Di butyl phthalate (DBP) is a most important plasticizer which is suspected as reproductive toxicant and exposure to it has the  potential effect on the human as well as animal reproductive system. The research work was conducted to evaluate the repeated dose toxicity of di butyl phthalate in male wistar rats. The animals were divided in four different groups with 12 male rats in each group.  Group I served as control and was administered corn oil (2 ml/kg body wt.) while groups II, III, and IV were administered DBP orally at  the dose rate of 500, 1000 and 2000 mg/kg respectively for consecutive seven days. Three rats from each group were sacrificed at 24 hrs, 7th day, 14th day and 21st day after initial dosing. There was gradual decrease in WBC count, RBC count, Hb, HCT, MCV, MCH, MCHC, gradual increase in albumin, gradual decrease in total protein, glucose values, gradual decrease in relative weights of the  testes, epididymis, prostate and seminal vesicles as well as increase in liver weight with increase in dose of DBP in group II, III and IV as compared to control group at different intervals of sacrifice. Grossly reductions in the size of testes were observed only in rats that belonged to high dose group IV on 21st day. The plasticizer DBP was found to produce histopathological lesions in male reproductive organs as well as in liver in dose dependent manner after oral administration. The finding suggested that DBP can cause toxicity  lesions in male reproductive organs especially in testes and epididymis at the dose rate of 500 to 2000 mg/kg body weight in wistar rats.

The squat lobster, Munidopsis cylindrophthalma (Alcock, 1894) was recorded for the first time from the Indian main land coast while investigating the biodiversity of the squat lobster of Gulf of Mannar during April, 2013. One specimen of the said species was collected as an incidental by-catch in the deep sea 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 305-310 m. The present records show its extended distribution from Gulf of Mannar to east of Andamans and further to South China Sea. 

A study was conducted in buffaloes suffering with horn affections .The physiological and haematological parameters were within the normal limits in all the horn affections, but the plasma cortisol and C-reactive protein were more than the normal levels in all the horn affections for initial periods. A radiological sign like increased radio-opacity was noticed in the septic horn cases. Microscopic examination of biopsy samples of horn and skin following amputation revealed normal histology except in horn cancer where squamous cell nests and mitotic figures in the squamous cells were observed.

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.

The gross studies on the hippocampus were made on 10 specimens each of calves and adults of the Indian buffalo. The hippocampus was a curved elevation, lying immediately ventral to the splenium of the corpus callosum, dorsal to the lateral aspect of the thalamus. It occupied the floor of the inferior horn of the lateral ventricle. The ventricular surface of the hippocampus was covered by a thin layer of white matter, the alveus. Rostrolaterally the alveus joined a thick fibrous band, the hippocampal fimbria which connected the alveus to the fornix. On the ventromedial aspect, a deep groove, the hippocampal sulcus, separated this surface into lateral and medial portions. 

A study was conducted to analyse the migratory sheep production system in southern agro-climatic zone of Tamil Nadu. Reproductive performance of the rams and ewes was recorded through the questionnaire both in migratory and non-migratory flocks. Mean lambing percentage, twinning percentage, livability at birth percentage, age at first mating (months) in ewes, age at first mating (months) in rams, age at first lambing (months) and weaning percentage in migratory and non-migratory flocks were 93.56 and 91.50; 1.87 and 1.52; 98.32 and 98.73; 12.34 and 13.22; 19.64 and 21.44; 18.54 and 19.68; 85.98 and 87.15, respectively. The weaning period for ram and ewe lambs were 2.94+0.96 and 5.03+0.13 in migratory flocks and 4.82+0.13 and 6.06+0.17 in non-migratory flocks, respectively. Reproductive performance of sheep in migratory flocks was significantly better than nonmigratory flocks. The months of October,  November and December were main lambing season and the months of April and May were second lambing season.

Punganur breed of cattle in Andhra Pradesh is under the threat of extinction and efforts are being made for conservation, propagation of this breed under in situ conservation. All breedable female animals were bred to Punganur bulls available by natural service. The average birth weights of male and female calves were 10.31 ± 0.43 kg and 10.35 ± 0.75 kg, respectively. The mean height at withers, chest girth ,body length, pin bones width, paunch girth, poll length, tail length, and ear length in male calves  were 45.81 ± 1.05, 46.72 ± 1.34, 43.90 ± 1.29, 7.54 ± 0.73, 45 ± 1.2, 18.09 ± 0.94, 27.45 ± 1.77, 8.54 ± 0.7 cm, respectively. Majority of the calves were born with a mixture of white and brown coat colour, black muzzle, black colour hooves and black switch. The average lactation milk yield was 457.5 ± 81 liters with a lactation length of 153 ± 24 days. The average daily milk yield and peak yield were 3.04 ± 0.16 and 3.90 ± 0.17 liters respectively with an average 5.4 % fat and 9.53 % S.N.F.

The study was carried out to evaluate the effect of Saccharomyces boulardii (Sb) on performance and intestinal integrity in broilers.  A total of 300 day old Vencobb chicks were randomized in 5 groups, each with 6 replications (5x6) 10 birds per replicate. Groups provided with Sb ( 2 × 108 cfu/kg) in 0,0.02,0.04,0.08 and 0.16 mg/L in D1, D2, D3, D4, D5 respectively through water up to 42 days of age with adlibitum isonitrogenous and isocaloric ration. The results revealed, a significant (p<0.05) improvement in body weight gain, better FCR with increased concentration of Sb in water (D5). No significant variation was observed in feed intake with the level of Sb in water. Intestinal villus height, cryptal depth increased in groups with increased Sb. The results suggest that supplementation of Sb  at 0.16mg/L through drinking water  improved  the performance of the broilers by increasing the absorption capacity in the gut. 

Coagulase negative Staphylococci were considered as commensal organisms or contaminants with limited pathogenic potential. However, they are becoming more frequently associated with nosocomial infections in human and skin infections in animals. In this study, we attempted to isolate and identify the Staphylococci species that causes dermatological infections in dogs. Out of 35 isolates, 27 were identified as S.pseudintermedius and 3 as S.schleiferisubspschleiferi. Among three S.schleiferi isolates, 2 were closely related to S.schleiferi ATCC strain in pta gene sequences.  Methicillin resistant gene (mecA) was not detected in these isolates. All three isolates were susceptible to oxacillin, amikacin, gentamicin and tetracycline, intermediate susceptibility to ceftriaxone and resistant to Penicillin, ampicillin, sulphadiazine. S.schleiferi is an emerging cause of infections in veterinary patients. None of the isolate produced biofilm in microtitre tissue culture plate adherence method. This is the first report of isolation and identification of S.schleiferi from canine skin infections from India. Further studies are needed for early detection and virulence factors of S.schleiferi in the pathogenesis of pyoderma and otitis in dogs.