The present study was carried out in eight highly duck populated districts comprised of four clusters of Tamil Nadu. From each of the clusters, 40 duck farmers were selected randomly to study their socio-economic status. Using a pre-tested, structured schedule, data were collected through face to face interview method. The results of the study revealed that 50.60 per cent of the farmers belonged to old age group (Above 45 years). Most of the farmers were married (92.50 %) and majority of them were found to be illiterate (48.80 %). Most of the farmers found to be rearing ducks as their primary occupation (84.37 %). Highest proportion of farmers (43.75 %) had duck farming experience of 37 – 55 years. The risk-taking abilities of the duck farmers were at medium level (51.50 %). Nearly one-half (48.75 %) of the respondents had contact with input dealers followed by 33.75 per cent had contact with progressive farmers for obtaining information’s related to duck farming. 

Ultrasonographic characterization of ovarian follicular dynamics was carried out in two subsequent oestrous cycles in Umblachery cows (n =10) from the day of observed oestrum (Day 0) to next oestrum. Two subsequent oestrous cycles were studied in all the animals. Out of 20 cycles studied, seven (35.00%), twelve (60.00%) and one (5.00%) cycle(s) had two, three and four waves respectively. The day at which the Wave-1 dominant follicle (DF) attained the maximum diameter varied widely from Day 5 to Day 11. It was also found that the day of Wave-2 emergence varied widely from Day 7 to Day 13 among the individual animals. The average diameters of anovulatory wave DFs ranged from 9.07 to 9.86 and that of ovulatory wave DFs averaged from 9.20 to 9.67 mm. The mean inter-oestrus intervals were significantly (P < 0.01) longer in cycles with three-follicular waves (22.17 ± 0.27 days) than two-follicular waves (19.43 ± 0.28 days). Even though follicular wave patterns were comparable with other crossbred and B.indicus cattle, smaller size of the DF and wide variation in the days to attaining maximum diameter and emergence of Wave-2 were found to be characteristic features of Umblachery cows. 

A biological trial was conducted to investigate the effect of bacteriophage on carcass characteristics of commercial broilers with or without bacterial challenge. Totally 180 day old Vencobb broiler chicks were randomly allotted into five dietary treatments designated as T1 to T5 with each treatment replicated thrice. T1 and T2 served as negative and positive control respectively, while birds in T3, T4 and T5 were exposed to E. coli on different days during 35 days course. Dietary treatments included T1 - basal diet, T2 - basal diet with bacteriophage in feed (50 mg/bird/ day up to 7th day and 25 mg/bird/day up to 35th day), T3 without bacteriophage, T4-bacteriophage in feed (50 mg/bird/day up to 35th day) and T5 - bacteriophage in feed (50 mg/bird/day up to 7th day and 25mg/bird/ day up to 35th day). E. coli was introduced orally in groups T3 and T4 on day 10, while T5 on day 26 (106 CFU/ bird). The bacteriophage supplementation to E. coli challenged birds had significantly increased the weights of eviscerated carcass, giblets, ready-to-cook meat; the cut-up parts like breast, back and drumstick compared to non-supplemented group. Results shed light on the potential benefits of bacteriophage as a natural alternate approach to antibiotic growth promotors in broiler production.

Resveratrol and silibinin are natural phytochemicals with considerable anticancer properties. They induce apoptosis of cancer cells by binding to various protein targets. Hence in this study, in silico molecular interaction studies were made between ligand resveratrol and ligand silibinin with NF-kB p50 subunit and p65 subunit, MMP9, caspase 3 and Bax proteins. The in silico molecular interaction revealed that silibinin and resveratrol interacted with five receptors with a high binding affinity and docking score making them novel inhibitors against various types of diseases. 

A two-year-old female Dobermann dog was presented to the Veterinary Clinical Complex, Veterinary College and Research Institute, Orathanadu, Tamil Nadu Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, with a history of unilateral epistaxis, dullness, and inappetence. Clinical examination revealed the presence of ticks all over the body surface and they were morphologically identified as Rhipicephalus sanguineus. Blood samples were analyzed for haemato-biochemical parameters and blood parasites. Giemsa stained blood smear revealed the presence of morulae inclusion over monocytes. The dog was treated with a triple therapy protocol, and supportive care was provided. The dog exhibited signs of recovery from the third day of treatment. Follow-up examination on the seventh day revealedthe absence of morulae stage of Ehrlichia spp. and a gradual increase in blood cells. 

Three cases of acrochordon were diagnosed by gross, cytological and histopathological examinations. Each case was an unique presentation, in which patient exhibited a soft, pendulous mass on the ventral thorax, right thigh and a small, firm growth on the tail. The affected animals were a six-year-old Rottweiler bitch, a four-year-old Labrador bitch and a six-year-old Labrador dog. All the animals appeared clinically normal. On gross examination, the growths were pendulous, soft and ulcerated. The cut surface appeared creamy white in colour. Cytological analysis of impression smears revealed individual to multiple spindle cells. Histopathological examination revealed a redundant dermal fibrous tissue covered by a hyperplastic epidermis. The stromal component appeared more prominent in these cases. Based on the gross and histopathological features, the cases were diagnosed as acrochordon.

A case was diagnosed as canine multicentric lymphoma based on clinical presentation, FNAC and ultrasonography and was treated with CHOP-19 protocol and remission was observed on 9th week but the protocol was continued up to 19th week and no signs of relapse was noticed. The animal was monitored every month for month after the treatment (19 weeks) animal showed no signs of reoccurrence up to 7 months. Multicentric lymphoma is a disease that the general practitioner can manage; it does not require referral to a specialized practice.

The use of metallic silver as an antimicrobial agent has been recognized for centuries. Silver nanoparticles (SNP) are now incorporated in apparel, wound dressings, appliances, cosmetics, paints and plastics for their antimicrobial properties. Generally, silver nanoparticles are prepared by a variety of chemical methods. In this study, we have used Phyllanthus amarus and Andrographis paniculata herbal plants leaves and stem extracts to synthesis SNP and were characterized by UV-Vis spectroscopy and Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM). SNP capped with plant extracts gave absorption peak at 420 nm as expected for silver and broadening of peak were also noticed. TEM images suggested that they were of almost spherical shape and in the range of 7-60 nm in size. Antibacterial activity of plant extracts capped SNP were tested in Mueller-Hinton agar by well diffusion method against Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, Proteus vulgaris, Escherichia coli and Salmonella Typhimurium.  SNP of 1 mg/ml and 5 mg/ml of P.amarus exhibited almost similar antibacterial activity, whereas, 5mg/ml, not 1 mg/ml of SNP capped with A. paniculata exerted antibacterial activity. The highest zone of inhibition was noticed against B.subtilis followed by S.aureus and P.vulgaris and the least zone of inhibition was observed against E.coli and S.Typhimurium. Green synthesis of SNP is cost effective and environment friendly. Further studies are required to explore the possibility of use of P.amarus capped silver nanoparticles for the treatment of burn and wound.

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. 

Restraining gadget for Indian poisonous snakes like Indian cobra and Russell’s Viper were designed, using available infrastructures. Tongs, collapsible tubes and bags were designed and applied in the poisonous snakes in order to have better restraining activities. These snakes reared at Guindy Snake Park Trust were successfully restrained, using the gadgets developed. However these gadgets were found not suitable for restraining procedure associated with Saw scaled viper and Common krait. The gadgets developed were useful for zoo veterinarians for control of these serpentines.