This study aimed to evaluate a system that identifies cartilage turn over and/or degradation through measurement of a new keratan sulfate (KS) epitope concentration in equine sera. Blood samples were collected from 30 horses, 1 (n=15) and 2 year-olds (n=15). Serum samples were analyzed for an epitope of keratan sulfate by 1/20/5D4 (KS5D4) and new epitopes of keratan sulfate using high sensitive keratan sulfate (HSKS), measured by two respective enzyme-linked immunosorbant assays (ELISAs). There was no correlation in serum concentration of KS evaluated using 5D4 and HSKS. Age had no significant effect on concentrations of KS measured with KS5D4 while 1 year-old horses showed significantly higher amounts than 2 year-olds with HSKS. Results suggest that HSKS could detect early signs of cartilage metabolic changes.

Bone marrow derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) can be used to repair articular cartilage defects, these cells should be properly stimulated so that they could differentiate morphologically and hold cellular synthetic features closer to maturely differentiated chondrocytes. It is well known that tissue specific environment plays an important role in cell fate determination. Once improved isolation, proliferation and differentiation protocols have been developed, the likelihood of spontaneous differentiation of MSCs into divergent lineages will be reduced, thus increasing their value for cartilage repair. The purpose of this study was to improve chondrogenic differentiation of equine MSCs using coculture with mature equine articular chondrocytes (ACs), along with the determination of the effect of adding transforming growth factor (TGF) beta1 in the pellet culture system. Following confirmation of multilineage (adipogenic, osteogenic and chondrogenic) differentiation, isolated MSCs, ACs and coculture of both cell types were transferred into pellet culture system in a DMEM-based medium supplemented with or without TGFbetal. Chondrogenic differentiation was evaluated histologically and the relative mRNA expressions of collagen type 1 alpha1 (COL1A1), collagen type 2 alpha1 (COL2A1), aggrecan (ACAN) and SRY-box 9 (SOX9) were estimated by quantitative RT-PCR. Cocultured cells showed diffuse distribution of extracellular matrix (ECM), whereas in chondrocyte pellets it was more localized to central regions. Expression of COL2A1, ACAN and SOX9 genes were higher in cocultured pellets when compared to MSCs and ACs-composed pellets. Addition of TGFbeta1 in chondrogenic differentiating medium did not consistently amplify expression of the above mentioned genes. Differentiation of equine MSCs was enhanced by coculturing in association with mature ACs, improving expression of cartilage-specific genes and producing a more homogeneous production of ECM within the newly formed cocultured cartilage. The use of the coculture system could possibly enhance the capacity of MSC-derived chondrocytes to build up stable articular cartilage-like constructs, which could play an important role in articular cartilage repair and regeneration.

The objective of this study was to evaluate cost-effective intervention for enhanced fertility in buffaloes, which could otherwise remain un-bred for variable long time. A total of 165 postpartum anestrus buffaloes were examined gynaeco-clinically at farmer's door. The animals identified with corpus luteum in either of the ovary, were treated with 500 £gg of Cloprostenol, single injection or double injection at 11 days interval (Gr. I). The remaining animals with smooth and inactive ovaries were randomly divided in three different groups. The group II animals were injected 100-150 mg progesterone for successive 5 days and single injection of 500 I.U. of PMSG on seventh day. The animals of group III were administered with 20 £gg of GnRH analogue and 7 days later, with 500 _Ýg of Cloprostenol. A second injection of 10 £gg GnRH analogue was given after 48 hrs of Cloprostenol injection. Group IV animals received 50 gm mineral mixture daily for 30 days along with 30 Nutrisacc boli (1 bolus b.i.d. for 15 days). The proportion of animals that exhibited estrus were 89.13, 86.84, 82.35 and 59.57% and the mean treatment-estrus intervals were 3.97¡Ó0.46, 4.38¡Ó0.49, 3.08¡Ó0.23 and 21.78¡Ó2.56 days in group I, II, III and IV, respectively. The animals detected in estrus were bred by natural service using fertile bulls and diagnosed for pregnancy per rectum 50 days post service. The first service conception rate was 46.34, 33.33, 53.57 and 28.57 % in-group I, II, III and IV, respectively, while the overall conception rate was significantly higher (78.57%) in GnRH-treated animals. The cost of treatment in different groups was Rs. 160 or 320, 220, 525 and 150, respectively. The results indicate that better fertility in postpartum anestrus buffaloes can be obtained by GnRH therapy though; the cost of intervention seems to be higher than other treatments.

Therapeutic and anti-inflammatory potential of aqueous extract of Phyllanthus emblica (Common name - Amla) was evaluated in mastitic cows. The milk Somatic Cell Count (SCC) and ceruloplasmin concentration was significantly (P0.05) higher in mastitic cows prior to treatment. The parameters of mastitic cows treated with P. emblica (group III) and with amoxicillin sulbactum combination (group IV) were compared to that of healthy cows (group I and II). Significant reduction (P0.05) in Somatic Cell Count (SCC) was observed in both the treated groups. The level of ceruloplasmin significantly (P0.05) reduced in group III and IV after treatment. Results of the present experiment indicate reduction of SCC and ceruloplasmin level in the mastitic animals treated with the P.emblica extract. The extract of P. emblica significantly reduced (P0.05) the udder inflammation and helped in lowering the concentration of inflammatory marker ceruloplasmin. Therefore P. emblica extract could be advised for the treatment of bovine mastitis.

Therapeutic and anti-oxidant potential of vitamin E and selenium was evaluated in mastitic cows. The CMT point score and milk somatic cell count (SCC) was significantly (P0.05) higher in mastitic cows prior to treatment. Reduced activity of enzymatic anti-oxidant catalase was observed in mastitic animals. The parameters studied in mastitic cows treated amoxicillin sulbactum (group II) and with amoxicillin sulbactum, vitamin E and selenium (group III) were compared with that of group I healthy cows. Significant reduction (P0.05) in CMT and SCC was observed in both the treated groups. However, reduction in CMT point score and SCC was more pronounced in group III than group II cows. Synergistic action of antibiotic and vitamin E selenium significantly (P0.05) enhanced the activity of catalase in group III mastitic animals on day 8 time period. Therefore, vitamin E and selenium supplementation could be advised in the therapy of mastitis.

An early declining trend in haemoglobin concentration, concurrent with reduced total erythrocyte count and PCV% was observed with pentazocine or lysine acetyl salicylate (LAS) analgesic premedication in thiobarbiturate intravenous general anaesthesia in atropine-primed normal dogs. While the declining trend in PCV% persisted with pentazocine, it had abated at 1.5 hr with LAS pre-medication. No evidence of intravascular haemolysis or red cell morphological aberration was found. Alterations in the values of major haematological indices appear to be a passive consequence of volume changes in the splenic pulp: initial dilatation induced by the thiobarbiturate followed by spontaneous contraction back to original biometry. The observed early lymphopoenic-eosinopoenic response might reflect enhanced glucocorticoid titre during the anaesthetic stress.

Eight female piglets from each of three farrowed crossbred (75% Hampshire x 25% Local) gilts grouped as A, B and C were weaned at 28, 42 and 56 days respectively. Piglets of each weaned groups were divided into two sub-groups _ 'a' and 'b' consisting of 4 piglets in each. Piglets of sub-groups _ 'a' were supplemented with strategic mineral mixture while the piglets of sub-group 'b' were offered commercial mineral mixture. There was significant (P0.01) rise of serum oestradiol-17â at the pubertal oestrus compared to the levels before puberty in gilts. Oestradiol concentration did not differ significantly among piglets weaned at different days of age and between piglets supplemented with strategic and commercial mineral mixture. Serum progesterone was lowest during oestrus and highest on day 10 of the oestrus cycle in all the groups. Progesterone concentration in the piglets weaned at different days of age did not differ significantly. However, the level was found significantly (P 0.05) high in piglets supplemented with strategic mixture over the piglets supplemented with commercial mineral mixture.

Currently the diagnosis of renal diseases is based on thorough history, clinical examination, urinanalysis and investigation of hemato-biochemical profiles. But biochemical markers are not sensitive to detect early renal damage. Also usefulness of their estimation is limited in early renal failure when marked reduction of GFR may be associated with little change in their concentration. At present imaging is an important diagnostic tool for early precise diagnosis. Scintigraphy is a less known diagnostic imaging technique in veterinary medicine, although it is similar to competitive methods such as radiography, ultrasound and endoscopy. By all the other methods only morphological objects can be visualized whereas scintigraphy has the advantage of the so-called physiological imaging. Scintigraphy is able to visualize and quantitate distribution of different materials in living organisms indicating normal [physiological] or abnormal (pathological) processes of the object. This is a sensitive, specific and non-invasive diagnostic method supporting clinician's diagnosis, as a part of combined modality-imaging systems; it gives useful data for veterinary clinicians. Present study was planned to standardize the scintigraphic profile for healthy dogs. Perfusion index Mean ± S.D. for right kidneys and left kidney was 154.7 ± 40.05 and 169.0 ± 46.0. The mean percent uptake at 2-3 minutes was 53.56 ± 6.17 and 46.46 ± 6.17 for right and left kidney. Time taken to Peak (TPP) minute, which indicates efficiency of blood flow at both the kidneys, was 3.12 ± 1.21 and 3.03 ± 1.22 min for right and left kidney respectively. The T½ from peak count [min] for right and left kidney was 5.02 ± 2.24 and 5.15 ± 3.6 min. The GFR for right and left kidneys was 68.79 ± 33.67 and 61.62 ± 31.92, respectively and the normalized GFR when both the kidneys are considered together in healthy dogs was 439.48 ± 55.67.

Haematology and serum chemistry was studied in young (5-6 months) and adult (2-2½ years) changthangi goats (Capra hircus) to investigate the age associated changes in blood constituents. Significant difference was recorded in most of the haematological and biochemical indices between two age groups. Higher values were recorded for total erythrocytes (16.63 ± 0.61 and 12.79 ± 0.56 x 106 / cumm) in young and adult respectively when compared to reference values for goats which speaks of its adaptation to high altitude hypoxic conditions. The total leukocyte count (9.99 ± 0.72 x 103/ cumm) in young was significantly (P0.01) higher as compared to the adults (6.38 ± 0.65 x 103/ cumm). Present study has shown significant (P0.01) age related difference in differential leukocyte count, with neutrophils high in young and lymphocytes in adults. Biochemical studies revealed age associated difference with total proteins (7.48 ± 0.08 g/ dl), cholesterol (108.40 ± 6.26 mg/ dl), triglycerides (99.20 ± 7.79 mg/dl), LDL (20. 20 ± 2.01mg/dl), HDL (68.14 ± 3.65mg/ dl) and creatinine (0.92 ± 0.04 mg/ dl) higher in adults and enzymes like ALP (151.31 ± 10.26 u/l) and AST (165.43 ± 4.7 u/l) higher in young. The study indicated that age be considered while interpreting the clinical and experimental data.

The study was conducted to determine the role of Ca2+ and K+ channels in Moringa oleifera flowers extract-induced myometrial contractility of buffalo uterus. Myometrial strips were prepared, mounted in an organ bath containing Ringer Locke solution maintained at 37oC and responses recorded using a kymograph. Moringa oleifera flowers extract (MOFE) produced quite conspicuous and concentration-dependent contractile effect on buffalo myometrium and the EC50 value was found to be 31.62 ìg/ml. Verapamil (10-12M) not only completely inhibited normal spontaneous rhythmic contractions of myometrial uterine strips but also inhibited MOFE-induced spontaneous rhythmic contractions. Ethylene glycol tetra acetic acid (EGTA; 0.1-0.2mM) reduced both the frequency and amplitude of spontaneous contractions and also produced around 28% reduction in the amplitude of MOFE-induced contractile effect. Similalrly, pinacidil (10-6M-10-5M), glibenclamide (10-5M) and 4- amino pyridine (4-AP; 1mM) pretreatments inhibited spontaneous contractions as well as the contractile effects of MOFE (250ìg/ml). Based on the results of present study, it may be inferred that both the extra- and intracellular Ca2+ are very vital for the oxytocic effect of MOFE. Functional presence of K+ ATP, K+ V and/or K+ Ca channels in buffalo myometrium and their involvement in mediating MOFEinduced contractility can not be ruled out. Moringa oleifera flowers possessed promising oxytocic activity and can be exploited in drug-development programme for evolving natural and effective oxytocic or abortifacient.