Comparative profiles of different lipoprotein cholesterol parameters and Growth Hormone during hot humid and winter season in Murrah Buffaloes

Now, it is well known that in bovines HDL-C act as substrate for ovarian steroidogenesis. The restriction of entry of other lipoprotein parameters is due to ovarian blood barrier, which restricts the entry of other lipoproteins, which are bigger in size. In vitro studies have indicated their role in mediating proliferation of cells. Besides gonadotropin, Growth Hormone (GH) is also gaining importance in the field of reproduction. GH receptors have been localized on the ovaries and follicle of bovines. Further it has been suggested that it can be the direct role of the hormone or it can be mediated through IGF-I. It has been assigned various roles in mediating follicle development, ovulation and corpus luteum maintenance. The river buffaloes are capable of breeding throughout the year, but during certain period of time were found to be more favourable than the others. It has been found that, winter season and hot humid season exhibit two extreme conditions of temperature variation; Hot humid season being unfavourable than the winter season because of high humidity and reasonably high temperature. It has been observed that during June to August months, conception rate and exhibition of estrus behaviour is low. This study was undertaken to analyze different lipoprotein cholesterol parameters namely Total cholesterol (TC), High-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), Triglycerides (TG) and Low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) in the plasma of cyclic Murrah buffaloes throughout the estrous cycle. The mean plasma concentration (μg/ml) of different lipoproteins during hot humid season were TC 592 ± 40, HDL-C 229 ± 42, TG 345 ± 95, LDL-C 285 ± 94.Where as in winter season their concentrations were 1381.0 ± 31.0, 1793.0 ± 110.0, 511.0 ± 21.0, 608.0 ± 94.0 respectively.

The mean ± SEM circulatory level of GH was low during HH season than during winter (6 ± 2 ng/ml vs. 17 ± 2 ng/ml). During estrous cycle only one peak of GH was exhibited during hot humid season where as three peaks were exhibited during winter season. It can be concluded that winter season is favourable for maintaining physiological levels of hormones and metabolic parameters, which in turn may increase the reproductive efficiency of bovines. During winter season average temperature was 15 ±5 °C. During hot humid season average temperature was 34 ± 3 °C. THI was more than 75%.     

An Update on Reproduction in Yak and Mithun

Yak and mithun are two domesticated herbivores of high economic importance to the farming community living in highlands. Improved yak and mithun production could significantly enhance the living standards of these highlanders. Over the years, their dwindling numbers have been a cause of serious concern. In view of the lack of knowledge on the reproductive physiology of these ruminants, studies have been undertaken to investigate their reproductive endocrinology in recent years. This paper attempts to present the latest information on the endocrine changes associated with their various reproductive processes viz. growth and puberty, oestrous cyclicity and oestrous behaviour, ovulation, and, pregnancy and parturition. The paper also provides the recent developments on research done towards the enhancement of yak and mithun reproductive efficiencies through endocrine and embryo biotechniques.     

Developmental changes of seminiferous tubule in prenatal, postnatal and adult testis of bonnet monkey (Macaca radiata)

This paper is a part of our study on the male reproductive system of bonnet monkey. The developmental changes in testis of bonnet monkey were studied qualitatively and quantitatively, at the light microscopy level. Testicular development appears to primarily involve tubular growth that starts immediately after birth. There is a gradual increase in the number of tubules in the prenatal to neonatal stage in testis, without an increase in the volume. Increase in the number of tubules in the neonatal testis was achieved by an increase in the length of the tubules and reduction in the interstitial proportion. Scattered spermatogonial cells in the tubules of neonatal testis indicate the rapid growth rate of the tubules. Increase in tubular length along with diameter seems to be a continuous process until puberty. This is the first report on the developmental changes in the testis during fetal, postnatal and adult stages in the bonnet monkey.     

Antibacterial activity of Abies webbiana

The methanol extract of the dried leaves of Abies webbiana was evaluated for antimicrobial activity. The methanol extract showed a broad spectrum of antibacterial activity.     

Intake,digestibility and nitrogen balance in Mithun (<Emphasis Type="BoldItalic">Bos frontalis</Emphasis>) offered urea-treated paddy straw based feed blocks

The aim of the study was to determine the effect of feeding feed blocks containing varying proportion of urea-treated paddy straw (UTPS) on dry matter (DM) intake (DMI), nutrient utilization and N balance in Mithun. For the purpose, four adult male Mithun (279.5 ± 8.2 kg) were selected and offered four experimental rations viz. R₁ (Napier fodder + concentrate at 60:40), R₂ (UTPS + concentrate at 50:50), R₃ (UTPS + concentrate at 60:40) and R₄ (UTPS + concentrate at 70:30) in 4 × 4 Latin square design. The DMI % of body weight was 2.59, 2.96, 2.85 and 2.77 and the DMI g kg⁻¹ W^0.75 was 107, 123, 118 and 115 in Mithun fed R₁, R₂, R₃ and R₄, respectively. The mean DMI was (P < 0.01) higher in animals fed R₂ and R₃ than R₁ and R₄, whereas the water intake was (P < 0.01) higher in Mithun fed R₂, R₃ and R₄ than R₁. The digestibility of DM, organic matter, crude protein, crude fibre, neutral detergent fibre and cellulose were (P < 0.05) higher in animals fed R₂, R₃ and R₄ than R₁. A positive N balance was observed in all the experimental animals, with higher (P < 0.05) values among the animals offered R₂, R₃ and R₄ than R₁. The digestible crude protein and total digestible nutrient intakes were higher (P < 0.05) in Mithun fed R₂ and R₃ than R₁ and R₄. It is concluded that the UTPS can be incorporated up to 70% to formulate the complete feed/feed block and can be used for feeding of Mithun under complete confinement system.     

Potential of Cellulase From Bacillus megaterium for Hydrolysis of Sargassum

Bacterial cellulase can be a promising biotechnological approach in seaweed degradation to facilitate extraction of bioactive molecules. In the present study, bacterial cultures were isolated from marine and terrestrial samples and screened for cellulase production. The selected cultures were grouped by random amplification of polymorphic DNA (RAPD) profiling, and the cultures showing a distinct banding pattern were identified by 16S rDNA sequence analysis. Cellulase from Bacillus megaterium (CB-sw1-I), a native isolate, was purified by ion-exchange chromatography with a purification fold of 6.91 and specific activity of 1.66 U. The purified enzyme with molecular weight of 43 kDa was optimally active at pH 6.0 and temperature of 60°C. The potentiality of enzyme in degradation of Sargassum thallus was evident with an increase in reducing sugar. Morphology of the thallus after 10 days digestion observed by scanning electron microscope also provided additional evidence for degrading ability of the enzyme. This enzyme could subsequently be used in hydrolysis of seaweed for extraction of bioactive molecules.