Porcine parvovirus- and porcine circovirus 2-associated reproductive failure and neonatal mortality in crossbred Indian pigs

The objective of this study was to detect the presence of porcine parvovirus (PPV) and porcine circovirus 2 (PCV2) in a farm showing reproductive failure and increased mortality in neonatal piglets by histopathological examination, polymerase chain reaction, and demonstration of viral antigen and nucleic acid. Out of 594 piglets farrowed by 70 first-parity gilts, nine (1.51%) mummified fetuses, 13 (2.19%) stillborn, and 572 (96.3%) live-born piglets were recorded. The average litter size at birth was 8.48 piglets per litter. One hundred ninety-four (33.91%) piglets died within 7 days of age. PPV was detected in five litters (7.14%) and two of them revealed coinfection with PCV2. The pathological lesions in the coinfected litters were more severe, indicating a synergistic action between the two viruses. Results of this study suggest for the first time occurrence of PPV and coinfection with PCV2 in crossbred Indian pigs affected with reproductive problem and neonatal mortality.     

Effects of dietary Leucas aspera levels on growth performance,nutrient utilization,digestive enzymes and physio-metabolic and health status of bagrid catfish,Rita rita (Hamilton, 1822)

The study was to examine the effects of dietary L. aspera on growth performance, physio-metabolic response and health status of Rita rita fish reared in tanks for 60 days. Six experimental diets were formulated containing 0 g/kg, 3 g/kg, 6 g/kg, 9 g/kg and 12 g/kg L. aspera and designated as D0, D3, D6, D9 and D12 respectively. The inclusion of L. aspera at graded levels resulted in significantly varying effects on growth performance where the weight gain (%), specific growth rate (SGR) and feed conversion efficiency (FCE) were significantly higher (p<0.05) in D6 and D9 groups than others. The protease and amylase activities were elevated in L. aspera supplemented groups than the control group (p<0.05), whereas lactate dehydrogenase, malate dehydrogenase and serum transaminase enzyme activities were significantly reduced with the increasing level of L. aspera and comparatively higher activities of the respective enzymes were found in the control group. The activities of oxidative stress enzymes were significantly higher (p<0.05) in the D9 group and lower in control. The blood glucose level significantly decreased with the increasing level of L. aspera in the experimental diets. The L. aspera supplemented fish had significantly higher liver glycogen, serum protein, albumin and globulin than control group. Red blood cell count was significantly higher (p<0.05) in D6-D12, whereas white blood cell count and haemoglobin content were significantly higher (p<0.05) in D6 and D9 groups. Regression analysis showed that L. aspera at the level of 7.3–7.9 g/kg is optimum for better growth and feed efficiency.