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.

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.

In the present study, red acrylic delta traps were fabricated and evaluated in piggery and cattle farms to trap house flies. Two different pellet baits; one containing (Z)-9-Tricosene, fish meal and molasses (FMP) and other with added antioxidant, butylated hydroxy toluene (FMPB) were used in the traps. In piggery and cattle farms, the traps were suspended at a height of six feet from ground level using metal wires at a distance of three meters between each trap. Each trial was conducted for seven days and the trial was repeated six times continuously without replacement of baits. Trapped flies were counted after each trial. In piggery farm, a total of 1232 flies were trapped, out of which 454 and 778 flies were trapped in FMP and FMPB pellet baited traps, respectively. Total number of flies trapped in the first, second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth week of the study period was 308, 247, 196, 133, 204 and 144, respectively. In cattle farm, a total of 435 flies were trapped, out of which 160 flies were trapped in FMP pellet baited traps and remaining 63.21 per cent (275 flies) were trapped in FMPB pellet baited traps. Total number of flies trapped in the first, second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth week of the study period was 134, 96, 82, 55, 27 and 41, respectively. The variation in trap catches of flies in traps baited with FMP and FMPB pellets was highly significant in both piggery (χ2 value = 170.42** p<0.01) and cattle farms (χ2 value 60.80** p<0.01). Delta traps were found effective in luring house flies and can be used in livestock farms to control house flies. 

Dairy farming plays an important role in social and economic livelihood of the farmers of Telangana state. An investigation was carried out to study the cost of milk production in buffaloes of dairy farmers in Karimnagar, Khammam and Rangareddy districts of Telangana. The data was collected from 240 farmers spread over 24 villages in 6 mandals in the selected districts. The 240 respondents were interviewed as per the questionnaire. The statistical data revealed that 51.66 per cent of the respondents belonged to middle age group and 28.75 per cent of the respondents were educated up to secondary level (up to 10th class). Majority (42.91%) of the respondents belonged to backward caste. Most of the respondents belonged to medium sized family. Majority (62.08%) of the respondents had nuclear family. Majority (39.16) of the respondents have medium herd size of animals and 40 per cent respondents were having annual income of medium level (Rs.75,000-150,000). Most (76.66%) of the respondents had membership in at least one organization, 35 per cent were marginal farmers, 67.91 per cent respondents followed agriculture + dairying as main source of income. Majority 48.75 per cent had extension contacts with gopalamitra, paravet, VAS/AD (AH). 

A 2  month old male German shepherd dog was presented to Veterinary Clinical Complex, Small Animal Surgery Unit of Madras Veterinary College, Chennai with the history of persistent regurgitation for 15 days. Plain and positive contrast radiographic evaluation revealed the dilated oesophagus cranial to the heart and tracheal deviation with constriction at the base of the heart. Surgical correction through resection of persistent ligamentum arteriosum around the oesophagus under general anaesthetic procedure. Post operative plain and contrast radiographic procedure revealed no evidence of barium stasis in the course of oesophagus and complete resolution of regurgitation. Recovery was good and normal feeding habit noticed 14th post operative day.

Low Hemoglobin Density (LHD) is related to functional iron availability and hemoglobin content. To assess the use of LHD as an anaemic indicator in canine babesiosis, 108 dogs with symptoms of canine babesiosis were selected and screened for disease by polymerase chain reaction. Blood samples were collected for estimating haematological variables, serum iron, TIBC, UIBC and LHD. Based on the haemoglobin, PCV and erythrocyte count the animals were grouped into anaemic and non-anaemic populations. LHD% was higher in the anaemic population (P<0.001) and it was negatively correlated to haemoglobin, packed cell volume, erythrocytes, MCHC and serum iron. LHD% was highly depend on serum iron (P<0.001). Receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curve analysis revealed LHD was 100.00% specific and 80.43% sensitive in identifying the functional iron deficient anaemia with cut-off value of 1.83%. This study reveals that LHD is a cost-effective parameter for identifying the functional iron deficient anaemia in canine babeisosis.

The present study was undertaken to analyze the factors determining the participation of farmers in contract Japanese quail farming. The primary data for the study was collected through a pre-tested interview schedule. The determinant factors for farmers participation in contract Japanese quail farming were assessed by the logit model and the results of the analysis revealed that the farm size and profitability were found to be the positive determinant factors and investment was found to be a negative determinant factor for the participation of farmers in contract Japanese quail farming.

This article attempts to review the role of indigenous chicken in rural India. Indigenous chicken farming is an age-old practice and an important tool to reduce poverty among the most under-privileged section of the Indian society particularly the rural tribes. It results in socio-economic development, nutritional and livelihood security, empowerment of women etc. among rural people. The surplus income earned from poultry rearing was used on education (33 %) and food (30 %). Majority (49.5 %) of the respondents reared indigenous chicken to meet petty expenses in Assam. Majority (67.5 %) of the indigenous chicken farmers were women, hence decisions for hatching, selling of surplus chicks eggs etc. were made by the women and they may be empowered greatly through improvement of their skills. It is an eco-friendly approach, where birds can exhibit their normal and natural behavior Birds are kept mostly on scavenging system, where they acquire their feeds through natural foraging, kitchen wastes etc. Rural poultry farming has been responsible to produce 40 per cent meat and 44 per cent egg requirement in India. Chicken eggs and meat are the only cheapest and best sources of protein, vitamin and minerals with high biological value for rural poor and marginal sections of people. In many parts of India, indigenous communities particularly tribal people not only consume chicken and eggs but also use them extensively in indigenous rituals performed to satiate gods, spirits of ancestors and nature, ward-off demons and evil spirits, get rid of bad luck, sacrificed during initiation of agriculture activities and new business, weddings, birth and death ceremonies. The additional income earned from indigenous chicken farming was used to improve their socio-economy.

The veterinary graduates and postgraduates should be enabled with professional abilities and employability skills to be successful in the competitive technology driven world. In order to know the background and socio-profile characteristics of the respondents, it is important to analyse these characteristics in depth. The socio-profile characteristics of people vary with the location to location, time to time and society to society. Therefore, the study was undertaken to study the socio-profile characteristics of postgraduates of SVVU and constraints faced by them to gain employability. The results of the research revealed that majority (53.34 %) of the post graduates belonged to first class category of academic performance and majority (66.7 %) of post graduates belonged to 24-27 years of age group. Nearly half (56.70 %) of them belonged to open category and half of the postgraduates hailed from the rural background. Majority (77.50%) of respondents were with medium annual family income and half (50 %) of their fathers were farmers. Majority (80.00 %) of the postgraduates had medium level of exposure to college library. While 61 per cent of them were aware of the job Veterinary Assistant Surgeon (VAS) and preferred VAS job after completion of B. V. Sc & AH. Majority (65.00 %) of the respondents had medium achievement motivation and 61.7 per cent of them were with medium level of hard work. The foremost constraints faced by the postgraduates were poor involvement of the students in learning process and lack of interest among the scholars to develop the employability skills.

A study was carried out to examine the prevalence of pregnancy toxemia due to inadequate feeding of local breeds of goats in India. Three hundred goats of local breeds in pregnancy were selected. They were assessed for feeding management through questionnaire, body condition score and pregnancy for number of fetuses with ultrasonography. The blood samples were collected and assayed for blood glucose level and β-hydroxy butyric acid (BHBA). The Body condition score (BCS) less than 2, blood glucose < 40 mg/dl and BHBA > 0.8 mg/dl were considered positive indicator for pregnancy toxemia. The feeding regime was documented in sub clinical pregnancy toxemia goats and the feed and fodder samples were collected from 10% of these animals. The predominant feeding regime for pregnancy toxemia in the survey was identified and further studied for Dry matter intake (DMI) and nutrient intake. The overall prevalence of pregnancy toxemia was 36.7 %. The incidence of subclinical pregnancy toxemia increased significantly (P < 0.01) in late stage (34.3 %) than in early stage of pregnancy (2.7 %) and was found to be significantly (P < 0.01) higher in animals bearing twins. The average DMI of pregnancy toxemia does (2.79 %) was significantly (P < 0.01) lower than the actual requirement of DMI 3.82 % during pregnancy. The average Metabolizable energy (ME) and protein intake were 1940 kcal and 45.2 gms which was significantly (P < 0.01) lower than the actual requirement of ME and protein intake of 2400 kcal and 58.6 g respectively, during late stage of pregnancy. Hence, the pregnant goats should be fed with adequate nutrients and twins carrying animals should be assessed for their BCS, blood glucose and BHBA to prevent the incidence of pregnancy toxemia disorder.