Wet distiller's grain is one of the important agroindustrial by-products used for feeding dairy cattle. A study was conducted to enhance the shelf life of distillers grains and identify and quantify the deficit nutrients in it so that a supplemental strategy could be evolved to enhance its nutritive value. Twelve samples were collected from grain-based distilleries in Southern India and subjected to proximate analysis (AOAC, 2000), fibre fractionation (Goering and Van Soest, 1970) and were also analysed for calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, manganese, iron, copper and zinc. In vitro degradability studies were conducted using rumen simulation technique (RUSITEC) described by Czerkawski and Breckenridge (1977). Also, another study was conducted to enhance the shelflife of wet distiller’s grain by addition of deoiled rice bran (DORB) and salt at twelve differentlevels.Samples were collected on 2nd,4th, 6th, 8th and 10th days for estimation of pH (Wilson and Wilkins, 1972), mould count and yeast count (Jenkins, 1992). The degradation rate/hour, degradable soluble, degradable insoluble, undegradable and effective degradability of dry matter respectively were 0.16±0.02, 53.8±1.32,31±1.41, 15.2±1.07 and 76.87±0.43 percent and the same for nitrogen respectively were 0.12±0.01, 31.2±1.16, 53.8±1.28,15±0.95 and 62.39±1.59 per cent in wet distillers grains.The results indicate that mould count was significantly(p<0.05) lower in wet distiller’s grain and deoiled rice bran (DORB) combination of 70:30 irrespective of the number of days of preservation. Further adding salt in all combinations of distiller’s grain and DERB reduced the growth of yeast or mould.

Obstructive urolithiasis is a serious and potentially fatal condition in male small ruminants. It is caused by obstruction of urethral lumen at the distal portion of the sigmoid flexure and at the urolithic process. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of surgical tube cystostomy in the management of obstructive urinary calculi in male sheep and goat. A total of 6 animals were studied (sheep-2 and goat-4) that were referred to Large animal clinics - Out Patient- Surgery Unit of Madras Veterinary College Teaching Hospital with a history of anuria, dysuria and stranguria. In Tube cystostomy, the animals were positioned in right lateral recumbency. The bladder was approached in left paramedianregion cranial to the last pair of rudimentaryteats. The urine was drained and calculi in the bladder was removed with the forceps. The catheter was fixed in the urinary bladder by meansof purse string suture pattern using 3/0 or4/0 polyglecaprone. Then the abdominal muscles and skin were apposed. Biochemical analysis revealed significant increase in BUN & Creatinine pre-operatively and decreases post operatively. Postoperatively normograde contrast cystourethrography on day 1 revealed filling defect of contrast agent showing obstruction at the level of Sigmoid Flexure. Ultrasonographic examination after normal urination revealed presence of calculi and also the site of obstruction in the bladder. The time period taken to return for normal urination in Tube Cystostomy was (10.66 ± 0.06 days) and the wound healing of the surgical site was better in tube cystomy.

Bacterial infection followed by implant fixation is a common complication after surgery. In order to reduce the incidence of implant-associated infections, several biomaterial surface treatments have been proposed. In this study, the effect of in vitro antibacterial activity of magnetron sputtered silver nanoparticles was studied. Sputtering was done using radiofrequency magnetron sputtering technology. Film applicator coating assay was used to assess the antibacterial effect of the coated titanium implants. SEM examination revealed successful deposition of silver nanoparticles on the titanium surface. The average diameter of the nanoparticles was 40-60 nm. SEM examination before incubation and after incubation of bacteria was done. The bactericidal ratio between the uncoated and coated implant was determined.

Cattle temperament is defined as the fear-related behavioral responses when exposed to human handling. As cattle temperament worsens, their response to human contact or any other handling procedures becomes more pronounced. The agitated and/or aggressive response expressed by cattle with excitable temperament when exposed to human handling can be attributed to their fear and consequent inability to cope with this situation. In addition to altered behavior, temperamental cattle may also experience changes in their body physiology, and the hormones produced during this fearrelated stress reaction influence several factors, such as growth and health. Within the cattle industry, producers select cattle for temperament, primarily for safety reasons. However, our recent studies demonstrate cattle temperament may also have productive and economic implications to beef operations. Stress increases stress hormones such as cortisol levels and results in lowering the levels of  reproductive hormones. Most cattlemen recognize that cattle under stress may not eat as well but may not know of its effect on reproductive behavior and physiology. This article will summarize our findings that could have an impact on the beef herd.

Drug interaction is the effect produced by combination of various drugs administered in a biological system which may produce beneficial or adverse effects.Due to continuous usage of antibiotics to bacterial infections, pathogenic bacteria developed resistance mechanisms which leads to reduced antibacterial activity of different antibiotics. Combination of antibiotics with phytochemicals became an alternative to enhance the efficacy of antibiotics. In this connection,in the present study, the effect of certain phytochemicals namely Quercitin, Morin, Ellagic acid,  Chloragenic acid Rutin and Naringenin in combination with antibiotics Amoxycillin and Ciprofloxacin were evaluated. Staphylococcus aures and Escherichia coli were used as test organisms. They were isolated from the mastitis milk samples and their presence was confirmed using Polymerse Chain Reaction .The antibacterial activity of the antibiotics and antibiotics in combination with phytochemicals were determined using broth dilution method and agar well diffusion assay. The MIC and zones of inhibition were used as indicators for drug interaction.

A biological trial was conducted to study the effect of multi enzyme supplementation on ileal digestibilities of dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP), ether extract (EE), phytate phosphorus (PP) and non-starch polysaccharides (NSPs) in terms of neutral detergent fibre (NDF), acid detergent fibre (ADF), hemicellulose and cellulose in broilers for a period of 0-6weeks. The broilers used in this trial were fed diets supplemented with enzyme at 0, 250, 500, 750 and 1000 g/ton of feed with a proportionate reduction in metabolizable energy (ME-1.25, 2.5, 3.75 and 5 %), crude protein (CP-0.75, 1.5, 2.25 and 3 %), methionine + cytine (0.5, 1, 1.5 and 2 %) and available phosphorus (2.2, 4.4, 6.6 and 8.8 %). The level of individual enzyme per gram of multi enzyme supplement was cellulase 146 IU, xylanase 241 IU, pectinase 98 IU, protease 74 IU, amylase 778 IU and phytase 33 IU. The ileal digestibility was conducted on 6 th week of trial. The ileal DM digestibility (%) was significantly (p<0.01) increased in 750 g and 1000 g enzyme supplemented groups than other treatment groups. The increase in ileal DM digestibility was significantly (p<0.01) higher (6.2 %) in the group fed with 750 g enzyme supplementation than control. The digestibility of ileal crude protein (%) significantly (p<0.01) increased in 500, 750 and 1000 g enzyme supplemented groups than control. The increase in ileal protein digestibility was 12.20 % in 500 g/ton, 9.90 % in 750 g/ton and 10.12 % in 1000 g enzyme supplemented groups than control. However a non significant difference was observed in ileal EE digestibility in all treatment groups. The ileal phytate phosphorus digestibility significantly (p<0.01) increased in all the enzyme supplemented groups (33.69 % in 250 g/ton, 38.75 % in 500 g/ton, 39.53% in 750 g/ton and 42.11% in1000 g/ton) than control (31.71%). A highly significant (P< 0.01) increase in ileal neutral detergent fibre (NDF) and hemicellulose was observed in 500 to 1000 g enzyme supplemented groups than control. Similarly significant (P<0.01) increase in ileal acid detergent fibre (ADF) and cellulose digestabilities (%) were observed in all enzyme supplemented groups than control. It was concluded that the multi enzyme supplementation at minimum inclusion level of 500 g per ton of feed increased the ileal digestibilities of CP, PP, NDF, ADF, hemicelluloses and cellulose by 12.20 %, 18.17 %, 13.57 %, 55.63 % 12.77 % and 52.64 % respectively than control in broiler diet than the control diet in broilers.

A three years old male pigeon weighing 400g (racing homer) was presented to Madras Veterinary College Teaching Hospital with the history of soft tissue growth on the keel region for the past six months and gradually increase in size was noticed. Physical examination revealed large tennis ball size soft tissue mass on the keel region. Cytological examination revealed the presence of inflammatory cells with serosanguineous background. Radiological examination revealed presence of soft tissue mass on the keel bone with no bony involvement. Surgical resection of tumour mass was performed under general anaesthesia. Histopathological examination confirmed liposarcoma in a pigeon. The bird recovered uneventfully on 10 th post-operative day without any complications.

The aim of this study was to evaluate two different superovulation protocols for quality embryo production. Donor animals were selected (Day 0) and a progesterone device was inserted. The superstimulatory treatment was initiated in day 7 (D7) with follicle stimulating hormone from porcine (FSHp) in eight decreasing doses each at 12 hours interval. Along with the fifth dose of FSHp, 500μg cloprostenol was administered. The progesterone device was removed 12h (Treatments P12) and 24 h after the first application of cloprostenol (Treatments P24). Twelve hours after the eighth dose of FSHp (D11) 25µg of Buserelin was administered and the inseminations were done after 12 and 24 hours. Embryos were collected in the forenoon of D18. P24 presented better results than the P12 treatment.

A survey was conducted among the small holder dairy farmers in 80 Panchayaths of 14 districts in Kerala in order to evaluate the reproductive performance of crossbred cattle population in Kerala at field level. Analysis of the data showed that the herd size of cattle in Kerala was around 3 per house during the period of 2012 and 2013. Three fertility traits, age at first calving (AFC), calving interval (CI) and number of services per conception (NSC) were studied in detail and the averages of these traits were 1093 ± 10.52 days, 551 ± 48 days and 2.02 ± 0.01 services per conception, respectively. Fixed model analysis was carried out to see the effect of some of the major factors leading to variation in AFC, CI and NSC and found that there was significant difference in reproductive performances among different genetic groups. AFC and NSC of crossbred Holstein Friesian cows and CI of Sunandini cows were lower compared to other genetic groups. Other factors significantly influencing AFC were period of birth and season of birth. Apart from genetic groups, number of services per conception was influenced by type of semen used and also the level of peak milk production.

The study was conducted to find out the effect of age on carcass, meat quality characteristics and nutritional composition of Nandanam Turkey-II. Totally twelve birds were separated into two different age groups viz., young (20 weeks) and adult (40 weeks). The birds were slaughtered and breast muscle was obtained. The carcass, meat quality characters, proximate composition, amino acid, fatty acid and cholesterol content of meat of two age groups were analysed. The carcass characteristics viz., edible offal weight, in-edible offal, blood weight, feather weight and head weight had significant difference (P<0.01) between two age groups. Meat quality characteristics viz., pH (P<0.05), muscle fibre diameter (P<0.01) and myofibrillar fragmentation index (P<0.01) of young turkey meat were significantly lower than adult turkey meat. The young turkey meat had significantly higher moisture content (P<0.01), while it showed significantly lower protein, fat and total ash content than adult turkey meat. The significant difference (P<0.05) was observed in lysine and phenylalanine and highly significant difference (P<0.01) was observed in arginine, isoleucine, threonine, valine, alanine, aspartic acid, glutamic acid and glycine contents of meat from young and adult age groups of turkey. The meat of young turkey had significantly lower total saturated fatty acids (P<0.01), mono unsaturated fatty acids (P<0.05) and higher poly unsaturated fatty acids (P<0.01), P/S ratio when compared to adult turkey meat. The cholesterol content of young turkey meat was significantly (P<0.01) lower than adult turkey meat. Based on the results it was concluded that the meat of young Nandanam Turkey-II had the superior meat quality characters and nutritional composition than the meat of adult birds.