Wildlife species identification, based on DNA is a highly reliable method for the investigation of wildlife crimes. PCR techniques and microsatellite markers are extensively used for the identification of wild animal DNA in forensic cases. Mostly, genes like Cyt B, Cox 1 and 12S RNA are amplified coupled with sequencing, to confirm the species in question. In the present study, random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) PCR was performed with DNA samples from captive wild felids, canids and ursids and the finger-print pattern was analyzed for their utility in designing de novo diagnostic primers. DNA was extracted from the tissue samples from eleven animals (two numbers each from tigers and lions and one sample each from a leopard, jaguar, sloth bear, black bear, wolf, jackal and dhole). RAPD-PCR was carried out using different arbitrary decamers. Of the five decamers used, two decamers, namely AP7 and AP17 revealed consistent amplification patterns. Among them, AP7 produced monomorphic fragments corresponding to 500 bp for felids and 800 bp and 400 bp for ursids, while polymorphic bands were generated across the different genera. The decamer AP17 consistently amplified a 450 bp band from all the felid samples and polymorphic amplification with other genera. The potential for these RAPD amplicons for their applicability in the design-specific primers for genus/ species-specific detection of wild animal DNA due to their uniqueness is discussed.

Incidence of candidiasis and its ability to be a primary infection in a native chicken flock of 500 birds reared in cage system was reported. Grossly, pseudomembranous growth giving turkey-towel appearance was noticed in dead birds. Crops from affected chicken yielded Candida albicans was confirmed by culture and germ tube production in poultry serum from the crop samples collected from affected birds. Administration of copper sulphate was found to be effective in containing illness and the signs associated with candidiasis in the affected flock.

Leptospirosis is under diagnosed and under reported in developing countries due to lack of diagnostic facilities. The diagnosis of leptospirosis is complex, because the gold standard tests are not easily available. Though rapid tests are available for the past two decades, they have to be combined with the existing gold standard tests for confirmation of diagnosis. It should be adequate to diagnose leptospirosis with rapid tests. I intend to review the literature from developing countries in Asia, Latin America and Africa and suggest the need for utilizing rapid tests for diagnosis. Leptospirosis can be diagnosed only by diagnostic tests and epidemiological data, such as incidence/ prevalence data cannot be obtained without these tests. Without these data, funding cannot be obtained for diagnostic, treatment and control programs, as without diagnostic tests, leptospirosis would be considered a rare disease. In this article, the various guidelines for the diagnosis of leptospirosis will be discussed.

Present study was undertaken to evaluate the shelf life of chhana podo prepared from 1% citric acid and 2% lactic acid and stored at ambient temperature (30+ 20 C). Microbial, physico-chemical and sensory qualities of product were studied during storage. The chhana podo were analyzed Standard Plate Count (SPC), yeast and mould count on alternate days. The SPC, yeast and mould count increased significantly (P<0.05) with the progress of storage at ambient temperature in 1% citric acid and 2% lactic acid products. No significant change in SPC, yeast and mould count was observed up to 2nd day storage but later there was remarkable increase in SPC (2.79 & 2.55) as well as yeast and mould count (12.40 & 12.30) at the end of day four. The significant reduction in pH, moisture and fat content in 1% citric acid and 2% lactic acid products during the progress of storage of 8 days, while protein content showed an increasing trend. All the sensory quality attributes of products made by 1% citric acid and 2% lactic acid were comparable up to 2 days of storage from then on declined significantly with progress of storage. Colour, body & texture, flavour and overall acceptability score of channa podo declined significantly up to the 4th days of storage. Thus, the findings of the study indicated that the channa podo could be safely stored upto 4th days at ambient temperature.  

The quality and quantity of wool production is a function of number and type of wool follicles. Hence a study was conducted to evaluate the follicular characteristics of corriedale sheep, a dual purpose breed established well in the temperate climatic conditions of Kashmir valley. Skin samples of corriedale sheep were collected ethically from different body regions viz; neck, shoulder, thorax, flank and back of both sexes and preserved in 10% neutral buffered formalin. The samples were processed for histomorphlogy. Primary and secondary follicle density and their diameter was recorded. Secondary to primary follicle ratio was also calculated. The study revealed the difference in the follicular density and S/P follicle ratio between the sexes as well as between the body regions. In general, the follicle density and S/P ratio was found higher in the flank and thorax region respectively. Evaluation of the follicular profile at flank and thorax during early period will serve as a reliable predictor for the wool yield and quality. 

Bacteriological quality of khoa based sweets marketed through different retail outlets of Thrissur city was evaluated based on total viable count, coliform count, yeast & mould count and staphylococcal count. Altogether 72 samples of khoa based sweets such as peda, burfi and gulabjamun were evaluated for their bacteriological quality. Out of the total peda samples tested, coliforms were prevalent in 37.5%, yeast and mould in 91.7% and staphylococcal organisms in 41.7% of the samples. In burfi, coliforms were prevalent in 66.6%, yeast and mold in 95.8% and staphylococcal organisms in 83.3 % of the samples tested. In gulabjamun, coliforms, yeast and mould and staphylococcal organisms were present in 45.8%, 91.6% and 70.8% respectively of the samples tested. The highest rate of contamination was recorded in burfi while the lowest was recorded in peda. Strict hygienic measures during preparation and storage are recommended to ensure the quality of the products. 

The study was carried out on male zebrafish containing technical grade deltamethrin (98.5%). A total of 20 males were randomly divided into two groups (Group I) and Group II (Group II) and their pre-exposure spawn count, fecundity, and embryo mortality were calculated at weekly intervals within each group. Results show significant (p0.05 and 0.01) reduction in total count of embryos over 21 days in Group I. Similarly, in Group II it was 36.49 0.54, 72.740.09 and 86.370.06 at 7, 14 and 21 days respectively postexposure of males to deltamethionine.

The carcass characteristics of indigenous Siruvidai chicken were evaluated by sacrificing eight birds of each sex at 16 weeks of age. The results revealed that the mean pre-slaughter weight, New York dressed yield (%), eviscerated carcass yield (%) and ready to cook yield (%) in males (1006.98±10.87 g, 90.50±0.14, 65.11±0.40 and 70.83±0.42 %, respectively) were significantly (P<0.01) higher than females (825.21±5.90 g, 88.85±0.09, 62.77±0.33 and 68.41±0.34 %, respectively) and the overall mean values in the combined sex were 916.10±24.22 g, 89.67±0.23, 63.94±0.39 and 69.62±0.41 %, respectively. The mean blood loss and feather loss percentage were significantly (P<0.01) higher in females (4.28±0.05 and 6.87±0.08 %) than males (3.55±0.03 and 5.95±0.13 %) with the overall mean of 3.92±0.09 and 6.41±0.14 %, respectively. The giblets, gizzard, heart and liver yield of males (5.60±0.02, 2.33±0.01, 0.39±0.01 and 2.88±0.01 %, respectively) were significantly (P<0.05) lower than females (5.80±0.03, 2.42±0.01, 0.42±0.01 and 2.96±0.01 % respectively) with overall mean of 5.70±0.02, 2.38±0.01, 0.41±0.01and 2.92±0.01 %, respectively. The neck, back, breast, wing, thigh, drumstick yield percentage and meat-bone ratio of Siruvidai males (6.07±0.02, 22.60±0.18, 22.51±0.06, 12.16±0.21, 17.13±0.17, 15.21±0.17 % and 0.99) were significantly (P<0.01) higher than females (5.88±0.04, 19.91±0.21, 21.50±0.16, 11.53±0.18, 15.16±0.21, 13.43±0.39 % and 0.90, respectively) and the overall mean values in the combined sex were 5.98±0.03, 21.26±0.37, 22.01±0.15, 11.85±0.16, 16.15±0.28, 14.32±0.31 % and 0.95, respectively. The results of the present study provided base line information about the carcass traits of indigenous Siruvidai chicken ecotype under farm conditions.

The occurrence of the spirurid nematode, Pterygodermatites cahirensis in a Palm civet cat (Paradoxurus hermaphroditus) observed during necropsy is reported. The worms were found in the intestinal content. Male worms were small and slender compared to females. The worms had two rows of spines on the lateroventral sides along the whole length of the body. Males had short spicules. Females had uterus filled with developing ova. Eggs were thick-shelled with undifferentiated yolk mass.

A primiparous Jersey cow was brought in lateral recumbency with the history of straining and past occurrence of antepartum prolapse a week before. Vaginal examination revealed incomplete two finger cervical dilatation with a very thin cervical rim. Cervicotomy was performed to remove the live male fetus and the animal recovered uneventfully.