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). 

Faecal samples of 264 sheep from 4 different sheep farms belonging to three different districts of Karnataka were screened to note the incidence of gastrointestinal nematodes. It was found that 93% of the sheep harboured strongyle infection. The faecal egg counts were found to be light to moderate. The in vitro egg hatch assay was employed to assess the resistance of strongyles in 4 sheep farms. The ED50 value for albendazole ranged between 2.5μg/ml to 6.9 μg/ ml which indicated the resistance of the gastrointestinal nematodes. All the samples were also subjected to another in vitro test, viz., larval development assay. The values ranged between 3-2μg to 4.2μg / ml which also indicated the development of resistance to albendazole. Larval paralysis assay confirmed the development of resistance to albendazole. 

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.

The present study was conducted to study the vitreous humor between eye differences and baseline values of potassium, sodium, calcium and glucose immediately after death in dogs. Eight canine carcasses brought for necropsy formed the material for collection of vitreous humour in the present study. The information regarding time of death was gathered from dog owners, clinicians and clinical records. Eyes were enucleated as soon as possible after receiving carcass for postmortem. Sampling of vitreous humor was done using 16 gauge needle and 20 ml syringe. The needle was inserted at the lateral angle of eyeball so that the tip of needle was placed at the center of the eyeball. About 50 µL vitreous humour was gently aspirated from each eye and transferred to eppendorf tubes. Sampling of vitreous humour was done within 1-4 hours after death. The aspirated vitreous humour samples were centrifuged at 13,000 rpm for 15 min at 50C temperature and the supernatant was used for analysis. The average vitreous humour concentrations of potassium, sodium, calcium and glucose estimated within 1-4 hours after death were 8.18±0.31 mEq/L, 152.55±4.46 mEq/L, 9.52  ±0.20 mg/dL and 21.70±4.50 mg/dL respectively. The results of this study indicated that there were no significant differences between left and right eye  for all of the vitreous biochemical constituents that were studied in present study (estimated within 1-4 hours after death).

The present study describes the cloning and expression of endoglucanase gene from termite gut bacteria. Salmonella enterica with cellulolytic activity was  isolated from the gut of the termite Odontotermes formosanus and characterized by sugar fermentation tests, biochemical tests and 16S rRNA  sequencing. Endoglucanase gene was amplified from the genomic DNA of the bacteria and the purified 1.72 Kbp Polymerase chain reaction product was cloned into pET100 prokaryotic vector. The recombinant plasmid expressed a 65kDa endoglucanase which reacted with anti His-HRP antibody in western blotting. Cellulolytic activity of the recombinant plasmid was confirmed by congo red assay and the enzyme activity was found to be 54 Units/ml.

A study was conducted to analyse the migratory sheep production system in southern agro-climatic zone of Tamil Nadu. A total of 100 migratory sheep farmers were randomly selected for the study and divided as small (< 175), medium (175- 350) and large (> 350) flocks based on the average flock size for comparison. The migratory tracts were identified based on the results of the enquiry from the sheep farmers, animal husbandry department personnel and by direct identification. A total number of 78 migratory tracts comprising 28 major and 50 minor tracts were identified in the study area. The mean radial distance (km) of migration in major tracts was 317.00±6.21 and minor tract was 148.40±6.21. 

This experiment was carried out to study the effect of frozen storage on the physico-chemical quality of quail breast meat. Six weeks old broiler quails were collected, slaughtered, dressed hygienically. Quail breast meat samples were collected from dressed carcass which was packed in low density polyethylene pouches taking optimum care to avoid contamination and stored at -18 ± 20 C for 60 days.  Fresh as well as frozen quail breast meat samples were evaluated for physico-chemical and histological changes. Frozen meat samples were analyzed after thawing at 4 ± 10 C for 12 hrs at an interval of 15, 30, 45 and 60 days. It was observed that with advancement of the frozen storage period pH, TBA value, tyrosine value and drip loss increased, whereas moisture, protein, fat and ERV content of quail meat decreased. Pronounced structural changes reported at later part of storage in histological study due to formation of ice crystals in the muscles. It shows that quail meat can be safely stored for 60 days in frozen state without any marked changes.

The study aimed to characterise the genetic diversity of Kangayam, Umblachery, Alambadi, Bargur, Pulikulam, Deoni and Ongole cattle breeds present in South India. A total of 96 animals were genotyped for 27 FAO-recommended microsatellite loci. The genotypes were analysed using various bioinformatics tools. A total of 1340 alleles were observed across the 27 microsatellite markers and 7 breeds, with allele count ranging from 6 to 13. The average number of observed alleles obtained in Alambadi, Bargur, Deoni, Kangayam, Ongole, Pulikulam and Umbalacherry cattle were 6.59 ±2.15, 6.96 ± 2.05, 7.52 ±2.42, 6.19 ±2.32, 6.67 ± 2.11, 8.07 ± 2.13 and 7.63 ± 2.34, respectively. The highest number (Na=14) of alleles was observed in Deoni, whereas the lowest number (Na=3) of alleles was noticed in Ongole, Kangayam and Alambadi breeds of cattle. Most of the microsatellite markers were considered informative (PIC > 0.50) and the PIC values showed a significant positive correlation with the number of alleles (r = .517, p = .006), regardless of differences in allele size. The dendrogram among the seven breeds revealed that the Alambadi and Bargur breeds of cattle formed one cluster, while the Kangayam, Umblacherry and Ongole cattle were distinctly different from all other breeds of cattle.