The bacteriocin nisin at various concentrations (50, 100, 200, 300 IU/ml) was studied as a bio-preservative to extend the shelf life of standardized, pasteurized milk. A minimum of one-week extension in shelf life was obtained for standardized milk at 4°C. Higher concentrations of nisin showed no additional effect. The effect of nisin on physico-chemical, microbial and sensory qualities were also studied. Addition of nisin had significantly reduced the development of acidity and standard plate count during storage. Addition of higher levels of nisin had significantly affected the sensory scores.

A study was undertaken to assess the effect of betel leaves (Piper betel Linn) extract on the physico-chemical, sensory and antioxidant properties of khoa made from cow’s milk and stored under room temperature. The physico-chemical parameters viz., pH, titratable acidity, fat, free fatty acids, sensory and antioxidant properties were evaluated periodically at an interval of 3 days upto 9 days. The  result revealed that sensory evaluation of khoa was not influenced by the presence of 0.5 per cent aqueous extract of betel leaves up to 9 days of storage period with an overall acceptability score of 6.83. The physico- chemical properties of khoa showed an increasing trend in acidity and decrease of pH as the storage period progresses. The free fatty acids levels were well within the prescribed limit because of antioxidant properties exhibited by the aqueous extract of betel leaves. From the study, it was concluded that khoa with 0.5 aqueous extract of betel leaves restricted the production of free fatty acid compared to control due to antioxidant property of betel leaves.

Sub-adult Macrobrachium rosenbergii were reared in plastic tank and fed on Highly Unsaturated Fatty Acids (HUFA) enriched Artemia, unenriched Artemia and commercial feed in order to investigate the relationship of moulting to growth. Moulting frequency was found to vary according to diet. HUFA enriched artemia fed sub-adults had greater frequency of moulting than other feed.

The socioeconomic importance of nomadic donkey rearing, perception on health benefits of donkey milk and the marketing channels involved remain unexplored. This paper aims at providing details on nomadic donkey rearing, a traditional system prevailing in Tamil Nadu. Donkey played a significant role in the livelihood of its owners who had migrated throughout Tamil Nadu for selling donkey milk.  They traversed around 30 – 40 km per day to sell the donkey milk besides meeting the grazing needs of the donkeys. Majority of the nomadic donkey rearers were young to middle aged and were scheduled tribes. Two third of the respondents were involved in nomadic donkey rearing for nearly eight months in a year and for the remaining four months they earned their livelihood as  agricultural labourers. The study revealed that on an average, lactating jenny yield milk for six months. At the end of the lactation period, the donkey rearers sold the dry jenny to the traders and in turn purchased the lactating jenny from them. The nomadic donkey rearers believed that the donkey milk had medicinal benefits to cure ailments such as ulcer, indigestion, pneumonia,  jaundice, leukorrhea and hypernatremia. The respondents preferred institutional support in marketing donkey milk so that they could settle in one place and thrive better. 

To improve the production performance of white Guinea fowl, selective breeding was carried out continuously for six generation. A total 1000 Guinea fowl hatching eggs were procured from various government institutions and private entrepreneurs, and subsequently keets were hatched out and base population was created. The production traits were given due importance during selective breeding for six generations to improve both body weight and egg production. The traits such as hatch weight 4th, 8th, 12th,16th and 24 week body weight (g), FCR, livability, age at sexual maturity (days), Hen – Day Egg Production (HDEP) and Hen - Housed Egg Production (HHEP), annual egg number, egg weight (g), adult livability, total and fertile hatchability (%) were studied in all six generations. The day-old chick weight of all six generations ranged from 26.46 to 28.10 g. The 4th and 8th week mean body weight of the first generation white Guinea fowl was 180.85g and 481.69 g respectively, which increased to 220.95 g and 494.13 g, respectively in 6th generation. Similarly, the 12th and 16th week body weights in 1st generation increased from 767.12 g to 805.29 g and 951.04 g to 1079.15 g, respectively, at 6th generation. The linear regression analysis of 4th and 8th week body weight over generations revealed significant increment of 7.59 g and 7.72 g, respectively, per generation. Similarly, the 12th and 24th week body weight in each generation had a positive change with high degree of goodness of fit. The 12 and 16th week FCR showed a positive change of high magnitude over generations. The hen day and hen housed egg production (29-51 weeks) from 1st generation to 6th generation increased from 39.26 to 40.55 % and 37.53 to 38.83 %, respectively, during the course of selection. The total and fertile egg hatchability also showed marked changes due to selection with values varying from 49.52 to 53.14 % and 71.37 to 72.38 % across the generations. This study concluded that the multi stage short-term selection can improve both body weight and egg production in white Guinea fowl.  

Six adult dead ducks from neighbouring area of Namakkal district were brought for post-mortem examination with a history of chronic debility, morbidity and mortality to Poultry Disease Diagnosis and Surveillance Laboratory, Namakkal, Tamil Nadu. Post mortem examination of carcasses revealed that flatworms were attached to the lining of the mucosal epithelium and obstructing gastro intestinal tract indicative of verminous enteritis. The flukes were identified as Hypoderaeum conoideum. The parasitological studies revealed that H. conoideum was the cause of verminous enteritis in the affected flock.

A six-year-old Siberian husky bitch was presented to Small Animal Gynaecology and Obstetrics Unit, Madras Veterinary College Teaching Hospital, with a history of proestrus bleeding and prolonged breeding failure due to shyness. Based on progesterone value (8 ng/mL, artificial insemination was done. On day 45 post AI, ultrasonographic examination revealed the presence of a viable foetus and lateral abdominal radiography showed the presence of a single foetus. Based on the observations, the owner was made aware of chances of risk of dystocia due to single puppy syndrome and the case was kept under observation. However, the case was presented on day 65 of gestation with signs of inappetence and greenish black vaginal discharge for the past 6 hrs. Based on the Ultrasound examination, Radiography and progesterone concentration, the case was diagnosed as dystocia due to single puppy syndrome. Under local anaesthesia, episiotomy was performed and a viable foetus (650 gm) was delivered. The episiotomy wound was closed in simple interrupted suture pattern using polyamide (1-0). After one week of  postoperative care, the bitch had an uneventful recovery.

Animal body reacts to all kinds of injuries and stress to keep the homeostasis. Such resistance can be specific or non specific. Non specific innate resistance of the body like cytological and cytokine reactions including fever, leukocytoses etc. are known as acute phase response. In this response, there will be increase or decrease of serum concentration of particular proteins. These proteins are known as acute phase proteins. Measurement of serum concentration of these acute phase proteins are found to be useful in assessment of health status and prediction of diseases of the man and animals. Acute phase proteins like Serum amyloid A, C- reactive proteins, Haptoglobin, alpha 1 acid glycoprotein etc. are found to be more sensitive and specific than the routine diagnostic methods like white blood cell count. Use of acute phase proteins as biomarkers for animal disease diagnosis and health status assessment has got high potential in modern veterinary practice. Usefulness of the acute phase protein analysis in veterinary practice especially in dog, cat, cattle and pig practices is discussed in this review.

Length-Weight relationship was studied in Oreochromis niloticus niloticus, for a period of nine months from September 2012 to May 2013. The slope value (b) estimated for O. niloticus niloticus of both sexes was found to be 2.3133. The regression equations calculated for female was Log W = -3.4168 + 2.3133 Log L. The correlations coefficient was found to be significant (P<0.01). The significant difference between sexes of the species ‘F’ value was at 1% level. The b value differed from the ideal cube law of ‘3’ as is with the case of length-weight relationship studied in this species else where. The slope value was compared here could be very useful for comparison with the tilapia species in other geographical locations.

A new record of Axiidae off Thoothukudi coast of Gulf of Mannar, southeast coast of India is reported. Axiopsis consobrina species were newly recorded from Indian waters. The present species (Axiopsis consobrina) are recorded from Thoothukudi coast of Gulf of Mannar, southeast coast of India. One specimen was caught at the depth of 310 m as an incidental by-catch. It was found in tropical waters from about 08º 53.6’N 78º 16’E and 08º 53.8’N 78º 32’E/310m from Thoothukudi fishing harbour, southeast coast of India.