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.

Leptospirosis is under diagnosed and under reported in developing countries due to lack of diagnostic facilities. The diagnosis of leptospirosis is complex, because the gold standard tests are not easily available. Though rapid tests are available for the past two decades, they have to be combined with the existing gold standard tests for confirmation of diagnosis. It should be adequate to diagnose leptospirosis with rapid tests. I intend to review the literature from developing countries in Asia, Latin America and Africa and suggest the need for utilizing rapid tests for diagnosis. Leptospirosis can be diagnosed only by diagnostic tests and epidemiological data, such as incidence/ prevalence data cannot be obtained without these tests. Without these data, funding cannot be obtained for diagnostic, treatment and control programs, as without diagnostic tests, leptospirosis would be considered a rare disease. In this article, the various guidelines for the diagnosis of leptospirosis will be discussed.

Bacteriological quality of khoa based sweets marketed through different retail outlets of Thrissur city was evaluated based on total viable count, coliform count, yeast & mould count and staphylococcal count. Altogether 72 samples of khoa based sweets such as peda, burfi and gulabjamun were evaluated for their bacteriological quality. Out of the total peda samples tested, coliforms were prevalent in 37.5%, yeast and mould in 91.7% and staphylococcal organisms in 41.7% of the samples. In burfi, coliforms were prevalent in 66.6%, yeast and mold in 95.8% and staphylococcal organisms in 83.3 % of the samples tested. In gulabjamun, coliforms, yeast and mould and staphylococcal organisms were present in 45.8%, 91.6% and 70.8% respectively of the samples tested. The highest rate of contamination was recorded in burfi while the lowest was recorded in peda. Strict hygienic measures during preparation and storage are recommended to ensure the quality of the products. 

The study was carried out on male zebrafish containing technical grade deltamethrin (98.5%). A total of 20 males were randomly divided into two groups (Group I) and Group II (Group II) and their pre-exposure spawn count, fecundity, and embryo mortality were calculated at weekly intervals within each group. Results show significant (p0.05 and 0.01) reduction in total count of embryos over 21 days in Group I. Similarly, in Group II it was 36.49 0.54, 72.740.09 and 86.370.06 at 7, 14 and 21 days respectively postexposure of males to deltamethionine.

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.

The plant Limonia acidissima belongs to family Rutaceae. Various parts of this plant like fruit, seed, rind, bark, leaves and roots are being used to treat human and animal ailments. The fruits of the plant are most essential therapeutic portion containing bioactive molecules. This study is intended to reveal presence of some phytoconstituents from leaf extracts and review it thoroughly in order to validate its medicinal use. In the study it was found that aqueous and ethanolic extracts revealed maximum types of phytochemical classes as compared to acetone and petroleum ether extract which can be used for treatment with reference to its mentioned use. Many phytochemicals namely alkaloids, carbohydrates, glycosides, proteins, saponins, phenols, resins, etc. were detected which  reflects its therapeutic value.

Contamination of locally fermented cow milk (Nono) by pathogenic bacteria constitute a major public health problem. This was because contaminated milk was a good medium that can support the growth and propagation of microbial pathogens. This study was designed to assess the bacteriological quality of locally fermented cow milk consumed in Maiduguri, northeastern Nigeria. Totally, forty (n = 40) samples of fresh, locally fermented cow milk (Nono) were collected and used in this study. Ten (10) milk samples each were collected from four randomly selected selling points (Monday Market, Custom Market, Kasuwan Shanu and Tashan Bama). The bacteriological quality of each milk sample were analysed using standard procedures for isolation, identification and enumeration of pathogenic bacteria. The mean total plate count ranged from 1.44x10 8 CFU/mL to 10.31x10 8 CFU/mL, while the mean total coliform count range from 0.57x10 8 CFU/mL to 11.17x10 8 CFU/mL. Statistically, there was a significant difference (p<0.05) in the mean total plate count and coliform count of milk samples collected from the four sampling points.Bacteriological culture and biochemical identification of all the isolates revealed Escherichia coli29(72.5%), Klebsiella specie3(7.5%), Salmonella specie 2(5%), Staphylococcus aureus 14(35%) and Streptococcus specie15(37.5%) respectively. All the results were above the acceptable limits (1.0 to 3.0 x 10 5 CFU/mL for total plate count and no coliform count per 100ml of milk sample) set by NAFDAC. Therefore the Nono products consumed in Maiduguri was not safe and wholesome for public consumption. Hence, the need to ensure the maintenance of standard hygienic protocols during the collection, storage, processing and marketing of locally fermented cow milk (Nono) in order to minimize microbial contamination.

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.

The present study was undertaken to induce gonadal maturation of Mrigal, Cirrhinus mrigala using Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (HCG) implants in captive conditions. The male and female fishes of C. mrigala were implanted intramuscularly with hCG implants at the dosage of 1000 IU/kg body weight, to study the effect of hCG hormone. Hormone implants were given once in two months during the experimental period of February to June. Histological observation in the ovary of C. mrigala revealed the presence of four types of growing oocytes namely perinucleolar, previtellogenic, vitellogenic and hydrated oocytes. Histological observation of the testis of C. mrigala showed the presence of five types of spermatogenic cell types namely spermatogonia, primary spermatocytes, secondary spermatocytes, spermatids and spermatozoa. Hence, the present study recommends that hCG implants can successfully be used to induce sustained maturation of C. mrigala in captivity even during off season.