Monday, 23 February 2015

Effects of β-mercaptoethanol on in vitro maturation and glutathione level of buffalo oocytes

Research (Published online: 23-02-2015)
15. Effects of β-mercaptoethanol on in vitro maturation and glutathione level of buffalo oocytes - Pankaj A. Patel, Sandhya S. Chaudhary, Gopal Puri, Virendra Kumar Singh and Arjun B. Odedara
Veterinary World, 8(2): 213-216


   doi: 10.14202/vetworld.2015.213-216





Aim: The present study was carried out to evaluate the effect of supplementation of β-mercaptoethanol (β-ME) on in vitro maturation rate and glutathione (GSH) level of buffalo oocytes.
Materials and Methods: Oocytes were recovered from buffalo’s ovaries collected from government approved slaughter house (near Kamela darwaza, Surat) of Surat Municipal Corporation. The obtained oocytes were in vitro matured in maturation media supplemented with 0 μM (117 oocytes), 100 μM (46 oocytes) and 200 μM (42 oocytes) concentration of β-ME. After 24 h of incubation, maturation rate of oocytes and intra-cellular GSH level were determined.
Results: The results showed that the presence of β-ME did not influence (p>0.05) the oocyte maturation rate. However, GSH level increased significantly (p<0.05) in matured oocytes when supplemented with 100 μM and 200 μM β-ME (6.19±0.10 and 6.37±0.20 pmol/oocyte) as compared to control media (4.68±0.26 pmol/oocyte).
Conclusion: It was concluded that β-ME may have a potential to increase the meiotic maturation of in vitro cultured oocytes and protect it from oxidative damage.
Keywords: buffalo oocytes, in vitro maturation, β-mercaptoethanol, glutathione.

Saturday, 21 February 2015

Ultrasonographic assessment of the equine palmar tendons

Research (Published online: 21-02-2015)
14. Ultrasonographic assessment of the equine palmar tendons - N. R. Padaliya, J. J. Ranpariya, Dharmendra Kumar, C. B. Javia and D. R. Barvalia
Veterinary World, 8(2): 208-212



   doi: 10.14202/vetworld.2015.208-212




Aim: The present study was conducted to evaluate the equine palmar tendon by ultrasonography (USG) in standing the position.
Materials and Methods: USG of palmar tendons was performed in 40 adult horses using linear transducer having frequency of 10-18 MHz (e-soate, My Lab FIVE) and L52 linear array transducer (Titan, SonoSite) with frequencies ranging from 8 to 10 MHz. Palmar tendon was divided into 7 levels from distal to accessory carpal bone up to ergot in transverse scanning and 3 levels in longitudinal scanning.
Results: The USG evaluation was very useful for diagnosis of affections of the conditions such as chronic bowed tendon, suspensory ligament desmitis, carpal sheath tenosynovitis and digital sheath effusions. The mean cross-sectional area (cm2) of affected tendons was significantly increased in affected than normal tendons. The echogenicity was also found reduced in affected tendons and ligaments along with disorganization of fiber alignment depending on the severity of lesion and injury.
Conclusion: USG proved ideal diagnostic tool for diagnosis and post-treatment healing assessment of tendon injuries in horses.
Keywords: cross-sectional area, deep digital flexor tendon, horses, superficial digital flexor tendon, tendon, ultrasonography.

Rumen modulatory effect of thyme, clove and peppermint oils in vitro using buffalo rumen liquor

Research (Published online: 21-02-2015)
13. Rumen modulatory effect of thyme, clove and peppermint oils in vitro using buffalo rumen liquor Debashis Roy, S. K. Tomar and Vinod Kumar
Veterinary World, 8(2): 203-207



   doi: 10.14202/vetworld.2015.203-207


Aim: The present study was conducted to examine the rumen modulatory effect of thyme, clove and peppermint oils on rumen fermentation pattern in vitro using roughage based diet.
Materials and Methods: Thyme, clove and peppermint oils were tested at concentration of 0, 30, 300 and 600 mg/l (ppm) of total culture fluid using in vitro gas production technique in wheat straw based diet (concentrate: Wheat straw 50:50). Different in vitroparameters e.g., total gas production, methane production, nutrient degradability, volatile fatty acid (VFA) production and ammonia nitrogen concentration were studied using buffalo rumen liquor.
Results: Thyme oil at higher dose level (600 ppm) reduced (p<0.05) total gas production, feed degradability and ammonia nitrogen (NH3-N) concentration whereas total VFA concentration was significantly lower (p>0.05) in 300 and 600 ppm dose levels. 600 ppm dose level of clove oil reduced (p<0.05) total gas production, feed degradability, total VFA and acetate to propionate ratio. Methane production was significantly reduced (p<0.05) in 300 and 600 ppm dose levels of clove and peppermint oil.
Conclusion: Right combination of these essential oils may prove to enhance performance of animals by reducing methane production and inhibiting protein degradation in rumen.
Keywords: ammonia nitrogen, essential oil, rumen fermentation, methane, wheat straw.

Sunday, 15 February 2015

Influence of post hatch dietary supplementation of fat on performance, carcass cuts and biochemical profile in Ven Cobb broiler

Research (Published online: 16-02-2015)
10. Influence of post hatch dietary supplementation of fat on performance, carcass cuts and biochemical profile in Ven Cobb broiler -Komal Prasad Rai, M. K. Gendley, S. P. Tiwari, Tarini Sahu and Surendra Kumar Naik
Veterinary World, 8(2): 187-191



   doi: 10.14202/vetworld.2015.187-191

Citation: Rai KP, Gendley MK, Tiwari SP, Sahu T, Naik SK (2015) Influence of post hatch dietary supplementation of fat on performance, carcass cuts and biochemical profile in Ven Cobb broiler, Veterinary World 8(2):187-191.


Aim: The present experiment was conducted to study the effect of post hatch dietary fat supplementation on performance of broiler chicken.
Materials and Methods: A total of 120 day-old Ven Cobb broiler chicks were randomly assigned to 4 treatment groups of 30 chicks in each (three replicates of 10 birds/treatment). The trial lasted for 35 days. The experimental design was a completely randomized design. Four types of diet were formulated for 1st week: T1, T2, T3 and T4 contained control diet with no added fat, 2.5, 5 and 7.5% fat, respectively. After 1st week post-hatch period chicks were fed ad libitum with the normal basal diet as per Bureau of Indian Standard recommendations till completion of the experiment (8-35 days).
Results: Significantly higher (p<0.05) body weight and improved feed conversion ratio (FCR) was recorded in birds fed 5% dietary fat at the end of the experiment whereas, feed intake was not significantly affected. Significantly (p<0.05) higher dressed weight was observed due to 5% fat supplementation than other groups whereas, it was not significant for other carcass cuts. No significant differences were observed in moisture, protein and lipid content of breast and thigh muscle of broiler due to supplemented fat whereas, 2.5% dietary fat significantly (p<0.05) increase the serum HI titer on day 28th. In biochemical profile, higher serum albumin (g/dl) was recorded due to 5% fat supplementation whereas other biochemical components did not show any significance difference among treatments.
Conclusion: It may be concluded that supplementation of fat in broilers diet improves the overall FCR, dressing percentage and gain more body weight.
Keywords: biochemical profile, broiler, carcass cuts, fat, performance, post hatch.

Chromosomal profile of indigenous pig (Sus scrofa)

Research (Published online: 16-02-2015)
9. Chromosomal profile of indigenous pig (Sus scrofa) - P. Guru Vishnu, B. Punyakumari, B. Ekambaram, M. Gnana Prakash and B. V. Subramanyam
Veterinary World, 8(2): 183-186



   doi: 10.14202/vetworld.2015.183-186

Citation: Guruvishnu P, Punyakumari B, Ekambaram B, Prakash MG, Subramanyam BV (2015) Chromosomal profile of indigenous pig (Sus scrofa),Veterinary World, 8(2) 183-186.


Aim: The objective of this study was to investigate the chromosomal profile of indigenous pigs by computing morphometric measurements.
Materials and Methods: A cytogenetic study was carried out in 60 indigenous pigs to analyze the chromosomal profile by employing the short term peripheral blood lymphocyte culture technique.
Results: The modal chromosome number (2n) in indigenous pigs was found to be 38 and a fundamental number of 64 as in the exotic. First chromosome was the longest pair, and thirteenth pair was the second largest while Y-chromosome was the smallest in the karyotype of the pig. The mean relative length, arm ratio, centromeric indices and morphological indices of chromosomes varied from 1.99±0.01 to 11.23±0.09, 1.04±0.05 to 2.95±0.02, 0.51±0.14 to 0.75±0.09 and 2.08±0.07 to 8.08±0.15%, respectively in indigenous pigs. Sex had no significant effect (p>0.05) on all the morphometric measurements studied.
Conclusion: The present study revealed that among autosomes first five pairs were sub metacentric, next two pairs were sub telocentric (6-7), subsequent five pairs were metacentric (8-12) and remaining six pairs were telocentric (13-18), while both allosomes were metacentric. The chromosomal number, morphology and various morphometric measurements of the chromosomes of the indigenous pigs were almost similar to those established breeds reported in the literature.
Keywords: chromosomal profile, indigenous pigs, idiogram, morphometric measurements.

Evaluation of egg production after adoption of biosecurity strategies by backyard poultry farmers in West Bengal

Research (Published online: 16-02-2015)
8. Evaluation of egg production after adoption of biosecurity strategies by backyard poultry farmers in West Bengal I. Samanta, S. N. Joardar, D. Ganguli, P. K. Das and U. Sarkar
Veterinary World, 8(2): 177-182



   doi: 10.14202/vetworld.2015.177-182

Citation: Samanta I, Joardar SN, Ganguli D, Das PK, Sarkar U (2015) Evaluation of egg production after adoption of biosecurity strategies by backyard poultry farmers in West Bengal, Veterinary World, 8(2):177-182.


Aim: On the basis of identified source of major bacterial infections at four agro-climatic zones in West Bengal the cost-effective biosecurity strategy was formulated for backyard poultry farmers. The aim of the present study was to assess the adoption. So, the study was aimed to detect the adoption level of the formulated biosecurity strategy to mitigate the Salmonella and Escherichia colicontamination level in the sources and its correlation with egg production in West Bengal.
Materials and Methods: A questionnaire was prepared querying regarding the biosecurity measures presently followed by the farmers, if any and egg production of their birds. Subsequent to the interview the formulated biosecurity strategy was conveyed. After 3 months, the interview with the same questionnaire was conducted to the same farmers to detect their adoption level.
Results: The change in practices were noted in certain parameters which differs significantly (p<0.01 or p<0.05). As a consequence, the average egg production/flock was increased in 3 months after adoption of the strategy (618.2±37.77/flock) in comparison to last 3 months average before adoption of the strategy (495.3±30.00/flock) which also differs significantly (p<0.01).
Conclusion: The present study detected the implementation of the biosecurity strategy in backyard poultry farming in West Bengal can substantially benefit the farmers in terms of increased egg production.
Keywords: adoption, backyard poultry, biosecurity strategy, egg production, West Bengal.

Tuesday, 10 February 2015

Fungal biological control agents for integrated management of Culicoides spp. (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) of livestock

Research (Published online: 10-02-2015)
5. Fungal biological control agents for integrated management of Culicoides spp. (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) of livestock B. W. Narladkar, P. R. Shivpuje and P. C. Harke
Veterinary World, 8(2): 156-163



   doi: 10.14202/vetworld.2015.156-163


Aim: Entomopathogenic fungi Metarhizium anisopliae and Beauveria bassiana had wide host range against insects and hence these are being exploited as fungal bio-pesticide on a large scale. Both fungi are proved pesticides against many crop pests and farmers are well acquainted with their use on the field. Thus, research was aimed to explore the potency of these fungal spores against larval and adultCulicoides midges, a pest of livestock.
Materials and Methods: In-vitro testing of both fungal biological control agents was undertaken in Petri dishes against field collectedCulicoides larvae, while in plastic beakers against field collected blood-engorged female Culicoides midges. In-vivo testing was undertaken by spraying requisite concentration of fungal spores on the drainage channel against larvae and resting sites of adultCulicoides midges in the cattle shed. Lethal concentration 50 (LC50) values and regression equations were drawn by following probit analysis using SPSS statistical computerized program.
Results: The results of this study revealed LC50 values of 2692 mg and 3837 mg (108 cfu/g) for B. bassiana and M. anisopliae, respectively, against Culicoides spp. larvae. Death of Culicoides larvae due to B. bassiana showed greenish coloration in the middle of the body with head and tail showed intense blackish changes, while infection of M. anisopliae resulted in death of Culicoides larvae with greenish and blackish coloration of body along with total destruction, followed by desquamation of intestinal channel. The death of adultCulicoides midges were caused by both the fungi and after death growth of fungus were very well observed on the dead cadavers proving the efficacy of the fungus.
Conclusion: Preliminary trials with both funguses (M. anisopliae, B. bassiana) showed encouraging results against larvae and adults ofCulicoides spp. Hence, it was ascertained that, these two fungal molecules can form a part of biological control and alternative to chemical control and, therefore, can be inducted in integrated management programs.
Keywords: biocontrol agents, Beauveria bassiana, Culicoides spp, integrated pest management, Metarhizium anisopliae.