Outbreaks of egg drop syndrome due to EDS-76 virus in quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica).

Two outbreaks of the egg drop syndrome were observed in quail flocks maintained on a farm together with chickens. The decrease in egg production ranged from 10.6 per cent to 50.6 per cent, and the number of soft-shelled eggs increased with the decline in egg production. In both the outbreaks haemagglutination inhibiting antibodies to EDS-76 virus were detected. Fluorescent viral antigen specific to EDS-76 virus was also detected in the lining epithelial and glandular cells of the uterus.     

Antibody directed against Marek's disease-associated tumor surface antigen can be eluted from Marek's disease tumor cells.

Antibody directed against Marek's disease-associated tumor surface antigen (MATSA) was eluted from tumor cells of lymphomas and peripheral blood lymphocytes that were isolated from Marek's disease virus-infected chickens. Feather follicular Marek's disease virus (MDV) antigen could not be demonstrated with this antibody by indirect immunofluorescent (IF) staining. Monoclonal antibody directed against MATSA could completely block the activity of eluted antibody and vice versa. By indirect IF staining using eluted antibody and fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) labelled antichicken globulin conjugate. MATSA-bearing cells were detected in MDV infected and herpes virus of turkey (HVT) vaccinated birds. Blocking of immunoglobulin molecules present on B-cells by anti-chicken globulin is critical in this test.     

Organic zinc and copper supplementation on antioxidant protective mechanism and their correlation with sperm functional characteristics in goats

Trace minerals feeding had significant effects on sperm production and fertility with better absorption and proper utilization within the body for optimum reproductive function. Several studies have shown that more influenced trace elements in the diets of animals are copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn). Bucks showing deficiency of this mineral might affect the quality of semen production which in turn would affect the fertility. This experiment was thus designed to test the effects of organic Cu and Zn supplementation on antioxidants enzyme activities and sperm functional attributes in fresh semen of bucks. Forty bucks (n = 40, Aged 5 months) were assigned to ten groups of four animals in each group, supplemented (for a period of 8 months) with different levels of organic Zn: 20 mg (T2), 40 mg (T3) and 60 mg (T4), organic Cu: 12.5 mg (T5), 25 mg (T6), 37.5 mg (T7) and combined organic Zn and Cu: 20 + 12.5 mg (T8), 40 + 25 mg (T9), 60 + 37.5 mg (T10), respectively, per kg dry matter and no additional mineral diet (control; T1). One hundred and sixty semen samples were collected through electro‐ejaculator and analysed for sperm quantity, quality, acrosome intactness and plasma membrane integrity and correlated with the catalase, superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase and glutathione reductase enzyme activities in seminal plasma. The results indicated organic Cu and zinc supplemented bucks produced more sperm cells, had higher sperm concentrations, maintained higher (p < .01) sperm livability, plasma membrane and acrosome integrities, more motility and velocity. The increased antioxidant enzyme activities, reduced oxidative stress and lowered lipid peroxidation were positively correlated (p < .05) with the sperm functional attributes. In conclusion, organic Cu and Zn supplement to male goats showed protective roles against oxidative damage and maintained better fresh semen characteristics.     

Geostatistical and fuzzy clustering approach for delineation of site-specific management zones and yield-limiting factors in irrigated hot arid environment of India

Precision Agriculture - Delineation of management zones (MZs) are needed to manage fields in order to maximize economic return, minimize environmental impact, and improve soil and crop management....     

Effect of dietary Curcuma longa on enzymatic and immunological profiles of rohu,Labeo rohita (Ham.), infected with Aeromonas hydrophila

The aim of this study was to evaluate the dietary dosages of turmeric that enhance immune response and disease resistance against the opportunistic pathogens Aeromonas hydrophila in Labeo rohita fingerlings. Hence, four different dosages of turmeric at 0.1, 0.5, 1.0 and 5.0 g kg^?1 feed were given to the fingerlings of L. rohita for 60 days at 4% body weight. At every 20‐day interval, different biochemical, haematological, enzymatic and immunological parameters of fish were evaluated. After 60 days, fish were challenged with A. hydrophila. The mortality (%) was recorded on the tenth day post challenge. Most of the immune parameters including lysozyme activity, superoxide anion production and serum bactericidal activity were significantly (P<0.05) higher on 60 days of feeding of 1.0 g of turmeric per kg of feed. Challenge study indicated 100% and 89% survivability in the group of fish fed with 5.0 and 1.0 g of turmeric per kg of feed respectively. Feeding of turmeric might have maintained long‐term protection in fish by elevating the nonspecific immune system such as Nitroblue tetrazolium (NBT), lysozyme and serum bactericidal activity. The result showed that turmeric at a dose of 1.0 g kg^?1 feed for 60 days provided the greatest protection to pathogen challenge.     

Clinical and hematological findings on "Degnala", a disease of buffalo in Eastern Nepal

A buffalo disease, called "Degnala", causing lameness, edema, gangrenous ulceration of hooves or tail, emaciation, recumbency and eventual death, occurs in Eastern Nepal. Clinical examinations manifested lice eggs on hairs, bradycardia, hypothermia, dehydration, exanthema and icterus. Hematologically, increase of band neutrophil, giant platelet, hypoalbuminemia and hyperglobulinemia were characteristics. Microscopically, dark blue tiny particles were seen on red blood cell (RBC) after Giemsa staining. Administration of tetracycline at an early stage of the disease was effective.     

Moisture-dependent physical properties of jatropha fruit

The physical properties of fruit are important in designing and fabricating equipment and structures for handling, transporting, processing and storage, and also for assessing quality. The study was conducted to investigate some physical properties of jatropha fruit at various moisture levels. The average length, width, thickness and 1000 mass were 29.31 mm, 22.18 mm, 21.36 mm and 1522.10 g, respectively, at moisture content of 7.97% d.b. The geometric mean diameter increased from 24.03 to 24.70 mm and the sphericity varied between 0.82 and 0.83 as moisture content increased from 7.97% to 23.33% d.b., respectively. In the same moisture range, the bulk and true densities decreased from 278 to 253 and 546 to 435 kg m^?3, respectively, whereas the corresponding porosity also decreased from 49.08% to 41.84%. As the moisture content increased from 7.97% to 23.33% d.b., crushing strength was decreased from 275 to 79 N, whereas the angle of repose and surface areas were found to increase from 36.41° to 41.72° and 1815.73 to 1917.59 mm², respectively. The static coefficient of friction of jatropha fruit increased linearly against the surfaces of three structural materials, namely plywood (47.81%), mild steel (62.88%) and aluminium (34.82%) as the moisture content increased from 7.97% to 23.33% d.b.     

Moisture-dependent physical properties of jatropha seed (Jatropha curcas L.)

The study was conducted to investigate some moisture-dependent physical properties of jatropha seed namely, seed dimension, 1000 seed mass, surface area, sphericity, bulk density, true density, angle of repose and static coefficient of friction against different materials. The physical properties of jatropha seed were evaluated as a function of moisture content in the range of 4.75–19.57% d.w. The average length, width, thickness and 1000 seed mass were 18.65 mm, 11.34 mm, 8.91 mm and 741.1 g, respectively at moisture content of 4.75% d.w. The geometric mean diameter and sphericity increased from 12.32 to 12.89 mm and 0.66 to 0.67 as moisture content increased from 4.75 to 19.57% d.w., respectively. In the same moisture range, densities of the rewetted jatropha seed decreased from 492 to 419 kg m⁻³, true density increased from 679 to 767 kg m⁻³, and the corresponding porosity increased from 27.54 to 45.37%. As the moisture content increased from 4.75 to 19.57% d.w., the angle of repose and surface area were found to increase from 28.15° to 39.95° and 476.78 to 521.99 mm², respectively. The static coefficient of friction of jatropha seed increased linearly against the surfaces of three structural materials, namely plywood (44.12%), mild steel sheet (64.15%) and aluminum (68.63%) as the moisture content increased from 4.75 to 19.57% d.w.     

Comparative Expression Analysis of Gametogenesis‐Associated Genes in Foetal and Adult Bubaline (Bubalus bubalis) Ovaries and Testes

This study was conducted to identify and analyse the expression of gametogenesis‐associated genes and proteins in foetal and adult buffalo gonads of both the sexes. Relative quantification of the genes was determined by qPCR and Western blotting. Immunohistochemistry was also performed for various gametogenesis‐associated proteins in foetal and adult gonads of both the sexes. We observed significantly (p < 0.05) increased expression of primordial germ cell‐specific, meiotic as well as genes associated with oocyte maturation and development in foetal ovaries as compared to the adult ones. However, significantly (p < 0.05) increased expression of proteins associated with oocyte maturation like GDF9 and ZP4 was found in adult ovaries, indicating temporal regulation of mRNA translation during oogenesis. Meiotic genes showed significantly (p < 0.05) increased expression in adult testes as compared to foetal testes and ovaries, indicating onset of meiosis at a later stage in spermatogenesis. In general, the expression of primordial germ cell‐associated as well as meiotic genes was higher in adult testes, indicating the increased biological activity in the organ. Immunohistochemistry revealed localized expression of gametogenesis‐associated proteins in ovarian follicles and seminiferous tubules of testes, while the surrounding somatic tissues were devoid of these proteins. The study gives an understanding of the sequential and temporal events of gene expression as well as mRNA translation during male and female gametogenesis. It could also be concluded that follicles and seminiferous tubules are the functional units of the female and male gonads, respectively, and their function could be enhanced by appropriate chemical and genetic intervention of the somatic tissue immediately surrounding them. This assumes importance in the context that buffalo attains sexual maturity at an older age of 2–3 years and have smaller ovaries with lesser number of primordial follicles in comparison with cattle, which is suggested to be the main reason of their poor breeding performance.