The present investigation was carried out on 25,499 weekly test day milk yield records of first lactation pertaining to 593 Sahiwal cows spread over 49 years located at National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal, India. The comparison of three lactation curve models viz, quadratic model, gamma type function and mixed log function was made in the present investigation. Mixed log function described the best fit with highest coefficient of determination (97.9%) with lowest value of root mean square error (0.025 kg) value. The peak yield of 8.08 kg in 8thweek of lactation was observed by mixed log function. The closeness of the curves of mixed log function and gamma type function with the observed lactation curve was of the same order of magnitude. The least coefficient of determination (77.8%) was observed in quadratic model with maximum root mean square error (0.081 kg). The gamma type function when compared to mixed log function, explained low peak yield and it is recommended that this function can give best fit for the low yielding cows.

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.

A trial was conducted to assess the influence of different methods of garlic supplementation on the blood profile of crossbred calves. For studying the blood profile, 18 Jersey crossbred calves of both sexes in the age group of 2-3 months were randomly allotted into three treatment groups of 6 calves in each group. Calves in the first group (T1) were supplemented with garlic powder at the dose rate of 250 mg/Kg BW for a period of 150 days in water whereas calves in the second group (T2) were supplemented with 250mg/Kg BW in concentrate feed and the third group (T3) was treated as control. The data on haemogram were collected and analysed as per standard procedures. There was no significant difference between the treatment groups in the values of either haemogram or serum biochemical parameters during experimental period.

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). 

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).

A 3 months old goat kid presented to Veterinary Dispensary, Chetiyur, Salem district Tamil Nadu   with case history of ring like patches on the body complete alopecia, frequent itching with thick and scaly skin . Dermatophytes are cited among the most frequent causes of dermatological problems in domestic animals. The superficial mycoses caused by dermatophytes are called dermatophytosis- Trichophyton are usually the cause of dermatophytosis in domestic animals. Trichophyton verrucosum is the major fungal agent encountered in case of goats. Direct microscopic examination of skin scrapping with 20% KOH revealed long chains densely packed chlamydiospore found with swollen hyphae. The skin scrapping materials cultured in thiamine inositol nutrient supplement selective culture medium. Long chains of densely compacted chlamydospores present in lactophenol cotton blue staining. The goat kid recovered within a week by external antifungal and systemic antibiotic and nutritional therapy with good hygienic management.

Commercial cocktail enzymes were collected from the market and evaluated for enzyme activity. Among the enzyme preparations which is having more enzyme activity was selected for invitro evaluation by using de oiled rice bran as substrate. The results of the present study indicated that a significant (P < 0.05) and linear increase in the release of glucose and reducing sugars with the increase in the level of enzyme mixtures from 0 to 7.5 mg / 10 g of DORB.

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.

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.