Antiviral activity of ivermectin was examined against R2B strain of Newcastle disease virus in 9 - day old embryonated chicken eggs. Five distinct concentrations (500, 250, 100, 50, 10 µg/mL) of ivermectin were used in the study. Haemagglutination test was performed to determine the antiviral activity of ivermectin by using chicken RBC. The results revealed that ivermectin can exert a significant antiviral activity against Newcastle disease virus at higher concentrations (500, 250 and 100 µg/ml) but with cytotoxic effects. On the contrary a moderate to weak antiviral activity without cytotoxicity was demonstrated at lower concentrations (50, 10 µg/ml).

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 pluriparous non-descript doe was presented with the history of dystocia. Clinical investigation revealed the presence of closed cervix and lodged multiple foetuses in the tract. Laparo-hysterotomy was performed and four foetuses were relieved, of which one was alive, one was still born and the other two were mummified. Thus the present report describes the incidence of quadruplets in a doe comprising of dual mummies along with a stillborn and a live kid.

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.

Cattle temperament is defined as the fear-related behavioral responses when exposed to human handling. As cattle temperament worsens, their response to human contact or any other handling procedures becomes more pronounced. The agitated and/or aggressive response expressed by cattle with excitable temperament when exposed to human handling can be attributed to their fear and consequent inability to cope with this situation. In addition to altered behavior, temperamental cattle may also experience changes in their body physiology, and the hormones produced during this fearrelated stress reaction influence several factors, such as growth and health. Within the cattle industry, producers select cattle for temperament, primarily for safety reasons. However, our recent studies demonstrate cattle temperament may also have productive and economic implications to beef operations. Stress increases stress hormones such as cortisol levels and results in lowering the levels of  reproductive hormones. Most cattlemen recognize that cattle under stress may not eat as well but may not know of its effect on reproductive behavior and physiology. This article will summarize our findings that could have an impact on the beef herd.

A biological trial was conducted to study the effect of multi enzyme supplementation on ileal digestibilities of dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP), ether extract (EE), phytate phosphorus (PP) and non-starch polysaccharides (NSPs) in terms of neutral detergent fibre (NDF), acid detergent fibre (ADF), hemicellulose and cellulose in broilers for a period of 0-6weeks. The broilers used in this trial were fed diets supplemented with enzyme at 0, 250, 500, 750 and 1000 g/ton of feed with a proportionate reduction in metabolizable energy (ME-1.25, 2.5, 3.75 and 5 %), crude protein (CP-0.75, 1.5, 2.25 and 3 %), methionine + cytine (0.5, 1, 1.5 and 2 %) and available phosphorus (2.2, 4.4, 6.6 and 8.8 %). The level of individual enzyme per gram of multi enzyme supplement was cellulase 146 IU, xylanase 241 IU, pectinase 98 IU, protease 74 IU, amylase 778 IU and phytase 33 IU. The ileal digestibility was conducted on 6 th week of trial. The ileal DM digestibility (%) was significantly (p<0.01) increased in 750 g and 1000 g enzyme supplemented groups than other treatment groups. The increase in ileal DM digestibility was significantly (p<0.01) higher (6.2 %) in the group fed with 750 g enzyme supplementation than control. The digestibility of ileal crude protein (%) significantly (p<0.01) increased in 500, 750 and 1000 g enzyme supplemented groups than control. The increase in ileal protein digestibility was 12.20 % in 500 g/ton, 9.90 % in 750 g/ton and 10.12 % in 1000 g enzyme supplemented groups than control. However a non significant difference was observed in ileal EE digestibility in all treatment groups. The ileal phytate phosphorus digestibility significantly (p<0.01) increased in all the enzyme supplemented groups (33.69 % in 250 g/ton, 38.75 % in 500 g/ton, 39.53% in 750 g/ton and 42.11% in1000 g/ton) than control (31.71%). A highly significant (P< 0.01) increase in ileal neutral detergent fibre (NDF) and hemicellulose was observed in 500 to 1000 g enzyme supplemented groups than control. Similarly significant (P<0.01) increase in ileal acid detergent fibre (ADF) and cellulose digestabilities (%) were observed in all enzyme supplemented groups than control. It was concluded that the multi enzyme supplementation at minimum inclusion level of 500 g per ton of feed increased the ileal digestibilities of CP, PP, NDF, ADF, hemicelluloses and cellulose by 12.20 %, 18.17 %, 13.57 %, 55.63 % 12.77 % and 52.64 % respectively than control in broiler diet than the control diet in broilers.

The aim of this study was to evaluate two different superovulation protocols for quality embryo production. Donor animals were selected (Day 0) and a progesterone device was inserted. The superstimulatory treatment was initiated in day 7 (D7) with follicle stimulating hormone from porcine (FSHp) in eight decreasing doses each at 12 hours interval. Along with the fifth dose of FSHp, 500μg cloprostenol was administered. The progesterone device was removed 12h (Treatments P12) and 24 h after the first application of cloprostenol (Treatments P24). Twelve hours after the eighth dose of FSHp (D11) 25µg of Buserelin was administered and the inseminations were done after 12 and 24 hours. Embryos were collected in the forenoon of D18. P24 presented better results than the P12 treatment.

One hundred lambs (11.8 kg ± 0.56) divided at random into 4 groups G1, G2, G3 and G4 were supplemented with exogenous fibrolytic enzyme mixture (EFE) in concentrates after 6 hours outside grazing. G1 and G2 were given 200 and 400 g of EFE per 50 kg feed in dry form, G3 and G4 were given EFE in solubulized form at 20 and 40 g per litre of water, respectively. The initial and final weights (kg) were non-significant among treatments. The total weight gain (kg) was higher (P<0.05) for G4 and G2 as compared to other two. Average daily gain (g) was highest (P<0.05) for G4 followed by G2, G1 and G3. Total weight gain (%) is 15, 7.6 and 16.5 lower (P<0.05) for G1, G2 and G3 (Table) as compared to G4. Lowest (P<0.05) FCR was observed for G4 and is in the order of G4< G2< G1< G3. The cost of the feed per kg gain was lower (P<0.05) by 21%, 26% and 13% for G4 as compared to G1, G2 and G3. It can be concluded that addition of EFE in solubulized form was found better for the reason that it forms a stable complex with the feed and thus facilitates for the rumen bacterial attachment earlier for rapid action due to an increase in rumen bacterial population

Ceftizoxime is the third generation cephalosporin, extensively used in veterinary medicine. It has larger volume of distribution, good penetration into tissues, and useful for the treatment of mastitis which is resistant to other antibiotics. Keeping in view of generating pharmacokinetic data of ceftizoxime in different domestic animals, the present study was planned to investigate pharmacokinetics of ceftizoxime in goats (n = 6) at the dose rate of 10mg kg-1 body weight following single dose intravenous administration. Drug concentration in plasma was determined using High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) with UV detector. The values of Cmax, AUC and MRT were 44.40 ± 2.09 µg ml-1, 121.22 ± 15.40µg.h.ml-1 and 11.44 ± 1.30 h, respectively. The longer elimination half-life (8.92 ± 1.11h) along with smaller ClB (0.09 ± 0.01 Lh-1 kg-1) showed slower excretion of the drug from animal body. 

Milk marketing agencies (Tamil Nadu Cooperative Milk Marketing (TNCMM) co-operatives and private agency) and Department of Animal Husbandry (DAH) of the Government of Tamil Nadu were providing different services viz., breeding, therapeutic, preventive, input and extension services related to dairy farming. Availability and accessibility of the above services to the dairy farmers need to be judged from the perspective of the dairy farmers, so as to streamline the services in a more efficient manner. This study was conducted following exploratory research design to understand the perceptions of the milk producers on the availability and accessibility of these services in Salem district. Multistage random sampling was adopted for selection of 150 respondents (75 milk pourers of TNCMM co-operatives and 75 milk pourers of private agencies) from the blocks of Salem district. Randomly selected respondents were interviewed personally for collection of primary data. Majority of the respondents (80 %) of both the groups perceived that AI services were accessible to them both at institution as well as at doorstep. The study also reveals that none of the agencies were able to deliver the dairy husbandry services to the farmers in a comprehensive manner. The dairy farmers preferred to have services delivered at their doorsteps for the obvious reason of the difficulty of taking the animal to the established centres.