Plasma hormones, metabolites, milk production, and cholesterol levels in Murrah buffaloes fed with Asparagus racemosus in transition and postpartum period

Ten dry and pregnant Murrah buffaloes were selected to investigate the effect of Asparagus racemosus feeding on hormones, metabolites, milk yield, and plasma cholesterol levels. The treatment groups of buffaloes were fed with A. racemosus (shatavari) @?150?g/day/animal during prepartum and @?300?g/day/animal during the postpartum period. Blood samples collected on ?6, ?4, ?2-week, day of parturition (0), and +2, +4, and +6-week postpartum were analyzed for plasma total cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL, low-density lipoproteins (LDL), prolactin, cortisol, and blood metabolites. Milk samples collected at weekly intervals (+1, +3, +5, and 7?weeks) were analyzed for total milk fat cholesterol. Prepartum plasma cholesterol concentrations were significantly higher in treatment group over the control (P?<?0.05). Mean plasma triglycerides, LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, glucose, and nonesterified fatty acid (NEFA) levels varied nonsignificantly between groups. Plasma prolactin and cortisol concentrations were significantly (P?<?0.01) more in treatment group than in control group. On day of parturition, plasma prolactin, cortisol, LDL, and plasma total cholesterol were higher (P?<?0.01) in treatment group buffaloes in comparison to control group. A. racemosus feeding significantly (P?<?0.01) increased plasma prolactin, cortisol (P?<?0.01), and milk fat cholesterol (P?<?0.05) without affecting total cholesterol, HDL, LDL, glucose, and NEFA concentrations. The buffaloes of treatment group produced more milk (?@?0.526?kg/animal/day) suggesting thereby that A. racemosus is galactopoietic. It was concluded that feeding of A. racemosus increases plasma prolactin and cortisol and decreased plasma total cholesterol and LDL concentration.     

Correlations among <Emphasis Type="Italic">Anaplasma marginale</Emphasis> parasitemia and markers of oxidative stress in crossbred calves

The present study was designed to determine the correlations among Anaplasma marginale parasitemia and markers of oxidative stress in crossbred calves. Blood was collected from 11 crossbred calves infected with A. marginale along with 11 healthy crossbred calves as controls for determination of hematology and oxidative stress indicators. Percentage of parasitemia in infected calves varied from 0.8% to 6.0%. The values of hematological indicators and antioxidant enzymes were decreased, whereas erythrocytic lipid peroxidation (LPO) and plasma nitrate (NO) level were significantly (p < 0.05) augmented in A. marginale-infected animals over healthy group. Parasitemia was positively correlated (p < 0.01) with erythrocytic LPO and plasma NO and negatively correlated (p < 0.01) with hematological indicators and antioxidant enzymes. In addition, erythrocytic LPO was negatively correlated (p < 0.01) with the hemoglobin, erythrocyte count, and packed cell volume. From the present study, it can be concluded that anaplasmosis in crossbred calves is associated with a parasitic load-dependent oxidative damage as indicated by poor antioxidant status and enhanced oxidative stress, which are contributed to severe anemia.     

Geographic patterns of genetic diversity and fertility restoration ability of Asian and African origin pearl millet populations

A set of 45 diverse Asian and African origin/bred populations of pearl millet were investigated multi-locationally for morphological traits including grain yield and assessed for their fertility restoration ability on three cytoplasmic male sterility(CMS) systems in two contrasting seasons. Significant genetic variation was found for all the yield linked traits. Multivariate analysis for grain yield and its component traits grouped these populations into five clusters. Most of the Asian origin populations grouped into single cluster(Cluster III) and separated from the rest of the African origin populations indicating the presence of correspondence between clustering pattern and geographical origin of the populations. Clusters dominated with Asian populations(As-As) had linkages with early flowering, short plant height, more number of tillers, small and thin panicles, small seeded and low grain yield compared to the clusters dominated by African populations(Af-Af) or African origin and Asian bred(Af-As) populations.Genetically related populations having common parentage were found grouped in same clusters.Fertility restoration/maintainer frequency of 45 populations on three diverse CMS systems revealed that overall fertility restoration frequency was highest for A1(86%) followed by A4(37%) and for A5(7%) CMS system. Five populations were identified as potential sources for developing maintainer lines for all three CMS systems and eight populations were identified specifically for A;and A;CMS systems. A set of 11 and four populations were identified for restorer line development exclusively for A;and A;CMS system,respectively. Six populations were identified for the development of dual restorers for both A;and A;CMS system.     

Influence of abiotic factors on behaviour and adult emergence pattern of coconut white grub, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Leucopholis coneophora</Emphasis> Burmeister (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae)

Leucopholis coneophora Burmeister is a subterranean pest associated with coconut based cropping systems in south India. Feeding damage causes yellowing of fronds and yield reduction. To develop appropriate IPM strategy a basic knowledge on insect behaviour is essential. Four years studies indicated that, adult emergence of L. coneophora was commenced with summer shower in April in Kerala. Delay in summer shower delayed the emergence. After a pause in May, the emergence resumed with the setting of south west monsoon in June. The beetles did not emerge during dry spells in between the rainy days, when the soil temperature (at 10 cm depth) was ≥34.5 °C. Emergence of the beetles started at an illuminance of 124.37?±?75.5 l in evening and remained active till 2?±?0.4 l with a maximum swarming at 32.6?±?15.1 l. Female emergence and mating occurred at 12.04?±?8.1 l. Female based sex pheromone mediated communication is evident. Strong competition among the males for mating with emerging female, which was evident by a wider operational sex ratio in the initial period (1:10.11) that narrowed down to 1:4.33 in later days. The beetles neither congregate on any host plant nor exhibit phototaxis. Number of beetles entrapped in light traps varied from 1.5–16.5% and hand picking is highly significant over light trapping. Hence hand picking of beetles daily in the evening for 2 weeks commencing from the onset of south west monsoon in Kerala, in Indian subcontinent is suggested as a tool in IPM.     

Molecular characterization and SNP identification in HSPB6 gene in Karan Fries (Bos taurus x Bos indicus) cattle

Tropical Animal Health and Production - Heat shock proteins (HSPs) act as molecular chaperones which are preferentially transcribed in response to severe perturbations of the cellular homeostasis...     

Effect of protection against hot climate on growth performance,physiological response and endocrine profile of growing lambs under semi-arid tropical environment

In the hot semi-arid tropical region, extreme summer is a major constraint in sheep production. The growth performance of growing lambs is impaired during the summer. Therefore, the present study was conducted to assess the effect of protection against hot climate on growth performance, physiological response, and endocrine profile of growing lambs under semi-arid tropical environment. All the data in the experiment were presented as mean ± SE. Thirty Malpura lambs with the age of 122.7 ± 6.05 days and body weight of 19.52 ± 0.42 kg were allotted into three groups, viz. G1 (control, lambs kept in open area under tree shade), G2 (lambs kept in conventional asbestos-roofed shed), and G3 (lambs kept in designed shed). The allotment was based on their initial body weight so that the mean body weight of each group was similar. In all three types of protection, lambs were provided with sufficient space to move and social interaction. In asbestos-roofed shed (G2), all the four sides from ground to the roof were fenced with strong galvanized iron chain link. But in G3, all the four sides were constructed in a manner that there was 0.13 m air space between inner and outer solid brick columns of the wall up to 1.37 m height, and rest up to the roof was fenced with bamboo splint net. The air space between the two columns of the wall was filled with sand, and it was kept in moist condition by continuous water drips which provide extra evaporative cooling. The designed shed was basically constructed with bamboo. Tree shade was assured under the natural shades of large trees. The shaded area was protected by wire fences. The experiment was conducted for 45 days during very high temperature (May–June). The lambs were provided with ad libitum green fodder, dry roughage, 300 g concentrate, and ad libitum drinking water. The respiration rate at morning and afternoon, pulse rate at morning and afternoon and rectal temperature at afternoon was significantly (P < 0.05) lower in lambs of G3 as compared to other groups. The final body weight did not differ significantly between the groups, but average daily gain (g/day) was higher in G3 (150.06 ± 11.13) as compared to the G1 (109.69 ± 18.10). The feed conversion rate (FCR) was significantly (P < 0.05) better in G3 (5.49 ± 0.08) as compared to G1 (7.65 ± 0.08) and G2 (6.60 ± 0.08). The hemoglobin level was significantly (P < 0.05) higher in G1. The endocrine profile did not vary significantly (P > 0.05) among the groups, but insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) was higher in G3. It can be concluded from this study the lambs provided with better protection during summer remained in more comfortable condition, showed better FCR, and although not statistically significant showed better growth performance.

     

Depressed polymorphonuclear cell functions in periparturient cows that develop postpartum reproductive diseases

The study was planned to see if there is any important and significant changes in the PMN function in cows suffering from postpartum reproductive diseases (PRD). Blood sampling was done from 41 pregnant cows on 15 days prepartum (?15d), calving day (0d), 15 days (15d) and 30 days (30d) postpartum and thorough gynaecological examination was performed on 0d, 15d, 30d and 45d for diagnosis of PRD like retained placenta (RP), clinical metritis (CM), clinical endometritis (CE) and delayed involution of uterus (DIU). The heparinised blood was used for isolation of PMN leukocytes for estimation of superoxide (SO), hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) and enzyme myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity in each group of cows. The SO production (ΔOD) was greater for normal (0.19 ± 0.05) than cows suffering from RP (?0.12 ± 0.09), CM (?0.15 ± 0.13) and CE (?0.07 ± 0.05) at -15d. The mean value was greater for normal cows (0.12) than the cows with PRD (0.05 to 0.9) at 30d. The H₂O₂ production was greater for normal than cows with PRD at all sampling days and significantly greater than cows with RP and CE at 15d (p < 0.01) and 30d (P < 0.05). The MPO activity (μmol/1 × 10⁷) was greater for normal (18.77 ± 1.27) than for RP (12.52 ± 2.57) and CM (11.31 ± 3.30) cows on 0d. The depressed capability of the PMN from the cows with PRD to produce SO, H₂O₂ and MPO during the periparturient period indicated their association with the development of RP, CM and CE.     

Assessment of nebulisation of sodium ceftiofur in the treatment of calves naturally infected with bovine respiratory disease

Twelve screened cases of bovine respiratory disease (BRD) in calves were enrolled. Six of the calves were treated intramuscularly with sodium ceftiofur (1 mg/kg), and six were treated with nebulised sodium ceftiofur (1 mg/kg). Comparative evaluation of the two therapeutic modalities was based on repetitive analysis of hematological profile of calves on days 0, 5, and 10 post-therapy. The mortality rate in the group of calves treated with the nebulised sodium ceftiofur was significantly (p?<?0.001) lower, and their clinical and hematological parameters returned to normal significantly (p?<?0.001) faster than in calves treated intramuscularly. Nebulisation of sodium ceftiofur is the most effective treatment in calves with BRD under field conditions. Nasal lavage fluid analysis indicating a high rise of neutrophil count and macrophages may be used as an alternative method to detect pulmonary inflammation in BRD-affected calves.     

Associated bacterial diversity of insecticide-susceptible and -resistant brown planthopper, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Nilaparvata lugens</Emphasis> (Homoptera: Delphacidae) analyzed by culture-dependent and -independent methods

Nilaparvata lugens (Stål) is one of the major pests of rice throughout tropical and temperate Asia. Indiscriminate use of insecticides for suppressing N. lugens has resulted in the development of resistance to multiple insecticide classes, causing frequent control failures in the field. Analysis of gut bacterial diversity within an insect host is the initial step towards understanding the ecological roles of the symbionts. Present study aimed to survey the bacterial diversity associated with laboratory-reared (insecticide-susceptible) and field-collected (insecticide-resistant) populations of N. lugens by culture-dependent and PCR-Denaturing Gradient Gel Electrophoresis (DGGE) methods. Seventeen bacterial isolates were obtained by the culture-dependent method. Molecular characterization using the 16S rRNA gene and phylogenetic analysis revealed that the isolates belonged to Firmicutes and Proteobacteria. Taxonomic assignment placed these isolates into seven families representing 10 genera. Enterobacteriaceae was the most dominant family with its occurrence in four out of the five populations studied. The DGGE profiles indicated a low complex gut bacteria associated with N. lugens with limited number of bands. The Shannon-Wiener index ranged from 0.898 in insecticide-susceptible population to 0.946–1.035 in resistant populations. Sequencing and phylogenetic analysis revealed that the DGGE bands belonged to Firmicutes, Proteobacteria and Bacteriodetes. Results of this study illustrated that gut bacterial community associated with N. lugens is dominated by Proteobacteria and Firmicutes. Present findings could provide the basis for future work on the possible role of the bacterial symbionts in insecticide resistance and to formulate potential resistance management strategies.