Heat stress is major concern for maintaining optimum production in livestock. The improvement of productivity in dairy animals, exposed to adverse environmental conditions, is primarily focused on improving the microclimate and nutritional management of the animals. The experiment was conducted on three groups of animals comprising six adult buffaloes in each group. Two groups were exposed to heat stress in the psychrometric chamber (40oC), the third group was kept under ambient conditions as control. One of the exposed groups was offered ascorbic acid (20g/day/animal). The blood samples were taken at every 4th day up to 16th day. Samples were analyzed for the total plasma protein and plasma albumin. Results showed that as the days of exposure progressed, the level of stress increased which is evident from the elevated level of total proteins. When compared with the ascorbic acid supplemented group (7.28±0.09 gm/dl), the non-supplemented group had higher protein content (7.93±0.13 gm/dl). There was significant difference (P 0.05) in protein levels among the groups. The level of albumin also followed the same pattern as that of total protein but in heat stressed (2.42±0.17gm/ dl) and ascorbic acid supplemented animals (2.41±0.19 gm/dl), the globulin levels declined as compared to group kept at ambient conditions (2.79±0.33 gm/dl). Further, the Albumin:Globulin ratio was significantly (P 0.05) higher in heat stressed animals (2.78±0.43) and ascorbic acid supplemented animals (2.19±0.30) as compared to control group (1.61±0.37). It can be concluded that ascorbic acid supplementation would be beneficial to buffalo producers of the arid/ semi-arid regions in amelioration of stress challenge imposed by the harsh weather.

Currently the diagnosis of renal diseases is based on thorough history, clinical examination, urinanalysis and investigation of hemato-biochemical profiles. But biochemical markers are not sensitive to detect early renal damage. Also usefulness of their estimation is limited in early renal failure when marked reduction of GFR may be associated with little change in their concentration. At present imaging is an important diagnostic tool for early precise diagnosis. Scintigraphy is a less known diagnostic imaging technique in veterinary medicine, although it is similar to competitive methods such as radiography, ultrasound and endoscopy. By all the other methods only morphological objects can be visualized whereas scintigraphy has the advantage of the so-called physiological imaging. Scintigraphy is able to visualize and quantitate distribution of different materials in living organisms indicating normal [physiological] or abnormal (pathological) processes of the object. This is a sensitive, specific and non-invasive diagnostic method supporting clinician's diagnosis, as a part of combined modality-imaging systems; it gives useful data for veterinary clinicians. Present study was planned to standardize the scintigraphic profile for healthy dogs. Perfusion index Mean ± S.D. for right kidneys and left kidney was 154.7 ± 40.05 and 169.0 ± 46.0. The mean percent uptake at 2-3 minutes was 53.56 ± 6.17 and 46.46 ± 6.17 for right and left kidney. Time taken to Peak (TPP) minute, which indicates efficiency of blood flow at both the kidneys, was 3.12 ± 1.21 and 3.03 ± 1.22 min for right and left kidney respectively. The T½ from peak count [min] for right and left kidney was 5.02 ± 2.24 and 5.15 ± 3.6 min. The GFR for right and left kidneys was 68.79 ± 33.67 and 61.62 ± 31.92, respectively and the normalized GFR when both the kidneys are considered together in healthy dogs was 439.48 ± 55.67.

The effect of vacuum packaging on microbiological quality of roasted chicken. Roasted chicken were subjected to two different type of packaging treatment i.e. aerobic packaging with low density polyethylene bags (con) and vacuum packaging using barrier bags (VP.). Microbiological analyses were done on 0th, 5th, 10th, 15th and 20th day at refrigeration temperature (4±1oC). Studies revealed that microbial counts in terms of total plate count, proteolytic count and yeast and mold count increased significantly (P0.05) with the advancement of storage period and were significantly higher (P0.05) for aerobically packaged product throughout the observation period however, yeast and mould count observed only on 10th, 15th and 20th day of observation period. Lactic acid bacterial counts of vacuum packaged product were significantly higher as compared to aerobically packaged sample.

Thirty Staphylococcus aureus isolates used in the study obtained from cattle (20) and goat (10) were haemolytic on blood agar. Twenty one of the isolates (14 from cattle, 7 from goats) produced a-haemolysis, 3 produced b-haemolysis (2 from cattle and 1 from goats), and 6 isolates (4 from cattle and 2 from goats) produced both a- and b-haemolysis. The haemolysins tested against erythrocytes from rabbit, cattle and horse in order to demonstrate a-, b- and d-toxins, respectively revealed that a- and b-toxins were produced by all the isolates but b toxin was produced by only 7 isolates from cattle and by 3 from goats. On titration it was recorded that highest titre was recorded for a-toxins (for cattle, 1:2560 and for goat, 1:1280) whereas the highest titres for b and d-toxins was similar (1:160) for cattle as well as goat isolates. The result obtained for qualitative and quantitative haemolysin assays correlated well with the haemolysis pattern seen on the blood agar plates.

Twenty-three crossbred cows with endometritis were randomized into three groups. The animals of group I and II were treated with methanol fraction of neem oil and neem seed powder (25 ml each by intra-uterine route), respectively. Whereas, the control cows (gr III) were administered with groundnut oil at similar times. Efficacy of both neem preparations was assessed by Whiteside test (color reaction to cervico-vaginal mucus) and bacterial load at subsequent estrus. The results indicate that the administration of neem preparations retrieved the cows from endometritis as majority of them showed negative to Whiteside test (100 % in gr I and 62.5% in gr II) following treatment. Reduction in bacterial load was also of higher magnitude in neem-oil (96.02±2.02%) and seed-powder fraction (98.70±0.46%) treated animals compared to controls (24.97±29.64 %). Further, a higher pregnancy rate (71.42%) was obtained in oil fraction-treated cows than seed powder fraction-treated or control cows (25% each). In this study, the therapeutic efficacy of methanol fraction of neem oil appeared superior to neem seed powder in endometritic cows.

The efficacy of two methods of spraying of acaricides on tick-infested sheep and goats was assessed. Two pyrethroid acaricides, 0.15% sumicidin and 0.20% butox were sprayed on individual animal one by one or on group of ten animals kept in small enclosures at a time, totally involving 40 sheep and 40 goats for each method. The efficacy, as seen from the total efficacy score (TES) of the former method of spraying, was found to be higher than the latter. But the advantages of the group spraying were that it saved the time in spraying and the quantity of acaricidal emulsion.

The hooded phenotype is one of the coat color phenotype seen peculiarly in the rat. The hooded locus showing autosomal recessive inheritance is mapped to chromosome (Chr) 14 and that the hooded phenotype receives modification by hooded-modifier gene showing the linkage to the hooded locus. However, a gene responsible for either the hooded or hooded-modifier gene is not yet identified. To clarify genetic control of hooded phenotype, we carried out genetic linkage studies using BN and LEA rats. For determination of phenotypic variation, we measured ratio of pigmented coat area in parental and their Fsub(1) and Fsub(2) rats. We, then, conducted a genome-wide scan on 152 Fsub(2) rats for linkage with ratio of pigmented coat area for the dorsal, ventral and total regions. A major quantitative trait locus (QTL), D14Got40, showing highly significant linkage contributing 70-90% of the variance for hooded phenotype was detected on Chr 14, which may be correspondent to the hooded locus. In addition, another QTL, D17Rat2, showing highly significant linkage was also detected on Chr 17 in dorsal region phenotype as well as a QTL showing suggestive linkage on Chr15 in ventral region phenotype. We, further, investigated a genome-wide scan for epistatic interactions and detected significant interactions between D14Got40 and D20Mit1, and between D14Got40 and D17Rat2 in the dorsal region phenotype. These results suggest that a major QTL in Chr 14, which is possibly correspondent to the hooded locus, mainly regulates the hooded phenotype with some modifier loci, two of which show epistatic interactions with the hooded locus.

The objective of this study was to evaluate cost-effective intervention for enhanced fertility in buffaloes, which could otherwise remain un-bred for variable long time. A total of 165 postpartum anestrus buffaloes were examined gynaeco-clinically at farmer's door. The animals identified with corpus luteum in either of the ovary, were treated with 500 £gg of Cloprostenol, single injection or double injection at 11 days interval (Gr. I). The remaining animals with smooth and inactive ovaries were randomly divided in three different groups. The group II animals were injected 100-150 mg progesterone for successive 5 days and single injection of 500 I.U. of PMSG on seventh day. The animals of group III were administered with 20 £gg of GnRH analogue and 7 days later, with 500 _Ýg of Cloprostenol. A second injection of 10 £gg GnRH analogue was given after 48 hrs of Cloprostenol injection. Group IV animals received 50 gm mineral mixture daily for 30 days along with 30 Nutrisacc boli (1 bolus b.i.d. for 15 days). The proportion of animals that exhibited estrus were 89.13, 86.84, 82.35 and 59.57% and the mean treatment-estrus intervals were 3.97¡Ó0.46, 4.38¡Ó0.49, 3.08¡Ó0.23 and 21.78¡Ó2.56 days in group I, II, III and IV, respectively. The animals detected in estrus were bred by natural service using fertile bulls and diagnosed for pregnancy per rectum 50 days post service. The first service conception rate was 46.34, 33.33, 53.57 and 28.57 % in-group I, II, III and IV, respectively, while the overall conception rate was significantly higher (78.57%) in GnRH-treated animals. The cost of treatment in different groups was Rs. 160 or 320, 220, 525 and 150, respectively. The results indicate that better fertility in postpartum anestrus buffaloes can be obtained by GnRH therapy though; the cost of intervention seems to be higher than other treatments.

The study was conducted to determine the role of Ca2+ and K+ channels in Moringa oleifera flowers extract-induced myometrial contractility of buffalo uterus. Myometrial strips were prepared, mounted in an organ bath containing Ringer Locke solution maintained at 37oC and responses recorded using a kymograph. Moringa oleifera flowers extract (MOFE) produced quite conspicuous and concentration-dependent contractile effect on buffalo myometrium and the EC50 value was found to be 31.62 ìg/ml. Verapamil (10-12M) not only completely inhibited normal spontaneous rhythmic contractions of myometrial uterine strips but also inhibited MOFE-induced spontaneous rhythmic contractions. Ethylene glycol tetra acetic acid (EGTA; 0.1-0.2mM) reduced both the frequency and amplitude of spontaneous contractions and also produced around 28% reduction in the amplitude of MOFE-induced contractile effect. Similalrly, pinacidil (10-6M-10-5M), glibenclamide (10-5M) and 4- amino pyridine (4-AP; 1mM) pretreatments inhibited spontaneous contractions as well as the contractile effects of MOFE (250ìg/ml). Based on the results of present study, it may be inferred that both the extra- and intracellular Ca2+ are very vital for the oxytocic effect of MOFE. Functional presence of K+ ATP, K+ V and/or K+ Ca channels in buffalo myometrium and their involvement in mediating MOFEinduced contractility can not be ruled out. Moringa oleifera flowers possessed promising oxytocic activity and can be exploited in drug-development programme for evolving natural and effective oxytocic or abortifacient.

The calf was a congenital abnormal stillbirth of Sahiwal breed of zebu cattle, with multiple musculoskeletal defects. It was born to a heifer in its first calving. The calving was normal; however, calf born had multiple anomalies. The body of the calf was flashy just like a rubber balloon filled with water (case of hydropsy). The body was without hairs (hypotrichosis). Skeleton was noncalcified and ribs were cartilaginous. The body was identifiable in three regions: head, thoraxabdomen, and limbs. Morphologically limbs were developed but were quite short in length with well-developed hoof. There was one eye like structure just above the mouth (case of cyclopia). The tongue was developed and was protruded from mouth. There was one additional structure on the head, looked like outgrowth of muscles covered with thin skin, had openings of nostrils on the end. In autopsy abdominal body cavity was found filled with fluid. The visceral organ seemed normal. It was identified as female; however, ovaries and genital tract could not be traced and examined. It was the first calving of its dam with the complete gestation period of 287 days like a normal period in cattle. Pieces of tissue from lung and blood from the heart and vena cava were collected; however, cultures were found heavily contaminated with bacterial growth. The actual cause of the defects could not be established, might be defects of certain genes responsible for incomplete growth and development.