Growth dynamics of buffalo population and milk production and productivity in Tamil Nadu was analysed. Point to point annual compound growth rate (ACGR) was calculated to assess the trend in buffalo population and continuous annual compound growth rate (ACGR) for milk production and productivity. The share of Tamil Nadu to National buffalo population decreased from 5.29 to 0.72 % (1951 to 2012) and the buffalo milk production reduced from 4.01 to 0.46% (2001-02 to 2015-16). The ACGR of buffalo population in Tamil Nadu was -17.23% during the last inter-census period (2007-12). North Eastern and Cauvery Delta agro-climatic zones of Tamil Nadu registered high negative growth. The annual compound growth rate of buffalo milk production during 2011-12 to 2015-16 in  Southern zone was -27.37% and it was - 21.72% in North Eastern and -20.93 % in Cauvery Delta zone with overall ACGR of -16.85%. The ACGR of buffalo milk productivity was 0.61% (2001-02 to 2015-16) in Tamil Nadu, while the rate was 1.58% in India. Hence, rigorous implementation of buffalo development programmes is a prime requisite and need of the hour for improving buffalo population and milk production in Tamil Nadu.

Cattle temperament is defined as the fear-related behavioral responses when exposed to human handling. As cattle temperament worsens, their response to human contact or any other handling procedures becomes more pronounced. The agitated and/or aggressive response expressed by cattle with excitable temperament when exposed to human handling can be attributed to their fear and consequent inability to cope with this situation. In addition to altered behavior, temperamental cattle may also experience changes in their body physiology, and the hormones produced during this fearrelated stress reaction influence several factors, such as growth and health. Within the cattle industry, producers select cattle for temperament, primarily for safety reasons. However, our recent studies demonstrate cattle temperament may also have productive and economic implications to beef operations. Stress increases stress hormones such as cortisol levels and results in lowering the levels of  reproductive hormones. Most cattlemen recognize that cattle under stress may not eat as well but may not know of its effect on reproductive behavior and physiology. This article will summarize our findings that could have an impact on the beef herd.

Contamination of locally fermented cow milk (Nono) by pathogenic bacteria constitute a major public health problem. This was because contaminated milk was a good medium that can support the growth and propagation of microbial pathogens. This study was designed to assess the bacteriological quality of locally fermented cow milk consumed in Maiduguri, northeastern Nigeria. Totally, forty (n = 40) samples of fresh, locally fermented cow milk (Nono) were collected and used in this study. Ten (10) milk samples each were collected from four randomly selected selling points (Monday Market, Custom Market, Kasuwan Shanu and Tashan Bama). The bacteriological quality of each milk sample were analysed using standard procedures for isolation, identification and enumeration of pathogenic bacteria. The mean total plate count ranged from 1.44x10 8 CFU/mL to 10.31x10 8 CFU/mL, while the mean total coliform count range from 0.57x10 8 CFU/mL to 11.17x10 8 CFU/mL. Statistically, there was a significant difference (p<0.05) in the mean total plate count and coliform count of milk samples collected from the four sampling points.Bacteriological culture and biochemical identification of all the isolates revealed Escherichia coli29(72.5%), Klebsiella specie3(7.5%), Salmonella specie 2(5%), Staphylococcus aureus 14(35%) and Streptococcus specie15(37.5%) respectively. All the results were above the acceptable limits (1.0 to 3.0 x 10 5 CFU/mL for total plate count and no coliform count per 100ml of milk sample) set by NAFDAC. Therefore the Nono products consumed in Maiduguri was not safe and wholesome for public consumption. Hence, the need to ensure the maintenance of standard hygienic protocols during the collection, storage, processing and marketing of locally fermented cow milk (Nono) in order to minimize microbial contamination.

The aim of this study was to evaluate two different superovulation protocols for quality embryo production. Donor animals were selected (Day 0) and a progesterone device was inserted. The superstimulatory treatment was initiated in day 7 (D7) with follicle stimulating hormone from porcine (FSHp) in eight decreasing doses each at 12 hours interval. Along with the fifth dose of FSHp, 500μg cloprostenol was administered. The progesterone device was removed 12h (Treatments P12) and 24 h after the first application of cloprostenol (Treatments P24). Twelve hours after the eighth dose of FSHp (D11) 25µg of Buserelin was administered and the inseminations were done after 12 and 24 hours. Embryos were collected in the forenoon of D18. P24 presented better results than the P12 treatment.

Milk is one of the primary protein diets of high biological value available to the human population. As bovine beta casein gene is highly polymorphic with functional implications, this study was designed to detect the beneficial A2 genotype in the native Umbalachery cattle breed. Genomic DNA was isolated from blood samples of Umbalachery cows and A1 and A2 variants were detected by Tetra ARMS polymerase chain reaction. It was observed that the A2A2 genotype frequency was 82% and that of A1A2 was 18%. The A1A1 genotype was not detected in Umbalachery cattle in the present study. It may be concluded that majority of the Umbalachery cows retain their original beta casein protein variant that produce safer A2 milk for human consumption and that Tetra ARMS PCR is an efficient and rapid method that allows detection of single nucleotide polymorphism of A1 and A2 variants of beta casein gene.

One hundred lambs (11.8 kg ± 0.56) divided at random into 4 groups G1, G2, G3 and G4 were supplemented with exogenous fibrolytic enzyme mixture (EFE) in concentrates after 6 hours outside grazing. G1 and G2 were given 200 and 400 g of EFE per 50 kg feed in dry form, G3 and G4 were given EFE in solubulized form at 20 and 40 g per litre of water, respectively. The initial and final weights (kg) were non-significant among treatments. The total weight gain (kg) was higher (P<0.05) for G4 and G2 as compared to other two. Average daily gain (g) was highest (P<0.05) for G4 followed by G2, G1 and G3. Total weight gain (%) is 15, 7.6 and 16.5 lower (P<0.05) for G1, G2 and G3 (Table) as compared to G4. Lowest (P<0.05) FCR was observed for G4 and is in the order of G4< G2< G1< G3. The cost of the feed per kg gain was lower (P<0.05) by 21%, 26% and 13% for G4 as compared to G1, G2 and G3. It can be concluded that addition of EFE in solubulized form was found better for the reason that it forms a stable complex with the feed and thus facilitates for the rumen bacterial attachment earlier for rapid action due to an increase in rumen bacterial population

Physico-chemical parameters of fresh milt and mitochondrial activity of fresh spermatozoa of the endangered golden mahseer, Tor putitora (Hamilton) were investigated. Cryopreservation and fertility evaluation of cryopreserved-thawed spermatozoa of T. putitora were carried out. The concentration of spermatozoa and the spermatocrit values of the fresh milt were estimated to be 3.96±0.12 x 107 spermatozoa/ml and 70.00±1.53% respectively. The motility percentage of spermatozoa in the fresh milt was estimated to be 94.84±0.43. The elemental composition analysis revealed that the concentration of K+ was higher i.e., 14.13±0.32 mg/l when compared to that of Na+, Ca+, Mg+ and Zn+. The concentration of total reducing sugars and total proteins were estimated to be 51.79±0.47mg/100 ml and 40.57±0.75 mg/100ml respectively. The absorbance value of the fresh spermatozoa in Sperm Mitochnodrial Activity Index (SMAI) assessment by Nitro Blue Tetrazolium (NBT) assay was estimated to be 0.33±0.012. The optimum sperm: egg ratio was estimated to be 3.96 ±0.12 x 104+ no./egg. Hatching percentage of 45.97±1.72 was recorded for the cryopreserved-thawed  spermatozoa while the fresh milt control recorded a hatching percentage of 73.10±0.82.

 The experiment was conducted to assess the effect of replacement of maize by wheat bran on growth and feed conversion efficiency in Large White Yorkshire (LWY) pigs. Thirty weaned piglets were randomly divided into three groups and were allotted to the three dietary treatments, T1 (control ration as per NRC, 1998), T2 (50 per cent of maize of control ration replaced by wheat bran) and T3 (100 per cent of maize of control ration replaced by wheat bran) and maintained for 70 days. The daily feed intake, fortnightly body weight were recorded and average daily gain and feed conversion efficiency were calculated. The average daily gain and feed conversion efficiency were 813.00, 769.86, 678.43 g and 2.80, 2.88, 3.08, respectively for three dietary treatments. There was no significant difference in the performance between pigs belongs to T1 and T2 treatments but had higher average daily gain and feed conversion efficiency than that of T3 treatment. This study reveals that pigs fed diet with 50 per cent of maize replaced by wheat bran performed in a similar way to that of control fed group and was better than those fed diet with 100 per cent replacement of maize by wheat bran.

The present study was undertaken to induce gonadal maturation of Mrigal, Cirrhinus mrigala using Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (HCG) implants in captive conditions. The male and female fishes of C. mrigala were implanted intramuscularly with hCG implants at the dosage of 1000 IU/kg body weight, to study the effect of hCG hormone. Hormone implants were given once in two months during the experimental period of February to June. Histological observation in the ovary of C. mrigala revealed the presence of four types of growing oocytes namely perinucleolar, previtellogenic, vitellogenic and hydrated oocytes. Histological observation of the testis of C. mrigala showed the presence of five types of spermatogenic cell types namely spermatogonia, primary spermatocytes, secondary spermatocytes, spermatids and spermatozoa. Hence, the present study recommends that hCG implants can successfully be used to induce sustained maturation of C. mrigala in captivity even during off season. 

The present study was conducted to study the white blood corpuscles of Emu. The blood samples were collected from eight apparently healthy adult Emu birds and blood smears were stained with modified Wright stain for cyto-morphological studies of various white blood corpuscles. The Heterophils were round cells with lobed nucleus which was placed eccentrically. The Eosinophils often had a bi-lobed nucleus with abundant small, round, red - to - pink granules and light blue cytoplasm. The basophils cytoplasm had densely packed metachromatically stained granules. The small lymphocytes were irregularly round with round nucleus and a lacy chromatin pattern. The large lymphocytes had a homogeneous and an abundant cytoplasm which was more basophilic. The Monocytes were large cells with moderate amounts of blue - gray cytoplasm that occasionally had small discrete vacuoles. Their nuclei were pleomorphic with a lacy chromatin pattern. Deviation from the normal morphology of White Blood Corpuscles indicates disease and pathological conditions in Emu.