The sternum of the Victorian crowned pigeon (Goura victoria) was a long (10.40cm), and triangular bone. The dorsal surface was deeply concave and showed very large foramina behind the cranial border in the centre. The dorsal surface showed a groove in the centre, which contained numerous small pneumatic foramina. The cranial border was thick, convex and narrow. Below the dorsal ridge of cranial border, a large, round pneumatic foramen was present. The sternal spine was rudimentary. The craniolateral processes were 1.0 cm long, thick, pneumatised, projected upwards and cranially. The lateral borders contained three articular cylinders for the sternal ribs and the troughs between them contained pneumatic foraminae. The thoracic processes were large, well developed and scythe-shaped. The caudolateral processes were 1.5cm long, thin and projected caudally. It enclosed along with the lateral borders of the corpus sterni, a triangular notch, an incisura ovalis. The caudal border of the corpus sterni was very narrow (0.5cm), convex and should be ended as blunt. The sternal crest was large and triangular in shape. It began from below the ventral ridge of the cranial border extended deeply ventrally, formed a gentle curve in the cranial half and a steep curve in the caudal half and reached up to the caudal border of the corpus sterni. It was 11.50 cm long and the height of the sternal crest between the midpoint of the cranial border of the sternum and the highest point of the sternal crest (H) was 6.10cm.

A study was undertaken with an objective to evaluate the effect of sugarcane bagasse as analternate roughage source on the feed intake, nutrient digestibility and growth performance in crossbred calves. Eighteen crossbred calves aged one year with an average body weight of154.28 kg were utilised in the study for 6 months. The animals were divided into 3 groups and fed with two different inclusion levels of sugarcane bagasse (25% and 50%) replacing conventional fodder and a control diet based on roughage and concentrates, commonly adopted in the region. There was no significant (p>0.05) difference between control and treatment groups in the digestibility of DM, OM, CF, NFE, however the digestibility of EE differed significantly (p<0.05).Even though DCP showed highly significant difference among the groups, the TDN contents were similar to the control diets for both treatment groups. The dry matter intake did not differ significantly for the 1st and 2nd months. There was no significant (p>0.05) difference in the bodyweight of the animals in the entire study period.Therefore sugarcane bagasse can be safely included up to the level of 50% in the diet and can potentially replace the conventional green fodder without affecting the growth and daily dry matter intake in crossbred growing calves.

Tissue engineering is one of the most promising alternative therapy for repair of cartilage defects. The large number of cells required for developing cartilage constructs and low cell yield from the cartilage tissue remains the major constraint in cartilage tissue engineering. Hence, an optimised isolation protocol that yields maximum number of viable cells is the first vital step for successful development of cartilage tissue construct. In this study three different isolation protocols using 0.25 % Trypsin-EDTA, 1 % Pronase + 0.4 % Collagenase I and 0.2 % Collagenase II were examined for enzymatic digestion of ovine articular cartilage tissue. Trypan blue staining was used to assess cell yield and viability. Chondrocyte yield per gram was significantly higher (P < 0.05) using collagenase II and exhibited better propagation potential when compared to 0.25 % Trypsin-EDTA and 1% Pronase + 0.4 % Collagenase I. Hence, digestion of ovine cartilage using 0.2% collagenase II yielded highest number of viable cells. Further, the isolated cells expressed chondrocyte phenotype and can be used to produce large number of viable ovine chondrocytes.

Employability refers to a person’s capability to gain employment, maintaining employment and obtain new employment if required in simple words, employability refers to one's capacity to obtain and maintain fulfilling work. The present study was undertaken with the main objective of ascertaining the employability of postgraduates of SVVU. Ex-post-facto research design was followed in the present investigation. Out of the total 479 postgraduate students a sample of 120 respondents were selected from each academic year through proportionate random sampling. In this research, to study and measure the employability of postgraduates, seven indicators based on the opinion of experts and review of literature was collected. The collected data were classified, tabulated, analysed and interpreted in order to make the findings meaningful. The statistical measures such as frequency, percentage, arithmetic mean and co-efficient of correlation were used in the study. It can be concluded that three-fourth (75%) of the postgraduates of SVVU had high to medium level of overall employability.

A rare incidence of persistent hymen in a pregnant crossbred heifer is reported. Gynaeco-clinical and ultrasonographic examination of crossbred heifer brought with a history of straining and vaginal prolapse revealed presence of imperforate hymen with accumulated mucopurulent secretion. Circumferential resection of the hymen was performed by applying Foley’s catheter retraction. Seven days post-surgery, animal was diagnosed to be pregnant for about 30 days. Based on the circumstantial observations the case might be considered as imperforate hymen with hydrocolpos.

Immunochemical localization of antigenic fractions of ovine bladder worms viz., hydatid cyst, Coenurus cerebralis and Cysticercus tenuicollis is important to identify cross reactive as well as specific proteins. SDS PAGE and western blot technique were carried out to analyze various portions of three ovine bladderworms and to identify the specific protein of cystic echinococcosis. SDS PAGE analysis of fluid antigens revealed 9,6 and 9 bands for hydatid cyst(HCFA),Coenurus cerebralis(CCFA)and Cysticercus tenuicollis(CTFA) respectively and 24, 38 and 68 kDa protein bands were common in HCFA and CCFA. The common protein band between HCFA and CTFA was identified as 28kDa.24 kDa protein which was common between CCFA and CTFA. Scolex antigen revealed 3,6 and 9 bands respectively for HPSA, CCSA and CTSA. The common protein bands between HPSA and CTSA were 29, 72 and 98 kDa. Protein bands 12, 42,98 and 112 kDa were common between CCSA and CTSA. Membrane antigen revealed 4, 4 and 6 bands respectively for HGMA, CCMA and CTMA. The common protein band between CCMA and CTMA was 16kDa only. Western blot analysis revealed that the low molecular weight protein 8 kDa from HCFA was specific for cystic echinococcosis. Cross reaction was noticed between HPSA and CTMA as well as between HGMA and CTMA..

Follicular cyst is one of the major factors affecting the fertility of buffaloes. The present study was conducted to assess the proteo- biochemical characters of the follicular fluid (FF) and granulosa cells (GCs) of normal and cystic follicles of buffaloes. Ovaries were collected from slaughtered buffaloes and follicles were classified based on their diameter as: small (SF: < 4mm), medium (MF: 4 – 9 mm), large (LF: > 9 mm) and cystic (CyF: > 17mm). FF and GC were collected aseptically and subjected for further studies. Biochemical analysis of FF revealed significantly high concentrations of glucose and triglyceride in CyF when compared to LF, which could be due to poor metabolic activities of the damaged follicular cells. Protein fraction analysis of the FF and GC revealed increased expression of proteins in the molecular weight ranges of around 30,70 and 200 kDa relating to insulin like growth factor binding protein, heat shock protein 70 and vasculo endothelial growth factor respectively in CyF. It was concluded that poor utilization of proteins and deranged metabolic and angiogenic proteins in the follicular microenvironment would have led to the anovulatory status and persistence as cyst in buffaloes.  

Growing health consciousness and awareness of healthy nutrition have increased consumer demand for dairy products. The present study was carried out to assess the consumer preference for different dairy products available at University retail outlets in Chennai city. 100 respondents who bought dairy products were chosen using systematic random sampling procedure from each University retail outlet in Chennai city viz., (i) Urban Chennai (Madras Veterinary College, Vepery) and (ii) Rural Chennai (College of Food and Dairy Technology, Koduvalli). A survey method was adopted for the collection of primary data from consumers with the help of well-structured and pre tested interview schedule. Majority of the respondents (76.0%) preferred pasteurized raw milk sold at university retail outlet due to its freshness and quality. Overall, majority of the respondents preferred khoa (86.0%) followed by ghee (80.0%), ice cream (75.0%), flavoured milk (72.5%), paneer (63.0%), butter milk (55.5%) and chocobar (39.0%). Overall, product safety and taste were considered as the most important reason for buying dairy products at university retail outlets. Overall, attitude of staff and shopping environment were the least important reason for buying dairy products at university retail outlets. University outlets were ranked third in consumer preference for source of dairy products after supermarket and specialized outlets. Majority of them were purchasing fluid milk and chocobar occasionally whereas majority of the respondents purchase flavoured milk, butter milk and ice cream daily as they are refreshment products. Hence, whenever the product is available, consumers are ready to take which indirectly indicates that there is always demand for the dairy products of University. This imparts the need to enhance the production of quality and variety dairy products.

A six years old Jersey crossbred cow was presented to Veterinary Clinical Complex, Veterinary College and Research Institute, Orathanadu, Thanjavur district with the history of jowl edema and voiding foul smelling diarrhoea for a month. On clinical examination of the cow, pale conjunctival mucous membrane, jowl edema, moist muzzle and watery malodorous diarrhoea, body temperature 38.4 0C, heart rate - 64 bpm, respiratory rate - 28 bpm were found. Ultrasonography of liver parenchyma showed hyperechoic small areas of hepatic parenchyma with dilated hepatic vein, portal vein and caudal vena-cava and gall bladder showed distension with presence of hyperechoic sediments. On cholecystocentesis under ultrasound guidance with 20 Gauge 1.5” needle at right costochondral junction at 9th intercostal space, collected bile sample revealed Fasciola gigantica eggs. Faecal examination revealed eggs of both Paramphistomes and Fasciola gigantica. Measurement of eggs of parasites was carried by micrometry which confirmed 151 x 72 μm size Amphistome eggs in feces and 162 x 91 μm size Fasciola gigantica eggs in both bile and fecal samples. The cow was treated with oxyclozanide @ 18mg/kg body weight orally and supportive therapy. Good improvement was noticed in the health status of the animal after treatment. Further examination of faecal samples from that animal did not show any parasite eggs on 15th, 30th and 45th day after treatment. In this study, ultrasonography of liver and gall bladder combined with faecal examination was helpful in detection of concurrent paramphistomosis and fasciolosis. The present case seems to be the first report of mixed infection of Fasciola sp and paramphistome in cattle from the Cauvery Delta region of Tamil Nadu.

A full term pregnant pluriparous Jersey crossbred cow was presented with the history of difficulty in parturition, bloody vaginal discharge and straining with distended left ventral abdominal wall and the cow was recumbent. Based on the clinical examination, the case was diagnosed as dystocia due to ventral abdominal hernia with hysterocoele and its successful per-vaginal delivery was reported in this communication.