Genetic and phenotypic correlations for reproductive and milk production traits were estimated by multitrait analysis of WOMBAT software. Total of 14222 crossbred dairy cows performance records collected from Holetta dairy research farm span over 43 years (1974-2017) were used for this study. Five reproductive; age at first calving (AFC), age at first service (AFS), calving interval (CI), days open (DO) and number of service per conception (NSC) and three-milk production; lactation milk yield (LMY), daily milk yield (DMY) and lactation length (LL) traits were included for estimation. The result of present study revealed that the genetic correlations among reproductive traits were varied from -0.31±0.08 to 0.98±0.03 while phenotypic correlations were ranged from -0.03±0.001 to 0.84±0.04. Strong positive genetic and phenotypic correlations were found between AFS and AFC traits (0.98±0.03) and (0.84±0.04), respectively. For milk production traits, the genetic correlations were ranged from 0.11±0.03 to 0.77±0.12 while phenotypic correlations were in the lower range of 0.07±0.02 to 0.36±0.07. Higher genetic correlations were observed between LMY and LL (0.77±0.12). The genetic correlations among reproductive and milk production traits were also varied from -0.55±0.04 to 0.79±0.07 while phenotypic correlations were ranged from -0.55±0.22 to 0.32±0.10. The higher genetic correlation was between CI and LL (0.79±0.07). The correlation between DMY and AFC (0.32±0.10) was recorded as higher phenotypically. The positive genetic correlations among traits indicates that effective selection of one trait might be improved the other and would be given the chance of broader selection of traits in the breeding goal. Therefore, to improve genetic progress and breeding efficiency of crossbred dairy cows in the research farm, estimation and selection of correlated traits should be done periodically.

A study was conducted on 137 clinical cases of canine pyoderma from July 2021 to November 2021. Out of 137 bacterial isolates, 129 (94.16%) isolates were Gram positive. Among them 125 were of Staphylococcus spp and accounted for 91.24% of total isolates. Among these 125 Staphylococcus isolates, 48 (38.4%) were identified as coagulase positive and 77 (61.6%) were identified as coagulase negative. Biochemically identified spp collections (S. lugdunensis - S40, S. simulans - S11, S. cohnii subsp. xylosus - S41 and S. cohnii subsp. urealyticus - S44) used for phylogenetic analysis of 16S rRNA gene nucleotide sequences. Sequence results identified S40 as S. saprophyticus, S11 as S. haemolyticus, S41, S44 as S. pseudintermedius and the sequences of the 16S rRNA was submitted to Genebank with accession numbers as OM302140, OM302142, OM302146, OM302147. The in vitro antibiotic sensitivity tests showed highest resistance to streptomycin (94, 75.2%) followed by cefoxitin (83, 66.4%). Most of the isolates were found to be susceptible to enrofloxacin (62.4%), amoxicillin + clavulanic acid (58.4%), and gentamicin (58.4%). Among the methicillin resistant strains, 37 were CPS isolates (S. aureus 9 and S. pseudintermedius 28) and 46 were CNS isolates. The distribution of methicillin resistant gene mecA was observed in 19 isolates (22.89%) of Staphylococcus. Out of these 19 isolates, four were methicillin resistant S. aureus (CPS), 14 were methicillin resistant S. pseudintermedius (CPS) and the remaining one was methicillin resistant CNS isolates. The results showed an increased pathogenesis and methicillin resistance of SIG group S. pseudintermedius in Canine pyoderma.

To control avian influenza infection in chickens, whole inactivated influenza viruses (IIV) are used as vaccine. These vaccines provide immunity only to antigenically matched strains or homologous viruses. Influenza viruses circulating in field undergo spontaneous antigenic changes in head domain, thereby escape from the preexisting vaccine immunity. Therefore, annual reformulation of vaccines are needed to compensate the antigenic change. To overcome this issue, universal flu vaccines are preferred which may protect against antigenically unmatched strains or heterologous viruses. Apart from natural infection, IIV also may induce stalk reactive antibodies but in meager level. Stalk domain of haemagglutinin is one of the target for the development of universal vaccine as it is conserved among influenza viruses. The antigenic changes are rare in stalk rather than head domain. Designing of stalk is challenging in prefusion conformation as it requires skilled knowledge. In the present study, we have tested the reactivity of in vitro expressed HA stalk protein with sera of chickens immunized with different subtypes of inactivated influenza virus vaccines. Our result showed that the HA stalk is reactive with sera against group I viruses mostly because our stalk belongs to the same group I. Hence, we concluded that in-vitro expressed HA stalk protein used in this study is conformationally stable and mimics the HA stalk as present in the intact viruses. This study provides hope for development of universal influenza vaccine in chicken is possible if the stalk immunogen is designed better.

Present study demonstrates the effect of enzyme supplementation on performance of weaned pigs. 15 nos of 56 days old Large White Yorkshire piglets with mean body weight of 10.43 ± 0.20 kg were randomly assigned to 3 treatments (Control, T1& T2) with 5 piglets in each group and were fed with iso-nitrogenous and iso-caloric diets containing the enzyme complex product at 0, 5 and 6 kg/ton of feed, respectively for 28 days. The result showed that there was no significant differences (P>0.05) on body weight but enzyme supplementation increases the body weight@7.86% and 7.93% in T1 and T2 groups, respectively compared to control. T2 group showed significant difference (P<0.05) in body length, chest girth and loin girth of pigs whereas no significant effect (P>0.05) was found on average height at wither. Average daily gain (g/day) in T1 and T2 groups was found to be increased (P>0.05) by 25.06% and 21.41%, respectively than the control group. Pigs fed diets supplemented with enzyme complex tended to have increased (P<0.05) digestibility of dry matter (DM) and crude protein (CP). In conclusion, 6 kg/ton of dietary enzyme complex can be supplemented in the diet of weaned pigs for better growth performance.

The present study was conducted to characterize Staphylococcus aureus and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in mastitic milk of cow using rapid and cost effective genotypic as well as phenotypic method. Different phenotypic and genotypic methods were compared in detection of S. aureus and MRSA. Present study also optimized and standardized the boiling and snap chilling method of genomic DNA extraction for rapid screening of S. aureus and MRSA in pure culture. Detection of species specific thermo nuclease (nuc) gene was found more sensitive than phenotypic test in identification of S. aureus whereas both rapid cultural methods such as cefoxitin disc diffusion test and use of chromogenic agar was found comparable to mecA gene based PCR in characterization of MRSA. Furthermore, despite less purity and minute concentration of DNA obtained from boiling and snap chilling method, there was no non-specific and cross reaction in PCR assay. Therefore the boiling and snap chilling method could be recommended as an alternative and economical method of genomic DNA extraction for rapid screening of S. aureus and MRSA particularly in developing countries like India.

The study formulated and evaluated different therapeutic diets viz., high protein high fibre (T2), high protein medium fibre (T3) and choline supplemented diet (T4) for the management of canine obesity against the control (normal adult dog maintenance diet, T1) in 24 Labrador retriever obese dogs selected on the basis of their body condition score (BCS) and body weight and randomly distributed into 4 groups and fed therapeutic diets for a period of four months. The change in BCS, body weight, dry matter intake and caloric intake were recorded at fortnightly intervals. Dogs on T2 diet (21.90 % CP and 11.28 % CF diet) recorded loss 30.3 g/d while on T3 diet (21.73 % CP and 8.23 % CF diet) lost 17.67 g/d. Body condition score was reduced 5.04 and 3.03 per cent in T2 and T3, respectively. Thus, the result indicated increase of 21% protein and 11% fiber in diet helped to improve weight loss 5 to 8% in dogs in 4 months period.

The present experiment was conducted in phased manner to observe the effect of improved nutrition and improved shelter either alone or in combination on pre and post weaning growth performance in Magra lambs. In phase-I, fifteen days old Magra lambs (n=40) born in autumn-winter season were used for growth study in a randomized block design upto the six month of age i.e. preweaning stage from 15 days to 3 months of age and thereafter post weaning stage up to 6 months of age (Season-1) at ARC-CSWRI and divided into four groups of 10 lambs in each group (T1-T4). In Phase-II, similar experiment was followed with the lambs born in spring-summer season (Season-II). Groups included T1-Sole grazing with traditional shelter (tree shade); T2-improved shelter (asbestos sheet-thatched roof/with curtains) with grazing; T3-improved nutrition and traditional shelter and T4- improved nutrition and improved shelter. In groups of (T3-T4) varying plane of nutrition was supplemented with creep mixture @1% of their body weight from 15 days of age to weaning while multinutrient mixture @1% of their body weight was provided during postweaning stage upto six month of age in both seasons. There was diurnal variation in temperature and THI during the study period, which indicated that lambs were under thermal stress during various months of trial. Environmental stress coupled with nutritional stress reduce growth rate in control group (T1) which might be improved by provision of improved nutrition and shelter.

The present study was carried on six stomach samples from adult apparently healthy non-descript goats. Reticulum was spherical in outline and separated from rumen by a distinct rumino-reticular groove. Mucosa of the reticulum formed typical honeycomb shaped cells which were smaller near reticular groove as compared to the cells towards the floor of the organ. The cells towards the floor of reticulum were sub-divided by secondary and tertiary crests which were absent from the cells towards the reticular groove. Histologically, reticulum consisted of tunica mucosa, tunica submucosa, tunica muscularis and tunica serosa. Lamina epithelia consisted of keratinized stratified squamous epithelium. Lamina muscularis mucosae was present only at the tip of primary reticular crests. Tunica muscularis consisted of inner circular and outer longitudinal layers of smooth muscle layers. At reticular groove, tunica muscularis presented middle oblique muscular layer. The thickness of epithelium was significantly higher at floor of reticulum than towards oesophageal groove. Outer muscular layer was thicker than inner muscular layer towards oesophageal groove whereas at floor, inner muscular layer was thicker. Towards the level of reticulo-omasal opening, the floor of the reticular groove presented papillae resembling the claws of a small bird. The entire reticular groove and its lips were lined by stratified squamous keratinized epithelium. Lamina muscularis mucosae was incomplete and seen mainly in the lips of reticular groove. The floor of groove presented transverse smooth muscle fibers whereas lips contained thick longitudinal smooth muscle fibers.

Tuberculosis (TB) presently represent one of the biggest world health problems and hence it is urgent to find new drugs that allow better control of the outbreak and arrest the emergence of patients with multiple drug resistance tuberculosis (MDR-TB) and extensively drug resistant tuberculosis (XDR-TB) cases which have arisen alarmingly. There is a general consensus that antimicrobials from natural products might prove very effective and must be validated so that the same can be exploited for human well-being. The present study provides a scientific validity to chitosan, a natural and readily available compound as chitin over the crustacean body. The chitosan is biodegradable and biocompatible in nature and hence causes minimum hazards to the body. Chitosan solution have shown very effective antimicrobial property against M. smegmatis MTCC 994 which was selected for this study as this bacterium is non-pathogenic in nature, has fast growing rate and have similarity in cell wall composition with that of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The disc diffusion assay as well as resazurin microtiter assay (REMA) methods were used to evaluate the antimicrobial activity of chitosan. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) of the chitosan solution were found around 117.18 μg/ml. This finding suggests that even at lower concentrations, chitosan is very effective and hence can be potent antimicrobial agent in future for Mycobacterium tuberculosis as the MDR and XDR TB are evolving rapidly. The current study recommends similar research against Mycobacterium tuberculosis to evaluate the potential of chitosan to be used as anti-tuberculosis agent.

Sixteen healthy male Beetal goat kids of three months old were selected and divided into 2 groups of eight animals each in order to assess the comparative efficacy of feeding university (LUVAS) prepared mineral mixture and commercial mineral mixture on haematological parameters and serum mineral profile of kids. Animals were maintained on green fodder available at that time, gram straw, concentrate mixture comprising of maize, GNC and barley. Concentrate mixture was supplemented with university (LUVAS) prepared mineral mixture fed to group-1 and in group-2 concentrate mixture was supplemented with commercial mineral mixture. Haematological parameters like haemoglobin, total leucocyte count, differential leucocyte count and total erythrocyte count and serum parameters like triglyceride, cholesterol, high density lipid and low density lipid were found similar and no significant differences were found in between the treatment groups. Serum calcium, phosphorus, zinc, iron and copper mineral profiles were found better in university (LUVAS) prepared mineral mixture supplemented group than commercial mineral mixture supplemented group. It can be concluded from this study that better absorption of minerals was found in university supplemented mineral mixture.

Brick kiln operation in Kashmir has One Health implications. The present study focused on the influence of brick kilns on Soil-Plant-Animal system vis-à-vis Pb, Cd and Cr. Lead concentration in soil, paddy straw, rice bran and cow milk was significantly higher (P<0.05) in areas closer to brick kilns. However, majority of the sera samples showed Pb in below detection limits. Cadmium concentration in soil and paddy straw representing area upto 500 meter distance from the kiln site was higher than the faraway and control sites. Chromium concentration in all the study samples save rice bran was significantly (P<0.05) higher in areas closer to brick kilns. Lead and Cr concentration in milk (from cows residing upto 500 meters) exceeded the maximum permissible levels. The study concluded that continuous operation of brick kilns and long duration exposure of Soil-Plant-Animal system to such ill influence affects the overall health of the continuum.

In the present study, bone healing efficacy of autologous Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) with β-Tricalcium Phosphate (β-TCP) and Demineralised Bone Matrix (DBM) was evaluated in induced radial defect in rabbits. Eighteen rabbits divided equally into three groups, where PRP with β-TCP and DBM were applied in Group II & III respectively; while Group I was kept as control. The haematological parameters showed non-significant variation within physiological limit. The serum biochemistry analysis revealed significant elevation of Serum Alkaline Phosphatase on, 15th and 30th day; Serum Creatinine Kinase on 5th day; Serum Calcium on 30th day and Serum Phosphorus level in entire period in all the groups. Radiographs taken on 20th day revealed feathery/ cloudy bony growth in Group I and radio-opaque dense granular density was observed in Group II & III. On 40th day, Group I revealed even bony proliferation; while in Group II & III, large amount of radio-opaque granular tissue was observed along the bony defect. On 60th day radiographs showed incomplete bridging of fractured ends in Group I & III; however complete union was observed in Group II. Histopathological examination of the bone tissues revealed prominent osteoblastic activity in both treated groups. Based on the results it is concluded that application of PRP + β-TCP and DBM had little haematological changes; biochemical alterations were indicative of healing of bone. Radiological and histopathological evaluations were suggestive of better result with PRP + β-TCP when compared to DBM application in surgical reconstruction of radial bone defects.

The uterus (horns and body) was lined with the simple columnar to pseudostratified columnar epithelium. The mean height of the epithelium was less in follicular phase. The mean epithelial height of corpus uteri was higher than that of cornua uteri irrespective of the phase of estrous cycle but mean epithelial height was more in luteal phase than in follicular phase both in body and horn. The lining epithelium showed strong reaction for Alcian Blue. The intense PAS positivity was seen at supranuclear zone of glandular epithelium and at basement membrane. Mild lipid and cholesterol reaction was seen at apical and basal borders of lining epithelium. Endometrial glands were lined by simple columnar epithelium. In some cases these glands penetrate and reached upto stratum vasculare. Proliferation of endometrial glands were seen in follicular phase whereas in luteal phase the endometrial glands became compact and were seen in secretory phase both in uterine horns and uterine body. The glandular epithelium height also increased and showed apical blebs in the luteal phase of the cycle in Bakerwali goat. The lumina of glands in luteal phase were engorged with secretions. The luminal diameter decreased in luteal phase in both uterine horn and body. Mucosal folds were in close apposition to each other in cornua uteri as compared to corpus uteri. Endometrial glands were more in corpus uteri than in cornua uteri. The thickness of tunica muscularis was significantly higher in luteal phase and increased towards the uterine body.

The present work was conducted on the stomach of guinea pigs from neonate to adults (0-2 wks, 2-8 wks, 8-16 wks and 16-32 wks) to study the histological changes in the three regions of stomach. Present study revealed that tunica mucosa of all the three regions of the stomach was lined by the simple columnar epithelium. Simple tubular cardiac glands were lined mainly by mucous cells along with few parietal cells, enterochromaffin and undifferentiated cells. In fundic glands mucous cells and parietal cells were predominantly in both upper and lower half of the glands where as chief cells and enteroendocrine cells were predominantly occupied in the lower half of the fundic glands. Pyloric glands were simple branched tubular glands were lined by mucous acinar cells. Tunica muscularis of cardiac region comprised of skeletal and smooth muscle fibres whereas other two regions were comprised of smooth muscle fibres. The mean thickness of tunica mucosa was the maximum in fundic region and the minimum in pyloric region The mean thickness of tunica muscularis external was the maximum in pyloric and the minimum in fundic region.

Top foliages are a source of digestible energy, rumen degraded and undegraded protein, vitamins, and minerals in small ruminants’ diets. However, the presence of phenolics and their interaction with protein degradability affects their utilization in the ration. Small ruminant production is a critical component of the agro-ecological scenario in hilly regions of Jammu and Kashmir. In these areas, top foliages are the primary feed resource for sheep and goats. In the present report, we scrutinized the ten commonly available top foliages of District Poonch of Jammu and Kashmir for nutrient composition, phenolic fractions and in vitro true dry matter digestibility to assess their utilizability as a feed resource. Crude protein content was found highest in Melia azedarach (21.20) and lowest in Acacia nilotica (10.20). The total phenolics content varied from 0.75 per cent in Grewia optiva to 7.32 per cent in Zizyphus jujuba. The protein fraction B3 (per cent of total nitrogen), which indicates bypass protein fraction, varied from 6.96 in Melia azedarach to 36.32 in Salix alba. The unavailable protein fraction C (per cent of total N) was maximum in Z. jujuba (42.73) and minimum in M. azedarach (6.54). Based on these parameters, it is concluded that Celtis australis, Ficus palmata, Ficus religiosa, Grewia optiva, Melia azedarach, Morus alba and Zizyphus jujuba leaves of District Poonch have high nutritional potential.

The experiment was conducted to optimize the level of dietary fibre sources viz. finger millet (ragi) flour RT1, RT2 and RT3 separately at 5.0, 10.0 and 15.0% level in formulation of low fat chicken sausages. In previous experiment replacement of refined oil upto 50% by using chia seed powder. The emulsion pH, emulsion stability, product pH, cooking yield, moisture, ash content, fat retention and moisture retention values increased significantly (P<0.05), whereas, protein, emulsion fat and product fat content decreased significantly (P<0.05) with increased level of ragi flour. There was no significant difference in water activity values between control and treatments. Among the textural and colour parameters, hardness, springiness, cohesiveness, gumminess, chewiness, resilience and redness the values increased significantly (P<0.05) but the parameters i.e. lightness and yellowness values decreased significantly (P<0.05) in treatments. The scores of all sensory attributes decreased significantly (P<0.05) at each level of ragi flour incorporation in low fat chicken sausage except saltiness. It was concluded that low fat chicken sausage with improved cooking yield, textural profile and acceptable sensory attributes, can be successfully developed with the incorporation of 5.0% ragi flour.

The goal of this study was to explore antioxidant and antimicrobial effectiveness of ultrasound assist extractedbetel (Piper betle spp.) and spinach leaves (Spinacia oleracea spp.) extract. Spent hen chicken sausages (SHCS) were prepared as Control (T-1), SHCS with 100 ppm BHT (T-2); positive control, SHCS with 1.5% ultrasonic assisted ethanolic betelleaves extract (T-3) and SHCS supplemented with 2% ultrasonic assisted ethanolic spinach leaves extract (T-4). For 25 days under refrigeration (4±1°C), SHCS were aerobically packed and scientifically tested various oxidative andmicrobiological stability characteristics.Thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (T.B.A.R.S), Free Fatty Acids (F.F.A) and Peroxide Value (P.V) are all indications of lipid peroxidation. The pH and water activityof both control and treated SHCS products increased significantly; however, treated products (extracts) had a substantially lower value (P<0.05) than control. The microbiological and sensory properties of the extracts incorporated treatments were better preserved throughout the storage period. Because of its rich antioxidant and antimicrobial properties, ultra-sonic extracted betel and spinach leaves have the potential to improve the storage sustainability of aerobically packaged SHCS stored at refrigerator temperature (4±1°C). It was revealed that stored meat products, such as chicken sausages, may be effectively preserved without any substantial microbial/sensory quality degradation.

Escherichia coli associated calf diarrhoea is a major economic concern for the dairy producers in this geographic area. The aim of this study is to investigate various pathotypes, virulence genes and their association with serogroups of E. coli isolated from diarrhoeic and healthy calves. A total of 194 rectal swabs were collected from diarrhoeic (129) and healthy (65) calves of different age groups from various districts of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana States. The E. coli were isolated and confirmed by cultural, biochemical and molecular testes. The virulence genes of E. coli pathotypes were detected using PCR with specific primers. Serogrouping was carried out at National Salmonella and Escherichia Centre, Central Research Institute, Kasauli, Himachal Pradesh. Out of 129 and 65 faecal samples (194) collected 60 (46.51%) and 21 (32.31%) samples were found positive for E. coli in diarrhoeic and healthy calves, respectively. Among different age groups, high rate of E. coli was isolated from 1-7 day old calves. Among the virulence genes of STEC, eaeA & hlyA genes were most prevalent in diarrhoeic (20%) and healthy calves (14.28%) and only stx1 was detected in diarrhoeic (6.66%) and healthy (4.76%) calves. The cnf2 (5%) and EAST1(3.33%) genes were detected only in diarrhoeic calves. The serogroup O157 which is having zoonotic significance was detected in STEC isolates from diarrhoeic and healthy calves. This study concluded that E. coli isolates from diarrhoeic calves are potential source of virulence genes and both diarrhoeic and healthy calves are the reservoirs of O157 serogroup in this geographic area.

Diarrhea is a major cause of mortality in neonatal calves. The objectives of this on-field trial were to study factors responsible for neonatal diarrhea and to evaluate effectiveness of zinc. Cross-bred calves of either sex aged 1 to 45 days were randomized to one of 5 treatments within 1 day of their first diarrhea onset. Calves received a daily dose of zinc @ 2 or 4 mg/kg BW along with zinc-free oral rehydration solution (ORS) either alone or in combination with sulphamethaxozole and trimethoprim @ 20 mg/kg BW till resolution of clinical signs. Fecal and blood samples were collected upon enrolment and exit and analysed for microbiological and parasitological parameters, and trace elements. The study revealed high (80 %) diarrhea occurrence in spring season; more in calves aged less than 30 days (Odds Ratio = 6.000); more in male (63 %) than female (37%) calves. The association between body weight and diarrhea was strong (Odds Ratio = 6.4167). Comparison of epidemiological parameters revealed no significant difference between healthy and diseased calves. E. coli was isolated from all enrolled subjects but was not considered causal. Salmonella was isolated from 2 cases only. None was found Cryptosporidium positive on coprological examination. Diarrheic calves showed relatively low plasma zinc concentration and high fecal coliform count compared to controls. Calves treated with zinc either @ 2 or 4 mg/kg BW alone or together with antimicrobial took significantly (P<0.05) less number of days for clinical recovery. The results endorsed zinc as a viable non-antimicrobial alternative.