Growth factors synthesized from mammalian oocytes popularly known as Oocyte Secreted Factors (OSFs) play numerous role in ovarian folliculogenesis. Growth differentiation factor-9 (GDF- 9) produced within the ovary plays an essential role during follicle maturation through their actions on granulosa cells, but their expression in follicular fluid has not been studied. The purpose of this study was to detect the temporal expression pattern of GDF-9 from the follicular fluid of buffalo ovary, which may be correlated with the oocytes and embryo quality. The sensitive messenger ribonucleic acid detection of GDF-9 from follicular fluid was determined by Reverse Transcriptase-Polymerase Chain Reaction using bovine oligonucleotide primers. Our finding showed the qualitative detection of GDF-9 mRNA transcripts from follicular fluid of buffalo ovary.

The study was aimed at providing a complete picture of milk yield and composition during different stages of lactation in Tellicherry does. A total of 40 Tellicherry does aged between 2 – 2 ½ years in 2nd parity were selected for the study. The lactation period wasdivided into three stages namely early, mid and late lactation stages and data on milk yield, and milk composition such as milk fat, SNF and specific gravity of milk during lactation were collected. The milk yield did not vary with lactation stages. The total lactation milkyield was 33.29±0.45 kg and the milk yield/doe/day was 0.36±0.04 kg. The average fat, SNF and specific gravity during lactation were 3.47±0.17%, 8.74±0.11% and 1.032±0.00 respectively. The fat percentage was significantly (P<0.01) higher during mid (3.61±0.19%)and late lactation (4.21±0.22%) than that of early lactation (2.60±0.12%). The SNF percentage and specific gravity were found to be significantly (P<0.01) higher during early lactation (9.24±0.17%; 1.035±0.00) followed by mid (8.76±0.06%; 1.031±0.00) and late lactation (8.23±0.06%; 1.029±0.00).

Data on production and reproduction performances of 373 Jersey cows born and reared at the Exotic Cattle Breeding Farm, Eachenkottai, Tamil Nadu, India, pertaining to 27 years were collected. They were analysed to study the effects of various non-genetic factors on milk production and reproduction traits. The least-squares means (± SE) for 305-day and total lactation milk yields for all the parities were 1491.6 ± 25.9 and 1560.9 ± 29.9 kg respectively. The averages for lactation length, service period, calving interval and dry period for all lactations were 303.1 ± 4.0, 177.0 ± 10.0, 461.0 ± 9.7 and 160.2 ± 9.7 days respectively. Years grouped into five periods had significant (P<0.01) influence on all the traits studied. Season of calving showed a significant (P<0.01) source of variation in milk yield traits and calving interval. Parity was found to influence 305-day milk yield, service period, dry period and calving interval significantly (P<0.01). The study revealed that the performance of the Jersey cattle was much lower than those maintained under high altitude conditions in Tamil Nadu and other places in India.

The present study was carried out to determine the specific energy consumption pattern in the manufacturing of different type of broiler feeds with different process conditions and thereby analyze the gaps between the benchmarking and actual energy usage pattern. The study was conducted in three commercial feed plants located at different locations. This was achieved by conducting energy analysis for the specific energy consumption for different type of the broiler feeds. The actual consumption was recorded from the electricity board department’s energy meter readings. The results indicated that the gap between actual consumption and bench marking was lesser at one plant whilst, it was considerably higher at other two plants. The gap was observed to be higher in the pre-starter feed and lesser in the finisher pellet feed. The gap between actual power consumption and benchmarking observed for pre-starter feeds at different locations viz., Muzaffarpur, Kanpur and Ambala was 2.70, 2.43 and 0.85 kwh units respectively. The gap analysis for starter feed was 1.71, 1.46 and 0.59 kwh units and for finisher feed 1.37, 1.81 and 0.92 kwh units respectively. The cost saving per metric tonne of feed ranged from Rs. 16.00 to Rs. 22.00. Among the three feed manufacturing plants, the gap between bench marking and actual power consumption was very minimal at Ambala plant due to better production efficiency. From the boiler’s fuel cost point of view, coal was found to be cheaper than wood due to its high calorific value and hence it was suggested to replace fire wood with coal at Ambala plant for further improvement of fuel efficiency. The present findings also revealed that the timely replacement of press roller of pellet mill and reduction in pellet fines recycling leads to better efficiency and cost control.

The gene encoding the excretory-secretory antigen of TES-120 from larvae of Toxocara canis was cloned and the sequence was analyzed for utilization as a diagnostic molecule. The total RNA was isolated from T. canis infective larvae and reverse transcription was done with oligo dT primers to obtain complementary DNA (cDNA). Amplification by PCR was performed with cDNA as a template and specific primers of the gene of TES-120, yielding an amplicon size of 530 bp. The amplicon was cloned into pRSETa expression vector. The recombinant clones were transformed into BL21 (DE3) pLysS E. coli expression host and the clone was confirmed by colony PCR, restriction enzyme analysis and sequencing. The nucleotide sequencing of TES-120 gene of TN isolate showed 99.8 % homology with the previously published sequences of UK (U39815.1) and Venezuela isolate (KU951901.1) and 97.0 % homology with the published sequences of Iraq isolate (LC328969.1). Phylogenetic tree revealed close relationship of TN isolate with Venezuela isolate, which had a common ancestor with the UK isolate and it is distantly related to Malaysia isolate of T. cati (KP71707).

A Jersey crossbred cow which was presented with the history of inanition and purulent vaginal discharge was investigated. Gynaeco-clinical and ultrasonographic examination revealed severe utero-ovarian adhesions and with presence of live ectopic foetus in the pelvic cavity. The present report places on record a rare case of secondary ectopic pregnancy in a crossbred cow.

A study was undertaken to know the effect of udder and teat shapes, parity and lactation stage on milkability and milk flow traits and their relationship with milk yield in Jaffarabadi buffaloes. A total of 150 animals from private farms located around Hyderabadwere selectedand grouped according to udder and teat shapes, parity (1st to 4th lactation) and stage of lactation (early, mid and late).Among milkability and milk flow traits, average milk let down time, milking time, stripping time and total milking time, stripping yield and average milk flow rate (AMFR) recorded in Jaffarabadi buffaloes under hand milking were 1.54 ± 0.01 min, 3.49 ± 0.04 min, 1.28 ± 0.01 min, 6.31 ± 0.05 min, 0.19 ± 0.001 kg and 0.65 ± 0.01 (kg/min), respectively. The AMFR in buffaloes with bowl shaped udders was highest (P<0.05) followed by globular, pendulous and goaty shapes and buffaloes with bottle shaped teats was highest(P<0.05) followed by cylindrical, funnel, pear and conical shaped teats.The AMFR was significantly (P<0.05) high in 3rd parity (0.67 ± 0.01) and low in 1st parity (0.60 ± 0.01) buffaloes and significantly (P<0.05) higher AMFR was recorded during early (0.66± 0.01 kg/min) and mid (0.64 ± 0.01 kg/min) compared with late (0.63 ± 0.01 kg/min) stages of lactation. Positive and highly significant (P<0.01) correlation was observed between average daily milk yield (ADMY)with milking time (r=0.523), total milking time (r=0.489) and AMFR (r=0.624) and significant correlation (P<0.05) with stripping time (r=0.188) and stripping yield (r=0.188).The total milking time and stripping yield had significant (P<0.01) positive correlation but total milking time was negatively correlated with AMFR (r=-0.366, P<0.01). The study concludes that,higher AMFR and higher ADMY were found in buffaloes with bowl shaped udders. Therefore, while selecting buffaloes for milk production, bowl shaped udder should be taken into consideration.

Green fodder feeding is most important for milking cows. An experiment was carried out to compare the growth, performance, proximate composition and nutritive value of Bajra Napier hybrid Co(BN)5 (improved variety) with the standard variety Co(CN)4.Both the cultivars were cultivated in irrigated land comprising red sandy loam soil by following standard agronomical practices and 0.5 acre of land area was utilized for each cultivar. Fodder was harvested on 75th day after planting and subsequent harvest at every 45 days in each experimental plot. The growth and yield parameters were measured.The yield was significantly (p<0.01) higher in Co(BN)5 (360.50t/ha/year)followed by Co(CN)4(290.12t/ ha/year).The biometric observations showed the significant (p<0.05) difference in Co(BN)5 than Co(CN)4. The samples were collected for analyzing chemical composition.The results indicated that the crude protein, crude fibre, NDF, ADF and cellulose content of Co(BN)5 were significantly (p<0.01) higher than Co(CN)4. The fodder crop cultivars were analysed for IVDMD.The IVDMD of Co(BN)5 (49.18%) was significantly higher than the Co(CN)4 (43.09%). A Lactation trial was conducted in twelve cross bred cows during mid lactation period and separated into two groups with six animals in each group. One group was named as control (C) and fed with Co(CN)4 green fodder and another group named as treatment (T) and fed with Co(BN)5. The animals were housed in standard condition, dewormed and fed with clean potable drinking water ad libitum.The experiment was conducted for 90 days. Except green fodder variation, animals were offered ad libitum paddy straw and concentrate mixture according to their level of production. The feed and fodder intake, left over and dry matter intake were recorded every day. The average dry matter intake was recorded and inferred that it was significantly (P<0.05) different. The average milk yield, milk fat, solid non-fat and total solids were recorded for both groups. The average milk yield in treatment group is highly significant (p<0.01) than control group. There was no change observed in the milk fat and solid non-fat. The feed cost was calculated for every litre of milk production.The feed cost is significantly (p<0.01) reduced in treatment group due to the less requirement of Co(BN)5 fodder when compared to Co(CN)4 fodder. It is concluded that Cultivar Co(BN)5 is superior than Co(CN)4 in terms of crop growth and biomass yield. Hence, cultivation of Bajra Napier Cultivar Co(BN)5 and feeding the same to improve the milk yield in cattle is the outcome of this study.

The present study was conducted in buffaloes which were maintained at experimental animal sheds of Animal Reproduction Division, IVRI, Izatnagar. All the experimental buffaloes (n=6) were observed for onset of estrus using a teaser bull and visual signs of estrus followed by rectal examination twice daily. Animals detected in estrus were inseminated using frozen semen of Murrah buffalo. The inseminated buffaloes were allowed for real time B-mode ultrasonographic examination at 10 days interval starting from day 20 to 120 of pregnancy. Monitoring of embryonic development was carried out by viewing embryonic vesicle diameter (EVD), Crown Rump length (CRL), embryonic heartbeat, skull and placentome through ultrasonography. The mean diameter of EV was 0.52±0.12, 1.56±0.16, 2.94±0.07, 3.80±0.14 and 6.37±0.15 cm on day 20, 30, 40, 50 and 60 of pregnancy, respectively. EVD increased with advancement of pregnancy and reached around 6.37±0.15 cm on day 60 of pregnancy. The CRL was 0.73±0.05, 1.45±0.55, 2.13±0.05 and 3.24±0.10 cm on day 30, 40, 50 and 60 of pregnancy, respectively. The mean heart rate was 197.33±4.60, 173.16±1.55, 162.33±1.20, 155.33±1.60, 152.16±2.58 and 146.66±2.40 per minute on days 50, 60, 70, 80, 90 and 120 of pregnancy, respectively. The heart rate was significantly (P<0.01) higher on day 50 of pregnancy, thereafter, it decreased with advancement of pregnancy. The mean diameter of skull  was 2.33±0.18,   2.90±0.12, 3.52±0.19   and   4.58±0.22 cm on days 60, 70, 80 and 90 of pregnancy, respectively. The skull diameter increased with the advancement of pregnancy. The accessibility of skull or head was very difficult as the pregnancy advanced into mid of the second trimester. The mean diameter of placentome increased with the advancement of pregnancy i.e. 0.38±0.01, 0.64±0.14, 1.05±0.07 and 1.26±0.08 cm on days 70, 80, 90 and 120 of pregnancy, respectively. The present study indicated use of Real time B mode transrectal ultrasonography in buffalo for early diagnosis of pregnancy, embryonic development and its viability by viewing embryonic vesicle, embryo, embryonic heart beat and other structures.

Dairying as an occupation supports and sustains the livelihood of a large number of rural people in India, especially small farmers, marginal farmers and landless labourers. To study the socio-economic profile of the dairy farmers, Viluppuram district of Tamil Nadu state was purposively selected on the basis of high cattle population. Out of the nine taluks in Viluppuram district, two taluks, namely Viluppuram and Tindivanam taluks were randomly selected from which five villages each were selected. From each of the selected villages, 10 respondents were selected randomly leading to a total of 100 respondents. The findings of the study revealed that half of the respondents were old aged, had secondary to graduate level of education and had agriculture + livestock and wages + livestock + agriculture as their occupation. Majority of the respondents also had large herd size of more than four animals with 11-20 years of dairy farming experience and no participation in training programme. Majority of the respondents had medium level of annual income, economic motivation, mass media exposure, contact with extension agency, risk orientation, proximity to marketing channels, knowledge about improved dairy husbandry practices and decision making behaviour.