A systematic review of pre-clinical and clinical research reports on small ruminants published during the last six decades in the then East Pakistan and in Bangladesh

Abstract

Background: A dozen of veterinary academic institutions offer degree courses with pre-clinical and clinical studies and conduct research works but their activities are not coordinated and unified in Bangladesh. An attempt has been made to review the pre-clinical and clinical research reports in small ruminants which would help the concerned academicians, research scientists and research funded organizations to update their knowledge of specialization and use this reference as a starting point for formulation of the future academic and research guidelines. Objectives: The main objectives are to provide an integrated, systematic overview of all the available published research reports on the pre-clinical and clinical aspects of small ruminants to update knowledge and to identify research insights, existing gaps and future research directions. Materials and Methods: The available research reports on pre-clinical and clinical aspects of small ruminants published mainly in journals during the last six decades in Bangladesh from 1966 to 2019 were reviewed. Data obtained were analyzed statistically based on pre-clinical and clinical subjects, host species, age, breeds, clinical prevalence and decade-wise to assess the rate of publication. Results: Of the 665 selected articles, 621 research papers published on small ruminants during the last six decades from Bangladesh were systematically reviewed, of which 340 (54.75%) articles reported as pre-clinical and 281 (45.25%) on clinical aspects with significantly higher rates in goats (n = 486; 78.26%) than sheep (n = 135; 21.74%). Out of 126 recorded clinical diseases and disorders in small ruminants, 125 (99.21%) reported in goats and 44 (34.92%) in sheep, with 43 (34.13%) common in both goats and sheep but only pregnancy toxaemia (0.79%) reported in sheep. The influence of age and breeds on the prevalence of clinical diseases and disorders associated with their morbidity and mortality are described and discussed. Conclusions: This unified review article would serve as a guide for the veterinary medical academicians, research scientists and organizations for future studies and research directions. The disease profiles and their morbidity and mortality status in small ruminants might help the practicing veterinarians, government, human health care providers and neighboring countries who may need to take action.