The current study was designed to evaluate the influence of three different ground vegetable oil seeds on various physico-chemical, microbiological and sensory attributes of chicken sausages from spent broiler breeder hen stored under frozen (-18±1°C) condition. Chicken sausages were incorporated with ground poppy, sesame and peanut seeds each at 10 % level separately as three treatments and were analyzed for their keeping quality along with high fat control. The mean values of FFA, TBARS, tyrosine values, standard plate count, psychrophilic count and yeast and moulds counts were significantly (P<0.05) influenced by formulation during frozen storage and values increased significantly (P<0.05) throughout the storage period in all chicken sausages. Chicken sausages with ground sesame scored lowest standard plate counts (5.66 log CFU/g) than any others after 180 days of storage at 18±1°C. Coli forms, lacto bacillus and anaerobic counts could not be detected during entire storage period. Scores for all sensory attributes decreased significantly (P<0.05) during storage in all treatments irrespective of formulation. Study proved that, the three ground vegetable oil seeds were effective by delaying the lipid oxidation, microbial growth and preserving sensory quality during frozen storage and among them ground sesame seed was more potent to be a better preservative.

A study was planned to analyze the changes in livestock population growth rates and its trends in Tiruvarur district. Tiruvarur shares 2.94 per cent of goat and 2.1 per cent of cattle population to the respective population of Tamil Nadu. The remaining livestock species (buffalo, sheep, pig and poultry) including poultry share of Tiruvarur to states respective species population was negligible, contributing less than one per cent. Recent 20th census, evinced a positive growth rate with highest favourable growth rate of 64.65 per cent for poultry, followed by 2.3 per cent in cattle and 1.44 per cent for goat population of Tiruvarur. Negative growth rates were recorded for other species, which was found to be similar to the state population growth trend. Tiruvarur had a decrease in total livestock population and species-wise too showing negative growth rates between inter census period. Percentage population change over from the base year was 3.23% for goat whereas this was on negative trend for all other species. Analyzing the compositional share of livestock population, goat had the highest share with 53.03±2.62 per cent. All other livestock showed a decreasing trend from 16th to 20th census in Tiruvarur livestock population change. Inadequate infrastructure facilities (77.3%) topped among the five constraints analysed, followed by non-availability of feeds and fodders, mortality and environmental factors. Least constraint was found to be marketing facility. It can be concluded that increasing demand for goat meat, which fetch high remunerative price along with easy managemental practices and favorable conducive environment than other livestock, makes goat farming a highly suitable farming system for Tiruvarur.

A total of 203 blood samples were collected along with data on age at first calving from Murrah / graded Murrah buffaloes maintained at different organized farms. Genomic DNA isolation and Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) were performed to amplify the PCR products and were digested with HpaI restriction enzymes overnight. Population genetic indices was calculated based on basic statistical tools. At the MTNR1A / HpaI locus, three genotypes viz., CC, CT and TT identified, with frequencies of 0.225, 0.505 and 0.270 respectively. The allele frequencies of C and T alleles were 0.478 and 0.522 respectively. The overall means of age at first calving was 1385.76 ± 24.31 days. Individuals with the CT and TT genotypes (1356.78 ± 33.03 and 1378.38 ± 37.66 days) had shorter age at first calving than CC genotype (1422.14 ± 53.01 days) and the differences were statistically significant (P<0.05).

A study was conducted to evaluate the biomass yield and proximate composition of biomass from the natural pastures of Madras Red sheep. Eight villages were selected from the habitat of Madras Red sheep and 40 samples each during  rainy and summer season were collected to assess the biomass yield and proximate composition. The study showed that biomass yield and proximate composition were higher during the rainy season during which these sheep completed their breeding, reproduction and lactation. The total dry matter content was higher during the summer season which was able to meet maintenance requirement of sheep during these months. Farmers managed these animals without any supplementary feeding, but during summer the animals were let in the harvested fields where they had access to crop residues for grazing.

Phylogenetic analysis of organisms not only offers crucial details on the genesis and evolution of genes, genomes, and species, but also helps with ecological and behavioural research while forecasting the magnitude and direction of future evolutionary trends in living things. In the present study, cytochrome b gene sequence of mitochondrial DNA obtained from captive Bengal tiger (Panthera tigris) from the Arignar Anna Zoological Park, Vandalur, was phylogenetically analysed with reference sequences of cytochrome b gene of fourteen sequences of the genus Panthera obtained from NCBI gen bank database. The similarities and differences between the different sequences were studied and the use of phylogenetic analysis as a forensic tool for investigation was discussed. The phylogenetic tool can also be used for pedigree checking where the parentage details are maintained and the place of origin of the species can be traced in case of samples seized during animal poaching.

A proper care, prompt reporting and immediate surgical inervention will save the life of the animal. A four year old pluriparous doe was presented with the history of dog bitten wound with eviscerated mass from the injured site at the left lateral aspect of the abdomen. The goat was kept on lateral recumbancy, on clinical examination revealed eviscerated rumen without any lacerations. Surgical area was prepared aseptically, under Inj. Xylazine as premedication and Inj. ketamine and inj. diazepam as induction anaesthesia reconstructive surgery was performed. Rumenotomy was performed to reduce the content and rumen was closed by the two rows of inversion suture. Peritoneum and transverse abdominus muscle were apposed by inversion suture pattern and oblique abdominus internus and externus muscle were apposed by interrupted suture pattern using catgut no 1. Skin was apposed by interupted suture pattern using cotton thread (no 8). Postoperatively Inj. Tetanus toxoid (5 Lfu), ceftriaxone @ 10 mg per kg and meloxicam @ 0.5 mg per kg were given intramuscularly and the animal was maintained with fluid therapy, antibiotic and analgesic for five days and animal recovered after one week.

A five-year-old intact male non-descript dog was referred to the Madras Veterinary College Teaching Hospital with a history of blindness, persistent fever, inappetence, lethargy and corneal opacity for a week. Clinical examination revealed pale mucous membrane, pyrexia, and enlarged superficial lymph nodes and ophthalmic examination confirmed bilateral corneal opacity (5/5) and related vision loss. Hemato-biochemical profile revealed anemia, thrombocytopenia, hypoproteinemia, hypoalbuminemia and elevated creatinine levels. The wet film examination was positive for Trypanosoma evansi (+++) and following which the animal was treated with Diminazene aceturate @ 3.5 mg/kg deep IM, tab. Prednisolone @0.5 mg/kg, oral hematinics and evaluated after 2 weeks. Corneal opacity cleared After 14 days of treatment; haemato-biochemical parameters were back to normal range, and after one week of clinical recovery, the dog showed neurological signs. Abdominal ultrasonography revealed mild splenomegaly, ocular ultrasonography revealed normal ocular structure. CSF was positive by PCR for Trypanosoma evansi upon which the animal succumbed to death.

A study was conducted to assess the heat tolerance of crossbred female (n=7) calves of six to twelve months of age for thirty days each in summer, monsoon and winter. Temperature humidity index (THI) was calculated at forenoon and afternoon in all the seasons and heat tolerance was carried out using Iberia heat tolerance coefficient, Benezara coefficient of adaptability and Dairy search index. The highest THI was recorded in summer afternoon while lowest was recorded in winter forenoon. There was a significant increase in THI from forenoon to afternoon in all the seasons. IHTC was within the reference value in winter forenoon while rest of the time it was below the normal. IHTC decreased significantly from forenoon to afternoon in all the seasons. BCA was above the reference value in forenoon and afternoon in all the seasons. BCA increased significantly from forenoon to afternoon in all the seasons. DSI was significantly lower in winter compared to summer. It was concluded that crossbred female calves have low heat tolerance during afternoon in all the seasons.

The efficacy of estrus synchronization for improving the fertility and fecundity was studied in 428 non-descript goats in Kanchipuram district (Tamil Nadu) selected based on clinical and ultrasound examination for synchronization. Non pregnant does were inserted with intravaginal progesterone sponge containing 300 mg of progesterone on day 0 and administered Inj. Cloprotenol sodium (Pragma) 125µg on day 10. The sponge was removed on day 11 of insertion followed by intramuscular injection of 200 I.U. of eCG (Inj.Folligon). Timed Artificial Insemination was done twice at 12 and 24 h interval using Tellicherry frozen semen. Among the synchronized does,359 does were confirmed pregnant by 30-45 days post insemination using transrectal ultrasonography with a conception rate of 83.87% and fecundity rate of 2.038. The study concludes that the progesterone based intravaginal sponge in combination with eCGcan be effectively used for estrus synchronization programme to improve conception rate and fecundity in non-descript goats at farmers flocks.

Hymen normally appears as a circular constriction between vagina and vulva. However varying degrees of persistence, from thin band to complete imperforate structure, may occur in all species due to segmental defects of paramesonephric ducts (Roberts, 1971). Complete obliteration of vaginal canal due to imperforate hymen was reported earlier in crossbred (Kumar et al., 2017), pure bred (Kumar et al., 2020) and buffalo heifers (Singh et al., 2010 and Kumar et al., 2016) with varying degrees of mucus accumulation. The present report places on record a case of persistent hymen with voluminous mucus accumulation in a crossbred heifer. Vaginal speculum was passed and held in position against the septum. A sterile intrauterine catheter was passed through the septum and thick cloudy mucus started flowing out following the catheterization. To facilitate easy and complete evacuation, suction pump was employed and about 15 litres of mucus was removed. After the fluid evacuation, per rectal examination revealed that the uterine contours palpable within the pelvic cavity. Ultrasonographic examination showed a clear band of tissue across the vaginal canal posterior to cervical region.