To improve the production performance of white Guinea fowl, selective breeding was carried out continuously for six generation. A total 1000 Guinea fowl hatching eggs were procured from various government institutions and private entrepreneurs, and subsequently keets were hatched out and base population was created. The production traits were given due importance during selective breeding for six generations to improve both body weight and egg production. The traits such as hatch weight 4th, 8th, 12th,16th and 24 week body weight (g), FCR, livability, age at sexual maturity (days), Hen – Day Egg Production (HDEP) and Hen - Housed Egg Production (HHEP), annual egg number, egg weight (g), adult livability, total and fertile hatchability (%) were studied in all six generations. The day-old chick weight of all six generations ranged from 26.46 to 28.10 g. The 4th and 8th week mean body weight of the first generation white Guinea fowl was 180.85g and 481.69 g respectively, which increased to 220.95 g and 494.13 g, respectively in 6th generation. Similarly, the 12th and 16th week body weights in 1st generation increased from 767.12 g to 805.29 g and 951.04 g to 1079.15 g, respectively, at 6th generation. The linear regression analysis of 4th and 8th week body weight over generations revealed significant increment of 7.59 g and 7.72 g, respectively, per generation. Similarly, the 12th and 24th week body weight in each generation had a positive change with high degree of goodness of fit. The 12 and 16th week FCR showed a positive change of high magnitude over generations. The hen day and hen housed egg production (29-51 weeks) from 1st generation to 6th generation increased from 39.26 to 40.55 % and 37.53 to 38.83 %, respectively, during the course of selection. The total and fertile egg hatchability also showed marked changes due to selection with values varying from 49.52 to 53.14 % and 71.37 to 72.38 % across the generations. This study concluded that the multi stage short-term selection can improve both body weight and egg production in white Guinea fowl.  

The study aimed to characterise the genetic diversity of Kangayam, Umblachery, Alambadi, Bargur, Pulikulam, Deoni and Ongole cattle breeds present in South India. A total of 96 animals were genotyped for 27 FAO-recommended microsatellite loci. The genotypes were analysed using various bioinformatics tools. A total of 1340 alleles were observed across the 27 microsatellite markers and 7 breeds, with allele count ranging from 6 to 13. The average number of observed alleles obtained in Alambadi, Bargur, Deoni, Kangayam, Ongole, Pulikulam and Umbalacherry cattle were 6.59 ±2.15, 6.96 ± 2.05, 7.52 ±2.42, 6.19 ±2.32, 6.67 ± 2.11, 8.07 ± 2.13 and 7.63 ± 2.34, respectively. The highest number (Na=14) of alleles was observed in Deoni, whereas the lowest number (Na=3) of alleles was noticed in Ongole, Kangayam and Alambadi breeds of cattle. Most of the microsatellite markers were considered informative (PIC > 0.50) and the PIC values showed a significant positive correlation with the number of alleles (r = .517, p = .006), regardless of differences in allele size. The dendrogram among the seven breeds revealed that the Alambadi and Bargur breeds of cattle formed one cluster, while the Kangayam, Umblacherry and Ongole cattle were distinctly different from all other breeds of cattle.

Eight numbers of dung samples were collected from bovine calves aged between 6-9 months in Thalayamangalam village, Orathanadu Taluk, Thanjavur district with the history of chronic watery diarrhoea and jowl oedema. Gross examination of dung samples revealed foul smelling with absence of segments of tapeworms. Dung samples were screened by using sedimentation technique for the presence of parasitic eggs/ova. Microscopical examination revealed the presence of spindle shaped eggs having anterior spine and active miracidium inside the eggs. Based on the morphological features of the parasitic egg, it was diagnosed as Schistosoma spindale infection in calves.

A detailed study was undertaken to assess the length - weight relationship of Lethrinus lentjan and Lethrinus nebulosus in Thoothukudi coast. The ‘b’ value of L.lentjan (3.027) and L.nebulosus(2.964) were analysed against ‘3’ with 248 degrees of freedom and the ‘b’ values of both the species of L.lentjan and  L.nebulosus were not significant at 5% and 1% level.

A study was undertaken to assess the economic impact of Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY) project run by AICRP on pigs at Tirupati on the livelihoods of beneficiaries of piggery units. The study was carried out in Chittoor, Nellore, Kadapa and Kurnool districts of Andhra Pradesh state. Data were collected from 30 beneficiaries, who were supplied germplasm under RKVY project. These beneficiaries were purposively selected for impact studies since they have completed 3 years of pig rearing and were personally interviewed for collection of data. The constraints that impede the successful management of swine farms were identified and ranked. The most pressing problem of swine farms was the non-availability of Swill feed which is most important ingredient round the year in required quantities. The other equal important constraint was the accessability to institutional credit agencies. Cost of vaccines was another factor in terms of severity as expressed by the farmers. In addition lack of demand for dreessed pork in rural areas, limited availability of breeding stock were identified. Apart from these major problems there were other constraints too affecting the efficient management of swine farms.  

The brown paper nautilus, Argonauta hians Lightfoot, 1786 was recorded for the first time from Indian waters while investigating the biodiversity of the molluscs of Gulf of Mannar during June, 2011. One specimen of the said species was collected as an incidental by-catch in the trawl catch off Thoothukudi coast of Gulf of Mannar, from India, between 08º 35’ 22.5" N 78º 27’ 40.9" E and 08º 31’ 91.2"N 78º 25’ 32.7"E at a depth of 305-310 m.  

A seven year old female Doberman dog was presented with the history of dullness, anorexia and dysuria for three days. Abdominal palpation revealed distended bladder, which was confirmed by plain radiography and ultrasonography on Neurological examination animal was found to be normal. On manual compression of the bladder urine was not evacuated, therefore by catheterization was performed and no obstruction was found; around three litres of urine was drained. The animal was treated with oral Diazepam, @ 0.04mg/kg, Prazosin, 1mg/15 kg and Bethanechol, @ 2mg/kg bd. wt. On fourth day of treatment, the animal was able to urinate normally and it was advised to continue the treatment for two weeks. The animal had an unevenful recovery.

Multicut fodder sorghum Co (FS) 29 was evaluated for its growth and yield performance with the application of different sources of irrigation and nutrients. The experiment was conducted in split plot design with three replications. Main plot consists of treatments with application of irrigation through ground water (I1), domestic sewage water (I2) and ground and domestic sewage water alternatively (I3). The sub plots consist of no fertilisers (control) (N1), application of farm yard manure alone (FYM alone) (N2), farmyard manure + NPK (FYM + NPK) (N3) and NPK alone (N4). The application of domestic sewage water along with FYM + NPK nutrients as per the treatment schedule resulted in higher plant height, leaf length, number of leaves, biomass production, dry matter and biomass yield of multicut fodder sorghum. However, pertaining to nutrient application, nitrogen uptake was higher with application of FYM +NPK but found on par with the application of NPK alone and application of FYM alone.

A study was conducted to evaluate external and internal egg quality characters of three chicken breeds/ ecotypes namely, indigenous Siruvidai, TANUVAS Aseel and White Leghorn.  A total of 180 eggs (120 eggs from Siruvidai chicken, 30 eggs from TANUVAS Aseel and 30 eggs from White Leghorn) were subjected to this study. The weight, length, width and surface area of White Leghorn eggs were significantly (P<0.05) higher than those of TANUVAS Aseel and indigenous Siruvidai chicken. Shape index was found to be significantly (P<0.05 higher in Siruvidai chicken eggs compared to that of TANUVAS Aseel and White Leghorn. Among the internal egg qualities, the height and width of albumen and albumen index were significantly (P<0.05) higher in White Leghorn chicken eggs compared to that of TANUVAS Aseel and Siruvidai chicken. Yolk height and yolk index of three breeds showed no significant difference among breeds. Yolk width was significantly (P<0.05) higher in TANUVAS Aseel compared to that of Siruvidai chicken. Yolk colour was significantly (P<0.05) higher in TANUVAS Aseel and Siruvidai chicken compared to that of White Leghorn. Shell thickness was significantly (P<0.05) higher in TANUVAS Aseel and White Leghorn as compared to Siruvidai chicken. Haugh unit was significantly (P<0.05) higher in White Leghorn compared to TANUVAS Aseel and Siruvidai chicken. The results revealed that the egg quality characters like egg weight, egg length, egg width, shape index, surface area, albumen height, albumen index, shell thickness and Haugh unit of indigenous Siruvidai chicken is different from other indigenous breed like Aseel and exotic breed like White Leghorn.

The present study was conducted to assess the efficacy of two oestrus induction protocols on 30 postpartum anoestrus crossbred cows reared by rural farmers of Puducherry region. The cows were randomly divided into Treatment I (CIDR+PGF2α+GnRH; n=15) and Treatment group II (Ovsynch+ CIDR; n=15) with double fixed timed inseminations at 12 and 24 hours post-administration of last GnRH. Oestrus induction response was 100% in both the treatment groups with majority of the cows (80%) in both the treatment groups showed intermediate intensity of oestrus. The mean time to onset of oestrus from the time of removal of CIDR in Treatment I and Treatment II was 43.45 ± 9.21 and 45.81 ± 6.34 h respectively. There is no significant difference in the serum progesterone concentration at the time of AI between Treatment I (0.92±0.26 ng/mL) and Treatment II (0.92±0.18 ng/mL). Though the conception rate was higher in treatment II (40 %) compared to Treatment I (20 %), the difference is not statistically significant. From the present study, it was concluded that Ovsynch in combination with CIDR found to be effective in oestrus induction and conception following fixed timed AI in anoestrus cows under field conditions.