Test day milk yield data of 81,653 Jersey crossbred cows reared under farmers’ production system in Tamil Nadu state, over a period of 24 years (1999-2022) were utilised to determine the effects of non-genetic factors viz. agroclimatic zone, period of calving, season of calving and parity on lactation traits.  The production traits considered were 305-day milk yield (305DMY), total lactation milk yield (TMY), 180-day milk yield (180DMY), peak yield (PY), days to attain PY and lactation length (LL), the least-squares means of which were 2458.82 ± 7.02 kg, 2470.77 ± 7.04 kg, 1657 ± 4.71 kg, 10.69 ± 0.03 kg, 73.22 ± 0.56 days and 298.09 ± 0.17 days respectively. The agroclimatic zone had significant (P<0.01) influence on all the lactation traits studied with Western zone having the highest mean (2763.08 kg) for 305DMY followed by North Western zone and Cauvery Delta zone while North Eastern zone had the least (2066.85 kg) milk yield. Both period and season of calving significantly (P<0.01) affected all the traits. The estimated means of 305 DMY, TMY and 180DMY of 2960.99 kg, 2987.38 kg and 1934.75 kg respectively in period P2 (2004-2007) were significantly higher compared to other periods while period P1 (1999-2003) had the least milk production. Cows that gave birth in Northeast monsoon and Summer seasons produced more milk comparatively. Parity also had highly significant (P<0.01) influence on all the traits studied with cows above third lactation producing higher milk yield. The influence of non-genetic factors found on milk production of cows, revealed in this study will be useful in planning future breeding and management interventions for improving the milk production of the Jersey crossbred cattle under farmers’ production system in Tamil Nadu. 

The study on the assessment of body weight gain in three indigenous chicken breeds viz., Aseel, Kadaknath and Siruvidai chicken were conducted in five poultry farms of Vendhoni village, Ramanathapuram district. The body weight gain both between the breeds and farms were statistically analysed for a period of 20 weeks. All the five selected farms were distributed with day old (0 Day) Aseel, Kadaknath and Siruvidai chicks (Each 10 Nos) and about 50 kg each of commercial chick mash (Nutrikraft®). The body weight gain was recorded and assessed every week until 20 weeks. Among the three breeds analysed, a highly significant difference (P ≤ 0.01) existed with Aseel breed having higher body weight gain (1.441 kg) followed by Kadaknath (0.887 kg) and Siruvidai (0.737 kg) at 20 weeks of age.  The weight gain recorded during fourth and eighth weeks of age showed a highly significant (P ≤ 0.01) change among all the three breeds. The weight gain of Kadaknath and Siruvidai were highly significant (P ≤ 0.01) during 12th and 16th week of age. Whereas the weight gain in Aseel was found to be non-significant (P ≥ 0.05) in the same period of study. During 20th week, Siruvidai showed highly significant (P ≤ 0.01) change in weight gain and Aseel and Kadaknath showed non-significant (P ≥ 0.05) change.  Overall, Aseel had higher body weight gain than Kadaknath and Siruvidai breeds. All the three breeds were found to be well adapted to the hot and humid climatic condition of this district.

Fracture comprises one of the major surgical cases having serious impinge on small ruminants causing lameness. A retrospective study was undertaken on incidence of long bone fractures in reference to metacarpal and metatarsal in goats. Among 893 cases, 344 (38.5%) cases had fracture. Incidence according to the bone involved; metacarpal (28.4%), metatarsal (22.9%), tibia (15.9%), femur (14.2%), radius and ulna (11%) and humerus (8.13%). Fractures with special reference to the age, sex, nature, type, location in metacarpal and metatarsal were taken for the study. The age of animals with metacarpal fracture ranged from twenty days to 3 years and had a mean age of 9 months whereas metatarsal fracture ranged from one month to 2.5 years and had a mean age of 1.2 years. Out of 176 goats with metacarpal (98) and metatarsal (76) fractures, male goats (65.3%) and (68.4%) were mostly affected than female. Open fractures were 33% whereas closed fractures were of 67%. Fracture due to automobile accident in metacarpal (45.9%) and metatarsal (31.5%) was found to be the most common cause of fracture in goats.

The efficacy of estrus synchronization for improving the fertility and fecundity was studied in 428 non-descript goats in Kanchipuram district (Tamil Nadu) selected based on clinical and ultrasound examination for synchronization. Non pregnant does were inserted with intravaginal progesterone sponge containing 300 mg of progesterone on day 0 and administered Inj. Cloprotenol sodium (Pragma) 125µg on day 10. The sponge was removed on day 11 of insertion followed by intramuscular injection of 200 I.U. of eCG (Inj.Folligon). Timed Artificial Insemination was done twice at 12 and 24 h interval using Tellicherry frozen semen. Among the synchronized does,359 does were confirmed pregnant by 30-45 days post insemination using transrectal ultrasonography with a conception rate of 83.87% and fecundity rate of 2.038. The study concludes that the progesterone based intravaginal sponge in combination with eCGcan be effectively used for estrus synchronization programme to improve conception rate and fecundity in non-descript goats at farmers flocks.

Hymen normally appears as a circular constriction between vagina and vulva. However varying degrees of persistence, from thin band to complete imperforate structure, may occur in all species due to segmental defects of paramesonephric ducts (Roberts, 1971). Complete obliteration of vaginal canal due to imperforate hymen was reported earlier in crossbred (Kumar et al., 2017), pure bred (Kumar et al., 2020) and buffalo heifers (Singh et al., 2010 and Kumar et al., 2016) with varying degrees of mucus accumulation. The present report places on record a case of persistent hymen with voluminous mucus accumulation in a crossbred heifer. Vaginal speculum was passed and held in position against the septum. A sterile intrauterine catheter was passed through the septum and thick cloudy mucus started flowing out following the catheterization. To facilitate easy and complete evacuation, suction pump was employed and about 15 litres of mucus was removed. After the fluid evacuation, per rectal examination revealed that the uterine contours palpable within the pelvic cavity. Ultrasonographic examination showed a clear band of tissue across the vaginal canal posterior to cervical region.

The present study was carried out to assess the nutrient composition and in vitro gas production analysis of some commonly available newer feed resources to use them as a conventional feed for dairy cattle. Eight different newer feed resources namely Pomegranate peel, Sugarcane bagasse, Orange peel, Mango seed kernel, Banana leaves, Carrot pulp waste, Neem oil cake and Poultry manure were collected and screened for their nutrient composition, in vitro gas production analysis and their gross energy values. The results showed that the crude protein and crude fiber content of newer feed resources ranged from 1.98 % to 20.88 % and 4.93 % to 25.36 % respectively. The ether extract and total ash content ranged from 0.48 % to 11.36 % and 1.77% to 19.11 % respectively. The levels of nitrogen free extract ranged from 41.4 % to 77.3 %. The Neutral Detergent Fibre and Acid Detergent Fibre content ranged from15.21 % to 78.15 % and 14.27 % to 57.78 % respectively. The total gas production of carrot pulp waste recorded the highest values (48.29 ml) and banana leaves recorded the lowest values (2.47 ml) among the newer feed resources. The highest and lowest gross energy value was recorded in neem oil cake (4926 kcal/kg) and poultry manure (3235 kcal/kg) respectively. It was concluded that the ingredients contained appreciable level of dietary nutrients make them to substitutes for the conventional feed sources for dairy cattle.

This study was conducted to evaluate the antioxidant potential of Indian gooseberry (Emblica officinalis) aqueous extract in chicken meat balls and the assessment of the physico-chemical and sensory properties of the meat balls. Chicken meat balls were prepared with the inclusion of Indian gooseberry aqueous extract (GBAE) at 0, 9%, 12% and 15% levels. The emulsion pH, product pH, emulsion stability and product yield were determined. DPPH scavenging activity (%) was studied to establish the antioxidant potential of the GBAE in the product. Sensory properties were evaluated using 8 point hedonic scale. Emulsion pH and product pH decreased  significantly (P<0.05) with the addition of GBAE. Product yield decreased significantly (P<0.05) with the addition of GBAE at 12% and 15% levels. DPPH scavenging activity significantly (P<0.01) increased with increase in the GBAE inclusion level, where 15% treatment had the highest antioxidant potential followed by 12% and 9% treatments. The sensory scores of control and 9% treatment were comparable and the scores were significantly (P<0.05) lower for 12% and 15% treatments. From this study, it is observed that GBAE could be added as a potential antioxidant in the chicken meat balls, up to a level of 9% without affecting the physico-chemical and sensory qualities of the product. 

A pluriparous Kanni bitch which was presented with the history of brownish vaginal discharge. Detailed gynaecological examination revealed presence of macerated fetal bones in the birth canal. Further, ultrasonographic examination revealed fetal bones in the uterus. Treatment with dextrose and oxytocin successfully expelled the macerated fetus. Animal had an uneventful recovery with antibiotic coverage.

Histochemical study was conducted on Bursa of Fabricius of 48 normal Japanese quail birds up to four weeks of age, which were divided into four groups of 12 birds each, at the end of first week, second week, third week and fourth week of age, irrespective of sex. In all age groups, moderate to high periodic acid Schiff’s (PAS) activity was observed in the interfollicular connective tissue septa. Weak PAS activity was observed in the cortex in all age group of birds. The surface epithelium showed moderate PAS activity almost in all age group of birds, along with high PAS activity in the apical border of the surface epithelium in group I age of birds which was intense from group II age of birds. High Alcian blue periodic acid Schiff’s (ABPAS) activity was found in the interfollicular connective tissue septa in group I birds which gradually decreased with the advancement of age. High to intense ABPAS activity was observed in the capillaries as well as tunica intima and adventitia of blood vessels in birds of all age groups.

A Ten year old intact dachshund bitch weighing around 13kgs body weight was presented with the history of pendulous swelling on the caudal ventral abdomen for past six months. On palpation, swelling was soft, painless and reducible. On radiographic examination, herniated intestinal loop was noticed. Haematobiochemical values were within normal range except for mild neutrophilia. Based on the clinical examination and radiographic evaluation, it was diagnosed as inguinal hernia. Herniorrhaphy and ovariohysterectomy was performed under general anaesthesia. Postoperatively, antibiotics and analgesics were administered for 7 and 3 days, respectively. No postoperative complication was recorded and the animal recovered uneventfully.