Contents for Volume 7 Issue 2

Bovine Respiratory Syncytial virus (BRSV) is associated with respiratory disease complex in ruminants. The aim of this study was to estimate the seroprevalence of antibodies for BRSV in non vaccinated cattle, sheep and goats in Grenada, West Indies. Sera were collected randomly from 60 cattle, 60 sheep and 60 goats from all six parishes of Grenada. Sera were tested for antibodies using an indirect Enzyme Linked Immunosorbant Assay (ELISA) Kit. An overall seroprevalence of BRSV antibodies was 7.8% (95% CI: 0.043 to 0.127). Seroprevalence was highest in sheep 15.0% (95% CI 0.0787 to 0.2634) followed by cattle 5% (95% CI 0.0117 to 0.1425) and goat 3.3% (95% CI 0.0025 to 0.1203). There was no significant difference in prevalence (p>.05) of antibodies to BRSV in cattle, sheep and goats. This is the first report of Seroprevalence of BRSV antibodies in ruminants in Grenada, West Indies.

The present study was aimed to find out the presence of Fec B gene in Deccani and Nellore with its association to litter size. From forty ewes of each Nellore and Deccani breed, having variation in litter size, blood was collected and genomic DNA extraction was done. Animals were screened by PCR-RFLP method for the presence of Fec B gene. Digestion of the Fec B gene 190 base pair with Ava II restriction enzyme resulted in separation of non-carrier (++) 190 bp band (wild type) and heterozygous carrier (B+) 160+190bp indigenous sheep. Frequency of Fec B gene polymorphism distributions was different among these breeds. Among the forty Nellore sheep blood samples, there was only one ewe with (BB) homozygous (160bp) genotype, five ewes with (B/+) heterozygous (160+190bp) genotype and thirty four ewes with (+/+) homozygous (190bp) genotype in Fec B loci. There was only five ewes with (B/+) heterozygous (160+190bp) genotype and thirty five ewes with (+/+) homozygous (190bp) genotype in Fec B loci and none of the individuals carried homozygous genotype for the Fec B gene in Deccani sheep. The average litter size of ewes with the homozygous Fec B (BB) gene was 2.0, heterozygous Fec B (Bb) gene was 1.4 and 1.2, respectively in Nellore and Deccani breeds and others were 1.0 in respective genotypes of both breeds. The study revealed the presence of Fec B gene in indigenous sheep breeds of Telangana, India having good association with litter size in both the breeds.

This study was designed to access performance of coloured broiler chickens (n= 112) fed diets with or without addition of Amla fruit powder during extreme summer (May-June, 38°C to 43°C). There were four dietary treatments with 0, 0.1, 0.2 and 0.3% Amla fruit dried powder respectively in broiler starting (0-3 wk) and finishing (3-6 wk) diets. Feed intake was lower (P<0.001) in broilers fed diets containing Amla fruit powder at any level in comparison to control. FCR during all phases improved (P<0.001) in treatment group compared to control and other dietary treatments. The feather loss, giblet, liver, gizzard, eviscerated yield and dressed yield differed significantly among various treatments. The yields of breast (P<0.01) and drum stick (P<0.001) increased at 0.1% or 0.2% level with reduction of cut of part-back yield (P<0.001). Cell-mediated immune response (CMI) improved (P<0.01) on addition of Emblica fruit powder. Lower levels of reduced glutathione (P<0.01) was estimated in treatment group and the values were lowest at 0.1% level. The m-RNA expression of HSP-70 in liver and bursa remain comparable while in spleen it was significantly down-regulated (P<0.001) on dietary addition of amla at 0.3% level (in comparison to control group) by a mean factor of 0.506. Use of Amla fruit powder 0.2% in diets was beneficial to improve FCR, CMI response while 0.3% was beneficial to improve HSP-70 expression during extreme summer.

Vechur cattle, an indigenous breed of Kerala are highly disease resistant. Toll-like receptors (TLRs) perform a vital role in disease resistance through their recognition of pathogen associated molecular patterns (PAMPs). In this study, the mRNA of Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) gene of Vechur cattle was sequenced, characterized and compared with other species. Total RNA from milk somatic cells of Vechur cattle was isolated and converted into cDNA using reverse transcriptase kit. The cDNA of TLR4 gene was amplified with the designed primers and the product was sequenced by primer walking technique. The mRNA sequence of TLR4 spans 2766 bp with an open reading frame (ORF) of 2526 bp coding for 841 amino acids. TLR4 sequence of Vechur cattle with Bos taurus sequence showed 99 per cent homology and exposed 7 nucleotide variations (4 non-synonymous and 3 synonymous substitution). The ectodomain of Vechur TLR4 displayed 13 LRRs and change in amino acid at LRR5 domain was observed when compared to Bos taurus. Leucine (16.05 per cent) and serine (8.08 per cent) were found to be major amino acids contributing to primary structure of TLR4 protein. Secondary structure displayed portions of amino acid sequence contributing to formation of alpha helix (50.18 per cent), beta turn (17.60 per cent) and random coil (32.22 per cent). Tertiary structure of TLR4 protein revealed distinctive horseshoe fold, composed of repeated strand-turn-alpha helix structure. Phylogenetic tree of TLR4 gene showed that Vechur cattle closely related to Bos taurus. The observed structural variation in the mRNA sequence of TLR4 gene in Vechur cattle breed will provide an important basis for further study on the relationship between polymorphisms and host disease resistance.

The present study was designed to evaluate kinematic response of sperm cell to low-density lipoproteins (LDL) in fresh diluted, short-term (4°C) or long-term (-196°C) stored semen. Four healthy bucks of similar age and weight were selected as semen donor. The semen was collected twice a week using artificial vagina. The semen after initial evaluation was pooled and divided into three aliquots, each diluted with TRIS based extender containing 8% LDL to reach final concentration of 200 million sperm/ml. The first aliquot was evaluated after 15 to 20 minutes of its storage at 37 °C, second after it storage at 4°C for 48 hours and third was cryopreserved and evaluated after seven days of storage. Percent live sperm, sperm responsive to hypo osmotic swelling test and those exhibiting rapid progression were significantly (P ≤ 0.01) higher in fresh diluted followed by short and long term sored semen. A significant (P ≤ 0.01) decrease in the kinematic characters (average path velocity (VAP, µm/sec), straight line velocity (VSL, µm/sec), Linearty (Lin%), Straightness (Str %), Wobble (WOB%), beat cross frequency (BCF %) and maximum amplitude-lateral head displacement (ALH, µm) was observed in short term followed by long term store semen as compared to fresh diluted semen. Low-density lipoprotein was able to maintain the curvilinear velocity (VCL, µm/sec) of sperm subjected to 4°C during short term storage. In conclusion, decrease in temperature during semen storage alter the sperm path and its velocities, but LDL has a protective effect on sperm flagellar assembly and mitochondrial energy production system that sustained the sperm capacity to travel total distance per unit time upto 4°C during short term storage.

Draught animals have been the backbone of Indian agriculture through ages for supplying draught power. Animal operated implements available in the country are primarily meant for field operation and haulage. Therefore animals remain idle for a considerable period for which the farmer continues to provide fodder and shelter. It is estimated that the annual use of animals is limited to 300-350 hours only but the potential use of animal in a year is nearly 1800 hours. To achieve this target an appropriate, cost effective and easy to operate biomass briquetting machine operated by animal power rotary mode unit was developed. The machine was tested to produce low density briquettes by different biomass like charcoal, paddy husk, pigeon pea stalk and saw dust. On the basis of proximate analysis charcoal briquette has highest calorific value of 4480 Kcal/kg followed by pigeon pea stalk, saw dust and paddy husk having calorific value of 4200, 3890 and 3200 Kcal/kg respectively. The highest machine efficiency was 88.33 % for charcoal briquette followed by 85.76%, 86.00% and 83.20% for paddy husk, pigeon pea stalk and saw dust briquette respectively.

Twenty seven dog brain tissues were examined for rabies infection by fluorescent antibody technique, immunohistochemistry and Hemi-Nested Reverse Transcriptase (HnRT-PCR). 16 (59.25%) dogs were confirmed to be rabid by FAT and HnRT-PCR assay while 15 samples were positive by immunohistochemistry (IHC). Sensitivities of HnRT-PCR and IHC were 100% and 94.11% respectively whereas both approaches detected rabies with 100% specificity. Rabies was diagnosed with accuracy of 100% by HnRT-PCR and 96.42% by IHC. It is, therefore, recommended that sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of IHC is comparable to advanced molecular approach viz. HnRT-PCR, thus, IHC could be relied upon for authentic diagnosis of rabies in dogs, in laboratories, where molecular approach is not feasible and/or facilities for immunofluorescence do not exist.

The study was conducted in geese-rearing districts of Kashmir valley, India with the aim of studying various characteristics of geese production and management. Geese-rearing was recorded to be the primary occupation of 6.56% of farmers. Out of the total, 23.73% rearers were landless and kept geese as a subsidiary source of income. Three diverse production-systems viz. backyard (56.45%), semi-intensive (33.87%) and extensive-system (9.68%), were being practiced. Different types of houses included separate-sheds (50.00%), separate pen/cage (26.67%) and pen underneath the farmers’ house/veranda (23.33%) with only 76.47% farmers using litter-material. Feed was offered in a large bowl, on floor and on a polythene-sheet by 8.62%, 29.31% and 62.07% farmers respectively. Types of incubation nests included grass-nest placed on floor (57.41%), basket-nest (27.78% farmers) and colony-nests (57.41%). Average number of eggs set for incubation was 9.531±0.282 and age of eggs kept for incubation averaged to 24.167±1.923 days. 88.24% farmers practiced custom of placing an iron-sickle underneath the straw-bedding of the nest. Goslings were allowed to go into the water after 10.878±1.497 days of hatching.. Eggs were mostly kept for incubation while geese were sold as well as consumed by the family. In villages geese were being marketed at the farmer’s door-step and in city, middlemen played a role in the marketing. It was concluded that geese-farming promises a good future in an area where water-bodies are available in plenty and rearing is carried out on a large scale adopting an extensive-rearing and free foraging feeding system.

To evaluate tube cystostomy for the management of obstructive urolithiasis, 35 buffalo calves suffering from retention of urine were randomly selected for the study. Diagnosis was made on the basis of a history of anuria, clinical signs, abdominocentesis and ultrasonographic examinations. The confirmed cases of obstructive urolithiasis were managed by surgical tube cystostomy technique with Foley’s catheter. In all the affected buffalo calves, anti-inflammatory drugs and antibiotics along with urine acidifiers (ammonium chloride) were given. The affected buffalo calves had higher Heart rate, Respiration rate, but normal Rectal temperature. Haemoglobin (Hb), Packed cell volume (PCV), Blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine, phosphorus and potassium, Serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase (SGPT) and Serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (SGOT) levels were higher, whereas calcium, total plasma protein, albumin, globulin and albumin:globulin (A:G) ratio were lower than normal reference value and plasma sodium, magnesium and alkaline phosphatase values were within normal reference range. Urine analysis revealed high pH and low specific gravity. Staphylococcus spp., E.coli and Streptococcus spp .were the most common organisms isolated from the urine of affected animals, which were sensitive to cephalosporine and fluoroquinolone groups of antibiotics. The overall recovery rate was 91.42%. It may be concluded that tube cystostomy was treatment of choice and feasible method for the surgical management of obstructive urolithiasis in field conditions. The oral ammonium chloride may be beneficial for the medical dissolution of urethral calculi.

The effect of supplementing methanolic extract of Cassia tora on immunological and haematological parameters of broiler bird was investigated. Day-old broiler birds of Vencobb strain (n = 36) were randomly assigned into 3 treatments with 3 replicates each, 4 birds (2 each for cell mediated and humoral immune response) in each replicate. The birds of group T1 (Control) received basal diet, whereas birds of group T2 (Standard) received an antibiotic (Lincomycin @ 0.05% in feed) in addition to basal diet. The birds of group T3 (Test) received methanolic extract of leaves of Cassia tora (CSE) @ 0.4 g/l in drinking water in addition to basal diet. The treatment was given to birds of all the groups for 6 weeks. Cell mediated immune response was measured by 2, 4-Dinitro-fluorobenzene (DNFB) skin sensitization test whereas humoral immune response was assessed by micro haemagglutination test against sheep red blood cells. The cell mediated, humoral immune response and haematological parameters were significantly (p≤0.05) altered in CSE treated broiler birds when compared to birds of control and standard groups.

The present study was undertaken to investigate the incidences of nephropathy encountered in young chicks of certain commercial broiler flocks in the states of Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra. The mortality and growth retardation associated with the condition was a major concern, necessitating a thorough study to establish the etiology. Detailed necropsy of the dead chicks revealed marked inflammation of the kidneys along with gout. Mortality percentage recorded was up to 20%. Samples were collected from the affected flocks for isolation and identification of the causative agent. The presence of ANV RNA was detected using reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction and 42 kidney samples (43.75%) were found to be ANV positive while all were IBV negative. The positive samples were successfully propagated in Specific Pathogen Free chicks and embryonated eggs as was evident from the changes observed and further confirmation using RT PCR. The nucleotide sequence of the representative ANV isolate was determined and showed high identity with ANV sequences in the NCBI database. In the constructed phlyogenetic tree, the ANV isolates were clustered together distinctly separate from the related Chicken Astro virus. This investigation confirms the involvement of ANV in cases of gout, nephritis and related mortality in commercial broiler flocks.

The mean concentration of blood glucose showed an increasing pattern with advancing age in the male Assam goats ranging from 39.32 ± 0.12 mg percent at birth to 51.92 ± 0.05 mg percent in 10 months old bucks. Serum cholesterol concentration showed a declining trend that varied from 108.93 ± 1.35 mg percent at birth to 62.23 ± 0.66 mg percent in 10 months old goats. Similarly, the levels of serum total protein increased from 3.96 ± 1.35 to 8.16 ± 0.02 g percent at birth and at 10 month of age, respectively. The serum thyroid hormones showed a declining trend in the male Assam goats with increasing age. The mean concentrations of Triiodothyronine (T3) and Thyroxine (T4) were recorded as 1.65 ± 0.03 and 114.38 ± 0.62 ng/ml at birth and 0.81 ± 0.01 and 24.47 ± 0.31 ng/ml at 10 months of age respectively. On the other hand, serum concentrations of testosterone hormone raised from 0.11 ± 0.01 ng/ml in 2 months old kids to 1.13 ± 0.01 ng/ml in the goats at 10 month of age. Testosterone could not be estimated in the serum of day-old kids because the level was too low to measure. Serum concentrations of all the hormones showed a highly significant (P<0.01) variation between different age groups under study.

An experiment was conducted to assess the effect of dietary supplementation of garlic (Allium sativum) and fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum L.) seed powder as herbal feed additives on growth performance, carcass characteristics and economics of feeding in broilers. A total of 320 day old broiler chicks of Cobb-400 strain were divided into four treatment groups with 4 replicates of 20 chicks in each treatment using completely randomized design. Dietary treatments were basal diet without any supplementation (CON), basal diet supplemented with 0.5% garlic bulb powder (GAR), 0.5% fenugreek seed powder (FEN) and 0.5% of each garlic bulb powder and fenugreek seed powder (GAR-FEN). Average daily gain (ADG) and feed conversion ratio (FCR) were significantly (P<0.05) higher in the garlic supplemented group (GAR and GAR-FEN) as compared to CON and FEN group. Carcass characteristics showed non-significant (P>0.05) effect of garlic, fenugreek and either combination on dressing percent, weights of liver, gizzard, heart, spleen and length of intestine, caecum and carcass. Return over feed cost and profit per bird was highest in garlic supplemented group followed by combination of garlic and fenugreek, fenugreek and lowest in control group. Whereas, benefit: cost ratio was observed maximum in garlic group followed by control, fenugreek and lowest in combination of garlic and fenugreek. The present study reveals that supplementation of garlic bulb alone or in combination with fenugreek seed improves the growth performance and feed utilization efficiency and return over feed cost and profit per bird.

The present study evaluated cortisol levels during peripartum period in crossbred cows that did and did not develop puerperal metritis (PM). Accuracy of cortisol to differentiate the cows at the risk of developing PM from healthy cows was measured by receiver operating characteristics (ROC) analysis. Cortisol concentrations were estimated in blood plasma samples collected from pluriparous Karan Fries crossbred cows (n=20) at wk-2, wk-1, d+1, d+7 and d+14 taking the day of calving as zero. The cows that developed PM (n=8) had significantly (P<0.05) 2.34 time higher plasma cortisol than the normal cows (n=12) on d+1 of calving, however such difference was not observed on any other day of sampling. The ROC analysis revealed that plasma cortisol on d+1 could identify cows that developed PM with 79.17% accuracy (P<0.05). Optimum threshold value of plasma cortisol for early identification of PM was observed to be 27.28 ng/ml (sensitivity=75% and specificity=100%) on d+1. The results of the present study indicated that PM cows had higher cortisol levels immediately after calving, and using cortisol the PM cows could be differentiated from normal cows with moderate accuracy.

The study was conducted on data of first lactation traits of 213 Jaffarabadi buffaloes spread over a period of 24 years (1991-2014) collected from the history -cum-pedigree registers maintained at Cattle Breeding Farm, Junagadh Agricultural University, Junagadh. Least squares maximum likelihood program was used to estimate non-genetic parameters affecting monthly test day yields and First lactation 305 day milk yield. The overall least squares mean for First lactation 305 day milk yield was 1477.33 ± 64.91 litre and was not found to be influenced by season of calving, period of calving and age at first calving. The overall least squares means for all 11 individual monthly test day yields varied from 2.76 ± 0.21 litre (1st test day) to 5.98 ± 0.29 litre (5th test day). The season of calving had significant effect (p<0.05) on milk yield on 3rd and 9th test day. Effect of period of calving was highly significant (p<0.01) on 2nd test day and significant (p<0.05) on 3rd test day. It was revealed that 8th & 9th test day showed highly significant (p<0.01) and significant (p<0.05) difference in test day milk yield due to age at first calving, respectively. All these non-genetic factors markedly affected the rising phase and declining phase of the first lactation over a period of time in the population due to change in climatic conditions and population structure. Hence, non-genetic factors were important to adjust some of the test day yields.

The present study was carried out in U. S. Nagar district of Uttarakhand on Frieswal heifers reared by farmers under 5 AI centres, and aimed to study early reproduction traits of Frieswal heifers and factors affecting them. The study revealed that the Least-squares means for age at puberty, age at first artificial insemination and age at first conception were 485.2 ± 21.8 (n=131), 608.3 ± 27.1 (n=81) and 610.2 ± 25.2 (n=77) days. Average age at first calving was 807.0 ± 28.1 (n=18) days. The non-genetic factors like education of farmers, herd size, season, year, and artificial insemination centre had significant effect on reproductive performance traits. Significant effects of artificial insemination centre, year of birth, education level, herd size and season of birth on age at puberty; of artificial insemination centre on age at first artificial insemination; of year of birth on age at first artificial insemination; of artificial insemination centre on age at first conception were recorded.

The present study involved some osteometric parameters of the upper jaws and mandibles of adult Indian wild pigs without any apparent skeletal disorders. The supraorbital foramina distance, infraorbital foramina distance, skull length, skull width, cranial length and nasal length of the Indian wild pig were 4.56±0.056 cm, 6.54±0.063 cm, 32.55±0.40 cm, 22.90±0.24 cm, 18.27±0.17 cm and 14.93±0.13cm, respectively. The skull of the Indian wild pig was dolichocephalic according to the skull index. The skull index was 70.56±0.22. In addition, the distances from process of alveolar socket of canine tooth to the infraorbital canal and from the latter to root of the fourth upper premolar tooth were 5.40±0.048 cm and 3.57±0.069 cm, respectively. The length and height of the mandible were 33.25±0.30 cm and 16.88±0.124 cm, respectively. Furthermore, the distances from the lateral alveolar root to mental foramen and from the mental foramen to caudal mandibular border were 3.00±0.028 cm and 29.33±0.374 cm, respectively. In the present study, the distances from mandibular foramen to the base of mandible as well as from caudal border of mandible to below of the mandibular foramen were 7.44±0.069 cm and 7.04±0.05 cm, respectively. Also, the distances from the base of mandible to condyloid fossa and from the latter to the maximum height of mandible were 15.96±0.14 cm and 0.98±0.017 cm, respectively. Finally, the distance from caudal border of mandible to mandibular foramen and from the latter to mandibular angle were 7.76±0.041 cm and 7.13±0.082 cm, respectively.

The total livestock population in the last five and half decades in Rajasthan was noticeably increased from 32426.98 thousand number in 1956 to 57732.20 thousand number in 2012. The increase in buffalo population during this period was more than four times. As far as population of small ruminants are concerned, sheep and goat dominated the livestock population and constituted over 50 per cent of livestock population in the state. The goat population has been growing at faster rate than sheep population. Annual milk, egg and meat production in state have grown about four times, seven times and ten times, respectively, since 1985-86 to 2014-15. The annual production of wool has declined. The per capita availability of milk, egg and meat in state has significantly increased during 1985-86 to 2012-13. The per capita availability of milk in state was higher than ICMR recommendation while that of egg and meat was lower than its recommendations. The gap between demand and supply for milk has changed from negative to positive since 1994-95 onwards while it was negative in case of meat and egg products.

The present study was carried out to evaluate the effect of prill fat and rumen protected choline supplementation on daily dry matter intake, body weight changes and economics in lactating Murrah buffaloes (n=18) divided into three equal groups (Control, T1 and T2). Buffaloes in all the three groups were fed similar basal diet as total mixed ration comprising of berseem green fodder, wheat straw and concentrate mixture. Buffaloes in T1 group were daily supplemented with prill fat @ 2.5% of total DMI whereas; buffaloes in T2 group were daily supplemented with 54 g rumen protected choline along with same quantity of prill fat as supplemented in T1 group. Fortnightly and overall dry matter intake and body weight of experimental buffaloes was comparable in all the three groups. Net profit/animal/day (`) was increased by 3.12 and 8.25% in T1 and T2 groups over the control. Thus it was concluded that supplementing prill fat in the ration of lactating Murrah buffaloes increased the net profit without any significant effect on dry matter intake and body weight changes, which was furthermore enhanced by supplementing the ration with rumen protected choline.

A total of 531 first lactation records of daughters of 28 sires, having 5 or more progeny were evaluated by 4 methods viz., least-squares (LS), best linear unbiased prediction (BLUP), best linear unbiased prediction-sire model (BLUP-SM) and Animal Model. Heritabilities, genetic and phenotypic correlations between the two traits were analysed using univariate and bivariate linear animal models. The h2 estimates for 305 days or less milk yield (305MY) and Fat based energy corrected milk yield (ECMY) were 0.24 and 0.37. The Animal Model was most stable, efficient and accurate method. There was a remarkable 97-100 percent level of similarity on comparison of ranks of the sires based on 305MY and ECMY by all methods. The genetic evaluation of Sahiwal bulls based on ECMY has the advantage of being a composite trait, and with high heritability and high genetic and phenotypic correlations (0.99) with 305MY can help in mitigating the nutritional insecurity of the country in the long run.

This study examined the effect of feed restriction on methane emission and energy metabolism in goats. Fifteen female goats of about ~ 1 year old, avg. body weight (BW) 12.59±0.60 kg were randomly divided into three groups of 5 each in a completely randomized design and randomly allocated to Control, RF-I and RF-II treatments. The goats of control group were fed total mixed ration ad libitum as per the predicted requirement, while in group RF-I and RF-II goats were fed 12.5 and 25 percent restricted diets, respectively of predicted requirements for 90 days. The methane emission in experimental goats was measured using open circuit respiration calorimetry. Methane emission (Ld-1, Lkg-1 W 0.75) by goats was significantly (P<0.01) higher in control group followed by RF-I and RF-II, respectively. The methane emission (Lkg-1 DMI) did not differ significantly (P>0.05) among various treatment groups, however, methane emission (as percent (DOMI) was significantly (P<0.01) lower in RF-II as compared to control group. Losses of energy methane, faecal and urine energy (kcald-1) were significantly (P<0.01) higher in control group followed by RF-I and RF-II, respectively. Metabolizability was significantly (P<0.01) higher in RF-II group as compared to RF-I and control. The heat production (kcal d-1) was significantly (P<0.01) lower in goats fed 12.5 and 25 percent restricted diets as compared to ad libitum. It may be concluded that feed restriction considerably reduced methane emission and improved the energy utilization efficiency in goats.

The study was conducted on the skin of 12 goat embryo/ foetii aged between 23 to 50 days of gestation. Between 23 to 28 days of gestation the embryos surface epithelium contained a single layer of flat cells. The periderm layer was first noticed in patches in the thoracic limb at 28 days of gestation and appeared in other region of body between 32 to 34 days of gestation. The cells of periderm were flat with spindle shaped dark nuclei while basal layer was made up of cuboidal cells. Distinct continuous periderm was first observed in 40 day old embryo. At this stage, the basal layer contained cuboidal cells while periderm had flattened cells. Discontinuous thin basement membrane was observed at many places. At 42nd day of gestation at some places the epithelium consisted of 3 – 4 layer of cells. The cells of middle layers were polygonal in shape with dark staining eccentrically placed rounded nuclei; these cells were comparatively larger than the cells of basal layer and their nuclei were relatively smaller. Between 46th -50th days of gestation the surface epithelium on the dorsal aspect of foetii was comprised of 2-3 layers only whereas in remaining part considerable variation was noticed in the number of layer. The subepithelial connective tissue was cellular in the early stage in which reticular fibers first appeared at 40 days of gestation and formed network at 44 days of gestation but no collagen or elastic fibers were seen

A purposive study on field veterinarians of Punjab was conducted to have the idea of their knowledge on applied animal nutrition aspects of dairy farming. A total of 116 veterinarians across the state were randomly selected for the said study. Veterinarians were asked to answer the 53 questions comprising of fill in the blanks, open ended question, interrogative and negative question on basic of distinct aspects of applied animal nutrition as knowledge of feed, green fodder, anti-nutritional factor, mineral mixture, urea feeding etc. The descriptive analysis of the survey revealed the major gap in knowledge about these aspects. Veterinarian knowledge score varies from 44.52 for concentrate to 57.64 % for forages. Overall score (50.52%) indicated the dire need to strengthen the knowledge of veterinary officers in applied animal nutrition subject so that they can match with the need of dairy farmers.

The present study was undertaken in broiler chickens to study the effect of dry fruit extract of amla supplementation on biochemical changes in relation to the severity of colibacillosis. Experimental colibacillosis could be produced in broiler chicks by intraperitoneal inoculation of E. coli O120 after 12 hours of the infection as evidenced by clinical signs. One hundred and sixty-eight day old healthy broiler chicks were procured from a local hatchery. These chicks were divided into two groups (A and B) containing eighty-four birds each. Diet of all the chicks of group A was supplemented with grinded dry fruit extract of Amla at the rate of 10g/kg of feed whereas; chicks of group B were given normal feed and water. At the age of 7 days chicks of group A1 and B1 were injected intraperitoneally with standard infective dose of pathogenic E. coli. (i.e. at the rate of 107 CFU of E. coli/0.5 ml). During the experiment blood was collected from six chicks from each group at days 0, 3, 7, 14, 21, 28 post-infection for biochemical studies. Serum samples collected for biochemical studies revealed significant increase in serum alanine transaminase, aspartate transaminase, lactate dehydrogenase activities and decrease in creatine phosphokinase activity. Decrease in total protein, albumin concentrations in both the infected groups was also noticed but this was non-significant. On the basis of results of the present study it is concluded that 10g/kg dry fruit extract of amla supplementation significantly reduced the severity and recovery period of colibacillosis in chicks as evidenced by biochemical parameters.

Canine hepatozoonosis, caused by Hepatozoon canis, is transmitted by the ingestion of brown dog tick, Rhipicephalus sanguineus. In the present study R. sanguineus ticks (n=60) collected from dogs presented at Small Animal Clinics, Teaching Veterinary Clinical Complex, GADVASU, Ludhiana, Punjab, India were screened by PCR based assay for the detection of H. canis specific 18S ribosomal RNA gene fragment. Results of the PCR assay revealed an overall prevalence of 8.33% H. canis infection in the tested ticks. Furthermore, the male ticks showed higher prevalence (11.53%) than the female counterparts (5.88%) but the data was statistically non-significant (P=0.6439).

In the present study, effect of Anionic Mishran supplementation to advance pregnant pleuriparous animals in District Mandi, Himachal Pradesh was assessed. A total of 80 advance pregnant pleuriparous animal were selected. Forty animals were supplemented with Anionic Mishran 100 g/day while 40 animals were kept as control. Information was collected through personnel interview technique about the previous lactation yield of the selected animals and awareness to farmer about Anionic Mishran. After calving, information was also collected about parturition related complications and milk yield. Results indicated that parturition related complications are fairly common in milch animals in the area and none of the farmers was aware about Anionic Mishran. Upon supplementation no issue of palatability was faced either in cattle or buffaloes. Only one incidence of retained placenta and one milk fever was observed in supplemented group while the number was 3 and 4 respectively in control group. Improvement in milk yield was reported by 24 and 18 farmers in supplemented and control group respectively. Thus it may be concluded that Anionic Mishran supplementation reduce the incidence of milk fever in high yielding pleuriparous animals and more demonstration of the technology may be conducted for it’s up scaling and optimal utilization by the farming community.

The study was conducted to know the copro-prevalence of hookworm infection in relation to various risk factors in the pet dogs from in and around Ludhiana. Total 250 dog faecal samples were examined by flotation and Mc Master egg counting technique for qualitative and quantitative evaluation, respectively. The prevalence of hookworms was correlated with meteorological data, age, sex and breed. Coprological examination revealed an overall prevalence of ancylostomosis as 13.20% and eggs per gram (epg) of faeces ranged from 600-28,300. Micrometry revealed the mean size of eggs as 65.75 µm (Length) × 43.22 µm (Breadth). The monthly prevalence varied from 5.55 to 26.66% with the highest prevalence in the month of October and the lowest in March. The highest prevalence of hookworms was at a mean temperature of 25.1°C and relative humidity 68%, recorded in the month of October. The season-wise highest prevalence was in the autumn (24.14%) and the lowest in winter (9.46%). The prevalence was higher in male (14.37%) dogs as compared to their female counterparts (10.84%). The breed wise highest prevalence was seen in Mongrel (19.23%). The prevalence was relatively higher in younger (0-6 month-old pups) (28%) than aged dogs. The studies indicated that hookworm had higher prevalence in males, in young dogs, mongrel breed and in autumn months.

The study was conducted to appraise the in-depth scenario of socio-economic status of pig rearers, management practices in pigs and to identify constraints in rural areas of Kamrup and Darrang districts of Assam. A base line survey was conducted and a total of 300 pig owning households were interviewed randomly. In the study, it was found that majority of rearers were women (84.7%) for the purpose of business (76%) in backyard (92.8%). Neck/girth tethering (72.3%) was the preferable rearing system by the farmers. Pigs were mostly fed twice a day with kitchen waste, colocasia, rice polish and juguli. It was concluded that due to lack of awareness, majority of farmers do not follow scientific feeding, breeding and health care practices.

A study was conducted to assess the effect of molasses based multi-nutrients and chromium Picolinate supplementation on the haematological and blood biochemical profile in lactating murrah buffaloes. Thus, twenty eight lactating Murrah buffaloes were equally divided into four groups of 7 each. Basal diet consisting wheat straw, maize green and concentrate mixture were fed to all groups. In addition to basal diet, the animals of group T2 fed 250 g molasses based multinutrient supplement (MMS), group T3 fed 5 mg Chromium picolinate and group T4 fed with 250 g MMS plus 5 mg Chromium picolinate. All the diets were iso-nitrogenous and were formulated to meet the nutrient requirement lactating buffaloes. The study was conducted for 210 days. Blood was collected at 0, 90 and 180 days of experimental feeding to harvest the serum and serum biochemical parameters were analyzed using standard protocol. The mean values for Hb (mg/dl), globulin(g/dl), A:G ratio, glucose (mg/dl), total protein (g/dl), SGOT (IU/L), SGPT (IU/L), PCV (%), WBC(103/ul) and platelet(103/ul) count was comparable among the different dietary treatments while albumin (g/dl) and blood urea (mg/dl) were differ significantly (P<0.05). Periodical significant (P<0.05) higher values were also observed on the mean values of Hb, globulin, A:G ratio, blood urea at 90 and 180 days of post-feeding but it was comparable and lies in the normal physiological range. It is concluded that the inclusion of MMS and chromium supplementation influenced the blood biochemical profile (albumin and blood urea) and did not have any adverse effects on the health of lactating Murrah buffaloes in long term feeding.