The present study was carried out to evaluate the effect of curcumin on lipid peroxidation and antioxidant levels in DMBA (7, 12 Diemthyl Benanthracene) induced mammary carcinogenesis in rats. Twenty four Sprague-Dawley rats were equally distributed to control, DMBA, Tamoxifen (Standard drug) and curcumin groups. DMBA group showed significant (P<0.05) increase in lipid peroxidation and antioxidants superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) levels besides reduced glutathione (GSH). Whereas, curcumin and Tamoxifen treated groups did not show any significant difference in lipid peroxidation and antioxidant status when compared to the control. Selective growth advantage of tumour cells was evident in the DMBA group and curcumin was able to prevent lipid peroxidation.

The study was conducted to find out polymorphism at various growth hormone (bGH) and growth hormone receptor loci (bGHR) by using PCRRFLP technique. Fifty two blood samples of Mehsana buffalo were collected from Livestock Research Station, Sardarkrushinagar Agricultural University, Gujarat. The DNA samples were subjected to PCR amplification using bGH and bGHR specific primers. The PCR products of GH1 (436 bp), GH2 (891bp), GH3 (441bp) and GHR1 (approx 640 bp) loci were digested with Alu 1, Msp 1, Hae III and Mae II restriction enzymes respectively and only AA, CC, FF and RR genotypes were respectively found in Mehsana buffalo. All the bGH and bGHR loci studied were monomorphic.

The giant lizard mantis of Lysiosquilla sulcirostris Kemp, 1913 was recorded for the first time from Thoothukudi waters while investigating the biodiversity of the Gulf of Mannar during September, 2013. One specimen of the said species was collected as an incidental by-catch in the trawl fisheries off Thoothukudi coast of Gulf of Mannar, between 08º 35’ 22.5" N lat. 78º 27’ 40.9" E long and 08º 31’ 91.2"N lat. 78º 25’ 32.7"E long at a depth of 150-160 m.

The present study was conducted to elucidate the growth performance changes in Wistar rats given cadmium chloride in different doses at various intervals. Wistar rats (n=12/group) were divided into four groups viz, group I (Control) given normal drinking water whereas group II, III and IV rats were given CdCl2 @ 100, 250 and 500 ppm, respectively for 12 weeks. Animals of all the groups were closely observed through out the period of experiment thrice a day for clinical signs. Daily Feed intake (FI), Body Weights (BW), Body Weight Gain (BWG) and Feed Conversion Ratios (FCR) were recorded. Clinical signs observed upto first 5 weeks were less prominent in all the treatment group rats. After 5 weeks PE, rats of all treatment groups showed varying degree of toxic signs, which included inappetence, dullness, weakness, depression, lethargy, reduced feed intake, decrease in body weight, poor fur condition, loss of hair, change in behaviour, disinclination to move, increased thirst and dehydration. In addition, group IV rats also showed nervous disorders from 9th week onwards. The average values of feed consumption, body weight and body weight gain were significantly lower in all treatment group rats as compared to control group rats in dose and duration dependent manner. Moreover, FCR increased significantly in all treatment groups from 4th week PE than control group rats upto the end of trial.

Milk is the one of the most important protein diet to the human population. However, in last few decades, presence of A1 b casein in milk was associated with important issues associated with range of illnesses in human being. In this study a total of 85 cattle blood samples (Kangeyam and HF crossbred) were analysed for A1 b  casein gene based on AS-PCR. A1/A2 genotype frequency data indicated that 37% were A2 homozygous (A2A2), 17% were A1 homozygous (A1A1) and 46% heterozygous (A1A2) in HF cross bred cattle. The pure Kangeyam (Bos indicus) cattle breed had only A2 gene and showed only A2A2 genotype, which produce safer A2 milk for the human consumption. The Holstein Friesian cross breed animal also showed mostly of A2 gene (0.595). 

An experiment was conducted on 18 un-castrated crossbred (Beetal x Assam local) kids of 3-4 months of age to study the effect of shed roof colour and bedding materials on growth performance during winter season. Three groups of six kids in each were housed in three sheds: T1 (shed roof painted with black colour on top and white colour inside and paddy straw bedding material mixed with hydrated lime, T2 (shed roof painted with black colour on top only and paddy straw without any treatment and T3 (shed roof without any colour and bedding material). The shed T1 and T2 were covered with hessian clothes except the ventilators. The roof shed painted with black colour on top and white colour inside along with hydrated lime mixed bedding material (T1) might have provided better and comfortable micro environment both in terms of optimum temperature and hygienic condition that resulted in significantly (P<0.010) higher body weight in kids (9.59 ± 0.20 kg) than T2 (9.15 ± 0.17 kg) and T3 (8.96 ± 0.0.33kg) respectively. 

Laminitis is inflammation of sensitive laminae of the foot in horses and donkey. The front hooves are most commonly affected than hind feet. Laminitis can be mechanical or systematic, acute or chronic, unilateral or bilateral or sometimes all four feet were affectedDonkeys appear to be particularly susceptible to laminitis may be due to live in the desert and dry area so their ‘good bacteria’ are even more sensitive to carbohydrate overload than those of ponies and horses there certainly is no lush grass in the desert and dry area. A two year old male donkey walking very tenderly and repeated raising of left hind leg. The affected hind leg foot was cleaned with 1% Kmno4 solution for avoiding secondary bacterial infection Inj. Meloxicam 35mg I/M, in, inj. Strepto penicillin 500mg I/M were given. The affected left hind leg was exposed to infra red light for 5 minutes and hot fomentation was given with hot salt and hot rice bran mixture. Iodine ointment was applied over the swollen coronary band area of left foot.

In animal breeding, genetic disorders are one of the most important issues for breeders. The present study was carried out to genotype HF crossbred cattle for FXI deficiency and CVM using PCR and PCR-RFLP using 50 blood samples. Amplicons of 244 bp for FXI gene and the 287 bp for SLC35A3 gene were successfully amplified. Analysis of amplicons of FXI gene revealed single 244 bp fragment which indicates absence of mutant allele. The amplicons of 287 bp of SLC35A3 gene was digested with Pst I RE which revealed two fragments of size 264 bp and 23 bp  for normal animals. In the present study, out of fifty HF crossbred animals screened neither carrier nor affected animals were found for FXID and CVM.

Microbial quality of air in a dairy processing plant was evaluated to ascertain the contribution of air as a source of contamination and spoilage of milk and milk products. The mean total aerobic counts obtained in the air by sedimentation method were 32.66 ± 3.82, 25.32 ± 4.17 and 33.36 ± 3.53 cfu/m 2 in raw milk reception dock, pasteurization room and product preparation room respectively. The respective mean total coliform counts were 1.52 ± 0.14, 0.66 ± 0.08 and 0.99 ± 0.16 cfu/ m2. Total coliform count observed in the raw milk reception dock was significantly higher (P< 0.01) than the other areas.  The mean Staphylococcal counts were 2.52 ± 0.10, 3.84 ± 0.31and 5.82 ± 0.30 cfu/ m2. The product preparation room showed highest mean Staphylococcal counts followed by pasteurization room and raw milk reception dock.  The mean yeast and mould counts obtained were 5.42 ± 0.39, 3.84 ± 0.31and 5.82 ± 0.30 cfu/ m2  in raw milk reception dock, pasteurization room and product preparation room respectively. Effect of fumigation on the microbial quality of air in the dairy processing area was also studied by comparing the microbial load in the air before and after fumigation. Fumigation practice followed in the dairy processing area was highly effective against total aerobic organisms, coliforms, and Staphylococci but not very effective in the case of yeast and moulds.

Odontotermes formosanus termites are recognized as one of the major ecosystem engineers in tropical soils. This termite depends on intestinal microorganisms for cellulose digestion. Nine bacterial isolates from termite gut were identified using sugar fermentation and biochemical tests and confirmed by 16S rRNA gene sequencing. The aerobes isolated from the termite gut were Bacillus sp., Citrobacter freundii and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The facultative anaerobes isolated were Salmonella entrica, Enterococcus casseliflavus, Staphylococcus gallinarum and Serratia marcescens. DNA from these bacterial cultures was extracted for molecular identification by 16S rRNA gene amplification. The cellulolytic activities of these bacteria were assessed by congo red assay. This study revealed the presence of cellulolytic aerobic and facultative anaerobic bacteria in the gut of termite Odontotermes formosanus which could be manipulated for their cellulose digestion in rumen.