ABSTRACT
Ladakh is the high altitude (11,184 ft above sea level) cold desert region in the state of Jammu & Kashmir (India), where winter temperature goes below - 35 °C. A total of 37 faecal samples were collected from local Changthangi and Russian merino sheep of the Leh region of Ladakh, having the history of diarrhoea and emaciation, followed by death. Of the 37 samples collected, 20 (54.05%) showed presence of Cryptosporidium sp. infection on faecal smear examination after Ziehl-Neelsen staining. The number of samples positive for Cryptosporidium sp. infection on faecal smear examination was 7 and 13 for Russian Merino and local Changthangi sheep, respectively. The occurrence of Cryptosporidium sp. infection was similar in both sexes, 11/20 (55%) in females and 9/20 (45%) for males. The Age-wise occurrence of Cryptosporidium sp. infection in different age groups was found to be: 50% in less than 2 year age group and 50% in more than 2 year age group. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of Cryptosporidium sp. infection in adult sheep from India. The survival of the parasite at such freezing temperature gives the insight about its cold-resistant nature.
ABSTRACT
Oxidative stress inducing potential of bifenthrin was evaluated in the liver, kidney, and lung of rats following its repeated oral administration for 20 and 30 days. Bifenthrin-treated rats showed a significant lipid peroxidation in all three tissues. By 20th day of treatment, there was a significant decrease in superoxide dismutase activity of the liver, catalase and glutathione peroxidase activity of the liver and lung, and glutathione S-transferase activity of the kidney and lung. By 30th day of exposure, the activities of these enzymes were significantly decreased in all three tissues. The highest oxidative stress, indicated by lipid peroxidation and alteration in antioxidant enzymes, is produced in the liver followed by the kidney and lung. In conclusion, bifenthrin has a potential to induce severe oxidative stress in the liver, kidney, and lung. The extent of oxidative stress is increased with the duration of exposure.
