Effect of Meiotic Stages During <Emphasis Type="Italic">In Vitro</Emphasis> Maturation on the Survival of Vitrified-Warmed Buffalo Oocytes

The present study was conducted to investigate the effect of meiotic stages during in vitro maturation (IVM) on the survival of vitrified-warmed buffalo oocytes, vitrified at different stages of IVM. Cumulus oocyte complexes obtained from slaughterhouse ovaries were randomly divided into 6 groups: control (non-vitrified, matured for 24 h at 38 ± 1^°C, 5% CO₂ in humidified air), and those matured for 0 h (vitrified before IVM) or 6, 12, 18 and 24 h before vitrification. Cumulus oocyte complexes were vitrified in solution consisting of 40% w/v propylene glycol and 0.25 mol/L trehalose in phosphate-buffered saline supplemented with 4% w/v bovine serum albumin. Vitrified cumulus oocyte complexes were stored at −196^∘C (liquid nitrogen) for at least 7 days and then thawed at 37^°C; cryoprotectant was removed with 1 mol/L sucrose solution. Cumulus oocyte complexes in the 0, 6, 12, 18 and 24 h groups were then matured for an additional 24, 18, 12, 6 and 0 h, respectively, to complete 24 h of IVM. Among the five vitrification groups, 89–92% of cumulus oocyte complexes were recovered, after warming, of which 84–91% were morphologically normal. Overall survivability of vitrified cumulus oocyte complexes was lower (p < 0.05) than that of non-vitrified cumulus oocyte complexes (94.5%). Survival rates of cumulus oocyte complexes matured 24 h prior to vitrification (61.3%) were higher (p < 0.05) than those matured for 12 h (46.7%), 6 h (40.6%) and 0 h (37.6%). Nuclear status following 24 h IVM was assessed. A higher proportion of non-vitrified (control) oocytes (72.7%) reached metaphase II (M-II) stage in control than oocytes vitrified for 24 h (60.0%), 18 h (54.4), 12 h (42.3%), 6 h (33.3%) and 0 h (31.6%) (p < 0.05). The results suggest that length of time in maturation medium prior to vitrification influences post-thaw survivability of buffalo oocytes; longer intervals resulted in higher survival rates.     

Epidemiology of foliar blights (spot blotch and tan spot) of wheat in the plains bordering the himalayas

ABSTRACT Helminthosporium leaf blight (HLB), a complex of spot blotch caused by Cochliobolus sativus and of tan spot caused by Pyrenophora tritici-repentis, is a major wheat disease in South Asia. This 2-year study elucidated HLB development and its impact on yield. Symptoms caused by C. sativus and P. tritici-repentis were first observed at the seedling and tillering stages, respectively. The number of airborne conidia and leaves infected by the two pathogens remained low for several weeks under lower temperatures, followed by a sharp rise as temperatures increased. The number of airborne conidia of C. sativus and incidence of infection by C. sativus were higher compared with P. tritici-repentis. The disease complex caused an average 30% reduction in yield, with greater losses under delayed seeding. Delayed seeding increased disease severity even in resistant genotypes and caused higher yield losses. 'Milan/Shanghai-7' was the most resistant among six genotypes evaluated. Despite higher disease severity, 'BL 1473' showed relatively lower yield losses, indicating its tolerance to foliar blight. The findings of this study bear implications for integrated foliar blight management in the warmer areas of South Asia by combining optimum seeding date, seed treatment and foliar spray of fungicides, and resistant wheat genotypes.     

Suppression of immunologic function and degeneration of lymphoid organs in cyclophosphamide-treated turkeys

Neonatal administration of 8 to 20 mg of cyclophosphamide (CY) in turkey poults resulted in a marked alteration in the morphologic features of all major lymphoid organs. Cyclophosphamide induced severe deficiency in antibody response to multiple injections of Brucella abortus and sheep RBC and in vitro proliferative response of peripheral blood leukocytes to concanavalin A. The morphologic regeneration of thymus and of thymus-dependent areas was marked in all major lymphoid organs by posttreatment day 15. This regeneration preceded functional recovery of the mitogenic response of peripheral blood leukocytes. The regeneration of the bursa and bursa-dependent areas in other lymphoid organs was minimal through posttreatment day 27. Thus, CY may be used effectively in turkeys as an immunosuppressive reagent.     

Changes in blood chemical components during experimentally induced Theileria annulata infections in cattle

During the course of infection of calves with Theileria annulata levels of glucose, calcium, proteins, phosphorus, magnesium and potassium decreased and those of bilirubin, cholesterol and alkaline phosphatase increased with no changes in sodium and acid phosphatase levels. Several of these biochemical alterations have been explained in relation to the injury to the liver and other organs.     

Effects of sarcoptic mange and its control with oil of Cedrus deodara, Pongamia glabra, Jatropha curcas and benzyl benzoate, both with and without ascorbic acid on growing sheep: assessment of weight gain, liver function, nutrient digestibility, wool production and meat quality

The aim of this study was to evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of commonly used acaricidal drugs in India and also to assess the effect of ascorbic acid as adjunct therapy in 72 growing sheep with sarcoptic mange, aged 5-6 months and weighing 20.4-31.7 kg. Eight replicates of nine animals were formed based on sex, and day 0 body weight. Drugs were applied locally on the affected parts daily and recovery changes in skin lesions were observed at the time of every application. L-ascorbic acid was administered intramuscularly. Skin scrapings were collected daily from each group and examined for the presence of mites. Body weights were measured every 10th day from day 0 to 60. Nutrient digestiblity was evaluated by studying digestibility coefficients for dry matter, crude protein, ether extract, crude fibre, nitrogen free extract, total carbohydrates and nutrient balance (nitrogen, calcium and phosphorus) for a 30-day period. The liver function was evaluated by bromosulphophthalein (BSP) dye retention time. The animals were shorn on day 60 post-treatment (PT). Meat quality assesment was carried out by killing sheep at 60 days PT and estimating pH, water-holding capacity (WHC), tenderness, muscle colour, rib eye area and fat thickness. The lambs treated with oil of Jatropha curcas ascorbic acid had significantly (P < 0.05) greater mean daily body weight gains (63.29 g) than the infected untreated control (41.10 g). This was also higher than the mean daily weight gain in other treated groups. Infected untreated sheep showed significantly (P < 0.01) reduced digestibility coefficients for dry matter, crude protein, crude fibre, ether extract and total carbohydrate, but no significant differences for nitrogen-free extract. Treated sheep had significantly higher positive nitrogen, calcium and phosphorus balances compared with infested untreated sheep. Oil of J. curcas plus ascorbic acid (OJC-AA) treated group was better over all other treated groups with respect to nutrient digestibility. The BSP test revealed significant (P < 0.05) increase in BSP retention time in sheep with sarcoptic mange. Post -treatment, the BSP retention time decreased in all treated groups and the decrease was maximum in OJC-AA treated group. The carcasses of sheep treated with OJC-AA had significantly (P < 0.01) higher water holding capacity, rib eye area and back fat thickness than the untreated infected control group. The muscle pH and tenderness values were significantly lower in OJC-AA treated group post-slaughter than infested untreated control group. Muscle colour of OJC-AA treated group was maximum bright red. The lambs treated with OJC-AA had significantly (P < 0.05) greater clean fleece weight and fleece yield than the untreated infected group. It is concluded that OJC was the better therapy for sarcoptic mange of sheep and ascorbic acid as adjunct therapy is advisable. OJC-AA therapy may be better from the point of view of improving two most important production parameters in sheep, that is, wool yield and meat production.     

Effects of sarcoptic mange and its control with oil of Cedrus deodara, Pongamia glabra, Jatropha curcas and benzyl benzoate, both with and without ascorbic acid on growing sheep: epidemiology; assessment of clinical, haematological, cell-mediated humoral immune responses and pathology

The aim of this study was to evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of commonly used acaricidal drugs in India and also to assess the effect of ascorbic acid (AA) as adjunct therapy in 72 growing sheep with sarcoptic mange, aged 5-6 months and weighing 20.4-31.7 kg. Eight replicates of nine animals were formed based on sex, and day 0 body weight. Another set of 12 healthy sheep (5-6 months old) constituted the healthy control group. Drugs were applied locally on the affected parts daily and recovery changes in skin lesions were observed at the time of every application. L-Ascorbic acid was administered intramuscularly. Skin scrapings were collected daily from each group and examined for the presence of mites. Blood samples from each group were collected and analysed for total erythrocytes, leucocytes, haematocrit, haemoglobin and lymphocytes on 0, 14th and 28th day post-treatment (PT). Cell-mediated (CMI) and humoral immune (HI) responses were assessed on 0 and 28 days PT. Within groups treated with the drug alone, recovery in oil of Jatropha curcas group was faster and lesions were free from mites after the eighth application. For each drug, the recovery was faster with AA as an adjunct therapy when compared with the group treated with the drug alone. Within all groups, recovery in oil of J. curcas plus ascorbic acid (OJC-AA) group was fastest and the lesions were mite-free after three applications. The overall mean values were higher for all haematological parameters in OJC-AA group. Recovery with respect to suppressed CMI and HI responses during infection was also faster in this group. Gross and microscopic pathological studies revealed a marked adverse effect of infection on skin, kidney, spleen and liver. The OJC-AA group indicated faster recovery. It is concluded from this study that oil of J. curcas was found more efficacious in controlling sarcoptic mange in sheep and AA might be beneficial as adjunct in case of sarcoptic mange to get quick recovery with lesser applications of main therapy. However, the pharmacology of AA with reference to health of skin needs to be investigated.     

Effect of stratification temperature,stratification period and seed coat on seed germination of peach cultivar ‘Sharbati’

Freshly harvested seeds of peach cultivar ‘Sharbati’ were found to be dormant and did not germinate at all. A specific low-temperature stratification treatment was required to overcome seed dormancy. 10° C stratification was found to be the best for breaking seed dormancy. Increased seed germination was recorded when the seeds were after-ripened without seed coats as compared to the seeds after-ripened with seed coats. There was no further increase in germination when seeds without seed coats were stratified beyond 60 days at 10° C, while a significant increase was recorded up to 75 days of stratification in the case of seeds with seed coats. Unstratified seed coats, soaked in water for 72 h, leached out a water-soluble inhibitor, which could suppress the germination of stratified peach seeds without seed coats. When this leachate was bioassayed by a cress-seed germination test, it showed the presence of an inhibitor at Rf 0.7-0.9. Hence, delayed germination of seeds with seed coats may be due to the presence of an inhibitor in seed coats.