Afeeding trial was conducted in layers for a period of8 weeks (23-30 weeks old) to evaluate the effect of chromium picolinate supplementation on egg yolk cholesterol and egg chromium content in layers.Atotal of (n=120) layers were randomly distributed in completely randomized design into 4 treatmentgroupseachwith2 replicates of 5chicks.The layers of treatment group T1(control)were provided water without chromiumwhile those of T2,T3andT4were provided water containing 200, 400 and 600 ppb chromium / litre respectively.At the end of feeding trial, six eggs from each replicate, on last three days were used for egg yolk cholesterol and egg chromium studies. The results indicated that the total cholesterol andLDL cholesterol content of eggs were significantly (P0.05) reduced and HDL-cholesterol content significantly increased in 400 and 600 ppb chromium supplemented group of layers. Whereas chromium content of eggs increased with increasing levels of chromium supplementation. It was concluded that organic chromium supplementation up to 600 ppb level through water may be advisable to reduce egg yolk total cholesterol and LDL- cholesterol and improved HDL-cholesterol and egg chromium content.

The present study was designed to evaluate the longevity of canine cauda epididymal sperm in vitro at 40C. The testes were collected from 30 mixed breed dogs of average weight of 20-25Kg,presented to the clinics for sterilization. The testes were stored at 40C in normal saline in a refrigerator.The sperms were collected from the epididymis at different intervals of time (0, 4, 8, 12 and 24 hr) by taking 6 testes in each interval of time. The sperm quality was accessed at different intervals of time.The data analysed was analysed by ANOVA and the significant level was 5% (P= 0.05). The sperm concentration at different interval of time and storage at 40C did not show significant difference. On the other hand the sperm motility revealed significant difference between all the time intervals of sperm collection except at 8 and 12 hr of collection. There was significant difference of live sperm (%) at different intervals of sperm collection except at 8-12 hrs of sperm collection. The percentage of normal sperms was significantly different in between 0 to 24 hr interval of time but there was no significant difference either at 4 and 8hr or 12 and 24 hr of sperm collection. The acrosomal integrity was found statistically significant between 0-24 hrs of sperm collection and storage at 40C. There was significant difference in percentage of hypo- osmotic swelling between 0 hr (66.67 ± 2.11%), 4 hr (40.50 ± 6.21%), 8 hr (26.27 ± 2.25), 12 hr (11.50 ± 1.38%) and 24 hr (6.67 ± 1.05%). However, there was no difference between 8 and 12 hr of sperm collection from testes and storage at 40 C. The study concluded that the cauda epididdymal spermatozoa can be effectively stored and utilised for the purpose of assisted reproductive technology during emergency. These findings can be applied to the endangered wild canines and felines.

The study evaluated in-vitro antibacterial activity of seabuckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides L.)leaves using disc diffusion method against common skin and wound pathogens. Methanolic hot and cold extracts of green seabuckthorn leaves were tested against 160 microbial isolates obtained from clinical skin and wound infection cases of different animal species. Different concentrations of leaf extracts i.e. 0.5%, 2%, 3%, 4% and 5% were tested against 1×108 cfu/ml bacteria inoculated on Mueller-Hinton agar (MHA). The inhibitory effect of SBT leaf extract at 5% concentration was observed to be almost 50% as compared to the standard drugs used as positive control against isolate.

The objective of this experiment was to study wheather the administration of GnRH plus PGF2 alpha synchronizes the estrus in anestrus crossbred cows exposed to bull urine (BU) during the winter season (Nov to Feb). The results indicated that a greater proportion of BU-exposed cows (n=20) showed estrus as compared to control (n=8) (90 vs 37.5 % P0.05). The mean plasma progesterone concentration remained below 1ng/ml in all animals of each group during the treatment period. The overall conception rate was double in BU-exposed cows (66.7 vs 33.3 % P0.05). From this experiment it can be concluded that oro-nasal application of BU synchronizes the estrus in a greater proportion of anestrus cows treated with GnRH plus PGF2 alpha during winter season.

Tannin containing aqueous extract of Terminalia belerica leaves was tested in vitro for its effect on protein degradation using gas production technique. It was found that degradation of feed protein was decreased by the addition of extract. This confers that tannins at low levels has bypass effect on the feed protein.

The molluscicidal effect of ether extract of different components of neem plant (leaf, seed, bark and whole plant) was evaluated against snails Lymnaea auricularia and Indoplanorbis exustus. The extracts were prepared by cold extraction method. The concentrations of extracts used were 1:10, 1:15,1:20, 1:25, 1:30 and 1:35 and the results were recorded at different period of exposure time (6, 12, 24, 48,72 and 96 h). The different concentrations of ether extract of neem showed variable effect on adult stages of L. auricularia and I. exustus. It showed positive correlation between exposure time and mortality and negative correlation between dilution and mortality. Among the different extracts, the whole plant extract was most effective followed by seed, leaf and bark against snails. I. exustus was found to be more susceptible to methanolic extract of neem as compared to L. auricular.

Oestrosis is a worldwide myiasis infection caused by the larvae of
the fly Oestrus ovis (Diptera, Oestridae), that develops from the first to the third stage larvae. This is an obligate parasite of the nasal and sinus cavities of sheep and goats. The Oestrus ovis larvae elicit clinical signs of cavitary myiasis seen as a seromucous or purulent nasal discharge, frequent sneezing, incoordination and
dyspnea. Myiasis in an incidental host may have biological significance towards medical and public health importance if
the incidental host is man. This infection can result in signs of generalized disease, causing serious economic losses in sheep and goat reared for meat and dairy production. Due to the large numbers of small ruminants imported into Malaysia from countries which are endemic with oestrosis, precautionary measures should be exercised to prevent this infection from establishing here. In 2009, there was a report of respiratory distress (pneumonic sign) accompanied by high mortality in Damara sheep that was imported from Australia. Investigations showed the presence of Oestrus ovis larvae in affected
sheep. The post mortem was conducted in the field and the larvae were discovered in the tracheal region. The larvae was confirmed as Oestrus ovis using the appropriate keys for identification by Zumpt. The carcass showed pulmonary edema with severe congestion of the lungs accompanied by frothy exudation in the bronchus. There were also signs of serious atrophy (heart muscle) and mild enteritis
(intestine histopathological examination showed, there was pulmonary congestion and edema, centrilobular hepatic necrosis, renal tubular necrosis and myocardial sarcocystosis. The sheep also showed chronic helminthiasis and Staphylococcus spp. was isolated from organ specimens.Oestus ovis infection is rare in Malaysia, as such this case posed as an unusual case for investigation.

One hundred and sixteen cattle sera were randomly selected from 17
farms in five different states of Malaysia (Perak, Terengganu, Johor, Melaka and Sabah). All serum samples were tested by Indirect Flourescent Antibody Test (IFAT) using specific conjugates (from MRD). The results showed that only 2.6% were positive for Toxoplasma gondii.

A monitoring program for melamine in milk and feed was conducted in response to global melamine alertness in the year 2008. Two screening methods were adopted i.e., a liquid chromatography triple quadrupole tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) and enzyme-linked
immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The liquid chromatography method developed by several international research centers was adapted. This method consisted of an initial extraction with 10%trichloroacetic acid (TCA) for milk samples or 60% methanol/water for feed samples, followed by a series of centrifugation, dilution and filtration steps. Melamine was analysed in the chromatographic program using a zwitterionic HILIC LC column. Electrospray ionisation in positive ion mode was used. The quantity of melamine
present was determined with a calibration curve consisting of sample extracts from milk or feed fortified from 25 to 50 ppb that were taken through the extraction procedure. The ranges of recovery from
fortified raw milk samples (n=20) and feed samples (n=21) was 70–80% and 68%, respectively. The limit of detection was estimated at 10 ppb for both matrixes. Milk samples were found negative for melamine,
however 4.5% of feed samples were found to contain the compound at concentrations between 1 to 5 ppm.

National audience