Molecular characterization,tissue distribution of Follicle‐Stimulating Hormone (FSH) beta subunit and effect of kisspeptin‐10 on reproductive hormonal profile of Catla catla (Hamilton, 1822)

Gonadotropin (GTH) hormones are glycoprotein which stimulates gonadal maturation in vertebrates. Follicle stimulating hormone is involved in initiation of gametogenesis and regulation of gonadal growth. FSHβ has been cloned and characterized from the brain of Catla catla. The FSHβ full‐length of cDNA sequence of 523 bp comprised 3, 394 and 128 bp of 5′‐UTR, open reading frame (ORF) 3′‐UTR respectively. The coding region of C. catla FSHβ encoded a peptide of 130 amino acids. Phylogenetic analysis of C. catla FSHβ deduced amino acid sequence showed high similarity with Gobiocypris rarus followed by goldfish, Carassius auratus. The qPCR result shows that FSHβ mRNA is mainly expressed in pituitary while moderate and low expression was observed in testis and ovary respectively. Chitosan‐nanoconjugated kisspeptin‐10 (CK‐10) of particle size 125 nm, polydispersity index of 0.335 to 0.65 and zeta potential of ?34.95 mV were synthesized and evaluated at against naked kisspeptin‐10 for their reproductive hormonal profile. Treatment of fish with CK‐10 showed controlled and sustained surge of the reproductive hormones (FSH & LH) with peak at 12 h. The hormone levels of naked kisspeptin‐10 treated fish decline after 6 h. The sustained release of this CK‐10 will help in reducing maturation age, synchronization of ovulation and spawning in fish. This is the first report on use of chitosan‐nanoconjugated kisspeptin‐10 (CK‐10) for reproduction in fish.     

Studies on the aetiology of hydropericardium syndrome (Angara disease) in broilers.

The study was carried out to determine the aetiological agent(s) associated with hydropericardium syndrome (Angara disease) in broilers in Pakistan. The results indicate that in addition to adenovirus some other agent is involved in causing the disease but that this agent requires co-infection by an adenovirus for the reproduction of the typical signs of the syndrome. The nature of this agent remains unknown because no discrete virus or virus-like particle could be seen by electron microscopy.     

Influence of multi-enzyme preparation supplemented with sodium butyrate on growth performance blood profiles and economic benefit of growing rabbits

The present study was carried out to explore the impacts of dietary supplementation of enzyme mixture with sodium butyrate on the growth performance, carcass traits, blood profile and economic benefit in two breeds of weanling rabbits adapted to survive in Egypt (New Zealand White and Rex). One-hundred and twenty weaned male rabbits (New Zealand White and Rex) of 6 weeks of age and 770.5 ± 20 g body weight were allotted randomly into four groups in a factorial arrangement. The obtained results indicated that there were non-significant differences in all growth performance traits, blood profile and economic parameters due to the breed effect. However, there were significant differences in most of carcass traits due to the breed effect except total giblets and New Zealand White breed showed the highest value of these parameters including dressing % (p < .01), forequarter and loin % (p < .001) and hindquarter % (p < .003) compared with Rex breed counterparts. The effect of the treatment and its interaction with the breed significantly (p < .05) improved body weight gain, feed consumption and carcass traits (percentage of dressing, forequarter, hind quarter and lion). However, final body weight and feed conversion ratio were not significantly influenced. Supplementing a diet with treatment significantly decreased blood triglycerides, cholesterol and the ratio between albumin and globulin (A/G ratio), while increased blood total protein and globulin. Although higher feed cost and total costs in treated groups than control ones in each breed, they showed higher total return and net return. Rex non-treated rabbit breed showed the lowest profitability measures compared with other groups. In conclusion, dietary supplementation of multi-enzyme with sodium butyrate is highly recommended in growing rabbits due to their beneficial effects on the growth performance and profitability.     

Growth and body composition of rohu (Labeo rohita) fed diets containing oilseed meals: partial or total replacement of fish meal with soybean meal

A 56‐day feeding trial was conducted to evaluate growth, feed utilization and body composition of fingerling rohu, Labeo rohita (4.5 ± 0.2 cm; 2.58 ± 0.04 g), fed five isonitrogenous (350 g kg^?1 crude protein) and isoenergetic (15.7 kJ g^?1 metabolizable energy) diets in which the main protein contributors were: diet I, fish meal (FM); diet II, soybean meal (SBM); diet III, groundnut meal (GNM); diet IV, equal amounts of SBM, GNM and canola meal (CM); diet V, equal amounts of FM, SBM, GNM and CM. Fish were stocked in triplicate groups of 25 fish held in 70 L flow‐through tanks (water volume 55 L) and fed twice daily (0900 and 1700 hrs) to apparent satiation. Fish fed diet I exhibited the highest (P < 0.05) values for live weight gain and specific growth rate (% per day). Feed conversion and protein efficiency ratio were better (P < 0.05) in fish‐fed diets I and II. Fish‐fed diet II exhibited lower (P < 0.05) fat and ash contents in carcass. Based on these findings, a 70‐day trial (Experiment II) was conducted with six diets fed under the same conditions where FM was incrementally replaced with SBM. Fingerling L. rohita (6.7 ± 0.4 cm; 4.07 ± 0.02 g) were used for the study. Crystalline l ‐methionine was added to diets containing more than 250 g kg^?1 SBM. This second study showed no significant (P > 0.05) variation in growth, feed utilization and carcass composition for fish fed the different diets. In conclusion, SBM was more effective than GNM or CM, as FM was replaced in feeds for fingerling L. rohita and could completely replace FM when supplemented with methionine and fortified with minerals under the conditions of this study.     

Prevalence and serology of hydatidosis in large ruminants of Pakistan

Hydatidosis was seen in 38.90% of cattle, 33.06% of buffaloes and 58.9% of camels slaughtered at a local abattoir. No statistically significant seasonal difference in prevalence was observed. Most cysts (63.14%) were infertile. Protein and carbohydrate contents of fluid from fertile and infertile cysts did not differ significantly. Sensitivity, specificity and efficiency of indirect haemagglutination test and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay were low.     

The endophyte Enterobacter sp. FD17: a maize growth enhancer selected based on rigorous testing of plant beneficial traits and colonization characteristics

With the aim to select powerful microbial strains to be used for the enhancement of maize yield and resistance to abiotic and biotic stresses, we tested five endophytic bacterial strains previously isolated from maize roots. A range of different laboratory assays in regard to potential plant growth promotion was performed and strains were further evaluated for improving growth of five maize cultivars under axenic and natural soil conditions. Endophytic colonization was an additional component in our selection process as it is of high importance for an inoculant strain to efficiently colonize the plant environment. All strains had the potential to improve maize seedling growth under axenic conditions. Enterobacter sp. strain FD17 showed both the highest growth-promoting activity under axenic conditions as well as colonization capacity. FD17 was therefore selected for further plant tests in a net house, in which two different maize cultivars were grown in large pots until ripening and subjected to outdoor climatic conditions. Results showed that inoculation significantly increased plant biomass, number of leaves plant^?1, leaf area, and grain yield up to 39 %, 14 %, 20 %, and 42 %, respectively, as compared to the un-inoculated control. Similarly, inoculation also improved the photochemical efficiency of photosystem II (PSII) of maize plant and reduced the time needed for flowering. We also confirmed that strain FD17 is able to colonize the rhizosphere, roots and stems. Based on rigorous testing, Enterobacter sp. strain FD17 showed the highest potential to promote growth and health of maize grown under natural conditions. This study suggested that in vitro plant growth-promoting traits and potential of maize seedling growth promotion by bacterial endophytes could be used for the selection of potential inoculant strains subjected for further testing as bio-inoculant under field conditions.