Leptospirosis, an important zoonotic disease with worldwide distribution, is emerging as public health problem in south Gujarat, India where it is endemic. In infected animals, persistent colonization of leptospires in renal tubules is not uncommon and hence chronically infected hosts shed leptospires in urine and contaminate the environment. A study was undertaken to identify leptospiral carrier goats in south Gujarat using urine polymerase chain reaction. A total of 292 urine and sera samples each were collected randomly from goats reared in different villages of south Gujarat region and studied using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and microscopic agglutination test (MAT), respectively. In MAT, seroreactivity was noted in 61 (20.89 %) goats while leptospiral DNA was detected in 42 (14.38 %) goats using PCR. There was low concordance between two tests. To the best of author’s knowledge, it is the first study indicating use of PCR in detection of carrier goats from south Gujarat, India. Present findings indicate existence of carrier status of leptospirosis among goats in this area. In conclusion, leptospiral DNA was detected from urine of goats using PCR hence use of PCR may be considered as a valuable tool for identification of carrier goats. Present results also necessitate effective control measures in south Gujarat.
Canine babesiosis caused by tick-borne organisms of the genus Babesia, is one of the most significant disease worldwide. The aim of this study was to determine the haematological changes in dogs naturally infected with Babesia. The hematological evaluation included haemoglobin (Hb), red blood cell (RBC) count, platelets, white blood cell (WBC) count, differential leucocyte count (DLC), packet cell volume (PCV), mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular haemoglobin (MCH) and mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration (MCHC). The haematological findings in most of these dogs revealed microcytic hypochromic anaemia, lowered platelet count and 75% cases had 24% decreased PCV. The results of the study showed that Babesia infection in dogs caused anaemia and thrombocytopenia.
A hill cattle population locally known as Dagri reared by tribals from eastern border districts of Gujarat adjoiningto Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan, mainly Dahod and Chhotaudepur and to some extent Panchmahal, Mahisagarand Narmada was investigated for its phenotypic characterization. A total of 606 animals were examined for bodymeasurements. Body weight of the newborn calf (4) and preweaning weight (24) were recorded by actualmeasurement on the weighing scale while, the body weight of animals above 1-year (606) was derived from bodymeasurements using standard formula. Body measurements in males, females and heifers were taken on 606 animals. Milk composition was studied in milk samples from 50 cows. Draughtability was also studied on 11 pairs ofbullocks. Dagri animals possessed predominantly white coat colour (males 95.45%; females 86.89%). Muzzle colour was mainly black (males 95.45%; females 91.59%). Eyelids were mainly black (males 100%; females 98.22%). Horn and tail switch were mainly black while hoof colour was mainly pale black. Horns were curved and oriented upward-outward. Forehead was straight. Ears were small oriented horizontally. Dagri cattle had small hump, dewlap and naval flap. The udder was bowl shaped, small sized with round tipped cylindrical teats and with no prominent milk vein. The means (cm) for chest girth, body length, height at withers and hip height were 134.40±4.03, 115.46±3.37, 106.66±2.11 and 109.13±1.84, respectively, in adult males and 128.93±0.35, 110.82±0.34, 102.46±0.28 and 104.99±0.26, respectively, in adult females. The means (cm) for face length, tail length, horn length, horn circumference, hump height, navel length, dewlap length, forehead width, ear length and ear width were 35.86±1.00, 67.33±1.37, 21.64±2.65, 18.00±0.85, 10.00±0.66, 05.87±0.54, 78.40±2.57, 15.66±0.54, 21.06±0.78 and 10.00±0.32 respectively in adult males and 35.95±0.10, 66.91±0.25, 19.26±0.29, 12.91±0.10, 06.98±0.06, 01.40±0.06, 72.86±0.35, 13.12±0.05, 19.23±0.11, 10.50±0.06 cm, respectively, in adult females. The mean body weight (kg) at different age groups, viz. birth weight, pre-weaning weight, body weight at 12 months, body weight at 24 months and adult weight were 16.75±0.25, 27.12±2.02, 60.02±19.85, 108.08±13.72, 223.85±14.70, respectively, in males and 13.0±1.0, 27.1±3.01, 66.5±7.16, 116.7±8.67, 169.63±1.21, respectively, in females. Reproduction traits, viz. age at first oestrus, age at first mating, age at first calving were 32 to 42, 42 to 48 and 48 to 60 months, respectively, in females. Production traits, viz. daily milk yield, lactation length and lactation milk yield were 1.75 kg, 120–240 days and 75–600 kg, respectively. These data were derived from farmers’ personal interview at their doorstep. Milk fat and SNF percentage were 4.08% and 9.18%. This lesser known population of hilly cattle was not recognized and registered as distinct breed before this investigation. This study played a major role in recognition and registration of this population. As a result of these efforts it is now recognized and registered as new cattle breed with accession no. INDIA_CATTLE_0400_DAGRI_03046.
The present study was aimed to validate the previously found SNPs using NGS-based amplicon sequencing and investigate of their association with egg production and egg weight by PCR-RFLP in Anand Synthetic White Leghorn (ASWLH) and Anand Bantamised White Leghorn (ABWLH) chicken. A total of 500 blood samples were collected including, 227 samples of ASWLH and 273 of ABWLH maintained at the Poultry Research Station, Anand Agricultural University, Anand, Gujarat. The study was conducted for a total of eight SNP markers located across the four genes involved in physiological pathways related to egg production and egg weight, viz., GnRHII (T88170424C), GnRHII (G88170427A), VIPR1 (C1826542A), VIPR1 (C1826555T), OCX32 (C21912308T), OCX32 (T21912084G), OCX32 (C21912423A) and GHR (C13415980T). Out of eight SNPs, C21912423A of the OCX32 gene was significantly associated with egg weight at the 40 weeks of age (EW40) in the whole population. The G88170427A of the GnRHII gene was significantly associated with egg weight at the 28 weeks of age (EW28) and C21912308T of the OCX-32 gene was significantly associated with total egg number at the age of 64 weeks (TWN64) in the whole population.
The study was conducted in Vadodara district of Gujarat State on total sample size of 250 respondents. Pigeon pea is widely grown in Indian sub-continent, Besides adverse climate condition, the recurrent attack by a large number of insects, pests and diseases is one of the most important causes of low yield. Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is an approach that keep pests populations at levels below those causing economic injury. Pigeon pea growers used various information channels for getting information about IPM technology in Pigeon pea. Hence, it is essential to know the credibility of various sources of information used by the Pigeon pea growers. A perusal of the data indicated that pigeon pea growers(17.60 per cent) accorded top rank in terms of credibility to the farm magazines followed by progressive farmers (16.00 per cent), KVK (14.10 Per cent), VLW (12.00 per cent) and AEO (10.40 per cent) for getting information about adoption of new recommended IPM Technology in pigeon pea.
Data on performance records of 1249 Frieswal daughters of 71 sires over a period of 13 years from 2000-2012 were analyzed to determine the effects of farm, parity, type of calving, period of birth and season of birth on lactation length (LL), 305-day milk yield (305-DY) and calving interval (CI). The age at first calving (AFC) was considered as covariable. The overall least-squares means for AFC, LL, 305-DY and CI were 31.45±0.89 months, 303.31 ± 7.02 days, 2997.01 ± 123.24 kg and 431.19 ± 16.53 days respectively. Period of birth had significant effect on age at first calving. Farm, type of calving and period of birth had significant effect on lactation length. Farm, parity and season of birth had significant effect on 305-day milk yield. Parity, type of calving, period of birth and season of birth had significant effect on calving interval. Heritability estimates for LL and CI were low (0.17 ± 0.10 and 0.11 ± 0.09), while it was high (0.51±0.14) for 305-DY. The phenotypic and genetic correlation between lactation length, 305-day milk yield and calving interval were observed high and positive.
Background: Artificial insemination with frozen semen is of great value for livestock breeding and improvement. However, the procedure of cryopreservation leads to varying degree of oxidative and cryodamage to sperms deteriorating its quality, capacitation status and fertility. Hence, a variety of protocols, cryoprotectants and additives have been tried to protect sperms from such damages. This study was aimed to evaluate the antioxidant and cryocapacitation inhibitory potential of Mifepristone, Sericin and Taurine in routine extender on cryopreserved bull semen including in vivo fertility. Methods: Semen ejaculates of 3 Gir and 3 Murrah bulls with greater than 75% initial motility were split-diluted @ 100 million spermatozoa ml-1 using TFYG extender without and with Mifepristone (10 µg/ml), Sericin (5 mg/ml) and Taurine (4 mg/ml) and frozen in LN2 using a programmable biofreezer. The freshly diluted as well as frozen-thawed samples were assessed for sperm motility, viability, plasma membrane integrity, CTC (chlortetracycline) fluorescence assay and seminal plasma oxidative markers. The straws frozen as above were used to inseminate 100-375 cows and/or buffaloes with each treatment involving well trained field AI technicians. Conception rates were determined based on confirmation of pregnancy per-rectum 45-60 days after first AI in non-return cases. Result: The mean percentages, on dilution and at post-thaw stage in particular, of motile, live, HOS reactive and non-capacitated sperm were significantly (p less than 0.01) higher with reduced lipid peroxidation (MDA, SOD and GPx) whereas capacitated and acrosome reacted sperm were lower in Mifepristone supplemented extender than in control extender and the values for Sericin and Taurine fortified extender were intermediary in both the species. The first AI conception rates obtained for Gir and Murrah bull semen cryopreserved in control extender and extender supplemented with Mifepristone, Sericin and Taurine were 44.48, 51.11, 47.22 and 48.72% in cattle and 44.44, 55.40, 51.57 and 52.05% in buffaloes, respectively, suggesting that all additives used and Mefipristone in particular can be advantageously incorporated in the semen extender for cryopreservation of both cattle and buffalo semen.
Sothmann and colleagues (1996) proposed that training aids the fit individual by affording a blunted cardiovascular response to stress when compared to their less fit counterparts. This phenomenon is know as the cross-stressor adaptation hypothesis. PURPOSE: To examine physiological responses (i.e., cardiac and blood pressure response) to mental stressors during a 10-minute mental arithmetic challenge with noxious auditory feedback testing the cross stressor adaptation hypothesis. METHODS: Cardiovascular responses were measured in a group of exercisers (N=35), college athletes (N=14), and non-exercising, college students (N=20). Measures were taken at baseline, then in 2 minute intervals for the duration of the stressor. Perception of mental effort, stress, and attention were also assessed. Four subjects presented with hypertension and were eliminated from the data analysis. Family history of cardiovascular disease, gender, perceptual measures were analyzed and were not statistically significant. Next, repeated measures ANOVAs were performed to examine the change of baseline Heart Rate (HR), systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), and mean arterial pressure (MAP) from each recording (taken every 2 minutes during the stressor). RESULTS: HR, SBP, and DBP failed to significantly vary based on physical activity classification. Moreover, only the time variable was significant (P <0.001) for all measures except MAP. CONCLUSIONS: Thus, no support was demonstrated for the cross-stressor adaptation hypothesis even though trends toward support were evident. Future studies should employ more sophisticated measures of cardiovascular function to detect changes to physiological stress response.TABLE
The aim of study was to identify Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs) in the exon regions of GnRH-I, GnRH-II/MRPS26 and GnRHR genes and to assess their association with egg production up to 64 weeks of age (EN64) in chicken. Blood samples were collected from 48 Anand Synthetic White Leghorn (ASWLH) and 48 Anand Bantamised White Leghorn (ABWLH) chicken. Custom panel was designed for these genes’ exon regions and amplicon sequencing was performed on Illumina Miseq platform. Total 41 SNPs (19 previously reported and 22 novel SNPs) were identified from 96 samples. Association analysis revealed that rs314996211 (p<0.05), rs313100310 (p<0.01), g.17308550T>C (p<0.01) of GnRHR were significantly associated with EN64. Conclusively, rs314996211, rs313100310, g.17308550T>C of GnRHR can be implemented as selection markers associated with EN64 in chicken.
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