Nano silver particles are valuable alternative for antibiotics and disinfectants as it is relatively free of adverse effects. Nano silver particles (AgNPs) have new physical and chemical characteristics enabling it to have a strong antibacterial activity and used today more as a high disinfectant in poultry farms. This study was aimed to evaluate the effect of different concentrations of 10, 20 and 50 ppm of Ag-NPs as egg shell sanitizer and assess the microbial count on the egg shell surface during different storage conditions. The total bacterial count on the egg shell and egg quality characteristics were carried out on 1, 7, 14, 21 and 28 days of storage after sanitation. Presence of nano silver and distribution on egg shell surface were determined using transmission electron microscopy. Results showed that bacterial loads on the egg shell were declined with the increased concentration of Ag-NPs used and the 50 ppm concentration of Ag-NPs had 1-3 log reduction in the total bacterial count on one day after disinfection in the egg shell surface which were comparable with the positive control (1% Kohrsolin) used in the trial. However, the external and internal qualities of eggs did not show any significance difference among different treatments during different storage days. However, nano silver 50 ppm had comparatively better zone of inhibition than 10 and 20 ppm levels in disc diffusion method. This study concluded that using Ag-NPs at 50 ppm concentration in disinfecting chicken egg can effectively reduce bacterial load on egg shell.

The present study was carried out to optimize the space and height for placement of baited delta traps to lure and kill house flies in Japanese Quail layer unit at Poultry Research Station, Madhavaram, Chennai where birds were raised in Californian caged system. Red acrylic delta traps with Z-9-Tricosene-Fish meal pellet baits were used for the optimization study. Height optimization of placement of traps was estimated by placing the traps at four different heights in poultry units, viz., ground level, 0.3 m above ground level, 0.6 m above ground level and 0.9 m above ground level. The optimal distance for placement of the acrylic delta trap was estimated by placing the traps at four different distances within poultry units, viz., close to each other, 0.3 m distance between two traps, 0.6 m distance between two traps and 0.9 m distance between two traps. Trap height optimization trial results revealed that maximum number of flies were trapped at ground level, followed by 0.3 m above ground level, 0.6 m above ground level and 0.9 m above ground level in the descending order of preference. Trap distance optimization trials revealed that more flies got trapped when the distance between two traps was 90 cm followed by 0 cm, 60 cm and 30 cm distance between traps. Results revealed that house fly delta traps deployed at ground level at a trap distance of 90 cm could be effective in house fly trapping and can play a vital role in integrated house fly management strategies. 

In the present study, the expression pattern of OAS-1 and MX-2 gene in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) was associated with the early pregnancy in cattle. A total of 60 animals were selected and divided into 2 groups, treatment (50) and control (10) group and synchronized using double PGF2α protocol by 11 days apart followed by insemination at 72 and 96 hrs after second dose of PGF2α. The cows were subjected to blood collection on day 0, 14, 18, 20 and 25 post insemination and Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells (PBMC) were harvested using Histopaque® solution, followed by RNA isolation and cDNA synthesis. A significantly (P≤0.01) higher expression of OAS-1 and MX-2 gene was observed on days 18 and 20 post oestrum by quantitative real-time PCR and concentration of MX-2 protein in serum were significantly higher (P≤0.05) on day 18, 20 and 25 in pregnant cows when compared with that of non-pregnant cows. Hence, the present study is concluded that the expression of OAS-1 and MX-2 genes and their encoded proteins may be used to develop a marker for early pregnancy diagnosis in cattle.

Antiviral activity of ivermectin was examined against R2B strain of Newcastle disease virus in 9 - day old embryonated chicken eggs. Five distinct concentrations (500, 250, 100, 50, 10 µg/mL) of ivermectin were used in the study. Haemagglutination test was performed to determine the antiviral activity of ivermectin by using chicken RBC. The results revealed that ivermectin can exert a significant antiviral activity against Newcastle disease virus at higher concentrations (500, 250 and 100 µg/ml) but with cytotoxic effects. On the contrary a moderate to weak antiviral activity without cytotoxicity was demonstrated at lower concentrations (50, 10 µg/ml).

Sound plays an important role in animal behaviour, welfare and production. It also helps the animal attendant in communicating with and controlling the animal. When sound becomes unpleasant and disturbing it is termed as noise and causes sound pollution. The threshold of bearing sound is different among animals and is affected by several factors such as age, shape of the ears, species and breed of the animal and health condition. Noise pollution affects behaviour, breeding, growth and well-being of birds. Noise was noted to cause sleep disturbances and affect the endocrine and cardiovascular systems, in laboratory animals. A review is presented on the effect of noise on animals based on the work of various researchers. Methods on how to keep animals safe from sound pollution has also been suggested.

The present study was undertaken to understand the present status of adoption of TANUVAS SMART mineral mixture, viz, complete adoption, partial adoption, discontinuance and rejection and its perceived attributes, namely, relative advantage, compatibility, complexity, observability and trialability using the schedule developed for the purpose and the economic impact. Partial budgeting was done to assess the economic impact of adopting TANUVAS SMART mineral mixture. Personal cosmopolite and personal localite communication channels had contributed majorly to the awareness of the dairy farmers followed by mass media. Majority of the dairy farmers (78%) discontinued the adoption of the innovation. Sixty six per cent of them had medium level of adoption behaviour followed by high (28%) and low (6%) level of adoption behavior. The reasons attributable were that the technology was perceived relatively less advantageous and not observable. However, it was perceived as highly compatible, less complex and trialable. Net income of the dairy farmers had increased by Rs. 2,216.80 per dairy animal per lactation due to the adoption of TANUVAS SMART Mineral Mixture. The status of adoption of TANUVAS SMART Mineral Mixture, its adoption behaviour and change in net income were found to be significantly associated with land holding, area under fodder cultivation, dairy animal possession, extension agency contact and mass media exposure of the dairy farmers.

Many plants are being used as food additives and also as traditional medicine because of their preservative and curative effects. Various phytochemicals from medicinal plants like polyphenols, flavonoids, and Vitamin C serve as lead compounds in drug design and discovery. These active compounds are used as an alternative medicine to treat diseases like cancer, cardiovascular, Alzheimer’s, and Parkinson’s disease. Plant extracts can positively affect the red cell membrane and many plants have serious adverse effects, which include induction of haemolytic anaemia. Therefore, many of the commonly used plants need to be evaluated for their potential haemolytic activity and it represents an important starting point in this regard. The haemolytic activity of any compound is the ultimate indicator of general cytotoxicity towards normal healthy cells. Methanolic extract of both Cleome gynandra plant (Stinkweed) and Annona squamosa (Custard apple) seeds were prepared. The haemolytic assay was conducted to check the haemolytic activity of both extracts as well as their combination. The study revealed that Cleome gynandra plant extract had the least haemolytic activity followed by Annona squamosa seed extract and a combination of both extracts. But the haemolytic activity increases when the concentration of all extract increases.

A study was conducted to optimize the level of finger millet (Eleusine coracana) powder as a thickening agent in the chicken soup prepared with no added oil. Whole finger millet (FM) was powdered finely and used as thickening agent in chicken soup at 0 (control) 5(FM5), 10(FM10) and 15(FM15) parts levels. The pH significantly decreased with increase in the finger millet level where it was highest in control and lowest in FM15. In the sensory evaluation, appearance, flavour and mouth feel scores significantly decreased with increase in finger millet level. The consistency scores were significantly higher for the treatments with finger millet compared to control. The overall acceptability scores were comparable among the control, FM5 and FM10 treatments and significantly lower for FM15. Hence, from this study, it can be concluded that finger millet might be efficiently utilized as a thickening agent in chicken soup up to 10 parts level, which would fortify the nutritive value.

The research on Integrated Farming System (IFS) was conducted from 1987 onwards at Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, involving different components (Jayanthi and Balusamy 2017). The IFS is an integrated resource  management strategy for obtaining economic and sustained crop and livestock production and preserving the  resource. It also includes capturing the new market opportunities through enterprise including post-harvest / value addition, from Low value to High value crops, from Water Loving crop to Water Saving crop, from Single crop to Multiple crop. The impact of technology of improved farming system: Productivity, Economic return, Energy input-output, Employment, Equity (gender issue) and Environment. This paper focuses on the development of Integrated Farming System (IFS) and its impact on the economy of agriculture, animal husbandry and standard of living of the farmers of the country as a whole.

Obstructive urolithiasis is a serious and potentially fatal condition in male small ruminants. It is caused by obstruction of urethral lumen at the distal portion of the sigmoid flexure and at the urolithic process. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of surgical tube cystostomy in the management of obstructive urinary calculi in male sheep and goat. A total of 6 animals were studied (sheep-2 and goat-4) that were referred to Large animal clinics - Out Patient- Surgery Unit of Madras Veterinary College Teaching Hospital with a history of anuria, dysuria and stranguria. In Tube cystostomy, the animals were positioned in right lateral recumbency. The bladder was approached in left paramedianregion cranial to the last pair of rudimentaryteats. The urine was drained and calculi in the bladder was removed with the forceps. The catheter was fixed in the urinary bladder by meansof purse string suture pattern using 3/0 or4/0 polyglecaprone. Then the abdominal muscles and skin were apposed. Biochemical analysis revealed significant increase in BUN & Creatinine pre-operatively and decreases post operatively. Postoperatively normograde contrast cystourethrography on day 1 revealed filling defect of contrast agent showing obstruction at the level of Sigmoid Flexure. Ultrasonographic examination after normal urination revealed presence of calculi and also the site of obstruction in the bladder. The time period taken to return for normal urination in Tube Cystostomy was (10.66 ± 0.06 days) and the wound healing of the surgical site was better in tube cystomy.