The use of metallic silver as an antimicrobial agent has been recognized for centuries. Silver nanoparticles (SNP) are now incorporated in apparel, wound dressings, appliances, cosmetics, paints and plastics for their antimicrobial properties. Generally, silver nanoparticles are prepared by a variety of chemical methods. In this study, we have used Phyllanthus amarus and Andrographis paniculata herbal plants leaves and stem extracts to synthesis SNP and were characterized by UV-Vis spectroscopy and Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM). SNP capped with plant extracts gave absorption peak at 420 nm as expected for silver and broadening of peak were also noticed. TEM images suggested that they were of almost spherical shape and in the range of 7-60 nm in size. Antibacterial activity of plant extracts capped SNP were tested in Mueller-Hinton agar by well diffusion method against Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, Proteus vulgaris, Escherichia coli and Salmonella Typhimurium.  SNP of 1 mg/ml and 5 mg/ml of P.amarus exhibited almost similar antibacterial activity, whereas, 5mg/ml, not 1 mg/ml of SNP capped with A. paniculata exerted antibacterial activity. The highest zone of inhibition was noticed against B.subtilis followed by S.aureus and P.vulgaris and the least zone of inhibition was observed against E.coli and S.Typhimurium. Green synthesis of SNP is cost effective and environment friendly. Further studies are required to explore the possibility of use of P.amarus capped silver nanoparticles for the treatment of burn and wound.

The brain samples were collected from 10 calves and 10 adult Indian buffaloes. Routine histological and histochemical processing and sectioning were done. The hippocampus was a curved elevation, lying immediately ventral to the splenium of the thalamus. Longitudinal section showed the ependyma, the alveus, the stratum oriens, the stratum pyramidale, the stratum radiatum, the stratum lacunosum and the stratum moleculare from above downwards. The prominent layer was the stratum pyramidale, composed of pyramidal cells in 2-3 rows. The four fields of the cornu ammonis, (CA1, CA2, CA3 and CA4) were identified based on the sizes of the pyramidal cells and their dendritic arborizations, both in the calf and in the adult. The presence of mucopolysaccharides was recorded. 

Six dogs with unstable diaphyseal fracture of femur of different breeds of either sex and bodyweight ranging from 10 to 30 kg presented to the Small Animal Orthopedic Unit of the Madras Veterinary College Teaching Hospital, over a period of two years underwent fracture fixation with latest technique of linear locking compression plates. Different sizes and length of new generation locking plate system were used for different configuration of unstable fracture of femur. The post operative assessment of fracture healing was evaluated by radiographs at different intervals and estimation of bone specific serum alkaline phosphatase enzyme by fluorimetric methods. In the present study, the locking compression plating technique provided adequate apposition, stable fixation and promoted early weight bearing of traumatized limb. The locking plate system had a unique combi hole design in a single implant and enabled to select the function best suited for the fracture configuration to achieve the most stable fixation. The locking plate system acted as a single beam construct which increased the stiffness of the implant and was found appropriate in management of unstable or comminuted diaphyseal fracture of femur in dogs.

The carrot tops had high crude protein (144 g/kg), calcium (24.3 g/kg) and phosphorus (7.7 g/kg), comparable to sun hemp (Crotalaria junctea), fodder berseem and oil cakes, respectively. Milk from animals fed with carrot tops were free from residues of organochlorine, carbamate and organophosphorus pesticides. Carrot tops are perishable in nature and hence were preserved as feed blocks to extend shelf life. The nutritional value and keeping quality of the blocks were also studied. The studies revealed that carrot whole tops can be a promising alternate source of green fodder, especially in hilly regions where there is a shortage of green fodder during winter.

Methane (CH4) is second major gas after carbon dioxide (CO2) responsible for the warming of environment and ozone layer depletion. Although CH4 production is necessary for efficient digestion, it represents an energetic loss of up to 12% of the gross energy intake in ruminants. Methane is produced by strict anaerobes belonging to the sub-group of the Archaea domain. The past decade has shown a lot of interest in the use of plant extracts to mitigate methane production in ruminants. Addition of plant essential oils, can limit the growth of the micro-organisms participating in methane formation in the rumen, thus resulting in the reduction of its production. Reduction of methane production in the rumen ecosystem is possible to achieve with the use of plantsaponins. Tannins have been found to be toxic for many of the rumen microbes, especially ciliate protozoa, fibre degrading microbes and methanogenic bacteria as a result of this methanogenesis in the rumen is reduced. 

An experiment was conducted to study the effect of sex on growth pattern and carcass characters of commercial broilers. One hundred and twenty numbers of day-old chicks were wing banded, weighed and reared up to 40 days of age. The body weight was individually recorded from all the birds on 7, 14, 21, 28, 35 and 40 days of age to assess the influence of gender on body weight. At the end of the experiment 12 males and 12 females were subjected to slaughter studies to assess the carcass characters. The body weight between males and females were similar up to 14 days of age and thereafter, males recorded significantly (p<0.01) higher body weights on 21, 28, 35, 40 days of age, weighing 35.79, 107.69, 179.73, 211.88 g respectively higher than females. The ready-to-cook weight (%) and dressed carcass (%) were significantly (p<0.05) higher in males; whereas, New York carcass (%) was significantly (p<0.05) higher in females. Among the cut of parts, the drumstick percentage was significantly (p<0.05) higher in males, whereas, the wings percentage was significantly (p<0.05) higher in females. Among processing yields and losses, only shank & feet and abdominal fat (%) showed significant (p<0.05) difference between sexes; while, feather, blood, head, viscera, kidney and total offal yields had non-significant difference between sexes. Among giblets, only the heart yield was significantly (p<0.05) different between sexes with higher value in females. The results showed that the males attain marketable weight early, therefore can be marketed early. The males can be slaughtered earlier than females for producing specialized products from drumstick; whereas, females can be slaughtered early to harvest drumette.

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.

Six adult dead ducks from neighbouring area of Namakkal district were brought for post-mortem examination with a history of chronic debility, morbidity and mortality to Poultry Disease Diagnosis and Surveillance Laboratory, Namakkal, Tamil Nadu. Post mortem examination of carcasses revealed that flatworms were attached to the lining of the mucosal epithelium and obstructing gastro intestinal tract indicative of verminous enteritis. The flukes were identified as Hypoderaeum conoideum. The parasitological studies revealed that H. conoideum was the cause of verminous enteritis in the affected flock.

A six-year-old Siberian husky bitch was presented to Small Animal Gynaecology and Obstetrics Unit, Madras Veterinary College Teaching Hospital, with a history of proestrus bleeding and prolonged breeding failure due to shyness. Based on progesterone value (8 ng/mL, artificial insemination was done. On day 45 post AI, ultrasonographic examination revealed the presence of a viable foetus and lateral abdominal radiography showed the presence of a single foetus. Based on the observations, the owner was made aware of chances of risk of dystocia due to single puppy syndrome and the case was kept under observation. However, the case was presented on day 65 of gestation with signs of inappetence and greenish black vaginal discharge for the past 6 hrs. Based on the Ultrasound examination, Radiography and progesterone concentration, the case was diagnosed as dystocia due to single puppy syndrome. Under local anaesthesia, episiotomy was performed and a viable foetus (650 gm) was delivered. The episiotomy wound was closed in simple interrupted suture pattern using polyamide (1-0). After one week of  postoperative care, the bitch had an uneventful recovery.

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.