Enhancing milk and fertility performances using selection index developed for Indian Murrah buffaloes

Selection for genetically superior Murrah buffaloes under Network Project on Buffalo Improvement, India, is presently based on milk yield, and it was observed that even in the absence of any direct selection pressure applied on fertility, there has been a downward trend in fertility associated with the selection for milk yield. The aim of the study was to develop selection indices which include fertility besides milk yield in Murrah buffaloes. Data pertaining to 1,224 lactation records spread over a period of 19 years were recorded and analyzed in the study. The negative association of pregnancy rate (fertility) with a 305-day milk yield (?0.08?±?0.04) and wet average (?0.12?±?0.02) indicated the importance of incorporating fertility trait in the construction of selection index. Four types of selection indices were constructed and evaluated. Two indices were developed using expected producing ability 305-days milk yield (EPAMY) with 6.5 and 4 % fat in milk along with expected fertilizing ability (EFA). The other two indices developed consist of expected producing ability wet average (EPA WA) and EFA. The index involving (EPA WA and EFA) was found to be a more effective selection criterion in our herd, as the accuracy of index was more (0.61), in comparison to the index involving EPA MY and EFA. The robustness of selection index was assessed by increasing the relative economic values of included traits by 25 and 50 %, and accuracy of the index remains almost stable without much change. The developed selection strategy involving EPA WA and EFA should be considered for the genetic evaluation of Murrah buffaloes, as it has a potential for maximizing the lifetime reproduction and production performances of the breed.     

Chlamydial Group Antigen: Its Preparation and Use in complement Fixation Test for Measuring Chlamydial Group Antibodies in Animals

Chlamydien Gruppentantigen: Seine Herstellung und Anwendung in der Komplementbindungsreaktion zur Messung des Antikörpergehalts in Tieren gegen die Chlamydiengruppe Ein hochwirksames, ätherextrahiertes Gruppenantigen (Titer 1:256) wurde hergestellt. Benutzt wurde Stamm Bour von Chlamydia Trachomatis. Bei dieser Technik werden nur solche Einrichtungen benötigt, wie sie in jedem Routinelabor zu finden sind. Insgesamt wurden 886 Seren von gesund erscheinenden Rindern, Büffeln, Schafen und Ziegen (etwa 200 Stück pro Tierart) mit Hilfe der KBR gegen das Chlamydien-Gruppenantigen getestet. Serologisch positiv reagierten 53% der Rinder, 44% der Büffel, 52,9% der Ziegen und 38% der Schafe. Es wurden Titer zwischen 1:4 und 1:64 beobachtet. Die Verbreitung der Gruppen-Antikörper bei diesen Tieren, die keine offensichtliche Erkrankung zeigen, wird diskutiert.     

Surgical Management of Enterocutaneous Fistula in a Mare

Enterocutaneous fistulas are reported to be sequelae of congenital umbilical hernia or penetrating trauma to the equine patient's abdomen. An enterocutaneous fistula is considered to be the least common clinical presentation in a horse with incarcinated umbilical hernia, and may be life-threatening if not managed timely. This case report describes an enterocutaneous fistula in a mare as a sequela to congenital umblical hernia. The mare had an uneventful recovery after surgical repair and delivered a healthy foal on subsequent follow-up. The report highlights the need to repair congenital umbilical hernias (regardless of the size), if they do not resolve by the age of 6 to 12 months.     

Prevalence of Ocular Disorders in an Indian Population of Horses

The objective of this clinical study was to report the prevalence of ocular disorders in a large population of horses from the Indian army. Both eyes of 500 horses were examined using a direct ophthalmoscope and by a transillumination procedure. Intraocular pressures were measured in several study horses. Fluorescein dye, Schirmer tear test, and menace testing were performed when indicated. Corneal culture swabs were collected from horses affected with corneal ulcers found on ophthalmoscopic examination. A total of 100 horses were found to be affected with some form of ocular disorder. The eye problems recorded were congenital eye lid disorders (2%) and included a subcutaneous cyst in the lower eye lid and slit in upper eye lid; conjunctivitis (12%); chronic interstitial keratitis (30%); a parasite in the anterior chamber (1%), which was however not removed for genus and species identification; phthisis bulbi (1%); uveitis (24%); glaucoma (13%); cataracts (3%); unilateral retinal hemorrhage (1%); luxation of cataractous lens (3%); posterior synechia (2%); and corneal ulceration (8%). Pseudomonas spp was the most common bacteria identified in horses affected with corneal ulceration. Vision-threatening ocular disorders are high in Indian army horses; this is a cause of major concern for the rider and the horse and, therefore, it is important to include ocular examination in horses as part of a routine and complete physical examination.     

Influence of some nematicides on the chemical composition of tomato fruits

The influence of five nematicides viz., DBCP, D-D, fensulfothion, carbofuran and aldicarb was investigated on the chemical composition of tomato fruits. Nematicidal treatment had considerable effect on the dry matter, acidity, ascorbic acid, beta-carotene and lycopene content. In general, beta-carotene content decreased whereas acidity and ascorbic acid content increased. D-D and DBCP decreased the dry matter while all other treatments increased it. Lycopene content decreased with all nematicides except aldicarb.

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Zusammenfassung Der Einfluß von 5 verschiedenen Nematiziden, DBCP, D-D, Fensulfothion, Carbofuran and Aldicarb, wurde im Hinblick auf die chemische Zusammenzetzung von Tomatenfrüchten untersucht. Behandlung mit Nematiziden hatte eine beträchtliche Wirkung auf Trockensubstanz, Gesamtsäure, Ascorbinsäure, -Carotin und Lycopin. Im allgemeinen nahm der -Carotin-gehalt ab, während Säure- und Ascorbinsäuregehalt zunahmen. D-D und DBCP bewirkten eine Abnahme der Trockensubstanz, während alle anderen Behandlungen sie förderten. Der Lycopingehalt nahm bei allen Nematizid-Behandlungen ab, mit Ausnahme bei Aldicarb-Behandlung.

     

Effects of nematicides on the chemical composition of the fruits of egg-plant (Solanum melongena L.)

Five nematicides — aldicarb, carbofuran, phorate, fensulfothion and DBCP — were studied in a field experiment to investigate their effect on the chemical composition of the fruits of egg-plant. There were no significant differences in the dry matter content of fruits from different treatments. A significant decrease in the crude protein content was observed with nematicide treatments. Phenolic compounds increased on application of phorate while all other treatments, except carbofuran, decreased these compounds. A significant increase over control in solasodine content of fruits was observed with all treatments.     

Interspecific hybridization in Allium crops: status and prospectus

Genetic Resources and Crop Evolution - Alliums are essential crops in daily diet for their flavor and medicinal value, which are highly cross pollinated crops, prone to inbreeding, or continuous...     

Deconstructing molecular phylogenetic relationship among cultivated and wild Brassica species

Genetic Resources and Crop Evolution - Brassica represents an agriculturally important and diverse group of oilseed crops with a long evolutionary history. Molecular markers played an important...