A study was conducted to investigate the effect of varying dietary protein level and season on haematological characteristics, biochemical and hormonal profiles of Indigenous Guinea fowl (Numida meleagris). Sixty Pearl Guinea fowls of 12 weeks of age were subjected to four treatment groups of diets containing 16%, 18%, 20% and 22% crude protein and reared in three seasons (Dry: December-March, Major rains: April-July and Minor rains: August-November) in a 3x4 factorial experiment. Data were analyzed using General Linear Model procedure of SAS. Dietary crude protein had no significant effect (p>0.05) on all haematological parameters. Total serum protein and albumin increased (p<0.05) with increasing dietary protein, but not globulin and cholesterol. Progesterone and oestrogen were significantly (p<0.05) influenced by dietary protein level. Haemoglobin and MCHC were highest (p<0.05) in the major rainy season whereas PCV and platelets increased (p<0.05) in the dry season. WBC and monocytes increased (p<0.05) in the rainy seasons and lymphocytes levels were lowest (p<0.05) in the major rainy season. Albumen was highest (p<0.05) in the hot dry season and lowest in the minor rainy season. Globulin increased (p<0.05) from the dry season to the highest in the minor rainy season. Oestrogen, progesterone, luteinizing hormone and prolactin were significantly (p<0.05) influenced by season. Results indicate that 16% crude protein is adequate and that seasonal variations influence haematological, biochemical and hormonal profiles of Guinea fowl during laying period.

Chagas disease is an arthropod borne parasitic disease of humans and animals caused by infection with Trypanosoma cruzi. Chagas disease is prevalent in Latin America and the Caribbean nations. Rats (Rattus species) are considered a reservoir host in transmission of the disease. The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of antibodies against T. cruzi in brown rats (Rattus norvegicus) from Grenada. A total of 145 rat sera were examined for T. cruzi antibodies using a qualitative immunochromatographic screening test: Chagas Stat Pak™ (Chembio Diagnostic System, Inc. Medford NY, USA). A seroprevalence of 10.3% (15/145) for T. cruzi antibodies was found. Results from this study indicate a moderate exposure level of R. norvegicus to T. cruzi in Grenada. Further research to find out the presence of the insect vector near the rat colony and the relationship of reservoir host in disease transmission is indicated.

The present investigation was conducted to evaluate the dose dependent (100, 50, 25, 10 and 0 μg/ml) cytotoxic effects of phosphorus doped graphene oxide titanium oxide nanocomposite (P-GO-TiO2 NC) on caprine Wharton`s jelly-derived mesenchymal stem cells (WJ-MSCs) by observing cell morphology, viability, growth kinetics, PDT (population doubling time), MTT (Tetrazolium dye 3-[4, 5- dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2, 5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide) and hemolysis assay using caprine erythrocytes. The caprine WJ-MSCs exhibited fibroblastoid morphology which was changed significantly as cells detached from culture surface at 100 and 50 μg/ml doses while 25 and 10 μg/ml did not altered cell morphology after 48 and 72 hrs exposure as compared to control. Viable cell number after 48 and 72 hrs of incubation with P-GO-TiO2 NC in 25 μg/ml dose was significantly (P<0.01) higher while it was significantly (P<0.01) lower at 100 and 50 μg/ml doses as compared to 10 μg/ml and control. Caprine WJ-MSCs PDT was significantly (P<0.05) increased at 100 and 50 μg/ml doses with significantly (P<0.05) altered shape of growth curve as compared to 25, 10 and 0 μg/ml doses of P-GO-TiO2 NC. Metabolically active caprine WJ-MSCs were significantly (P<0.01) increased at 25 and 10 μg/ml doses, while it was significantly (P<0.01) decreased at 100 and 50 μg/ml doses as compared to control, which was determined by MTT assay. Erythrocyte hemolysis assay revealed that P-GO-TiO2 NC significantly (P<0.05) destructed the caprine erythrocytes at 100 μg/ml doses as compared to 50, 25, 10 and 0 μg/ml doses. It is concluded that P-GO-TiO2 NC at 25 and 10 μg/ml doses are biocompatible and enhance caprine WJ-MSCs growth as compared to 100 and 50 μg/ml doses.

An experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of feeding organic source of Zn and Mn on growth performance of coloured broilers. Three hundred and twenty coloured broilers were assigned to four dietary treatments with four replicates of twenty broilers each. The experimental birds were fed one of the following four diets. T1-Basal diet (Control) with 100% supplementation of Zn and Mn from inorganic source, T2- Basal diet with 100% supplementation of Zn and Mn from organic source, T3- Basal diet with 80% supplementation of Zn and Mn from organic source and T4 Basal diet with 70% supplementation of Zn and Mn from organic source. The inorganic supplementation was ZnSO4 and MnSO4. The experimental diets were fed to birds for 42 days of age. Data was collected for weekly cumulative body weight, weekly cumulative feed consumption and FCR. Among the organic source fed groups 100 per cent replacement of organic source of Zn and Mn (T2) showed higher body weight (1375 g) followed by T4 (1329 g), T3 (1326 g) and Control T1(1252 g).Among the organic source fed groups 100 per cent replacement of organic source of Zn and Mn (T2) showed better FCR (2.09) followed by T1(2.15), T3 (2.26) and T4 (2.30).Thus organic minerals can be included at much lower levels in the diet than the current recommendations for inorganic minerals, without any negative affect on broiler performance.

Tei proposed an index of myocardial performance (IMP), which was devised to investigate combined measurement of systolic and diastolic function. The present study was undertaken to study importance of myocardial tei index in Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) and Mitral valve disease (MVD) affected dogs. A total of 63 dogs were examined for calculation of TEI index. Out of 63 dogs, 37 and 26 dogs suffering from DCM and MVD were taken as separate groups. LV Tei index was increased in both DCM and MVD affected dogs. The mean and standard error of the Tei index in DCM and MVD were 0.51±0.11 and 0.63±0.11, respectively and no significant difference was observed between these groups. Tei index appeared to correlate with severity of disease and can be used for early diagnosis of DCM.

The growth regulating myostatin gene (MSTN) is considered to be conserved between species of vertebrate animals. Therefore, the present study was undertaken to explore within and between species genetic diversity for exon 2 of MSTN gene in Marwari goat (Capra hircus) and Bikaneri camel (Camelus dromedarius). Genomic DNA was isolated from whole blood (2ml) through spin column method. A common primer pair was used to amplify the exon 2 region of MSTN gene in Marwari goat (n=42) and Bikaneri camels (n=56). Restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) was carried out with Hae III restriction enzyme to explore the genetic divergence. Representative (n=5) amplified fragments of MSTN exon 2 region of both the species were sequenced through Sanger dideoxy chain termination method. RFLP analysis in both species revealed similar restriction information (mm genotype) indicating the absence of intra and interspecies variation. Sequence analysis of MSTN exon 2 region within each species also revealed absence of within species variation. However, interspecies variation between Marwari goat and Bikaneri camel were observed in the form of nine SNP’s in exon 2 of MSTN gene. Two SNP’s at 70th and 118th position were found to be non-synonymous with predicted amino acids of tyrosine and glutamine in Bikaneri camel instead of histidine and lysine in Marwari goat, respectively. The results concluded that sequence comparison of myostatin gene of Marwari goat and Bikaneri camel could be used for better understanding of divergent evolution of species in similar agro climatic conditions.

The present study was conducted to investigate in-vitro antimicrobial, antibiofilm and antioxidant efficacy of Rosemary essential oil (REO) for its potential application in meat products. The oil was tested against four Gram positive (Bacillus cereus, Listeria monocytogenes, Staphylococcus aureus and Enterococcus faecalis) and six Gram negative (Salmonella enterica serovar Typhi, Escherichia coli, Shigella flexneri, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Proteus mirabilis and Klebsiella pneumoniae) organisms using zone of inhibition and Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) estimation. Widest inhibition zone was exhibited by Staphylococcus aureus whereas, Enterococcus faecalis and Salmonella enterica showed the largest MIC values. Antibiofilm activity (%) was determined by using pure culture of L. monocytogenes and S. aureus as positive control, whereas 1, 1 diphenyl-2picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2-2-azinobis-3ethylbenthiazoline-6-sulphonic acid (ABTS) radical scavenging activity was taken as parameter for antioxidant activity. The results showed that with application of REO, biofilm formation of both L. monocytogenes and S. aureus was inhibited by 73.0 and 77.65 %, respectively in comparison to their respective controls. Six different concentrations of oil was used for determination of ABTS and DPPH radical scavenging activity and it was ranging from 8.16- 51.80% for DPPH whereas ABTS values ranged from 6.81-44.16% for rosemary oil under investigation. It can be concluded that rosemary essential oil possesses potent antimicrobial, antibiofilm and antioxidant activity, and may be used as a natural preservative to extend the storage stability of meat products.

Newcastle disease virus (NDV) continues to cause serious economic losses in global chicken production. The objective of the present study was to use a rapid and efficient method for determining pathotype of NDV of poultry from field specimens by using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and in silico restriction endonuclease enzymes (REA) method. The field samples were investigated for identification, differentiation and pathotyping of NDV by using amplification of RT-PCR followed by in silico REA of F protein encoding gene. The RT-PCR amplification for F gene NDV generated DNA fragments in size of 356 bp. To differentiate virulent and avirulent NDV, the RT-PCR product of F gene in size of 356 base pairs (bp) was analyzed by HhaI and BglI restriction enzymes. Out of one hundred twenty field samples examined, nineteen were found positive for NDV and among these nineteen positive samples, sixteen samples were lentogenic, two samples were mesogenic and one sample was velogenic NDV. RT-PCR combined with in silico REA method by using HhaI and BglI enzymes can be used to determine pathotype of NDV from field specimens.

Rotaviruses belong to family Reoviridae under the genus Rotavirus. It is a major etiological agent of gastroenteritis in buffalo calves. The Mortality due to rotavirus infection in buffalo calves reach up to 25%. Rotaviruses cause neonatal diarrhoea in Buffalo calves. The present study was carried out to determine the prevalence of rotavirus infection among buffalo calves in Anand and adjacent regions. During the present study, 100 diarrhoeal samples were collected from the organized buffalo farms of villages of Anand, Gujarat. Also 55 diarrheic stool samples from the children were collected. All the samples were screened for the presence or absence of rota virus by Double Antibody Sandwich Enzyme linked Immunosorbent Assay (DAS - ELISA) and Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT – PCR) out of the 155 faecal samples, 12 samples (7.74%) were found to be positive for rotavirus by DAS- ELISA and 3 (1.93%) samples were found positive by RT – PCR. None of the human samples were found positive for rotavirus.

Transition cow health assessment study with 28 crossbreed Jersey and Holstein Friesian cows of 3 to 7-year-old were under taken. They were conventionally managed under field conditions over a period of 2 years. Two blood samples were collected from each cow and were assessed for haematological and biochemical analysis. There was significant variation (p<0.05) found between MCH, MCHC and platelet values of pre and post partum cross bred cows. The erythrocyte count in pregnant cows was significantly higher than that of postpartum cows. In the present study, no significant differences were found between the prepartum and postpartum serum metabolites of globulin, phosphorus, total calcium and non-esterified fatty acids levels except for the concentrations of chloride and ionized calcium where the prepartum value was significantly (P<0.05) higher than the postpartum values.

A study was undertaken to compare and evaluate vegetarian and meat based dry pet food on palatability, food intake and growth response by growing non-descript dogs. Twelve growing non-descript female dogs were randomly divided into two experimental groups of six dogs each, fed with vegetarian and meat based complete dry pet food, respectively for twelve weeks period. Palatability, daily dry matter intake (DMI), daily digestible crude protein (DCP) intake, weekly body weights and weekly body weight changes were recorded during the experimental period. The palatability of meat based pet food was found to be better than vegetarian diet. No significant difference (P˃0.05) was observed in dry matter intake between the two groups, however, there had a significant difference in digestible crude protein intake as well as feed intake per kg gain. Dogs from meat based group weighed constantly more (6.8%) at the end of experiment than the dogs of vegetarian group. The type of diet had significant (P≤0.05) effect on average weekly body weights, indicating that meat based group had significantly higher body weight at the end of experiment. At the end of experiment, dogs from meat based group gained about 41.80% more body weight as compared to the dogs of vegetarian group. Here, the type of diet had highly significant (PË‚0.01) effect on average weekly gain in weights, indicating that the dogs receiving meat based diet gained significantly higher weights than those receiving vegetarian diet. However, in terms of economics, meat based diet was little costlier than vegetarian diet.

The present study was conducted to detect the incidence and severity of parasitic infection in small ruminant at Goat and Sheep Breeding Farms of Lala Lajpat Rai University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences (LUVAS), Haryana. For this, faecal samples of 202 animals (100 sheep and 102 goats) were screened for qualitative (floatation and sedimentation), quantitative (McMaster) and coproculture examination. Faecal sample examination revealed significantly higher (p<0.01) infection in sheep (100%) as compared to goats (96%). The eggs of strongyle, Strongyloides, Trichuris, amphistome, Moniezia and coccidian oocyst were observed as 100%, 13%, 46%, 29%, 15% and 90% in sheep, respectively and 96.1%, 15.7%, 7.8%, 17.6% and 87.2% in goats, respectively. Majority of animals had the infection of strongyles with EPG more than 1200 and were also harbouring light infection of coccidia. The coproculture revealed the predominance of Haemonchus contortus along with other nematodes.

A total of 284 performance records belonging to 63 Tharparkar cows in at least three lactations or more spread over a period of fifteen years (2002 to 2016) were utilized to estimate the trends in various traits. The estimates of phenotypic trends for AFC, SP, CI, DP, LL, LMY, MYPD and MYCI were -11.054±9.41 days/year (0.70% of HA), 0.841±0.42 days/year (0.61% of HA), 2.061±1.04 days/year (0.496% of HA), 1.682±1.04 days/year (1.21% of HA), 2.70±2.31 days/year (0.95% of HA), 19.42±7.21 kg/year (0.96% of HA), 0.033±0.07kg (0.60% of HA) and 0.023±0.03kg (0.55% of HA), respectively. Phenotypic trend was observed positive and significant (P≤0·05) for calving interval, service period and lactation milk yield. Age at first calving and service period shown increase genetic trend in present study. Comparison of methods of estimation of genetic trend showed that the BLUP method should be used for estimation of genetic trends of economic traits as this method has lower magnitude of standard error in comparison to other methods. For overall improvement in production, emphasis should be given to some reproductive traits like AFC and SP along with lactation milk yield while planning selection strategies.

The present experiment was conducted to examine the effect of Enzymes (Enzymex) and Probiotic (Yeamark) on organ weights and intestinal histomorphology parameters in Ven Cobb400 broilers. Three hundred and sixty chicks were divided into eight groups viz. control (T1) in which no supplement was added to the feed, while in treatments T2, T3 and T4 cocktail of enzymes was provided as 0.25, 0.50 and 0.75 g per kg of feed, respectively, in treatment T5 probiotic was added as 0.25 g per kg and in treatment T6, T7 and T8 cocktail of enzymes as in T2, T3 and T4 with probiotic as 0.25 g per kg in the basal diet from 1st to 6th weeks of age respectively. The liver and gizzard weights were greater (P < 0.05) for probiotic compared with enzyme supplemented birds. Furthermore, dietary treatments influenced the morphological measurements of small intestine. The addition of enzyme, probiotic and their combinations increased (P < 0.05) the villus height to crypt depth ratio and villus height in duodenum. The increase in the villus height to crypt depth ratio was associated with improvement of growth performance for both probiotic and enzymes and their combination. This indicates that the probiotic and enzymes and their combinations can be used as a growth promoter in broiler diets and can improve the gut health. These products show promising effects as alternatives for antibiotics as pressure to eliminate growth-promotant antibiotic use increases.

The present study was carried out on the first, second and third pairs of ribs of six specimens of adult Blue bull (Boselaphus tragocamelus) of either sex. These ribs had a head, neck and a tubercle at the proximal end, shaft or body and a costal cartilage at the distal end. An accessory tubercle was located below the main tubercle of the ribs at their caudal border of the shaft. The accessory tubercle was located 4.1±0.08 cm and 4.2±0.11 cm below the proximal tubercle at the caudal border in females and males respectively. The costal groove was prominent at the proximal aspect of the caudal border of the second rib. The accessory tubercle was absent in the second rib. The accessory tubercle was located 3.3±0.13 cm and 3.5±0.10 cm below the proximal tubercle at the caudal border in females and males respectively. The curviness of the shaft increased up to the 3rd rib. The ribs of both the sides had similar structures and sex wise gross variations were not found. The Biometrical observations on different parameters of first, second and third pairs of ribs of Blue bull reflected significance (P<0.05) differences between the sexes of this species. The present study would be helpful in identification of the first three pairs of ribs of Blue bull and solving vetero-legal cases related with this species.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of probiotics and enzymes on performance of commercial broiler chicks. Two enzyme levels (without and with enzyme supplementation) were considered for the study. The experiment consisted of two replicates for enzyme groups. The performance of broiler was evaluated in terms of growth and feed efficiency at 6th week of age. Data were analyzed on survivor and equal number of bird’s per subclass basis. Analysis of variance revealed that the difference between replicates were not significant for the different traits under study as such all subsequent analysis was performed on combined sex basis. Inclusion of enzyme in diet had highly significant effect in both the sexes. Group of chicks fed with diet E (with enzyme) were significantly heavier than those fed with diet E0 (without enzyme) at second week body weight. It indicates that the enzyme supplementation had weighty effect on early growth of chicks. Inclusion of enzyme in diet had significant effect at third week age of body weight, the group of chicks fed with enzyme supplemented diet (E) had significantly higher body weight than the group fed without enzyme supplemented diet (E0). It indicates that inclusion of enzyme in diet had positive effects on growth of chicks. Inclusion of probiotics and enzymes revealed significant effects on body weight. Chicks showed higher body weight with diet having probiotics and enzymes.

One hundred thirty five (135) unsexed day-old, commercial broiler chicks were weighed individually and uniformly distributed as 45 chicks in three groups (T1, T2 and T3). Each group was divided into three replicates with 15 chicks in each. The chicks were fed with starter mash which contained crude protein 23% and metabolizable energy 2905 Kcal/kg up to three weeks of age and from 4 to 6 weeks of age the chicks were fed with finisher mash which contained crude protein 20% and metabolizable energy 3120 Kcal/kg. In group T1 herbal vitamin E was added @ 50 g/ton of feed and group, T2 herbal vitamin E was added @ 100 g/ton of feed and T3 synthetic Vitamin E @ 100g/ ton was added. Growth and feed consumption of broilers in experimental group i.e. T1 (basal diet + herbal vitamin E @ 50 g/ton) but feed conversion ration of T3 (basal diet+ synthetic vitamin E @ 100g/ton) was better than that recorded on control diet.

A study was conducted to assess the effect of photoperiod on production performance, development of digestive organs and carcass quality traits of turkey poults. One hundred and forty four, one week old turkey poults of Small white variety were distributed into three treatment groups, each comprising of three replicates of 16 poults. T-1 poults were subjected to conventional lighting programme (16L: 8D), T-2 poults were subjected to continuous lighting programme (24L: 0D) and T-3 poults were subjected to intermittent lighting programme (16L: 3D:2L: 3D). It was found that the average weekly body weight gain of T-2 poults were significantly higher (P<0.05) than T1 during 2nd week and 3rd week of age. Further, body weight gain of T-2 poults was numerically higher than the other two treatment groups till 9th week of age. FCR was significantly better (P<0.05) in T-2 compared to other two treatment groups during 2nd week and 3rd week of age. Further, FCR was significantly better (P<0.05) in T-2 compared to control group during 4th week of age and apparently better compared to the other two treatment groups throughout the experiment. Percent dressing yield of the birds reared in continuous and intermittent lighting programme was found to be significantly higher (P<0.05) than that of birds reared in conventional lighting programmes. Hence, it may be concluded that turkey poults maintained on a continuous lighting program during their early growth phase may elicit higher body weight gain and better feed conversion ratio than other lighting regimen.

Brucellosis is a widespread reproductive disease which is clinically manifested as abortion, stillborn or weak calves, neonatal mortality, retained placenta, delayed conception, infertility, and marked reduction in milk yield of livestock. The present study was conducted to detect the presence of Brucella abortus in the clinical cases of reproductive disorders among the buffaloes in Western Rajasthan. A total of 33 vaginal samples including swabs (25) and discharges (8) were collected from buffaloes with a clinical history of reproductive failures, and screened using Brucella genus specific bcsp31 gene based PCR followed by Brucella abortus species specific IS711 based PCR. The results revealed 6.45% of the clinical samples positive for the presence of Brucella spp., including 8.00% of vaginal swabs and none of the vaginal discharges. All the samples detected positive in genus specific PCR were detected positive for the presence of Brucella abortus. The present investigation confirmed the involvement of Brucella abortus in the clinical cases of reproductive disorders in buffaloes in this region highlighting the need for implementation of control measures.

Native chicken germplasm is playing an important role in development of location specific chicken stocks suitable for rural backyard poultry production. In the present study, on-farm performance evaluation for various growth, sexual maturity and egg production traits was done of native chicken population. First four generations of the native birds produced through selective breeding was evaluated. The performance traits evaluated were growth (Chick weight, 4th week BW, 8th week BW, 12th week BW, 20th week BW and 40th week BW), age at sexual maturity (ASM), hen housed egg production (HHEP), hen day egg production (HDEP) and survivor egg production (SEP) at 40 weeks, 52 weeks and 72 weeks of age and egg weight at 28 weeks, 40 weeks and 52 weeks age. The phenotypic means and variability for different traits was estimated generation wise and the phenotypic time trend over the generations was estimated for various performance traits. The analysis revealed positive phenotypic trends in day old chick weight (0.70 g), 8 weeks BW (34.64 g), 12 weeks BW (63.80 g), 20th week body weight (25.01 g), negative trend in age at first egg (-4.8 days) and age at 25% HHEP (-3.5 days), positive trend in egg weight at 28-week (2.1 g), 40-week (1.5 g) and 52-week (0.4 g). The hen day egg production at 40 weeks, 52 weeks and 72 weeks of age showed positive phenotypic trend of 3.8, 6.1 and 2.3 eggs. Further, hen housed and survivor egg production also showed positive trend estimates at 40, 52 and 72 weeks age. Negative or declining trends were observed in growth traits viz. 4 weeks BW (-16.4 g) and 40 weeks BW (-55.45 g). The results of present analysis indicated the effectiveness of the selection along with improved management for bringing improvement in egg production traits of the population in succeeding generations.

Present study was based on whey, obtained by acid coagulation of camel and buffalo milk, mixed in a ratio of 70:30. Further this whey was used to prepare watermelon based; ready-to- serve (RTS) whey beverage using different levels of watermelon juice in which sugar (4.5%) and black salt (1.0%) was added replacing whey and on the basis of whey, 4 different treatments viz. T1, T2, T3 and T4 respectively were prepared. Control treatment (T0) was the whey. Sensory evaluation was carried out by a group of panellists on the basis of 8 point hedonic scale. The proportion which has 74.5% whey and 20% watermelon juice (T4) had highest overall acceptability. On the basis of sensory evaluation, further storage study was carried out for the treatment T4 with different parameters like pH, TA (Titratable acidity), DPPH (2, 2′-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl), ABTS(2, 2′-azinobis (3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) and TBA (2-Thio Barbituric Acid) over a period of 12 days. Among storage period increase in TA and TBA whereas decrease in pH, DPPH and ABTS value were noted. Results of storage revealed that whey beverage have its highest functional properties and accessibility when consume in fresh state.

The present experiment was carried out to identify the constraints faced by the buffalo owners in Junagadh and Porbandar districts of Gujarat. Information related to problems in breeding, feeding, disease control, managerial practices, economic aspects and marketing in dairy enterprise were collected from 300 buffalo owners. The economic constraint (95.39%) was faced by majority of buffalo owners, followed by the constraints related to breeding (48.92%), feeding (47.52%), marketing (35.58%), health/ disease control (20.47%) and managerial practices (13%). Unavailability of timely A.I. facility at village (59%) was major breeding constraint. Poor irrigation facilities for cultivation of fodder crops ranked top position among the different feeding constraints as perceived by 81.33% respondents; while, unavailability of on time veterinary services for treatment at door step (36.67%) was major constraint under disease control practices. Major managemental constraint faced by the buffalo owners was lack of knowledge on recommended managerial practices (17.67%). On the other hand, major economic and marketing problems encountered by the farmers were unavailability of loan for long duration (98.33%) and difficulty to store milk in summer season (70%), respectively. The constraints recorded in this study would be helpful for development of suitable dairy development plan in Junagadh and Porbandar districts of Gujarat.

The present communication pertains to an incidental occurrence of concomitant vitamin A defeciency and fowl pox infection in a layer flock. The lesions were characterized by typical presence of pustule like eruptions in cranial part of esophageal mucosa and histologically with metaplastic and keratotic glands with distinctly evident intracytoplasmic inclusion bodies within few intact epithelial cells. Specialized staining techniques i.e. Triple shorr’s confirmed its presence at palatine mucosal gland, esophageal gland and tracheal epithelium. To author’s knowledge, the evidence of eosinophilic intracytoplasmic inclusion bodies deeply within tracheal epithelial surface is rare and one of the few histologically documented case where unusual location of inclusion bodies at splanchanic surface was described, in addition to the description of vitamin A defeciency with accelerated, pre-altered tissue morphology preceded by fowl pox virus infection.

Kadaknath is an important chicken breed of India. It is also known as Kalamashi due to its black-colored meat. The present study was planned to investigate the effect of different rearing systems i.e. intensive, backyard and scavenging system on heamato-biochemical parameters of Kadaknath. The experiment was conducted in the Department of Livestock Production and Management, College of Veterinary Science & Animal Husbandry and Amilki village in Rewa (M.P.). Day old 90 male chicks reared under electrical brooder up to 15 days of age were randomly distributed in equal number into intensive, backyard and scavenging rearing systems where they kept for 98 days. Heamatological studies revealed that the mean value of RBC, Hb, PCV, MCHC was significantly (p<0.05) higher in intensive system. The enhanced heamatological profile in intensive rearing system may be due to consumption of some bioactive nutrients in the feed supplements. Mean value of WBC, and DLC was significantly (p<0.05) higher in scavenging system, which indicated more chances of subclinical infections in scavenging system followed by backyard and intensive system. The mean value of glucose (mg/dl), total protein (g/dl), albumin (g/dl) and albumin globulin ratio, SGOT (IU/L), SGPT (IU/L), cholesterol (mg/dl), creatinine (mg/dl), bilirubin (mg/dl), blood urea nitrogen (mg/dl) was significantly (p<0.05) higher in intensive system. All these variations in biochemical parameters in Kadaknath birds may be due to the effect of different rearing systems and their feed habits.

The effect of autologous plasma along with leucocytes in the treatment of endometritis and its relation with hormonal changes associated with recovery was evaluated in present study. A total of 16 endometritic crossbred cows were randomly allocated into two groups, Group I (n=10) received single intra uterine infusion of autologous plasma along with leucocytes whereas, the animals of Group II (n=6) served as control. Blood samples (5ml) were collected twice from all the experimental animals, first at the time of diagnosis of endometritis (pretreatment) and second at subsequent estrus (post-treatment). The clinical recovery was assessed by negative reaction in white side test and reduction of total bacterial count in cervico-vaginal mucus (CVM) at subsequent estrus and breeding was done through artificial insemination. Plasma thyroxin (T4), tri-iodo thyronine (T3) and cortisol concentration were evaluated in both the groups at pre and post treatment. Pregnancy was confirmed after 60 days post-insemination per rectally. The results revealed that plasma T3 (1.41±0.20 vs. 1.98±0.17 nM) and T4 concentration (27.11±5.97 vs. 35.98 ± 4.73 nM, p≤ 0.05) increased, whereas the cortisol level declined (6.77 ±1.38 vs. 2.12 ±0.63 ng/ml) following treatment with autologous plasma in the endometritic cows. The overall pregnancy rate was significantly higher in the treated group (70%) compared to no pregnancy in control. Thus, it can be concluded that treatment autologous plasma could be associated with restoration of thyroid hormones level and reduction of stress, besides improving the conception rate in the endometritic cows.

A total of 500 cows included in the study were randomly selected from college livestock farm, Kuthuliya and different villages in and around Rewa (M.P.). On the basis of characteristics of cervico-vaginal mucus (CVM), per-rectal examination, Whiteside test and endometrial cytology by cytobrush technique, the prevalence of clinical and subclinical endometritis in these repeat breeder cows was recorded as 16.00 (80/500) and 28.00 (140/500) per cent, respectively. Endometrial cytology revealed polymorphonuclear cell (PMN) per cent in normal, clinical and subclinical endometritis groups to be 4.00±0.03, 34.80±0.25 and 14.02±0.14 per cent, respectively and difference between them was significant (p<0.05). It was concluded that the prevalence of subclinical endometritis in repeat breeder cows was recorded as 28.00 (140/500) per cent. Endometrial cytology by cytobrush technique is effective diagnostic technique for diagnosis of subclinical endometritis in repeat breeder cows at field level.

The literature on testicular/scrotal growth in relation to age in pre- and post-pubertal Surti kids is meager. The study was conducted on 11 Surti male kids of identical age and birth weight (1.53±0.05 kg) selected at the age of 14 weeks and then up to 47 weeks of age. The live weight and scrotal/ testicular biometry, i.e., length, width, circumference (cm) and volume (cm3) were recorded using standard procedures at 3 weeks intervals. Sexual behaviour of bucks was observed and semen was collected in AV at weekly/fortnightly intervals from 7 months till 11 months of age. The mean live weights at the age of 14 and 35 weeks were 9.86±0.61 kg and 17.84±1.09 kg (p<0.01), respectively and thereafter it did not vary statistically till 47 weeks of age. The mean values of scrotal length, width, circumference (cm) and scrotal volume (cm3) at 14 weeks of age were 2.89±0.22, 2.05±0.17, 8.82±0.72 and 21.36±0.93, respectively, which increased gradually (p<0.01) till 35 weeks of age reaching 10.65±0.30, 7.55±0.24, 19.45±0.65 and 200.45±16.67, respectively, and then remained almost stable till 47 weeks of age. The mean length and width of right testis at 14 weeks of age were 2.98±0.17 and 1.39±0.15 cm, and those of left testis 3.28±0.17 and 1.23±0.10 cm, respectively. These values increased significantly (p<0.01) till 32 weeks of age for width and till 38-41 weeks of age for length of both testes. The average age and weight at puberty were 27.00±0.75 weeks and 15.16±0.56 kg, respectively, and those at sexual maturity 38.18±0.90 weeks and 19.61±0.93 kg, respectively. Most of the growing bucks at the age of 6-7 months expressed strong libido. The semen quality observed at 7 month of age improved gradually with advancing age till 9-10 months. Thereafter it became almost stable suggesting that the Surti bucks attain puberty and sexual maturity around this age. The correlation coefficients among age, body weight and scrotal/testicular biometry were observed to be highly significant (p<0.01) and positive in the range of 0.854 to 0.954. It was inferred that the highest reproductive potential in Surti bucks is attained at around 9-10 months of age. Hence, these criteria should be considered while selecting Surti bucks for breeding purpose.

The study was conducted to document and assessment of ultrasound as a diagnostic modality in pancreatitis in dogs. 34 out of 1440 cases presented over a period of one year for ultrasonographic examination having pancreatic changes. Abdominal ultrasonography revealed hypoechoic pancreas, hyperechoic surrounding fat saponification, enlarged or irregular pancreas and dilatation of biliary or pancreatic duct as the major changes in pancreatitis dogs with primary pancreatic disorder. Ultrasound proved to be a good diagnostic modality for diagnosing subclinical form of pancreatitis but may be a poor indictor of prognosis of the disease.

The present study was conducted on dogs presented to Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology Jammu, between March 2015 and December 2016. A total of 5711 dogs were presented for treatment in small animal medicine OPD of Referral Veterinary Hospital of the Faculty of Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry, Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology Jammu. Out of which a total of 200 dogs suspected to be suffering from various Tick borne diseases (TBD’s) were screened and 100 were found positive for different TBD’s and 11 were found positive for Babesia canis. The prevalence of Babesia canis was found to be 11 percent (based on PCR) with maximum occurrence in summer. PCR was performed using standard protocol. No case was found positive in giemsa stained thin blood smear. Males were more affected than female with highest prevalence in Labrador breed. Dogs in the age group of (1 - 5 year) were found most susceptible (72.27%) to Babesia canis. No case was recorded among juvenile dogs. No systematic effort through conducting a planned study of dog population in the region has been done till date so present work was undertaken to determine the prevalence of Babesia canis. It was concluded that Babesia canis infection is present in dogs of Jammu region and may be a possible factor causing disease in dogs of the region.

Data obtained from Murrah buffalo herd maintained at Livestock Research Station, Thiruvazhamkunnu (Kerala) was analysed to determine average birth weight and average daily gain of calves. Mean body weight (±SE) at birth observed was 34.76 ± 0.54 Kg. Body weight at birth of female and male Murrah calves were 32.83 ± 0.63 Kg and 37.06 ± 0.73 Kg respectively. Significant difference was observed between sexes with respect to birth weight and body weight at 15 days of age (p<0.05). Average daily gain observed in male and female calves during 90 day period was 0.595 Kg and 0.612 Kg respectively. Difference in average daily gain was not statistically significant, except between 30-45 days during which female calves gained more weight than males (p<0.05).