 g), July (71.43g) and August (617.86) on the first group (control) 675.14,539.285, and 446.0375 g for same months. The results of the present study also showed there were no significant effects of breathing rate and pulse rate during the probationary period. Omega-3 appears to have had a positive effect on reducing heat stress in goats which has been positively reflected on milk production.

The current study was conducted of animal farm in college of Agriculture/ Basrah University by using 20 ewes of Arabi and Najdi breeds to make a comparison between the two breeds in many traits such as birth weight, weaning weight and average weight from birth to wearing .In addition, body dimensions' traits at birth and weaning and milk components were studied. Fixed factors such as genetic group, sex and dam age were also studied .General linear model within SAS. (12) software program used to determine the effect of fixed factors (genetic group, sex of birth and dam age). The results showed that the means of birth weight ,weaning weight and average weight from birth to weaning were (14.87 ± 0.34 , 21.66 ± 0.7 and 16.79± 0.74) kg respectively. Means of milk components (fat , protein and lactose rates) were 2.63± 0.14 , 2.58 ± 0.15 and 4.98 ± 0.08) % respectively. Results also showed non-significant difference between Arabi and Najdi sheep due to all growth traits and milk components except average weight, Najdi sheep were significantly higher than Arabi sheep in average weight (p≤ 0.05).No significant effect of sex birth and dam age on milk components while dam age affected significantly (p≤ 0.05) on lactose rate and no significant effects of dam age on milk the others components.

A study was conducted at AL-Latifia station (35 km south of Baghdad), the station had a herd of Friesian cows, this study included 40 records of milk production and services per conception, over the period from 1/1/2015 to 31/12/2015 to predicting of number of reproduction and production traits through number of blood characteristics after study effect of fixed factors on traits (daily and total milk production(DMP, TMP) and services per conception (SPC). The overall means of DMP and TMP were 4.46 and 1115.85 kg. The average of SPC reach to 1.07 service. The average of blood characteristics such as Glucose, Total protein (TP), Cholesterol, Triglyceride, were 64.88mg/dl, 57.23g/L, 117.27mg/dl, 14.81mg/dl, respectively. Parity had significant effect on growth traits on DMP and TMP after forth calving while was lower SPC on third calving. The type of services had significant effect (p<0.05) on DMP, TMP and SPC and trend of the artificial services cows. Regression coefficient of DMP and TMP were positive and highly significant (p<0.05) with TP and level of prolactin hormone and negative and significant (p<0.01) with level of cholesterol while the regression coefficient of milk production with other blood characteristics was lacked significant. Regression coefficient of SPC was negative and significant (p<0.05) with level glucose. The correlation coefficient between blood characteristics with production and reproduction traits of cows were supported to the regression coefficient to same traits.

This study was conducted on Najaf governorate in south of Baghdad within three locations for buffalo aggregations during the period from 5-7-2013 to 15-7-2013, and chosen 105 buffalo owners randomly, contained 4196 head of buffaloes number with the range 4 to 300 head/owner, and this study was contained total milk production, daily milk yield and lactation period besides to length of productive life (longevity), and by using SAS program for statistical analysis for collected data. The location have a highly significant effect on total milk production, the highest production were recorded in villages and AL-Mishkhab1600.91 ± 67.34 kg, and the lowest were in Al-Abbasyiaregion 831.67 ± 92.60 kg and also in lactation period, and mean was ranged 179.67 ± 5.39 days in Al-Abbasyiato 193.00 ± 2.96 days in Om Al-Khashem village, and average daily milk yield were 4.23 , 6.12 and 8.64 kg in Al-Abbasyia, Om AL-khashem and villages of Al-Mishkhab region respectively. The longevity , was affected a highly significantly by location, the means were 10.23±1.28, 11.05±0.48 and 15.79±0.71 years in Al-Abbasyia, villages for Al-Mishkhab and Om AL-khashem village respectively, and oldest age for 2 buffaloes 23 and 25 years in Om Al-khashem village owner. The largest ownership size was in Om Al-khashem village (70.74±8.61) and villages Al-Mishkhab region (18.20±3.24) and smaller size in Al-Abbasyia region (9.53±1.31). they found from this study, there are variation in ownership size between buffalo breeders in governorate in owners are keeping some oldest age of buffalo cow within the herd. Further studies are recommended related to utmost economic animal in Iraq and knowing their best productive and reproductive traits and distributed their genetic material to all of buffalo owners in mid Euphrates region, knowledge of challenges that may reduce successful buffalo breeding in Iraq.

This study was conducted on Najaf governorate in south of Baghdad within three locations for buffalo aggregations during the period from 5-7-2013 to 15-7-2013, and chosen 105 buffalo owners randomly, contained 4196 head of buffaloes number with the range 4 to 300 head/owner, and this study was contained total milk production, daily milk yield and lactation period besides to length of productive life (longevity), and by using SAS program for statistical analysis for collected data. The location have a highly significant effect on total milk production, the highest production were recorded in villages and AL-Mishkhab1600.91 ± 67.34 kg, and the lowest were in Al-Abbasyiaregion 831.67 ± 92.60 kg and also in lactation period, and mean was ranged 179.67 ± 5.39 days in Al-Abbasyiato 193.00 ± 2.96 days in Om Al-Khashem village, and average daily milk yield were 4.23 , 6.12 and 8.64 kg in Al-Abbasyia, Om AL-khashem and villages of Al-Mishkhab region respectively. The longevity , was affected a highly significantly by location, the means were 10.23±1.28, 11.05±0.48 and 15.79±0.71 years in Al-Abbasyia, villages for Al-Mishkhab and Om AL-khashem village respectively, and oldest age for 2 buffaloes 23 and 25 years in Om Al-khashem village owner. The largest ownership size was in Om Al-khashem village (70.74±8.61) and villages Al-Mishkhab region (18.20±3.24) and smaller size in Al-Abbasyia region (9.53±1.31). they found from this study, there are variation in ownership size between buffalo breeders in governorate in owners are keeping some oldest age of buffalo cow within the herd. Further studies are recommended related to utmost economic animal in Iraq and knowing their best productive and reproductive traits and distributed their genetic material to all of buffalo owners in mid Euphrates region, knowledge of challenges that may reduce successful buffalo breeding in Iraq.

Detection of IBR and BDVof buffalo herds in the Baghdad villages for 2014. The detection of antibodies of BHV-1 was done by ELISA. Examinedfor antibodies of BHV1 and also diagnostic kits forantibodies of BVDv. To observe the clear clinical signs after the stress in summer or winter like the lack of nutrition, the symptoms of various abortions or infertility, has already applied a questionnaire has been taken its information to detect symptoms of diseases IBR and BVD. The number of samples (serum) 148 samples (22 small calves less than 6 months and 126 females). The age was between three years to seven years of females. The total number of animals in questionnaire were 8159 from 117 herds of buffalos in the villages of Baghdad, the results of the diagnostic test were as follows: IBRv: 88% and the same samples were tested for BVDV66% of the same samples were tested. The aim of the survey is to detect the two diseases and its compatibility with the symptoms, knowing that buffalo herds have not been vaccinated before, so we prove that there are different levels of infection in one herd and it adversely affect the development of livestock.

This study was conducted at native fields in Babylon province on 60 adult and lactate female buffaloes (4-12 years old) to study relationship of figures and measurements of sex chromatin (SC) with some biochemical traits of blood and milk in local buffaloes (Bubalusbubalis) during period from August 2015 to April 2016. Blood samples were collected, prepared and examined at laboratories of department of animal production techniques at Al-Musaib Technical College. The results showed that the percentage of Sessile nodule (SN), Drum stick (D), Tear drop (T) and Small club (SM) figures were 54.00, 32.70, 12.10 and 1.14% respectivity. The overall means of horizontal and vertical axes and area of nucleus were 14.29±0.3 micrometer (µm), 14.36±0.34 µm and 166.05±5.66 µm². The overall means of horizontal and vertical axes and area of SC reach to 1.096 ±0.04 µm, 1.110±0.03 µm and 0.969±0.04 µm² respectively. The overall means of area of SC to area of nucleus and number of lobes in nucleus were 0.632±0.04% and 4.30±0.10 lobe respectively. The overall means of glucose, total protein, total cholesterol and triglycerides were 109.74±2.28, 70.80±0.08, 98.11±6.37 and 35.59 ±3.02 mg/dl respectively, while the overall means of the percentage of fat, protein, lactose and solids not fat (SNF) were 6.11±0.15, 4.329±0.06, 4.35±0.09 and 10.379±0.14% respectively. The study showed that the significant effect (p<0.05) of SC figures on total protein, total cholesterol and triglycerides concentrations, while non- significant effect on glucose concentration. Significant effect (p<0.05) of figures of SC on the percentage of fat and SNF, while non- significant effect on the percentage of protein and lactose.
In conclusion from this study the possibility of using the sex chromatin in rapid selection programs and the construction of genetic improvement plans to develop the performance of local buffaloes .

This study was conducted at native fields in Babylon province on 60 adult and lactate local she camels (Camelus Dromedarius) aged (6-14 years old), to study relationship of sex chromatin figure with some biochemical parameters of blood and milk in local iraqia she camel , from September 2015 to March 2016. Blood samples were aspirated , prepared and examined. The results showed that the percentage of drum Stick (D), Sessile nodule (SN), Small club (SM) and Tear drop (T) figures were 59.95, 25.20, 8.53 and 6.31% respectively . The overall means of horizontal and vertical axes and area of SC were 1.100±0.04 micrometer (µm), 1.154±0.04 µm and 0.996 ± 0.07 µm² respectively. The overall means of horizontal and vertical axes and area of nucleus reach to 11.65 ± 0.29 µm, 11.08±0.30 µm and 101.32 ±4.76 µm² respectively. The overall means of area of SC to area of nucleus and number of lobes in nucleus were 1.074±0.07% and 3.82±0.14 lobe respectively. The overall means of glucose , total protein , total cholesterol and triglycerides reached 107.89±2.74 mg/dL, 6.61±0.18 gm/dL, 90.80±2.14 mg/dL and 55.28±1.27 mg/dL respectively , while the overall means of the percentage of fat , protein , lactose and solids not fat (SNF) were 3.46±0.11, 3.52±0.10, 4.14±0.12 and 11.05±0.17% respectively. The results showed that the significant effect (p<0.05) of SC figures on total protein and total cholesterol concentrations, and non-significant effect on glucose and triglycerides concentrations, while significant effect (p<0.05) of SC figures on the percentage of protein and lactose , and non- significant effect on the percentage of fat and SNF.

ABSTRACT
This study was undertaken at the Department of Artificial Insemination, Abu-Ghraib, the Directorate of Animal Resource, Ministry of Agriculture, during the period from October 2012 to February 2013 to investigate the effect of adding vitamin C, vitamin E and Omega-3 and their combinations to Tris extender on sperm acrosome integrity percentage aged Holstein bulls following different preservation periods. Seven mature bulls of 2.5-3 years old were used in this study. Semen was collected via artificial vagina in one ejaculate per bull per week for the 7 weeks experimental period. The evaluations were performed for fresh semen, and thereafter, pooled, and subdivided to different experimental groups by diluting with Tris-based extender. Vitamin C (5 Mm), Vitamin E (0.2 Mm) and Omega-3 (0.8 mg/ml) were added to Tris extender in the second and third and forth groups, while the Tris was added only to the control group (A1), and were added mixed each of vit. C and vit E as a fifth groups, vit C and Omega-3 as a sixth groups, vit. E and Omega-3 as a seventh groups with same concentration. The acrosome integrity percentage was investigated after different periods (cooling at 5 °C, 48 hrs, 1, 2 and 3 months post cryopreservation, PC). The acrosome integrity percentage had significantly (p≤0.05) increased in all groups at three months PC as compared with the control group. On the other hand, the differences among treatments in sperm's head, midpiece and tail's principal and terminal abnormalities lacked significance. In conclusion, the addition of non-enzymatic antioxidants and Omega-3 to Tris extender improved the PC acrosome integrity percentage of Holstein bulls through their pivotal role as antioxidant and cryoprotectant agents. These will certainly enhance the conception and pregnancy rates of inseminated cows.

The objective of this study is to cultivated and produce sprouted barley under local conditions to investigate the incorporation effects at a levels of 10% and 30% in diet of 16 weaned lambs of Awassi male lambs, on reproductive traits and sexual behavior. The experimental plan was designed for 135 days period, started from 1/12/2016 to 15/3/2017 using hydroponic steel chamber.
Barley grain were cleaned, washed, soaked and spread on the trays to implantation by hydroponic system and water irrigation, lambs is with an average body weight of 19.25±0.25 kg, was aged four month and was split into 3
groups 6 to each, All groups were daily feed with 2% of body weight at concentrate diet, the chemical analysis of sprouts were recorded, pen test of male
rame were done to estimate the sexual behaviors and body weight at puberty were recorded. The chemical analysis revealed significantly higher value and improve nutritional alteration in sprouts comparative to grains. In blood serum sex hormones evaluation, both treated groups particularly 30% group recorded higher values compare to control. In pen test and sexual estimation treated groups particularly 30% group recorded high improvement with earlier and higher puberty weight than both 10% and control groups. According to these results it could be recommend to replacement of sprouted barley different level to the diet of ruminants and lambs for more improvements to reproductive traits.

This study was carried out at the Ruminant Research Department, Al-Zaafarani, Baghdad to evaluate the effects of cysteine added to the citrate– egg yolk extender and preserved in refrigerator on some semen characteristics of Awassi rams and the deterioration occurred by semen processing and preservation. Semen samples were pooled and divided into seven equal aliquots including; control (c), 0.0 mM of cysteine, and T1 to T6 groups of 2.5, 5.0, 7.5, 10.0, 12.5 and 15.0 mM of cysteine were added to the extender. Semen quality was assessed by; pH; sperm progressive motility; abnormalities; dead and acrosomal defect percentages. The results showed that pH did not differ significantly, while progressive motility, dead, abnormal, and acrosomal defect percentages were significantly different (p<0.05) and revealed how cysteine additives could develop chilled semen quality when preserved in 5˚c. Low and moderate levels of cysteine in the extender (2.5-10 mM) were not improved acrosome integrity although motility and other semen criteria were increased. Extension, cooling, and preservation periods had a deteriorative effects on all studied characteristics. The study concluded that it's very important to add cysteine in the range of 7.5-10.0 mM to the extender to keep good semen quality as long as possible for the chilled preservation of Awassi rams semen.

This study was conducted on three Awassi rams to investigate effect of different levels of Bovine Serum Albumin (BSA) as the antioxidant on semen characteristics and the deterioration occurred by semen processing and preservation. Semen was collected by electro-ejaculator, pooled and subdivided to seven equal aliquots, then diluted with Sodium citrate and egg yolk diluent supplemented with 0.0, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, and 30mg ml-1 of BSA as control(c) and T1 to T6 respectively. Semen quality was assessed by progressive motility, pH, dead, abnormal, and acrosomal defect percentages after dilution, cooling and storage in refrigerator (at 5c) for three consecutive days.
The results showed that any addition ranged between 5-30 mg ml-1 of BSA to the diluent could improve semen quality with greatest improvement occurred in the range of 10-20mg ml-1 of BSA. Except pH and dead sperm percentage, all other characteristics have been shown significant differences (p˂0.05) during preservation stages. Semen preparation stages (dilution, cooling, preservation for 1, 2 and 3 days in 5c. resulted in a significant (p˂0.05) decline in semen characteristics. The study concluded the importance of adding 10-20mg ml-1 of BSA to the extender and to be used as soon as possible after cooling.

Akabane virus is a member of the genus Orthobunyavirus in the family Bunyaviridae. It is transmitted by arthropod vectors such as Culicoides. It is widely distributed in temperate to tropical regions of the world. The virus is well known as a teratogenic pathogen which causes abortions, stillbirths, premature births and congenital abnormalities with arthrogryposis-hydranencephaly syndrome in cattle, sheep and goats.
The aim of this study is to detection of Akabane antibodies in sheep of seven governorates whereby no data was reported before, in Iraq.
This study was performed using 783 randomly sheep serum samples from virology unit in the central veterinary laboratory (CVL) where the tests was carried out during the period of January and February 2017.
The study area was in the five border Iraqi governorate and tow not border, all the collected sera were analyzed using a commercially available Screen® Akabane competition ELISA kit.
The results indicate that the disease was present in a number of governorates in the south of Iraq. Out of 783 randomly sheep sera tested, 30(24%), 25(29%), 3(2%), 23(15%) and 24(19%) of sheep were positive for AKAV antibodies.
As AKAV vaccines are currently not administered to livestock in the country, the detection of seropositive sheep in this study suggests natural exposure of these animals to AKAV.