In Malaysia, Guinea grass (Megathrysus maximus) and Napier grass(Pennisetum purpureum) are considered as good palatable fodder for goats and have been used widely. The objective of this study is to evaluate the potential grasses for goats to have optimum growth performance and optimum feeding cost. Fourteen male Jamnapari goats with an average age of five months were used in this experiment. All animals were individually weighed anddivided equally (seven goats) into two treatment groups. Group 1 was fed with cut and carry Guinea grass while group 2 animals were fed cut and carry Napier grass, and both groups were given the same quality and quantity of PKC and molasses. There was no significant difference observed in the average final weight (AFW), average weight gain (AWG) and average daily gain (ADG) among the two dietary treatment group. However, dry matter intake (DMI) and feed conversion ratio (FCR) showed a significant difference. The group fed with Napier grass showed lower ADMI and FCR. From the viewpoint of economic evaluation, feeding Guinea grass and Napier grass as an animal feed is economincally viable for local farmers.

The study of alterations of some hematological parameters in a experimentally induced lead toxicosis were carried out on a total of 15 (15 days old) male weaning Long- Evans (ICDDRB strain) rats. The rats were randomly divided in to three equal groups, each consisting of fiverats. Rats of group A were kept as control (without giving any treatment), group B received lead acetate alone @ 6 mg/ml drinking water and group C receivedlead acetate @ 6 mg/ml plus whole milk (Star ship®) 150 mg/ml drinking water. The result showed a most significantly (p< 0.01) decreased TEC, TLC and Hb%observed on day 56 in group B but in group C, these counts decreased significantly (p< 0.05) on days 56 of experiment. From the study, it was concluded that treatment with lead acetate at low doses has harmfuleffects on experimental animals including hematological alterations.

Nematodes resistant to anthelmintics are of increasing concern to sheep farms in Malaysia. Thus to ascertain the degree of anthelmintic resistance in the sheep population, faecal egg count reduction (FECR) trials were conducted on sheep in the Veterinary Institute, Kluang. A total of 60 weaned sheep were selected and divided into six (6) equivalent groups. Group A was treated with ivermectin, Group B with Closantel, Group C with Fenbendazole, Group D with Levamisole, Group E with Cydectin and the remaining 10 were untreated controls. Faecal samples were collected from each sheep before treatment and repeated on day 14, 30, 45 and 60 post treatment. The worm egg counts were estimated by using McMaster’s method. The population of worm was classified as resistant if the adjusted percentage reduction was less than 90%. It is concluded that only levamisole can be used for helminthiasis control. The results showed that worms at the Sheep Unit of the Veterinary Institute, Kluang was suspected to be resistant to Ivermectin, Closantel and Cydectin. The worm population showed total resistance to fenbendazole. The strongyle population is mainly made up of 80% Haemonchus contortus and 20% of species were Oesophagostomum and Bunostomum.

Cost of feed is one of the primary stumbling blocks for goat farming in Malaysia. Stage feeding was introduced as a method to formulate feed at minimum cost based on the requirement of different stages of production to improve overall farm productivity. A study was conducted to evaluate 5 feeding rations formulated based on the requirements of different production stages on Katjang-Boer crossbred. Ration formulated of creep feed (CF) for a period of 101d, starter grower (SG) (70d), grower finisher (GF) (98d), flushing feed (FF) (97d) and maintenance feed (MF) (155d) were compared with commercial feed (CCF and CMF) as control. Results showed a significantly higher (P<0.05 preweaning bodyweight of 12.83 ± 3.61 kg in CF at 101 days of age. Post weaning also achieved significantly higher bodyweight (P<0.05 of 22.20±2.78kg and 31.5±4.67 in SG (223 days) and GF (361 days) of age respectively. Feed cost per kg gain obtain in CF (RM5.68), SG (RM9.03) and GF (RM6.57) were lower compared to CCM of RM6.14, RM10.27 and 12.99 respectively. FF showed a significantly higher (P<0.05) average daily gain (ADG) of 67.01 ± 14.42 g while MF was able to maintain body weight at minimum cost. Stage feeding proved to be able to meet nutritional needs through significantly higher body weight in CF, SG, GF and FF as well as lower feed cost per kg gain rendering it as a more economical option.

The development and availability of follicles is an indicator to predict which of the follicle sizes are suitable to recover the oocytes assisted by means of ultrasonography of transvaginal oocyte retrieval (OPU). Thus, the study was done in order to characterize the follicular recruitment and distribution in response to the repeated removal of follicles, and thus to determine the availability of follicles and immature oocytes harvested repeatedlyfor two consecutive days of OPU in beef cows. Results indicated that 24-h OPU showed significantly greater numbers of medium and large follicles than small categories (P<0.05). However the 48-hr of OPU does not showed any differences of follicles categories (P>0.05). The mean total number of follicles and immature oocytes recovered were higher (P<0.05) in 24-hr OPU (13.76±1.2 and 7.38 ± 1.7) compared to 48-hr OPU (9.08 ± 1.5 and 3.54 ± 1.00) with the oocyte retrieval rate of 51.22% and 38.17%, respectively. The morphological classification indicated the 24-hr oocyte retrieval produced 62% of suitable immature oocytes that can be used for in vitro embryo production. In conclusion, the repeated removal of two consecutive days of OPU has averted the development of dominant follicle, and thus, gave an atmosphere to the subordinate follicles to continue growth relatively to an equal proportion of small, medium and large categories of follicles. Due to the reduction of follicle and recovery rate at 48-hr it is suggested that OPU be carried out later than 48 hour so that the follicle has more time to increase the diameter size.

Seminomas are one of the common testicular tumours that occur mostly in dogs above five years of age. A case of nine-year-old male German Shepherd dog, presented to University Veterinary Hospital, Kokkalai with a history of swelling on the scrotum for the past two months and its successful surgical management is discussed. The right testicle was found to be highly enlarged and hard while the other atrophied. Histopathological examination following its surgical removal, confirmed it as seminoma.

This study was performed to investigate the reproductive performanceand spontaneous malformations of female Sprague Dawley (SD) rats obtained from the Animal Resource Unit, Institute for Medical Research for their use in reproductive toxicity assessment. Onehundred and thirty-five virgin female rats with a body weight ranging between 190 g and 210 g were randomly caged overnight with 60 fertile male rats in 1:1 basis. Vaginal smear was performed the next morning and the day of sperm positive was considered as estational day (GD) 0. On GD21 caesarean hysterectomy was performed to examine the outcome of each pregnancy. The female fertility index (sperm positive) was 90.5% and the pregnancy index was 100%. Thepercentage of pre and post-implantation loss were 1.96 and 7.48 respectively with the number of early resorption out numbered the late resorption (0.56 ± 1.0 and 0.36 ± 1.5 respectively). Out of1,234 foetuses examined, only 5 foetuses (0.41%) presented with gross congenital malformation. The female SD rats obtained from the Institute demonstrated high fertility and pregnancy indexes with lowincidence of resorption and malformation, therefore suitable to use for reproductive toxicity assessment.

A beef feedlot production decision support system (DSS) was developed based on Microsoft® Excel. The DSS comprises of three modules i) an ingredient database ii) a least-cost ration formulation module and iii) beef growth simulation module. The program uses empirical equations developed for tropical beef to simulate nutrient requirements and daily body weight gains based on the formulated feed ration. The formulated least cost ration can be pasted automatically into the growth model to evaluate performance and economic viability. The growth model calculates nutrient available and computes body weight gain on a daily basis, summates weight gain and stops at the targeted body weight. The data output include i) days to reach target body weight, ii) cumulative feed consumed, iii) anticipated average daily gain, iv) total cost of feed (concentrates and grass), and v) gross profit per cattle. If a portion of the feed is fed as grass, then the model also computes the pasture land required in hectares, based on the forage species&#xD;chosen. It is anticipated that the developed model can assist cattle entrepreneurs and farmers in the development of the beef cattle industry in Malaysia.