The research was carried out to study the effects of dietary supplementation of Tulasi (Ocimum sanctum) and selenium on ALT and AST enzyme levels in broiler chicken. A total of forty-two broiler chicks of day old divided into six groups of seven each were used for this study. Ocimum sanctum leaf powder (0.25% and 0.5%), organic selenium (0.3 ppm) and their combinations were added to the basal diet. Body weight and feed consumption were recorded at weekly intervals. Blood samples were taken at the end of 6th week for enzymological assay from each treatment. The enzymes assayed were alanine transaminase (ALT) and aspartate transaminase (AST). Dietary supplementation of Ocimum sanctum leaf powder at 0.25%, 0.5% levels and its combination (0.5% level) with selenium (0.3 ppm) reduced the levels of ALT and AST significantly (P<0.05). It was concluded that Tulasi (Ocimum sanctum) has hepato-protective properties.

Punganur breed of cattle in Andhra Pradesh is under the threat of extinction and efforts are being made for conservation, propagation of this breed under in situ conservation. All breedable female animals were bred to Punganur bulls available by natural service. The average birth weights of male and female calves were 10.31 ± 0.43 kg and 10.35 ± 0.75 kg, respectively. The mean height at withers, chest girth ,body length, pin bones width, paunch girth, poll length, tail length, and ear length in male calves  were 45.81 ± 1.05, 46.72 ± 1.34, 43.90 ± 1.29, 7.54 ± 0.73, 45 ± 1.2, 18.09 ± 0.94, 27.45 ± 1.77, 8.54 ± 0.7 cm, respectively. Majority of the calves were born with a mixture of white and brown coat colour, black muzzle, black colour hooves and black switch. The average lactation milk yield was 457.5 ± 81 liters with a lactation length of 153 ± 24 days. The average daily milk yield and peak yield were 3.04 ± 0.16 and 3.90 ± 0.17 liters respectively with an average 5.4 % fat and 9.53 % S.N.F.

A study was conducted to analyse the migratory sheep production system in southern agro-climatic zone of Tamil Nadu. A total of 100 migratory sheep farmers were randomly selected for the study and divided as small (< 175), medium (175- 350) and large (> 350) flocks based on the average flock size for comparison. The migratory tracts were identified based on the results of the enquiry from the sheep farmers, animal husbandry department personnel and by direct identification. A total number of 78 migratory tracts comprising 28 major and 50 minor tracts were identified in the study area. The mean radial distance (km) of migration in major tracts was 317.00±6.21 and minor tract was 148.40±6.21. 

Coagulase negative Staphylococci were considered as commensal organisms or contaminants with limited pathogenic potential. However, they are becoming more frequently associated with nosocomial infections in human and skin infections in animals. In this study, we attempted to isolate and identify the Staphylococci species that causes dermatological infections in dogs. Out of 35 isolates, 27 were identified as S.pseudintermedius and 3 as S.schleiferisubspschleiferi. Among three S.schleiferi isolates, 2 were closely related to S.schleiferi ATCC strain in pta gene sequences.  Methicillin resistant gene (mecA) was not detected in these isolates. All three isolates were susceptible to oxacillin, amikacin, gentamicin and tetracycline, intermediate susceptibility to ceftriaxone and resistant to Penicillin, ampicillin, sulphadiazine. S.schleiferi is an emerging cause of infections in veterinary patients. None of the isolate produced biofilm in microtitre tissue culture plate adherence method. This is the first report of isolation and identification of S.schleiferi from canine skin infections from India. Further studies are needed for early detection and virulence factors of S.schleiferi in the pathogenesis of pyoderma and otitis in dogs.

This experiment was carried out to study the effect of frozen storage on the physico-chemical quality of quail breast meat. Six weeks old broiler quails were collected, slaughtered, dressed hygienically. Quail breast meat samples were collected from dressed carcass which was packed in low density polyethylene pouches taking optimum care to avoid contamination and stored at -18 ± 20 C for 60 days.  Fresh as well as frozen quail breast meat samples were evaluated for physico-chemical and histological changes. Frozen meat samples were analyzed after thawing at 4 ± 10 C for 12 hrs at an interval of 15, 30, 45 and 60 days. It was observed that with advancement of the frozen storage period pH, TBA value, tyrosine value and drip loss increased, whereas moisture, protein, fat and ERV content of quail meat decreased. Pronounced structural changes reported at later part of storage in histological study due to formation of ice crystals in the muscles. It shows that quail meat can be safely stored for 60 days in frozen state without any marked changes.

The data on 1721 calves from Sahiwal and Jersey-Sahiwal crossbred cattle were utilized for studying the age specific mortality and culling rate. The overall mortality and culling rate were found to be 15.92 and 19.52 per cent in Sahiwal and Jersey crossbreds respectively. The average female calf mortality from 0-1, 1-3, 3-6, 6-12 and 12 month to age at first calving was observed as 5.81, 2.92, 2.06, 1.75 and 5.01 per cent, respectively. The genetic group had no significant effect on female calves mortality. The maximum culling rate was observed from 12 month to AFC.

The use of metallic silver as an antimicrobial agent has been recognized for centuries. Silver nanoparticles (SNP) are now incorporated in apparel, wound dressings, appliances, cosmetics, paints and plastics for their antimicrobial properties. Generally, silver nanoparticles are prepared by a variety of chemical methods. In this study, we have used Phyllanthus amarus and Andrographis paniculata herbal plants leaves and stem extracts to synthesis SNP and were characterized by UV-Vis spectroscopy and Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM). SNP capped with plant extracts gave absorption peak at 420 nm as expected for silver and broadening of peak were also noticed. TEM images suggested that they were of almost spherical shape and in the range of 7-60 nm in size. Antibacterial activity of plant extracts capped SNP were tested in Mueller-Hinton agar by well diffusion method against Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, Proteus vulgaris, Escherichia coli and Salmonella Typhimurium.  SNP of 1 mg/ml and 5 mg/ml of P.amarus exhibited almost similar antibacterial activity, whereas, 5mg/ml, not 1 mg/ml of SNP capped with A. paniculata exerted antibacterial activity. The highest zone of inhibition was noticed against B.subtilis followed by S.aureus and P.vulgaris and the least zone of inhibition was observed against E.coli and S.Typhimurium. Green synthesis of SNP is cost effective and environment friendly. Further studies are required to explore the possibility of use of P.amarus capped silver nanoparticles for the treatment of burn and wound.

The present study was carried out to find out the histopathological alterations in gill, liver and kidney of Goldfish (Carassius auratus) under sublethal concentrations of Zinc. Fishes were exposed to sub-lethal concentrations of 0.572, 1.145, 2.289, 4.578 and 9.156 mg.l -1 for 28 days which are 1/10 of their 96hr LC. The histological samples of gill, liver and kidney were collected from 14 th, 50th  and 28th day and stained by haematoxylin and eosin, observed under trinocular microscope. Vacuolation, hyperplasia, epithelial lifting and lamellar fusion, shrinkage of blood vessels, secondary lamellar damage, breakdown of epithelial cells, blood congestion and necrosis were observed in gill. Rupture of nucleus, congested blood vessels, hemorrhage in liver sinuses, increased size of kupffer cell, increased pycnotic nucleus, hypertrophied hepatocytes, vacuolation, cellular necrosis, rupture of hepatocytes were observed in liver of zinc treated fish. Shrunken glomerulus, vacuolation, blood congestion, increased in space of periglomerular, increased in space of peritubular, melanomacrophages, loss of cytoplasm, fat deposition, degenerated tubules and degenerated glomerulus were seen in kidney. The above results showed that sub-lethal toxicity of Zinc alter the internal organs of goldfish at lower concentration.

Six dogs with unstable diaphyseal fracture of femur of different breeds of either sex and bodyweight ranging from 10 to 30 kg presented to the Small Animal Orthopedic Unit of the Madras Veterinary College Teaching Hospital, over a period of two years underwent fracture fixation with latest technique of linear locking compression plates. Different sizes and length of new generation locking plate system were used for different configuration of unstable fracture of femur. The post operative assessment of fracture healing was evaluated by radiographs at different intervals and estimation of bone specific serum alkaline phosphatase enzyme by fluorimetric methods. In the present study, the locking compression plating technique provided adequate apposition, stable fixation and promoted early weight bearing of traumatized limb. The locking plate system had a unique combi hole design in a single implant and enabled to select the function best suited for the fracture configuration to achieve the most stable fixation. The locking plate system acted as a single beam construct which increased the stiffness of the implant and was found appropriate in management of unstable or comminuted diaphyseal fracture of femur in dogs.

Restraining gadget for Indian poisonous snakes like Indian cobra and Russell’s Viper were designed, using available infrastructures. Tongs, collapsible tubes and bags were designed and applied in the poisonous snakes in order to have better restraining activities. These snakes reared at Guindy Snake Park Trust were successfully restrained, using the gadgets developed. However these gadgets were found not suitable for restraining procedure associated with Saw scaled viper and Common krait. The gadgets developed were useful for zoo veterinarians for control of these serpentines.