Wildlife species identification, based on DNA is a highly reliable method for the investigation of wildlife crimes. PCR techniques and microsatellite markers are extensively used for the identification of wild animal DNA in forensic cases. Mostly, genes like Cyt B, Cox 1 and 12S RNA are amplified coupled with sequencing, to confirm the species in question. In the present study, random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) PCR was performed with DNA samples from captive wild felids, canids and ursids and the finger-print pattern was analyzed for their utility in designing de novo diagnostic primers. DNA was extracted from the tissue samples from eleven animals (two numbers each from tigers and lions and one sample each from a leopard, jaguar, sloth bear, black bear, wolf, jackal and dhole). RAPD-PCR was carried out using different arbitrary decamers. Of the five decamers used, two decamers, namely AP7 and AP17 revealed consistent amplification patterns. Among them, AP7 produced monomorphic fragments corresponding to 500 bp for felids and 800 bp and 400 bp for ursids, while polymorphic bands were generated across the different genera. The decamer AP17 consistently amplified a 450 bp band from all the felid samples and polymorphic amplification with other genera. The potential for these RAPD amplicons for their applicability in the design-specific primers for genus/ species-specific detection of wild animal DNA due to their uniqueness is discussed.

Khillar is an indigenous cattle breed, predominant in Karnataka. Although, milk production of these indigenous breed is low as compared to crossbreds, these animals are reared for their sturdy nature, sustainability to draught, heat tolerance, disease resistance, adaptability to harsh climatic conditions and ability to survive and perform under scarce feed and fodder conditions. But, livestock farmers face lots of issues in management of Khillar Cattle. The present study was conducted to analyse the marketing and utilization pattern of Khillar cattle of Karnataka. A total of 240 Khillar cattle owners from 16 villages comprising 80 small farmers, 80 medium farmers and 80 large farmers were considered for the study and interviewed with the help of structured schedule. The results indicated that that majority of the farmers purchased Khillar cattle from the market (54.59 %) and most of them (58.75 per cent) selected the Khillar cattle based on both the breed characteristics and hair whorls, followed by hair whorls (21.25 per cent). Majority (89.58 per cent) of the farmers responded that negotiation followed by undercover method (10.42 %) was followed in the market. Among the overall farmers, Khillar cattle was majorly used for milking purpose (88.75 %), followed by use of Khillar bullocks for agricultural activities (52.5 %). Hence, there is an urgent need to assess and analyze the contribution of indigenous cattle in the livelihood of resource poor which may help the policy makers to take necessary steps to provide subsidized loan and insurance policies for the draught animals and also to provide basic amenities in the cattle markets.

Present study was undertaken to evaluate the shelf life of chhana podo prepared from 1% citric acid and 2% lactic acid and stored at ambient temperature (30+ 20 C). Microbial, physico-chemical and sensory qualities of product were studied during storage. The chhana podo were analyzed Standard Plate Count (SPC), yeast and mould count on alternate days. The SPC, yeast and mould count increased significantly (P<0.05) with the progress of storage at ambient temperature in 1% citric acid and 2% lactic acid products. No significant change in SPC, yeast and mould count was observed up to 2nd day storage but later there was remarkable increase in SPC (2.79 & 2.55) as well as yeast and mould count (12.40 & 12.30) at the end of day four. The significant reduction in pH, moisture and fat content in 1% citric acid and 2% lactic acid products during the progress of storage of 8 days, while protein content showed an increasing trend. All the sensory quality attributes of products made by 1% citric acid and 2% lactic acid were comparable up to 2 days of storage from then on declined significantly with progress of storage. Colour, body & texture, flavour and overall acceptability score of channa podo declined significantly up to the 4th days of storage. Thus, the findings of the study indicated that the channa podo could be safely stored upto 4th days at ambient temperature.  

Biometry and follicular parameters of porcine ovaries sourced from organized and unorganized-slaughterhouses and relative comparison of oocyte retrieval methods, namely aspiration and slicing, are reported in the present study. Average length and width of the ovaries, and numbers of surface and cystic follicles were higher in ovaries sourced from organized slaughterhouses. Average number of oocytes recovered per ovary by slicing (12.93±1.49) was significantly higher (P<0.01) than aspiration (6.36±1.02). However, aspiration yielded higher percentage (65.21±5.71) of good quality oocytes (A) (P<0.01) suitable for upstream applications of assisted reproductive technologies (ART). Further, our study reveals that ovaries sourced from unorganized slaughterhouses can also be used for ART, and use of aspiration method may yield better quality oocytes.

Nanotechnology has been used in a variety of medical applications, including diagnostics, immunisation, medication and gene delivery. Nanotechnology has opened up new ways for molecular biology and biotechnology applications, and it has revolutionised practically every area of veterinary and animal sciences by introducing new, small-scale instruments and materials that are advantageous to living species. Metallic nanoparticles, quantum dots, carbon nanotubes, magnetic nanoparticles, fullerenes,  liposomes, and dendrimers are among the several forms of nanomaterials employed in detection of various diseases, therapy, drug administration, animal nutrition and breeding. It is concluded that, before making nano-products available for animal use, extensive risk evaluations should be carried out to ensure their safety. So, this article provides an overview of existing and promising nano applications in veterinary research that may lead to increased efficiency and production.

The carcass characteristics of indigenous Siruvidai chicken were evaluated by sacrificing eight birds of each sex at 16 weeks of age. The results revealed that the mean pre-slaughter weight, New York dressed yield (%), eviscerated carcass yield (%) and ready to cook yield (%) in males (1006.98±10.87 g, 90.50±0.14, 65.11±0.40 and 70.83±0.42 %, respectively) were significantly (P<0.01) higher than females (825.21±5.90 g, 88.85±0.09, 62.77±0.33 and 68.41±0.34 %, respectively) and the overall mean values in the combined sex were 916.10±24.22 g, 89.67±0.23, 63.94±0.39 and 69.62±0.41 %, respectively. The mean blood loss and feather loss percentage were significantly (P<0.01) higher in females (4.28±0.05 and 6.87±0.08 %) than males (3.55±0.03 and 5.95±0.13 %) with the overall mean of 3.92±0.09 and 6.41±0.14 %, respectively. The giblets, gizzard, heart and liver yield of males (5.60±0.02, 2.33±0.01, 0.39±0.01 and 2.88±0.01 %, respectively) were significantly (P<0.05) lower than females (5.80±0.03, 2.42±0.01, 0.42±0.01 and 2.96±0.01 % respectively) with overall mean of 5.70±0.02, 2.38±0.01, 0.41±0.01and 2.92±0.01 %, respectively. The neck, back, breast, wing, thigh, drumstick yield percentage and meat-bone ratio of Siruvidai males (6.07±0.02, 22.60±0.18, 22.51±0.06, 12.16±0.21, 17.13±0.17, 15.21±0.17 % and 0.99) were significantly (P<0.01) higher than females (5.88±0.04, 19.91±0.21, 21.50±0.16, 11.53±0.18, 15.16±0.21, 13.43±0.39 % and 0.90, respectively) and the overall mean values in the combined sex were 5.98±0.03, 21.26±0.37, 22.01±0.15, 11.85±0.16, 16.15±0.28, 14.32±0.31 % and 0.95, respectively. The results of the present study provided base line information about the carcass traits of indigenous Siruvidai chicken ecotype under farm conditions.

Leptospirosis is one of the most important zoonotic disease caused by the pathogenic leptospires Leptospira interrogans. In this study, four pathogenic Leptospira serovars were selected based on the seroprevalence data, their LPS extracted, assessed for its purity and seroreactivity and processed for the determining the fatty acid profiles. The average concentration of the LPS extracted from the cultures across the serovars was 742.75+19.4 µg/ml with the polysaccharides contributing to 77.2 % of the LPS (573.6+18.01 µg/ml). The common fatty acids that were present in all the four serovars included butyric acid (C4:0), capric acid (C10:0), palmitoleic acid (C16:0),  eicosapentaenoic acid (C20:5n3) and docosapentaenoic acid (C22:6n3). The heptadecanoic acid (C17:1) was present in serovars australis and autumnalis; pentadecanoic acid (C15:0) in canicola and hardjo serovars and caproic acid (C6:0) in the serovars autumnalis and canicola. The fatty acid eicosatrinoic acid (C20:3n3) was unique to the serovar autumnalis and the myristic (C13:0) and docosadienoic acid (C22:2) being unique to the serovar hardjo. Future studies to understand the fatty acid profile of the other common pathogenic circulating Leptospira LPS will add scientific evidence to the minor cross-reactivity observed across the serovars in MAT.

An attempt was made to measure the comparative advantage of dairy farming among different occupational groups of rural Tamil Nadu (540 households and 2500 persons) for its poverty alleviation role. The most commonly used measures of poverty viz., head count index (P 0), poverty gap index (P1) and squared poverty gap (poverty severity) index (P2), the Watts index and average exit time from poverty were calculated. About 59 per cent of the total sample households and close to 65 per cent of sample population were found to stay below poverty line. P1 P2 and W index were observed to be the highest among agricultural labourers and the lowest among dairy farmers. At four per cent of hypothetical income growth rate, the time required to exit out of poverty was estimated to be the least for dairy farmers (4.66 years for buffalo and 4.91 years for cattle), followed by fishermen (5.09 years). Keeping in view of poverty reduction potential of dairy farming, it shall be included in poverty alleviation programmes. 

A study was conducted in Murrah buffaloes belonging to Livestock Farm Complex of Veterinary College and Research Institute, Orathanadu, located in cauvery delta region to document the effect of heat ameliorative measures on physiological responses during summer. Twenty four buffaloes were selected and divided into four treatment groups of 6 animals per group. All the animals were maintained under standard managemental conditions with wallowing facility. The treatment group (T1) was control, animals in T2 were provided with cooling jacket, animals in T3 were supplemented with probiotics (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) and T4 animals received probiotics (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) and were provided cooling jacket. Physiological parameters viz., respiratory rate, pulse rate and rectal temperature were recorded during the summer season (March 2022 to May 2022) at weekly intervals in animals of all the treatment groups. Measurements were made when animals were at rest and after the exposure to sun light at 9 am and 2 pm respectively. From results it was concluded that the heat ameliorative measures given to the different groups of animals decreased the respiratory rate, pulse rate and rectal temperature during summer.

A pluriparous full-term pregnant buffalo was presented with a history of unproductive straining with improper relaxation of the vulva. Detailed obstetrical examination revealed the presence of two fetuses that were conjoined twins with attachment present at the sternal region of the thorax of the fetuses. The conjoined twins (Ziphopagus monster) were delivered per-vaginal by episiotomy technique.