Performance of crossbred pigs with indigenous and Hampshire inheritance under a smallholder production system in the Eastern Himalayan hill region.

Pig productivity is very low in the Eastern Himalayan hill region due to the poor performance of local pigs. To improve pig productivity, it was decided to develop a crossbred pig of Niang Megha indigenous and Hampshire as an exotic germplasm. The performance of crossbred pigs with different levels of Hampshire and indigenous inheritance-H-50 × NM-50 (HN-50), H-75 × NM-25 (HN-75), and H-87.5 × NM-12.5 (HN-87.5)-was compared for their performance to find a suitable level of genetic inheritance. Among the crossbreds, HN-75 performed better in terms of production, reproduction performance, and adaptability. Inter se mating and selection were carried out on six generations of HN-75 pigs, and genetic gain and trait stability were evaluated and released as a crossbred. These crossbred pigs attained body weights of 77.5-90.7 kg by 10 months of age, with FCR of 4.3:1. Age at puberty was 276.66 ± 2.25 days, and average birth weight was 0.92 ± 0.06 kg. Litter size at birth and weaning were 9.12 ± 0.55 and 8.52 ± 0.81. These pigs have good mothering abilities with a weaning percentage of 89.32 ± 2.52%, good carcass quality, and consumer preference. The lifetime productivity for an average of six farrowings/sow showed a total litter size at birth of 51.83 ± 1.61 and total litter size at weaning of 47.17 ± 2.69. In a smallholder production system, the crossbred pigs showed a better growth rate and a higher litter size at birth and at weaning than average local pigs. Hence, the popularization of this crossbreed would enhance the production, productivity, livelihood, and income of the region's farmers.

Thermal stress-related physiological, behavioral, and serum biochemical responses in indigenous pigs adapted to Eastern Himalayan region.

Introduction: The current study was carried out to investigate the effect of micro-environmental variations on physiological, behavioral, and serum biochemical parameters of indigenous (Niang Megha), Hampshire, and crossbred (75% Hampshire X 25% Niang Megha). Methods: Rectal temperature (TR), skin surface temperature (TSS), respiration rate (RR), and heart rate (HR) were recorded at 0,900 and 1,600 h weekly once for 2 months for each season in grower pigs of each genotype. CCTV video cameras were utilized to observe the behavioral changes. Five milliliters of blood samples was collected to estimate different biochemical parameters. Results: Season affected (p < 0.05) all physiological parameters which generally increased during summer except TR and RR of indigenous pig. TR, TSS, RR, and HR were significantly (p < 0.05) higher for Hampshire than for indigenous and crossbred in the summer season. The frequency and behavioral activities to heat loss or to conserve heat such as shivering and wallowing were lower except for physical activity that was higher at all times in indigenous pigs. Seasonal variations influenced metabolic activity and serum activity of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and alanine transaminase (ALT), which rose in summer in all genotypes. Serum ALP and thyroxine (T4) were significantly (p < 0.05) higher for indigenous pig in both the seasons. The insulin level was significantly (p < 0.05) higher in indigenous pigs with no significant difference between Hampshire and crossbred in summer whereas there was significant difference among the genotypes in winter. However, superoxide dismutase (SOD) showed no significant difference in the study. Indigenous pigs had the lowest serum cortisol concentrations, whereas Hampshire had the highest. Conclusion: The current study's findings on several parameters of three different genotypes suggest that indigenous pigs in this region are more adaptable to the region's changing climatic conditions.

Molecular diagnosis and clinico-hemato-biochemical alterations and oxidant-antioxidant biomarkers in Babesia-infected dogs of Mizoram, India.

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVES: Babesiosis is a tick transmitted disease, infecting a wide variety of wild and domestic animals, as well as humans. This study was designed to investigate molecular diagnosis and clinic-hemato-biochemical and oxidant/antioxidant status in dogs of Mizoram, India. METHODS: A total 1200 dogs screened for babesiosis during 2017-18 and 53 dogs suspected for babesiosis by clinical signs and were confirmed by molecular diagnosis. Clinical signs were recorded; also blood samples were taken to investigate hematologic changes, serum biochemical variations and oxidative stress biomarkers. RESULTS: The overall incidence of babesiosis in dogs of Aizawl, Mizoram, India during the study period recorded was 1.25% (15/1200) and 28.3% cases confirmed from 53 suspected dogs (15/53). The most commonly observed clinical signs were fever, emaciation, depression and icterus and lymphadenopathy. Significant reduction in PCV, HB, RBCs, MCHC, total protein, and albumin along with significant increase in MCV, WBCs, monocytes and BUN were the most consistent hemato-biochemical changes. Oxidant/antioxidant assessment showed significant reduction in superoxide dismutase, catalase and total anti-oxidant (TAC) along with significant increase in lipid peroxidase (LPO) activities. INTERPRETATION & CONCLUSION: The findings of this study demonstrated that the main causative agent of babesiosis in dogs in Mizoram Province is Babesia gibsoni which caused significant alteration of hemato-biochemical and oxidant-antioxidant status in dogs.