A study was undertaken with an objective of evolving substrate specific customized non-starch polysaccharidase mixture for effective utilization of sorghum stover and groundnut haulm. Enzyme activity (IU/g) assay revealed that the activity of cellulose, xylanase and pectinase were 1368.33±23.30, 2294.16±65.17 and 930.83±52.22 respectively. All enzymes were found to have associate activity of other enzymes. An invitro trial was conducted to identify the concentration range of individual non-starch polysaccharidase enzymes required for inclusion to sorghum stover and groundnut haulm for maximum hydrolysis. A second invitro trial was conducted to identify the precise concentration of individual non-starch polysaccharidase enzymes required for inclusion to sorghum stover and groundnut haulm for maximum hydrolysis. The third in vitro trial was conducted to optimize the concentration of non-starch polysaccharidase mixture for inclusion to sorghum stover and groundnut haulm for maximum hydrolysis. The efficacy of customized non-starch polysaccharidase mixture was further evaluated at three levels (viz the selected level, 10% higher than selected level and 10% lower than the selected level)to arrive at their optimal level of inclusion separately for sorghum stover and groundnut haulm.

With the aim to examine the effect of rearing systems on major meat quality traits in native ducks, appropriate experimental investigation was conducted. Research material included a total of 160 day-old native ducklings. The experiment was organized in two treatments with two replications each. Two different rearing systems were employed the intensive (cages) and extensive system (free-range). The native ducklings belonging to same hatch were procured from a local duck farmer and reared simultaneously for a period of ten weeks. Twelve ducks (six male and six female) from each treatment were chosen randomly and slaughtered at the end of rearing period to study meat quality traits in native ducks. Differences were significant (P<0.05) among sexes and rearing systems on pre slaughter live weight, eviscerated weight and various cut up parts, the corresponding values are higher for intensively reared ducks. Regarding sex, both male and female ducks exhibited differences considerably higher weight gain, carcass and cut up parts yield than that of female ducks.

Six dogs with unstable diaphyseal fracture of femur of different breeds of either sex and bodyweight ranging from 10 to 30 kg presented to the Small Animal Orthopedic Unit of the Madras Veterinary College Teaching Hospital, over a period of two years underwent fracture fixation with latest technique of linear locking compression plates. Different sizes and length of new generation locking plate system were used for different configuration of unstable fracture of femur. The post operative assessment of fracture healing was evaluated by radiographs at different intervals and estimation of bone specific serum alkaline phosphatase enzyme by fluorimetric methods. In the present study, the locking compression plating technique provided adequate apposition, stable fixation and promoted early weight bearing of traumatized limb. The locking plate system had a unique combi hole design in a single implant and enabled to select the function best suited for the fracture configuration to achieve the most stable fixation. The locking plate system acted as a single beam construct which increased the stiffness of the implant and was found appropriate in management of unstable or comminuted diaphyseal fracture of femur in dogs.

A clinical parameter study was conducted to file the reference serum bio-chemical values of Bonnet macaques (Macaca radiata) reared under captivity. The animals were chemically restrained and six blood samples (3 males and 3 females) were collected from the saphenous vein and processed. In this study, the mean ± S.E. of estimated value of serum biochemical profiles were close to the normal range reported earlier. But, serum glucose level was less and serum level of phosphorus was comparatively high.

Methane (CH4) is second major gas after carbon dioxide (CO2) responsible for the warming of environment and ozone layer depletion. Although CH4 production is necessary for efficient digestion, it represents an energetic loss of up to 12% of the gross energy intake in ruminants. Methane is produced by strict anaerobes belonging to the sub-group of the Archaea domain. The past decade has shown a lot of interest in the use of plant extracts to mitigate methane production in ruminants. Addition of plant essential oils, can limit the growth of the micro-organisms participating in methane formation in the rumen, thus resulting in the reduction of its production. Reduction of methane production in the rumen ecosystem is possible to achieve with the use of plantsaponins. Tannins have been found to be toxic for many of the rumen microbes, especially ciliate protozoa, fibre degrading microbes and methanogenic bacteria as a result of this methanogenesis in the rumen is reduced. 

Meat tenderization is the disruption of meat structure, breaking the collagen subsequently resulting in good palatability and acceptance by consumer. Tenderization could be achieved by the traditional method of ripening for a long period in controlled temperature with due precautions to prevent meat spoilage. In this process endogenous muscle enzymes viz. calpains, cathepsins and caspases are responsible for proteolysis of muscle. Other processes adopted for tenderization include use of electricity, heat, physical force (hydrostatic pressure), ultrasonic waves, shock waves in water (hydrodyne), enzyme action, use of vitamins, ionic compounds, mineral salts, and chemical compounds. The electrical stimulus of low voltage is more popular than high voltage due to the cost involved. Like endogenous enzymes, plant based exogenous enzymes also cause tenderization, but their activity should be monitored to avoid over-tenderization. Chemicals, vitamins and ionic compounds activate the calcium-dependent proteases and lysosomal enzymes, which are responsible for tenderization. 

An adult Nellore brown sheep was presented to Veterinary hospital with a history of swollen unilateral protrusion of left eyeball with congestion of conjunctival mucous membrane, exophthalmos condition since 5-6weeks. Clinical examination revealed blindness due to chronic keratitis and on palpation found a large fluid filled cyst in the left eye. With the surgical intervention the cyst was removed successfully along with its membrane from the retrobulbar region of the left eye and on parasitological examination it was diagnosed as Coenurus gaigeri cyst. Surgical intervention-involved treatment coupled with antibiotic therapy was proven to be an efficient way of managing retrobulbar coenurus cases.

Foetal mummification is a common condition in swine. A four year old Large White Yorkshire sow gave birth to one mummified foetus along with 7 normal live foetuses in 4th parity.

The  breeding  values  of  51  Sahiwal  sires  were estimated from the actual and predicted FL305DMY by applying four sire evaluation methods viz., least squares, simple regressed least squares, best linear unbiased prediction and derivative free restricted maximum likelihood. The derivative free restricted maximum likelihood method had lowest error variance for both actual and predicted first lactation 305-days milk yields and it was considered to be the most efficient method. The BLUP method was second efficient  followed by LSM and SRLS method.

Helminth parasites cause a wide variety of debilitating and frequently fatal diseases in animals. Paramphistomosis caused by the paramphistome Cotylophoron cotylophorum constitutes a major group of disease in domestic ruminants. The anthelmintic activity of Syzygium aromaticum on the motility and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity of the digentic trematode Cotylophoron cotylophorum was studied in vitro. The flukes were exposed to various concentrations of hexane, choloroform, ethyl acetate and ethanol extract of Syzygium aromaticum and the motility and mortality of the parasite were observed. As ethanol extract was very effective, further studies were carried out with five different sub lethal concentrations (0.005, 0.01, 0.5, 0.1 and 0.5 mg/ml) of ethanol extract of Syzygium aromaticum (SaEE). The electronic measurement of the motility of the treated parasites clearly indicate the direct impact of the drugs on the motility of the parasite. Maximum inhibition in the motility (86.27%) and AChE activity (86.86%) was observed in 0.5 mg/ml after 8h of exposure. Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) is an enzyme which is involved in neurotransmission. It is present in the cholinergic synapses in the central nervous system as well as in neuromuscular synapses where it rapidly hydrolyzes acetylcholine. Inhibition of AChE in the parasite results in muscular paralysis and the parasite lose its biochemical hold fast and get expelled from the host.