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.

The carrot tops had high crude protein (144 g/kg), calcium (24.3 g/kg) and phosphorus (7.7 g/kg), comparable to sun hemp (Crotalaria junctea), fodder berseem and oil cakes, respectively. Milk from animals fed with carrot tops were free from residues of organochlorine, carbamate and organophosphorus pesticides. Carrot tops are perishable in nature and hence were preserved as feed blocks to extend shelf life. The nutritional value and keeping quality of the blocks were also studied. The studies revealed that carrot whole tops can be a promising alternate source of green fodder, especially in hilly regions where there is a shortage of green fodder during winter.

A comparison of milk yield and composition of various indigenous and crossbred cattle was undertaken to evaluate their performance in the subtropical high altitudes of Kerala. A total of 173, 95, 63 and 63 morning milk samples from 42 CBHF, 12 Vechur, six Sahiwaland six Kankrej cows of early second lactation were analyzed for total solids, fat, solids-not-fat, lactose, protein and chloride by conventional  methods. Least squares analysis revealed that breed and test-day climate significantly influenced the milk yield and composition (P >0.05). The mean lactation yield in Vechur, Sahiwal, Kankrej and CBHF were 514.62 ± 42.87 Kg, 1025.65 ± 358.15 Kg, 1102.45 ± 358.15 Kg and 1763.93 ± 128.16 Kg respectively. Kankrej had higher fat and total solids while Vechur had higher SNF, protein and lactose (P >0.05). Vechur had lesser seasonal fluctuations in major constituents, indicating it’s adaptability and climatic resilience as the native breed of Kerala.

A study was undertaken to evaluate carbohydrate and protein fractions of crop residue based complete rations as per the procedure of Cornel Net Carbohydrate and Protein (CNCPs) system.  Three iso-nitrogenous complete rations were prepared comprising of maize stover (T1) straw , red gram straw (T2) and black gram (T3) and concentrate mixture in 60: 40 ratio, respectively and were analyzed for CNCPS fractions. Maize stover contained lower (P<0.01) lignin (% NDF) compared to red gram or black gram straws. Lignin (% NDF) was lower (P<0.01) and starch (% NSC) was higher (P<0.01) in T1  when compared to T2 or T3. NDICP (% CP) was higher (P<0.01) and ADICP (% CP) was lower (P<0.01) in T1 when compared to other complete rations. Carbohydrate fraction CA (% CHO) was higher (P<0.01), while fraction CC (% CHO) was lower (P<0.01) in T1 when compared to other complete rations. Protein fractions PB1 and PB3 (% CP) were higher (P<0.01) in T1 while the fraction PC (% CP) was similar among the complete rations under study. Similar trend of higher (P<0.01) CA, PB2 and PB3 and lower (P<0.01) CC fractions were observed in maize stover than in red gram or black gram straw. The present study concluded that complete ration (T) comprising of maize stover was better in terms of carbohydrate and protein fractions with higher (CA, PB1and PB3) and lower CC and PC fractions when compared to other complete rations.

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. 

The selection of breeding bucks stands as a pivotal decision in both organised and field populations aiming for genetic enhancement. Incorporating bucks with high genetic merit into breeding programme holds the potential to significantly elevate the overall productivity of the stock. This, in turn, serves to augment the economic viability of rural goat keepers who adhere to zero-input management systems. Hence, gaining a comprehensive understanding of the influence exerted by non-genetic factors on semen characteristics among bucks within a particular breed is imperative for effective breeding management. In this study, a total of 108 ejaculates from four adult Kanni Adu bucks were analysed to determine the effect of season and order of the ejaculate on conventional semen attributes using linear mixed models with lme4 package in R software. The estimated marginal means for semen volume (ml), sperm concentration (million per ml), mass activity (0 to 5 scale), initial, pre-freeze and post-thaw sperm motility (per cent) were 0.623 ± 0.056, 3841.00 ± 238.00, 4.73 ± 0.08, 86.87 ± 0.02, 85.49 ± 0.01 and 56.15 ± 0.01 respectively.

An in vitro study evaluated the anti-methanogenic potentiality of aqueous and alcoholic plant extract mixture of ajwainseed and soapnut berries under different roughage and concentrate ratio-based diets in a 3x3 factorial design. Dried and milled plant mixture was extracted (10 g/100 ml) in three solvents, viz, water (Control), ethanol (95 %), and methanol (98 %). Substrate (200 mg) prepared by mixing wheat straw and concentrate mixture at the ratio of 30:70, 50:50 and 70:30 was taken in glass syringes (six per treatment) and incubation medium (30 ml) dispensed anaerobically. Aqueous, ethanol and methanol plant extract (0.5 ml) were taken in three dietary treatments of groups I, II, and III respectively. All the syringes were incubated at 39°C for a running duration of 24 hours and total gas production was calculated. Hundred ml of emitted gas was injected into gas chromatograph equipped with flame ionization detector for methane estimation. In vitro true digestibility of diet and ammonia nitrogen content of fermented medium were determined. Experimental data generated were analysed by adopting factorial ANOVA procedures. Results revealed that ethanol plant extract mixture had significantly (P<0.01) reduced the in vitro total gas and methane production by suppressing the true dietary digestibility of high roughage to low concentrate (70:30) based diet.

A 3 year old Spitz- Pomeranian mixed breed was presented with a history of bilateral hind limb lameness and walking in abnormal gait since birth. Radiographic diagnosis revealed bilateral lateral luxation of patella with deformity of both stifles. Surgical correction of congenital deformity was done on right hind limb using the technique of trochlear wedge resection sulcoplasty (TWRS) and transposition of tibial tuberosity (TT) which showed normal weight bearing and good functional outcome on 50th post-operative day.

The brain samples were collected from 10 calves and 10 adult Indian buffaloes. Routine histological and histochemical processing and sectioning were done. The hippocampus was a curved elevation, lying immediately ventral to the splenium of the thalamus. Longitudinal section showed the ependyma, the alveus, the stratum oriens, the stratum pyramidale, the stratum radiatum, the stratum lacunosum and the stratum moleculare from above downwards. The prominent layer was the stratum pyramidale, composed of pyramidal cells in 2-3 rows. The four fields of the cornu ammonis, (CA1, CA2, CA3 and CA4) were identified based on the sizes of the pyramidal cells and their dendritic arborizations, both in the calf and in the adult. The presence of mucopolysaccharides was recorded. 

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.