Effect of exogenous administration of buffalo follicular fluid on follicular development, estrus response and luteal function in anoestrous goats (Capra hircus).

The effect of buffalo follicular fluid (buFF) on follicular development, estrus response and luteal function was investigated in anoestrous does. Treatment with buFF (18 ml/doe) had no significant effect on the number of antral follicles of all class categories during the period of administration. However, after cessation of buFF treatment, the number of total antral follicles increased significantly with time (P<0.003) as well as due to the treatment x time interaction (P<0.02), without any influence on follicle size. Injection of buFF also caused a marked increase (P<0.049) with time in the number of medium-sized follicles at cessation. Approximately 60 and 20% of buFF-treated anoestrous does showed behavioural and silent estrus, respectively, compared to none in the control. The mean interval between cessation of buFF treatment to onset of oestrus and oestrus duration was 67.0+/-18.5 and 17.0+/-3.6h, respectively. Corpus lutea size varied between 4.6 and 5.8 mm with an average diameter of 5.2+/-0.3mm. Only 33.3% of does showed serum progesterone levels above 1 ng/ml, while the remainder (66.7%) had below 0.5 ng/ml. Our results indicate that exogenous administration of buFF causes enhanced follicular activity following cessation of treatment, which results in behavioural oestrus and corpus luteum (CL) development in anoestrous does. CL development and its function is, however, inadequate in buFF-treated anoestrous does.

Carbon microelectromechanical systems as a substratum for cell growth.

The study of the biocompatible properties of carbon microelectromechanical systems (carbon-MEMS) shows that this new microfabrication technique is a promising approach to create novel platforms for the study of cell physiology. Four different types of substrates were tested, namely, carbon-MEMS on silicon and quartz wafers, indium tin oxide (ITO) coated glass and oxygen-plasma-treated carbon thin films. Two cell lines, murine dermal fibroblasts and neuroblastoma spinal cord hybrid cells (NSC-34) were plated onto the substrates. Both cell lines showed preferential adhesion to the selectively plasma-treated regions in carbon films. Atomic force microscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy analyses demonstrated that the oxygen-plasma treatment modifies the physical and chemical properties of carbon, thereby enhancing the adsorption of extracellular matrix-forming proteins on its surface. This accounts for the differential adhesion of cells on the plasma-treated areas. As compared to the methods reported to date, this technique achieves alignment of the cells on the carbon electrodes without relying on direct patterning of surface molecules. The results will be used in the future design of novel biochemical sensors, drug screening systems and basic cell physiology research devices.

Antimicrobial activity of Hedychium spicatum.

Extracts from rhizomes of Hedychium spicatum were tested for their antibacterial and antifungal activity. Essential oil, petroleum ether and chloroform extracts showed inhibitory activity against Gram (+) and Gram (-) bacterial cultures, including a strain of methicillin and vancomycin resistant Staphylococcus aureus and fungal cultures.

Effect of enrobing and antioxidants on quality characteristics of precooked pork patties under chilled and frozen storage conditions.

Enrobed or coated pork patties containing a (50:50) mixture of butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) and butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) at a level of 100 ppm in the batter mix and meat emulsion were cooked and stored chilled (4±1 °C) and frozen (-18±1 °C) for evaluation of quality. Test samples were compared to control patties (neither enrobed nor antioxidant treated). After 35 days of refrigerated storage no significant difference (P>0.05) was found in pH, 2-thiobarbituric acid (TBA) and Warner-Bratzler shear force (WBSF) values between uncoated and treated samples. Similarly, enrobed patties showed no significant (P<0.05) decrease in TBA values compared to control patties, but had lower relative moisture loss at the 45th day of frozen storage. However, control patties had significantly (P<0.05) higher overall shear values than coated patties under the same storage conditions. Coated samples had higher microbial loads but below the acceptable limit. Total plate counts (TPC) in enrobed and control patties were around 3.48 and 3.05 log(10) cfu/g, respectively, whereas in frozen stored samples these numbers were 2.77 and 2.69 log(10) cfu/g at the end of storage. Sensory scores viz appearance and color, flavor, juiciness, texture, and overall acceptability were higher in treated samples than controls during the entire storage period.

Detomidine-diazepam-ketamine anaesthesia in buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) calves.

Eight buffalo calves (8-12 months, 70-100 kg) were randomly assigned to two groups of four animals each. Animals of group I were given detomidine (100 micrograms/kg), whereas animals of group II received a mixture of detomidine (100 micrograms/kg), diazepam (100 micrograms/kg) and ketamine (3 mg/kg) (DDK) intravenously. Various clinical parameters, such as weak time, down time, pedal and pinprick reflexes, muscle relaxation and extent of sedation, as well as heart and respiratory rates and electrocardiograms were measured before (time 0) and 15, 30, 45, 60, 75 and 90 min after treatment. In all the animals of group II (DDK), the pedal reflex was completely abolished (score: 3.00 +/- 0.00) within 5 min, the pinprick response was either very weak or it was completely abolished at this interval. Muscle relaxation and sedation were excellent within 5 min of DDK administration. The depth of sedation and analgesia was maximum from 5 to 15 min postinjection. Detomidine alone, however, failed to produce appropriate depression of the pedal and pinprick reflexes, sedation was mild and muscle relaxation was inadequate. Heart rate showed a significant (P < 0.05) decrease in group I, but the decrease was non-significant in group II. A more pronounced increase in respiratory rate was observed in group I as compared to group II. Animals of both groups recovered within 90 min without any complication. Minimal changes in the cardiovascular system in the group given the DDK combination were an advantage over the group given detomidine. The results indicated that DDK combination is safe and suitable for 15 min of anaesthesia with excellent muscle relaxation and has only limited cardiorespiratory effects in buffaloes.

Antibody response to sheep erythrocytes in Indian native vis-à-vis imported breeds of chickens.

1. A total of 433 birds (7 weeks old) of both sexes belonging to Indian native breeds, including, Aseel, Kadakanath, Naked Neck and Frizzle fowl along with the imported breeds Dahlem Red, White Leghorn, Synthetic dam line broiler (SDL) and Naked Neck broiler were utilised to test the primary antibody response to sheep erythrocytes by haemagglutination test. The effect of genotype (breed), sex and their interactions on antibody response were also studied. 2. The results revealed the presence of natural antibodies in all groups under study. 3. All groups except broilers showed the highest HA titre on day 5 post immunisation, which gradually declined until the end of the experiment (19th day post immunisation). In broilers, the peak HA titre was observed on day 12. 4. Dahlem Red showed the highest response throughout. The lowest antibody response was recorded for broilers except on day 19 post immunisation when it exceeded the White Leghorn value. 5. Amongst the native Indian breeds, the Naked neck had the highest titre on day 5 post immunisation but the Aseel titre was highest on days 12 and 19. 6. Males tended to have higher titres than females in Aseel, Kadakanath, Naked Neck, White Leghorn and Naked Neck broilers whereas Frizzle, Dahlem Red and SDL broilers showed the converse. 7. Statistical analysis revealed significant variation in HA response among the various genetic groups on different days post immunisation. The apparent differences between sexes were not significant. However, interactions between breed and sex were significant on day 5 and 19 post immunisation.

Effect of bracken (Pteridium a quilinum) and dryopteris (Dryopteris juxtaposita) fern toxicity in laboratory rabbits.

Experimental studies with Bracken and Dryopteris ferns @ 25% concentrate ration mixture were conducted in rabbits. Fern fed rabbits showed progressive anaemia, leukopaenia, lymphopaenia and relative heterophilia. Significant elevations in serum enzymes like serum glutamate oxaloactate transminase (SGOT), serum glutamate pyruvate transminase (SGPT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), urea and creatinine levels were seen. Histopathologically, rabbits showed mild to moderate vascular changes in most of visceral organs, vacuolar degenerative changes in hepatocytes, hypersecretory activity in intestine, presence of casts in renal tubules and degenerative changes in renal tubular lining epithelial cells. Dryopteris fed rabbits showed somewhat more severe degenerative and vascular changes in different intervals. A low level of toxic principle ptaquiloside was detected in Bracken and Dryopteris ferns by thin layer chromatography (TLC) and high-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) methods.

Some novel folk treatments among the tribes of uttar pradesh.

The paper constitute report on some interesting plant - based fait and belief, and novel treatments practiced by Boxas of Nainital, Bijnor and deharadun districts, tharus of gonad and saharia tribe of lalitpur districts of U.P 23 plant species have been reported to be used against various ailments of mankind, in scorpionsting and snake bite, Root juice of Musa paradisica is used as contraceptive, while seed paste of Abrus precatorius in abortion. Moreover, Boxas of Nainital believe that if a root piece of Achyranthes aspera is worn over the neck of a lad unable to conceive will certainly conceive. Similarly, tharus of baharaich and gonda scattered leaves of putranjiva roxburghii over the maternity room for an easy delivery.

Effect of cooking and storage on lipid oxidation and development of cholesterol oxidation products in water buffalo meat.

Buffalo meat was subjected to two cooking methods viz. broiling and pressure cooking and two storage procedures viz. refrigerated (4 °C) storage for six days and frozen (-10 °C) storage for 90 days. Changes in lipid oxidation and development of cholesterol oxidation products were studied in raw as well as cooked meat samples. Total lipid, phospholipid, cholesterol, free fatty acid, glycolipid and glyceride contents increased significantly on cooking of meat but did not show any significant changes during either refrigerated or frozen storage except for free fatty acid content which showed an increase. The TBA values also increased during storage but not to the extent of indicating rancidity. Cholesterol oxidation products separated by thin layer chromatography were: cholestanetriol, 7-α-hydroxycholesterol, 19-hydroxycholesterol, 7-ketocholesterol, cholesterol-α-epoxide, cholesterol-ß-epoxide and an unidentified fraction. All these fractions, except for the unidentified fraction, increased on cooking and storage. The cholesterol-ß-epoxide fraction was resistant to changes. Changes in broiled meat were more pronounced compared to pressure cooked meat. Frozen storage did not prevent the development of cholesterol oxidation products in buffalo meat.

Lipid oxidation and cholesterol oxidation in mutton during cooking and storage.

The effects of cooking viz. pressure-cooking and broiling and storage at 4 °C for six days and -10 °C for 90 days on lipid oxidation and development of cholesterol oxidation products in mutton were studied. Results revealed that cooking of meat significantly increased the total lipids, phospholipids, cholesterol, glycolipids, free fatty acids and glycerides, but they did not change during refrigerated and frozen storage. The TBA values increased on cooking and during storage. However, the values were below the threshold level for rancidity development. The following cholesterol oxidation products were separated by thin layer chromatography cholestanetriol, 7-α-hydroxy cholesterol, 19-hydroxycholesterol, 7-ketocholesterol, cholesterol-α-epoxide, cholesterol-ß-epoxide and an unidentified fraction. All these fractions except the unidentified fraction increased on cooking. On refrigerated and even on frozen storage all these fractions increased except the unidentified fraction, which showed a concomitant reduction. The changes in broiled meat were more pronounced compared to pressure-cooked meat. Results clearly indicated that even frozen storage of cooked meat did not prevent the development of cholesterol oxidation products.

Fungal diseases of fish in Nanak Sagar, Naini Tal, India.

Eight zoosporic fungi viz., Achlya debaryana, A. flagellata, A. klebsiana, Aphanomyces laevis, Saprolegnia diclina, S. ferax, S. parasitica, and Pythium sp. were isolated from a large number of adult fishes of the species Mastacembelus armatus, Mystus vitatus, Nandus nandus, Tor putitora and T. tor of Nanak Sagar reservoir in Naini Tal district, India. Species of the parasites and the hosts were different in their pathogenicity and immunity, respectively. However, A. flagellata and S. parasitica appeared to be the most virulent. The severity of mycosis was primarily correlated to moderate water temperatures of 22-25 degrees C. High temperature (> 28 degrees C) retarded the disease process. The experimental inoculation with all the associated fungal species on Puntius conchonius in the laboratory produced clinical signs similar to the ones seen on infected fish in the reservoir. This is the first report on fish mycosis in the large reservoir located in the foot hill of Kumaun Himalaya.

Epizootic infection due to Achlya debaryana in a catfish.

Achyla debaryana (Saprolegniales, Oomycetes) is being reported for the first time as a fish pathogen, causing an epizootic of mycosis in a catfish, Mastacembelus armatus, in Nanak Sugar, a huge artificial reservoir and recognized fish production centre in Naini Tal district, Uttar Pradesh, India. The incidence of infection was found to be influenced by the physicochemical characteristics of water. The maximum disease severity (52 and 47.4%) occurred in March with moderate water temperature (22-24 degrees C), high dissolved oxygen content (9.5 mg l-1) and pH 8.6, while the lowest level of infection (3 and 1.8%) was recorded at high temperature (29-32 degrees C) during June.

Cashmere production of the Himalayan Cheghus.

Pashmina (cashmere) production data of Cheghu goats maintained at 2,400 m altitude at the Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Mukteswar, were analysed. The least-squares means for the first, second and third yield were 72.59 +/- 1.77 g, 110.50 +/- 2.60 g and 126.54 +/- 3.15 g respectively. The sire effect on different yields was not significant. Year of birth was found to influence all the three yields significantly. Seasons in different years had variable effect on yields. Difference between sex was not significant for the first but was highly significant for the second and third yields. Intraclass regression showed that sex within age at first combing had no effect on the first but significantly influenced the second and third yields.

Efficiency of one- and two-stage selection indexes for improvement of net economic merit in White Leghorns.

The effects of varying intensities of selection at first and second stages, for a given final intensity, on the efficiency of two-stage index selection are described. Data collected on four White Leghorn strains for part and residual egg number, body weights at 20 and 40 weeks and egg weight at 39 to 40 weeks were utilised. Four of the five traits were used in the first stage and all five traits were used in the second stage for the construction of two-stage selection indexes. The index that utilised all five traits had the maximum efficiency for one-stage selection. The relative efficiency of the two-stage index increased with increase in proportion selected at the first stage. A practical breeding schedule that adds the advantage of reduced generation interval by utilising a two-stage index selection is suggested for egg type chickens.