Genetic studies on primary antibody response to sheep erythrocytes in guinea fowl

1. The primary antibody response to sheep erythrocytes was determined by haemagglutination test in guinea fowl. The effects of various genetic and non‐genetic factors on immune response to sheep RBCs in guinea fowl were also estimated.

2. The immune response to sheep RBCs was normally distributed in guinea fowl with mean titre at 1.534 ± 0.014.

3. In guinea fowl, effects on titre values of sire and variety (feather colour) were significant whereas sex and sex × variety interaction effects were non‐significant.

4. The estimate of heritability for immune response to sheep RBCs in guinea fowl was 0.35 ±0.17.     

The Effect of Intercropping Lablab purpureus L. with Sorghum on Yield and Chemical Composition of Fodder

In two years the growth and composition of mixtures of sorghum with Lablab purpureus as strips, paired rows and alternate rows were compared with those of sorghum and lablab monocrops. In the first year, when sowing did not occur until 7 August, the sorghum yields were low in the monocrop and even less in the mixed crops. Lablab yield was also reduced in mixtures compared with the monocrop, but total forage yield was greater for the mixed crops compared with sorghum alone. Of the mixed cropping systems, a reduction in the yield of lablab plants and in the phosphorus and potassium content of shed lablab leaves in paired rows suggested that there was more competition for nutrients between lablab plants grown in this treatment. In the second year, earlier sowing increased sorghum growth at the expense of lablab yield in the mixed cropping systems, with the result that total forage yield was not increased when sorghum was intercropped with lablab. However, the crude protein content of sorghum stems and leaf yield were increased in mixed crops, particularly in paired and alternate rows rather than strips, demonstrating that close configuration of the legume and cereal are necessary for the cereal to obtain most benefit from nitrogen fixed by the legume. It is concluded that, when conditions are favourable for rapid sorghum and lablab growth, the sorghum will benefit more when it is grown in paired rows with lablab rather than in strips. However, the close spacing normally adopted for paired rows may encourage competition between lablab plants and increase the requirements for phosphorus and potassium fertilizer.     

Histological components of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Trifolium</Emphasis> L. species related to digestive quality of forage

The microscopic analysis of leaflet, petiole, stem and peduncle of 26 populations of 17 Trifolium species was carried out in order to examine their structural characteristics related to digestibility, to compare them between the populations of forage species and their wild relatives and to evaluate, from histological aspect, the potential of wild-growing species to be used as forages. Forage species had low proportion of the tissues composed of thick-walled cells and high proportion of the tissues composed of thin-walled cells in all examined plant parts. The reduction of the proportion of lignified xylem, sclerenchyma and sclerenchymatous interfascicular parenchyma, were suggested as basic selection criteria in breeding Trifolium species for improved digestibility. T. angulatum, T. medium and T. pannonicum proved to be very similar to the forage species in their histological composition, proportion of thick-walled and thin-walled cells and type of variation of the examined parameters. We believe that these species have some potential for use as forages in their own right, but aditional biochemical, physiological and morphological investigations should be conducted.     

Role of zeolites in persistence of high altitude ferruginous Alfisols of the humid tropical Western Ghats, India

The high altitude ferruginous Alfisols associated spatially with shrink–swell soils on the Deccan basalt plateau and dissected table lands in the Western Ghats of India were analysed for their morphological, chemical and mineralogical properties with a view to comprehend their formation and persistence in the tropical humid climate prevailing since the early Tertiary. The study indicates that despite their acidic pH the soils have high bases and their clay fractions are dominated by interstratified smectite-kaolin. The persistence of these non-kaolinitic and/or non-oxidic Alfisols has been possible due to the presence of base-rich zeolites of amygdoloidal basalt. It suggests that for an open system such as soil, the existence of steady state is a more meaningful concept than thermodynamic equilibrium. The knowledge gained on the role of zeolites in soils provides a check on the reasoning of models on the formation of soils in tropical humid climate. The study also indicates that the supply of bases from zeolites can prevent the soils from losing their productivity even in intense leaching environment.     

Haemato-immunology and histo-architectural changes in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Labeo rohita</Emphasis> fingerlings: effect of dietary aflatoxin and mould inhibitor

A feeding trail of 60 days was conducted for delineating the effect of dietary aflatoxin (AFB1) with or without supplementation of a mixture of mould inhibitor (0.25% clove oil + 0.32% sodium propionate) on haematology, respiratory burst activity and histology of Labeo rohita fingerlings. Three hundred and sixty fishes (avg. wt. 1.48–1.54 g) were randomly distributed into eight treatment groups. Eight experimental diets with four different levels of aflatoxin (0, 10, 20 and 40 ppb) with or without mould inhibitor were prepared. Haematological parameters like total serum protein, albumin, globulin and A:G ratio were significantly (P < 0.05) reduced with increasing levels of aflatoxin in the diet. However, supplementation of mould inhibitor showed enhanced values when compared to non-supplemented counter parts suggesting ameliorating effects of mould inhibitor on aflatoxin. Total leucocyte count was higher in aflatoxin-treated groups. Histological observations were complementary to haematological parameters. Respiratory burst activity was significantly (P < 0.05) decreased in higher aflatoxin-treated groups but not affected significantly (P > 0.05) due to inclusion of inhibitor alone and/or interaction of aflatoxin level and inhibitor in the diet. From this study, it was concluded that up to 20 ppb aflatoxin level in the diet the haemato-immunological parameters are protected.     

Haematological modulation and growth of Labeo rohita fingerlings: effect of dietary mannan oligosaccharide,yeast extract,protein hydrolysate and chlorella

The present study was conducted for 60 days to delineate the efficacy of various dietary immunomodulators like mannan oligosaccharide (MOS), yeast extract (YE), protein hydrolysate (PH) and chlorella (CL) in Labeo rohita fingerlings. Five hundred and eighty‐five L. rohita fingerlings (average weight: 4.15 ± 0.07 g) were randomly distributed in 13 treatment groups with each of three replicates. Thirteen semi‐purified isonitrogenous (crude protein 324.7–332.5 g kg^?1) and isocaloric (17.66–17.80 MJ kg^?1) diets were prepared with three graded levels (1%, 2% or 4%) of immunostimulants, except the control. At the end of the feeding trial, weight gain%, specific growth rate, feed conversion ratio, leucocyte count, erythrocyte count, haemoglobin content, serum protein, globulin, albumin–globulin ratio, nitroblue tetrazolium (NBT) value and survival percentage were evaluated. Growth was significantly higher in the MOS‐fed group. All the immune parameters studied were also recorded higher in the MOS 1%‐supplemented group. The survival percentage after challenging with Aeromonas hydrophila was higher (P<0.05) in the MOS‐, YE‐ and PH‐fed groups and the lowest in the CL‐treated group. It can be concluded that dietary supplementation of MOS at a 1% dietary level promotes growth and survival in L. rohita fingerlings. In contrast, higher inclusion levels of immunostimulants led to an immunosuppressive effect in L. rohita fingerlings.     

The effects of naringenin and naringin on the glucose uptake and AMPK phosphorylation in high glucose treated HepG2 cells

BackgroundNaringin and its aglycone naringenin are citrus-derived flavonoids with several pharmacological effects. On the other hand, the mechanism for the anti-diabetic effects of naringenin and naringin are controversial and remain to be clarified further.ObjectiveThis study examined the relationship between glucose uptake and AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) phosphorylation by naringenin and naringin in high glucose-treated HepG2 cells.MethodsGlucose uptake was measured using the 2-NBDG fluorescent D-glucose analog. The phosphorylation levels of AMPK and GSK3β (Glycogen synthase kinase 3 beta) were observed by Western blotting. Molecular docking analysis was performed to evaluate the binding affinity of naringenin and naringin to the γ-subunit of AMPK.ResultsThe treatment with naringenin and naringin stimulated glucose uptake regardless of insulin stimulation in high glucose-treated HepG2 cells. Both flavonoids increased glucose uptake by promoting the phosphorylation of AMPK at Thr172 and increased the phosphorylation of GSK3β. Molecular docking analysis showed that both naringenin and naringin bind to the γ-subunit of AMPK with high binding affinities. In particular, naringin showed higher binding affinity than the true modulator, AMP with all three CBS domains (CBS1, 3, and 4) in the γ-subunit of AMPK. Therefore, both naringenin and naringin could be positive modulators of AMPK activation, which enhance glucose uptake regardless of insulin stimulation in high glucose-treated HepG2 cells.ConclusionsThe increased phosphorylation of AMPK at Thr172 by naringenin and naringin might enhance glucose uptake regardless of insulin stimulation in high glucose treated HepG2 cells.     

Response of gastrointestinal melatonin,antioxidants, and digestive enzymes to altered feeding conditions in carp (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Catla catla</Emphasis>)

The purpose of present study was to ascertain whether the response of gastrointestinal (gut) melatonin to altered feeding conditions was related to the levels of different antioxidants and digestive enzymes in the same gut tissues of a sub-tropical carp (Catla catla). Accordingly, the fish were subjected to food deprivation for 4 or 8 days and separately to re-feeding for 4 or 8 or 12 days after deprivation of food for 8 days, and their gut tissue homogenates were used to measure the levels of melatonin, both enzymatic [superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione S-transferase (GST)] and non-enzymatic [reduced glutathione (GSH)] antioxidants, as well as different digestive enzymes (α-amylase, cellulase, protease, and lipase). Notably, the gut levels of melatonin, SOD, CAT, GPx, and GST underwent gradual increase with the progress of food deprivation, but a sudden fall after restoration of food supply for 4 days and a rise thereafter. Conversely, the activity of all the digestive enzymes significantly decreased after deprivation of food, but started increasing when food supply was reinforced. Gut melatonin concentrations by showing a positive correlation with the titers of different antioxidants (in both food-deprived and re-fed fish groups) and a negative (in food-deprived fish) or a positive (in re-fed fish) correlation with the activity of each digestive enzyme underlined possible physiological interplay between them. Collectively, our findings lend support to the hypothesis that gut melatonin response to altered feeding conditions in carp might be associated with the oxidative status as well as the digestive functions of the gastrointestinal tissues itself.